Rumors

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Tim Marinov

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Dec 19, 2012, 9:18:18 AM12/19/12
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I've heard that ICE and Naid are going to Maya..This rumor is coming  from one of the latest events .I am not going to specify, all I can say is from reliable source. I hope is not true for the ICE but I can't keep rely only on hopes.

No more Autodesk for us that for sure ......We (my company) recently started to realize that our industry is just fine without Autodesk and every day work is much more fun and productive.Houdini,Modo,Cinema4D,Nuke are some of the tools that are much better from what autodesk has to offer(buying and adding plugins,almost none development, introducing more and more bugs with each version, innovation and development are not their driving force but only moneymaking ).
Let's guys support this companies that care and love what they do as a product, this companies that are growing not only of making money but also of making innovations . We have to stop to be controlled from evil corporations and don't forget that we little people can make the difference and stay against the money sucking monsters.We are not zombies.....This is the only  way to see progress.......


Mário Domingos

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Dec 19, 2012, 9:21:07 AM12/19/12
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Like!

Mário Domingos | 3D Artist/Generalist | www.mariodomingos.com
T: +351 91 646 80 16 | Carnaxide - Portugal

Szabolcs Matefy

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Dec 19, 2012, 9:24:39 AM12/19/12
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Can you elaborate this? I’m afraid that it might make unnecessary panic. When do you think this move is going to happen? How reliable your source is in that question? (I mean he must be very close to Autodesk)

 

I personally trust in the developers (not in Autodesk), but if that is true…

Tim Marinov

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Dec 19, 2012, 9:29:43 AM12/19/12
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This is rumor and I don't know if it's true.This is something that I've heard recently and really touch my emotions......

Graham Bell

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Dec 19, 2012, 9:34:13 AM12/19/12
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Would you care to elaborate, when you say this is coming from the latest events? Because to the best of my knowledge we haven't announced anything publicly and this isn't something that we would really mention at an event.


From: softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com [mailto:softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Tim Marinov
Sent: 19 December 2012 14:30
To: soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: Re: Rumors

This is rumor and I don't know if it's true.This is something that I've heard recently and really touch my emotions......
On Wed, Dec 19, 2012 at 4:24 PM, Szabolcs Matefy <szab...@crytek.com<mailto:szab...@crytek.com>> wrote:
Can you elaborate this? I'm afraid that it might make unnecessary panic. When do you think this move is going to happen? How reliable your source is in that question? (I mean he must be very close to Autodesk)

I personally trust in the developers (not in Autodesk), but if that is true...
winmail.dat

Eugen Sares

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Dec 19, 2012, 9:44:11 AM12/19/12
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If you are so happy with your other software, why even bother coming here?
You like Softimage, don't you. Here we all do, for a reason, and will
continue so until the end - which always comes (yet not in 2 days).
The developers are doing a good job, even with their limited resources,
and they are the guys that make the real difference.
I don't care for Autodesk and their bloated apparatus, but I do care for
that fine piece of software that happens to be under their label at the
time being.

"ICE is going to Maya"... even if so, that does not mean it will be
ripped from Sofimage. If SI ever goes down, it will do so with ICE. For
now, it is still being developed.
"Naiad is going to Maya"... even if so, that does not mean it will never
appear in Softimage.

Relax and enjoy your new workflow.

Martin Contel

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Dec 19, 2012, 9:46:29 AM12/19/12
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It's hard to be a Softimage user these days... :(

--
Martin Contel

Nic Groot Bluemink

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Dec 19, 2012, 9:49:23 AM12/19/12
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Inline image 1
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Jonnyquest

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Dec 19, 2012, 9:50:51 AM12/19/12
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On Wed, Dec 19, 2012 at 9:46 PM, Martin Contel <marti...@gmail.com> wrote:
It's hard to be a Softimage user these days... :(



Tim Marinov,

at least you mentioned the event..

Tim Marinov

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Dec 19, 2012, 9:53:48 AM12/19/12
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If it was publicly it won't be rumor and everyone will know.As I said this is something I 've heard recently and I really hope isn't true.I like Softimage XSI and what is happening with it lately, and these rumors really hurts long XSI users.


On Wed, Dec 19, 2012 at 4:34 PM, Graham Bell <Graha...@autodesk.com> wrote:
publicly

Rob Wuijster

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Dec 19, 2012, 9:54:40 AM12/19/12
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LOL!!!!
Rob Wuijster
E ro...@casema.nl

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Sebastien Sterling

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Dec 19, 2012, 9:57:29 AM12/19/12
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I always thought the reason ice works so well was its in-depth integration, surely if they want to achieve such results in maya they will have to dissect it to its core, maybe this would be a good opportunity to address many legacy issues within maya, and might make it a lot more bearable to work with...

Ciaran Moloney

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Dec 19, 2012, 10:19:42 AM12/19/12
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Haven't we been hearing this for like 4 years? If it happens it happens.

Cristobal Infante

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Dec 19, 2012, 10:25:48 AM12/19/12
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The world will end in a couple of days, so who cares...

Francois Lord

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Dec 19, 2012, 10:32:41 AM12/19/12
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Are you surprised to hear that the best tool in Softimage is being
ported to Maya?
Really?

Luc-Eric said publicly that they were working on something for Maya. But
it wasn't ICE. It was different and it addressed different needs. But we
all now it will be some kind of procedural operator building thingy.

I personnaly don't care. As long as they don't remove ICE in Softimage.

--
Francois

Tim Marinov

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Dec 19, 2012, 11:52:20 AM12/19/12
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If this really happens they are not going to remove the ICE from Softimage but Softimage will fade out slowly from Autodesk.ICE is the only reason Softimage is still around.

Francois Lord

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Dec 19, 2012, 12:08:07 PM12/19/12
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If you think Softimage will die when Maya gets an equivalent to ICE, you
should have begun switching to another software some time ago.
It was inevitable.

Tim Marinov

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Dec 19, 2012, 12:03:23 PM12/19/12
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And if Maya gets something like ICE no point for autodesk to keep SI if doesn't make enough money from it.
But who cares as someone said the world will end in a couple of days :)

Martin Contel

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Dec 19, 2012, 12:14:01 PM12/19/12
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It would be a shame if Softimage disappears. It's not just ICE what makes XSI an amazing product, but its whole workflow.

Andi Farhall

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Dec 19, 2012, 12:16:03 PM12/19/12
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my tuppence worth….

 

I don't think maya will ever get ice as we, softimage users, know it. They'll get some nasty half arsed cludge that lacks the simplicity of softimage that will make using it a pain rather than the pleasure we enjoy.

 

There will always be a tool for people like us and if autodesk stop making it, someone else might step into the picture. who knows. we could all be doing something else for a living in a few years….

 

A>

 

 

 

From: softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com [mailto:softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Tim Marinov
Sent: 19 December 2012 17:03
To: soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: Re: Rumors

 

And if Maya gets something like ICE no point for autodesk to keep SI if doesn't make enough money from it.

Mathieu Leclaire

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Dec 19, 2012, 12:43:46 PM12/19/12
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I'm sorry... but how exactly does it hurt the user? If what you are hearing happens to be true... doesn't that just mean good news for Maya? I don't see any bad news for Softimage here. Softimage ain't loosing anything. It's Maya whose gaining.

