Softimage Mod Tool

XSI is the program used to make models for Source. There are three commercial versions, XSI Foundation, Essentials, and Advanced.

XSI Mod Tool

XSI Mod Tool (based on SOFTIMAGE|XSI Foundation 4.2) is available for free.

• Official Website
• Download it from: download.com, FilePlanet, FileShack
• Free registration needed
• Save scenes in .exp file format which commercial XSI can't read
• Can import .xsi, .3ds, .x files
• With Valve Source addon(ValveSource.0105.01.xsiaddon, found in sourcesdk/xsi)
  • Import/export .smd files(7,500-triangle limit for exported models)
  • Import/export .vmf files
  • Valve rigs(default, male, female, guide) included
• See also Version Limitations

Tutorials

Generic XSI Tutorials

• xsibase.com

• edharriss.com

• XSI Beginner Tutorial

• XSI Texturing

• XSI Animation

Quickstart Guide for Max/Maya/Lightwave users

• MAX to XSI Jumpstart
• DISCREET 3DS MAX TO SOFTIMAGE XSI TRANSITION TIPS
• Maya 2 XSI Quickstart Guide
• Lightwave 2 XSI Quick Start(pdf)

Source Tutorials

• Overview of Model Creation

• Compiling Models Basics

• Creating Characters

• Creating Viewmodels

• Replacing HL2DM player models with XSI Mod Tool

• Converting brush structures in your map into a prop_static with XSI Mod Tool

• Creating a 'prop_physics entity' by yesukai

• Creating a Custom Character for Half-Life 2 Using the SOFTIMAGE XSI Mod Tool by Dominic Laflamme

• Getting Static Props into Source via XSI|EXP for HL2 by Joseph Spataro

note: File Structure in this tutorial is outdated. Replace sourcesdk/cstrike_sample_content with sourcesdk_content/cstrike. See Source SDK Files and Directory Structure for details.

• Setup Guide for Half-Life 2 Modeling by Veazie

• Creating a Simple Half-Life 2 Model Using XSI (A Simple Texture Mapped Cube that can be used as a prop_static) by Veazie

• A Simple Animated Model Using XSI (Create a "Pump" Model to Use as a prop_dynamic) by Veazie

• Create a Custom Sequence for the SDK Character Model (Using XSI animation capabilities) by Veazie

• Creating a Custom HL2 Character Using XSI by Veazie

• Adding Eyes to Your Character Model by Veazie

• Physics Props- From XSI to HL2 by Stuffie

Video Tutorials

Creating a prop in XSI and Texturing it with Photoshop by FlashJackson - 1+ hour video tutorial that shows prop creation process from modeling, texturing to compiling.(Broken Link)

Colt 1911 XSI Video Tutorial by desty - 5 hour video tutorial which shows the whole modeling process. Reference pictures and renders file are also available.

3D Buzz - "Introduction to XSI" 5 hour VTM series

3D-Palace

Digital-Tutors - XSI free turorials

Samples

SourceSDK contains various character/weapon/vehicle sample scenes (.scn) for XSI. See "sourcesdk_content/<game name>/modelsrc/..." You can replace the model to make your own characters/weapons/vehicles.

Also there is Korin XSI Mod Tool Scene data released by nkinta. It shows how to make an Alyx replacement model with full facial animations.