Plan for Matt Summers
by Matt Summers · 11/15/2004 (8:12 pm) · 56 comments
Work is progressing nicely on the Softimage XSI 4 DTS exporter. Right now I'm writing the helper tools that automate all of the setup involved in creating a DTS shape, but everything will still be able to be setup manually for people who like to understand whats going on under the hood. Here's screen capture of the work in progess version.
Some of the cool features I'm working on are a DTS setup validator that scans the scene and list problems before you even export (my selfish attempt at reduceing support) and auto collision shape generation similar to the auto bounds generation in some of the other DTS exporters. i.e. it will auto-magically create a collision box the volume of selected object(s). You'll also be able to export a .CFG file from the GUI as well, for those people out there that fear text editors.
Docs will be built right into the exporter UI so no one will be able to use the excuse that they couldn't find them. (you know who you are people) :)
Some of the cool features I'm working on are a DTS setup validator that scans the scene and list problems before you even export (my selfish attempt at reduceing support) and auto collision shape generation similar to the auto bounds generation in some of the other DTS exporters. i.e. it will auto-magically create a collision box the volume of selected object(s). You'll also be able to export a .CFG file from the GUI as well, for those people out there that fear text editors.
Docs will be built right into the exporter UI so no one will be able to use the excuse that they couldn't find them. (you know who you are people) :)
#22
I can't wait, hope release is soon! =)
03/17/2005 (3:27 pm)
Will this exporter work on XSI 4.2? I hope so.I can't wait, hope release is soon! =)
#23
03/18/2005 (2:20 pm)
That looks great! I just learned I've got a XSI license from my University. Keep up the good work!
#24
03/26/2005 (10:31 pm)
Ditto the anticipation, I dont have an xsi lisence, but maybe once this tool is available :)
#27
04/21/2005 (5:41 pm)
News? *repeats everyone's question*
#28
05/20/2005 (3:11 pm)
*wishes it'd be out soon*
#29
Thanks for doing it Matt.
05/26/2005 (4:57 am)
WOW! exporter for XSI? Well, I'm getting Torque RIGHT NOW!. Thanks for doing it Matt.
#30
05/28/2005 (5:55 pm)
Hope it gets done, I could really use it.
#31
05/31/2005 (10:47 am)
Any chance for a beta release for us dying to use XSI for Torque??
#32
Just export your model from XSI into .obj format using file menu | export | obj file. Then drag n drop the obj file onto the obj2dts icon.
06/03/2005 (12:22 am)
In the meantime if you have static XSI art that you want to get into Torque you can use obj2dts. It supports most everything except dts animation: http://www.garagegames.com/index.php?sec=mg&mod=resource&page=view&qid=7541Just export your model from XSI into .obj format using file menu | export | obj file. Then drag n drop the obj file onto the obj2dts icon.
#33
06/14/2005 (4:00 pm)
Well it looks like development on this has died, considering no comment ever was made regarding the progress or answers to our questions, either on this .plan, the forums, or in e-mail. :(
#34
06/14/2005 (5:16 pm)
its not dead, we're just working on several projects at the same time and I dont have time to keep posting on its status. Be patient :o)
#35
06/14/2005 (6:13 pm)
How about a status once every 3 months ;-) I'm sure it will rock once it's finally completed
#36
06/14/2005 (6:47 pm)
Aha! It took a negative post to bring up the creator's comment. Works every time. :P
#37
FTK v.3.6.3. Download the latest version of the XSI File Tool Kit, a complete file-format and API toolkit for taking easily-parsable 3-D scene and animation data in and out of XSI via the dotXSI file-format. go
This is on Softimage home page...
I thought it may come handy in case you were too busy with other stuff andyou missed this update about XSI
Matt... we really need this.....
From XSI direct to TGE and especially TSE
Static objects
Animated objects
Textures / Shader (?) / Normal Mapps
Scenes
People that bought a license for Torque and bought a license for XSI may be willing to pay for an XSI plug-in or dedicated tool to make XSi and TORQUE communicate effortlessly.
No idea if you were preparing this plug in to be made avaialble for free...therefore pushing this project into the low priority bin
but since add ons like content packs are sold for a price (rightfully so)
and tools like 3rd party level editors etc.. are also sold for a price (Rightgully so)
Maybe a paid for end product would push a tool like a communicator between XSI and Torque back up in your priority list.
XSI foundation has apparently sold over 25,000 licensed copies.
XSI users could potentially be interested into Torque if an easy workflow is avaialble to take their content out of XSI and striaght into Torque. Like many people do with the Mod Tool to take content out of XSI and striaght into Unreal Engine and Half Life 2 engine.
So.. there could be a niche market for such a tool and a pool of potential new Torque licensed users from the XSi community....
Would GarageGames be intereseted in working with Softimage to create such a tool to make XSI to TORQUE pipeline a friendly experience?
