RE: Softimage 2015 Last Release Announcement

[Nicholas Breslow]

Clearly Autodesk is feeling the heat from the competition.  Check out these 
prices!

http://www.daz3d.com/software/daz-studio-4/

I feel like these are the types of discussions that have been taking place at 
ADHQ lately:

"Let's make a version of 3DSMax called 3DSMax Design so we can confuse the hell 
out of our customers!"

"Let's make a version of Maya called Maya LT so we can annoy the hell out of 
our customers!"

"Let's make a version of Softimage called Softimage 2015 EOL so our customers 
can tell us to go to hell!"

"Let's make a free character generator!!!"

I'm pouring out a little bit of my latte as a sign of respect for our fallen 
brother, Softimage.  I hope the list keeps going so I can find out where all 
you amazing people wind up investing your efforts (I will likely follow you).  
The lack of creativity in how the death of this truly creative piece of 
software is being handled is very telling.

-Nick


From: softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com 
[mailto:softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Christopher 
Crouzet
Sent: Tuesday, March 4, 2014 4:23 PM
To: Softimage Mailing List
Subject: Re: Softimage 2015 Last Release Announcement

That video is gold!
He actually seems disturbed... like if he knew that he was lying. Could totally 
be used as an animation reference!


On 4 March 2014 16:08, Steven Caron mailto:car...@gmail.com>> 
wrote:
he looked nervous...

On Tue, Mar 4, 2014 at 1:01 PM, Dan Yargici 
mailto:danyarg...@gmail.com>> wrote:
While you try and find it, remind yourself of this little gem from not even a 
year ago!

http://area.autodesk.com/2014unfold/products/softimage.html#future




--
Christopher Crouzet
http://christophercrouzet.com

RE: Headus UV Layout

[Nicholas Breslow]

I give Headus UVLayout a big thumbs up!  Phil Dench (man behind the magic) is a 
wizard.  I asked for a better edge tagging solution where you could simply 
click and drag in the viewport to make cuts and he implemented it in a day, 
even added in predictive tagging.  I asked about locking UVs to specific tiles 
and he came up with a whole system to handle that in a week.  Don’t be fooled 
by or put off by the UI (and web presence) – it is very powerful and he is 
constantly making fixes and updates.

I told him numerous times about the UI but he likes it.  He also has a tool 
called Cyslice which is awesome but I don’t think he actively develops it.

-Nick

From: softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com 
[mailto:softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Martin Yara
Sent: Monday, March 10, 2014 11:05 AM
To: softimage@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: Re: Headus UV Layout

I've only tried Headus UV Layout a little in Trial Mode and it seems quite 
powerful but a little difficult to get used to it's GUI and workflow. Almost 
like Zbrush, if you stop using it for a few months you'll have to re-study it.

Have anyone tried Unfold 3D? The unfold standalone version. I like the built-in 
unfold Softimage has but it is pretty basic like the old Roadkill, so I was 
wondering how was the full version. I guess I'll have to try the demo.

BTW, good thing Maya will have Unfold in the next version. That would make it a 
little less painful.

Martin



On Mon, Mar 10, 2014 at 9:35 PM, Paul Griswold 
mailto:pgrisw...@fusiondigitalproductions.com>>
 wrote:
Not that it'll compete with a dedicated UV app, but 3D-Coat has always done a 
very good job with UVs for me.  Andrew has just released a new beta with 
"Globally Ungorm Unfolding" in addition to the other methods:  
http://3d-coat.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=10395&hl=

It has a Softimage AppLink so you can send models back and forth very easily.

-Paul

[https://mailfoogae.appspot.com/t?sender=acGdyaXN3b2xkQGZ1c2lvbmRpZ2l0YWxwcm9kdWN0aW9ucy5jb20%3D&type=zerocontent&guid=a65ce63e-ae21-422f-bf0d-1c2e0f1d68ac]ᐧ

RE: URGENT: Consolidation of Questions

[Nicholas Breslow]

I agree with the original sentiment of this thread and Eric's comment.  I like 
the idea of using something like UserVoice - I think IdeaScale is a good 
solution as well.  Voting sites make it easier to quantify what the 
questions/concerns are than a running list.  This would make it easier to 
present issues that the community would like to see addressed before 
development ceases.

-Nick

From: softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com 
[mailto:softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Rob Wuijster
Sent: Sunday, March 9, 2014 10:05 AM
To: softimage@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: Re: URGENT: Consolidation of Questions

I see only a blank page..






Rob



\/-\/\/
On 8-3-2014 21:33, Jason S wrote:
Can this link be accesed? or is it just me?

On 03/08/14 14:22, Doeke Wartena wrote:

here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/10reItsMpXD309tOH7ZVF3trh6cHMmEtlNEdJWK7pnpM/edit?usp=sharing



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Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2014.0.4335 / Virus Database: 3722/7170 - Release Date: 03/09/14

RE: Any recommended tutorials/training on building Maya plugins in Python?

[Nicholas Breslow]

Hi Tim,

Maya has a feature called "Modules" and it's a pretty clean way to isolate your 
content and distribute it.  It doesn't have the encapsulation of an Addon but 
it is very similar in other ways.

