XSI 2.0

[kamate]

i have not been here for a while. when we purchased xsi 1.5 our vendor told us, that in late summer this year a new release will arrive that is able to render wireframes. well now it is november - i hope he does not also make a mistake with the wireframe rendering.
btw is the shipping date for student/university licenses the same and is it a free update or do we have to pay an additional shipping or update fee (how much) ?

thanks in advance
newton

[belinus]

In reply to:
i have not been here for a while. when we purchased xsi 1.5 our vendor told us, that in late summer this year a new release will arrive that is able to render wireframes. well now it is november - i hope he does not also make a mistake with the wireframe rendering.
btw is the shipping date for student/university licenses the same and is it a free update or do we have to pay an additional shipping or update fee (how much) ?

thanks in advance
newton

As long as your contract is still within the year you will get it.

I wanna know when we're getting it too. It launched the same day XP did.

[kamate]

As long as your contract is still within the year you will get it.

I wanna know when we're getting it too. It launched the same day XP did.

you mean every university/student license receives free updates (if they ask for them) within 1 year . and afterwards they have to use the last update till they are graduated or do they have to pay for the following updates? the information through my reseller in germany in this case is very unsatisfactory.

let me know when you get your copy.

[devdoka]

To clarify things:

1) XSI v2.0 is still in beta (final rounds).

2) Customers with maintenance contracts active the day XSI v2.0 ships will receive XSI v2.0 at no extra charge as part of the maintenance agreement. Everybody else will have to update their maintenance contract before they can receive XSI v2.0.

3) Student licenses only cover the initial purchase and email tech support thru the reseller for one year from date of purchase. To upgrade, the student must pay an upgrade fee to get the next full release. Essentially a student license is a rented license, not an owned license like with the professional versions. This is why the cost is significantly lower for students.

Matt

---

Matt Lind
Animator / Technical Director
Softimage certified instructor:
Softimage|3D
Softimage|XSI
speye_21@hotmail.com

[kamate]

3) Student licenses only cover the initial purchase and email tech support thru the reseller for one year from date of purchase. To upgrade, the student must pay an upgrade fee to get the next full release. Essentially a student license is a rented license, not an owned license like with the professional versions. This is why the cost is significantly lower for students.

that was my first supposition. so what is the official price for this upgrade (1.5 to 2.0) and is it available as soon as xsi 2.0 ships?

thanks in advance

[richard-sher]

I was under the impression that students didn't have to pay anything past the initial price. I thought that they only had to prove that they were still a student to get upgrades. But I have never had to deal with student license renewals so I could be wrong.

Ed
XSI Videos, Classes, Tutorials, Tools, Shaders....
Available at:http://www.EdHarriss.comhttp://www.EdHarriss.com

[kamate]

In reply to:
I was under the impression that students didn't have to pay anything past the initial price. I thought that they only had to prove that they were still a student to get upgrades. But I have never had to deal with student license renewals so I could be wrong.Ed
XSI Videos, Classes, Tutorials, Tools, Shaders....
Available at:http://www.EdHarriss.comhttp://www.EdHarriss.com

that is the way it should be and for example alias/w handles it (btw you get every update for free and a printed manual)
probably matt can help us in this point.

[belinus]

In reply to:
To clarify things:

1) XSI v2.0 is still in beta (final rounds).

2) Customers with maintenance contracts active the day XSI v2.0 ships will receive XSI v2.0 at no extra charge as part of the maintenance agreement. Everybody else will have to update their maintenance contract before they can receive XSI v2.0.

3) Student licenses only cover the initial purchase and email tech support thru the reseller for one year from date of purchase. To upgrade, the student must pay an upgrade fee to get the next full release. Essentially a student license is a rented license, not an owned license like with the professional versions. This is why the cost is significantly lower for students.

Matt

-------------------------
Matt Lind
Animator / Technical Director
Softimage certified instructor:
Softimage|3D
Softimage|XSI
speye_21@hotmail.com

That's stupid not to give it to students though. Our lisence files are the same as yours except ours expire every year unless I fax Journey new stuff to re-up it. If I get screwed out of 2, I'll just give the XSI space to Maya then.

