MOTOR is a feature that transfers animation between characters, regardless of their size or proportions. Animation operators are tracked in a construction history stack that is separate from the modeling stack, enabling users to change the underlying geometry of already animated characters and objects. The rigging process can be sped up through the use of adaptable biped and quadruped rigs, FaceRobot for facial rigs and automatic lip syncing.Īnimation features include layers and a mixer, which allows combining animation clips non-linearly. Optionally, the ICE system can be used to create light-weight rigs in a node-based environment. Operators in history stacks can be re-ordered, removed or changed at any time, and all adjustments propagate to the final model.Ĭontrol rigs are created using bones with automatic IK, constraints and specialized solvers like spine or tail.
Each modeling operation is tracked by a construction history stack, which enables artists to work non-destructively. Subdivision modeling requires no additional operators and works directly on the polygonal geometry. Modeling tools allow the generation of polygonal or NURBS models. 1.1 ICE Interactive Creative EnvironmentĪutodesk Softimage is a 3D animation application comprising a suite of computer graphics tools.On March 4, 2014, it was announced that Autodesk Softimage would be discontinued after the release of the 2015 version, providing product support until April 30, 2016. It was discontinued with the release of Softimage 2014. In February 2009, Softimage|XSI was rebranded Autodesk Softimage.Ī free version of the software, called Softimage Mod Tool, was developed for the game modding community to create games using the Microsoft XNA toolset for PC and Xbox 360, or to create mods for games using Valve's Source engine, Epic Games's Unreal Engine and others. On October 23, 2008, Autodesk acquired the Softimage brand and 3D animation assets from Avid for approximately $35 million, thereby ending Softimage Co. Released in 2000 as the successor to Softimage|3D, Softimage|XSI was developed by its eponymous company, then a subsidiary of Avid Technology. Now owned by Autodesk and formerly titled Softimage|XSI, the software has been predominantly used in the film, video game, and advertising industries for creating computer generated characters, objects, and environments. Aside from that, however, this book is perfect.Autodesk Softimage, or simply Softimage ( / s ɒ f t ɪ ˈ m ɑː ʒ/) was a 3D computer graphics application, for producing 3D computer graphics, 3D modeling, and computer animation. The only problem with the book is that it doesn't cover particle systems and only skims the surface the Mental Ray rendering engine. Anthony Rosano has created what amounts to the Bible for beginner or intermidiate users of Softimage. Now more far more experienced with the program, I still refer to the book from time to time. One week after getting this book, however, I was rendereing and animating my own simple scenes. I bought two videos on softimage that each cost a lot more than this book does. It has hundreds of pictures, all in full color, which illustrate the concepts Rosano tackles. The book is well designed, well bound, and gigantic. Also included in the book are insightful interviews with designers who use Softimage every day. He even covers complex topics like inverse kinematics. He covers every aspect of modeling, texturing, rendering, and animation in Softimage. Using simple explainations and step by step tutorials, he demystifies Softimage, and shows how to get the most out of it. Step by step he covers almost every facet of the Softimage3D program. Inside Softimage 3D, by anthony Rosano, is great.