-= Gametoast.com =-

Does that mean that I've spent 15 hours trying to learn 3D modelling for nothing!!

C3P0: We seem to be made to suffer!

LA sure knows how to make us cry. They just could not have provided a free software for modding!

uttaresh, having spent about fifteen hours to "learn modelling" using Softimage|XSI Mod Tools does not necessarily mean that you have wasted your time "for nothing". Indeed, you can design brand-new meshes for Star Wars Battlefront I / II (Or even modify existing ones thanks to Nimlot's "BConstructor" program) using this declension, since it can export dotXSI files, which are handled by all other versions of Softimage|XSI. Thus, once you have created all the models you would like to use on "user-made" levels, you can either download XSI Foundation at this address (Since it manages Plug-Ins Pandemic Studios have provided with SWBF I / II Mod Tools, or "beg" a GameToast member owning the Foundation, Essentials or Advanced version of this 3D-modelling program to export these "scenes" for you...

Thanks for that. Anyway, this is kind of embarrassing - turns out my father had XSI Advanced (*cheeks go red*). So, anyway, I'll download the XSI Tutorials soon enough.

Thanks for helping, though!

Ive downloaded XSI ModTool V4.2 but when i try to save it says i need an activation key. Ive tried the "Register" link but it comes up with 404 Error. Where the hell do i get an activation key?!

EDIT
Ive found it now.

Can i use Softimage XSI Advanced v5.1 ?

yes , if your filthy rich lol

I think my neighbour has it That's why i'm asking ('cuz someone mention XSI modTool 5.2) =^_^=

MasterYoda91 wrote:Ive downloaded XSI ModTool V4.2 but when i try to save it says i need an activation key. Ive tried the "Register" link but it comes up with 404 Error. Where the hell do i get an activation key?!

I actually still cant find it... since you had the same problem and you found it could you help me out?

Does anyone know wether the latest SOFTIMAGE|XSI v.5.1 Foundation is also compatible with the XSI-to-BF2 export plugin ???

I bought my Softimage XSI Foundation about 2 months ago and I have version 5.0. The Pandemic .MSH exporter addon works fine with my version.

Though seriously, Grievous, this program has a vast and very complicated documentation which is NOT easy to read at first. If you found the documentation to the BF modtools difficult to handle and wanted to give up on it so quick as you gave us the impression, I would seriously reconsider getting XSI if I were you. These programs demands time and LOTS of trial and fail. But, as with all complicated apps, if you just concentrate and devote your time and energy to study them thoroughly, they will open up their secrets to you. Patience is required..

Though, I must say that personally I think that XSI is much more fun and intuitive to use than for example 3D-Studio Max. I felt at home quickly in its environment, even though it was a bit perplexing at first with all its complexity.

I have 3DS MAX 8 actually, and I just ordered my MAX 8 Essentials book (by Autodesk) to learn how to model. The plan is that when I've made some decent 3D models for use in Battlefront 2 that I would simply export them to the .XSI format and use the BF2 export plugin to get them in Battlefront 2.

And the default tutorials that come with 3DS MAX 8 are actually quite good, I've already modelled myself a pawn and bishop!

Would it also work with the XSI Advanced v5.1 version?

i used to use max but all it does and the books i had on it do is collect dust, it has little support for games and XSI's wieght painter panel and animation tools kill max's face. you cant really learn to model from books, they can show you techniques but to really become a good modeler its all through practice.

minilogoguy18 wrote:i used to use max but all it does and the books i had on it do is collect dust, it has little support for games and XSI's wieght painter panel and animation tools kill max's face. you cant really learn to model from books, they can show you techniques but to really become a good modeler its all through practice.

If course I will need to practice, but first I need to know what to do before I can even begin to practice.
And it's actually the other way around, MAX 8 is the more established game development tool. Not because it's so much better then XSI, I guess they're just a little older and have a bigger user base.
The developers of the Battlefronts even said that their development tool (XSI) wasn't a very common 3D tool in the gaming world.
But like I said, not because it's worse.

And XSI does already have support for Ageia PhysiX software.

Actually according to the slew of game designing books i have and a ton of companies using it, Maya is the top in game design and also in movie production and its been at the top since 2002. Infinity Ward, Ion Storm, Sony Computer Entertainment, Polyphony, Nintendo, Namco, Square-Enix, Digital Illusions, Blitz Games, Bizzare Creations, Lion Head Studios and Electronic Arts all use Maya, as well as your beloved ILM to create all special effects in Star Wars Episodes 1-3. Valve, Unreal and Pandemic are some of the ones i know use XSI but XSI was used in all the newest Resident Evil games, they had a showcase on RE: 4 on softimage.com and also im sure other Capcom games. Also Factor 5 used Maya as well for the Rogue Squadron 2 and 3 games for the Gamecube and those games had better graphics than any game i had ever seen from that era of game consoles.

Alrighty, just to clarify and sum it up for everyone: The .msh exporter works for all versions of XSI (except XSI mod tool) as well as the student/teacher/institution version, right?

not version before 4,2 if I'm not mistaken

and you'll have to have a version newer than 4,2 to open i.e. the UnitTemplate

the .msh exporter works for version 4.2 BUT the unit template is 4.27 because thats what version psych0fred had when he released it, there now its clear.