The only tutorial I would offer on XSi if you're a beginner is don't use it.
That sounds harsh but if you're looking to get into game art creation I would advise using Max or Maya as the first base of your learning.
Both are similar enough in that they offer a good grounding in the general tools used for 3D, and I would say you would then find it easier to translate your skills to another package if necessary for a certain job.
Don't get me wrong, XSi (and other apps) have their strong points, but I personally dislike the way XSi works.
Of course, if you're not a beginner, then all of what I've said is irrelevant to you and please ignore it!
The old saying 'it's not the app, it's the artist' rings very true, but when you're starting out, I'm a firm believer in Max or Maya being your best choice and then get into another package later if you find it offers strengths in a certain area.
http://www.digitaltutors.com has some awesome tutorials for XSi, some specifically for game assets, and also for Max/Maya. Well worth the subscription fee in my opinion.
I personally love XSI, has all the functionality of maya... But it actually works.
The layout, keyboard short cuts, and the general UI is 10x better than maya.
Plus the core isn't as dated, and its not missing features that need to be added with plug-ins.
I spent 2 years trying to get comfortable with maya (while going to school full time, etc etc...) I just find XSI and lot more comfortable and predictable.
I use the full version, but if you need specific tuts just ask and I'll see what I can find.
I'm a pretty heavy XSI user at the moment, so biased as this sounds I'll disagree with creationtwentytwo. Since you specifically mentioned Modtool, the fact is its free and you'll be able to learn the core concepts of 3d modeling/animating/texturing/rigging/whatever through it, whereas you'd have to pay something to get the same legal education out of Max or Maya. All that 3d experience translates easily enough into Max and Maya should you wish to learn them down the line (you might need about a week to switch and relearn the shortcuts/menu system; ample time their 30-day trials will provide when you're ready).
As for tutorials, they used to have hundreds of video tutorials on their community forum, nicely broken into categories and difficulties. Unfortunately a rather poor job was done moving them over to 'The Area' where they seem scattered (and missing most of the user-created and third party ones that were also available for free). If there's a specific category you're looking for or need help on something, feel free to email or pm me.
Could you elaborate on 'your mouse getting huge'? I'm presuming you don't mean that literally, because if you do, Polycount probably isn't the place to be asking that question ;p
I didn't realise you had animation in mind, I'm not really qualified to give you a good answer as my experience with rigging/animation is limited.
I have heard good things about XSI for animation, also it has Face Robot.
I find Maya awesome for rigging and it seems fine for animation.
30 days should be enough time to at least get a feel for it. It's a real shame they no longer offer the PLE.
I'm gonna say something controversial here, but I know it's a view shared by some on here. What about downloading a pirate copy?
I don't agree with piracy, and don't think it's right that anyone who makes money from using software should be using a pirated version of said software. However, as you are not yet at that stage, I think it can be acceptable to give you a good example of whether it is right for you. If I was a complete beginner and considering software packages, then it would take me longer, a lot longer, than 30 days to decide if I wanted to spend £5000 on software. I think Autodesk knew that when they did the PLE for Maya, (or Alias, whoever was making Maya at that time).
I mean honestly, this is a debate in itself, but who in the world is in a position to spend that sort of money when they're starting out.
Another option if you are a student is to get a student copy, I'm not sure of price/availabilty where you are, but here in the UK, last time I checked, an educational version of a fully functional Maya was like £85! I used a student license when I first started learning, I think I just had to give the details of my course and get a signature from a tutor and they'll send you a license for a year or two. More often than not you don't even need to be enrolled on a directly related course. Obviously if you're studying accountancy or something it's unlikely you could convince them you'd need 3DS Max to help your studies.
At the end of the day, if you download a pirated version of Maya (or any piece of software for that matter), like it, get used to it, and end up getting a job later on, then you will be dropping the $$$ for it in the end anyway. Obviously the reason they don't offer the software for extended trial periods is that if you don't like it, or don't get on with it, then obviously you won't be buying it. And if you found out that after spending thousands of Dollars, I can't imagine it feels too nice.
Anyone saying XSI is alot different from Max and Maya, probably haven't used XSI throughly. It's used in Games, just not as dominent in the Western side of the world.
Lionhead, Digi-Guys, Capcom, Pandemic(RIP), Konami, Techmo, SEGA, Namco, Square Enix all use it.
Just get the software trails downloaded and see which one you feel comfortable with. Once you get a grasp of the tools, they can easibly be transfered to other applications.
If its animation tutorials your after then Noesis Interactive have a few about animation in xsi.
As stated previously Digital Tutors has more tutorials for XSI than they do any other package. I would recommend using them if you dont mind paying for the training.
We use XSI at our studio. I find it remarkably elegant in its structure. Some of us used to use Max and some used to Maya or Lightwave, and all prefer XSI for nearly everything.
