SIGGRAPH 2007: Softimage XSI 6.5 and Face Robot 1.8 Presented

Archive notice: This article was originally published on August 7, 2007. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.Softimage, a subsidiary of Avid, used Siggraph 2007 to announce the new versions XSI 6.5 and Face Robot 1.8. Softimage, both of which are expected to be available in autumn 2007.

XSI 6.5 contains more than 30 major improvements, including:

HDR (high dynamic range) render map SUpport,

Additional SDK (Software Developer's Kit) APIs (Application programming interface);

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UV editing improvements and
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Improved audio support.
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#XSI

In terms of prices – at the moment only US prices are known – the Essentials and Advanced versions are moving closer together: Essentials now additionally includes Hair & Fur and Syflex Cloth. In return, the price rises to just under 3000 US dollars, the maintenance price remains at just under 800 US dollars, and updates at just under 1000 dollars. In addition to the Essentials features, Advanced includes the crowd and behaviour simulation system “Behavior”, as well as five additional XSI batch-rendering licences. The price drops to just under 5000 US dollars, while maintenance costs only 1333 US dollars.

#Essentials

Face Robot 1.8 was developed specifically with a view to improved integration into the game-developer pipeline. The new features include:

• A new Shape Rig export system that enables the user to export complete Head Blend Shapes to XSI or Autodesk Maya,

• An improved game-export pipeline that offers auto-enveloping, which is intended to deliver more precise and higher-quality results,

• Improved training material, including seven ready-to-use head models and a 23-part training video covering the entire Face Robot workflow.

Prices for Face Robot 1.8 have not yet been announced.