Plan for Matt Summers
by Matt Summers · 10/05/2005 (12:28 am) · 45 comments
Now that I have the official ok to post some information about the projects we've been working on here at Dark Industries, I figured its about time to let you folks know that we are still around and still working hard on exporters and other projects.One of the projects we've been working on is the new 3DS Max 7 DTS exporter. This is a complete rewrite using the DTSSDK+ and includes a complete MaxScript utility that automates all of the DTS settings and features.
The Max 7 DTS utility is divided into separate managers that contain automation tools to help make the DTS setup process as easy as possible. The exporter UI is user resizeable with a built in minimize button that shrinks the UI to a tool bar size to free up screen space.
The UI can also be docked in any max view port and remembers its last size and screen location each time it is opened. There are also quick setup/quick export tools that let you literally export any simple object with one button click in the UI. We will be keeping the Max exporter up to date from this point on, and shortly after Max 8 comes out the exporter will be updated work with it.
Another long awaited update is on our progress with the XSI DTS exporter. The core exporter is feature complete and the exporter is compatible with both XSI 4.x and the newly released 5.0. I am now in the process of porting all of the automation tools from the new Max 7 exporter Utility to work with the Softimage XSI so that the feature set and work flow in both 3d apps will be as close as possible.
Shortly after IGC we will be releasing the beta of the free lite version of the XSI exporter, we are still working out what features will be available in the free version so I will post more information on that when it becomes available.
Also, upcoming builds of both the Max 8 and XSI 5 will be available in 64-bit versions. We are in the process of upgrading our operation systems and compilers to be able to support the 64-bit versions of these 3d tools as well the existing 32-bit versions.
Another project we've been working on is a complete website solution for Indie Game developers that has everything needed to create and edit a professional website for your game company. The website features a full content management system at allows you easily add any amount of content, news, forums, downloads, screen shots, blogs and many other features needed by game developers. I'll be posting more information about the Indy Game Sites CMS system in my next plan.
I finally got to take a vacation this year and a few weeks ago I got back from a road trip with my girl friend. We drove my Miata from Western Wisconsin to Yellow Stone National Park in Wyoming and back in about a week and a half and around 2500 miles round trip. Let me tell ya that is a long drive, but there is some amazing scenery along the way. Anyone who has never been there, go check it out, it is definitely worth the trip...
For anyone who is headed to IGC, Ill be there with the latest builds of both of the new exporters. If you flag me down and have any questions I'll be more than happy to answer them there.
#22
01/07/2006 (5:42 pm)
I am all a cold sweat; if you don't release this exporter I will come after you and...and .. and...buy you a drink ! 
#23
01/10/2006 (7:18 pm)
I'll pay for the second drink.
#24
I have to decide for my modeling and animation tool, I would like to use XSI, but as I want to export quadruped, I would like to know if the animation export will work.
I also have to release this year, so I can wait for the exporter, but only a few months, do you think is feasible with your planning.
I can take the risk to use the beta for my production.
Please, can you drop me a mail ? I have to decide this month...
01/27/2006 (4:36 pm)
Hi Matt,I have to decide for my modeling and animation tool, I would like to use XSI, but as I want to export quadruped, I would like to know if the animation export will work.
I also have to release this year, so I can wait for the exporter, but only a few months, do you think is feasible with your planning.
I can take the risk to use the beta for my production.
Please, can you drop me a mail ? I have to decide this month...
#25
03/02/2006 (4:57 pm)
Quote:Shortly after IGC we will be releasing the beta of the free lite version of the XSI exporterany news Matt?
#26
I am willing to pay in advance for it. For now we don;t need character animation, simple animations will do or even simple dts shapes exported correctly to Torque..
Regards
06/10/2006 (4:16 am)
Any chance we can get our dirty hands on your XSI to Torque exporter Matt? My project is moving fast now and I really need to set up a decent dts pipeline. Write me an email (office@pixelweaver.org) and tell me what exactly do we need to do to actually have acces to your exporter. I am willing to pay in advance for it. For now we don;t need character animation, simple animations will do or even simple dts shapes exported correctly to Torque..
Regards
#27
06/10/2006 (8:37 am)
@Apparatus not sure if knew it but you can use obj2dts to export shapes from xsi to dts. animation is not supported though, and things like multiple meshes can get complicated.
#28
Ive used the obj2dts succesfully but it requires too much handling so, no, an exporter will do the job. Ime no programmer but I would pay one to make me that darn thing cause I master XSI more or less and I am happy with its price too. Max or Maya is 3k more, so...
06/10/2006 (12:44 pm)
ime really not interested in a tool that would enlarge our pipeline. xsi - torque that's all I need.Ive used the obj2dts succesfully but it requires too much handling so, no, an exporter will do the job. Ime no programmer but I would pay one to make me that darn thing cause I master XSI more or less and I am happy with its price too. Max or Maya is 3k more, so...
#29
*bump*
I'm also willing to pay for a XSI .dts/.dsq exporter, hopefully this is still in the works ..
