Yes, another Mac-XSI discussion :) [Archive]

Leonard

03-02-2008, 03:08 PM

<speaking personally and not representing Softimage>

I'm a Mac user so I'm all for an XSI OSX native port (personally, and not speaking for the interests of the company). However, Softimage is a business and doing a native Mac port is not trivial, so I understand the reasons behind the company being cautious about jumping into it without a guarantee of success.

I have run polls before where the response rate has been 99% for a certain product, then when you go ahead and produce the product, they don't buy it. Polls such as this are almost inevitably biased in that all the Mac people round up and will vote Yes for a port (so will I and I have voted yes on a similar poll years ago), but when it comes time to actually parting with the cash to buying it, nothing happens.

That said, if I had my way (and I don't nor am I speaking on behalf of Softimage), I'd set up an escrow where everyone can pre-purchase the Mac version and if there's enough money in the escrow to make the port happen, then it happens, otherwise everyone gets their money back. If you're not willing to put your money where your mouth is, I just can't see how it'll happen, and in fact it'll probably cause more damage than good.

I voted yes, as a Mac fanboy, and my credit card is ready.

Cheers,

Leo

</end personal post>

Simon_h

03-02-2008, 03:14 PM

This is a really dumb poll what kind of idiot would use a 32 ibt operating system with 32 gig of ram. If you have a machine like that you WILL you XSI 64 bit. Windows XP64 will use 100% of a system with 32Gig of ram.

The only systems I recall seeing wich come with 32 gig of ram as standard that are generaly available to consumers are made by BOXX and run widows. I definately have not seeen any mac pro's coming standard with 32 GIG.

Also there are reasons to choose FreeBSD over OSX as a BSd so why not Start a XSI on FREEBSD instead.http://community.softimage.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Cryrid

03-02-2008, 03:26 PM

I was thinking the poll sounded a bit biased towards Macs. You also left out Linux?

Personally I'm happy with my Windows setup. The mouse doesn't drive me crazy, I know the shortcuts, and it just seems to make things easier for me to go back and forth between XSI and Half Life 2 or Crysis. Just a personal thing though, I know a lot of people are more experienced with Macs than I am, and not everyone uses XSI for game content.

I wouldn't mind seeing a Mac version as it would allow for more people to have access to the program. If it is easy to take a scene and run it on XSI regardless of the OS, all the better, and if it doesn't affect things like plugins, I'd see no reason to complain.

Unaided

03-02-2008, 03:30 PM

This is a really dumb poll what kind of idiot would use a 32 ibt operating system with 32 gig of ram. If you have a machine like that you WILL you XSI 64 bit. Windows XP64 will use 100% of a system with 32Gig of ram.

All people knows how to Windows management memory. Simply, also Windows 64bit can't allocation more of 2GB by a single proccess.

Also there are reasons to choose FreeBSD over OSX as a BSd so why not Start a XSI on FREEBSD instead.http://community.softimage.com/images/icons/icon7.gif
You refer to start XSI linux version using over FreeBSD?
XSI Linux version is not a native linux application. Is only a shoddy adaptation, is a simple emulation, calling to .dlls (microsoft api's), running vbs scripting, and emulating Windows paths.

However I don't sure which XSI Linux running over Linux-BSD. I only test over GNU-Linux distributions.

Leonard

03-02-2008, 03:32 PM

Hi guys,

Just a friendly reminder...

Please don't mention features of future versions of XSI. If you know about them, it's probably because you saw it behind closed doors or were under Non-Disclosure. Our forum rules which you agreed to when you signed up also says, "Do not speculate on Avid decisions or products that have not been released, issues with repair procedures, or Avid policies and procedures."

I also encourage members of the forum to use your real names, as hiding behind anonymity almost inevitably raises suspicion that you're only here to create trouble.

Thanks!

Leo

Unaided

03-02-2008, 03:52 PM

<speaking personally and not representing Softimage>
Polls such as this are almost inevitably biased in that all the Mac people round up and will vote Yes for a port (so will I and I have voted yes on a similar poll years ago), but when it comes time to actually parting with the cash to buying it, nothing happens.

All XSI Windows users bought XSI?? I don't think so.

Windows users are more propitious to illegal software then Mac users. Why?? Because Mac plattform is most established on professional environment. Is my opinion and is real.

