"23rd April, 2008 - The Mill's very own head of 3D, Aron Hjartarson, directed his first fully computer generated commercial for Mitsubishi to promote the new Eclipse and Eclipse Spyder models—creative out of BDDO Toronto. He and his impressive team finished the remarkable job in just 10 weeks time."
More New Training DVDs Available from Digital Tutors
Softimage training partners Digital Tutors have released two new training DVDs to help you rig and animate your four-legged friends:
Animating Quadrupeds in XSI: Learn time-saving animation techniques, the mechanics of quadrupeds, and a flexible workflow to creating convincing animations in XSI. Contains over 3 hours of project-oriented training. Perfect for intermediate artists.
Rigging Quadrupeds in XSI: Learn time-saving quadruped rigging techniques and the principles of building solution-based rigs for more efficient animating in XSI. Contains over 8 hours of project-driven training. Perfect for intermediate artists.
Read the press release
>>
For information about these and other XSI training products, visit the Digital-Tutors website.
New Training DVDs Available from Digital Tutors
Softimage training partners Digital Tutors have released several new training DVDs, including:
Introduction to Animation in XSI: Learn the essentials of animation and creative approaches to effectively using XSI's robust animation tools. Contains 6 hours of project-driven training for aspiring animators and experienced artists seeking a refresher.
Read the press release >>
Introduction to Character Development Kit in XSI: Efficiently build rigs and learn a customizable approach to character rigging using XSI's Character Development Kit. Contains over 4 hours of project-driven training for artists learning the technical and creative processes of automating and customizing character rigs in XSI.
Read the press release
>>
Introduction to Rigging in XSI: Establish a solid foundation and learn flexible rigging methods, various rigging and character setup tools, and the essentials of building animator-friendly controls in XSI. Contains nearly 7 hours of project-based training for aspiring artists learning character setup and rigging workflows in XSI.
Read the press release
>>
For information about these and other XSI training products, visit the Digital-Tutors website.
i3DTutorials Releases Introduction to SubD Modeling in SOFTIMAGE|XSI during the Softimage Education Conference at GDC 2008
San Fransisco, CA - February 2008 – i3D Tutorials announces their latest training product for SOFTIMAGE|XSI, "Introduction to SubD Modeling in SOFTIMAGE|XSI", during the Softimage Education Conference at GDC 2008. This latest offering from the growing i3DTutorials library of SOFTIMAGE|XSI training products, takes users through the entire process of creating an entire set of 3d models based from real world objects. Showing industry techniques used to create objects with astounding detail, "Introduction to SubD Modeling in SOFTIMAGE|XSI" reveals beginning to advanced techniques that are designed to take full advantage of SOFTIMAGE|XSI's powerful SubD modeling tools and the Gigapolygon Core. Addressing the need and demand for hi-end training for SOFTIMAGE|XSI, Introduction to SubD Modeling in SOFTIMAGE|XSI teaches the techniques needed to model realistic objects with subd's in the most easy and efficient way.
Although the original DVDs were produced to be released with previous version of XSI, the fundamental basic interactions have not changed in XSI 6.x, and the training is still invaluable for XSI users of all levels.
Check it out.
3D mastermind.com's Character in Motion Training DVD Released
Softimage's own Manny Papamanos has created Character in Motion: A Study in 3D Character Rigging and Animation, featuring over 11 hours of production-oriented training.
"This beautiful new commercial for the famous frozen food brand was directed by Glassworks 3D artist Jon Park and demonstrates a perfect marriage of 2D and 3D techniques."
Tekkonkinkreet Wins Japan's Academy Award for Animation
"The Nippon Academy-Sho Association, a Japanese group roughly comparable to America's Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of Oscar fame, has awarded Michael Arias and Studio 4°C's Tekkonkinkreet with the Animation of the Year award in the 31st Japan Academy Prizes on Friday. "
Softimage and Crytek have developed a customized export process to get 3D content, created using SOFTIMAGE|XSI, directly into CryENGINE, Crytek’s new flagship game engine developed in conjunction with the popular first person shooter PC game title, Crysis.
