as I said, Pandemic and/or LA didn't pay enough to make the exporter freeware

I know Valve did.. and they paid ALOT O.o

.MDL* I believe was the standard filetype, but there were a few additional ones too.

I meant that it could only export valid standard files as .xsi... heh

What the heck do you mean pay, Qdin? They just wrote a script that was compatible with the modeling software the were running and used it. Am I right? The script is distributed with the SWBF 1 mod tools, and has absolutely nothing to do with softimage beyond being an add-on for one of their programs. It has as much to do with Softimage as a mod map has to do with Pandemic. (Literally, thats the amount of have-do-ness)

Whats to stop us from writing a script of our own - even for mod tools, unless there as some scripting functions missing that we need - The BFBuilder EULA does not mention softimage or XSI*, so that means that Pandemics EULA with Softimage didn't say the couldn't write scripts for and distribute them for XSI (or they neglected to inform us of the restrictions on the addon, Liability -> Pandemic, AFAIK) so we can go ahead and make our own msh exporter. Theres probably tutorials.

*According to notepad.

My time is dedicated to my map ATM, but maybe someone wants to look at
http://www.xsibase.com/forum/
Just googled that.

what's going on in this thread Qdin's talking about SWBF2, RC's talking about source engine and Ace is talking about SWBF1? I'm confused. To try and answer your post Ace', we can't make a .MSH exporter because i think (AFAIK) that modtools version uses a different SDK or something like that which only Softimage have. And what Qdin is saying is that Softimage have to give permission and/or recieve a lump sum of money before they release an exporter for mod tools, making it their decision. That's what i think the add on has to do with softimage. But as i said, this thread is confusing me so i could be very wrong about what's going on here

How much money do you think they would want?

Softimage DOES NOT PUT OUT THE EXPORTER...
Thats a summary of what I said. I also gave proof. And a place with user made exporters.

eek.

awell, such is life

.mdl is kinda like a JO/JA .pk3 file, the actual model extention for valve games is .smd which mod tool 6 has the exporter for and actually has a few more tools included as well as the originals being updated, now you can select the CSS urban and HL2 police models weighed and with a biped rig through the primitive menu.

*SIGH* I spent 20 minutes earlier today to respond to this one... then it signed me out so I had to relog in.. and all in my post was lost - and I couldn't 'jump back' and copy/paste

- so editting this one until I say I'm done (so I don't lose everything :twisted: )

I'll prolly repeat most I said earlier then

Ace, I really don't know much about the EULA, but I know Fred do. I've learn tmost of this from him as we've discussed it alot of times - just for the fun of it

Remember a year ago? I think it was Sean who had scripted the XSI Mod Tools' .MSH* exporter and posted somewhere that he had sent the exporter to Softimage so they could release it. Yes, they DO need their permission as it's a company who developed it, and it's made as a part of SDK (unofficial SDK ) It basically means that they have to judge if freeware for their free program is worth it, or if they got paid enough.. they weren't as they only thought the Full XSI Exporter would make people buy Softimage XSI. This is very important to understand, as it's a company and needs to be run - and used.

I doubt you would've done otherwise, though. Maybe released it after a year (they've prolly deleted or forgot.. -_-')

About the exporter, I even think you - Ace - were one of those who took the topic up again, wondering what actually happened to our so called XSI Mod Tools Exporter.

Now, one thing I don't really get...

They just wrote a script that was compatible with the modeling software the were running and used it. Am I right? The script is distributed with the SWBF 1 mod tools, and has absolutely nothing to do with softimage beyond being an add-on for one of their programs.

They didn't just write one, they also wrote one for XSI Mod Tools for modders, unfortunately Softimage wasn't paid enough to actually feel like an investment to release freeware like Valve paid waaay more than you'd ever know to make Softimage freely release exporters for their freeware programs so none had to buy it.. if I were softimage... lol

Can you please rephrase this line you said below?
"or they neglected to inform us of the restrictions on the addon, Liability -> Pandemic, AFAIK) so we can go ahead and make our own msh exporter."

Everyone can make an exporter, yes - but that's not a part of a business as Pandemic and/or LucasArts are, and it's definately not a part of SDK. I'm pretty sure there's a big difference as converting from/to files isn't the same as transfering files in various ways with various data between applications.
now for my questions.. what does 'neglected' mean? restriction is something which is preventing you from something, right? what's Liability, something about lying? and what does AFAIK mean?

And I noticed how strange your later post where... I didn't really see your point in there - honestly - as I don't see how that was a summarization of your post (your large post didn't give me that kind of message at all)
What annoys me, though - is that you either editted it from a bigger post to a small one, and you post in CAPS!
- if you can't stand a good discussion, don't step into it if you can't take it any other way than posting in caps (and even repeating yourself without adding new content )

Btw, you never really gave out a 'proof' as a link to a XSI forum isn't concidered a real proof.. Maybe they have plug-ins and importers/exporters, but aren't those custom made for personal reasons? Note what I said before.. there's a difference in a company, business and personal use. Pandemic is a company, SDK is business - go figure it out. They're not against people from making their own exporters, though - noone ever said that. it's just really difficult when you aren't a part of the Company or have access to the codes/scripts or whatever is needed..
"it's not personal, it's business.."

can't wait to see your respond, Ace

Mini, I didn't notice any of those kinds of files before in Valve games, just .MDL* I think.. there were also MD2, MD3 I think they were for Quake Series.. heh - you've fiddled more with Valve ^^

done editting..

Qdin: Neglect is to ignore or to not look after. Liability is *thinks* ... i can't give a definition without saying liable and AFAIK is "as far as i know".

here's the dictionary definitions of the two words :

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/neglect

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/liable

Yeah, Qdin all I was saying was that we could go ahead and make our own exporter. And pandemic did to. The proof is that its right there in BFBuilder (NOT Bf2_modtools, SWBF1's BFBuilder)

I think what Valve did was actually paid to get their exporter built right into the release version of XSI modtools, and not as an add-on to Download from Valve.

No, having the ability for a powerful freeware program to export directly to your proprietary format is an extremely big advantage, of the kind that Softimage is not willing to give away for free. Addons will not work with Mod Tools without authentication from Softimage.

as I said, it's business

So whatever people makes of plug-ins, HAVE to be checked through by Softimage themselves? Which is the reason XSIBase is good, because employees from Softimages maybe checks there once in a while to give certification..? (dunno - seems like a good way to work..)

Ace, if they DID leave the scripts in the BF1 exporter, why haven't anyone actually made a workable plug-in after 2½ years..?

No, just for Mod Tools. For any of the bought copies, you can basically do whatever the hell you want. (You did drop a large amount of cash on it, after all)