Steps:

1)  Set a custom MAYA_MODULE_PATH or use the default: C:\Program 
Files\Autodesk\Maya2014\modules.

2)  Place a text file in that folder with the following syntax: + 
ModuleName ModuleVersion ModulePath.  Ex. + TimPlugin 1.00 
C:\MayaPlugins\TimPlugin.  This is kinda like the Addon .xml file.

3)  In the TimPlugin folder use the standard Maya folder conventions like 
"scripts", "plug-ins" or "icons" and populate with your files. This is kinda 
like the Addon "Application" and "Data" folders.

Ultimately you could set this up like a XSI Workgroup and add in your modules.  
Of course it doesn't have the same class or style as what we're used to in XSI 
but it is pretty painless.  See more here: 
http://around-the-corner.typepad.com/adn/2012/07/distributing-files-on-maya-maya-modules.html
 BTW - That site has some nice information and is a good resource.

As for what 's required for a Maya plugin to be a python plugin - nothing so 
different. It gets initialized/uninitialized (Load/Unload), can't really think 
of anything offhand that's going to throw you.

Regarding your menu - try using cmds.evalDeferred like this: 
cmds.evalDeferred("buildMenu()")

userSetup.py get's called early in the loading process and the UI isn't ready.  
Personally I never use it.  I use the Maya.env to do a lot of setup stuff and 
use the userSetup.mel file to initialize stuff (you can run python in that file 
as well).

Hope that helps,

-Nick Breslow


From: softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com 
[mailto:softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Tim Crowson
Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2014 9:31 AM
To: softimage@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: Any recommended tutorials/training on building Maya plugins in Python?

And no this isn't the only place I'm asking this :-)

I'm getting into the Maya API and I need to port some of our tools over from 
Soft. Google gives me all kinds of interesting links, but I'm curious to know 
from people here who have done dev work for both Soft and Maya (there's so many 
of you, I know right?) if you can recommend resources for learning how to 
create a proper Python-based plugin in Maya. Basically, what's the equivalent 
to the XSI Addon or the self-installing plugin? Stuff like that. I think I can 
figure out the deployment side of things. I'm just wondering what's required 
for a Python plugin to be a python plugin in Maya. Would be nice to have Ye 
Olde SDK Wizarde around


And on another note

I know this isn't a Maya list but since I'm here and you've read this 
far... here's something on the weird chance you might know... I've been messing 
around in Maya 2015 with my userSetup.py to have a custom menu pop up in the 
menu bar at launch. But the userSetup.py file seems get run prior to the Maya 
Window being initialized, so it fails to add my menu because it can't get the 
main window to which it needs to add the menu. The main window is simply 
returned as a NoneType object. The function looks something like this...

def buildMenu():
ptr = mui.MQtUtil.mainWindow()  # at launch this returns None?
mayaWindow = shiboken.wrapInstance(long(ptr), QtGui.QWidget)

mainMenu = cmds.menu('MyMenu', p=mayaWindow, l='My Menu')
cmds.menuItem(p=mainMenu, d=True, dl='Some Divider')
cmds.menuItem(p=mainMenu, l='Some Tool')

The error comes from wrapInstance(long(ptr)), because ptr is being returned as 
None.

Anyway, on the off-chance...
--



Tim Crowson
Lead CG Artist

Magnetic Dreams, Inc.
2525 Lebanon Pike, Bldg C, Suite 101, Nashville, TN 37214
Ph  615.885.6801 | Fax  615.889.4768 | 
www.magneticdreams.com
tim.crow...@magneticdreams.com

RE: DOSCH HDRI

[Nicholas Breslow]

Hiya,

One other suggestion - HDR Light Studio: http://www.hdrlightstudio.com/

If you are doing studio setups the picture lights included will do the trick 
nicely.  Also, I think it would be a better long term investment.  I second the 
HDRLabs recommendation - great site.

-Nick

From: softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com 
[mailto:softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Leoung O'Young
Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 10:42 AM
To: softimage@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: Re: DOSCH HDRI

Hi Rob, thanks for the links we will look into them.

Leoung


On 13/02/2014 3:00 AM, Rob Wuijster wrote:
Not sure if they released new ones, but the original series were bad CGI 
renders.

If you're looking for quality sky HDRI's, have a look at the Dutch Skies series 
from Bob Groothuis:
http://www.bobgroothuis.com/blog/category/online-shop/

There are some free examples on hdrlabs.com as well, one can be found here: 
http://www.hdrlabs.com/sibl/monthly.html

Hope it helps.




Rob

\/-\/\/
On 12-2-2014 21:04, Leoung O'Young wrote:
Anyone have used the HDRI imagery from Dosch Design?
We are thinking of purchasing it.

Thanks,
Leoung

http://www.doschdesign.com/products/hdri/Industrial_Reflections.html


-
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2014.0.4259 / Virus Database: 3697/7086 - Release Date: 02/12/14

RE: DOSCH HDRI

[Nicholas Breslow]

Unfortunately they don't have a "Live Light" plugin for Softimage but they do 
have a Python API.  I had to email with the support once and they were very 
receptive to feedback, maybe they already have one in the works?  I would ask.