OC3 Entertainment, Inc and Softimage Unveil New FaceFX plug-in for SOFTIMAGE|XSI Software at GDC 2008
"Research Triangle Park, NC - Game Developers Conference, San Francisco, Calif. — February 15, 2008 - OC3 Entertainment and Softimage Co., a subsidiary of Avid Technology, Inc., today announced a new FaceFX audio lip-syncing plug-in technology for Softimage product offerings. The FaceFX plug-in software will establish a bidirectional pipeline with SOFTIMAGE|XSI software—enabling next generation game developers and 3D animation artists to create realistic talking characters with more precise facial expressions and lip-synchronization."
3Delight for XSI is a fully integrated plug-in for SOFTIMAGE®|XSI®. The plug-in uses the latest rendering API advancements in XSI 6.5 to achieve a seamless integration and without any compromises in work-flow.
"5th February 2008 - This is no ordinary football match. In a stadium of the future, two teams battle it out in front of a huge roaring crowd. But the players aren’t wearing hi-tech boots – they’re wearing hi-tech legs. This is ‘Until Then’, the new commercial for the Puma V1 08 Speedboot." Read the full article >>
Jellyfish Pictures' Fight for Life WinsVES Award for "Best Visual Effects for a Broadcast Series"
The sixth annual VES award winners were announced last night. SOFTIMAGE Customer Phil Dobree and his team from Jellyfish Pictures (UK) won the award for “Best Visual Effects in a Broadcast Series” for the BBC Series Fight for Life.
XSI and Face Robot Featured in Issue 17 of HDRI 3D Magazine
Check out the article Animation Rig Export: Making Shapes with Face Robot, by Thomas Kang and Hans Payer, in issue 17 of HDRI 3D magazine.
From the HDRI 3D website:
"The centerpiece of Face Robot 1.8 is the Animation Rig Export, an automated system for generating a shape rig based on the solved head. This article provides an in-depth look at how the feature works and how to integrate the animation rig in a full character pipeline."
And don't forget about Raffael Dickreuter's XSI Corner.
Lola uses XSI for work on BBC's Earth: The Power of the Planet
"From in-programme graphics to stunning photo-real visual-effects sequences, Lola's work on the BBC's Earth: The Power of the Planet helps tell the story of the Earth's creation..."
"...Led by head of 3D, Tim Zaccheo, Lola had to provide a number of different ways to look at the planet in photo-real detail as if looking from space, inside to show how plate tectonics worked, and from above to illustrate global ocean currents."
Introducing mental ray for Maya, 3ds Max, and XSI, by Boaz Livny
mental ray for Maya, 3ds Max, and XSI is your one-stop resource for the industry standard for rendering 3D models into realistic-looking characters and objects. Author Boaz Livny provides 3D artists with the real-world know-how to create stunning, highly realistic images with mental ray and helps readers make informed decisions on advanced lighting and workflow issues that will transform their creations into studio quality photo-realistic characters, objects, and landscapes. The topics covered in this book provide essential background on light and camera fundamentals, rendering technologies and techniques used with any advanced rendering software be it V-Ray, Brazil, Final Render, Renderman software and of course mental ray.
Digital-Tutors Releases Introduction to Lighting in SOFTIMAGE|XSI Software
January 28, 2008
Oklahoma City, OK - Digital-Tutors, SOFTIMAGE® Official Training Partner and leading provider in video-based training, today announced the availability of 'Introduction to Lighting in XSI' - the newest release in an expanding library of interactive video-based training for emerging digital artists using SOFTIMAGE|XSI® a complete 3D package for modeling, rendering and character animation. 'Introduction to Lighting in XSI' provides over two hours of essential techniques for adding greater realism and a time-saving workflow to lighting within XSI—Ideal for beginning and intermediate artists seeking various lighting methods.
SOFTIMAGE|XSI 6 WINS “Best Art Tool” in Game Developer Magazine 2007 “Front Line Awards”
January 9th 2008 - Tenth Annual 2007 Front Line Awards Honor the Year's Seven Best Game Creation Tools.
The Finalists:
3ds Max 9, Autodesk
modo 301, Luxology
Mudbox 1.06, Autodesk/Skymatter
Softimage XSI 6.01, Softimage
Zbrush 3.1, Pixologic
Jeffrey Fleming, Production Editor for Game Developer Magazine said that SOFTIMAGE|XSI 6 was chosen as Best Art Tool for 3D Game Development after a panel of industry game development professionals reviewed and worked with all of the software in the Finalist category.
