Great news for new artists and modders!
EDIT: The Mod Tool is actually not out yet. I had to hunt around to find this from their press release:
"Availability
Autodesk anticipates that Softimage Mod Tool 7.5 software will be available in April 2009. For more information, visit Softimage 2015 Final Release Announcement"
The Mod Tool is available for download now:
looks cool.
I wonder if there is any way for them to tell if the content was produced with the mod tool verse the full version. I would like to use this to build content from my game (which would be commercial) and then buy a copy right before I go commercial, just can’t afford this software upfront.
Of course I guess this is probably against the terms and agreements.
The best thing about the Mod Tool is that it gives hobbyists or first-time developers unlimited access to a commercial-grade application. When you’re advanced enough to sell your work professionally, you can fork over the cash for a commercial license.
The Mod Tool V7.5 just went live today.
IMHO, XSI (now back to just plain “Softimage”) has some of the best animation tools in the business, and it’s hard to beat “free”.
As long as you don’t plan on making commercial games.
EDIT: Never mind my redundant post. 
That would be great. But one would not be able to take the Mod Tools files into the commercial product then output it as commercial:
Uses .exp file format which cannot be opened in a commercial version of Autodesk Softimage.
Maybe Unity will work out a deal with Autodesk like MS did.
I think it would be great for Unity and Autodesk to make such a deal.
The Mod Tool exports dotxsi, Collada and FBX files which can be imported into the commercial version of Softimage.
RIP softfromage