The way it works is that there is a hook into XSI that lets you select your 
renderer and IBL scheme.  Once hooked it basically creates a temp working image 
and any updates you make to it inside HDR Light Studio are pushed to XSI.

Might be a bit more work than you want to do - I know I took the conversation 
in another direction but I think it will save you money in the long run.

-Nick

From: softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com 
[mailto:softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Leoung O'Young
Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 11:09 AM
To: softimage@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: Re: DOSCH HDRI

Thanks Nick, but I noticed they don't have it for XSI.

Leoung


On 13/02/2014 11:04 AM, Nicholas Breslow wrote:
Hiya,

One other suggestion - HDR Light Studio: http://www.hdrlightstudio.com/

If you are doing studio setups the picture lights included will do the trick 
nicely.  Also, I think it would be a better long term investment.  I second the 
HDRLabs recommendation - great site.

-Nick

From: 
softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com<mailto:softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com>
 [mailto:softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Leoung O'Young
Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 10:42 AM
To: softimage@listproc.autodesk.com<mailto:softimage@listproc.autodesk.com>
Subject: Re: DOSCH HDRI

Hi Rob, thanks for the links we will look into them.

Leoung


On 13/02/2014 3:00 AM, Rob Wuijster wrote:
Not sure if they released new ones, but the original series were bad CGI 
renders.

If you're looking for quality sky HDRI's, have a look at the Dutch Skies series 
from Bob Groothuis:
http://www.bobgroothuis.com/blog/category/online-shop/

There are some free examples on hdrlabs.com as well, one can be found here: 
http://www.hdrlabs.com/sibl/monthly.html

Hope it helps.





Rob

\/-\/\/
On 12-2-2014 21:04, Leoung O'Young wrote:
Anyone have used the HDRI imagery from Dosch Design?
We are thinking of purchasing it.

Thanks,
Leoung

http://www.doschdesign.com/products/hdri/Industrial_Reflections.html


-
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com<http://www.avg.com>
Version: 2014.0.4259 / Virus Database: 3697/7086 - Release Date: 02/12/14

RE: Reseller in the NYC area

[Nicholas Breslow]

Just wanted to chime in with my experience..

I previously used TekServe in NYC as my reseller but this past year they 
decided to discontinue their relationship with Autodesk. I received a 
subscription renewal from Autodesk and purchased via the AD online store - this 
was last September. When the 2014 products came out I logged into the 
subscription center and...NOTHING. Past releases were listed but not 2014.

I eventually managed to get my account sorted and download the software but the 
process was not a fun one. Phone support was not helpful and they didn't have 
me in their system(!), I wasn't called back within a promised timeframe, long 
hold times, etc. I was persistent, sent a lot of emails and updated my support 
ticket daily.  The lady who eventually worked it out was very sweet and the 
problem was resolved a week later. Still, I can't help but feel funny about how 
hard it was to reach an actual human being - this isn't a $20 piece of 
shareware after all.  I guess the takeway is that if you can find a good 
reseller I would try that route so someone else can deal with any problems that 
crop up. I am looking for one in the NYC area also so if you find one, let us 
know.

Sincerely,

Nicholas Breslow

From: softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com 
[mailto:softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of George Schermer
Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2013 2:47 PM
To: softimage@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: Re: Reseller in the NYC area

Hi Stephen,
It's a stand alone license.  I've just had bad luck, I guess.  Something has 
been wrong with all 3 of my orders and they have ended up being canceled.  The 
first order was my fault because I left out my middle initial (which there was 
no space for it to be typed so I had no idea I needed it.)   Then the second 
order I placed over the phone and they misspelled my name, but I didn't know it 
until they had already processed the order and it was too late.  Then the last 
problem was that Autodesk had an "extraction issue" with my subscription order. 
 I'm just tired of placing an order and then waiting 2 days to find out it's 
been canceled.  I needed this software a week ago.  I'll try one more time with 
the online store, but I wanted a reseller as a backup.
Thanks,
George

On Thu, Apr 25, 2013 at 10:57 AM, Stephen Blair 
mailto:stephenrbl...@gmail.com>> wrote:
Hi George

Are you trying to buy a Standalone license? That should work in the store, 
unless the store isn't working right.
Network licenses, on the other hand, must be purchased from a reseller.


On 25/04/2013 1:46 PM, George Schermer wrote:
HI all,

Can someone recommend an Autodesk Reseller in the NYC area? I've tried 3 times 
to order from their online store and have yet get an order through and receive 
the software.

Don't they want my money?!?!?!?!?!?

:)

Thanks,
George

RE: ICC Profile to LUT

[Nicholas Breslow]

If you have access to After Effects this should do it: 
http://fnordware.blogspot.com/2012/05/opencolorio-for-after-effects.html

-Nick Breslow

From: softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com 
[mailto:softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Christopher
Sent: Sunday, June 23, 2013 4:21 PM
To: softimage@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: Re: ICC Profile to LUT

I can't find the windows executables on the page. I've download (3) different 
compressed files that I thought could have been Windows executables.

::Christopher::

Maybe ociobakelut from http://opencolorio.org/ can do it.

