The most envy tools from other software

[Memag]

What is missing in the XSI lasso selection tool?
It's pretty much freeform.

[Zafar Iqbal]

What is missing in the XSI lasso selection tool?
It's pretty much freeform.

It's missing a non-raycast mode (if im not mistaken).

Simple example:

Create a grid and duplicate it. Move the duplicate up only in Y axis.
Select both grids and then select any number of points from top view and you'll see only the top most grid mesh will have points that are being selected.

Do the same with the rectangle selection tool and it will select from both grid meshes. The lasso tool should behave like this.

[Memag]

Yep.It doesn't behave like you need it to.
You could log your feature request,however.

[rray]

Create a grid and duplicate it. Move the duplicate up only in Y axis.
Select both grids and then select any number of points from top view and you'll see only the top most grid mesh will have points that are being selected.

Do the same with the rectangle selection tool and it will select from both grid meshes. The lasso tool should behave like this.

You could temporarily switch to wireframe mode where it behaves like you describe -
Best option would probably be a checkbox "use raycast in shaded mode (lasso)" in preferences in addition to the existing "use raycast in shaded mode" checkbox (which is for rectangle selection)

[Memag]

I also tried wireframe mode (FROM TOP VIEW) but when points overlap those below don't get selected whether rectangle selection selects them all.

[rray]

Oh I see, sorry misunderstood - that ones' definately a bug.

[Zafar Iqbal]

Rectangular selection works here as described in an earlier post (wireframe mode). The docs clearly state that lasso only selects topmost component when 2 or more are directly overlapping (if thats what you were referring to too, rray)

[Nizar]

Another, for me, most envy tools:
Blender and Zbrush free release/upgrade
Do you have some scripts for this?

[Memag]

Gear, grow rig, studio nest stuff, 3delight, ICE compounds.....they all can be considered a free upgrade.

[ShaderOp]

So how about we try to kick this thread back into life? And to cut off any attempt to flog some already dead and petrified horses, let's consider the following features off limits:

1. Units of measurement:
Discussed to death already. Assume it ain't going to happen.

2. Better Mental Ray Integration, e.g. IRay, flavor of the month GI method, etc:
I think the Arnold Lust Fest proved that no one likes using Mental Ray, and the performance issue with 2012 further proved that not one of the clients that Autodesk cares about the most (i.e. all those on the beta list) actually uses Mental Ray.

3. Darker theme/Less rounded corners/that classic QT look:
There are no reported cases of any SI users losing their eyesight because of the UI.

4. Spin Quads modeling operation:
I know it was hard, and I can only imagine how painful it was, but Lightwave can't hurt you anymore. Let it go, man. Let it go (Sorry. Semi-inside joke).

So, what tools would you like to see added to SI? Whether it be in future version or through third-party plugins.

[Nizar]

Gear, grow rig, studio nest stuff, 3delight, ICE compounds.....they all can be considered a free upgrade.

Hey, do you want spoil my pleasure in arguing?

[Memag]

No sir.

[ShaderOp]

What is?

The definition of an inside joke is that you won't get it unless you're on the inside.

So why bother? Install 3delight or buy (like did a friend of mine) Octane (only 99$)

Thanks for the advice, but I've already paid for and own both of those. And why bother with what exactly? The whole point of my post is that we should NOT bother discussing Mental Ray because a) there's not much we can do about it, and b) none of the big clients actually care.

If they can add a Viewcube, what cannot add real units measurement?

I think you're missing my point by about a mile. Read on.

So, what tools would you like to see added to SI? Whether it be in future version or through third-party plugins.

in feature release we will see... ICE, ICE and, last but not least, ICE. So, why bother in dreaming new feature? Rest only envy or coding and scripting ourself, in this community users implemented Iray, so, don't think what feature AD can implement in a future, but what can doing the community. Avid had many issue, and don't doing all perfect, but I think they were more careful in trying to show no XSI weaknesses, and feature such as Iray were treated from outset for not deface, at least, against other competitors.

I'm not asking what Autodesk will do, I'm asking what you (and we as community) would like to see done. I'm sure you know that the SDK received some significant improvements with SI2012 that open the door for some interesting possibilities. And given that there are some very generous and capable developers around, there's a good chance that whatever features are missing can be compensated for by the community.

Yet so far every single feature you've requested in this thread turned out to be already there in SI. That's pretty weak for a thread that is supposed to be about the most envy-worthy features from other software packages.

And it's not only this thread. During the recent backlash against ICE over at CGTalk there were many vocal voices expressing dismay at how SI was all about ICE these days, but I don't recall anyone bothering to mention a single feature that they would like to see in future versions (better Mental Ray and units of measurement excluded).

Either SI is just perfect as it is or constructive criticism is way too much effort for this community. The latter would be very sad indeed.

[Nizar]

The definition of an inside joke is that you won't get it unless you're on the inside.

spin quad is a LW community, right?

Thanks for the advice, but I've already paid for and own both of those. And why bother with what exactly? The whole point of my post is that we should NOT bother discussing Mental Ray because a) there's not much we can do about it, and b) none of the big clients actually care.

My tone was absolutely jovial, you don't bother me at all and I appreciate your posts (I'm not Anglo-Saxon so my English is very bad, sorry if you find offensive my words, this is not my intention).

Yet so far every single feature you've requested in this thread turned out to be already there in SI. That's pretty weak for a thread that is supposed to be about the most envy-worthy features from other software packages.

Not all feature "envy" was already in XSI , but this topic served to make me discover some features and scripts that do not know. I do not think is bad thing.

And it's not only this thread. During the recent backlash against ICE over at CGTalk there were many vocal voices expressing dismay at how SI was all about ICE these days, but I don't recall anyone bothering to mention a single feature that they would like to see in future versions (better Mental Ray and units of measurement excluded).

This topic is not a wishlist or a lamentation list. Everyone, I think, see some feature, in other software, who want see his favourite application. It is normal, I think, see some good feature used in promo video or by a friend, but not all can be implemented (because code don't permit or too different, or too work to do or too distant from software philosophy).
I think, you misunderstood the topic intention.

Sorry, I have misunderstood you post tone.

[Nizar]

Either SI is just perfect as it is or constructive criticism is way too much effort for this community. The latter would be very sad indeed.

I deleted any lamentation from my posts. As I wrote, this was not my original intention.
Do SI perfect for you? If not I will be very happy to receive from you a lesson about constructive criticism (and criticism was not my intention).

[DoF]

Could I say full PTEX integration with Mudbox?