For its history, functionality, made-for-an-artist interface and interoperable performance, SOFTIMAGE|XSI received the most marks and highest scores to take the distinction as BEST ART TOOL for the 2007 Game Developers Front Line Award.
Avid Technology Announces Gary Greenfield as new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Technology Veteran Takes Helm of Media Industry Pioneer
Tewksbury, Mass.– December 19, 2007 – Avid Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVID) today announced that Gary Greenfield has been named chairman of the board and chief executive officer (CEO) effective immediately. Greenfield succeeds Nancy Hawthorne, who has served as interim CEO since August 1 and will assume the role of lead director on the company’s Board.
Miami, FL - December 17, 2007 - i3D, LLC, announces the official launch of www.i3DTutorials.com. i3DTutorials.com is designed as an internet 3D training service that caters to the 3D art/animation industry.
With this announcement and official launch, i3Dtutorials.com plans to offer software training for SOFTIMAGE|XSI, the professional 3D modeling, animation, rendering and character creation software, with easy-to-follow video tutorials designed for 3D artists ranging from complete beginners, all the way to studio professionals who need to keep up with an evolving pipeline.
"My goal has always been to teach newcomers about the art of CGI. Students are always taught how to use the software, but I want to show them how to make it an extension of their own imagination. It’s only then that the software becomes a digital paint brush, as opposed to just another difficult to use computer program.” says Founder and CEO, Leonard Gonzalez.
Fergie gets help from SOFTIMAGE|XSI to build Pop-up book environments in her latest hit single “Clumsy”. Effects by Proof Los Angeles.
Watch it here, or catch a high-quality quicktime at www.rich-lee.com
Content creation for Papervision3D using XSI Mod Tool
Find out how you can create content for Papervision3D using the SOFTIMAGE|XSI Mod Tool in this 2-part video series from Softimage's own Luc Bolduc. Text versions are avaialble on Luc's website, www.bolducati.com
Part 1:
Part 2:
T5 SERIES - THE ART OF ANIMATING NAD CENTRE, May 26-30, 2008
"Montreal, Quebec – January 7, 2007 - The NATIONAL ANIMATION AND DESIGN CENTRE (NAD Centre) is pleased to announce the T5 – The Art of Animating training session that will take place in Montreal from May 26th to 30th at our labs. The T5 series represents NAD Centre’s response to the ever demanding challenge posed by CG productions and will offer 15 seats for professional 3D artists and teachers who want to improve their artistic skills, vision and proficiency."
JELLYFISH PICTURES WINS RTS AWARD FOR “Fight for Life” VISUAL EFFECTS—BEST DIGITAL EFFECTS 29th November 2007
Jellyfish Pictures create “ground breaking graphics” for BBC / DCTP / DISCOVERY for BBC1 series.
The Royal Television society has awarded the award for best digital effects to Jellyfish Pictures for “Fight For Life” at the awards ceremony at the Savoy in London on 29th November 2007.
The judges thought
“With impressive execution and seamless integration, the success of the programme relied on the believability of the digital effects. A truly intense visual experience.”
When faced with life threatening illness and injury humans all share one overwhelming instinct: the Fight for Life.
In this six-part seriesfor BBC One the dramatic story of how the human body triumphs in crisis needed to be told from the inside as well as the outside. Real life stories from patients in A&E and operating theatres will be fused with incredible computer generated imagery (CGI) revealing - for very the first time - the fight from the inside.
With 250 shots across six episodes this will be a major visual effects series. CGI recreations include how a heart attack would look from the inside, a baby struggling for life in the womb, and a journey even deeper into the body to see how the human immune system fights against deadly invaders.
"Montreal, 27th November 2007 – Di-O-Matic, a leading developer of character animation software, is proud to unleash today the Voice-O-Matic addon to the Softimage|XSI community. "
"The most renowned CG characters including Batman, Spider-man, Superman and many more are relying on Voice-O-Matic to chat with nothing less than the world. After six years of outstanding reviews, the award winning lip synchronization tool initially only available for Autodesk 3ds max marked today its release for Softimage|XSI."