[devdoka]

@@That's stupid not to give it to students though. Our lisence files are the same as yours except ours expire every year unless I fax Journey new stuff to re-up it. If I get screwed out of 2, I'll just give the XSI space to Maya then.

You're missing the point - students only pay $500 for the upgrade and get tech support with it. Professionals have to pay between $1500 and $2250 annually for the same service. Almost all software companies issue time-bomb style licenses for educational purposes (Meaning after a year- pffft, they stop working). In the case of XSI, you only get downgraded functionality after a year - the license still runs. That alone is a better deal than the competitors.

For the price of one year's professional maintenance contract, you can have 4 years use of an educational license (which includes the same features as XSI advanced). Don't forget, any purchases made count as credit towards a professional license upon graduation. If you work the finances right, you'll have XSI for free you're entire college career.

Students are getting a great deal. When I was in school, I couldn't get SI even if I wanted to as it cost $20,000 just for the model module and a few essential tools. SI only ran on IRIX back then too for an additional $40,000 just to get a base machine. To get a demo reel made, I had to cough up $1250 to a local post house. If I had that $1250 dollars back again in todays market, I would've spent it on XSI instead to make my reel better.

Today, you get the whole darned thing and more. Think about it, you've got it easy.

Matt

---

Matt Lind
Animator / Technical Director
Softimage cerrtified instructor:
Softimage|3D
Softimage|XSI
speye_21@hotmail.com

[leach]

eyee...when i was a lad...we ad to walk through blizzards of hail, rain and snow for days on end....and we were grateful for it... you youngsters now a days.... i tell ya...!!!!

[kamate]

You're missing the point - students only pay $500 for the upgrade and get tech support with it. Professionals have to pay between $1500 and $2250 annually for the same service. Almost all software companies issue time-bomb style licenses for educational purposes (Meaning after a year- pffft, they stop working). In the case of XSI, you only get downgraded functionality after a year - the license still runs. That alone is a better deal than the competitors.

  hmm, maybe i get something wrong. 500$ for the upgrade 
  is the same like for the normal student/univ license and 
  this tech support from my vendor....well i wouldn't miss it.
 2. sure professionals have to pay more, because they are
  allowed to SELL their work.
 3.as far as i know there is only one big competitor (maya)
 and after a year it still works and pffft i get my next FREE 
 upgrade.

For the price of one year's professional maintenance contract, you can have 4 years use of an educational license (which includes the same features as XSI advanced). Don't forget, any purchases made count as credit towards a professional license upon graduation. If you work the finances right, you'll have XSI for free you're entire college career.

   normally you do not pay for sw at work by yourself. if you want the upgrades
   - lets say only once a year - thats easily 2000$ (maya in
  germany is less than 300$ upgrades included)

Students are getting a great deal. When I was in school, I couldn't get SI even if I wanted to as it cost $20,000 just for the model module and a few essential tools. SI only ran on IRIX back then too for an additional $40,000 just to get a base machine. To get a demo reel made, I had to cough up $1250 to a local post house. If I had that $1250 dollars back again in todays market, I would've spent it on XSI instead to make my reel better.

Today, you get the whole darned thing and more. Think about it, you've got it easy.

this sounds a little bit like a marketing text. a lot of things
have improved since the 60's but people still want to
compare the products.i am a physicist and not an animator,
but in my surroundings one big reason to buy softimage
products is still mental ray. i guess it is no chance that there
are 10 times more posts in the maya forum although i still
prefere xsi. think about the conditions, it is evident.

[pashunya]

hello,

I'm a student who paid $500 for Softimage:XSI 1.0 and got a one year student lincense with the works, but when Softimage XSI 1.5 came I though I was going to have to paid another $500 to upgrade and get new lincense. However not true, as long as your a student with 6 units or more you can renew your student lincense with journeyED.com for Free! For the software upgrade it depends on Softimage they set the price for XSI and last year XSI 1.5 was free, however, I'm pretty sure XSi 2.0 will be $500 because it is a major upgrade. But I do hope Softimage will lower the price to $200 =].

Don't scream at me

[belinus]

In reply to:

You're missing the point - students only pay $500 for the upgrade and get tech support with it. Professionals have to pay between $1500 and $2250 annually for the same service. Almost all software companies issue time-bomb style licenses for educational purposes (Meaning after a year- pffft, they stop working). In the case of XSI, you only get downgraded functionality after a year - the license still runs. That alone is a better deal than the competitors.

