Autodesk, Inc., has announced Autodesk Softimage Mod Tool 7.5 software (formerly SOFTIMAGE_XSI Mod Tool). This free* 3D modeling and animation package for aspiring game artists is based on the same professional toolset as Autodesk Softimage (formerly SOFTIMAGE_XSI). Game studios have used Softimage software to create hit titles such as “Metal Gear Solid 4” and “Fable II.”

“Softimage Mod Tool gives the next generation of game artists access to professional tools, so they can learn while making their own games or game mods,” said Marc Stevens, Autodesk Media & Entertainment vice president, games. “Game developers can also use the software to extend the life of a game by building a community of modders. Game mods can go on to become commercial games in their own right, and they can be used by developers to identify talent for recruiting purposes.”

New Features in Autodesk Softimage Mod Tool 7.5
o New learning materials: Softimage Mod Tool 7.5 comes with training
materials from Noesis Interactive. These materials show users how to create a character and export it for use in Microsoft XNA Games Studio 3.0.

o New real-time shading API (application programming interface): Softimage
Mod Tool 7.5 supports the Realtime Shader API version 3.0, which helps make real-time shader development simpler and more flexible. The new version offers an architecture focused on programmable shaders (GLSL, HLSL) and file-based effects (CgFX and DxFX). With these capabilities, what game developers see in Softimage Mod Tool is what they get in the game.

o Interactive Creative Environment (ICE): ICE is an open, scalable platform
that enables artists to extend the capabilities of Softimage more quickly and intuitively using a node-based dataflow diagram. Artists can now quickly create complex 3D effects and tools without writing code.

o Support for Windows Vista operating system: Autodesk Softimage Mod Tool
7.5 now supports the Windows Vista Business operating system.

Autodesk Softimage Mod Tool (formerly XSI Mod Tool) software is a free 3D modeling and animation package for creating non?‚àö√ë‚àö‚Ñ¢commercial games and ‘modding’ (modifying games). Softimage Mod Tool 7.5 is based on the same professional toolset found in Autodesk Softimage 7.5, used by game developers to create 3D characters, levels, props and animation. Game developers can use Softimage Mod Tool toextend the life of games and recruit talent with a modding community using. Softimage Mod Tool 7.5 exports to Microsoft XNA and add?‚àö√ë‚àö‚Ñ¢ons are available that enable export to Crytek CryENGINE 2, Valve Source and Epic Unreal Engine 3.

Realtime Shading API
Softimage Mod Tool 7.5 gives users unprecedented power in a free tool. A new realtime shading API
supports programmable shaders (GLSL, HLSL) and file?Äêbased effects (CgFX and DxFX). This gives game
developers ‘what you see is what you get’ (WYSIWYG) abilities when programming custom shader
effects, so that what you see in Softimage Mod Tool, is what you get in the game.

ICE ?Äì now in Mod Tool!
ICE (Interactive Creative Environment) is an open, scalable platform that enables you to extend the
capabilities of Softimage more quickly and intuitively using a node?Äêbased dataflow diagram. This
paradigm means that 3D artists can create complex 3D effects and tools extremely quickly without
writing code.

Create Compelling 3D Content for Microsoft XNA and Major Game Engines Softimage Mod Tool 7.5 can export 3D models and animation for use with the Microsoft XNA Game Studio 3 framework. Fledgling or independent game developers now have access to a professional toolset for creating original games on the Microsoft Xbox console or Windows platform.

Users can also download add-ons for content export to Crytek CryENGINE 2, Epic Unreal Engine 3 and Valve Source game engines. With this professional 3D toolset modders can produce characters and props for their favorite game.

Commercial Version for Microsoft Xbox Live Community Games Available Autodesk Softimage Mod Tool Pro 7.5 software is functionally identical to the Mod Tool, but has an End User License Agreement that allows users to produce assets for games sold via Microsoft’s Xbox Live Community Games.
Autodesk Softimage Mod Tool Pro 7.5 is available only with Microsoft’s XNA Creator’s Club Premium membership. For more information visit http://creators.xna.com.

Availability
Autodesk anticipates that Softimage Mod Tool 7.5 software will be available in April 2009. For more information, visit www.softimage.com/products/modtool.

*Free products are subject to the terms and conditions of the end-user license agreement that accompanies the software.

Autodesk Softimage and XSI are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.

Main Header Image Credit
Fable II – Angry Hobbes
Image courtesy of Lionhead Studios.