A slight (unpleasant) update: the StrandNodes Addon doesn't seem to work under SI2010 Vista64. Could have something to do with the new C++ rules explained in the "what's new" section of the SDKdocs... However, even the Dynamics stuff from the Kristinka Samples that use "Phil's ICE Pack"-compounds do not seem to work under SI2010 Vista 64, while the samples that came with "Phil's ICE Pack" seem to work just fine... I don't know what to think of this as I was looking forward experimenting with the StrandNodes and especially the Kristinka Hair System...
Hopefully there's some easy fix, that so far eludes me...

Actually, the only one simulation sample doesn't use mt_strands addon, it's 'simulation-PhilPack-xsibase-08aug09', just the one in '...no-mt' pack. Only this one should work without mt_strands addon.

Other than that, people reported problems when importing models instead of opening scenes (not only my models), workaround seems to be: first open the scene, then import model, something like that.... here I talking what I heard...

Maybe I'll have a time to check the scenes with 2010 trial - maybe it's better to wait. While ago, XSI 6.0 elegantly destroyed all my rigs, because I used simplified 'remove animation' command in synoptics. I changed the all synoptics, then became XSI 6.01 that allowed previous way...

I'll see when I'll have a time.

Cheers

helge will need to recompile those custom ice nodes for softimage 2010.

Hi,

From what I know for now, it seems that everything that doesn't include MT_strandsNodes addon, working fine with 2010. Except one model ("turbulence-static"), where I left the one node that calls MT_Strands addon. I uploaded a new "no-mt" version this morning.

So for now, pack that works with Softimage 7.01, 7.5, 2010, without extra addons, is available for download here:
http://www.matkovic.com/anto/kristinka-hair-c-14sep09-nomt.rar

Support files for "Follow NURBS" tutorial should working too, with all mentioned versions.

Other than that, some people had a problems with importing models into a new, no-saved scene, but this was solved by opening an existing scene, then importing model. If something so important like ICE nodes, is working properly with one OS, this time Win XP 32, I assume it will with others too. If it doesn't, I really don't feel this as a my problem.

There are two hard coded ICE nodes with MT_strandsNodes addon: mt_HairSolver, used only once in a "big" pack, also mt_StrandFitting node - the last one is used many times. Here, this node allows even distribution of strands segments along strand's length. Generally, strand generators in my nodes don't care about even segment's distribution, strands are just multi-segmented Bezier curves, or sampled UVs of NURBS surfaces.

Without mt_StrandFitting node, you can notice irregular look of curls or turbulences, or anything other that rely on strand lenght. In styling phase, this can be somewhat compensated by modeling. "Pure" simulation with PhilPack nodes will working without any problems, because simulation engine takes care about even segments distribution. Also you can apply mentioned modifiers in post-simulation region, just as I did in samples. But, taking static strands that aren't resampled, into the strand's simulation, generally won't looking nice - that's a reason that two 'blend' simulation samples aren't included.

Cheers

Thanks again for the effort...
Now someone should maybe try to convince Helge Mathee to update his Addon...

I dont think any of them exist any more... I was looking for one, but mindthink.de is gone.

Many luckily are still around, but you'd have to look for them...
The mt_spring addon for instance still can be found on this Asian site.
I seriously doubt, Helge Mathee has wiped them all from his hard drive...
After he's settled into his new job, I guess some gentle and friendly begging
might get him to find a new host for his many goodies...
(And I happen to know of one site that would happily provide such a service)

edit: the following tools still live at their respective "local backup" at rray.de:
SurfaceTextureSupport / ImageToWM / Motiongraphics Addon 2.0 / FormulaXSI / ScatterXSI / Solidify2 and RayLimiter

Hi all,

just to let you know, I have a new version. This one is designed by following experiences of artists that used compounds for their jobs - all five including me of them that gave me the usable response. Generally, it's more 'compact', allowing simple ICE trees when you don't want to use simulation. Also, some nice styling features from first version, such as 'loose strands', various randomizing options, are there again.

So what's new:

- much better interpolation, splitting into locks-clumps, multiresolution styling (curled curls). Now it using method described here, where it creating strand's groups regarding of "discontinuities" in emitter's mesh UVs.

- non-simulated hair can be created from single point cloud with single ICE tree, just as in first version.

- it's possible to create hairs, together with modifiers, over strands generated with factory compounds, using them as a hair guides. That includes a famous 'flow around surface' simulations.

- Fur: complete procedurally generated fur. By mentionig 'fur' I think of strands that takes their orientation from emitter's surface. It also using emitter's UVs as an initial orientation, so you can get something usable in a really short time - of course, everything can be modified later. Strand profile is generated by ICE compounds - something like LM Gradient Hair Comb, but with all tools that ICE allows. All hair modifiers will work with fur too.

- Simple, one-point fur dynamics, that still allows bending of strands.

I expect to release it sometimes around (this ) Christmas - New Year. It will be free. Possibly, I'll add more options to fur, such as taking deformations directly from underlying skeleton, external up vectors, so on. Only factory nodes were used, so it should work nicely with all versions from 7.01 to the last one.

Cheers

Brilliant - sounds very exciting for lazy people like me, simpler setup for still renders, yet more control options.

Thank you for all your work on this, will definately use it. I have a lot of heads lying around that need a little hairdo

heads lying around ->

Thanks for sharing your compounds mathaeus! Very nice work!