Turbo Squid Releases Tentacles Plug-in for Maya 8.5 and XSI 6
"(New Orleans, LA – November 14, 2007) - Turbo Squid, home to the world’s largest collection of royalty-free 3D assets, is pleased to announce that its 3D application plug-in, Tentacles, is now available for the popular 3D applications Maya 8.5 and XSI 6. "
"Tentacles is a flash-based plug-in that integrates the entire Turbo Squid online library and purchasing process into a variety of popular 3D applications, enabling users to browse, compare and purchase 3D content (including models, textures, mocap data and much more) without ever leaving the 3D applications in which they are working. Also, with the File System within Tentacles, artists are able to store, manage and organize all of their work in one secure, central location on the web giving them an instant backup for their critical files. In addition, artists can create their own private online workspaces in order to share designs with co-workers, fostering a collaborative environment between team members on a project."
In the News: Passion Pictures creates cinematic trailer for Harmonix’s new game "Rock Band."
"Passion Pictures has just completed a cinematic trailer (click for video) for the opening of the music videogame ‘Rock Band.’ Created by Harmonix, developer of some pretty cool music based games, ‘Rock Band’ is a new platform for music fans and gamers to interact with music, challenging users to master the lead/bass guitar, drums and vocals as solo artists or cooperatively as part of their own band. Passion Pictures worked on the ‘Rock Band’ cinematic with Ryan Lesser, Art Director, and one of the original game developers at Harmonix."
In the News: Lola does post production on BBC’s "Earth"
"UK post production house Lola has revealed it worked on the BBC’s new natural history series, Earth: The Power of the Planet..."
"...The Earth was created as a 3D model by using dozens of super hi-res photographic images, combined with textures and material shaders designed by Lola's 3D team. This was rendered out in multiple layers, which were then composited in XSI to give the final image."
“Assassin’s Creed” from Ubisoft now shipping. Beautiful and immersive cinematics created with SOFTIMAGE|XSI software
The highly anticipated “Assassin’s Creed” began shipping this week to great critical success. After months of enticing first-look game trailers and cinematic teasers created by Ubisoft with SOFTIMAGE|XSI 3D software, “Assassin’s Creed” is sure to please all game players with its lavish cinematic visuals. The game takes place during the Crusades in three cities and offers beautiful settings and environments.
Watch the captivating cinematic game trailers created in XSI for “Assassin’s Creed” by Ubisoft on Gametrailers.com:
Flashpoint, The Academy of Media Arts and Sciences Opens in Chicago— Offers SOFTIMAGE|XSI Training
Montréal, Québec – October 15, 2007 –Softimage Co., a subsidiary of Avid Technology, Inc., today announced that the new education institution, Flashpoint, The Academy of Media Arts and Sciences, is offering SOFTIMAGE®|XSI® training as part of its digital arts curriculum. Flashpoint Academy, the first digital arts college to open inside Chicago’s prestigious “Loop” in 40 years, provides a hands-on, collaborative approach for students embarking on a career in digital media arts, where 3D training is an essential course requirement for a large portion of the students.
In the News: ARK winners used Softimage XSI to make Award winning short
"When Grzegorz Jonkajtys attended the premiere for the Polish film Quo Vadis? at Vatican City in August 2001, little did he know, a side trip deep into the catacombs beneath the Appian Way would be the start of a personal journey. At the time, Jonkajtys was working as an animator for Platige Image in Warsaw, which had created 30 visual effects shots for the film. As he walked mile after mile, alongside thousands of burial shelves carved into the soft walls of the dank tunnels, he imagined being inside a large ship."
"'I thought of a huge oil tanker, with networks inside of what looks like graves that are platforms for people,' Jonkajtys says. From that vision, he developed a script for a short film about an ark carrying the only remaining survivors on Earth of an unknown virus."
"Six years later, that film, Ark (Arka in Polish) was nominated for a Golden Palm for Best Short Film at the Cannes Film Festival, received a Prix Ars Electronica Award of Distinction, won Best of Show at SIGGRAPH over 905 submissions, and because of the SIGGRAPH win, is in the running for an Oscar nomination."
