xsi for architecture?

[coffeefery]

Hi, is there anyone willing to share on how they do precise modeling in XSI?

I came from LW and have used LWCAD tools quite extensively when doing architecture modeling. It has a number of good tools that helps when aligning objects/curves/vertices/polygons against one another. One of the reason it worked real well is because when you select an object for precise aligning, it's based on first vertex you chose and by moving that vertex, the whole object follows and you can align it exactly to the vertex of another object. How can I do that in XSI? If not, is there any workarounds or plugins that does that?

Thanks in advance.

[mr Bob]

Yes max and viz are currently popular for archviz.Mainly because of the tight intergration with autodesk autocad and having great DWG import options.Being able to import DWGs as polylines and then being able to quickly extrude those lines into poly objects makes life easy. Something that also does max lots of favours is having simple push button render engines availible as plugins that are very easy to use. At the end of the day you can use any tool you want to do arch viz, but just bear in mind some tools are better suited to a particular job than others.....

B

just my 2 cents

[IC12]

The big issue is being able to import 2D and 2D-based files into your 3D app.

That is Max's remaining strength over the others but they're all gaining ground and, of course, there are translation apps now which can convert most files to whatever you need.

[PaZ]

The big issue is being able to import 2D and 2D-based files into your 3D app.

That is Max's remaining strength over the others but they're all gaining ground and, of course, there are translation apps now which can convert most files to whatever you need.

there's no precise rule here... i use Lightwave for VIZ and i'm pretty happy.
sure, DWG import would be neat and Vray too, but LW has one of the most powerful modeler around, and now has Fprime, the incredible interactive GI renderer. there's nothing like Fprime, you can really see in realtime your rendering, and neither Max nor maya have this.
Lately Kray appeared, a powerful Photon mapping + Final gathering engine, which makes Lw more appealing, and with 9.0 Lw will le other renderers as plugin, so soon Vray and others will be on Lw too.
As you see, each tool has some strong points... the same goes for Cinema.

Paolo Zambrini

[Splin]

Hi, is there anyone willing to share on how they do precise modeling in XSI?

I came from LW and have used LWCAD tools quite extensively when doing architecture modeling. It has a number of good tools that helps when aligning objects/curves/vertices/polygons against one another. One of the reason it worked real well is because when you select an object for precise aligning, it's based on first vertex you chose and by moving that vertex, the whole object follows and you can align it exactly to the vertex of another object. How can I do that in XSI? If not, is there any workarounds or plugins that does that?

Thanks in advance.

That could help you forward:
http://3dquakers1.com/webroot5/page.php?id=7
Introduction to Architectural Modeling

I am not sure about your workflow with LW but here guy shows a great tips and way to do this job in XSI. More over..as xsi 5 will hit the streets...second volume will come out from him what will concentrate to rendering & lighting.

[coffeefery]

How good is the tutorial, does anyone know? Just wanted a review from someone who has seen the tutorials before deciding if I should get it. Thanks.

As for modeling and rendering, I am very happy with LW, especially with its powerful modeling tools and amazing FPrime (the speed is astounding). However, I'm really surprised at how XSI does its character rig after watching some video tutorials and trying them out. It's so easy to rig, and its IK is just plain amazing (not to mention the FK/IK blend). The rigging aspect really got my full attention and the more I played with XSI, the more I like it.

As for the modeling tools, they are great. But there are just some tools that seems to be left out (probably hidden somewhere that I didn't know about yet), especially for doing architectural modeling. It would be nice if Softimage could implement a set of tools similar to CAD in their future upgrades, as well as the useful template drill/drill tools found in LW.

[IC12]

there's no precise rule here... i use Lightwave for VIZ and i'm pretty happy.
sure, DWG import would be neat and Vray too, but LW has one of the most powerful modeler around, and now has Fprime, the incredible interactive GI renderer.
As you see, each tool has some strong points... the same goes for Cinema.

Paolo Zambrini

I agree. I use LW too and find it all too easy to do arch viz with it, especially using FPrime.
LW and C4D are becoming more and more popular within the arch viz community.

XSI has always been a great app with amazing modelling, rendering and flexibility.
Check out the work of Alex York. He uses XSI for arch viz to great effect.

[Splin]

How good is the tutorial, does anyone know? Just wanted a review from someone who has seen the tutorials before deciding if I should get it. Thanks.

it is very good. First it goes thru how to set up good pipeline for AutoCad drawings>XSI. Then it continues with modeling in XSI and how to get you stuff in right proportions.

Most importantly..it shows you the workflow how it could take place in XSI. Coming from other applications it is always problematic to left behid the roots how this or that was done in other apps. Here one can get a fresh and good start for right path.

[mocaw]

Hi, is there anyone willing to share on how they do precise modeling in XSI?

I came from LW and have used LWCAD tools quite extensively when doing architecture modeling. It has a number of good tools that helps when aligning objects/curves/vertices/polygons against one another. One of the reason it worked real well is because when you select an object for precise aligning, it's based on first vertex you chose and by moving that vertex, the whole object follows and you can align it exactly to the vertex of another object. How can I do that in XSI? If not, is there any workarounds or plugins that does that?

Thanks in advance.

Watch the DVD that came with your XSI! There are many ways to do this with the snap tool in conjunction with the temp transformation pivot option (hold down alt and move it when doing any transform). You basicly choose your selection, move the pivot to the vertex (or what ever you wish to align) then turn snap to vertex/point on. Works like a champ. You might want to use weld to target points too... or just snap with the move tool....

[rtd]

Hi, my workflow is currently Rhino3d to xsi via .iges. As time goes by, I'm doing more of the basic modeling in xsi. It's a lot faster than all that translating, although Rhino does a good job of it, except for the coordinate system (Rhino uses a z-up system, the same as autocad) and everything will need to be rotated 90 degrees. I will sometimes use .obj, and Rhino does ok with that too (the .obj export has a "y-up" option).
richard

[Bullit]

I love absolutely the transform (move/rotate/scale) and snapping capabilities of Xsi. It's way superior and easier to use than to Max. Just RMB over Plane button in Transform menu and you can set as a plane a couple of points, edges or a polygon. That is very good.

Xsi unfortunately lack in rendering easy of use and quality but i think after 2-3 real architecture works anyone can start to get a workable light/material quality setup for same hours of work that while inferior to Vray the better feel and work of XSI can compensate. I think with some experience the diferences in quality would not be much noticiable.

[f3rDz]

I used to work with max for architectural viz. this is my take on xsi for architectural viz.

Modeling archi viz in xsi is simple and straigh forward using the edit polygon tools. I did not have a hard time transferring my max skills into XSI.

You might spend much of your time studying the render tree before you can really appreciate your transition from max to xsi.

lighting using hdri and final gather is so easy in xsi.

there is no preview while rendering large images.



ferdz

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