Even if Softimage ends up loosing some user base because they are moving to Maya or something else and Softimage stops evolving due to lack of users... Well, that's the cycle of life. In the end, ain't that the beauty of our industry? Things are evolving rapidly. There are always new softwares, new technologies to learn and adopt. Old non evolving technologies slowly die to make way to new better technologies. I love Softimage like all of you and I would be sad if it stopped evolving. But I'm a big boy. I'll adopt a new one if it helps our work get better. Sure, there would be an adaptation period if that happens, but in the end, softwares are just tools. Our jobs aren't in jeopardy. Only your comfort zone is. And that is only true IF your wort case scenario actually happens (i.e. new ICE like interface in Maya forces Softimage users to switch software and in doing so kills Softimage's future).

I think this process is completely natural and healthy. If Softimage is to die, it's not going to happen in the blink of an eye. It's going to be a slow natural transition towards that state. I hope not. I too hope it will keep evolving and keep it's place in the industry... but if it doesn't, then I'll be happy to face a new challenge and learn a new software.

-Mathieu

David Gallagher

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Dec 19, 2012, 1:03:16 PM12/19/12
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Good thoughts. The irritating thing to me is that the Maya/Max world doesn't understand the workflow strengths of Softimage. If those tools elsewhere turn out to be better, that's great. But lately it just feels like momentum is the driving force, not quality of software.

Dave G

Adam Sale

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Dec 19, 2012, 1:48:02 PM12/19/12
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and if Maya does adopt ICE, well, then we users who are familiar with ICE stand to gain, as it would make learning maya a little less painful. 

Alok Gandhi

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Dec 19, 2012, 1:58:24 PM12/19/12
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Plus the ICE TDs will become more hireable . . . :)

Sent from my iPhone

Daniel H

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Dec 19, 2012, 2:05:19 PM12/19/12
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Softimage is better than its ever been and yet every year we still have to go through the death rumors... tradition I guess. Ultimately the software is owned by AD and they have the option to nurture it or destroy it as they please. If AD robs the best bits and innovation from Softimage, then I'm perfectly fine with it. Like others are saying, it would make a switch that much easier.

Daniel
VFXM

Doeke Wartena

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Dec 19, 2012, 2:05:43 PM12/19/12
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"Well, that's the cycle of life. In the end, ain't that the beauty of our industry? Things are evolving rapidly. There are always new softwares, new technologies to learn and adopt. Old non evolving technologies slowly die to make way to new better technologies."

There are schools that teach maya/3dmax because it's common use. There are companies that don't use softimage because they work with other companies as well and therefor it isn't always easy to use a different product.
Maya is a horrible markt leader and it's hard to beat the king.

Maybe it's the cycle of life, a lot beatifull creatures die on this world because of the humans, let's just hope softimage survives.




2012/12/19 Adam Sale <adam...@gmail.com>

Sebastien Sterling

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Dec 19, 2012, 2:20:43 PM12/19/12
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Its like an oil company suppressing the pursuit of alternative fuels, by artificially balancing out any innovation AD has succeeded in keeping the industry stagnant for the past decade

Rob Chapman

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Dec 19, 2012, 2:28:32 PM12/19/12
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uh oh we go again!

On 19 December 2012 17:16, Andi Farhall
<andi.f...@primefocusworld.com> wrote:
> I don't think maya will ever get ice as we, softimage users, know it.
> They'll get some nasty half arsed cludge that lacks the simplicity of
> softimage that will make using it a pain rather than the pleasure we enjoy.


Your argument is flawed, as in hindsight, and from what I can gather
from various other discussions we have had over the years on this
subject, it seemed the first thing AD did was move the majority of
original Softimage devs (that did not leave) onto this new Maya FX &
Project Skyline and hired folk in from Singapore to replace the lost
Softimage devs. These are the devs that helped define the pain /
pleasure ratio you speak of.

but then they tell us about it years later whilst shuffling and
shedding even more staff.. Autodesk management is not a charity,
they are doing what they do for profits, clear and simple. The suites
were introduced for profit only. as it was pretty much guaranteed that
at least 25% of the userbase will uptake to the higher priced tier. I
believe management want that to be 70% - see below, instant profit as
another copy of software does not cost anything much to them. If our
application of choice suffers because its user base is in the minority
then so be it.

same as now I see they are starting to see rumours and talks of trying
to leverage some exisiting Autocad products & services into M&E and
the cloud. this is not for our benefits, its purely to maximise as
much profit, be that short or long term, as possible out of its
existing assets it can sell to the userbase. Capitalism 101.

In my humble non economics clued opinion, satisfying shareholders at
a fixed percentage per year is the problem with Autodesk and slow
moving 'oil tanker' businesses like these as it is quite plainly been
eating into the resources (potential development & innovation) that
belonged to its paying customers, at least, so it seems that way to me
coming from a lowly classified Softimage customer.

some enlightening background info from a purely economical perspective
http://seekingalpha.com/article/940461-autodesk-a-case-study-on-business-reorganization

best regards

Rob

Steven Caron

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Dec 19, 2012, 2:35:54 PM12/19/12
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exactly, why are you surprised?

they hired the talent (whats left of it that is!) that made ICE and the talent that made Naiad. if that wasn't good enough indication about what was going to happen then i dont know what is!


César Sáez

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Dec 19, 2012, 2:55:37 PM12/19/12
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Please, leave Softimage's future to someone who can actually do something about it, we don't have the proper context to know what is happening and what is coming.

We've been through this, not again!

Marc-Andre Carbonneau

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Dec 19, 2012, 2:58:10 PM12/19/12
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Wish The Foundry had bought Softimage…

 

From: softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com [mailto:softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of César Sáez
Sent: 19 décembre 2012 14:56
To: soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: Re: Rumors

 

Please, leave Softimage's future to someone who can actually do something about it, we don't have the proper context to know what is happening and what is coming.

Steven Caron

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Dec 19, 2012, 3:00:18 PM12/19/12
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lets not go there... autodesk isn't the only company raising prices and gobbling up tech/talent/software.

Steffen Dünner

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Dec 19, 2012, 3:02:51 PM12/19/12
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Hehehe, I hope The Foundry buys SideFX and gives us Modini! ;)
I'd contact the Solid Angle guys and beg them to write MOtoA!

Cheers
Steffen


2012/12/19 Marc-Andre Carbonneau <marc-andre...@ubisoft.com>

Alan Fregtman

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Dec 19, 2012, 3:08:57 PM12/19/12
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But the apocalypse isn't until Friday! :p


Negativity never helped anyone. Let's go easy on the rumours.

Merry Christmas, softies and devs!

Javier Vega

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Dec 19, 2012, 3:26:49 PM12/19/12
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Well... what happened here today?. Lot of panic!. I love Softimage and i dont think that will dissapear soon. But if they discontinue Softimage, well... is not a drama. I love Softimage, but I love more CGI. I will adapt to other softwares or I will continue with the last Softimage version. I think that in that point Softimage is a great application.

Best wishes for all Softimage Users!

Javier Vega

www.zao3d.com

Visita mi blog: http://blog.zao3d.com

móvil: 616 64 73 57
08922-Santa Coloma de Gramenet
(Barcelona)



2012/12/19 Alan Fregtman <alan.f...@gmail.com>

Eric Thivierge

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Dec 19, 2012, 3:43:36 PM12/19/12
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Can we boot people from the list for starting or spreading rumors? Please? Especially with no solid backup of what they are saying.

Graham Bell

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Dec 19, 2012, 3:55:53 PM12/19/12
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I agree.

'Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.'