The point is that Avid gives students this pricing so they will go out into the work force and create a bigger market for SoftImage.

I am also restricted in my usage of it. Most notable is that I cannot charge for any image I create under XSI and at any given moment I must give Avid work I created for their use.

Also, Mental Ray is coming to Maya. If Avid wants to dick me on XSI 2.0 then I will forget them, not renew my contract, and just give the XSI 5 GB to Maya

[devdoka]

@@The point is that Avid gives students this pricing so they will go out into the work force and create a bigger market for SoftImage.

That's a beneficial side effect, but not the sole reason. Many studios want animators they don't have to train as it's significantly less costly for them (and less headaches). Many studios do not hire newbie's so it's in your best interests to be a ready as possible when you knock on their doors.

Not all schools have enough warranted interest or knowlegeable staff to conduct specialized 3D animation training. The educational licenses are offered for those who would like to further their skills and knowledge of 3D animation using one of the best tools available, but aren't necessarily at a school where the training is available. If the training is available, you can certainly make the purchase to give yourself extra lab time so to speak.

Softimage realizes you've already spent most of your money on tuition which is why they cut the price. But in order to justify that price cut, they have to instill a few restrictions so their professional products are not undermined. It's a business and one that is tricky to balance.

@@I am also restricted in my usage of it. Most notable is that I cannot charge for any image I create under XSI and at any given moment I must give Avid work I created for their use.

Who told you that you must fork work over to Avid at a whim? I've never heard of that.

@@Also, Mental Ray is coming to Maya. If Avid wants to dick me on XSI 2.0 then I will forget them, not renew my contract, and just give the XSI 5 GB to Maya

Mental ray for Maya is at extra cost and not built-in like with XSI. A|W cannot control pricing of mental ray either, so don't expect it to be as cheap.

Look at it this way, you can spend $500 a year now for that $50K job later, or you can spend $200 now and end up with a $30K job. That doesn't mean that $500 will get you a $50K job of course, but many studios set salaries based on the tools used because each requires it's own specialized skill set (It's a supply/demand thing). Max animators, for example, don't usually earn as much as Softimage or Maya animators because because they practically grow on trees.

When I was in college and had to make tough choices or was simply in an unmotivated mood, I'd always say to myself: Matt, If you're not willing to invest to make yourself better, then why are you here? After looking at the almost non-existent bottom line in my bank account, it was easy to see the light and get my butt in gear.

Your mileage may vary.

Matt

---

Matt Lind
Animator / Technical Director
Softimage certified instructor:
Softimage|3D
Softimage|XSI
speye_21@hotmail.com

[rabidangel]

"Max animators, for example, don't usually earn as much as Softimage or Maya animators because they practically grow on trees."

Nice to see we're held in such high regard --
maybe you should rephrase it to "MAX animators practically grow on trees, good ones do not"

On Topic though - I feel the student license IS a good deal, so much so i'm considering it myself if I could get some basic tuition on the package...running up to London for every expo and sitting at the booth for a few hours isn't a good way to learn ,really :0/

[devdoka]

In reply to:
"Max animators, for example, don't usually earn as much as Softimage or Maya animators because they practically grow on trees."

Nice to see we're held in such high regard --
maybe you should rephrase it to "MAX animators practically grow on trees, good ones do not"

On Topic though - I feel the student license IS a good deal, so much so i'm considering it myself if I could get some basic tuition on the package...running up to London for every expo and sitting at the booth for a few hours isn't a good way to learn ,really :0/

Don't twist things. You're taking it out of context - what I meant is that MAX has a larger user base, therefore the ol' supply/demand curve works in favor of the employer as it gives him more choice to fill a position on staff (it's cheaper for him). The applicant has to compete with more bodies and therefore has less room to bargain when it comes to salary.

With Softimage, the user base isn't quite as big but are usually in higher profile studios, therefore the situation works in favor of the animator as he has leverage to negotiate a deal with an employer who needs a Softimage animator as there aren't as many applicants to choose from.

