For the record, it wasn't a case of forgetting to update files. I had
already done the Softimage|3D --> XSI conversion many years ago, but I lost
all that data when I experienced a hard drive failure last year. Now I have
to do it all over again.
The main problems I experienced was finding all the pieces to put humpty
dumpty together again, as well as making them functional. Many of the
installers, licenses, and so on that I had archived were also lost in the
failure. The pieces I salvaged would not always function on modern
operating systems - such as FlexLM. Fortunately I found just enough pieces
make it all work again, but not after a lot of cutting wrists and trial and
error.
The advice I can give to anybody wanting to preserve their data is make an
archive of the entire ecosystem, document everything, and make a redundant
copy. That includes operating system, hardware, drivers for your graphics
card, plugins, and so on. If you have any special knowledge of some quirk
or secret handshake that is needed to install or work around a known issue -
write it down and include it in the archive. Getting Softimage|3D up and
running required such knowledge to know certain plugins needed a patch or
required a specific version of Windows. Took me a couple days to recall
that from my memory and go find those pieces to smooth out some problems I
experienced.
Matt
Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2014 17:36:47 +0100
From: "Sven Constable" <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: How do you guys make sure XSI files and Softimage 7.5+ files
will open in 2016?
I keep all installer files and of course the licenses itself on backup. The
licenses are yours and they will not stop working. I once renewed a network
license with ADSK to move it to a new server without problems. However, when
I moved to SOFT2015, I tried to request a new license for an old 2011
version just out of curiosity and it didn't work via the website (serial was
not recognized). But I think that?s one of the flaws with the ADSK websites.
I wasn't able to get a lic file for the 2015 either even the serial was
recognised. COntacted support and they sent me the lic file.
Even the perception of ADSK is evil, eating your children alive, they're not
criminals :) I would not expect problems in renewing licenses in the future.
In the rare case, ADSK will go bankrupt in a couple of years, and you would
have to move the license to a new server, you can still use the old license
file. You would have to keep the name of the server of course. The MAC ID
for the network card is changeable so an old lic-file will keep working.
I don't know how this apply to standalone licenses however since they're
more tightened to specific hardware of the workstation.
Generally it might be a good idea to move old projects to newer versions
every couple of years. But most of the times we forget about it and face
problems like Matt Lind did with his old Soft3D databases :) I would also
try to keep everything local stored on backups and not relying an vendors to
give you access to old versions. That applies not to ADSK alone but to the
general trend software vendors trying to establish with clouds, subscription
and other methods.
Usually I don't mind open old projects with newer versions. So I don't bind
projects to versions. Last year I opened an old scene from around XSI v4
with Soft2011 and started working on it.
If you are unsure about available service packs from the past, just ask the
hive.
Sven
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Tim Leydecker
Sent: Sunday, December 21, 2014 1:45 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: How do you guys make sure XSI files and Softimage 7.5+ files will
open in 2016?
Hi guys,
how do you guys prepare for the time after Softimage 2015 and how do you
guys cope with files dating back to legacy versions of Softimage XSI, like
from old XSI Foundation files, Softimage XSI version pre 7.5 and so on?
Aside from the fact that I am still not sure if I have to take any specific
action with Autodesk to make sure I?ll have a Softimage 2015 license to run
after the Autodesk 2016 Suite will be released or the licensing model
changes somewhere in February 2015, I do feel additional pressure to make
sure my last 10 years worth of Softimage/XSI files will not end up as a
cryptic data dump equal 42.
Do you guys also try to keep at least the old licenses&installers on backup?
How do you cope with the servicepacks and updates usually not directly
available via the subscription center?s account data&download link but only
the intial releases listed there?
Personally, I get lost keeping track of wether or not I actually have all
neccessary servicepack, etc. for each release cycle or if this or that pack
is a full install or a patch.
I?d wish for Autodesk at least centralizing all downloads instead of
scattering things all over downloads, subscription center home, account info
and maybe even the area...
Maya Bonus Tools probably means you get a Bonus Dolphin Sticker on your user
account when you successfully managed to also nfind and download it in the
correct version ...
Cheers,
tim
------------------------------
_______________________________________________
Softimage mailing list
[email protected]
http://listproc.autodesk.com/mailman/listinfo/softimage
End of Softimage Digest, Vol 73, Issue 134
******************************************