Simon_h

03-02-2008, 03:54 PM

You refer to start XSI linux version using over FreeBSD?
XSI Linux version is not a native linux application. Is only a shoddy adaptation, is a simple emulation, calling to .dlls (microsoft api's), running vbs scripting, and emulating Windows paths.

However I don't sure which XSI Linux running over Linux-BSD. I only test over GNU-Linux distributions.

No I you are not aware OS X is Derrived From Free BSD. Also linux Code Is not Written for BSD and will not Automatically work on BSD and a BSD port would acttualy be easer to convert to OSX than the linx port would by. It was a joke BTW

simon

origin

03-02-2008, 04:11 PM

All people knows how to Windows management memory. Simply, also Windows 64bit can't allocation more of 2GB by a single proccess.

yes it can. you just need 64bit app on 64 bit Windows. which is pretty obvious.

Adrian Lazar

03-02-2008, 05:58 PM

I love os x and I do think that is 1000000 x better than windows (no flame war intended) but i would prefer softimage to use all resources for one version, to add new features or to bring a next stable version (not like the nightmare that was 6.0 :D )

Zac-Donald

03-02-2008, 06:04 PM

If you can afford a mac pro you probably could afford XSI to go with it :-P
hardware wise macs are really overpriced.

Unaided

03-02-2008, 06:45 PM

The stability and performance of a application also depends of the operative system under running. As if as hardware depends also of the operative system.

Mac hardware is not overpriced if you apreciatted most variables of a clone pc offers.
External and INTERNAL design is most significative, not only from aesthetic viewpoint, else functionally. Example, design refrigeration or clean accesability (not cables, and not to dismantle all pieces only for extract a ram module...) hard components, case MacPro.
Inlude, Mac workstations is not overpriced, price by price, if you compared with a ugly alienware, or Boxx workstations.

Hard by hard, sorry, I don't share your opinion. And more,... if you have present which price included OSX. A true os system... versus Windows OS, with full drivers problems, and disaster of performance.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAC PRO: $6,149.00
Two 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon (8-core)
4GB (4 x 1GB)
320GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s
NVIDIA Quadro FX 5600 1.5GB (Stereo 3D, two dual-link DVI)
One 16x SuperDrive
Apple Mighty Mouse
Apple Keyboard (English) + Mac OS X

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOXX 4600 Series: $7,059.00
Intel® Core 2 Duo processor E6750 (2.66GHz) (Dual-Core)
4GB DDR3 1066 (2 DIMMS)
80GB 7,200rpm SATA 8MB Cache
NVIDIA Quadro FX 5600 1.5GB
20x Dual Layer DVD RW Writer
Logitech MX 400 Corded Mouse
Standard Black Keyboard
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition

Zac-Donald

03-02-2008, 08:37 PM

Pre-built PC's are always going to cost alot more, I've figured I can afford a system with 2 quad-cores, a decent video card for 3D apps, and 4 gigs ram, and monitor + other needed stuff for about $2,500.

DDR3 is still new and not worth it, its better to get cheaper top of the line DDR2

someone built this rig for me a while ago http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/wishlist/PublicWishDetail.asp?WishListNumber=6772551

$1,500 for a very nice quad system, it may not be completely as powerful as a mac pro but it a lot more affordable and the extra money spent on a mac pro wont be worth the slight performance boost. (IMO)

Also you really only need one fast hard drive (and it doesn't need to be large) for a comp built for 3D apps you can have a large slower one for everything else on your PC.

But back on topic, if you want people to convert from maya to XSI, you might want to make it so they don't have to buy completely new hardware, just something to really look into.

JamesDc

03-02-2008, 10:32 PM

and I could build a kit-car cheaper than buying a real car....point is, like many, I dont have time, would rather a warrenty etc etc.

just to wiegh in on the osx issue....I have a macbook pro as my primary home workstation and would love to see xsi on osx, but not at the expense of feature development.

i can live with windows if that means I get a better product from softimage, hell kill Linux dev as well if its taking valuable resources away (i kid...). after all, I spend 90% of my time in xsi / photoshop / whatever, changing to osx wont change that.

i'd be more open to changing xsi GUI colors....its the only package I run that uses a light gui :/

but a question to soft devs - perhaps its time to make XSI truly portable? would be nice to have it run on more than 3 stone age versions of linux as well.

