Product Description

Overview

PolyTrans-for-XSI is a native plug-in system for Softimage|XSI that allows XSI to import/export (from within the XSI user interface) 3D scene data of most other 3D software packages and file formats, such as 3DS MAX (via PolyTrans-for-MAX and Okino .bdf format), Maya (via PolyTrans-for-Maya and Okino .bdf format), Lightwave®, OpenFlight, IGES 5.3, ACIS® SAT®, Autodesk® Inventor®, DirectX, DXF/DWG (with ACIS solids in DWG files), Parasolid®, Pro/Engineer®, QuickDraw-3D, Renderman RIB, Solid Edge®, SolidWorks®, STEP, trueSpace® and many, many others.

Unlike the sister PolyTrans-for-MAX and PolyTrans-for-Maya native plug-in systems which execute PolyTrans entirely inside MAX or Maya, this PolyTrans-for-XSI plug-in system runs PolyTrans as an "out of process server". In essense, PolyTrans-for-XSI is a "front end controller" that coordinates the back-end server processes that convert various 3D file formats to/from the Softimage dotXSI file format; the dotXSI files are then imported or exported from within the XSI user interface. This is explained in better detail in the next section. The PolyTrans-for-Director native plug-in system works in the same manner.

How Does PolyTrans-for-XSI Work?

Okino's PolyTrans-for-XSI works very differently, behind the scenes, than any other current Okino product. Internally it is highly dependent upon Microsoft's "COM" client/server technology (previously known as OLE).

Internally, within Softimage|XSI, the file process will appear to operate quite simply:

To import a file into Softimage|XSI via a PolyTrans import converter:

• You select "PolyTrans Import" from the "File/Import" menu inside Softimage|XSI.
  
  
• The "PolyTrans-for-XSI" dialog box and list box appears.
  
  
• You press the "Import" tab located above the list box.
  
  
• You click on one of the import converters and select the desired file to load.
  
  
• Several status dialog boxes appear while the file is being imported.
  
  
• The "PolyTrans-for-XSI" dialog box goes away and you are left with the imported file.

To export a file from Softimage|XSI to a PolyTrans export converter:

• You load up Softimage|XSI with the desired scene to be exported.
  
  
• You select "PolyTrans Export" from the "File/Export" menu inside Softimage|XSI.
  
  
• The "PolyTrans-for-XSI" dialog box and list box appears.
  
  
• You press the "Export" tab located above the list box.
  
  
• You click on one of the export converters and specify the desired filename to save.
  
  
• Several status dialog boxes appear while the file is being exported.
  
  
• The "PolyTrans-for-XSI" dialog box goes away.

However, in the background, the process is actually more complex. Understanding this process will help you comprehend the overall conversion pipeline. The key point to consider is that the conversion processes are actually handled by the stand-alone Okino PolyTrans or NuGraf software, via its exposed PolyTrans!ProServer interface, under control of the plug-in within Softimage|XSI, and not within Softimage|XSI itself

During an export from Softimage|XSI, a dotXSI file is temporarily written to the Windows TEMP directory. This file is then read into the stand-alone PolyTrans or NuGraf software (run as a hidden COM server) and it is converted to the desired destination file format. This process is made transparent to you.

During an import to Softimage|XSI, the stand-alone PolyTrans or NuGraf software (run as a hidden COM server) imports the desired source 3D file and writes it out to a temporary dotXSI file in the Windows TEMP directory. This intermediate file is then read into Softimage|XSI where it is displayed. This process is made transparent to you.

Alternative dotXSI Conversion Pipeline

As an alternative to using this plug-in, you can run the stand-alone PolyTrans or NuGraf software yourself and hand convert files between any Okino supported file format and the Softimage|XSI dotXSI format. Inside Softimage|XSI you can then import/export dotXSI files via the File/Import/dotXSI and File/Export/dotXSI menus. Both methods will produce the exact same results, although the PolyTrans-for-XSI plug-in is more convenient to use.

You can also read/write dotXSI files from the PolyTrans-for-MAX and PolyTrans-for-Maya native plug-in systems

Applicable WEB pages

• PolyTrans home page
• NuGraf home page
• Supported file formats
• "PolyTrans for XSI" description, home page
• Softimage|XSI import converter module
• Softimage|XSI export converter module
• "PolyTrans for Maya" technical description, home page
• "PolyTrans for 3DS MAX" technical description, home page
• List of notable users
• Customer testimonials
• Other recent Okino press releases