On 06/23/2013 08:49 PM, Christopher wrote:

Nuke is only capable of converting a ICC profile to LUT, is there any

other methods besides Nuke ? I don't think that Composite loads a video

cards ICC profile ?



::Christopher::

RE: I can't believe there is no tutorial for Softimage on Autodesk webiste

[Nicholas Breslow]

I learned a lot by recreating Stephen Blair's examples from  
http://xsisupport.com (I believe they are on Vimeo here 
https://vimeo.com/user595557 also).  Plus recreate stuff posted here on the 
list and over at http://www.si-community.com/community/index.php.  I did one or 
two a day for about a year - learned a ton.

-N

Nicholas Breslow

From: softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com 
[mailto:softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Paul Griswold
Sent: Thursday, July 18, 2013 12:42 PM
To: softimage@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: Re: I can't believe there is no tutorial for Softimage on Autodesk 
webiste

Don't forget about http://www.redi-vivus.com - where you can find tons of older 
Softimage training.
Even though it's dated, the majority of it is still very useful and can help 
you get up to speed.

-Paul


On Thu, Jul 18, 2013 at 12:13 PM, Stephen Davidson 
mailto:magic...@bellsouth.net>> wrote:
When you first open up Softimage a window opens up called Netview.
In that Netview window, there are two links listed:
"Essential Skills Videos - Getting Started" (this is a good place to start)
and "Softimage YouTube Learning Channel"

If you left click on "Essential Skills Videos - Getting Started",
Netview will open up a menu of videos about certain beginner
subjects. Left clicking on any of these subjects will launch
a movie that explains that particular subject.

If you left click on "Softimage YouTube Learning Channel",
Netview will open up you default internet browser to the
Softimage YouTube Learning Channel.


I can see that other helpful users have posted many other sites
that contain Softimage tutorials. If you need more, you can
use a web browser search engine. Google is a great search engine.
All you have to do is go to www.Google.com<http://www.Google.com> and type in 
the words
"Softimage Tutorials" in the box marked "search"
and Google will list even more websites that contain Softimage Tutorials.

If you have any problems accessing these websites, just ask here in the 
discussion group,
and I'm sure many, here, will jump at the chance to assist you.

I hope these tools helps you to get acquainted with Softimage.

Good Luck.

On Thu, Jul 18, 2013 at 11:11 AM, Luc-Eric Rousseau 
mailto:luceri...@gmail.com>> wrote:
On Thu, Jul 18, 2013 at 5:43 AM, Daniel Kim 
mailto:danielki...@gmail.com>> wrote:
> Softimage in NZ is almost $7k including subscription, but I can't believe
> they don't give any tutorials to customer.
[...]
>
> AD seriously need to consider put some tutorials on their website or nicely
> run Softimage channel on Youtube
seriously dude, there is already a softimage youtube channel, which
others have pointed out.
here are some other tutorials on the autodesk web site.

Softimage tutorials:
http://area.autodesk.com/tutorials?word=&where=1&software=14

Brad's ice masterclass:
https://area.autodesk.com/masterclasses/masterclass/class09_softimage

Adam's "Exploring the power of Non-Linear Character Setup with
Autodesk Softimage"
http://area.autodesk.com/masterclasses/masterclass/class3_q2_2012_adam_sale

ICE particle rendering video..
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=15505585



--

Best Regards,
  Stephen P. Davidson
   (954) 552-7956
sdavid...@3danimationmagic.com<mailto:sdavid...@3danimationmagic.com>

Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic

 - 
Arthur C. Clarke

RE: Environment sphere issues

[Nicholas Breslow]

The basic workflow I’ve used for this in the past is to convert the 
equirectangular panorama to a cubical projection. Then you can paint out the 
nadir (poles) on the top/bottom of the cube in PS/other to get rid of the 
distortion. You can use Pano2vr http://gardengnomesoftware.com/pano2vr.php for 
the conversion.  After convert it back to equirectangular. Very similar to the 
Polar method mentioned before.

Hope that is what you were going for – just glanced and thought I would share 
this.

Nicholas Breslow


From: softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com 
[mailto:softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Nancy Jacobs
Sent: Sunday, July 28, 2013 6:25 PM
To: softimage@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: Re: Environment sphere issues

Thanks for this info, Stephen, but I really need the spherical environment for 
a seamless space experience.

Now that I've got the implicit projection working, it does a better job 
rendering the image at the poles, but still not good enough. Guess ill have to 
drag a sphere into Mari and  try painting out the distortion. That plugin you 
linked me to gives some cool vortex effects at the poles, maybe ill find a use 
for that! But I still wonder why it's working for your images and not mine. 
Maybe it's in the type of image and what is happening visually near the bottom 
and top of the image.


On Jul 28, 2013, at 1:19 AM, Stephen Davidson 
mailto:magic...@bellsouth.net>> wrote:
Here is a nice article on creating cubic environment maps from stitched 
panoramic photos, using Blender.
very clever:
http://www.aerotwist.com/tutorials/create-your-own-environment-maps/

On Sat, Jul 27, 2013 at 9:42 PM, Nancy Jacobs 
mailto:illus...@mip.net>> wrote:
Stephen, this plugin really didn't work for me. It way overdid some kind of 
smearing, spiraling algorithm. Looks a lot worse than the original. I wonder 
what he's thinking, or what went wrong here... Any ideas?