Adrian Lazar

03-03-2008, 04:21 AM

oh yeah, about the gui color, please make it customizable or include a daaaaark grey version. thanks :P

olsen

03-03-2008, 05:31 AM

I love OSX too, it's a stable *nix system very very good ...

Main problem is mainwin, if there would be a port to osx , there would be a port of xsi,

or not ?

Nightwalker

03-03-2008, 05:54 AM

I choose my software first and then the platform, so since I choose XSI i must stay on windows, even if I'm not a fan, If I had the option I would go Mac ...

Not a top priority thought... even if it would be reasuring to se XSI less dependent on windows code in the future...

Unaided

03-03-2008, 08:46 AM

I see many comments where prefer develop XSI over porting XSI to OSX. No one think which porting XSI to OSX is a great enhancement?

I can wait a one release without relevant new features in order to receive a good OSX version of the XSI.

Personally I see the interface of XSI as if as a burdem for the future expansion possibilities and to make conditional their development. A graphic interface should be a SKIN, and never should be to make conditional the codebase.

What would happens if tomorrow day, appear a Maya version with a beauty skin feature?
The charm of the pretty xsi-gui would be lost, or could be easy the decision of a new user, to decide for Maya.

Don't forgotten which a positive point of XSI is their attractive gui.

MainWin should be deleted from the interface design, an re-writing the interface (not their appearance), looking for XSI future.

Nightwalker

03-03-2008, 09:24 AM

I can wait a one release without relevant new features in order to receive a good OSX version of the XSI.

No, definately not !

What would happens if tomorrow day, appear a Maya version with a beauty skin feature?
The charm of the pretty xsi-gui would be lost

The charm of XSI interface it's not that it's prety it's that it's eficient.

MainWin should be deleted from the interface design, an re-writing the interface (not their appearance), looking for XSI future.

It's probably not a small endeavour to make XSI more crossplatform, but it would be good imho.

paulrus

03-03-2008, 09:38 AM

XSI already lost market share due to release issues and the whole buying and selling of the company. The last thing they need is to take 6 months to a year off of development to port to a platform that, while being a phenomenal platform, is a tiny minority in the overall scheme of things.

Please Softimage - continue developing features that will leapfrog Maya & Max. If XSI was the dominant 3D package on the market I'd have no problem with an OS-X port. But until that happens, please focus on beating the competition first.

Nightwalker

03-03-2008, 09:44 AM

please focus on beating the competition first

Quoted for agreement

GeneCrucean

03-03-2008, 10:31 AM

Quoted for agreement

But they already are beating the competition!

Unaided

03-03-2008, 10:47 AM

Competition??

Maya: Windows, Linux, OSX and IRIX
Lightwave: Windows and OSX
Cinema 4D: Windows and OSX
Houdini: Windows and Linux
Blender: As it should be (http://www.blender.org/download/get-blender/)

And other important third applications, also avaiable for Linux and/or OSX, like a ZBrush, BodyPaint, Combustion, Shake, Fusion, and all Adobe products...

SoftimageXSI: Only Windows (Linux version is a farce)
Competiting with 3DSMax??? Incredible!

paulrus

03-03-2008, 11:11 AM

Never underestimate the power of a small vocal minority to rule by sheer verbosity....

You don't build a successful business by catering to the whims of a small user base (no matter how enthusiastic they may be). You have to go after the group that gives you the largest chance for success. Macs are a small percentage of the overall computer market. 3D software is an incredibly small market in itself. So you're market becomes a small percentage of a small percentage of a small percentage. You have to draw the line.

You mention Lightwave. Lightwave at one time supported PCs, Macs, Linux, Solaris, and Windows NT on the DEC Alpha. Why did they drop almost all of them? Because it's such a small market, they didn't earn a return on their money. The whole concept of being on Solaris was to take advantage of all the Sun servers out there to be used as render farms. Nobody bought. So they dumped them. The Mac version was the neglected stepchild until recently.

It would be a giant waste of resources to port and then support such a small market.

