I downloaded the free XSI the softimage v.4.2 but i'm totally lost in how to create the models, i'm trying to create a house, can anyone tell me how to do it or can i get a link for a toturial??

The most important thing is not to give up. Modelling is an aquired skill not knowledge, so the best way to get good is just practice. But i'll give you a little head start; Get> primative> poly mesh. there are a few different shapes in there like cubes spheres etc. use these to start off your model and then scale, rotate or translate them. For a house you would need 4 cubes as walls (if you're doing an interior) and another two as a roof, rotated toward each other. then using the add/create poly tool (n) create 3 points in a triangle shape using the gap of the other two roof cubes as a guideline. then you select the poly on the tiangle shape by using the u key and clicking on the poly. Next go Modify> poly mesh> extrude along axis, and it should make your 2d object 3d. Duplicate this and move them so there is one at each end or side of your house. Now you have a basic house shape. the last thing i'll give you to get started is this; use the knife tool ( [ ) or the add edge tool (\) on the wall you want your door to be on. the knife tool is best for this. create 2 parrallel lines going up, and one going horizontal. Now you just have to select each polygon inside the "doorframe" that you created and press alt+del to delete them. Don't forget about the polygon on the bottom. finally, keeping this object selected, press the n key to add polyggons to it. clik on the blue lines inside the doorframe and then link it to the one beside it, so walls are created.

This is as much as i'm giving. Tell me if it's unclear, as i was never intending to write this much, so it's just one big block of text, which can be difficult to understand. i'll put it into steps for ya.

how do i save it so i can use it into my map?? and when i close it some points come up to tell me get a key, where do i get it?? and do i have to get it??

you have to get someone else to export for you, as mod tools version does not support the exporter. I'm not sure about the key thing.

you say that i cant make my own objects for my map???

you need to either

A: buy XSI 4.2 or higher for $500 - $7000 US to export
B: get some one else with it to export for you
C: download a trail ((download 5.0 first, before 5.1 or 5.11, then you can continue with your models in the later versions of the trial))

@ Murdocr

That's the best beginner tutorial i've seen yet, i wasn't even aware of some of those features in XSI, i just learned of the "Rotoscope" feature yesterday from one of Rends replies in another thread.
XSI has what seems to be an endless supply of documentation that i haven't covered yet!

So, cant i make my own objcts for my own map with the free XSI??? So is it worthless for me to have it then?? Cause i dont got enough money to buy it?

so no, you can't.

it's no big secret, though - you should've browsed through the forum first...

Here's the sticky with the links to the different tutorials:
viewtopic.php?f=27&t=13806

I'd still recommend you just model whatever you want in the Softimage Mod Tools...

AceMastermind wrote:@ Murdocr

That's the best beginner tutorial i've seen yet, i wasn't even aware of some of those features in XSI, i just learned of the "Rotoscope" feature yesterday from one of Rends replies in another thread.
XSI has what seems to be an endless supply of documentation that i haven't gotten covered yet! lol

Thanks ace. BTW i thought i was the one who explained rotoscope?
EDIT: it seems me and rends posted in the same minute. lol.

eh i prefer using actual image planes rather than a rotoscope, well i am making a rotoscope but im doing it using polymsh grids, but this way i can scale them so that they are all in proportion with one another, i always do it for character models and i also did it with the N-1 cause of its curvy shape.