Softimage|XSI is a high-end 3D graphics application developed by Softimage, Co., a subsidiary of Avid Technology, Inc., which is used predominantly in the film, gaming and advertising industries for the production of 3D environments and scenes.

Four different versions of the software have been developed by Softimage to cater to the differing needs and budgets of users: Education, Foundation, Essentials, and Advanced.

A further two versions of the program have been developed for the game modding community called Softimage|XSI Mod Tool^[1] and Softimage|XSI EXP for Half-Life 2. The latter version of XSI was developed in close collaboration with Valve Software to allow the game modding community to create content specifically for Half-Life 2.

Core features

Softimage|XSI is based around 8 core feature sets.

openXSI

As with all high-end 3D graphics applications a core feature of XSI is its customizability and extensibility. This is provided through a scripting interface which provides access to the core functionality of XSI and enables users to tailor XSI to meet the specific needs of a production environment. While Alias decided to develop their own scripting language called Maya Embedded Language (MEL) for Maya and added Python functionality only recently, Softimage incorporated existing scripting languages within XSI. Support is given for JScript, VBScript, Python, PerlScript, ScOps, and OMScripting.

Custom extensions to XSI called plug-ins can also be developed to add new features and tools through the use of a C++ SDK API and the Custom Display Host API can be used to incorporate proprietary applications into the XSI environment.

XSI files can be written and read using the dotXSI file format and File Transfer Kit (FTK).

XSI workforce

A related set of tools grouped under XSI workforce are provided with XSI to enable greater productivity when working in teams:

• Net View is an integrated web browser which can be used to view documentation and other files while working on a project. Additionally it can be used to display complex HTML-based user interfaces e.g. to invoke scripts that interact with the scene.
• Synoptic View is an HTML-based custom user interface technology.

XSI performance

Non-modal interaction (meaning that multiple dialog boxes can be opened to modify multiple parameters on a model) enables users to work iteratively and non-destructively. Visual properties can also be set on a per-object basis so that scene display and updates can be optimized while working on a scene.

rendercore

The core of the rendering system is based on mental ray which has been tightly integrated within XSI. All advanced mental ray features can be rendered in any viewport while interactively working on a model. Distributed rendering is also supported and a web-based render queue management system called BatchServe is provided to manage batch rendering of scenes in XSI. Additionally the plug-in architecture of XSI allows custom plug-in renderers and display engines to be hosted.

mixer

XSI can also be used for animation. Animatable inputs can be mixed, blended, layered, and edited using the Animation Mixer, and audio-playback features can be used to achieve lip-synching for character models. The Character SDK provided with XSI can be used to customize character creation, animation, and editing.

XSI intuition

The XML-based UI engine provided with XSI can be used to optimize the user's ability to interact with XSI's tools.

XSI fx

Similar to Houdini's earlier integrated compositor, COPs, the FX Tree in XSI provides 2D raster and vector based resolution independent paint tools. It is based on Avid Media Illusion technology.

Xgs

Real-time shading languages such as Cg and HLSL have been fully incorporated within XSI so that artists can see exactly what the final output will look like without leaving XSI.

Game Development

Softimage|XSI has been used numerous times for game development in the past. Clients have included the likes of Valve Software and Pandemic Studios.

• Half-Life 2
• Star Wars Battlefront
• Star Wars Battlefront II
• Virtua Fighter 5

References

1. ↑ "SOFTIMAGE|XSI Mod Tool version 4.2", Avid, January 2006

External links

• Official Website for Softimage|XSI
• Softimage|XSI Mod Tool
• ''XSI Base.com''
• XSI tutorials at ''Ed Harriss.com''
• Look, Listen Learn - XSI Video Training and much more
• German XSI Community
• xsiforum.com Spanish forum
• Xsi Italy - Italian forum
• XSI Arabia - Softimage User Community In The Middle East
• XSI WiKi

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