GeneCrucean

03-03-2008, 11:28 AM

I wasn't talking OS wise. And trust me nobody wants XSI on OSX more than me. I haven't commented in this thread yet because even I am sick of these as they are always full of so much ignorance. People think they know what they are talking about when in reality they just come off sounding like a know-it-all to people who do.

Also there are reasons to choose FreeBSD over OSX as a BSd so why not Start a XSI on FREEBSD instead.http://community.softimage.com/images/icons/icon7.gifYou are missing the point. The point is to be able to run XSI on the same OS as the one you use... that is, the one that runs the software you need. For me, personally, I only use windows for 2 reasons. XSI and Zbrush. Everything else I do is in OSX. Photoshop, Shake, Final Cut Studio, After Effects, etc... all run on OSX.

None of those run on FreeBSD.

There are benefits to Mac's that non-mac users just don't know about. Like drive imaging. Vista is trying to do this now but the problem is more with Microsoft's business model which hinders this specific benefit.

About price, some things I agree are overpriced (like my iPhone). And although I would spend another 500 dollars for another one, most of Apple's products, especially their mac pro's are VERY competitively priced. In my research, they are quite a bit cheaper than other alternatives. I'm not talking about custom built PC's here. No studios build their boxes because they need the insurance that they will be fixed if it explodes. Apple, Boxx, HP, Dell, etc... all offer fast service if it fails = uptime.

Apple is making a big comeback as far as userbase is concerned. So I ask, when should Soft start thinking of OSX as a money maker? I personally think the time is about here.

Personally I wish Softimage would spend the resources JUST to remove the windows ties in the code. Then every OS would benefit in the long run. But who am I to tell Soft how to manage their own resources.

Unaided

03-03-2008, 12:17 PM

For me, personally, I only use windows for 2 reasons. XSI and Zbrush. Everything else I do is in OSX. Photoshop, Shake, Final Cut Studio, After Effects, etc... all run on OSX.

I think which you use Windows ZBrush for bi-directional pipeline with XSI. Because ZBrush is avaiable for OSX.
Imagine you working with ZBrush and XSI both over OSX :) A XSI version optimized for OSX, using their powerful 2D/3D motor graphics.

I don't like me the future-line where XSI go to. Softimage look tendency for videogames industries. In the past SI had Modtool dedicated to videogames tool, and now XSI is transform totally for videogames, forgotten powerful industries like film, and TV.

Why not divide in two versions?
-Softimage|XSI Videogames: The actual XSi Ess. and Adv. with only next generation DirectX suport features, only MsWindows version, support XNA, etc. In short, a XSI more efficient in RealTime and pipeline 3DEngines, issues.

-Softimage|XSI Film: Linux (good implementation) and OSX avaibale. Important support in render-postprocess features, futhermorer of the actual powerful tools for modelling and animation, compositing, and other issues suitables for audiovisuals industries.

Softimage want to have competitive products? The marketing department should be open mind, and looking beyond.

I don't like me Autodesk, but today have some good products (Discreet and AliasWaveftront), because is a bussines shark...

andystopps

03-03-2008, 01:18 PM

No, I don't want Softimage to waste resources on catering for Mac enthusiasts. Improving Linux compatibility seems to me far more sensible; Linux already has many users in the VFX world (particularly in large outfits with their own renderfarms), and one can see that number increasing if Microsoft continues with its current office/home biased design philosophy and rather overbearing market strategy.
By contrast, how many are going to switch to an OS which is still a commercial product, and requires its own special hardware, available from just one single manufacturer ? (Comparing costs of single workstations here is misleading; tell Dell or Boxx you want fifty of the things and I suspect they'll be a lot more interested in trying to undercut Apple).
I could understand it if I'd ever been able to detect the slightest performance or stability advantage with Macs, but I haven't. Sorry.
(Mac monitors are nice though, I have to admit...)

xrenmilay

03-03-2008, 01:38 PM

All XSI Windows users bought XSI?? I don't think so.

Windows users are more propitious to illegal software then Mac users. Why?? Because Mac plattform is most established on professional environment. Is my opinion and is real.