From: softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com [mailto:softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Eric Thivierge
Sent: 19 December 2012 20:44
To: soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: Re: Rumors


Can we boot people from the list for starting or spreading rumors? Please? Especially with no solid backup of what they are saying.
On Dec 20, 2012 7:27 AM, "Javier Vega" <javier...@gmail.com<mailto:javier...@gmail.com>> wrote:
Well... what happened here today?. Lot of panic!. I love Softimage and i dont think that will dissapear soon. But if they discontinue Softimage, well... is not a drama. I love Softimage, but I love more CGI. I will adapt to other softwares or I will continue with the last Softimage version. I think that in that point Softimage is a great application.

Best wishes for all Softimage Users!

Javier Vega

www.zao3d.com<http://www.zao3d.com>

Visita mi blog: http://blog.zao3d.com

móvil: 616 64 73 57
08922-Santa Coloma de Gramenet
(Barcelona)


2012/12/19 Alan Fregtman <alan.f...@gmail.com<mailto:alan.f...@gmail.com>>
But the apocalypse isn't until Friday! :p


Negativity never helped anyone. Let's go easy on the rumours.

Merry Christmas, softies and devs!


winmail.dat

Andreas Bystrom

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Dec 19, 2012, 3:57:40 PM12/19/12
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that would be a good idea yes
--
Andreas Byström
Weta Digital

Williams, Wayne

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Dec 19, 2012, 3:58:53 PM12/19/12
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+1

 

From: softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com [mailto:softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Andreas Bystrom
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2012 3:58 PM
To: soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: Re: Rumors

 

that would be a good idea yes

Steffen Dünner

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Dec 19, 2012, 3:59:46 PM12/19/12
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I'd boot all people mentioning the two "M"-products from Ad on this list! ;)


2012/12/19 Andreas Bystrom <andreas...@gmail.com>

Eric Thivierge

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Dec 19, 2012, 4:03:11 PM12/19/12
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What bothers me is that this list is becoming less and less of a professional environment and just a place to start stirring up fear and tossing around speculation and rumors. I usually leave that for the folks in the forums usually.

Also to add, Tim Marinov, like others have said, you've already switched to those other apps. It seems like you're just coming back to stir things up and hope others follow you into the path you've taken. Not sure if it's because you're lonely over there or what but if you don't use Softimage any longer why even come to post on this list?

--------------------------------------------
Eric Thivierge
http://www.ethivierge.com

Cristobal Infante

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Dec 19, 2012, 4:03:52 PM12/19/12
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"Can we boot people"

I think you are taking this way to seriously, who would make that decision anyway.. you?

Gene Crucean

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Dec 19, 2012, 4:40:29 PM12/19/12
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Slow down everyone.

Tim has worked for me before and he's a solid Soft dude. Nothing but respect for him. I know he loves Soft just as much as we all do and honestly... his post was probably posted purely out of his frustration of how AD is handling Soft. I say... cut the dude some slack and understand that he's probably just bummed.



--
Gene Crucean - Emmy winning - Oscar nominated VFX Supervisor / iOS-OSX Developer / Filmmaker / Photographer
** Freelance for hire **
www.genecrucean.com

~~ Please use my website's contact form on www.genecrucean.com for any personal emails. Thanks. I may not get them at this address. ~~

Raffaele Fragapane

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Dec 19, 2012, 5:10:00 PM12/19/12
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A Rumor will have been around the whole world before the Truth has its shoes on.

If only the Truth stopped being such a precious F'in princess and started running barefoot...

ICE was evolutionary, fresh, new, well thought, much needed, and an inspiration to many when it came out. It is, however, not revolutionary, unique, and one of its core implementation choices is widely available.

It is not only natural, but sensible, that other softwares over time will get or converge towards something similar.

The struggle to unify things and the abuse of VOPs over all other OPs in Houdini, propietary systems from here to Dreamworks going through half the other 500+ vfx/animation companies, new products... it all points towards what makes ICE what is is becoming the new golden standard. Hats off to Soft's old team for seeing that and making it happen... What, 5 or 6 years ago?
Do learn to deal with the fact that it WILL be available in other softwares though, and it won't be strictly ICE (which AFAIK has already been deemed unportable if tried as a transplant), it's just the equivalent of what ICE did so well, so early.

Steven Caron

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Dec 19, 2012, 5:12:28 PM12/19/12
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ya, lets not overreact...

in this case it isn't a rumor, we know autodesk bought both softimage and naiad... we know they re-tasked our developers... we know maya fears the houdini fx dominance... so of course they are going to make new fx tools in maya. and besides, node graphs and multi-threading aren't unique to ICE and they have been around for quite some time, so lets let this thing go.

s

Paul Doyle

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Dec 19, 2012, 5:16:50 PM12/19/12
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+1

Luc-Eric Rousseau

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Dec 19, 2012, 5:38:31 PM12/19/12
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Tim and others should feel free to post here, and as one of the admin
of this list I will make sure he continues to have the rights to, as
per Autodesk social media policy, and plain common sense. I fought
for this mailing list to stay up; it exists for users to talk to each
other.

Raffaele Fragapane

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Dec 19, 2012, 5:56:30 PM12/19/12
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Am I the only one on this list that ever risked a ban by you back then? ;)

But yeah, I can't say I liked the post much, or found it particularly useful, but it's hardly inflamatory and doesn't feel malicious. I'll take the occasional post like that over the police state feeling of an overly moderated list. Historically it's taken care of itself more than well enough.

olivier jeannel

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Dec 19, 2012, 6:05:45 PM12/19/12
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Come on, it's almost fun in the end :)
And, in 40 years when THEY will stop Softimage, people will say :
"- Ah, I told you so !"

Eric Thivierge

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Dec 19, 2012, 6:35:18 PM12/19/12
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Maybe banning was a poor choice there.

It just feels like Fox News style propagation of false or misleading information.

--------------------------------------------

PS - I heard from a reliable source that they are taking all of the modeling tools out of Softimage in 2013 so you'll have to buy Maya or Max to model then.

Chris Chia

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Dec 19, 2012, 7:10:20 PM12/19/12
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Hi Tim,
ICE will not move to Maya but Maya may integrate a system similar to ICE. This move should actually benefit all Softimage users... Think about it, wouldn't all Softimage ICE users benefit this new system first with our prior knowledge of ICE compared to the newbies...

As for whether Softimage will be removed from Autodesk, I think you shouldn't worry too much... Because the first person to fear should be me ;) but I am still in the team...

I think as long as there is a strong user base in SI, Softimage will continue to be there... So regarding the rumour, don't fall into it... Because if everyone believes in it and starts moving to other DCC, then Softimage may then be in serious trouble...


Chris

On 20 Dec, 2012, at 1:03 AM, "Tim Marinov" <tim.m...@gmail.com<mailto:tim.m...@gmail.com>> wrote:

And if Maya gets something like ICE no point for autodesk to keep SI if doesn't make enough money from it.
But who cares as someone said the world will end in a couple of days :)



On Wed, Dec 19, 2012 at 6:52 PM, Tim Marinov <tim.m...@gmail.com<mailto:tim.m...@gmail.com>> wrote:
If this really happens they are not going to remove the ICE from Softimage but Softimage will fade out slowly from Autodesk.ICE is the only reason Softimage is still around.

On Wed, Dec 19, 2012 at 5:32 PM, Francois Lord <flord...@gmail.com<mailto:flord...@gmail.com>> wrote:
Are you surprised to hear that the best tool in Softimage is being ported to Maya?
Really?

Luc-Eric said publicly that they were working on something for Maya. But it wasn't ICE. It was different and it addressed different needs. But we all now it will be some kind of procedural operator building thingy.