Thanks for the link, however. I was really stoked when I thought it was going 
to solve this problem. Maybe something in Softimage mapping is trying to solve 
this and doesn't quite do it, so this plugin overcompensates?

I still think implicit mapping would help, as the help files indicate, if I 
could get any image to show up on the sphere.

Thanks again,
Nancy

On Jul 27, 2013, at 8:18 PM, Stephen Davidson 
mailto:magic...@bellsouth.net>> wrote:
If you have Photoshop, here is a link to something called spherical mapping 
corrector:
http://www.richardrosenman.com/software/downloads/

No 64 bit support, I believe.

here is the install and use docs:
Spherical Mapping Corrector - v1.4,  © 2008 Richard Rosenman Advertising & 
Design. Release date: 03/15/03, Updated 09/28/08.


INSTALLATION:

Simply unzip "spheremap.zip" and copy "spheremap.8bf" to your 
"\Photoshop\Plug-Ins\" folder, or whichever plugin folder your host program 
uses. Load your program, open an image, go to the plugins menu and select the 
plugin.


DESCRIPTION:

This filter produces texture map correction for spherical mapping.

When projecting a rectangular texture onto a sphere using traditional spherical 
mapping coordinates, distortion ('pinching') occurs at the poles where the 
texture must come to a point. Given the different topology of a plane and a 
sphere, it is impossible to avoid this, or any kind of distortion. However, by 
properly distorting the texture map, it is possible to minimize and even 
compensate for the polar distortion.

Special thanks to Paul Bourke for allowing his algorithm to be ported to this 
plugin. For more information, please visit Mr. Bourke's site at 
http://astronomy.swin.edu.au/~pbourke/.

Sub-Sampling: Specifies what type of pixel sub-sampling to use. (Nearest 
Neighbor being fastest, Bicubic being best.

On Sat, Jul 27, 2013 at 6:46 PM, Nancy Jacobs 
mailto:illus...@mip.net>> wrote:
Greetings,

I'm using the old-style environment spheres with an HDR image wrapped to light 
the scene, but invisible to rendering, and a beauty image visible to the 
render. The problem is the very visible distortion near the poles of the 
sphere. I need 360 degree visual acceptability. I am using a background which 
I've made seamless in both directions, a 2:1 rectangle. It seems this worked in 
renders at one point years ago in another software. Perhaps even XSII don't 
recall.

I'm also trying to substitute this arrangement by using both an environment 
(using the HDRI), and 'Spherical Mapping' (using the beauty image), in the Pass 
Shaders. But I'm getting very strange results, so not sure if this is the way 
to go. Also, it's difficult to line them up properly so that the light in the 
HDRI is coming from the same place as the equivalent visible areas in the 
beauty image -- which of course one can do easily in the wrapped spheres. But 
in the pass shaders, they don't 

RE: Environment sphere issues

[Nicholas Breslow]

Hi Nancy,

I only flip it to cube format to do the painting. I then flip it back to 
equirectangular format and map to a sphere for render. You don’t lose anything 
by converting, then converting back.

Nicholas Breslow

From: softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com 
[mailto:softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Nancy Jacobs
Sent: Tuesday, July 30, 2013 5:15 PM
To: softimage@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: Re: Environment sphere issues

Thanks, Stephen and Nicholas for the information on cubical projection. 
Frankly, I'm partial to spheres... I've always found them better as background 
environments -- cubes never seem right, the edges tend to be apparent. 
especially because this is a scene in a 360 space and i don't want to have to 
avoid the camera looking at the edges of the cube. But I also don't want to 
have to avoid the poles of a sphere. But I've never tried the cubical 
projection in Softimage, is it better somehow? You're right, Nicholas, it would 
be easier to paint out the distortion in PS. But I don't want to do all that 
work on creating a cubical projection and have it not read well in the render.

Have you used it effectively when you need 360 degree correctness?

Thanks!

On Jul 29, 2013, at 4:39 PM, Stephen Davidson 
mailto:magic...@bellsouth.net>> wrote:
Exactly. Then use the cross version (Pano2VR creates a horizontal cross)
setting Softimage's environmental mapping to horizontal cross.
Is this not working for you, now?

On Mon, Jul 29, 2013 at 2:54 PM, Nicholas Breslow 
mailto:n...@nicholasbreslow.com>> wrote:
The basic workflow I’ve used for this in the past is to convert the 
equirectangular panorama to a cubical projection. Then you can paint out the 
nadir (poles) on the top/bottom of the cube in PS/other to get rid of the 
distortion. You can use Pano2vr http://gardengnomesoftware.com/pano2vr.php for 
the conversion.  After convert it back to equirectangular. Very similar to the 
Polar method mentioned before.

Hope that is what you were going for – just glanced and thought I would share 
this.