Simple economics. If it's a hot day in the desert and there's only one lemonade stand to serve a large population of thirsty people, the vendor can pretty much name his price. But if many lemonade stands are lined in a row providing more than enough lemonade to server the population, then the vendor will have to reduce his price to compete as the demand for his lemonade has been drastically reduced because there isn't as much need.

Matt

---

Matt Lind
Animator / Technical Director
Softimage certified instructor:
Softimage|3D
Softimage|XSI
speye_21@hotmail.com

[nurbousbreakdown]

I dunno.

$500 for an $11000 package seems to me to be quite a good deal, and $500 a year compared to the $2k seems quite good, too.

How much are you investing in your college education / art school / whatever?

Sorry, but I can get a job for a few weeks part time at mcdonalds and finance a student license for a year.

Plus the whole 'if soft dicks me, I'll go to maya' attitude is simply juvenile. You should be investing in and learning the package that you enjoy, believe in, whatever, not the one where you end up paying a wee bit more or less.

Balgillow

[belinus]

In reply to:
Who told you that you must fork work over to Avid at a whim? I've never heard of that.

It's on the User Agreement form that my faculty sponsor and I had to sign. There is a clause in it that says "Upon request, you must provide Softimage

[devdoka]

After getting some more updated info here's how the educational licensing stands:

1) $495 USD to purchase a student license of XSI.

2) $120 USD maintenance per year (not $500 as reported earlier). To renew, you must provide proof you are still enrolled as a student with a minimum of 6 credits towards 3D animation studies (or equivalent).

3) If maintenance is not renewed, License reverts to base mode after one year (from time of purchase) .

4) Your maintenance agreement allows you to download patches and service packs from softimage support. If your reseller says otherwise, then call softimage to get it straightened out. Ask for "Educational" licensing info.

5) New releases will have to be purchased separately (I think - don't quote me on this one yet).

6) You "own" the license. Therefore you can transfer or sell it if you don't want it anymore for whatever reason.

So to summarize: $615 USD will get you an XSI student license and one year's maintenance which includes free downloads of all patches and service packs. After the first year, it will be $120 per year to keep your license running from then on. For less than $1,000 USD, you can have an XSI student license for 4 years of school.

XSI v2.0 is about to ship, so I'd hang on a few more weeks before making any decisions. Documentation has received a significant boost with this vesion. Especially in the SDK/scripting.

If you have any other questions regarding Education licenses, contact education@softimage.com

Here's a link with more info (to be updated soon I'm sure):

http://www.softimage.com/Education/XSI/Buy...ent\_teacher.htm

Matt

---

Matt Lind
Animator / Technical Director
Softimage certified insructor:
Softimage|3D
Softimage|XSI
speye_21@hotmail.com

[belinus]

In reply to:
After getting some more updated info here's how the educational licensing stands:

1) $495 USD to purchase a student license of XSI.

2) $120 USD maintenance per year (not $500 as reported earlier). To renew, you must provide proof you are still enrolled as a student with a minimum of 6 credits towards 3D animation studies (or equivalent).

3) If maintenance is not renewed, License reverts to base mode after one year (from time of purchase) .

4) Your maintenance agreement allows you to download patches and service packs from softimage support. If your reseller says otherwise, then call softimage to get it straightened out. Ask for "Educational" licensing info.

5) New releases will have to be purchased separately (I think - don't quote me on this one yet).

6) You "own" the license. Therefore you can transfer or sell it if you don't want it anymore for whatever reason.

So to summarize: $615 USD will get you an XSI student license and one year's maintenance which includes free downloads of all patches and service packs. After the first year, it will be $120 per year to keep your license running from then on. For less than $1,000 USD, you can have an XSI student license for 4 years of school.

XSI v2.0 is about to ship, so I'd hang on a few more weeks before making any decisions. Documentation has received a significant boost with this vesion. Especially in the SDK/scripting.

If you have any other questions regarding Education licenses, contact education@softimage.com

Here's a link with more info (to be updated soon I'm sure):

http://www.softimage.com/Education/XSI/Buy...ent\_teacher.htm

They changed it them because in order for me to re-up my contract when I purchased it, all I needed to do was fax Journey Education a new signed agreement and a current course schedule showing 6 credit enrollment. No cost whatsoever.