I personnaly don't care. As long as they don't remove ICE in Softimage.

--
Francois


winmail.dat

Matt Lind

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Dec 19, 2012, 7:17:28 PM12/19/12
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The value is understanding how things work under the hood so you know how to construct the graphs efficiently to accomplish goals.  Having a graph interface is just that, an interface.  In that regard, ICE knowledge will probably be not very useful as Softimage’s internal guts are very different from Maya’s.

 

 

Matt

 

 

 

From: softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com [mailto:softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Chris Chia
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2012 4:10 PM
To: <soft...@listproc.autodesk.com>
Subject: Re: Rumors

 

Hi Tim,

ICE will not move to Maya but Maya may integrate a system similar to ICE. This move should actually benefit all Softimage users... Think about it, wouldn't all Softimage ICE users benefit this new system first with our prior knowledge of ICE compared to the newbies...

 

As for whether Softimage will be removed from Autodesk, I think you shouldn't worry too much... Because the first person to fear should be me ;) but I am still in the team... 

 

I think as long as there is a strong user base in SI, Softimage will continue to be there... So regarding the rumour, don't fall into it... Because if everyone believes in it and starts moving to other DCC, then Softimage may then be in serious trouble...

 

 

Chris


On 20 Dec, 2012, at 1:03 AM, "Tim Marinov" <tim.m...@gmail.com> wrote:

And if Maya gets something like ICE no point for autodesk to keep SI if doesn't make enough money from it.
But who cares as someone said the world will end in a couple of days :)


Matt Lind

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Dec 19, 2012, 7:34:21 PM12/19/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com

I should add – the fear is once the Maya equivalent of ICE goes live, many current Maya users now using ICE will likely revert back to Maya’s built in system because it’s a lot more convenient than shipping stuff back n’ forth between Maya and Softimage and learning two different softwares.   This will cause the Softimage user base headcount to drop a bit.  Whether the drop is critical mass or not remains to be determined.  If it is, then people do have a legitimate worry of Softimage eventually disappearing sooner than desired.

 

A few years off either way, but a legitimate concern for some.

Ciaran Moloney

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Dec 19, 2012, 8:02:02 PM12/19/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
I'd guess 90% of ICE users don't know what goes on under the hood. They do OK.

Matt Lind

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Dec 19, 2012, 8:10:17 PM12/19/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com

The point isn’t whether people would be functional, it’s about whether the knowledge is portable.  To be portable requires some degree of semblance.  A ui alone won’t do that.

 

 

Matt

 

 

 

From: softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com [mailto:softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Ciaran Moloney
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2012 5:02 PM
To: soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: Re: Rumors

 

I'd guess 90% of ICE users don't know what goes on under the hood. They do OK.

Rob Chapman

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Dec 19, 2012, 8:15:13 PM12/19/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
pretty much depends on if there is to be a Softimage keyboard layout
and ICE terminology toggle in Maya FX :)

oh and hide all garish 80's style icons would be great to!

best

Rob

Gene Crucean

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Dec 19, 2012, 8:46:01 PM12/19/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Think about it, wouldn't all Softimage ICE users benefit this new system first with our prior knowledge of ICE compared to the newbies...

... until all Soft users are "successfully" now using Maya.

Andy Moorer

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Dec 19, 2012, 9:14:15 PM12/19/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com, soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
There's always been rumor and silliness on this list. Personally I like hearing the rumors - if its traveling around word-of-mouth I'd just as soon hear it here too, where it can be refuted (or not.) Sure some people get worked up (me? Never!) and bandwidth is used, but the more free-flowing this board is, the better. Tech help is useful, but humans are silly creatures and the humanity of this list is one of the reasons it's such a valuable resource.

If we all stop posting for fear of being chastised or being wrong (me? never!) we'll have lost the freewheeling chaotic energy which makes the Internet so useful. Bring on the rumors. Me, I heard sideFX and the foundry are going to make a crossover product called Modini... ;)

Chris Chia

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Dec 19, 2012, 9:36:19 PM12/19/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Modini… LOL


From: softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com [mailto:softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Andy Moorer
Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2012 10:14 AM
To: soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Cc: soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: Re: Rumors

There's always been rumor and silliness on this list. Personally I like hearing the rumors - if its traveling around word-of-mouth I'd just as soon hear it here too, where it can be refuted (or not.) Sure some people get worked up (me? Never!) and bandwidth is used, but the more free-flowing this board is, the better. Tech help is useful, but humans are silly creatures and the humanity of this list is one of the reasons it's such a valuable resource.

If we all stop posting for fear of being chastised or being wrong (me? never!) we'll have lost the freewheeling chaotic energy which makes the Internet so useful. Bring on the rumors. Me, I heard sideFX and the foundry are going to make a crossover product called Modini... ;)

winmail.dat

Raffaele Fragapane

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Dec 19, 2012, 11:11:31 PM12/19/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Sorry for the reduced quote, but how many of those do you actually know or hear about?
I can count exactly zero. I have yet to hear about ANYBODY using Soft just for ICE and going back and forth, unless they already had licenses and reason to have it around.

Those who would use Soft solely for ICE, coming from Maya, are already, or will in the future when coming to that scenario, use Houdni instead.

Matt Lind

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Dec 19, 2012, 11:24:43 PM12/19/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com

As you may remember I owned and operated a Softimage training center in Chicago.  I still get calls from former clients and colleagues who work in post-production creating special effects for commercials and corporate video.  They are primarily Maya users but need to do stuff that Maya isn’t always well suited to handle.  Since Softimage is part of their Maya purchase, they install it and use ICE for particle and other FX stuff, but that’s about it.  For all the rest of their work they stick with Maya because it’s familiar to them.   If Maya were to get an ICE equivalent, they probably wouldn’t use Softimage anymore.  Old habits are hard to break and many people don’t like learning any more than necessary to get the job done.

 

I’m not making up BS if that’s the angle you’re taking.

 

Matt

 

 

 

From: softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com [mailto:softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Raffaele Fragapane
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2012 8:12 PM
To: soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: Re: Rumors

 

Sorry for the reduced quote, but how many of those do you actually know or hear about?

Raffaele Fragapane

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Dec 19, 2012, 11:55:28 PM12/19/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Nah, wasn't even remotely implying you would be making BS up. It was an actual question, possibly poorly worded if it came across otherwise though.

Thanks for answering it, it must be a sector of the market, users or geography wise, I simply don't know or interact with at all, as I had never heard of a case like the one you seem to bump into frequently enough.

I'd still be willing to put money on it not being that common though, not so much that it'd directly help or damage Soft if it went one way or another.
Hype and counterhype and the damage to Soft's reputation for ICE's power and unicity becoming non-unique would be more of a worry IMO, and hype/momentum have already been proven to be a huge, if not main, component of adoption drive.
--
Our users will know fear and cower before our software! Ship it! Ship it and let them flee like the dogs they are!

olivier jeannel

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Dec 20, 2012, 1:52:37 AM12/20/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Come on, it's almost fun in the end :)
And, in 40 years when THEY will stop Softimage, people will say :
"- Ah, I told you so !"


Le 19/12/2012 21:43, Eric Thivierge a écrit :

Can we boot people from the list for starting or spreading rumors? Please? Especially with no solid backup of what they are saying.

On Dec 20, 2012 7:27 AM, "Javier Vega" <javier...@gmail.com> wrote:
Well... what happened here today?. Lot of panic!. I love Softimage and i dont think that will dissapear soon. But if they discontinue Softimage, well... is not a drama. I love Softimage, but I love more CGI. I will adapt to other softwares or I will continue with the last Softimage version. I think that in that point Softimage is a great application.

