XSI Mod Tool

[Leonardo Vega]

This is what I was talking about in a previous thread. The community and softimage as a whole are not userfriendly. I can't even get this program to run (I installed it using the default settings, so I didn't do anything to mess it up). I posted here, xsibase and even in softimage.com and no one has even replied once. I can't even call softimage about the problem, so what do I do? I looked at the manual and I didn't find any solution.

So let's just say I had bought this program, how frustrating would this be? It's like being in a ghost town. I've heard people say that they prefer a "professional" enviroment where people don't ask questions, etc. But how is that a positive thing? How many of us would go to a training course and prefer the teacher not help us out? None of us are born pro's, we all needed some help. We're in the year 2005, we have new ways to learn and teach (we can get answers to questions quickly), why throw it away? And I know it's not softimage's fault because I know they would like to have a good community (if not they wouldn't have started there own forum), but it's an issue with the majority of the users I think. Kind of a cold hearted feeling...

I really wanted to give softimage a chance. I'd hate to be the person on a deadline who comes across a problem he can't figure out...

- Leo

p.s. If softimage is meant to be targeted towards the pros, then why is there a free version (mod tool) and a $500.00 version (foundation)?

-----

[Edit:] Sorry if I sounded rude, I'm not trying to get angry here. I'm just frustrated that I can't use the program. I love making game models, so I was really looking forward to using it. Maybe I need to redownload it or something. The setup I went through was not like what the manual described. All too strange for me...

[JDex]

Wow!... hasty and rude. Later dude. Mmmm Ignore list.

PS: XSI users have no way to help you with installing the mod tool when you don't supply enough info about your system. Secondly, the people in the know about technical issues have probably never even used the Mod tool.

PSS: Pros use what ever tool works for the job... price on either end of the spectrum is not a big concern.

[Leonardo Vega]

Thanks for the suggestions...

First of all, I didn't think my system had anything to do with it. It's not like its slowing down, or freezing on me. To me it seemed like a software problem. But if it was needed, I would have provided my info with no prob. But I mean no one even said anything at all. I've seen people post their problems and even though some people can't fix it, they still lend their support. It's about feeling alone when you have a problem. Think about it, if you had this problem how would you feel?

Second, I didn't say pro's had to buy expensive things. My point is that softimage is also targeting new people to their market by lowering the price. So when people say softimage is mainly for "pros", I don't feel it's true.

And with all respect, why would you post that reply? That's like blow to the stomach man. I can't get frustrated? I even apologized for sounding rude. No offense, but maybe you as an individual just supported my whole point about some people being cold.

Later,
Leo

[ecas]

I can't say anything for the other users but I see this thread in the first time
any way try to do the following things:
- Uninstall the software and delete all the folder that are still there after
the uninstall then try to install it in a new folder.
- if this doesn't work try to uninstall the software and install it in a diffrent
hard drive.
- and of course redownload the software.

And did you try contact softimage support?

I know how frustrating it can be when no one help you, I think most of
us know but sometimes no one have an idea how to solve your problem.

[Leonardo Vega]

Thanks Cyborg! :D

I will try your suggestions when I get home. As far as contacting Softimage, this is what their web site says:

"Access to technical support requires an active maintenance contract. This access limitation does not include assistance for configuration issues such as installation, system setup, and licensing." :(

- Leo

[gent_k]

The installation should have created that folder itself, so try reinstalling it.
Delete all user folders and anything that's left first.

And this is the kind of problem that if someone doesn't encounter it, they don't know much about it and therefore they probably can't recommend a solution to someone else.

So, when I first came to this thread I didn't have a clue of what may cause the problem, so I didn't post. What's wrong with that? I mean I could have posted the weather forecast for my country, but that wouldn't help would it.

There is an official forum at softimage.com about the mod tool if I'm not mistaken. So if anyone else has encountered this, they can help you out. You should keep in mind that maybe noone that viewed this thread was a user of the mod tool.

[JDex]

I see you apologized while I was posting. I understand frustration, but really man... you need to chill.

First of all, I didn't think my system had anything to do with it. It's not like its slowing down, or freezing on me. To me it seemed like a software problem. But if it was needed, I would have provided my info with no prob. But I mean no one even said anything at all. I've seen people post their problems and even though some people can't fix it, they still lend their support. It's about feeling alone when you have a problem. Think about it, if you had this problem how would you feel?

I'd feel like it's something that should be researched before posting a question and explained the environment in which your working we would have at least had a shot at understanding your scenario. For all I know your installing the Mod tool on WinME with a Pentium 2 processor... which the Mod tool probably won't run on. I also would have contacted SI... you quote the following text.

