Cycles for Softimage
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Sycles 2.4.1 V 2.4.1 released August 2026 —
This is a full integration of the Blender Cycles renderer into XSI. Version 2.4 is compiled with Cycles 5.3 (state of July 2026). The second generation of the addon (since 2.0) is a complete rewrite and works with Softimage 2015 SP2.
New since version 2.1.3 (from the github release notes): 2.4.1: fixed incorrect transforms of instances when the master model has rotation or scale, repacked with missing DLLs 2.4: Cycles 5.3. New Alpha parameter for the ImageTexture node, Sky Texture with Single and Multiple Scattering models, Thin Film for Metallic and Glass BSDF, new Raycast and Scene Time nodes, OSL custom camera, Linear 3D curve shape (also as per-object override), Geometry Approximation mode for NURBS surfaces, Render Time pass (CPU), texture optimisation (resolution, limit, tx texture cache) and a detailed scene export timing log 2.4: renders MaterialX shader trees from the MaterialXSI addon (converted to OSL). Note: OSL shading works on CPU render devices only 2.3.x: Cycles 4.5, OSL support is back, new Metallic BSDF and Set Normal nodes, phase function for Scatter Volume, Diffuse Roughness for Principled BSDF, more Noise Texture types, subdivision with motion deform, per-frame texture images, rendering of NURBS surfaces and curves (via custom properties), tile rendering, fixed shadow catcher, vector input ports for OSL shaders 2.2.x: nodes of Blender 4.3 (Ray Portal BSDF, Sheen BSDF, Gabor Texture, redesigned Principled BSDF), current Blender OCIO color profiles, custom velocity grids for VDB primitives, Particle Info node fed by ICE attributes, denoising of the final passes with OIDN or OptiX
Supported Softimage features (quoted from the download page):
Polygon meshes and hair geometry Texture coordinates Vertex colors Shaderball preview. For materials, shader nodes and texture nodes Basic limited support of the following built-in Softimage shader nodes: Phong, Lambert, Hair Shading, Image, converters between vector, color and scalar Ambience global environment light Limited support of built-in Softimage light sources Model instances ICE strands geometry ICE pointcloud instances ICE geometry attributes (vector, color and scalar) with context per-point and per-object Volume rendering. In particular supports emFluid, Explosia FX and openVDB for Softimage volumes Special VDB Primitive for rendering vdbs without ICE Output multilayered exr file with all rendered passes Rendermaps
The following features from Cycles itself are supported: CPU and GPU rendering. In particular multidevices are supported. This allows you to use cpu and gpu simultaneously. The libraries for GPU rendering are included in the package. All Cycles shader nodes OSL shaders OpenColorIO profiles (Blender profile included) All Cycles output passes (Combined, Depth, Normal and so on) Color and value shader AOVs Lightgroups Cycles camera properties, in particular all panorama modes Cycles light sources Denoising by using Open Image Denoise and OptiX denoiser
For more information, full documentation and a list of the available Cycles nodes see the download page linked below. There is no local backup because the addon is still frequently updated - the plugin can be downloaded on Shekn's github releases. The source code is available on github there as well.
This is a full integration of the Blender Cycles renderer into XSI. Version 2.4 is compiled with Cycles 5.3 (state of July 2026). The second generation of the addon (since 2.0) is a complete rewrite and works with Softimage 2015 SP2.