Here's a site that has a great selection of free tutorials for XSI, and some paid ones as well:
Replies
That sounds harsh but if you're looking to get into game art creation I would advise using Max or Maya as the first base of your learning.
Both are similar enough in that they offer a good grounding in the general tools used for 3D, and I would say you would then find it easier to translate your skills to another package if necessary for a certain job.
Don't get me wrong, XSi (and other apps) have their strong points, but I personally dislike the way XSi works.
Of course, if you're not a beginner, then all of what I've said is irrelevant to you and please ignore it!
The old saying 'it's not the app, it's the artist' rings very true, but when you're starting out, I'm a firm believer in Max or Maya being your best choice and then get into another package later if you find it offers strengths in a certain area.
http://www.digitaltutors.com has some awesome tutorials for XSi, some specifically for game assets, and also for Max/Maya. Well worth the subscription fee in my opinion.
The layout, keyboard short cuts, and the general UI is 10x better than maya.
Plus the core isn't as dated, and its not missing features that need to be added with plug-ins.
I spent 2 years trying to get comfortable with maya (while going to school full time, etc etc...) I just find XSI and lot more comfortable and predictable.
I use the full version, but if you need specific tuts just ask and I'll see what I can find.
As for tutorials, they used to have hundreds of video tutorials on their community forum, nicely broken into categories and difficulties. Unfortunately a rather poor job was done moving them over to 'The Area' where they seem scattered (and missing most of the user-created and third party ones that were also available for free). If there's a specific category you're looking for or need help on something, feel free to email or pm me.
so basic first -> animation and rigging.
every time i open xsi my mouse gets huge!! any ideas what that could be?
I didn't realise you had animation in mind, I'm not really qualified to give you a good answer as my experience with rigging/animation is limited.
I have heard good things about XSI for animation, also it has Face Robot.
I find Maya awesome for rigging and it seems fine for animation.
i would rather use Maya but the 30 day trail isnt enough
I'm gonna say something controversial here, but I know it's a view shared by some on here. What about downloading a pirate copy?
I don't agree with piracy, and don't think it's right that anyone who makes money from using software should be using a pirated version of said software. However, as you are not yet at that stage, I think it can be acceptable to give you a good example of whether it is right for you. If I was a complete beginner and considering software packages, then it would take me longer, a lot longer, than 30 days to decide if I wanted to spend £5000 on software. I think Autodesk knew that when they did the PLE for Maya, (or Alias, whoever was making Maya at that time).
I mean honestly, this is a debate in itself, but who in the world is in a position to spend that sort of money when they're starting out.
Another option if you are a student is to get a student copy, I'm not sure of price/availabilty where you are, but here in the UK, last time I checked, an educational version of a fully functional Maya was like £85! I used a student license when I first started learning, I think I just had to give the details of my course and get a signature from a tutor and they'll send you a license for a year or two. More often than not you don't even need to be enrolled on a directly related course. Obviously if you're studying accountancy or something it's unlikely you could convince them you'd need 3DS Max to help your studies.
At the end of the day, if you download a pirated version of Maya (or any piece of software for that matter), like it, get used to it, and end up getting a job later on, then you will be dropping the $$$ for it in the end anyway. Obviously the reason they don't offer the software for extended trial periods is that if you don't like it, or don't get on with it, then obviously you won't be buying it. And if you found out that after spending thousands of Dollars, I can't imagine it feels too nice.
EDIT: woot post #486 :P
Anyone saying XSI is alot different from Max and Maya, probably haven't used XSI throughly. It's used in Games, just not as dominent in the Western side of the world.
Lionhead, Digi-Guys, Capcom, Pandemic(RIP), Konami, Techmo, SEGA, Namco, Square Enix all use it.
Just get the software trails downloaded and see which one you feel comfortable with. Once you get a grasp of the tools, they can easibly be transfered to other applications.
If its animation tutorials your after then Noesis Interactive have a few about animation in xsi.
Thers also:
http://www.3dmastermind.com/
http://www.digitaltutors.com/
http://3dquakers1.com/webroot5/page.php?id=7
www.Redi-Vivus.com also have 50gb worth of official free xsi training coming in the next couple of months.
http://www.xsibase.com -is a great place for XSI stuff in general.
I've too many bookmarks too list, but anything more specific i can have a look for.
Here is new series digital tutors did for softimage...
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?siteID=123112&id=13572891
http://rray.de/xsi/ - Softimage Resources
http://www.threesixty3d.com/software/ - Plugins & Tools for Autodesk Softimage XSI - Freeware
http://www.si-community.com/community/index.php?sid=6e392a7f75d56c2c3cb121243c41fe0a - Another XSI Forum
Here's a site that has a great selection of free tutorials for XSI, and some paid ones as well:
http://www.i3dtutorials.com/