The dotXSI File Format

The dotXSI file format is an ASCII file format defined by Softimage Co. to store SI|3D and Softimage scene data. You can use it to simplify the import and export of characters, models, and animation for complete customization of any game-development pipeline. The file format lets you include user data, making it straightforward to introduce new types of custom information.

The dotXSI file format is optimized for current game engine technology, and it can be easily:

• Imported into and exported from SI|3D (v4.0 and later) and Softimage.

• Used to exchange scene data between SI|3D and Softimage.

• Imported into third-party software.

• Converted into other file formats.

• Extended and customized to meet any special needs.

SDK Support for the dotXSI File Format

The following tools and toolkits are available for use with the dotXSI file format:

• For dotXSI file format v5.0 and later:
The Crosswalk SDK is designed to read, write and manipulate dotXSI files (in both the text and binary compressed format). It maintains both a low level, generic representation and a high level, semantic representation of the dotXSI file's content. The XSI Viewer uses this representation to maintain 3D data in memory.

• For dotXSI file format v3.0, v3.5, v3.6, and v3.6.3:
In addition to the Crosswalk SDK, the XSI Viewer is available as a visualization tool for dotXSI files (in both the text and binary compressed format). The XSI Viewer can load one or more files and display a subset of their content using either OpenGL or DirectX 9.0c. It's usually used as an interactive content validation tool, a pre-visualization tool or as a 3D prototyping tool.

Compatibility

Softimage can read and write versions v3.0 and later of the dotXSI file format.

dotXSI version | SI|3D v4.0 | XSI Viewer v3.0 | Softimage v5.0 | Crosswalk SDK v5.0 | XSI Viewer v3.6.3
1.1 | Read/Write | Read | No support | No support | No support
1.3 | Read/Write | Read | No support | No support | No support
2.0 | Read/Write | Read | No support | No support | No support
3.0 | Read/Write | Read | Read/Write | Read/Write | Read/Write*
3.5 | No support | No support | Read/Write | Read/Write | Read/Write*
3.6 | No support | No support | Read/Write | Read/Write | Read/Write*
5.0 | No support | No support | Read/Write | Read/Write | No Support
6.0 | No support | No support | Read/Write | Read/Write | No Support

* Available only with the XSI Viewer Professional.

About the Binary Format

With versions 3.0 and later of the dotXSI file format, you can create a binary file. The binary format provides an easy way to compress the data in the dotXSI file.

Autodesk Softimage v7.5