New since version 2.1.3 (from the github release notes): 2.4.1: fixed incorrect transforms of instances when the master model has rotation or scale, repacked with missing DLLs 2.4: Cycles 5.3. New Alpha parameter for the ImageTexture node, Sky Texture with Single and Multiple Scattering models, Thin Film for Metallic and Glass BSDF, new Raycast and Scene Time nodes, OSL custom camera, Linear 3D curve shape (also as per-object override), Geometry Approximation mode for NURBS surfaces, Render Time pass (CPU), texture optimisation (resolution, limit, tx texture cache) and a detailed scene export timing log 2.4: renders MaterialX shader trees from the MaterialXSI addon (converted to OSL). Note: OSL shading works on CPU render devices only 2.3.x: Cycles 4.5, OSL support is back, new Metallic BSDF and Set Normal nodes, phase function for Scatter Volume, Diffuse Roughness for Principled BSDF, more Noise Texture types, subdivision with motion deform, per-frame texture images, rendering of NURBS surfaces and curves (via custom properties), tile rendering, fixed shadow catcher, vector input ports for OSL shaders 2.2.x: nodes of Blender 4.3 (Ray Portal BSDF, Sheen BSDF, Gabor Texture, redesigned Principled BSDF), current Blender OCIO color profiles, custom velocity grids for VDB primitives, Particle Info node fed by ICE attributes, denoising of the final passes with OIDN or OptiX
Supported Softimage features (quoted from the download page):
Polygon meshes and hair geometry Texture coordinates Vertex colors Shaderball preview. For materials, shader nodes and texture nodes Basic limited support of the following built-in Softimage shader nodes: Phong, Lambert, Hair Shading, Image, converters between vector, color and scalar Ambience global environment light Limited support of built-in Softimage light sources Model instances ICE strands geometry ICE pointcloud instances ICE geometry attributes (vector, color and scalar) with context per-point and per-object Volume rendering. In particular supports emFluid, Explosia FX and openVDB for Softimage volumes Special VDB Primitive for rendering vdbs without ICE Output multilayered exr file with all rendered passes Rendermaps
The following features from Cycles itself are supported: CPU and GPU rendering. In particular multidevices are supported. This allows you to use cpu and gpu simultaneously. The libraries for GPU rendering are included in the package. All Cycles shader nodes OSL shaders OpenColorIO profiles (Blender profile included) All Cycles output passes (Combined, Depth, Normal and so on) Color and value shader AOVs Lightgroups Cycles camera properties, in particular all panorama modes Cycles light sources Denoising by using Open Image Denoise and OptiX denoiser
For more information, full documentation and a list of the available Cycles nodes see the download page linked below. There is no local backup because the addon is still frequently updated - the plugin can be downloaded on Shekn's github releases. The source code is available on github there as well.
download page: https://ssoftadd.github.io/syclesSecondGenPage.html / wiki with tutorials / all of Shekn's plugins / author on vimeo / si-community thread
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i.m.p
- Posts: 8
- Joined: 14 Apr 2019, 21:10
Re: Cycles for Softimage
Hello everyone , I'm new to the forum and I hope you are all doing well.
So far, I'm enjoying the incredible integration of Cycles into Softimage. However, I have a minor problem.
Whenever I render anything, the textures in the renders seem to come out blurry or smudgy. Is there a way around this ?
Thank you for your time.
So far, I'm enjoying the incredible integration of Cycles into Softimage. However, I have a minor problem.
Whenever I render anything, the textures in the renders seem to come out blurry or smudgy. Is there a way around this ?
Thank you for your time.
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Shekn
- Posts: 254
- Joined: 30 Dec 2016, 19:18
Re: Cycles for Softimage
Send me to PM file with example of the scene. I will try to understand what you mean and why it happens.
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wireframex
- Posts: 425
- Joined: 08 Jun 2009, 21:02
- Location: France
Re: Cycles for Softimage
Hey Shekn 
Could you tell me if you have done this with Sycles (emfluid) ?
If yes can you share the scene ?
Thanks a lot
Phil
Could you tell me if you have done this with Sycles (emfluid) ?
If yes can you share the scene ?
Thanks a lot
Phil
"without mastery, power is nothing" - Softimage Addict User
CPU 3990x 128 Threads / 2 x 3090 RTX - 24 Go / 96 Go memory
CPU 3990x 128 Threads / 2 x 3090 RTX - 24 Go / 96 Go memory
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i.m.p
- Posts: 8
- Joined: 14 Apr 2019, 21:10
Re: Cycles for Softimage
Here's a test render I did of spiderman at 800 samples. The black weblines on his suit are supposed to be straight, but they keep blurring out and cutting off. Any solutions ?