Nicholas Breslow


From: 
softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com<mailto:softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com>
 
[mailto:softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com<mailto:softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com>]
 On Behalf Of Nancy Jacobs
Sent: Sunday, July 28, 2013 6:25 PM
To: softimage@listproc.autodesk.com<mailto:softimage@listproc.autodesk.com>
Subject: Re: Environment sphere issues

Thanks for this info, Stephen, but I really need the spherical environment for 
a seamless space experience.

Now that I've got the implicit projection working, it does a better job 
rendering the image at the poles, but still not good enough. Guess ill have to 
drag a sphere into Mari and  try painting out the distortion. That plugin you 
linked me to gives some cool vortex effects at the poles, maybe ill find a use 
for that! But I still wonder why it's working for your images and not mine. 
Maybe it's in the type of image and what is happening visually near the bottom 
and top of the image.


On Jul 28, 2013, at 1:19 AM, Stephen Davidson 
mailto:magic...@bellsouth.net>> wrote:
Here is a nice article on creating cubic environment maps from stitched 
panoramic photos, using Blender.
very clever:
http://www.aerotwist.com/tutorials/create-your-own-environment-maps/

On Sat, Jul 27, 2013 at 9:42 PM, Nancy Jacobs 
mailto:illus...@mip.net>> wrote:
Stephen, this plugin really didn't work for me. It way overdid some kind of 
smearing, spiraling algorithm. Looks a lot worse than the original. I wonder 
what he's thinking, or what went wrong here... Any ideas?

Thanks for the link, however. I was really stoked when I thought it was going 
to solve this problem. Maybe something in Softimage mapping is trying to solve 
this and doesn't quite do it, so this plugin overcompensates?

I still think implicit mapping would help, as the help files indicate, if I 
could get any image to show up on the sphere.

Thanks again,
Nancy

On Jul 27, 2013, at 8:18 PM, Stephen Davidson 
mailto:magic...@bellsouth.net>> wrote:
If you have Photoshop, here is a link to something called spherical mapping 
corrector:
http://www.richardrosenman.com/software/downloads/

No 64 bit support, I believe.

here is the install and use docs:
Spherical Mapping Corrector - v1.4,  © 2008 Richard Rosenman Advertising & 
Design. Release date: 03/15/03, Updated 09/28/08.


INSTALLATION:

Simply unzip "spheremap.zip" and copy "spheremap.8bf" to your 
"\Photoshop\Plug-Ins\" folder, or whichever plugin folder your host program 
uses. Load your program, open an image, go to the plugins menu and select the 
plugin.


DESCRIPTION:

This filter produces texture map correction for spherical mapping.

When projecting a rectangular texture onto a sphere using traditional spherical 
mapping coordi

RE: Environment sphere issues

[Nicholas Breslow]

Hi Nancy,

Check out Andrew Hazelden’s Blog here: 
http://www.andrewhazelden.com/blog/2012/11/domemaster-photoshop-actions-pack/

The Domemaster Photoshop Actions Pack should do what you need. His site is 
interesting – worth a look through.

PS – Disclaimer: I’ve only used Pano2VR as a license was purchased for me but 
the actions ~should~ work nicely. Let me know if they don’t.

-Nick

From: softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com 
[mailto:softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Nancy Jacobs
Sent: Thursday, August 1, 2013 3:17 PM
To: softimage@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: Re: Environment sphere issues

Thanks to both Nicholas and Stephen again, that explains a lot more and sounds 
like a great idea So you can only use this Pano2VR for the transform back 
and forth? I visited their website -- they have a watermark on the free 
version. Apparently it costs $93 -- that's pretty steep for my uses, 
considering I don't need all their other functionality. Doesn't photoshop or 
some other tool do this conversion? I just signed on to Adobe Creative 
Cloud...they ought to have something in all that software that would do this, 
you'd think?

On Aug 1, 2013, at 2:57 PM, Stephen Davidson 
mailto:magic...@bellsouth.net>> wrote:
I have use both sphere and cross (or cube) mapping for reflections.
Both work fine, and have advantages and disadvantages, depending on the 
specific situation.
The fact that an environment is a "cube" is not an issue.
It is simply a different way to map the environment.
The fact that it is a cube is not apparent in the resulting
rendered image. I understand your concern, but it
looks just fine. It is just easier to paint out the polar "pinches"
in this format. Nicholas is correct in that you can just
turn the change the format of the environment map and
you loose nothing.

make both a equirectangular and cube format environment map
and choose what works best for you. I think you will see there is no
difference, except when painting out the pole pinches.

On Tue, Jul 30, 2013 at 5:15 PM, Nancy Jacobs 
mailto:illus...@mip.net>> wrote:
Thanks, Stephen and Nicholas for the information on cubical projection. 
Frankly, I'm partial to spheres... I've always found them better as background 
environments -- cubes never seem right, the edges tend to be apparent. 
especially because this is a scene in a 360 space and i don't want to have to 
avoid the camera looking at the edges of the cube. But I also don't want to 
have to avoid the poles of a sphere. But I've never tried the cubical 
projection in Softimage, is it better somehow? You're right, Nicholas, it would 
be easier to paint out the distortion in PS. But I don't want to do all that 
work on creating a cubical projection and have it not read well in the render.

Have you used it effectively when you need 360 degree correctness?