"Access to technical support requires an active maintenance contract. This access limitation does not include assistance for configuration issues such as installation, system setup, and licensing."

Read the last sentence again. The limitation does [u]not[u] include assistance for config issues such as installation... are you having problems installing? Well the limitation doesn't affect your problem. Contact them.


Second, I didn't say pro's had to buy expensive things. My point is that softimage is also targeting new people to their market by lowering the price. So when people say softimage is mainly for "pros", I don't feel it's true.

Sorry, I didn't see the <I'm typing one thing and thinking another> tags.

<I'm typing one thing and thinking another>
p.s. If softimage is meant to be targeted towards the pros, then why is there a free version (mod tool) and a $500.00 version (foundation)?
</I'm typing one thing and thinking another>

Reads to me like "If SI is for pros, why would they offer a free and cheap version".


And with all respect, why would you post that reply? That's like blow to the stomach man. I can't get frustrated? I even apologized for sounding rude. No offense, but maybe you as an individual just supported my whole point about some people being cold.

Because you we're rude and obnoxious towards a community of people who kindly offer their knowledge and experience everyday answering questions (for newb-to-pro) because no one could offer an answer to problem that could have a million solutions with no info in your timeframe. This after making a big stink in another thread about how unhelpful this community is. I wonder why?

Frankly it's insulting, and should be confronted.

Anywho, Meh!

[Leonardo Vega]

gent_k: I'm not saying everyone has to post something. ok, ok... I was guilty of frustration! I plead guilty! It just seemed like I was being ignored I guess.

Hmmm... re-reading my own post, does it sound like Softimage is saying, that you don't need a maintenance license for installation probs? Looking at it again, it's the vibe I get... I will call them just in case :)

Sorry again for the outburst..

- Leo

[gent_k]

By the way, there also is a fully-functional 30-day Foundations trial you can download, to test the software.

[Leonardo Vega]

"If softimage is meant to be targeted towards the pros, then why is there a free version (mod tool) and a $500.00 version (foundation)?"

jdex: What's so hard to understand about that? My point is, if softimage is meant to be targeted towards pros, not new people, then they could have stayed with Essentials or Advanced. But since they want new people to come, foundation was born. That's my point and no need to be rude again.

About my other posts, I was agreeing with the person who posted the thread. There is nothing wrong with trying to pep up the forum or get a stronger community. But that's just an opinion. I don't snap at anyone because they have different views.

[Edit: And to clarify, I was not bashing the community. I clearly said that if the community is not friendly or strong, it would affect the sales of XSI. And I mentioned that what I would like to see is an XSI community that is as productive as Max's, Maya's, Lw's, and C4D's.]

Atleast I apologized, but you haven't and you've been equally rude to me.

- Leo

[Leonardo Vega]

Thanks gent_k! That was going to be my last resort. I really want to get this one working though (free is good :D ).

I realized something. When you're frustrated, you don't think straight. I can't believe I miss read the softimage tech support wrong. And installing it in another dir is a good idea too.

Thanks again! :) I hope I didn't offend too many people, sometimes we say things we don't really mean.

- Leo

[Leonardo Vega]

Dex:

I'd feel like it's something that should be researched before posting a question and explained the environment in which your working we would have at least had a shot at understanding your scenario. For all I know your installing the Mod tool on WinME with a Pentium 2 processor... which the Mod tool probably won't run on.

How do you know I didn't research it? Beside searching the web, posting on forums and going through the installation manual, what other "research" do you feel I should have done?

If you thought posting the specs was important why didn't you just mention it? I personally didn't think it was important, if it doesn't run on WinME (I have XP btw, centrino 1.6ghz) it wouldn't run period or have given me a different error. But the error I'm getting looks like a setup problem or buggy download, etc. That was my thoughts on it (but I could be wrong).

Sorry, I didn't see the <I'm typing one thing and thinking another> tags.

That's just plain uneducated... how can you say I'm insultive after that remark.


Reads to me like 'If SI is for pros, why would they offer a free and cheap version'.

Maybe if you don't base your remarks on assumptions, you would have understood me better.


Because you we're rude and obnoxious towards a community of people who kindly offer their knowledge and experience everyday answering questions (for newb-to-pro) because no one could offer an answer to problem that could have a million solutions with no info in your timeframe. This after making a big stink in another thread about how unhelpful this community is. I wonder why?

Are you one of these kind and friendly people you mentioned above?


Frankly it's insulting, and should be confronted.

I need to chill?? You're the one exploding with sarcasm and personal insults. Like I've said before, I apologized many times. But even then you come back with more insults.