Digital-Tutors Announces Introduction to XSI® Hair Training
Oklahoma City, OK - October 1, 2007 - Digital-Tutors, a Softimage® Official Training Partner and leading provider in video-based training, today announced the availability of 'Introduction to XSI Hair' - the newest release in an expanding library of interactive video-based training for emerging digital artists using SOFTIMAGE®|XSI®, a comprehensive 3D package for modeling, rendering and character animation. 'Introduction to XSI Hair' provides over three hours of practical scenarios demonstrating several creative practices and time-saving workflows to creating, styling, texturing, rendering, and dynamically drive hair while maintaining realistic hair with cinematic-quality imagery using XSI Hair. - Perfect for artists new to the powerful capabilities of XSI Hair and experienced artists seeking time-saving tips and techniques.
The National Centre for Computer Animation will be staging its annual postgraduate degree show for 2007 at two venues this year; both within 5 minutes walk of each other, and would be delighted if you could make it along for the show.
The Show:
MSc Computer Animation, MA3D Computer Animation, MA Digital Effects, Masters By Project in Computer Animation Degree Show 2007
Date & Time:
Friday 5th October 1.00pm ~ 5.00pm
Locations:
The Moving Picture Company (MSc Computer Animation MA Digital Effects) 127 Wardour Street, London W1F 0NL
Framestore CFC (MA 3D Computer Animation, Masters by Project) 19-23 Wells Street London W1T 3PQ.
Featuring the work of over 50 graduating students, productions will be played back on a loop throughout the afternoon in the screening theatre. Refreshments will be available in the adjoining bar area and you will also have an opportunity to meet with NCCA staff and the graduating students whose work is on display. DVD copies of the show reel will be provided along with booklets containing the contact details for our most recent cohort of graduates.
Please forward this invitation to any colleagues that might be interested in attending the show. If you wish to be added to the degree show invites mailing list please contact jmacey@bournemouth.ac.uk with a request.
Images courtesy of Bournemouth University
Softimage’s Erik Goulet to participate in “The Evolution of Animation Software” Panel at the 2007 Ottawa International Animation Festival
Date: Saturday, September 22nd, 2007 Time: 9:00AM – 10:30AM Location: National Art Center – Fourth Stage
Softimage Wins Entreprise Vélo Sympathique de l'année award for organisations of 100 employees and more!
The Vélo Québec Entreprise Vélo Sympathique de l'année award recognized Québec companies that take concrete actions to encourage employees to commute by bicycle and other eco-friendly modes of transportation like rollerblading, public transit, or just plain walking.
Softimage encourages employees to cycle to work by offering secure bicycle parking, on-site showers and changing rooms, and a fitness-encouragement program that partially reimburses fitness-related expenses, including purchases of bicycles and cycling equipment.
Free Download of XSI Basics Guide
The SOFTIMAGE|XSI Basics Guide provides an overview of the main features, tools, and workflows of XSI, helping you get a headstart in understanding and using the XSI software. If you’re eager to take XSI for a spin, there’s enough information in this guide to get you started without needing to do more homework. Many workflow overviews are included, as well as command names so that you know where to find things. Get the XSI Basics. Then, go fire up XSI and have some fun!
Digital-Tutors Releases Rendering Interiors in XSI® Training
Oklahoma City, OK - September 5, 2007 - Digital-Tutors, a Softimage® Official Training Partner and leading provider in video-based training, today announced the availability of 'Rendering Interiors in XSI' - the newest release in an expanding library of interactive video-based training for emerging digital artists using SOFTIMAGE®|XSI® 6, a comprehensive 3D package for modeling, rendering and character animation. Artists will learn a production-tested workflow to lighting and rendering an interior set within XSI to complete a final shot. 'Rendering Interiors in XSI' contains over four hours of project-based training developed to accelerate the artist's productivity and understanding of rendering complex scenes using mental ray® within XSI.
Youngwoong Jang (School of Visual Arts, New York, Blue Sky Studios, NY) Recently was recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for his Student short animation, Mirage.
Jang used SOFTIMAGE|XSI 3D software to model, character rig, animation and render the Gold Award -winning short.
" …I decided to use XSI… I thought it would be easier for me to learn XSI than Maya.." Youngwoong Jang
The step by step approach used makes the book easily followed by a novice, yet it still manages to cover some of the most interesting features of the software, such as Hair, the Compositing Module, and Mental Ray, so even advanced XSI users will find The Art of XSI a compelling read.