Bull honky... I know plenty of macs that run cracks. Microsoft has the largest worldwide desktop market share that platform thus it will have the largest illegal software share. Its simple math. In addition, one can build a cheaper sys and not rely on an ego brand driven, price bloated, drop shipped product from China.(everything is made in China so a mute point) Furthermore one can run a barrage of application and install a barrage of OS's with very limited knowledge and little tinkering. Mac counter part it’s a little more difficult. Start tinker with your crApple too much and void your warranty. If Avid feels like rolling a PCC app, fine, its not going to compel me to move to an ego driven platform. The bottom line is Mac people are loud, whiney and a stubborn minority.

GeneCrucean

03-03-2008, 01:48 PM

Why did I even bother with this thread. You people are too passionate. Relax a bit... it's just a computer.

I recommend going out and trying to get lucky. Maybe it'll take your mind off of this industry for a min or two :)

xrenmilay

03-03-2008, 02:20 PM

I think I hear a waaaaaaaaaaaaaaambulance! Dealing with the same group of pple for our current project thats all.

kim aldis

03-03-2008, 02:25 PM

Is only a shoddy adaptation, is a simple emulation, calling to .dlls (microsoft api's), running vbs scripting, and emulating Windows paths.

no it's not. please check your facts before posting comments like this, it's irresponsible and counter-productive.

Unaided

03-03-2008, 05:08 PM

Explain to me why XSI Linux is not a shoddy implementation??

I said arguments for my comment, and you said "no". I want arguments please.

Do you have install XSI under Linux???

I was install XSI linux version, and installer is a compilated for Linux, yes, but XSI run under MainWin.
Why I don't see load XSI interface under GTK, QT or a good linux framework?
Why run vbs under Linux???
Why have NetView under Linux?? NetView use the basis of Microsoft Internet Explorer for webbwosing.
Why under Linux create a path with backslash, create $/Softimage\windows\system32\ with a lot of .dll??

Yo said: "no it's not"
...lost time...

Simon_h

03-03-2008, 05:22 PM

I wasn't talking OS wise. And trust me nobody wants XSI on OSX more than me. I haven't commented in this thread yet because even I am sick of these as they are always full of so much ignorance. People think they know what they are talking about when in reality they just come off sounding like a know-it-all to people who do.

You are missing the point. The point is to be able to run XSI on the same OS as the one you use... that is, the one that runs the software you need. For me, personally, I only use windows for 2 reasons. XSI and Zbrush. Everything else I do is in OSX. Photoshop, Shake, Final Cut Studio, After Effects, etc... all run on OSX.

None of those run on FreeBSD.

one againg (stating thios the second time in this thread) My free BSD statement was a JOKE. the way the poll is stated really deseves to be ridiclued.

OSX is heavely based on freeBSD not only that but the developent of freebsd was also influence by the developent of osx (for examplethe failed opendarwin project). but the memory management in both is almost the same (although they may eventually drift further appart).

Sorry i was using irony but it seems to be lost on everybody.

as to the apps you mentioned only shake runs on linux and that is a dead app.

as to the rest....

xp64 can use 8tb of memory for an x64 bit app
and 2gig for a 32bit app.

...and the xsi linux version could not use 32 gig of ram as it 32 bit app there is not yet 64bit verstion so it is still limited in the ammounts of memory it can use. so even is it was possible to just throw a linux app onto a bsd unix like osx without any converters and witthout the relliance on main win you would still not be able to use all you ram.

anyway the last operating system i cared about was OS2 but nothing ran on it so i never really got a chance to use it (easy come easy go...). in any case i don't care what os i am running as long as the software I am using does what I need it to.

simon

Unaided

03-03-2008, 05:59 PM

This is offtopic, or another discussion, but linux can allocated up to 64GB ram for a 32bit applications. You seen the kernel options?

The main topic, is XSI for OSX.
And I see many users who said which XSI should be a unique-plattform application, while the competence open market with multiplattform avaiable.

Is not comparable, but I need remember how to Java an other products are global standarized?

Blender is a much complete 3D package, which step-by-step winning terrain to ausiovisual and videogames industries. Futhermore of other aspects, their multiplattform avaiability is a great positive point in favor, because Blender said.. if your are a Windows user, or if you are a Linux, or OSX, or IRIX user... you can use me in your usual work environment.

Its is the difference, between big and the small applications. Blender today is not big, but continuos growing, while is possible which XSI go down. I hope it is not.