Best wishes for all Softimage Users!

Javier Vega

www.zao3d.com

Visita mi blog: http://blog.zao3d.com

móvil: 616 64 73 57
08922-Santa Coloma de Gramenet
(Barcelona)



2012/12/19 Alan Fregtman <alan.f...@gmail.com>
But the apocalypse isn't until Friday! :p


Negativity never helped anyone. Let's go easy on the rumours.

Merry Christmas, softies and devs!

Szabolcs Matefy

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Dec 20, 2012, 2:02:30 AM12/20/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com

I’m pretty sure that everyone is tired of such a talk, but I’m sure by tomorrow at 10 a.m (Moscow time) Softimage, Max and Maya (and Earth) will be cancelled :D

 

Seriously, please Autodesk, port Artisan and some UV Editor features from Maya into Softimage, and cancel Maya. Port the viewport from Max, and cancel Max. And everyone is happy :D

Sandy Sutherland

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Dec 20, 2012, 2:07:10 AM12/20/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
OK my take on this - whatever AD is doing is pretty pointless worrying about or complaining about, it only winds you up - so all I want to add is this -

I have found that it is very difficult to find work as a Softimage veteran now, pretty much 99% of listings are for Maya users, and unlike the older days when they would cross-train, they are looking for veteran Maya users, obviously to try and weed out the hordes of Maya wannabees - one of the drawbacks of Maya being so popular and accessible.  Anyway - even if they are not going to do any of the 'rumoured' actions, AD's marketing direction is possibly drying up the opportunities for us older experienced softies.  This in itself is the biggest worry for me, even if Softimage carries on as it is now, to get work opportunities, it has come to the stage where one has to consider jumping into something else!

my feeble 0.02c

S.

                                                              
Sandy Sutherland | Technical Supervisor

From: softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com [softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com] on behalf of olivier jeannel [olivier...@noos.fr]
Sent: 20 December 2012 08:52

To: soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: Re: Rumors

Jack Kao

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Dec 20, 2012, 3:11:45 AM12/20/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com

Looking at the bright side, at least here in Japan, Softimage is still very popular. J

 

Eugen Sares

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Dec 20, 2012, 3:36:26 AM12/20/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
99% of what listings, VFX jobs? That's Maya country for sure, but there are more fields of application than that in 3d - games, visualization, motion graphics...
Everbody wants to do VFX... loud, fancy, cool... the most rewarding playground for the ego...
Softimage probably shouldn't try too hard to shine just there, because that's only building up more and more pressure and competition with Maya.
Why not go for a more widespread clientele, as a general purpose 3d application? Loose market share here, gain it there...
It's a good thing not to filter opportunities at hand too much...



Am 2012-12-20 08:07, schrieb Sandy Sutherland:

Sandy Sutherland

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Dec 20, 2012, 3:44:30 AM12/20/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
All jobs - VFX/Animation/etc.... pretty much all of the big players who used to list any high end 3d software and cross-train - pretty much all asking for experienced Maya now.

S.

                                                              
Sandy Sutherland | Technical Supervisor

From: softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com [softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com] on behalf of Eugen Sares [soft...@keyvis.at]
Sent: 20 December 2012 10:36

To: soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: Re: Rumors

Eugen Sares

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Dec 20, 2012, 4:19:11 AM12/20/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
To use another analogy: instead of desperately trying to beat the world champion in sprint (or, talking Maya, hurdles...), Softimage should maybe become a decathlete.
Score overall, if you know what I mean.
Look at all the others, Houdini, Cinema, Modo, Blender... all growing "sideways", trying to get a foothold in every possible scenario.
That's what I miss here, more than a bit.
If the "crowd" got that tunnel view now like Softimage=ICE, it's also because there wasn't put much emphasis on other things in the last years.
That was a good strategy for survival for sure, but now since all others are coming up with something icy, too, now there has to be another clever move.
Development resources... yes, yes.

Gerbrand Nel

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Dec 20, 2012, 6:02:40 AM12/20/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Tomorrow when the world doesn't end, the Mayas will be revealed for what they are. A bunch of unreliable, old-fashioned unstable pricks  who can.t even predict the end of the world.
If the world ends, this discussion is moot.
Either way, we win
G

No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2012.0.2221 / Virus Database: 2637/5470 - Release Date: 12/19/12


Tim Leydecker

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Dec 20, 2012, 6:42:04 AM12/20/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Hey Sandy,

from what I�ve seen in your posts on this list, I would imagine
you�d pick up Maya pretty quickly and would bring long-standing production
experience to a project which is something that is actually getting rarer nowadays.

I must admit that it is becoming more difficult to make HR or Producers understand.
(depending on if it�s VFX or commercials job, different people press the hire button)

But, neither Maya nor Max are difficult to use and a two week run-up (at home,selfpaced?)
would sure make you feel you use it comfortably enough to solve technical issues in a project.

Everything else you can�t controll, deadlines and expectations clash against each other more and more.
It seems there�s less and less preparation or thinking through with generation iphone, getting everything now.
That is in no way related to your personal skillset but a price a great many seasoned artists have to pay
currently. The guys you have to talk to check their bullet points but don�t understand the content any more...

If you want to get a nice, well funded, high quality output place to work, check out Scanline VFX Vancouver.

A couple of my friends and collegues went there and are very, very happy at work and in Vancouver in general.

It�s expensive to live there and have an occasional round of beers but you have around 30 companies there that give
you any flavour, ranging from fire and forget to hire and fire and actually valuing their artists as more than an asset.

I�d go there now if I would have already managed to stop smoking :-)

Cheers,


tim



On 20.12.2012 09:44, Sandy Sutherland wrote:
> All jobs - VFX/Animation/etc.... pretty much all of the big players who used to list any high end 3d software and cross-train - pretty much all asking for experienced Maya now.
>
> S.
>
> __
> Sandy Sutherland <mailto:sandy.su...@triggerfish.co.za> | Technical Supervisor
> <http://triggerfish.co.za/en>
> <http://www.facebook.com/triggerfishanimation>
> <http://www.twitter.com/triggerfishza>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *From:* softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com [softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com] on behalf of Eugen Sares [soft...@keyvis.at]
> *Sent:* 20 December 2012 10:36
> *To:* soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
> *Subject:* Re: Rumors
>
> 99% of what listings, VFX jobs? That's Maya country for sure, but there are more fields of application than that in 3d - games, visualization, motion graphics...
> Everbody wants to do VFX... loud, fancy, cool... the most rewarding playground for the ego...
> Softimage probably shouldn't try too hard to shine just there, because that's only building up more and more pressure and competition with Maya.
> Why not go for a more widespread clientele, as a general purpose 3d application? Loose market share here, gain it there...
> It's a good thing not to filter opportunities at hand too much...
>
>
> Am 2012-12-20 08:07, schrieb Sandy Sutherland:
>> OK my take on this - whatever AD is doing is pretty pointless worrying about or complaining about, it only winds you up - so all I want to add is this -
>>
>> I have found that it is very difficult to find work as a Softimage veteran now, pretty much 99% of listings are for Maya users, and unlike the older days when they would
>> cross-train, they are looking for veteran Maya users, obviously to try and weed out the hordes of Maya wannabees - one of the drawbacks of Maya being so popular and accessible.
>> Anyway - even if they are not going to do any of the 'rumoured' actions, AD's marketing direction is possibly drying up the opportunities for us older experienced softies. This
>> in itself is the biggest worry for me, even if Softimage carries on as it is now, to get work opportunities, it has come to the stage where one has to consider jumping into
>> something else!
>>
>> my feeble 0.02c
>>
>> S.
>>
>> __
>> Sandy Sutherland <mailto:sandy.su...@triggerfish.co.za> | Technical Supervisor
>> <http://triggerfish.co.za/en>
>> <http://www.facebook.com/triggerfishanimation>
>>
>

