XSI questions

Joao Sapiro

hola pessoal !

i am currently in the process of learning XSI , i doubt much people use it here, but it doesnt hurt asking , i have read the help file , and it really has helped me so far ,but theres some stuff im used in max wich i dont know how to achieve with xsi :

-- extruding along face normal instead of the z,y,z axis.
-- selecting loops of edges/rings

ill be posting questions if people want to help me

Zcubed

Been a while since I last used the learning edition but I think I remember enough to be of use.

- Alt + Middle Click will select edge loops/rings.

- Selecting the extrude command from the menu will give you an explorer window that allows you to define extrude distance.

Bradfordart

I've switched almost completely to XSI. I've got some notes here I made when I began to learn it; it might be useful.

http://www.jamesbradford.net/wip/xsi_notes.txt

thomasp

Bradfordart: these shortcuts from your notes seem all over the keyboard. is it possible to fully customize them in XSI?

as for the original question about extrudes - my softimage knowledge is a little rusty but have you made sure that you are in local transform mode before invoking the extrude tool?

James Edwards

Yeah I almost never use the regular extrude command. Ctrl+d and just use the move manipulator in local mode. Ctrl+d also happens to double as a bevel tool depending on what element type you have selected.

If you really want to get fancy with picking a normal that isn't averaged from your selection use ref mode. Right click the ref button, choose a reference type then it starts a picking session. I use this a lot with extra null objects that I can pick from as different reference sources if I need to go back to a specific reference orientation more than once. Otherwise the elements do the trick.

I also really abuse the 'm' key a lot since XSI's tweak mode is pretty badass. Works great with ctrl+d too since it stays active so you can continue to extrude, bevel, make new selections, or even switch transfrom modes without leaving tweak mode.

Bradfordart

thomasp: Yeah, XSI's keyboard mapping is really good for that (file->keyboard mapping). These are the default settings, which have worked fine for myself.

Squid

'm' key and ctrl+d whore here too. such a shame that highlighted components don't count as valid selections though (for duplication).

when in tweak mode i find it easier to middle click a reference vec (near enough is usually good enough).

Joao Sapiro

hey thanks for all the help ! that .txt file really helped Bradfordart so far i still cant manage to do the following :

Extrude along normals , i tired M + ctrl D ,but its hard to select the faces i want and its kinda confusing , also i think that there are some vertex overlapping , but xsi selects both of them and the weld point tool searches another vertex besides that one

Also , is there anyway to make the edge selection tool dont select backfaces ? im kinda tired to after select simple stuff have to deselect like 4x more :P

thank you people

dur23

i = paint select edges (no selecty the back face)
u = paint select faces (no selecty the back face)

extruding along normal is the same as moving a face on long its local axis. Set the axis of your manipulator to local. On the side panel thing under s t r stuffs. Or if you right click with translation turned on in the screen area. (not on the model).

I think that made sense...

Mongrelman

A way I tend to extrude along normals, when wanting to be precise, is ctrl+d the face, then with it selected, go to deform>push, and drag the bar to extrude.

When you choose selection type (edge, face etc.) press F7 to chose box selection, and F10 for paint selecting. Paint selecting doesn't select backfaces.

Joao Sapiro

Lupus, that way worked perfectly, thanks a bunch mate ! ill post more question as i go along this road Also anyone who also has questions please post them as well .