i3DTutorials prepares you for SOFTIMAGE|XSI 7

i3DTutorials is proud to announce the best training into the new world of SOFTIMAGE|XSI 7! Softimage introduces brand new features in XSI 7 that will enhance your productivity and creativity while working in XSI.

XSI 7 introduces ICE (Interactive Creative Environment), a groundbreaking technology that transforms XSI from just another 3D product into a powerful and flexible open platform.

Click on the following free videos to learn more about SOFTIMAGE|XSI 7

Interface and Tools

SOFTIMAGE|XSI 7 introduces some new features and tools that will make your workflow more pleasant and efficient. In this video, we will have a look at some of the new additions to the interface in XSI 7, as well as the new Preset Manager window. The new Preset Manager window is built right into the Render Tree and the all new ICE Tree, making it easier and faster to work on your shader trees and ICE effects.

Color Management

Color management is now supported across all aspects of SOFTIMAGE|XSI 7. With this new feature set, artists can now control the color space they work in while using XSI. You can now tell mental ray which color space your images and textures were created in, giving you the ability to ensure that renders come out correct and accurate.

Texturing

One of the many great additions to SOFTIMAGE|XSI 7 is the ability to edit multiple UV sets simultaneously. Editing multiple UV sets used to be a daunting and tedious task; however, we can now select multiple objects and edit their UV sets easily. It's as simple as selecting all the objects in your scene, opening the Texture Editor, and editing the UV sets to your heart's content - it really is that easy!

Deformation

With the inclusion of ICE, the possibilities in SOFTIMAGE|XSI 7 are limitless. One of the benefits of ICE, is the ability to create complex deformations rather easily. In this video, we will look at the new "Footprint" deformer that uses ICE to deform objects when they make physical contact with each other. Have a look at this video to get a small taste of the power of SOFTIMAGE|XSI 7 and ICE.

ICE Part 1

ICE is the new Interactive Creative Environment developed for SOFTIMAGE|XSI 7. Currently the hot topic in the industry, ICE truly changes the rules of the game by allowing artists to setup what used to be complex systems, quickly and easily. In this first part of our two part series, we will create a "smoke" effect using particles with ICE. Witness the first ever tutorial on creating a smoke like particle effect in SOFTIMAGE|XSI 7 using ICE!

ICE Part 2

SOFTIMAGE|XSI 7 now comes with new volume shaders that open the floodgates to your imagination when working with particles and ICE! These new shaders can create photo-realistic clouds, fires, smoke, fluids, and more! In part two of our two part series on ICE, learn how to take advantage of the new volume shaders and how to use them to create realistic smoke. We proudly invite you to watch the first ever tutorial on using volume shaders in SOFTIMAGE|XSI 7.

Character Creation

New in SOFTIMAGE|XSI 7 is an assortment of tools, rigs, characters, and models to help you get started on character setups. You now have one-click access to complex character rigs, quadrupeds, models, and more. Want to create a human character? No problem. Do dogs cater more to your fancy? You're good to go. Want to make an elephant for some reason? XSI 7 has you covered there too.

Render Tree

In this video, we will have a look at some of the new features and enhancements that have been made to the Render Tree. New features make it easier to navigate and work with the Render Tree, including the birds eye view and the ability to zoom in and out with the mouse wheel. We will also look at the new ability to create and work with "compounds". Compounds allow you take complex shader networks and place them all into one neat container called a Compound. These Compounds can then be exported for later use, shared with members of your team, uploaded online to share with others, or just use them to simplify your complex shader trees and make your life easier.

Render Manager

In SOFTIMAGE|XSI 7 the Render Manager has been redesigned and simplified. Taking customers' wishes into account, Softimage has redone the Render Manager and made it much easier to use, manage, and work with. Render overrides are now easier than ever to apply to passes and are a breeze.

mental ray 3.6

SOFTIMAGE|XSI 7 now includes the integration of mental ray 3.6. This new version of the award winning industry renderer brings with it some substantial improvements, as well as new features that will have you rendering easier and faster than ever before. Render artists will quickly fall in love with the new Irradiance Particles feature. This new algorithm is used by mental ray to calculate indirect illumination. Unlike Global Illumination and Final Gather, Irradiance Particles are very easy to setup, even for beginners. Artists working on architectural visualizations will quickly find a favorite new tool with the new Portal Light. This new and innovative shader allows you to create incredibly detailed and accurate lighting for interior scenes. SOFTIMAGE|XSI 7 now exposes and includes tons of new mental ray shaders. From new subsurface scattering nodes, to lens shaders like Photographic Exposure and Bokeh Depth of Field, SOFTIMAGE|XSI 7 has the best integration with mental ray ever.