Saturn

03-03-2008, 06:28 PM

I definitively like apple users ! I am always rolling on the floors... thank you very much for so much great moment. Keep the effort !

luceric

03-03-2008, 07:11 PM

All people knows how to Windows management memory. Simply, also Windows 64bit can't allocation more of 2GB by a single proccess.

Under Windows 64-bit, 32-bit applications like XSI 32-bit have access to 4 gig of RAM each, which is the double of Windows 32-bit.

The 64-bit version of the applications, like XSI 64-bit, have access to all the RAM.

kim aldis

03-04-2008, 10:05 AM

linux can allocated up to 64GB ram for a 32bit applications.

You're talking about PAE. PAE can extend the address space to 64Gb but it's only supported by Intel. Furthermore, regular 32 compiled applications still only use 32 bit instructions and will only be able to access a 32 bit address space.

Some versions of Windows Server also support PAE.

As far as XSI is concerned, business as usual on Linux and Windows 32 bit.

If there's one thing the internet is good at it's misinformation and statements like this don't help. It's very easy to check information like this these days, please try to be careful of your facts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_Address_Extension

pequod

03-23-2008, 05:55 PM

Please Softimage - continue developing features that will leapfrog Maya & Max. If XSI was the dominant 3D package on the market I'd have no problem with an OS-X port. But until that happens, please focus on beating the competition first.

I think XSI is already a superior app, that's why I recently chose it over a Mac version of Maya despite the inconvenience of having to run Windows on my Mac Intel.
I would however dearly love an OSX version of XSI.
Would it divert so many resources away from new feature development? Especially if it was announced that it take a few years to deliver, Macheads are used to waiting re: ZBrush 3. Much smaller companies have managed to do it while also providing new features, and this would indeed be a very attractive, commercial new feature.

lee

03-27-2008, 07:40 AM

I have two words for you: Aero and Moondust. Softimage is already working hard to get XSI working in Vista's shiny, bloated new interface, at the same time as they're rewiring some of the program's basic innards. I would say that they most definitely have their hands full this year. I would love to see XSI on the Mac but realistically I think it's better to stop hassling them until at least XSI 7.1 comes out on Vista. Then, after the bugs get fixed, you can start hassling them. ;)

Furthermore it should be said that some of you Mac users should calm down a bit when posting in "neutral" forums and blogs. Endlessly repeating that people who don't use Macs are either stupid or blind isn't going to help win any "converts."

paulrus

03-27-2008, 10:34 AM

Furthermore it should be said that some of you Mac users should calm down a bit when posting in "neutral" forums and blogs. Endlessly repeating that people who don't use Macs are either stupid or blind isn't going to help win any "converts."

A-men!

I think Macs in generally are very slick machines, but their users in general make me cringe. Does anyone with any business sense honestly think a poll on a forum that has less than 60 votes is going to sway a multi-million dollar company to divert hundreds of thousands of dollars to pacify them?

pequod

03-27-2008, 05:43 PM

Okay, maybe I shouldn't get embroiled in this, but......

Furthermore it should be said that some of you Mac users should calm down a bit when posting in "neutral" forums and blogs. Endlessly repeating that people who don't use Macs are either stupid or blind isn't going to help win any "converts."
Yes I'm sure 'some' Mac users can be quite annoying with their constant evangelism, but I've probably heard just as much from the Window's side, in fact their criticism of the Mac usually descends to the level of just hating Mac users as amply demonstrated.

A-men!

I think Macs in generally are very slick machines, but their users in general make me cringe. Does anyone with any business sense honestly think a poll on a forum that has less than 60 votes is going to sway a multi-million dollar company to divert hundreds of thousands of dollars to pacify them?

Again, you're probably right, this poll won't make a blind bit of difference, but the whole point of polls is to help find out what the numbers are. If several thousand people had registered a vote, your opinion might have been different. Besides, this poll will also help keep the issue raised. You have to remember, minorities must be vociferous, or they run the risk of being totally ignored.

Zac-Donald

03-27-2008, 05:59 PM

No. I'm happy with my XSI-Windows and using 10% limit, of my 32GB RAM powerful machine
I hate how biased everyone tends to be in arguments over mac vs windows, its mostly about preference, they both can be just as powerful, but they both have there own issues.

