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

The XSI Mod Tool 6 is a completely free version of the professional XSI modelling package. It has most of the features of the professional versions (certainly everything you'd need for mods) and allows you to export your work to Source without restriction.

Visit the official website

Visit the download page

Check the Tool's limitations

ValveSource addon

The Mod Tool is used with the ValveSource addon, which is required to export your work to a format Source's model compiler can understand.

Warning:The addon provided with the Source SDK is not yet full compatible with MT6. Noesis Interactive have made an updated version that should be used instead.

Valve Source Add-On for XSI5.11/6.0 users

The Valve Source Add-on that was included in the SDK has problems with XSI 5.0/5.11/6.0. Noesis Interactive has released two updated Add-ons for XSI 5.11/6.0 users.

Valve Source Add-On for XSI 5.11/6.0

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

• Model Creation Overview
• Compiling Models
• Character Creation Overview
• Viewmodels in XSI
• 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

• 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  Note:File Structure in this tutorial is outdated.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. (Also On Main Page For Now of Redemtion Site [1]http://redemptionmod.com/index.php Scroll to the bottom.)

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.