XSI for newbies

[white dragon]

I started out in XSI and haven't really looked into anything else as I've always found a way of doing what I want in xsi. As there isn't a great deal of help out there as you said, it meant most of my learning has come from either trial and error or asking other people that were on my course. I've found however that this has left some rather large holes in my understanding of xsi (as my new topic on shader help will show!) that might normally be covered very early on in the learning process.

What I have found extremely helpful though are the tutorials you can buy on CD from 3dtutorial.com they're well paced and explained clearly, if you're just starting out then these might be a good place to start, and for the price they're most certainly worth it!

[ggg]

and seach fourms and the XSI list archive with key words from what you are needing to know about. There is an enourmous wealth of infomation there already. and the answers are often more extensive from the pros that have answered the basic questiosn earlier on in XSIs developement.

[NiPeR]

Thanks for your answers. I really appreciate them.

white dragon: Thanks for the tips on training materials. And I'm happy to know that other people managed to learn XSI without that much training material. ;)

And ggg archives are very good but I've realized that it's often much better to have some tutorials to learn from in the beginning. www.SoftImage.com have a lot of good tutorials so that wont be a problem.=) But later on when you get comfortable with the software, archives and forums are invaluable.

[ggg]

Originally posted by NiPeR

And ggg archives are very good but I've realized that it's often much better to have some tutorials to learn from in the beginning. www.SoftImage.com have a lot of good tutorials so that wont be a problem.=) But later on when you get comfortable with the software, archives and forums are invaluable.
how do you know that? you said you're new to 3D ;) jk

I think the best way to learn is to be shown by someone.

But if learning on your own, and new to an area yes tuts are great place to start, then when comfortable read the docs, they aren't just for when you're stuck, and provide an understanding of how things work (eg. the many recent questions about UVs, samples and projections would not be asked if that chapter was just read in the short 2 hours it woudl take instead of head bashing), then when something doesn't work as expected or is not covered or easily found in the docs, search the forums and lists, especially since most questions here, are answered just a few pages earlier in the forum. BTW, I don't mean your posts at all. Just trying to help, as I've found excellent advise in the list archives, and those XSI pros seldom show up to answer anymore, especially if its an FAQ.

[NiPeR]

Originally posted by ggg
how do you know that? you said you're new to 3D ;) jk

Hehe, sorry if I wasn't clear enogh in my previous post. But I have used some test versions and I'm soon going to buy my first full version app.;)

And you are definately right. The best way to learn is to be shown by someone. But who would show me how to use XSI?;)

I've noticed some good training material on softimage's website so i bet that it won't be a problem to learn xsi by yourself.

I've used XSI Exp for 2 days now and I'm so amazed. It totally rocks!:D I managed to rigged a character which I even couldn't dream of in other softwares. So awesome!

[bolek]

i'm also new to XSI.. i think 3dbuzz.com has some video tutorials for XSI you need to register and it's free ! also 3d-palace.com has free XSI and other software tutorials... video tutorials are great !

[InTheCity]

I'm currently testing XSI. It seems like a fun package, but I may well stick with Cinema 4D.

[sebek27]

i'm sticking with cinema 4d also... april Cinema 4D v9 will be in beta stage.. plus why switch ? cinema 4d is the easiest out of all the 3d apps and every release they add ton of features and new innovations, although XSI is also great with upgrades, but still too expensive... I also own LW and will get the free 8 upgrade but I think i might be selling it

[NiPeR]

Originally posted by sebek27
i'm sticking with cinema 4d also... april Cinema 4D v9 will be in beta stage.. plus why switch ? cinema 4d is the easiest out of all the 3d apps and every release they add ton of features and new innovations, although XSI is also great with upgrades, but still too expensive

Yes, you're right. I've tested the demo version of Cinema 4D and I really liked the modelling tools, but what I didn't like was the animation tools. I've found that XSI has a lot more better animation tools than C4D and animation is what I really want to do.

There's a lot of new upgrades now. XSI v4, Cinema 4D v9 and Lightwave 8. So it'll be hard to choose when they'll be released.;)

[dwin]

Well, I think you can buy a non-specific books for learning 3D. Even the writer have a software they liked. You can still get usefull information about 3D. If you want to get more about the Softimage XSI, you can do the tutorial and ask (I mean when you want to achieve something but don't know how to do with xsi). I think the first step you should do is trying to know the basic of 3D. Like what is modeling, texturing, animating, rendering and so on. You can get this information with ask and read a non-specific book and search in the internet. I think you can still buy a specific software book like for Lightwave or Maya. You can get the workflow about doing 3D in there. I know how hard to get a book for Softimage. In my country there isn't any Softimage XSI's book.

Hope this can help.

[RmachucaA]

Im getting V4 for sure, what you get with XSI is not only outstanding poly modelling tools, but you also get an incredibly well-rounded stable platform to let your creative juices flow. Something which didnt happen with LW, Max etc... (maya wasnt that bad, but its quite cumbersome)

[wmendez]

Originally posted by NiPeR
There's a lot of new upgrades now. XSI v4, Cinema 4D v9 and Lightwave 8. So it'll be hard to choose when they'll be released.;)

Once you see 4 the choice won't be so hard :eek:

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