Sandy Sutherland

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Dec 20, 2012, 7:06:25 AM12/20/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Hi Tim,

Have looked at Vancouver and hear it is very nice - most postings from companies there do specify Maya! I know I will have to bite the bullet, seems sad though - so many years of finding out Softimage 3D/XSI/....'s ways of doing things and little tricks etc... it does take a while to know the best way to put an awesome rig together in a package. I have looked at Houdini but it is way off being a complete toolset for a facility! Am currently digging in Max for something we are looking at! So yep - will make a plan if all other plans fail! Would love to actually get back into Massive, but not had enough use of it to jump into a big production without some time learning!

Thanks for the input!

Cheers

Sandy

Sandy Sutherland | Technical Supervisor





________________________________________
From: softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com [softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com] on behalf of Tim Leydecker [baue...@gmx.de]
Sent: 20 December 2012 13:42
To: soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: Re: Rumors

Marc-Andre Carbonneau

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Dec 20, 2012, 8:29:28 AM12/20/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Guys, don't forget Montreal. Hometown of Softimage.
Nearly half the studios here are Softimage. Hybride, Shed, Oblique, Vision Globale, Rodeo FX, Modus FX, Fly Studio, Fake Studio...etc...
So if you ever want to move somewhere and keep using Softimage, consider Montreal!

Besides, more and more European studios open their door here now. They're not all Softimage but they might have to switch if they want talent.
I'm thinking Mikkros Image, Framestore and some others...

Plus, Montreal is one of the cheapest place to live in Canada.
Sales pitch over. (You're welcome Tourisme Quebec! ;))

MAC

-----Original Message-----
From: softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com [mailto:softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Tim Leydecker
Sent: 20 d�cembre 2012 06:42
To: soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: Re: Rumors

David Saber

unread,
Dec 20, 2012, 8:33:11 AM12/20/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
I second that.
Just the other day I was told there’s only ONE major company left using Softimage in France. And it’s in major companies you have more chances to find work, as people there come and go.
5 years ago there was still lots of Softimage jobs in Paris and in some other towns. This era seems finished. Is anybody doing anything about that? ... don’t think so.
I started using Softimage at V1. It was exciting cause it was very modern and seemed like the 3d tool of the future. I was confident it would dethrone others...
Now to find jobs I should learn Max or Maya, 2 apps that are not modern at all in their workflows. It’s not exciting anymore.
David
 
 
 
 
Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2012 08:07
Subject: RE: Rumors
 

Paul Doyle

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Dec 20, 2012, 8:33:55 AM12/20/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
There is also smoked meat and poutine. These are important factors to consider. They were the main reason I moved here, but I stayed for the winters.

Matt Morris

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Dec 20, 2012, 9:08:13 AM12/20/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Mmm Poutine. Alright, I'm sold. Anyone need an animator/rigger? ;)
--
www.matinai.com

Rob Wuijster

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Dec 20, 2012, 9:25:01 AM12/20/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
that's the stuff of heart failures!
looks weirdly tasty though......

Rob

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Graham Bell

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Dec 20, 2012, 9:34:24 AM12/20/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
+1

To follow Stevens comments below, we also know that Suites are very much a focus for Autodesk. Suites aren't for everyone, granted, but Softimage is an important benefit for Suites. So we are trying to do more and we are pushing Softimage, however whenever these types of rumours pop up, it actually makes my life (and others like me in Autodesk) even harder, because when we try and push Softimage, many people don't see the software, they just see the rumour. I end up having to spend much of the time trying to dispel any rumours, and this actually distracts people from seeing the real benefits of Softimage. And I'd much rather spend the time on the benefits.

Whilst I have nothing against people posting rumours, and I don't think banning is the answer, I'd like people to maybe think a little first before posting. Autodesk don't tend to give away much in public, so if people do have doubts, then try contacting use privately.


G



From: softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com [mailto:softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Steven Caron
Sent: 19 December 2012 22:12
To: soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: Re: Rumors

ya, lets not overreact...
in this case it isn't a rumor, we know autodesk bought both softimage and naiad... we know they re-tasked our developers... we know maya fears the houdini fx dominance... so of course they are going to make new fx tools in maya. and besides, node graphs and multi-threading aren't unique to ICE and they have been around for quite some time, so lets let this thing go.
s

On Wed, Dec 19, 2012 at 1:40 PM, Gene Crucean <emailgene...@gmail.com<mailto:emailgene...@gmail.com>> wrote:
Slow down everyone.

Tim has worked for me before and he's a solid Soft dude. Nothing but respect for him. I know he loves Soft just as much as we all do and honestly... his post was probably posted purely out of his frustration of how AD is handling Soft. I say... cut the dude some slack and understand that he's probably just bummed.




On Wed, Dec 19, 2012 at 1:03 PM, Eric Thivierge <ethiv...@gmail.com<mailto:ethiv...@gmail.com>> wrote:

What bothers me is that this list is becoming less and less of a professional environment and just a place to start stirring up fear and tossing around speculation and rumors. I usually leave that for the folks in the forums usually.

Also to add, Tim Marinov, like others have said, you've already switched to those other apps. It seems like you're just coming back to stir things up and hope others follow you into the path you've taken. Not sure if it's because you're lonely over there or what but if you don't use Softimage any longer why even come to post on this list?

--------------------------------------------
Eric Thivierge
http://www.ethivierge.com


On Thu, Dec 20, 2012 at 7:55 AM, Graham Bell <Graha...@autodesk.com<mailto:Graha...@autodesk.com>> wrote:
I agree.

'Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.'



--
Gene Crucean - Emmy winning - Oscar nominated VFX Supervisor / iOS-OSX Developer / Filmmaker / Photographer
** Freelance for hire **
www.genecrucean.com<http://www.genecrucean.com>

~~ Please use my website's contact form on www.genecrucean.com<http://www.genecrucean.com/> for any personal emails. Thanks. I may not get them at this address. ~~


winmail.dat

Byron Nash

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Dec 20, 2012, 9:42:46 AM12/20/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
All this doom and gloom makes me think of ditching this and taking up farming. Let's find some hope here people. ;-)

Alan Fregtman

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Dec 20, 2012, 10:13:18 AM12/20/12
to XSI Mailing List
Not to sound sexist, but I must say the ladies here in Montreal are quite lovely, too. One more reason to move here. ;)

Manuel Huertas Marchena

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Dec 20, 2012, 10:22:40 AM12/20/12
to softimage list
I second that man!



Manuel Huertas Marchena
IMDB|Portfolio |Vimeo |Linkedin



From: alan.f...@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:13:18 -0500
Subject: Re: Rumors
To: soft...@listproc.autodesk.com

Szabolcs Matefy

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Dec 20, 2012, 10:23:31 AM12/20/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com

I heard about 2m of snow sometimes…And what about the language, I don’t speak French (yet)

Paul Doyle

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Dec 20, 2012, 10:32:19 AM12/20/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Montreal is comfortably bi-lingual, but less so off of the island. As long as you make the effort to learn some french, people are very helpful.