As always, the manual will come bundled with a DVD-ROM which will contain all the necessary scene files, plug-ins and textures as well as a bonus chapter about incorporating a 3D object into a photograph.
The Art of XSI is available now at www.cgtoolkit.com. Sale price is US $49.00.
The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection - XSI 6.01 Now Available
Posted: March 31, 2007
Softimage is pleased to announce the availability of SOFTIMAGE|XSI 6.01. Hot on the heels of the groundbreaking XSI 6 release, 6.01 delivers increased performance and reliability to tackle the most challenging next-generation games, film, and post-production projects.
XSI 6.01 is a free download, and a recommended upgrade for all licensed XSI 6 users. Get it today.
SOFTIMAGE|XSI Software Helps Advance Cinematic Artistry in 300 Film
Posted: March 29, 2007
Two Quebec-based visual effects studios created characters, environments and elements in the record breaking film staying true to author Frank Miller’s graphic novel
Tewksbury, Mass – March 29, 2007 – Avid Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVID) today announced that SOFTIMAGE®|XSI® software—the flagship 3D animation and character creation solution from its Softimage, Co. subsidiary—was used to produce key creative visual effects in director Zack Snyder’s (Dawn of the Dead) ground-breaking feature-film “300”. The film has been number one at the box office for three weeks and set a record ($70.8 M) for the biggest March weekend opening in box office history.
Creating a Half Life 2 Character Using XSI, the COLLADA Aggregator
Posted: March 27, 2007
Luc Bolduc from Softimage shows you how to create a Half Life 2 character with XSI, using assets from Daz Studio, 3ds Max and Maya. You'll learn how to take advantage of XSI's features to prepare the game characters, and see how XSI interoperates seamlessly with other 3D packages.
XSI Base Interviews Hybride's Joseph Kasparian About the Movie 300
Posted: March 9, 2007
XSI Base talks with Hybride's Joseph Kasparian, Lighting and Texturing Supervisor for the movie 300, about bringing a comic book feel to the big screen, working on completely green-screen-shot movies, and how Hybride used XSI to create the 3D elements in 540 visual effects shots.
"XSI was used to generate almost every 3D element. The software was very efficient to create complex environments, to do character animation and to manage army scenes with more than a 100 000 soldiers."
George Miller's "Happy Feet" was honored at last night's 79th annual Academy Awards with an Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film.
Softimage sends everyone at Animal Logic, director Goerge Miller, and Warner Bros. hearty congratulations on this win!
"Softimage shares the excitement and pride today with Animal Logic, George Miller and Warner Bros., in receiving this ultimate distinction. We thank them for choosing Softimage and our XSI 3D software to serve the talented character animation artists and technical directors who worked on Happy Feet." Marc Stevens, General Manager Softimage, Vice President, Avid Technology, Inc.
Cameron Diaz presents the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature to George Miller during the 79th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.
Academy Award winner for Best Animated Feature George Miller during the 79th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.
Filmmaker Robert Zemeckis Chooses SOFTIMAGE|FACE ROBOT for USC Performance Capture Class
Posted: February 26, 2007
Tewksbury, Mass—February 26, 2007—Avid Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVID), today announced that the USC School of Cinematic Arts has installed SOFTIMAGE®|FACE ROBOT®, its facial animation software, for use in a new Performance Capture graduate course. Robert Zemeckis, famous for utilizing state-of-the-art effects technology and pioneering innovative performance capture techniques in The Polar Express and the Academy Award®-nominated Monster House, will co-instruct the highly specialized course for 12 students. >>
The Robert Zemeckis Center for Digital Arts
Robert Zemeckis (right) with Eric Furie (middle) and Thomas Kang (left) in the mocap room
Robert Zemeckis with Kevin G. Clark and Thomas Kang of Softimage
Digital-Tutors Releases NEW Training for SOFTIMAGE|XSI 6—Animating Walk Cycles in XSI
Posted: February 19, 2007
Oklahoma City, OK - February 19, 2007 – Digital-Tutors, today announced the availability of 'Animating Walk Cycles in XSI' – the newest release in an expanding library of interactive video-based training for emerging digital artists using SOFTIMAGE®|XSI® 6, a comprehensive 3D package for modeling, rendering and character animation. Artists will learn the fundamentals of character animation using time-saving techniques that provide greater control while creating walk cycles. 'Animating Walk Cycles in XSI' contains over three hours of project-based training developed to increase the artist's productivity and understanding of XSI 6 using a production workflow.