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Shekn
- Posts: 254
- Joined: 30 Dec 2016, 19:18
Re: Cycles for Softimage
i.m.p. It seams like a bug with subdivisions. This bug was in previous version of the addon, but in the latest version (1.7.7) it should be fixed. But may be this is a new bug. So, it will be very helpful, if you send me a sample scene.
wireframex. This scene was simulated by ExplosiaFX and, of course, rendered with Sycles. As I remember, this scene does not contains any special techniques. Only very high resolution of the simulation (one frame nearly 500 mb of the cache data). The setup of simulation is very typical and based on ExplosiFX smoke example. One main difference: this simulation use negative Smoke Buoyancy, and that's why the smoke goes down.
wireframex. This scene was simulated by ExplosiaFX and, of course, rendered with Sycles. As I remember, this scene does not contains any special techniques. Only very high resolution of the simulation (one frame nearly 500 mb of the cache data). The setup of simulation is very typical and based on ExplosiFX smoke example. One main difference: this simulation use negative Smoke Buoyancy, and that's why the smoke goes down.
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wireframex
- Posts: 425
- Joined: 08 Jun 2009, 21:02
- Location: France
Re: Cycles for Softimage
Thanks a lotShekn wrote: 17 Apr 2019, 16:07 wireframex. This scene was simulated by ExplosiaFX and, of course, rendered with Sycles. As I remember, this scene does not contains any special techniques. Only very high resolution of the simulation (one frame nearly 500 mb of the cache data). The setup of simulation is very typical and based on ExplosiFX smoke example. One main difference: this simulation use negative Smoke Buoyancy, and that's why the smoke goes down.
"without mastery, power is nothing" - Softimage Addict User
CPU 3990x 128 Threads / 2 x 3090 RTX - 24 Go / 96 Go memory
CPU 3990x 128 Threads / 2 x 3090 RTX - 24 Go / 96 Go memory
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i.m.p
- Posts: 8
- Joined: 14 Apr 2019, 21:10
Re: Cycles for Softimage
Okay, Shekn. I got the new update. If I encounter the same issue again. I'll send you the scene file. Thanks for your response.
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xsisoft
- Posts: 152
- Joined: 01 Nov 2018, 10:13
Re: Cycles for Softimage
Shekn Hi!
can this help?, here are discussing on the forum Blender -
Tension Map add-on with 2.79- and fads of geometry with rendering (but it is add-on-)
https://blenderartists.org/t/tension-map/1141659
the author is not a beginner, he alone made this masterpiece
can this help?, here are discussing on the forum Blender -
Tension Map add-on with 2.79- and fads of geometry with rendering (but it is add-on-)
https://blenderartists.org/t/tension-map/1141659
the author is not a beginner, he alone made this masterpiece
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i.m.p
- Posts: 8
- Joined: 14 Apr 2019, 21:10
Re: Cycles for Softimage
Great work on the plugin! 1.7.7 Checks out just fine.
Now all Sycles needs is a bloom/glare post-processing option akin to the Filmic LUTs menu and the plugin will be unbeatable.
Now all Sycles needs is a bloom/glare post-processing option akin to the Filmic LUTs menu and the plugin will be unbeatable.
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Shekn
- Posts: 254
- Joined: 30 Dec 2016, 19:18
Re: Cycles for Softimage
There is built-in post-processing in Softimage. It calls FX Tree. So, there are no reasons to add something similar. In Blender post-processing is not a part of the Cycles too.
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xsisoft
- Posts: 152
- Joined: 01 Nov 2018, 10:13
Re: Cycles for Softimage
i.m.p
- put a photo with a correct render (it is interesting to look at the nuances of the geometry, before correction and after)
- put a photo with a correct render (it is interesting to look at the nuances of the geometry, before correction and after)
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i.m.p
- Posts: 8
- Joined: 14 Apr 2019, 21:10
Re: Cycles for Softimage
I'm not very familiar with FX Tree, but I'll look up some tutorials on it. And xsisoft, I saw your pm. I'll get to posting a render of the changes made.
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i.m.p
- Posts: 8
- Joined: 14 Apr 2019, 21:10
Re: Cycles for Softimage
Here's an updated render. One of the viewport and another of the beauty shot (with a mild yellow tint).
Ps: So far, Sycles is the most savage renderer I've ever come across. Keep at it, Shekn.
Ps: So far, Sycles is the most savage renderer I've ever come across. Keep at it, Shekn.
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