XSI Mod tool?

Hello, everyone. My first post here after purchased Unity ;-)
I'm evaluating 3D package for using with Unity. I'm curious about application that can be a 3D package that supply Unity well.
I own 3ds max 8 and use it from time to time. I can see it can integrate with Unity well in some area.
Cinema 4D, I've tried but not own. Character Animation isn't good. I'm prefer working with project Messiah and 3ds max.

So, I'm looking for a 3D package that can use for Character animation that can send to Unity well enough. I'm not sure that it has to be a bone based animation only to send to Unity? I'm curious that Unity read bone keyframe animation that export via .fbx right?

Questions....
1. Has any one use XSI mod tool (4.2) and find any way to integrate with Unity? Or it has to be version 5.x (list in Unity info)

2. Compare to Maya that run on Mac OS X, is it well investment into it? For using with Unity exclusively. Or stick with 3ds max and it's not that much different. My concern are about exporting these features : Normal Mapping, Polygon reduction tool, UV Mapping accuracy, Scene scale, Hierarchy, Object name, Normal angle (smooth angle).

3. I've read in How To pages...

Unity currently imports from 3ds Max
- Meshes with vertex colors, normals and UVs
- Materials with Texture and diffuse color. Multiple materials per mesh.
- Animations FK IK
- Bone based animations

Unity currently imports from Maya
- All objects with pivot points, position, rotation and scale
- Meshes with vertex colors, normals and up to 2 UV sets
- Materials with Texture and diffuse color. Multiple materials per mesh.
- Animations FK IK
- Bone based animations

Unity currently imports from Cinema 4D
- All objects with pivot points, position, rotation and scale
- Meshes with UV's, Normals
- Materials with Texture and diffuse color. Multiple materials per mesh.
- Animations (No FK IK?)
- Bone based animations

I'm a newbie in game industry. The first option that 3ds max can't import seems to be important. How people with 3ds max handle this issue? And for C4D, it can't import FK IK right?

Please suggest me everyone. Maya C4D is a big investment for me for using with Unity only. I can pay if it really worth.

4. One bullet question for Unity 3D creator. Which software package that you will use with your engine? If you have to use only One of them.

Best regards
Jedt

 

If you're good with 3dsmax, and own a copy, then you really should use it regardless of the minor pipeline hiccups. Losing a few seconds every time you change a model is nothing compared to including a poor-quality model in your game because you didn't use the tool you work best with.

If you have lots of money burning a hole in your pocket and want to learn a new tool, then buy Maya or Cinema4D. Personally, I don't think there interface is a tenth as good as 3ds max's (the only mac modeller that comes close IMO is Cheetah, but that program hasn't matured yet to being as capable as the others)

 

Thank you very much, Joachim StarManta.

So, for XSI Mod tool, it'd not possible to work with Unity. Only XSI 5.x or better right?

For 3D packages comparison, i'm ok to work with 3ds max. Even it's to separate to 2 platforms. At least like StarManta said I don't have to learn a new tool yet.

Thank you guys.