3DDave

03-27-2008, 06:46 PM

It shouldn't be to bad to do (now I am not a programmer though) given that the new Macs are Intel processors and Mental Ray is already is supported on OSX. More users means lower costs and faster development.

Go for it and Mac users don't forget to buy maintenance to continue support for your request!

StephenBlair

03-28-2008, 07:27 AM

Okay, maybe I shouldn't get embroiled in this, but......
Again, you're probably right, this poll won't make a blind bit of difference, but the whole point of polls is to help find out what the numbers are. If several thousand people had registered a vote, your opinion might have been different. Besides, this poll will also help keep the issue raised. You have to remember, minorities must be vociferous, or they run the risk of being totally ignored.

In my opinion, the phrasing of the poll questions make the poll numbers meaningless.

kim aldis

03-28-2008, 08:16 AM

In my opinion, the phrasing of the poll questions make the poll numbers meaningless.

yeah, a bit childish I thought.

3dworks

09-03-2008, 10:48 AM

another, yet late, vote for XSI native on macs ;)

daskog

09-03-2008, 01:47 PM

I am enjoying Houdini on mac as we speak :P i was on the beta team and i would say its a success

3dworks

09-03-2008, 02:03 PM

I am enjoying Houdini on mac as we speak :P i was on the beta team and i would say its a success

i'm using lightwave for a few years, but seriously looking for a powerful addition/ alternative. currently, the LW mac osx 64 bit version is still under development, so for most of the massive renderings, i'm running it under win xp64 on my macpro's. but using bootcamp is no long term alternative in an otherwise 100% mac environment, that's why only a mac native XSI would be of real interest to us. houdini is a great app, but too effects oriented for my needs, and XSI has so many interesting features for handling huge projects. and yes, i know some other mac users really wishing XSI coming to OSX. well, just my 2 cents ;)

markus

mocaw

09-03-2008, 04:38 PM

I'd rather see my CS3 Master Collection and Zbrush move to Linux. Then I could be done with relying on these OS cronies all together!

tomkirbygreen

09-03-2008, 11:44 PM

I just don't understand these OS fights. Speaking personally I use my computers to 'do stuff' and as such often remark to my OS zealous friends that my 'desktop' is either Visual Studio or XSI (depending on what I'm doing at the time). I really couldn't give a flying fig what the underlying OS is so long as it supports what I'm doing. If you really need to run XSI right now and you own a Mac then I'd suggest buying a cheap Windows or Linux box, run it headless, throw it under a desk or put it in a cupboard somewhere, and then remote into it from your beloved OS-X box. If you run XSI full screen on said 'Softimage co-processor' (sic) you should be minimally offended by glimpses of the clearly inferior [wink] remote OS that's doing the hosting

flamefeather

09-16-2008, 03:46 AM

Yups.

Got a Question for the guys who uses Mac for XSI. Whats your recommended Windows virtual machine? Currently my company uses Bootcamp to run Windows. I heard about VMware is that a good software to used?

GeneCrucean

09-16-2008, 10:03 AM

teatime

09-29-2008, 02:59 PM

No. Running 3d software under a virtual environment is not a good idea. Dual booting with bootcamp (or without) is the best option because you maintain full computer performance.

Virtualization is a very powerful thing... but not for what you are talking about. It's better suited for server environments.

Yup it pretty is currently for testing, running old software and servers.

What's more 3D in VM's is yet to happen, outside of some of the vmware guys showing us a demo of some old Tony Hawk's game in Fusion...wooo

raphi_13

10-23-2008, 06:04 AM

teatime

10-23-2008, 08:36 AM

as for me i'm not a big fan of multi os environments..... it just screams for trouble.
this is why we have 3D just on PC's and it works just fine. and as for my opinion why spending all this energy to make it work on a mac instead put this energy into the already outstanding app and make XSI f-ing blow away anything else;)....
and for a business not an option since with a new update on mac os u need to update your apps as well.... quite expensive.

hey softimage spend your money and time in one platform and save yourself the big hassle with the other platform...

my share here. don't be mad at me mac users... hehe

cheers
r

You are speaking as an invididual, not a business/studio. Multi-OS environments = platformless coding practices, which means developers are not tied down (i.e. mainwin) to propietary lock-ins when making their products.

