Bob3d, You're method of learning is good since you get what you want out of the software. But if you really want to understand how to get the most out of the tools in XSI I'd strongly suggest you take the time to at least go through the tutorials and video tutorial DVD's. You'll get a comprehensive look at common tool use scenarios and some background info to help you understand the tool design philosophy. For instance, something that I just learned this morning was in using the Toon: Paint and Host shader, you won't get your pen outlines that are commonly seen in cartoons, even though there is an ink setting in the shader's property editor. You've got to apply a lens shader to the camera for the ink. I wouldn't have figured this out just by guessing and then I wouldn't have been able to get the outline effect with the toon shader. Although I could have rigged my own using an incidence shader. But it's not nearly as robust and convenient as the lens shader.
A lot of the tools in XSI are like this. You'll be able to use the tools in ways that you probably wouldn't just be able to guess.
However, you can be amazingly productive with XSI using the tools on their simplest level.
A lot of the tools in XSI are like this. You'll be able to use the tools in ways that you probably wouldn't just be able to guess.
However, you can be amazingly productive with XSI using the tools on their simplest level.