Questions about models

[skovron]

Hello.
1) After creating a model, xsi puts all the geometry (selected) under a new null (root). I know it's kind of scene in scene. Now to move my new model should I transform this root object or leave it alone and create some kind of holder for it and put it in this hierarchy?
I don't remeber what exacly (didn't use xsi for some time), but I had some problems when I was trying to interact with models through this root null. I saw/read somewhere that you should leave this null in center of the scene and create some other holder for your model.
Questions is: What is the proper method for using models (in this context)?

2) Now about referencing models. What looks like a workflow with referenced externally models. When I need to change something in my model, for example material, I need to make my model local right? Then change what I need, then I have to export it again as externally referenced right? I'm worry about this overwriting model files. I know the next time I open a scene referencing overwitten model it reads it again and everything should be ok. but is it the proper method for working with referenced models?
I think more natural way should be: make model local (check out), change it, make it external again (check in) or something like that, so someone shouldn't ensure he's overwriting correct file.

(Well sorry for my bad english. If my questions/confusion are unclear just tell me and I'll try to make it more precise).

Thanks in advance.

[franky]

you better leave the model null alone at 0,0,0.
the you have a globalSRT null direct under the model null and THEN you have your geometry. so you move only the global srt around and leave the model null where it is.
i cant tell you exactly why this is the best method, but i use it to keep things clean and it works always.

for referenced models i always have a origin scene. there the model is local and all changes are done in this scene!
the i export if from there and reference it in a new scene. i dont make ref models local. i open the origin scene to change it and export it again. works well for me and i know that there is only one place where changes can happen.

[Photon]

Hi

I use the same workflow with RF.

[kim aldis]

i cant tell you exactly why this is the best method, but i use it to keep things clean and it works always.

Mostly historical, I think. in past versions there were problems transforming models. Most of them have been ironed out now but even so, I agree, I feel more comfortable using a transform null under the model.

[franky]

haha kim, thats right. just yesterday i was reading up ina old book, The official XSI Guide to Character Creation from Isner and Sims....
beside that the book is mostly some kind of c/mon, you can do it and lacking examples you could learn from, one sentence stuck to my head.

isner telling, in his remarkable writing style, that td's should look forward, learn new techniques and dont get stuck in how things used to be ;)

so i tried transforming ref models and found to my surprise that the delta recordes the transformations :) now... i still will stuck to me global srt for now, just makes more sense in a logical manner. ha...

[RedBjarne]

With RefModels I prefer to move the root node around instead of the child objects. This way the Child objects are always relative to the RefModel's origin and you can move the children in the scene where the refModel came from if you need to adjust. But i guess it depends on what you will be using the model for.