The Softimage SDK include a wide variety of sample plug-ins implemented in C++, C#, JScript, Python and VBScript. The examples include self-installing plug-ins (such as commands, properties, filters, menus, and custom displays), operators, importers and exporters, relational views, realtime shaders, and UFOs.
The Softimage SDK examples are located in the examples folder of the Softimage SDK installation folder:
%XSISDK_ROOT%\examples (on Windows)$XSISDK_ROOT/examples (on Linux)Most of the SDK examples are included in a workgroup, which makes it easy to load and try out the examples and to browse the source code.
To load and run the workgroup examples
Connect to the Softimage SDK workgroup at %XSISDK_ROOT%\examples\workgroup.
The NetView help page explains how to run the examples and gives you single-click access to the example source code.
C#
Scripting [ C# ]
This plug-in shows how to use C# as a scripting language from the
Scripting Editor. You can use it when you need to test some simple
C# code in Softimage without having to create a plug-in.
Constraint
Operators [ C++, C#, JScript, Python ]
This add-on shows various self-installed custom operators that
"constrain" objects together. This sort of operator is common when
building rigs and is an alternative to the Constraint, Expression
and Proxy Parameter features of Softimage.
Converter
Event [ VBScript ]
This example shows how to implement import/export converter events
as a self-installing plug-in with VBScript.
Custom Command
Examples [ C++, C#, JScript, Python, VBScript ]
The Simple Command examples demonstrate how to implement
self-installing custom commands using various implementation
languages. The Simple Undoable Command also shows how to implement
an undoable C++ API custom command.
Custom
ICENodes [ C++ ]
These examples show how to implement custom ICE nodes as
self-installing plug-ins.
Custom Shader
Definition [ C++, C#, JScript, Python, VBScript ]
These examples show how to create self-installing custom shader
definitions.
Custom Shader
Parser [ JScript ]
This example shows how to create a self-installing custom shader
language parser.
This addon shows various self-installing custom tools.
Custom UI Test [
C++ ]
This C++ example is a custom display that handles Softimage
notifications and Win32 messages. The example shows how to define
the interface and callbacks to Softimage, and how to access the
notifications that Softimage pushes to the custom display host.
Deform
Operators [ C++, C#, JScript ]
This example shows how to create deform operators. These are
operators which change an existing polygon or nurbs mesh.
Import/Export [
C++ ]
This example provides a good starting point for writing your own
importer/exporter using the Softimage C++ API. The example shows
how to create a user interface for a typical import/export
application, export geometry using the
CGeometryAccessor class, and import polygon meshes
using the CMeshBuilder class.
Inspect ICE
Attributes [ C++ ]
This example demonstrates how to navigate through the ICE
attributes of a geometry or property and how to log all attribute
values. The sample code uses a C++ API class template to log the
values and operates with generic ICEAttribute
types.
Light Filter [
JScript ]
This example shows how to implement a custom filter as a
self-installing plug-in that handles light objects.
myCache Exporter [ C++
]
This C++ example demonstrates writing your own exporter for cache
files. The example uses the MDAttribute as well as the
CMDAttributeDataArray.
ParticleOp [ C++
]
This C++ example shows how to write a particle operator that
manipulates a particle cloud. The particle operator makes the
particles in a cloud flock together. A custom property page allows
you to tweak the variables that control the flocking behavior.
PDC Export [ C++
]
This C++ example demonstrates writing your own exporter for Maya
PDC cache files. The example uses the MDAttribute as well as the
CMDAttributeDataArray.
PPG Demos [ JScript,
VBScript ]
This example is a collection of examples that show how to build
property pages (PPGs). A toolbar provides access to the different
demos.
PSet UI Demo [
JScript ]
This example shows how to use a custom property (a set of custom
parameters) to build a user interface for a plug-in.
Realtime Shaders [ C++, CgFx ]
This add-on shows various real-time effect shaders written with the
HLSL and CGFX language.
Project
Selector [ C#, JScript ]
This plug-in demonstrates how to use the change project event
(siOnChangeProject) in JScript.
Sample
Display Callback [ C++ ]
This example contains a Display Callback (MyClearScreenBuffer) and
a Display Pass (MyCustomPass).
Sample Shelves
[ XML ]
This example includes a number of different shelves.
Sample Relational
Views [ XML ]
This example includes a number of different relational views.
Schematic API [ Python ]
This example shows how to navigate and rearrange a schematic view with the Schematic and SchematicNode API.
ShowEdges [ C++ ]
This example includes two related examples:
Wireframe also draws edges, but it shows the true edges (before tesselation). Wireframe uses a UserDataBlob to pass edge information to a shader (which shows how to map Softimage user data into mental ray user data). A custom operator populates the UserDataBlob with the edge information.n An operator is used rather than a custom command because whenever the geometry changes, Softimage re-evaluates the operator and re-renders the object. The operater and the shader are contained in the same DLL/SO.
SimpleFilter [
C++, C#, JScript, Python, VBScript ]
This example shows how to implement a custom filter as a
self-installing plug-in. Softimage installs the custom filter at
startup and automatically adds it to the filter menu in the Select
panel of the main command area. When Simple Filter is the active
selection filter, you cannot select polygon meshes with less than
fifty vertices. The C# Triangle Filter limits the selection to
triangles.
SimpleMenu [ C++,
JScript, Python, VBScript ]
This example shows how to add custom menus in Softimage. The
example includes JScript, VBScript, and C++ versions.
TimerEvent [ JScript
]
This example demonstrates how to use timer events in Softimage. The
example includes a JScript version.
VertexColorMixer
[ C++, SPDL ]
This example shows how to create an operator that reads from many
vertex color properties and writes a 'processed' result to a vertex
color property acting as the mixed result. The code shows how to
implement port group instances, a feature that allows you to
connect many objects to the same port group, in this case
"Group_1".
Vertex Colors [
C++ ]
This example is a custom display that provides tools for editing
vertex colors on polygon meshes.
XSIA
[ JScript ]
This example shows how to implement a custom filter as a
self-installing plug-in that handles light objects.
XSIGame [ C++, JScript
]
This example shows how to integrate a game render window and
modtool into Softimage.
XSI Server [ C#
]
This plugin provides an example of a TCP/IP server implementation
for Softimage.
In addition to the workgroup examples, you can find these other examples in the Softimage SDK examples folder.
examples\realtimeshaders [ C++,
SPDL ]
Source code for the CG, DirectX, and openGL realtime shaders. Also
includes the XSI_OGLHelper project, a set of helper functions and
macros for developing realtime OpenGL shaders.
examples\graphicssequencer [
C++ ]
C++ source code for the DX9Display display pass and display
callback.
examples\UFOs [ C ]
The folder examples\ufos contains Media Illusion User Function
Object plug-ins that are used in the Softimage Illusion FX
Tree.