- Leo

p.s. Sorry to all who've read this, but I feel very insulted by this guy. Total lack of respect for others.

[SpeccySteve]

Edit: never mind, not getting involved.

[ElysiumGX]

You deserve the insults. If you're that frustrated, keep it to yourself, don't type it. I've posted my frustrations with switching to XSI in the past, but they were MY frustrations. Not the programs, and not the community's. In many cases, I did all I could to solve the problem on my own while waiting for any assistance others were willing to give. In the end, I felt a sense of pride in learning a new method without having my hand held. Don't insult an entire community because you alone are having trouble installing software.

Your situation most likely sounds like a system problem, or a user error. Try reinstalling, rebooting, whatever it takes. A "pro" is someone who is capable of learning new skills and solving problems on their own through practice and experimenting. So I would say XSI is for pros, even Foundation.

[Leonardo Vega]

I feel the same way speccy! I would like to recommend that the administrator delete this thread. It's ugly.

If I find a solution to my problem I'll post it in a new clean thread :)

- Leo

[Leonardo Vega]

[I deleted my original reply]

I'm not here to make enemies. I messed up in assuming no one answered my question because it was a "noob question". I saw so many people viewing and no one saying anything. That kind of sparked my frustration. I take it back. I'm new to XSI. Obviously coming from forums like painter & cinema 4D, I was used to a different atmosphere.

I don't want hard feelings between me and jdex or anyone else. But please understand that my problem is not one of laziness. I've been looking for an answer, I've called SI, but they are always too busy (last time it just hung up on me). I've deleted it and reinstalled it, and nothing. I did notice that the downloads come from FilePlanet or FileShack and "demo" is included in the file name. I tried to get XSI Mod from somewhere else, but I don't see another source. Like I've said, I've posted this in many forums too. So have I tried to solve it? Of course!

But I understand that I can't EXPECT others to help, I have to see it more as a favor.

Anyways, IF I get this running I will be back with a solution (in a new thread).

- Leo

[Leonardo Vega]

Well I finally spoke to someone with Softimage, and he said they don't offer any support for the mod tool. His exact words were, "you'll need to ask that in the forums". Oh well... I figured they can't afford to spend money supporting free software :)

I'll just download the 30-day trial, although having a free program would have been super!

- Leo

[mocaw]

Well I finally spoke to someone with Softimage, and he said they don't offer any support for the mod tool. His exact words were, "you'll need to ask that in the forums". Oh well... I figured they can't afford to spend money supporting free software :)

I'll just download the 30-day trial, although having a free program would have been super!

- Leo

Hey, no program is free, not even blender! People putting major time and effort into programing that often doesn't pay as well as other simpler programing is one unseen cost. In an odd way anyone who buys XSI is funding each version- even the mod tool.

Give the 30 day trial a chance, download the online docs and install them, and if all else fails ask questions here or at XSIbase. Even though 495 seems like a high price it really is THE best price for any high end 3D software that will do 90% of everything you'll ever need out of the box.

Foundation is also not just for people getting their feet wet (as you'll see when you start using it) as it is more to intice those of us using other "pro" packages to give XSI a real look. It also is a remarkable deal for freelance work on games, model building, motion graphics, and print work. As a Lightwave user and now and XSI user I know price is HIGHLY subjective when it comes to denoting which software package is for professional work and which one is not. Take the license model for many packages for instance. Many people pay through the nose, such as Max users, for "support" that is a tax more than anything. You'll find many of the XSI essentials and advance users welcome their license costs due to the way Softimage handles upgrades and support. The bottom line is not always where it ends...

[Leonardo Vega]

I meant free as in free for the end-user. Who ever downloads it doesn't have to pay for it. But I'm very aware that this wasn't a volunteer project for softimage :)

Good points on foundation. I will definitely give it a go!

Thanks
Leo

[mocaw]

I meant free as in free for the end-user. Who ever downloads it doesn't have to pay for it. But I'm very aware that this wasn't a volunteer project for softimage :)

Good points on foundation. I will definitely give it a go!

Thanks
Leo

BTW I like your illustrations- I think your ideas will transfer well to 3D!

[Leonardo Vega]

Thanks! :D I hope to get up to speed with 3D again. My main reason for the mod tool was to learn XSI with no time limits. I don't play game much and I'm not really into making game characters for a 3d shooter neither. I just want to learn XSI. 30 days will fly by :)

- Leo

[Strang]

did you get this running?

if not..

did you redownload?
remove and reinstall the mod tool?
double check your specs/requirements to install? sorry if that sounds demeaning but you gotta check.

i have install the MOD tool many times. on many configs with out any hitches... i know that doesn't help but thats to reassure you that it does work. and its just difficult to help with an install. suggestions can be made and thats about it.

good luck

[Leonardo Vega]

Do you remember where you downloaded it? I checked my system config and I've uninstalled it and re-installed it (even in a different dir). I haven't redownloaded yet, (I'm downloading foundation trial as I type). But I'll redownload it later. It's just odd how softimage doesn't have it on their site, you have to go through fileshack or fileplanet.

- Leo

p.s. Btw have you tried installing the latest version of the mod tool? I wonder if it's just a little bug in the latest version.

[JDex]

I think they took it down because the new version (5.0) is right around the corner... They probably should have left up the 4.2 mod tool for now.

[Strang]

i have gotten it through people at softimage, mod tool disc, and on their site.

last time i installed it was earlier this year. i haven't used it since i became busy at work

[Leonardo Vega]

Hmmm... interesting. I wonder if my problems have anything to do with me downloading it from a 3rd party source.

I guess I'll just wait for v5.0. Btw (out of top), I've been checking out some videos and I'm blown away by the scripter in XSI. Really nice. Ooooh! :D My download it finito! Gotta go, XSI Foundation time!!

- Leo

[Leonardo Vega]

Well, I just found out that the problem is not the downloaded file...

Because I tried running XSI Foundation Trial, and I got the same error! :( I set the user path to (c:\xsi-vault\leo) and I get an error saying...

"The storage folder -->C:\XSIVault\Leo\Leo\Softimage\XSI_4.2_Foundation<-- can not be found. Please check your application setup"

I was destined to not use XSI I guess lol. Btw here are my specs...

Centrino 1.6ghz
512 RAM
80 gig HD
ATI Radeon Mobility 9200
Windows XP Home

Too wierd. Well maybe softimage will answer this question since it pertains to foundation and not the mod tool :)

- Leo

[Leonardo Vega]

Yippeeee! I figured it out! The problem lied in a file called "setenv.bat" in the bin directory. I noticed this line...

"set XSI_USERHOME=%XSI_USERROOT%\Softimage\XSI_4.2_Foundation\"

For some odd reason XSI added "Softimage\XSI_4.2_Foundation". So I went and edited it to "set XSI_USERHOME=%XSI_USERROOT%" and it worked!

I think it's a bug of some sort.

I'm going to try this on XSI Mod Tool too (I'll download it tonight).

- Leo

[K. Scott Gant]

I can understand the frustrations. But working through them yourself...as you've done...helps you learn much more about something than just having someone hand you an answer (not that anyone really could in this original matter really).

I do want to take the time to address the attitude that some people throw out in relation to costs of software. Many times you'll hear people say "Pros use what ever tool works for the job... price on either end of the spectrum is not a big concern". EVERY place I've ever worked has had concerns about costs of software and plug-ins/addons etc etc. For example, I worked a place about 10 years ago that didn't want to spend the money on the IK system for Alias PowerAnimator at the time so we had to make due with what we had. Yes, they're tools but a true pro will make due with what he has. If you're going to work freelance, it's advisable to get the best bang for your buck as everywhere you save adds to your personal bottom line...that is if you're trying to make a living. Which is why XSI Foundation is a great place to start and if the need arises you can always trade up to a higher seat. You don't HAVE to start with Essentials or Advanced. No offence to J Dex at all either...as he's obviously experienced and talented enough to work at places that have a big budget for software. I haven't been so lucky!

[dwigfor]

Don't diss Jdex! I think he's helped me out more than anyone else on here.. :)

[K. Scott Gant]

I would never think of dissing JDex. He's the best! I'm only going from my experience though...but I'm a low-level kinda guy while JDex has the talent to work at higher-end places. I mean, I've worked at places that would pinch pennies so hard they bled. We'd ask for updated software or even a plug-in to help and we'd literally be laughed at or given the "you know, Carl never needed to use that and he did just fine"...oh yeah? Where's Carl now? He left!

Again, didn't mean to diss JDex. Just wanted to let others know that at some places you are required to be a professional with very little software/hardware.

[JDex]

I need to publicly apoligize for my over-reaction to Vega's remarks...

My apologies everyone.

I am very disconcerted lately with the new tone of harsh critisizm of the XSI community here at CGTalk's XSI Forum.

I from time to time get messages from people who post a question that doesn't get an answer, when they see me post an answer to another person's question. Some seem to think that certain individuals know XSI inside and out, and expect that those people (who they've mis-evaluated) answer their question immediately.

I don't understand how it is somehow my fault when I can't answer (or even understand) someone else's problem. It has gotten very frustrating.

General Rule... if you post a question, and it doesn't get a response:

A. You did not clearly represent the problem you are having, or did not post enough information to help others help you.

B. No one who has read your question knows the answer... it could be an obscure problem or the people who would know did not read your post... this could be to poor subjects (Please help me!!! is not a good subject), or just bad luck.

C. You presented you question with a bad attitude... as in I have a problem. Fix it now!


Now let me try and understand what about this community gets people down. There is clearly something. People want more chit chat? More of the tone of some of the other forums with hundreds of "look, my first render" (with a chrome ball and checkered floor or theresults of the Joan of Arc tutorial).

I prefer the signal to noise ratio at this level... why? because the people who really know their sh!t don't frequent places full of mindless chatter and bickering. Guess what? Alot of really talented XSI folks who could help with alot of the problems (particularly the more complex ones) already don't come here. There is a stigma loosely attached to CGTalk and the XSI forum here that keeps some of the best and brightest from coming here.

The forum leaders here keep the hammer down on policing our little forum in order to make it more freindly to the people that can really help our community advance.

What I see in this community is that many of the recent newbs who have become intermediate XSI users are helping the new newbs as best as they can. The former intermediate users that are now rather advanced are:

A. Very busy and can't get much forum time available.
B. Helping as much as they can and creating new tools for our community.
C. Not bothering. Why, I don't know.

The advanced users are working on great projects in high-level positions, producing tutorials, amazing tools and helping push XSI development to make it even better. The other thing that many are doing is frequenting the forums (or even moderating) and trying to answer questions and gauge who of the upcoming batch has the right stuff... competition for good XSI users is pretty high right now.

The thing that is causing alot of the so called rudeness is the supreme lack of consideration for the very important sticky near the top of this forum.

http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=122787

The release of Foundation and overall reduction in price has done good and bad for this community. It has driven many people to consider this great tool, which in a year or two will really make this community a great machine of research and sharing... the problem is that it has shifted the newb-intermediate-pro ratio to a very newb weighted scenario... we're happy in general as a community to help... it's just the the:

- Incescant complaining about a $395 price tag to upgrade an app more powerful than most apps 3+ times it's initial investment.
- Mental Ray sucks... I have to know how renders work to use it... I want magic-make-pretty-renderer!
- XSI released an upgrade... I got ripped off!
- This community and it's leaders suck @$$
- Rendertree sucks, I want my (insert app here) material editor
- Why does XSI not work like (insert app here), I know how that app works, XSI sux!
- etc... etc... etc...

makes most if not all of the of the people in a position to help newbs, guide the tone of the forum and create a stronger community say f### it, I'm not helping these jack-@$$es.

Anywho... rant over.

Again my apologies to Vega and everyone for my over reaction.

[SevenString]

Some great points, JDex


Paraphrasing an old saying:

"The XSI Community helps those who help themselves."

[Leonardo Vega]

- Incescant complaining about a $395 price tag to upgrade an app more powerful than most apps 3+ times it's initial investment.
- Mental Ray sucks... I have to know how renders work to use it... I want magic-make-pretty-renderer!
- XSI released an upgrade... I got ripped off!
- This community and it's leaders suck @$$
- Rendertree sucks, I want my (insert app here) material editor
- Why does XSI not work like (insert app here), I know how that app works, XSI sux!
- etc... etc... etc...

LOL! haha... But I do see your point. I apologize myself for my attitude in the past. I'll be honest, I like XSI but it does intimidate me a little (especially the rendering). Being a one man show and sucking in all the knowledge necessary to produce grade-a work is so overwhelming.

Being here for a week or so, I've noticed the community is actually nice. I have responses to most of my questions and the over vibe is peaceful. My ONLY worry now with XSI is the freezing issue. But I think it has to do with my video card (ATI Mobility Radeon 9200), because C4D R9.1 locks up on me sometimes (unless I put into software mode instead of open gl). Can I do something similar with XSI?

Later!
Leo

[LemonNado]

The graphic card 'issue' is a XSI hotbed. There are a few cards which have problems with 3d apps in general. XSI is not more or less picky than other apps. But it is possible to have a problem. As I can recall the words from the rumor mill then there are more issues with ATI cards than with NVidea cards. However, Softimage supposedly has a vaid card list on the website. I never looked it up. I used a AIT 9800Pro 128MB without problems and currently a X800 without problems. Quite a few people reported problems in the past running it on their laptops. So, go try out another card if possible. And check your drivers for being current.

Cheers
LemonNado

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