XSI users

Xsi
1

Hello all! I would like to learn XSI and my question is did anyone learned XSI by him self and how hard it is? Any tips where to start.

2

hi
U should start from the manuals to understand the way it works..(most questions i've answered to new users were already explained in the manual,first check there and if it makes no sence u can ask in any XSI forum)..

The interface is very user friendly (my opinion) and of course u have to experiment a lot..
If u have experience from other software use it in your advance...avoid thoughts as "XSI can't make this thing i could make in "x" program and use your mind to find similar approaches (if there r any) or see if XSI offers u a better solution than the "x" program..

Finally, when u get used with it's workflow there r really many tutorials on the web (or books) and the XSI community is really friendly and growing..
Cheers

3

Bonjour matej,

I am one of those! I assume that you intend to learn XSI this way, so here's what I have to say:

  • First, I was already using Softimage|3D, the predecessor of Softimage|XSI. So to jump on XSI was not as hard as I tought. XSI kept the same workflow philosophy as in SI3D, in a much better way.

  • I bought some books. Specifically on XSI there is only 2 for now:
    "XSI Illuminated:Foundation", by Anthony Rossano, on Mesmer Press. Good, but very basic. Great to get you started.
    "Softimage XSI Character Animation f/x & Design", by Chris Maraffi, on Coriolis. Excellent, but focuses only on character rigging and animation.

  • I found many tutorials on the web. I even downloaded all of these tutorials, organized them into a local site on my machine, and burned this "site" on cd, so I can carry it anywhere.

  • I read the software documentation when needed.

  • If all of the above does not provide any answer, I ask on this forum and on the XSI mailing list. IMHO, the list is a must to learn things.

So, in the end, it is not that hard. There is a lot of resources available, you just have to know where. I still consider myself a newbie, and I must admit that each new thing I learn in XSI impresses me. Ultimately, I think the best way to learn, when you can't go in school, is using the software in production.
If you don't use it in production, you can still start with a personal project, with specific objectives, and then you'll know what to search for. I suggest to start with basic things, like the interface, then modeling and lighting, then move on to materials and shading, then animation. Animation is whole field in itself. It would be a good thing to familiarize yourself with scripting from the beginning.

Hope this helps
Salutations - Cheers
Bernard Lebel

4

im in the same boat.
just waiting for v2 licences.
but from what ive seen it looks very logical.
Once you get over the usual attempts to render a cube with global illumination, motion blur, depth of field etc all incorrectly set. (a tad soul destroying)

its only up from there.
Im from new zealand, where currently there is minimal use of xsi so ive been teaching myself. Im really impressed with the manuals, it reassuring to see not only the "how to" but the implications and alternatives described. They are actually quite readable (thorough but not painfully exhaustive)

I am still fractionally at odds, but that is only my personal hang ups, trying to treat it like 3d studio max. and it MOST DEFINATELY ISNT!

hope that helps.
best of luck
Te Anau

5

I learned Softimage by myself since Soft_v3.7
I think Softimage production is easier to learn than Maya and Max
You just to read Online Library and Help File as well as to use your brains

GOOD LUCK :sunglasses: