MAC version?

[swampthing]

Don't MAC's equate to something like 3 percent of all desktops?

Why would you release something for that small of a market? Doesn't make financial sense. Besides, softimage uses a 3 button mouse, does ANY mac have more than a single button mouse?

[paul k.]

The reason it would make a lot of sense is one, mac community is only about 5%, but they are all content creators. Two, doesn't softimage only hold about that much of the entire 3D market? By your logic you should be using something else. However I think that even though it limits my opportunity to find work in my area I find it to be a very nice tool. Three, OS X has a real future. In comparison with my XP box I really miss using OS X. This is just one opinion and I am sure you could point out some reasons why the soft team should not spend time and money to bring it to the mac but I personally would have a lot more incentive if it were on OS X.

[Stoehr]

Nearly every educational institution in America has a Mac lab. It is completely logical.

[Stoehr]

Originally posted by HowardM
Will XSI ever be out for MAC?

Thanks!

You might want to bring this question to http://www.xsibase.com/

[Stoehr]

Originally posted by swampthing
Besides, softimage uses a 3 button mouse, does ANY mac have more than a single button mouse?

Mac OSX or higher can take advantge of a three button mouse.

[ThE_JacO]

as usual...
any thread starting with a normal question goes belly up because of the good ole MACvsPC nonsense...
could we NOT get into a platform pissing contest just for once pretty please with a cherry on the top ? :)

[Stoehr]

Originally posted by ThE_JacO
as usual...
any thread starting with a normal question goes belly up because of the good ole MACvsPC nonsense...
could we NOT get into a platform pissing contest just for once pretty please with a cherry on the top ? :)

Sure, no problem.

[swampthing]

Originally posted by Stoehr
Nearly every educational institution in America has a Mac lab. It is completely logical.

That's always bothered me that schools continue to use mac's. Way to prepare our youth for the real world by teaching them how to use a machine they'll likely never see again.

[EdHarriss]

Please... no more MacVS.PC wars.

At the moment XSI uses Mainwin for compiling the Linux and the Irix versions. There is no Mainwin for Mac. I suspect that when Mainwin releases a Mac version or XSI stops using Mainwin, then we are more likely to see a Mac version. Until then, please do not argue about it.
:beer:

[Atyss]

Originally posted by HowardM
Will XSI ever be out for MAC?

Thanks!

For now, I think it is doubtful. I don't think XSI is sufficiently established (as opposed to Maya) for Softimage to invest in this development. Plus, most of the 3D industry is Windows-based, though Linux is slowly but regularly making its way through.

Just my 2 cents
Bernard

[HowardM]

Thanks Ed!
swampthing can crawl back into the swamp with that comment!
:shame:



..oh well too bad, because our house is Mac, and we would most likely of bought XSI after seeing the demo on a PC.

maybe someone can inform me, because I have no clue how much money is spent to recode something to a different platform....but well, HOW much could it possibly be that its such a pain in the ass to do and get right!?!?...dont these companies make money? I serisously think the big wigs of these companies should stop eating caviar and driving beamers, maybe for a month, so we can have some decent software for all platforms from all companies!
:annoyed:

Sorry to write a post that could stir up a PC/MAC war, basically anyone who fights in one is an idiot! Theyre ALL good platforms, ok...lets write software for all of them, ok?...then maybe there would be less war?

:beer:

[ThE_JacO]

Originally posted by HowardM
..oh well too bad, because our house is Mac, and we would most likely of bought XSI after seeing the demo on a PC.


it's a shame to hear this, but hey, life's hard.


maybe someone can inform me, because I have no clue how much money is spent to recode something to a different platform....but well, HOW much could it possibly be that its such a pain in the ass to do and get right!?!?...dont these companies make money? I serisously think the big wigs of these companies should stop eating caviar and driving beamers, maybe for a month, so we can have some decent software for all platforms from all companies!
:annoyed:


It's not really JUST the implementation.
aside from the porting (wich does have its impact in a dev budget) you also have to consider the support (wich SI is particularly good at).
most tech support guys already have to have boxes sitting no their desk with:
windowsXP
win2k
1 or more flavors of linux
irix
and know them all pretty well.
SW troubleshooting, knowledge of libraries, implementation knowledge, OS knowledge and everything else.
not to mention that while linux and win will share the same HW platform a mac would add yet another HW list.
and then you get the betatesting and dev. support (that is possibly the highest and most tedious of all overheads).
planning...
ask the distributors, frenchises and resellers networks to buy and learn to use the new gear.
and so on and on.

last but not least, even if XSI is sold for 10k (in promo right now) obviously enough SI itself doesn't have a 10k net income off every box. take away the reseller discount, shipping and handling, cost of the box, dongle and eventual replacments that could take place in a sales' life, support personnel ..
and figures drastically change.


Sorry to write a post that could stir up a PC/MAC war, basically anyone who fights in one is an idiot! Theyre ALL good platforms, ok...lets write software for all of them, ok?...then maybe there would be less war?

:beer:

I found the question perfectly legitimate (if I didn't I wouldn't have bothered posting), whatever other people feel like debating an issue (platform competition) that you never rose in first place is not your problem :)

I'll let you with one thought, I work for a local office, and therefore see a lot of what sales go where etc.
in 1.5 years I'v been asked for mac support only 3 times, of these 3 times (and I'm being optimistic) let's say 2 could have been sales, of these 2 one actually was; and it was a sale made to a facility that bought a PC to run XSI.
(if SI did port tho I'm sure I would have gotten a few more requests, but that would have been maybe 2 or 3)

the training, time and everything else needed for just one or two sales wouldn't even have paid the mac I'd need to have on my desk to support a mac user basis :)

other apps ported because they saturated a certain market section and needed new openings, or simply because they could do it easily and don't strive to grant the same massive support you get from SI.

Don't think the issue hasn't been discussed and considered, CEOs don't spend all their time driving a beemee or eating caviar, and altho from an artist point of view their choices can seem weird or wrong (been there done that :) ) remember that when "normal" people watch you doing 3D they think it's easy and the computer is doing the work for you.

mail SI and tell them what you posted here, we live in a consumistic society and you have the right to vote by buying or not buying and by letting people know why you bought or didn't.

[HowardM]

Thanks Jaco!
But I honestly have one thing to say in rebuttle...who the hell uses SGI boxes anymore and how can you justify development for them and not MAC!?
I dont think the #s add up, ...as far as how much it would really cost to make and support a MAC version...but what do i know?

Thanks for the verbose reply!
:)

[ThE_JacO]

SGIs have been supported for a long while, the staff is already trained, the porting with mainwin is much much easier (it can be done and supervised by one person or two) and they are still an assett in a lot of companies.

P.S.
there's also some stuff I can't say yet :)

[paul k.]

I think the only real reason anyone cares is because I think most of us are real fans of XSI. I for one would love to continue learning it as well as use it as my primary tool. However there are so few companies using it in my area right now it just doesn't make sense for me to purchase the product. I think what is important about Howard M asking about Mac development is that we all would love to see XSI become even more successful than it is in order for pro's outside of L.A. to get the opportunity to use it.
Thats All, there is no platform debate here, just a few Mac users who are interested in using XSI more....

[ThE_JacO]

in that case e-mail SI, whenever you are at a show drop by and say that you'd want a mac version..
market requests can only be answered when they are present, and I can grant you that the whole mac comunity isn't really making much noise atm.
imho In the past years SI did a good work at listening to users to whatever extent it was possible, there's no reason because they wouldn't do for a platform request if there's something to listen to :)

[Berserker]

I'd buy a G5 when they come out if XSI was on OSX...

Speaking strictly from a design philosophy, I'm surprised XSI isn't Mac only! XSI has been all about strength in simplicity, fewer, yet more effective tools, only implementing features when they are fully integrated into the package, etc...

Sounds like a Mac to me ;)


<<edit: there's always Cinema 4D on the Mac :D >>

[StefanA]

I just wanted to add my few thoughts to this.

Apple has been making great machines in the past, but the last two years (when XSI has had it's glorious days) the macs where (are) a little behine when it comes to pure performance. Also it's only recently the OSX has been updated and seems to be working properly.

So now the OS is ahead of it's hardware :) And OSX is a better OS than windows... that's why Linux is there as a choice :)

There was a note before about SGI's. Not too many companys are using SGI's these days, but they still exists. And Softimage has been on the SGI platform the last +16 years and probably will be there for another year or so. My guess is that they can soon call up the last existing user and ask him if he wanna switch to a Linux machine :) But there IS also a matter of development. And that the Mac machines aren't upto date at this point.

We'll see what happens this week during the conferance in San Francisco, perhaps they'll announce the G5.

Until then... no XSI on mac unless it turns out 10.000 users e-mail Softimage with a pre-order :)

best regards

.stefan andersson

[wmendez]

I see 3 issues with this:

Apple hardware is cost more and is still less powerful than PC hardware. (no VS please, just a proven fact)

I don't see mac users paying 6K or 11K for XSI

The demand is not enough to spend the required developement $$$$,hours, & training of Tech support.

If Steve jobs /Apple came to Soft and said we'll fund the development then maybe that would be enough incentive.

[dg]

I think doesn't matter with OS do you use, if you buy a software that costs more then $ 9.000,00 wont be a problem to buy a new computer with Linux or Windows installed.

But who knows maybe when Apple decide to do a mouse with 3 buttons....lol

Just my 2cents :surprised

[f176]

Porting to Mac is not hard to Avid.
They already have Linux version of Softimage, current core of Mac OS X is a unix. (It almost same with linux.)

Mac porting is not only a impossiable. See Maya.

If Mac version softimage availble, I will buy a Mac.
Mac pro keyboard has 2 USB ports so we can plug 3bt mouse to them.

I wonder apple pro keyboard is USB, and I wonder again the keyboard has 2 USB ports. the keyboard works as USB hurb also.
product like this never can meet in PC market.

As like this, Apple's desingers are smart. So thier products expensive but are all nice for user.

Mac is very expensive.

But for same performance hardware in PC, PC is more expensive.
Mac have everything for creators inside boxed machine. So it cannot upgradable, but, PC is not upgradable too.

When archtectures changes, all motherboard and CPU have to change too.
So we have to purchase all system again. Reusable thins some old cards. But in almost cases, they are not usable.
PC's upgrade is only nice to hear.

PPC chips are more faster than same Mhz Intel is already fact.
(cause Intel's customers almost see MHz but Apple's customer are not.)

In Apple system, all components are hightest quality. So they are expensive.
PC is cheap. Cause their components are not highest.
Lower quality components have lower performance, unknown error, urgly look.

So in cheap machine market, PC always win, But in high machine market?

When making PC with only same components with Apple, PC must be more expensive. In same performance?
And looks never can be same.

But Apple's OS is pretty, but very uncompotable.(this cause I'm a windows user)

and there are many people want to have a Mac but cannot buy. Cause their applications are not on Mac.

try to compare dual 3GHz 64-bit CPU with highest quality components.
Intel? they have heaven's price. And chipsets are too.
AMD? To use them, we have only choive Via chipset. As you know, Via quality is not high.(But they can be cheap and fast, but not performance, and raises unknown problems.)
Alpha? I dont know about them. But seems not a cheap thins.
SGI? their price must be higher than intel.

In fact, Mac's price cheap than PC with IBM 64-bit CPU and quality components.

Cause Apple makes and manages everything alone, they can produce perfect working products.








*Some wrong way writes. Sorry :)

[JDex]

Mac pro keyboard has 2 USB ports so we can plug 3bt mouse to them.

I wonder apple pro keyboard is USB, and I wonder again the keyboard has 2 USB ports. the keyboard works as USB hurb also.
product like this never can meet in PC market.

As like this, Apple's desingers are smart. So thier products are all nice for user.

I bought a Keyboard for my Windows machine that has 2 built in USB ports on the clearance rack at my local CompUSA for $12.00... I guess Apple doesn't have the corner on smart design.


Mac is very expensive.

But for same performance hardware in PC, PC is more expensive.
Mac have everything for creators inside boxed machine. So it cannot upgradable, but, PC is not upgradable too.

When archtectures changes, all motherboard and CPU have to change too.
So we have to purchase all system again. Reusable thins some old cards. But in almost cases, they are not usable.
PC's upgrade is only nice to hear.

I built my dual processor 2000+ Athlon MP system with 4g DDR RAM and DVD Burner plus lots of other goodies for less than I paid for my Dual Processor 1g G4 with 2g DDR RAM w/ Super Drive... And my Windows rig smokes my G4 on every app I have both platform versions of. I upgrade components of my machine somewhat frequently without hassles. All of the components (PCI Cards) of my old PC rig work just fine in my new PC rig...

PPC chips are more faster than same Mhz Intel is already fact.
(cause Intel's customers almost see MHz but Apple's customer are not.)

HUH!!! o_O

In Apple system, all components are hightest quality. So they are expensive.
PC is cheap. Cause their components are not highest.
Lower quality components have lower performance, unknown error, urgly look.

I disagree... MAC's have lousy Vid Cards in comparison to what's available for PC's, and you're stuck with Apples "approved" hardware. With my PC I have a choice as to the quality of my components.

I am not a MAC hater I actually have 2 (G3 & G4)... I just don't see any of your statements as valid from my experiences with both sides...

[Berserker]

hahaha, lets not get off topic or anything...:P

[JDex]

you're right... SI for MAC? hmmm, I don't have a problem with that idea. :)

[G-Prime]

Originally posted by HowardM
Will XSI ever be out for MAC?