I don't think I've ever seen 2m of snow here, but that's not to say there's not a lot of it. However, the city does a phenomenal job of clearing it - it's rarely even an inconvenience.

Marc-Andre Carbonneau

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Dec 20, 2012, 10:33:30 AM12/20/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com

Montreal is a bilingual city. You can work in English without a problem but if you really want to get the full cultural experience then I’m sure you’ll want to learn a few words!

About the snow… you know the globe has been warming up quite a bit…but still who am I kidding. 20cm tomorrow! D’OH!

 

 

From: softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com [mailto:softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Szabolcs Matefy
Sent: 20 décembre 2012 10:24
To: soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: RE: Rumors

 

I heard about 2m of snow sometimes…And what about the language, I don’t speak French (yet)

Szabolcs Matefy

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Dec 20, 2012, 10:35:10 AM12/20/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com

Here in Budapest 5 mm of snow kills the traffic. Instantly.

Manuel Huertas Marchena

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Dec 20, 2012, 10:35:45 AM12/20/12
to softimage list
I've worked so far at 4 studios here in Montreal, I can say that most people are fully bilingual and foreign friendly!
I myself, speak spanish as mother tongue, coming from Peru,  but learned french some years ago when I came to Quebec,
until it gradually became my main speaking language... sure it took some years..

But for those thinking to come, again English is very much used everywhere, at least from my personal experience..
There's also many talents coming from overseas, so its not uncommon to use English to communicate.

Although once you are here I'll Really encourage you to learn french, at least at a colloquial level to feel more at home...

One thing I noticed sometimes is that some discussions might well start in english and all of the sudden turn into french
and back again into english, and back again into french.... and...
This at the beginning was quite confusing to me, as I solely spoke spanish and english, but gradually I became used to that...
that kind of practice is REALLY common here in Montreal, which imo makes it really fun as well!

cheers.








Manuel Huertas Marchena
IMDB|Portfolio |Vimeo |Linkedin



Subject: RE: Rumors
Date: Thu, 20 Dec 2012 16:23:31 +0100
From: szab...@crytek.com
To: soft...@listproc.autodesk.com

Alan Fregtman

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Dec 20, 2012, 10:36:20 AM12/20/12
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2m of snow is an exaggeration. Maybe 0.5m, but the city is very used to snow and they are very quick to deal with it in the streets and pathways. Also in downtown, a lot of buildings are connected underground so you can get by in a snow storm easy.

As for French, in downtown Montreal and the vast majority of the island, they all speak English. There are one or two English universities, even.

I speak French very poorly and I get by just fine.

Szabolcs Matefy

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Dec 20, 2012, 10:38:28 AM12/20/12
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Now I started to consider Montreal with my family…We have relatives in Canada (Toronto), but the first steps..Who knows, maybe Montreal is what I need…

 

So anyone needs a character artist with massive Softimage and ZBrush experience, with rigging and scripting knowledge ;) ?

Martin Contel

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Dec 20, 2012, 10:45:29 AM12/20/12
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Sorry for the offtopic question Szabolcs, but does Crytec use Softimage? I just saw your email address....



--
Martin Contel

Szabolcs Matefy

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Dec 20, 2012, 10:58:50 AM12/20/12
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We in Budapest use Softimage, in the rest of the studios Max is the primary, but I know guys who uses Softimage and Maya as well. But Crysis is created mostly with Max (bah!)

Martin Contel

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Dec 20, 2012, 11:03:31 AM12/20/12
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Thanks for the info! :)

Francois Lord

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Dec 20, 2012, 12:01:29 PM12/20/12
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On 20/12/2012 10:23, Szabolcs Matefy wrote:

And what about the language, I don’t speak French (yet)


When you'll see the ladies, you will speak french! ;)

Paul Doyle

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Dec 20, 2012, 12:04:49 PM12/20/12
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If you find an Englishman in Montreal, it's invariably because he's married to a Quebecois woman. I think it's part of the immigration strategy.

Guillaume Laforge

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Dec 20, 2012, 12:37:52 PM12/20/12
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Btw, they don't speak french in Montreal but joual http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joual

:)

wavo

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Dec 20, 2012, 12:57:23 PM12/20/12
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by the way ...

Happy Christmas and a rumor-free-Year.

Walt

--


Walter Volbers
Senior Animator

FIFTYEIGHT 3D
Animation & Digital Effects GmbH

Kontorhaus Osthafen
Lindleystra�e 12
60314 Frankfurt am Main
Germany

Telefon +49 (0) 69.48 000 55.50
Telefax +49 (0) 69.48 000 55.15


mailto:wa...@fiftyeight.com
http://www.fiftyeight.com


--------------------------------------------------------
ESC58
Eine Kooperation der escape GmbH und der FIFTYEIGHT3D GmbH

http://www.ESC58.de

Matt Lind

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Dec 20, 2012, 3:16:31 PM12/20/12
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The problem with Softimage is it cannot make up its mind what it wants to be and changes direction to chase the shiny new thing every other version.  In 2000 it was Animation R3defined.  In 2002 it was the high end software catering to the big guys and boutiques with deep pockets.  In 2005 it was 3Democracy and affordability for the masses.  In 2008 it was create more and code less.  See a pattern here?  As a result nothing gets finished leaving us users with incomplete tools and bugs.  Softimage needs to focus and get things done.

 

 

Matt

 

 

 

 

 

From: softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com [mailto:softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com] On Behalf Of Eugen Sares
Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2012 12:36 AM
To: soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Subject: Re: Rumors

 

99% of what listings, VFX jobs? That's Maya country for sure, but there are more fields of application than that in 3d - games, visualization, motion graphics...


Everbody wants to do VFX... loud, fancy, cool... the most rewarding playground for the ego...
Softimage probably shouldn't try too hard to shine just there, because that's only building up more and more pressure and competition with Maya.
Why not go for a more widespread clientele, as a general purpose 3d application? Loose market share here, gain it there...
It's a good thing not to filter opportunities at hand too much...


Am 2012-12-20 08:07, schrieb Sandy Sutherland:

OK my take on this - whatever AD is doing is pretty pointless worrying about or complaining about, it only winds you up - so all I want to add is this -

I have found that it is very difficult to find work as a Softimage veteran now, pretty much 99% of listings are for Maya users, and unlike the older days when they would cross-train, they are looking for veteran Maya users, obviously to try and weed out the hordes of Maya wannabees - one of the drawbacks of Maya being so popular and accessible.  Anyway - even if they are not going to do any of the 'rumoured' actions, AD's marketing direction is possibly drying up the opportunities for us older experienced softies.  This in itself is the biggest worry for me, even if Softimage carries on as it is now, to get work opportunities, it has come to the stage where one has to consider jumping into something else!

my feeble 0.02c

S.

 

                                                              
Sandy Sutherland | Technical Supervisor

 

Ahmidou Lyazidi

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Dec 20, 2012, 5:56:09 PM12/20/12
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IMO incomplete tools and bugs is way more a Maya thing than Soft, I don't know about Max, but due to the complexity of 3D software, it might just be a constant.

--
Ahmidou Lyazidi
Director | TD | CG artist
http://vimeo.com/ahmidou/videos

2012/12/21 Matt Lind <ml...@carbinestudios.com>

Meng-Yang Lu

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Dec 20, 2012, 5:57:50 PM12/20/12
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Don't forget it's incomplete tools that keeps us TDs gainfully employed.  So uhhh.... thanks Maya for being so crappy??  :P 

-Lu

Tim Leydecker

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Dec 22, 2012, 2:09:56 AM12/22/12
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Montr�al. Softimage home territory.