Thanks!

On Jul 29, 2013, at 4:39 PM, Stephen Davidson 
mailto:magic...@bellsouth.net>> wrote:
Exactly. Then use the cross version (Pano2VR creates a horizontal cross)
setting Softimage's environmental mapping to horizontal cross.
Is this not working for you, now?

On Mon, Jul 29, 2013 at 2:54 PM, Nicholas Breslow 
mailto:n...@nicholasbreslow.com>> wrote:
The basic workflow I’ve used for this in the past is to convert the 
equirectangular panorama to a cubical projection. Then you can paint out the 
nadir (poles) on the top/bottom of the cube in PS/other to get rid of the 
distortion. You can use Pano2vr http://gardengnomesoftware.com/pano2vr.php for 
the conversion.  After convert it back to equirectangular. Very similar to the 
Polar method mentioned before.

Hope that is what you were going for – just glanced and thought I would share 
this.

Nicholas Breslow


From: 
softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com<mailto:softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com>
 
[mailto:softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com<mailto:softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com>]
 On Behalf Of Nancy Jacobs
Sent: Sunday, July 28, 2013 6:25 PM
To: softimage@listproc.autodesk.com<mailto:softimage@listproc.autodesk.com>
Subject: Re: Environment sphere issues

Thanks for this info, Stephen, but I really need the spherical environment for 
a seamless space experience.

Now that I've got the implicit projection working, it does a better job 
rendering the image at the poles, but still not good enough. Guess ill have to 
drag a sphere into Mari and  try painting out the distortion. That plugin you 
linked me to gives some cool vortex effects at the poles, maybe ill find a use 
for that! But I still wonder why it's working for your images and not mine. 
Maybe it's in the type of image and what is happening visually near the bottom 
and top of the image.


On Jul 28, 2013, at 1:19 AM, Stephen Davidson 
mailto:magic...@bellsouth.net>> wrote:
Here is a nice article on creating cubic environment

RE: Hard surface modeling question

[Nicholas Breslow]

Let's cover both scenarios...

If you are going to use a workflow where you subdivide ("smooth") the model 
pre-render there are some issues with the way you modeled your piece - 1) 
Concave Quad, and 2) 6 Pole Verts.  Neither of those are going to smooth nicely 
and should be avoided. See here: 
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1649069/Permanent/XSIList/XSI_List_1.jpg

If you are going to use a workflow where you don't subdivide the model you can 
work like this: 
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1649069/Permanent/XSIList/XSI_List_2.jpg

If I had to guess I would say the helicopter dude did a lot of this (2nd) type 
of modeling. This method allows you to use Booleans to cut out those circles 
and pill shapes, even cut them on curved pieces as per my example.  The 
evidence is that some of those circles on the side only have 4 edges running 
into them and you need more than that to smooth a mesh and get a perfect 
circle!  He has enough supporting geo on the curved parts to make them appear 
"smooth" at viewing distance.  My example doesn't have the smooth curve leading 
in but I do it on the bottom of the cut shape.  This is to show that if you 
want the curve you have to add geometry - he has plenty of supporting loops or 
bevels.

A good tip someone here wrote was separating geometry - good hard surface 
technique.

I think you need to choose a methodology and stick with it. Right now it is 
confusing - like you want to model hard-surface but are employing subdivision 
modeling techniques.

Nicholas Breslow


From: softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com 
[mailto:softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Steven Caron
Sent: Friday, August 23, 2013 2:19 PM
To: softimage@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: Re: Hard surface modeling question

but here he says...

"It depends, on some parts I use it, on others I don't."

http://forums.cgsociety.org/showpost.php?p=7451715&postcount=154

*shrug*

On Fri, Aug 23, 2013 at 11:05 AM, Steven Caron 
mailto:car...@gmail.com>> wrote:
sure, but in a post he says he isn't smoothing.

http://forums.cgsociety.org/showpost.php?p=7171444&postcount=55

explains he doesn't like the UV issues with smoothing. but he could be showing 
us a smoothed version in the viewport but doesn't intend to smooth a render 
time.

On Fri, Aug 23, 2013 at 11:01 AM, Nic Sievers 
mailto:siev...@gmail.com>> wrote:
Well a lot of times when I render models I render them smoothed, but overlay 
them with the lo res. So he could be doing the same thing.

RE: Friday Flashback

[Nicholas Breslow]

Jeezus, what a mistake Autodesk!  I am not going to mince words - this fucking 
sucks!!!  Someone in the know please post a phone number or website where we 
can complain.

Stephen - I have recreated every example you have posted on the blog for the 
past year and couldn't have learned Softimage without you.  Your help, 
expertise and good nature cannot be replaced and will be sorely missed.  Please 
consider donating your brain to the Softimage community because without it us 
new people are going to be lost!  Better yet, take that brain somewhere else 
and keep kicking ass and posting useful CG information.  Best of luck to you.

I am PISSED.