Thanks!

well its out for linux... I use XSI on windows and 3Dsmax on a mac at work. just wait till next year for the mac version.

[ThirdEye]

Originally posted by G-Prime
well its out for linux... I use XSI on windows and 3Dsmax on a mac at work. just wait till next year for the mac version.


You use 3DS Max on a Macintosh?? :surprised

[Per-Anders]

It's odd... this question often comes up on softimages own messageboard. but every time, as here it degenerates into a couple of zealots fighitng over their religion (PC or Mac), I just wish both of them would go and drink their kool aid ffs.

If the reason behind XSI not being on the mac really is snobbery and zealotry (as it appears to be on the xsi forums and earlier on this thread) then that is a very very sad sorry state of affairs. I'm just glad that other companies (A|W, Newtek, Maxon etc) aren't so short sighted.

[ThE_JacO]

the reason is anything but "zealotry" wich spawns abundantly on both buring grounds, apple's and x86's (calling it windows is quite dumb since the x86 architecture can boast about an unreasonably wide scope of OSs for all tastes and exigencies).

Avid has NEVER been hostile to the macs, it supported them for a long while, and after a pause that apple's bad situation dictated a few years ago it started supporting them again recently; SI itself neither has ever been hostile to closed HW platforms (see Irix wich has been supported for as long as it was reasonable).

porting to MAC is NOT as easy as porting to linux (for wich you can use mainwin in dev, cutting times and cost to a 20% of a normal porting process ) and the only reason because it's not been ported yet is because the (scarce) requests (and I mean requests that have at least a chance to become sales in the foreseeable future) are low, have the mac comunity make more noise and show they'd invest and you can be sure a porting will happen.

SI is a company, a very caring one, but always a company. Like any company the idea is to make money and balance risks and customers' satisfaction with revenues. There can be any kind of reasons behind the choices, but one thing you can be sure about is that there isn't blind hate for a platform between these, not at all.


P.S.
I love these kind of threads anyway, they always show how many geniuses we have around who have a perfect understanding of HW platforms and obviously know exactly what the challenges of porting an application are :)

[exbox]

Sorry, but this always bugs me. Its Mac, not MAC. Mac is short for Macintosh, MAC stands for Media Access Control (like the MAC address of your ethernet card). Please use the right one.

[JDex]

Oh my god... you must be kidding... sorry Mac

This must really aggravate you to pull you out of lurking to post your 7th post in nearly a year... I think I'll keep calling it a MAC.

[capin_crunch]

Well I just started doodling in XSI so I thought I would check out the forum, and came across this post so here goes.

I think peole are looking too much into this. If you want to see avid release a Mac :-P version, you would need to get the big studios or companies who buy lots of licenses to switch over to Mac. The only reason I can think they released a Linux version of XSI is because big studios like DreamWorks have gone Linux. Linux is surely taking over the Irix market share, and in a couple of years I see Irix being where os2 is now.

With the G5 on the horizon this would be best time to for Apple sales reps to go to studios and start selling their products. Get some G5's in studios to let all these PC guys know what's up. I think people are looking too much in the porting thing, but maybe I am wrong. I mean sure some source would have to be changed, and there would be a lot of debugging, but it is not anything developer should fear. I mean I have used the Maya 4.5 port to OSX (powerbooK) and it was shit. And about the mouse thing...
...give me a fu(#|^g break.

cheers
-capin_crunch

[dg]

Let's bring some gasoline to this discution :D

Linux goes to the movies (http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,3959,1184633,00.asp)

See ya! 8)

[chach]

Softimage should stay on th SGI until the zealots kill each other off arguing about it.

1 thing... If you have $4500 for a Mac, and $5000 for XSI, what's stopping you from spending $1200 on a decent PC box to run it on?

You could even mount your PC components in an old G4 case and none of your snobby Mac friends need to know.
lol!

[capin_crunch]

$4500 maybe for the deathstar model but check this out. http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/72403/wo/Kx6WtEVdLt1d3k5Qe4RY2vdRrVM/1.0.7.1.0.5.23.1.0.19.3.1.1.0?38,11
$1999.00 will get anyones boat floating.
Hell that's how much I spent on my dell m50.


cheers
-capin_crunch

[JDex]

You could even mount your PC components in an old G4 case and none of your snobby Mac friends need to know.
lol!

lol... agreed...

[HowardM]

hey thanks guys, ive got a better idea than destroying my thread...START A NEW ONE!
:)

[chach]

http://members.aol.com/intwg/trolls.htm

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