Before begining, just keep in mind that beyond and before the software, artistic skill and practice and good anatomy basis are really important to help you improving your work.
First, i will introduce XSI structure, features ans means to you since it is really different from the rest of the pack.
It is up to you to choose the soft that better helps you to express yourself.
First launch Softimage XSI and take your marks ( larger screenshots would slowdown this page)
XSI interface is 1280*1024 minimum, and using it , you 'll notice why. If you don't have enough power to have this resolution ( Geforces are really cheap !), i have done a 1024*768 interface ...but some modifications have been done from the original. It's really your last solution !!! ....If you want to know how to install it, just keep on reading the tutorial.
ZIP FILE FOR THE 1024 * 768 INTERFACE (6ko).
XSI interface . Click the image to view a larger screen with some help.
The use of the 3 mouse buttons is extensive through all the software.
The middle mouse button on a toolbar function, or menu, activate the last function used in this menu without having to display the list.
The default keyboard shortcuts are displayed on the right side of the drop down lists.
You can create your own keyboard shortcuts from the default panel.
The keyboard mapping menu display a virtual keyboard with the keys assigned on it. The shortcusts may be viewed in an internet view for clearer purposes.
Here are the default shortcuts for XSI.
XSI key.HTML(60 ko)
XSI 1.5 main interface is divided into 4 modules : model (modeling), animate (animation/skinning), render (matérials/mapping/render), simulate (particles/softbodies/fluids/cloth).
The sortcuts 1,2,3,4 change from one module to other, the colors changeto reflect the module. Nonetheless most of the functions are available in the upper menu bar, and some menus are present in all the modules like get primitive... Changing from one module to another is really necessary when you work particularly on a specific element of the workflow. Changing is really clear and fast.
A click on the name of the main toolbar allows you to change to another module.
Each module has his own specific tools for: modeling, mapping, animate...
Tools are divided into 3 groups :
-Get : to load cameras, primitives, lights
-Create : to create curves, particles, shaders, clip
-Modify : to create or modify from elements that have been created
The Layout menu in the upper menu bar allows to modify and create interfaces with edit layout, new layout, save layout, copy, paste, rename, remove...
The taskbar, when visible ( view menu ) allows to choose an interface. Shortcuts can be assigned to interfaces.
Once the interface created, you can save it. The layout menu allows to import / export interfaces, scripts, toolbars and keyboard shortcuts.
You just have to browse to the file then click. the new interface and toolbars will be available immediately. You can delete the file after importing. Exporting is as simple as importing : give a the file a name, choose the elements you want to export.
ZIP FILE FOR THE 1024 * 768 INTERFACE (6 ko).
The file menu allows access to the user preferences.
Advice: check Tab Style Editor in the General section, it will make property display clearer ( You must restart XSI in order to see the changes ). Autobackup may be activated.
Give windows Focus option activate the window under the cursor ( Unix feeling ).This can be annoying if you use lots of flotting windows like " editors views"
Adjust Editor Size option readjust automatically the size of the window depending on the content, thus optimizing viewing space...Great !
One of the main goals of XSI is optimizing space and avoiding clutter of the working space. There is a lot of tips to speed up, cleanup ...
With tab mode, the working space isn't cluttered and parameters can be modified from the different Tabs.
Tab Style Editor option
WITHOUT
The dialog box covers the object, a lot of elements displayed onscreen.
You can change a 3d view directly with an editor. A middle mouse button click on the name of the view allows you to exchange with the previous view.
The left mouse button allows you to choose a view from the drop down list. Underlined letters in the drop down lists are keyboard shortcuts alloowing to choose a view or a command without having to search :
R : right
F : front
E : explorer...
be displayed as flotting windows.
The pros are that you can freely translate , resize or hide (clicking twice on his name bar). You can also open any number of the same editor at the same time.
The cons are that you start cluttering your workspace and if the Give windows Focus option is checked, you will rapidely loose control with the different flotting windows as the mouse cursors passes over them.
All the underlined letters are keyboard shortcuts, that you can access as explained before.
Only the upper menu bar must be acceded with the Alt key + underlined letter.
To get a primitive surface (NURBS) sphere:
Alt + i / s / s
You can now access rapidly the most frequently used commands.