Nicholas Breslow
http://www.nicholasbreslow.com

-Original Message-
From: softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com 
[mailto:softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Eugen Sares
Sent: Friday, August 31, 2012 9:33 AM
To: softimage@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: Re: Friday Flashback

Am 31.08.2012 15:26, schrieb Graham Bell:
> A very good point Ed, as myself and others have been doing the same thing.
> Not wanting to make light of Stephens news, and whilst many are 
> understandably hung up on the negative impact to Softimage, there have also 
> been some other M&E names that have also fallen victim to the 7%.
> And that is all I'm willing to say for now, because if I said any more I 
> could probably get into serious trouble.
All this big company BS... I'm happy again to be a freelancer.
Can you ask your bosses if Softimage is for sale? Let's find some russian 
oligarch willing to invest in 3d-software instead of a soccer club. SI would be 
in better hands, I reckon.

>
> G
>
> From: softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com 
> [mailto:softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Ed Harriss
> Sent: 31 August 2012 14:14
> To: softimage@listproc.autodesk.com
> Subject: RE: Friday Flashback
>
> I don't understand how this could have happened. How did they pick the 7%? 
> Did they blindfold themselves and throw darts at a an employee chart? No 
> disrespect to the good people that weren't part of the 7%, but from a user's 
> viewpoint it seems like they let go some people who were more valuable than 
> they could possibly imagine. I am very sorry to hear about this.
>
> Ed
>
>
> From: softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com 
> [mailto:softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Paul Griswold
> Sent: Friday, August 31, 2012 9:09 AM
> To: softimage@listproc.autodesk.com
> Subject: Re: Friday Flashback
>
> I'm on boards with several others.  This might be the tipping point for me.  
> Stephen & Manny were, without a doubt, the main reason I continued to pay my 
> subscription each year.
>
> I've been evaluating options over the past couple of years, and while I don't 
> think there's anything nearly as good as Softimage, it's burdened by a 
> corporation that doesn't know it's @sshole from it's elbow.
>
> Stephen, please (if you feel like it) post other contact info to the list so 
> folks can stay in touch.
>
> You have always been an extremely kind, thoughtful, patient and helpful 
> person (especially when dealing with someone like me).  I can't express 
> enough how angry and saddened I am at this news.
>
> I'm sure you realize it already, but there's an entire community here that's 
> ready and willing to help out in any way we can.
>
> I wish you all the best in your future.
>
> Paul
>

RE: First Softimage -> Maya transition videos posted

[Nicholas Breslow]

If you plan on scripting in Maya I highly recommend Charcoal Editor – worth the 
investment.  See here:

http://zurbrigg.com/charcoal-editor

-Nick


From: softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com 
[mailto:softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of nick name
Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2014 3:00 AM
To: softimage@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: Re: First Softimage -> Maya transition videos posted

Seems like they're very well received these videos, just look at the amount of 
likes/dislikes. It might not be the best indicator, but not to be ignored 
either.

On Wed, May 14, 2014 at 7:15 AM, Jordi Bares 
mailto:jordiba...@gmail.com>> wrote:
You are a generous man…

Jordi Bares
jordiba...@gmail.com

On 14 May 2014, at 05:04, Raffaele Fragapane 
mailto:raffsxsil...@googlemail.com>> wrote:


You're being too harsh. I reckon it feels at the very least mid 90s, if not as 
modern as a '96 or even '97 at times.

On Wed, May 14, 2014 at 1:52 PM, Jordi Bares 
mailto:jordiba...@gmail.com>> wrote:
Very much my feeling.. every time I have to use it is like going back in time 
to the early 90s…

Jordi Bares
jordiba...@gmail.com

On 13 May 2014, at 19:41, Eric Mootz 
mailto:e...@mootzoid.com>> wrote:

> Aaaahahahah! What a workflow"!
> When I ported my plugin emPolygonizer to Maya a few months ago I obviously 
> had to use Maya for the very first time in my life.
> I was frankly shocked by what they call "the industry standard". Don't get me 
> wrong, the Maya SDK is really quite good, but the rest feels like having a 
> Linux kernel with a buggy Windows for Workgroups user interface.
> Sorry.




--
Our users will know fear and cower before our software! Ship it! Ship it and 
let them flee like the dogs they are!

RE: HDRI Light Studio for Softimage addon

[Nicholas Breslow]

Thanks, this is great!

-Original Message-
From: softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com 
[mailto:softimage-boun...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Eric Mootz
Sent: Monday, September 15, 2014 3:11 PM
To: softimage@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: Re: HDRI Light Studio for Softimage addon

Thanks, Ben, nice work!

Am 15.09.2014 20:27, schrieb Ben Rogall:
> I have released an addon for using HDRI Light Studio with Softimage.
>
> For obvious reasons the makers of HDRI Light Studio did not feel they 
> could support a Softimage plugin. I am releasing this addon as 
> "donationware" and if anyone thinks it is helpful, donations are 
> sincerely appreciated.
>
> It is available for Windows 64bit only. I have tested only with SI
> 2014 sp2 and SI 2015. I mostly use it with Redshift 3D progressive 
> mode. It should also work with Mental Ray and Arnold. It does not work 
> with 3Delight. I have not tested with V-Ray yet but probably will try 
> it when I get V-Ray 3.0.
>
> Download site: http://shaders.moederogall.com/
>