Well I'll keep hoping that something along these lines will happen
06/22/2005 (4:52 am)
http://www.softimage.com/home/FTK v.3.6.3. Download the latest version of the XSI File Tool Kit, a complete file-format and API toolkit for taking easily-parsable 3-D scene and animation data in and out of XSI via the dotXSI file-format. go
This is on Softimage home page...
I thought it may come handy in case you were too busy with other stuff andyou missed this update about XSI
Matt... we really need this.....
From XSI direct to TGE and especially TSE
Static objects
Animated objects
Textures / Shader (?) / Normal Mapps
Scenes
People that bought a license for Torque and bought a license for XSI may be willing to pay for an XSI plug-in or dedicated tool to make XSi and TORQUE communicate effortlessly.
No idea if you were preparing this plug in to be made avaialble for free...therefore pushing this project into the low priority bin
but since add ons like content packs are sold for a price (rightfully so)
and tools like 3rd party level editors etc.. are also sold for a price (Rightgully so)
Maybe a paid for end product would push a tool like a communicator between XSI and Torque back up in your priority list.
XSI foundation has apparently sold over 25,000 licensed copies.
XSI users could potentially be interested into Torque if an easy workflow is avaialble to take their content out of XSI and striaght into Torque. Like many people do with the Mod Tool to take content out of XSI and striaght into Unreal Engine and Half Life 2 engine.
So.. there could be a niche market for such a tool and a pool of potential new Torque licensed users from the XSi community....
Would GarageGames be intereseted in working with Softimage to create such a tool to make XSI to TORQUE pipeline a friendly experience?
Well I'll keep hoping that something along these lines will happen
#38
Garagegames has told me that the XSI exporter is not being developed in-house so they have no control over it's development schedule.
Garagegames also thinks that XSI users that also own Torque licenses are too few in number to make it worth while to be anything but a back burner project.
It seems totally obvious to me that if there were an XSI exporter for Torque, that there would be LOTS of XSI users around here. Naturally when your only offically supported exporters are Maya and 3dsMax that's what everyone seems to be using.
Garagegames does not see it with the same logic I guess. It's pretty frustrating eh?
I suggested to Matt both in private email and in the forums that he should make the XSI exporter commercial or put up a donations paypal link, to fund the completion of it. Especially because he complained at one point that "if someone wants to pay my bills". He didn't respond.
06/22/2005 (6:56 am)
Matt doesn't work for garagegames - he is just another indy developer who happens to write great resources (like the Truespace/Gamespace exporter)Garagegames has told me that the XSI exporter is not being developed in-house so they have no control over it's development schedule.
Garagegames also thinks that XSI users that also own Torque licenses are too few in number to make it worth while to be anything but a back burner project.
It seems totally obvious to me that if there were an XSI exporter for Torque, that there would be LOTS of XSI users around here. Naturally when your only offically supported exporters are Maya and 3dsMax that's what everyone seems to be using.
Garagegames does not see it with the same logic I guess. It's pretty frustrating eh?
I suggested to Matt both in private email and in the forums that he should make the XSI exporter commercial or put up a donations paypal link, to fund the completion of it. Especially because he complained at one point that "if someone wants to pay my bills". He didn't respond.
#39
I know Matt does not work for Garagegames...
This is what indeed brings sadness to me :)
The tool/exporter I would love to have is left in the hands of the community, which means it may and may not happen.
It is great that at least Matt has an interest in working on a DTS exporter,
but of course this is not a priority for him, so who knows when he will have time to complete this project.
If someone had the skills and time to develop a full exporter for XSI to Torque (Scenes/Lights/Objects/Anims/Textures) it could be a commercial product.
The other option is to get Torque to be fully compatible with DotXSI or FBX...maybe.
I agree with you when you say:
"It seems totally obvious to me that if there were an XSI exporter for Torque, that there would be LOTS of XSI users around here."
hmm
:)
06/22/2005 (7:58 am)
Oh yes,I know Matt does not work for Garagegames...
This is what indeed brings sadness to me :)
The tool/exporter I would love to have is left in the hands of the community, which means it may and may not happen.
It is great that at least Matt has an interest in working on a DTS exporter,
but of course this is not a priority for him, so who knows when he will have time to complete this project.
If someone had the skills and time to develop a full exporter for XSI to Torque (Scenes/Lights/Objects/Anims/Textures) it could be a commercial product.
The other option is to get Torque to be fully compatible with DotXSI or FBX...maybe.
I agree with you when you say:
"It seems totally obvious to me that if there were an XSI exporter for Torque, that there would be LOTS of XSI users around here."
hmm
:)
#40
http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/dotxsictk/dotXSICTK_V11_src.zip?use_mirror=peterhost
PS. the tool needs to be compiled.
06/22/2005 (9:19 pm)
In case anyone is interested.... Here is a link to a toolkit that is supposed to assist in creating exporters that convert dotxsi into other 3d formats.http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/dotxsictk/dotXSICTK_V11_src.zip?use_mirror=peterhost
PS. the tool needs to be compiled.
Torque 3D Owner Hokuto
Can't wait.... will it be a commercial release? Or do you already have a donation page?