Alot of people seem to forgot (or don't know) that MS Windows is a POSIX certified, which basically means you can compile and run most UNIX apps i.e. ping.exe ;)

The big XSI customers are running no more than 1 DCC app on their workstations, if you are an XSI artist at a big studio, then that's what you do and XSI is what you run (of course there are office/admin apps in place, for editing every artists favourite, the 'content approval' doument).

For a linux user and administrator like myself, I welcome a mac port as it could well mean the death of .net and mainwin integration.

mrshappy

11-09-2008, 09:07 PM

I think no. It so very hard to combine the xsi and osx..
Godbless.
Ayt?

aoleon

11-12-2008, 07:40 PM

Hi guys,
"Do not speculate on Avid decisions or products that have not been released, issues with repair procedures, or Avid policies and procedures."

Leo

That is absolutely ludicrous! 99% of what 3D forums are about are speculating on future release feature sets, discussing problems issues with the product etc.... Without that you have nothing to talk about :) Hence why I love the Luxology Modo forums. They don't tell you what you can and cant talk about.

Paul Doyle

11-13-2008, 11:20 AM

With respect Aoleon, Leo was addressing that to beta testers that were under NDA. It wasn't a generic 'dont speculate' demand.

ani_maniac

11-13-2008, 01:04 PM

aoleon

11-13-2008, 06:02 PM

With respect Aoleon, Leo was addressing that to beta testers that were under NDA. It wasn't a generic 'dont speculate' demand.

Oh ok my bad! Glad to hear it!

aoleon

11-13-2008, 06:32 PM

Hey guys, I am relatively new here... So hi!

I am a Mac user of XSI. I own a Mac Pro on which I am currently running Vista 64 Ultimate and using it in conjunction with XSI 7.

I used to be one of those Mac nuts, who would always engage in Mac vs. PC debates (but no longer). I guess with age comes maturity.

Anyhow, I have had mixed feelings about 3D apps coming over to the Mac platform. My initial experience was with Lightwave, and I have to say that some versions were stable and some were not. I have since moved on to Modo and XSI. I use Modo on Mac OSX to do all my Modeling and then import those models into XSI for animating and then back into Modo or sometimes Lightwave for rendering.

If your not aware, the next release of Mac OSX is going to be in January 2009 and it will be Snow Leopard. Snow Leopard is a COCOA ONLY PLATFORM. If you are not familiar with the Mac programming issues, there are two kinds of apps, COCOA - which is Mac OSX native code derived from using X Tools, and there is Carbon (Older version) and Cocoa (Mac OSX native version). Carbon will no longer be supported in Snowleopard.

Cocoa is a problem for most C# or C++ developers as it used to be very easy to port your code into Carbon and Apple decided to not support 64bit GUI libraries for Carbon - which means if you want to have a 64bit app it has to be written in Cocoa. Coacoa means you have to rewrite most of the base code from scratch. So this is not a small task, which is probably why XSI is not on Mac OSX today.

Then there is the quality issue. Right now, I am very happy with XSI from a stability and support standpoint. If developing a Mac version meant that they had to lower their quality level and support level, then I would be against it (as much as i HATE to use Vista).

Having said all that, I would FREAKING LOVE XSI TO COME TO THE MAC!!! :)

iamamanami

11-15-2008, 11:09 AM

Will Autodesk force SI team to put XSI on Mac?

Milosh

11-15-2008, 11:17 AM

Will Autodesk force SI team to put XSI on Mac?

i hope no :P waste of time

calmasacow

11-21-2008, 05:06 PM

I wouldn't say it was a waste of time. We at our company all have MacPro workstations. Everything else we do other than XSI could be done on OSX. We have them running Bootcamp with Windows Vista Business x64 the are nice but Windows Vista can be a uber pain in the @$$.

I say XSI in OSX would the best and would switch as long as it is 64bit. which most are. I think we are looking at the last generation of 32bit applications after Adobe CS4. All major software developers int his industry will have 64bit version being primary by the time CS5 is out. Even on mac!

That being said I would have to be all or nothing. Either make XSI for OSX 64bit with all or more functionality of its window version with out letting anything else like customer support or other platforms development slip. Or just don't even bother with it at all.