Digital-Tutors Releases First XSI 6 Training DVD Kit!
Posted: February 14, 2007
Digital-Tutors, has released the first XSI 6 training DVD kit with 'Introduction to XSI 6', providing over seven hours of project-based training developed to increase the artist's productivity and understanding of XSI 6 while using the powerful new tools and features available in version 6. Perfect for students, hobbyists, and professionals new to XSI 6!
"The caliber of training Digital-Tutors produces is unsurpassed and is considered a standard at our facility," said Eric Rosner, Director of Animation at TVLand. "Their style, approach, and projects always result in clarity and truly mimic a classroom environment where one would have there own personal Tutor." Rosner added, "I stumbled upon Digital-Tutors a few years ago and have been hooked since. I credit Digital-Tutors as a driving force in the professional success of myself and my team at TVLand."
Highlights from "Introduction to XSI 6" include: setting up rotoscopes, modeling with different surface meshes, polygon modeling techniques, extruding faces and edges, extracting geometry, assigning materials and textures, creatively using deformers, parenting objects into animation-friendly hierarchy, optimizing workflow with keying panel, automating movement with path animation, setting and modifying keyframes with the Animation Editor, utilizing the Material Manager, efficiently UV mapping, learning various light and shadow types, applying rendering techniques, creating shader networks with the Render Tree, adjusting centers, working with the Texture Layer Editor, creating and modifying UVs with texture projections, employing the Operator Stack, creating smoke effects with particles, and additional lessons designed to give artists a firm understanding of SOFTIMAGE|XSI 6.
Create Magazine Announces the 2007 Create Awards Call for Entries
Posted: February 7, 2007
The 2007 Create Awards – one of the top creative competitions for professionals and students in advertising, film and video, motion graphics, graphic communication, photography, printing, interactive media, and copywriting – announces its official call for entries.
Official call for entries begins March 15 and the first deadline for entries is June 1. To enter the competition or receive more information, visit www.thecreateawards.com or pick up a copy of the March/April issue of Create Magazine.
Check out the article 
Oklahoma City, OK - Digital-Tutors, SOFTIMAGE® Official Training Partner and leading provider in video-based training, today announced the availability of 'Introduction to Lighting in XSI' - the newest release in an expanding library of interactive video-based training for emerging digital artists using SOFTIMAGE|XSI® a complete 3D package for modeling, rendering and character animation. 'Introduction to Lighting in XSI' provides over two hours of essential techniques for adding greater realism and a time-saving workflow to lighting within XSI—Ideal for beginning and intermediate artists seeking various lighting methods. 
With this announcement and official launch, i3Dtutorials.com plans to offer software training for SOFTIMAGE|XSI, the professional 3D modeling, animation, rendering and character creation software, with easy-to-follow video tutorials designed for 3D artists ranging from complete beginners, all the way to studio professionals who need to keep up with an evolving pipeline.
The judges thought 
"Montreal, 27th November 2007 – Di-O-Matic, a leading developer of character animation software, is proud to unleash today the Voice-O-Matic addon to the Softimage|XSI community. " 
"(New Orleans, LA – November 14, 2007) - Turbo Squid, home to the world’s largest collection of royalty-free 3D assets, is pleased to announce that its 3D application plug-in, Tentacles, is now available for the popular 3D applications Maya 8.5 and XSI 6. " 
Softimage’s Erik Goulet to participate in “The Evolution of Animation Software” Panel at the 2007 Ottawa International Animation Festival
Free Download of XSI Basics Guide 
May 2007-- CG Toolkit©, the company that brought to you the critically acclaimed book series 
Digital-Tutors, has released the first XSI 6 training DVD kit with 'Introduction to XSI 6', providing over seven hours of project-based training developed to increase the artist's productivity and understanding of XSI 6 while using the powerful new tools and features available in version 6. Perfect for students, hobbyists, and professionals new to XSI 6!