Yes, that�s very nice.

I had suggested Vancouver because of the amount of job postings listed
during the last few months but should have included Toronto and Montr�al.

Let�s just say that Canada has a lot to offer and the sheer amount of
studios, shops and boutiques implies both a market and career opportunities
for further development, instead of just another project for a few weeks/months.

Perspectives you will not find so easily in Germany :-)

Personally, I like the idea of growing fond of people and your things, it would
be nice if Softimage would stick around.

Cheers,

tim



On 20.12.2012 16:33, Marc-Andre Carbonneau wrote:
> Montreal is a bilingual city. You can work in English without a problem but if you really want to get the full cultural experience then I�m sure you�ll want to learn a few words!
>
> About the snow� you know the globe has been warming up quite a bit�but still who am I kidding. 20cm tomorrow! D�OH!
>
> *From:*softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com [mailto:softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com] *On Behalf Of *Szabolcs Matefy
> *Sent:* 20 d�cembre 2012 10:24
> *To:* soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
> *Subject:* RE: Rumors
>
> I heard about 2m of snow sometimes�And what about the language, I don�t speak French (yet)
>
> *From:*softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com [mailto:softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com] *On Behalf Of *Alan Fregtman
> *Sent:* Thursday, December 20, 2012 4:13 PM
> *To:* XSI Mailing List
> *Subject:* Re: Rumors
>
> Not to sound sexist, but I must say the ladies here in Montreal are quite lovely, too. One more reason to move here. ;)
>
> On Thu, Dec 20, 2012 at 8:33 AM, Paul Doyle <techn...@gmail.com <mailto:techn...@gmail.com>> wrote:
>
> There is also smoked meat and poutine. These are important factors to consider. They were the main reason I moved here, but I stayed for the winters.
>
> On 20 December 2012 08:29, Marc-Andre Carbonneau <marc-andre...@ubisoft.com <mailto:marc-andre...@ubisoft.com>> wrote:
>
> Guys, don't forget Montreal. Hometown of Softimage.
> Nearly half the studios here are Softimage. Hybride, Shed, Oblique, Vision Globale, Rodeo FX, Modus FX, Fly Studio, Fake Studio...etc...
> So if you ever want to move somewhere and keep using Softimage, consider Montreal!
>
> Besides, more and more European studios open their door here now. They're not all Softimage but they might have to switch if they want talent.
> I'm thinking Mikkros Image, Framestore and some others...
>
> Plus, Montreal is one of the cheapest place to live in Canada.
> Sales pitch over. (You're welcome Tourisme Quebec! ;))
>
> MAC
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com <mailto:softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com> [mailto:softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com
> <mailto:softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com>] On Behalf Of Tim Leydecker
> Sent: 20 d�cembre 2012 06:42
> To: soft...@listproc.autodesk.com <mailto:soft...@listproc.autodesk.com>
> Subject: Re: Rumors
>
> Hey Sandy,
>
> from what I�ve seen in your posts on this list, I would imagine you�d pick up Maya pretty quickly and would bring long-standing production experience to a project which is
> something that is actually getting rarer nowadays.
>
>
> I must admit that it is becoming more difficult to make HR or Producers understand.
>
> (depending on if it�s VFX or commercials job, different people press the hire button)
>
>
> But, neither Maya nor Max are difficult to use and a two week run-up (at home,selfpaced?) would sure make you feel you use it comfortably enough to solve technical issues in a project.
>
> Everything else you can�t controll, deadlines and expectations clash against each other more and more.
> It seems there�s less and less preparation or thinking through with generation iphone, getting everything now.
> That is in no way related to your personal skillset but a price a great many seasoned artists have to pay currently. The guys you have to talk to check their bullet points but
> don�t understand the content any more...
>
>
> If you want to get a nice, well funded, high quality output place to work, check out Scanline VFX Vancouver.
>
> A couple of my friends and collegues went there and are very, very happy at work and in Vancouver in general.
>
> It�s expensive to live there and have an occasional round of beers but you have around 30 companies there that give you any flavour, ranging from fire and forget to hire and fire
> and actually valuing their artists as more than an asset.
>
> I�d go there now if I would have already managed to stop smoking :-)
>
>
> Cheers,
>
>
> tim
>
>
>
> On 20.12.2012 09 <tel:20.12.2012%2009>:44, Sandy Sutherland wrote:
>> All jobs - VFX/Animation/etc.... pretty much all of the big players who used to list any high end 3d software and cross-train - pretty much all asking for experienced Maya now.
>>
>> S.
>>
>> __
>> Sandy Sutherland <mailto:sandy.su...@triggerfish.co.za <mailto:sandy.su...@triggerfish.co.za>> | Technical Supervisor
>> <http://triggerfish.co.za/en>
>> <http://www.facebook.com/triggerfishanimation>
>> <http://www.twitter.com/triggerfishza>
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>> ----------------------------------------
>> *From:*softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com <mailto:softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com>
>> [softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com <mailto:softimag...@listproc.autodesk.com>] on behalf of Eugen Sares
>> [soft...@keyvis.at <mailto:soft...@keyvis.at>]
>> *Sent:* 20 December 2012 10:36
>> *To:*soft...@listproc.autodesk.com <mailto:soft...@listproc.autodesk.com>
>> *Subject:* Re: Rumors
>>
>> 99% of what listings, VFX jobs? That's Maya country for sure, but there are more fields of application than that in 3d - games, visualization, motion graphics...
>> Everbody wants to do VFX... loud, fancy, cool... the most rewarding playground for the ego...
>> Softimage probably shouldn't try too hard to shine just there, because that's only building up more and more pressure and competition with Maya.
>> Why not go for a more widespread clientele, as a general purpose 3d application? Loose market share here, gain it there...
>> It's a good thing not to filter opportunities at hand too much...
>>
>>
>> Am 2012-12-20 08:07, schrieb Sandy Sutherland:
>>> OK my take on this - whatever AD is doing is pretty pointless
>>> worrying about or complaining about, it only winds you up - so all I
>>> want to add is this -
>>>
>>> I have found that it is very difficult to find work as a Softimage
>>> veteran now, pretty much 99% of listings are for Maya users, and unlike the older days when they would cross-train, they are looking for veteran Maya users, obviously to try and weed out the hordes of Maya wannabees - one of the drawbacks of Maya being so popular and accessible.
>>> Anyway - even if they are not going to do any of the 'rumoured'
>>> actions, AD's marketing direction is possibly drying up the
>>> opportunities for us older experienced softies. This in itself is the biggest worry for me, even if Softimage carries on as it is now, to get work opportunities, it has come to the stage where one has to consider jumping into something else!
>>>
>>> my feeble 0.02c
>>>
>>> S.
>>>
>>> __
>>> Sandy Sutherland <mailto:sandy.su...@triggerfish.co.za <mailto:sandy.su...@triggerfish.co.za>> | Technical Supervisor
>>> <http://triggerfish.co.za/en>
>>> <http://www.facebook.com/triggerfishanimation>
>>>
>>
>

Eugen Sares

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Dec 22, 2012, 2:55:59 AM12/22/12
to soft...@listproc.autodesk.com
Am 2012-12-22 08:09, schrieb Tim Leydecker:
> Montr�al. Softimage home territory.
>
Since developers reside in Singapore now... who's left of the "old"
company in Montreal, and what do they do?

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