07/05/2006 (2:07 pm)
I know you really can't bump plans, blogs or resources but it makes me feel a little better :)*bump*
I'm also willing to pay for a XSI .dts/.dsq exporter, hopefully this is still in the works ..
#30
Can't wait for the release of the new XSI Exporter.
@Matt. I know you are on vacation but I sent you an email last week.
07/23/2006 (1:43 pm)
@Matt...@Adrian, the miata looked so cool I had to buy one. I absolutly love it!Can't wait for the release of the new XSI Exporter.
@Matt. I know you are on vacation but I sent you an email last week.
#31
BTW have you seen the superb electic folding metal roof that they are are bringing out for the new one towards the end of the year. It's really slick but a bit more expensive. really nice though and doesn't take up any extra trunk space :)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNxLsRBlrgQ
07/24/2006 (11:59 pm)
hey nice new MX-5 and a really cool colour :). One thing I like about the new ones is that the roof comes down nice and tidy, and only requires one latch.BTW have you seen the superb electic folding metal roof that they are are bringing out for the new one towards the end of the year. It's really slick but a bit more expensive. really nice though and doesn't take up any extra trunk space :)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNxLsRBlrgQ
#32
07/25/2006 (3:26 pm)
Yea, That's pretty cool. It's a 2006. I bought it about two months ago. That video was also pretty cool. I really liked the electric fold down hard top. You can get a standard hard top to replace the convertable top but it cost around $3500.00 but I like it just the way it is. I wonder how much that will increase the over all cost.
#33
10/27/2006 (10:27 pm)
Just wanna check up here. Whats the status on the XSI exporter? 
#34
I have been waiting for the release.
I just graduated from college and a few of us are starting our own company. We do have a programmer on staff and I also know how to code. If you need help let me know cause I will do it on my spare time fro free just to get it up and running.
I hope all is well.
Stephen
12/29/2006 (2:36 am)
Say do you still need help with that exporter for XSI?I have been waiting for the release.
I just graduated from college and a few of us are starting our own company. We do have a programmer on staff and I also know how to code. If you need help let me know cause I will do it on my spare time fro free just to get it up and running.
I hope all is well.
Stephen
#35
I am currently back to work on writing the user interface for the XSI exporter. The core exporter is really only missing material properties which will be added once I finish writing the material manager in the exporter UI. In the next few days I'll be posting an new .plan with an update and making the latest build of the XSI exporter available for download.
Later...
Matt
12/29/2006 (7:55 am)
@Stephen:I am currently back to work on writing the user interface for the XSI exporter. The core exporter is really only missing material properties which will be added once I finish writing the material manager in the exporter UI. In the next few days I'll be posting an new .plan with an update and making the latest build of the XSI exporter available for download.
Later...
Matt
#36
02/13/2007 (2:43 pm)
these are some good news... december 06, february 07 - could it be these days you would let us use our favorite app for dts export? :)
#37
02/14/2007 (8:02 am)
Just a heads up the latest beta version of the XSI exporter is available for download here also check out the public XSI exporter forums.
#38
Fy if you need real feedback on exporter, drop me a line - I was a technical artist for a good period of time with a company developing games with and around Softimage|XSI so I know the drills.
02/16/2007 (8:25 pm)
I am totally satisfied to this point, can't wait to get the UI too so I can manipulate materials and animations. Thanks Matt!Fy if you need real feedback on exporter, drop me a line - I was a technical artist for a good period of time with a company developing games with and around Softimage|XSI so I know the drills.
#39
This build of the XSI exporter also reads .cfg files as well so you can controll node export if needed. The only major feature missing is material properties, which will be added as soon as I figure out the best way to manage them from the exporter UI.
More stuff to come, and yes, Id love any feed back you have so far on the exporter.
02/18/2007 (1:22 am)
If you add a null named "sequence_run" (where "run" is the name of your sequence). then add custom parameters to the null using the appropriate names for sequence properties you can add everything thats needed to export animation. (see any of the current exporters docs for more details on sequence properties, Max Maya, etc.) This will of coarse be alot easier when the UI is completed.This build of the XSI exporter also reads .cfg files as well so you can controll node export if needed. The only major feature missing is material properties, which will be added as soon as I figure out the best way to manage them from the exporter UI.
More stuff to come, and yes, Id love any feed back you have so far on the exporter.
#40
I love XSI and the way I can customize it. Maybe sometime in the future we can see Torque running in the Custom Display Viewport :D
I can't wait for the UI release and I will be very happy :)
02/18/2007 (10:48 am)
So far it's perfect, I give you that. I can give you some ideas on the UI design and workflow but ime not sure about your approach. It'll be cool to have shader presets in the Material tab of the exporter's UI but thats a far stretch for now, useful for TGEA users. I haven't been able to export a model with a transparent texture. Is there a workaround for now to be able to do this? I love XSI and the way I can customize it. Maybe sometime in the future we can see Torque running in the Custom Display Viewport :D
I can't wait for the UI release and I will be very happy :)
Torque Owner Dieter Eichert
I use XSI 4.2 essential and Im interested in beta testing your exporter. Would you drop me a mail?