Softimage component editor

#1

Hi, I have been trying the demo of Softimage 2010 and I have bought the Maya to XSI tutorials from i3d which has helped answer most my questions. The one thing I have been unable to find is something like the Maya component editor, as I use this for modelling and rigging all the time. Does such a feature exist? Thanks.

#2

I think the closest thing we got is the Spreadsheet editor. View > General > Spreadsheet.

Eric T.

#3

Thanks, I’ll have a look at that. It is mainly for the weighting unless there is another way to set precise values on points, as I noticed the translate, rotate and scale function on the right works on a component level too. I really like Maya, but I have to say I cannot find anything I don’t like about SoftImage (once I get over the different shortcuts) and Face Robot has caused my jaw to be located much nearer the ground than usual for the last few days.

#4

Glad you’re liking Softimage so far. I find the workflow a lot more forgiving in Softimage than Maya. Plus weight painting in Softimage is a lot easier. Plus exporting image maps doesn’t make sense to me to save out weights… unless that has changed in the past few years.

To edit envelope weights hit ctrl+E to open the weight editor. There you can edit weights per point.

#5

If you like the Maya shortcuts better (I do) you can simply activate the predefined Maya-like shortcuts in XSI by clicking on File -> Interaction Model -> Maya.

#6

I have been tempted to use the Maya defaults, but at the moment I am following the advise in the Maya to XSI tutorial that suggests sticking with the XSI settings at least until you know them. I find the biggest thing is the F12 key instead of space, I miss my hotbox. I’m not one for altering hotkeys too much as I have found if I get too used to a non-default set-up when I work on site for companies I either have to alter them or remember the defaults quickly.

I’ll have a look at the rigging toolset soon, i’d be interested to know if the ik/fk switching does position matching easily or if scripting is required like maya to avoid blending over frames.

PS, why doesn’t Maya have modelling construction layers, it is such a good idea?

#7

I used Softimage for 3 years, then used Maya at a post secondary school, and now I’m back to Softimage. I did like the space bar for maximizing / minimizing the viewports. So what I did was remap it to ctrl+space bar. Works awesome. You can also copy the key map and bring it with you if you ever work on site at a studio.

You will need to use scripting to do the position matching for IK/FK switching unfortunately.

Lastly, the construction stack is amazing. Truly one of my favorite things about working in Softimage!

#8

Alt + S for me to maximize/minimize viewports. :beer:

#9

Alt+Spacebar for me :wink:

That’s about the only custom key I use, in addition to a shortut for opening the render preview window. With that I can lock one and open a new one too.

rob

#10

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