I see. will get the 7.5 version, hoping that works on my windows 7 x64

I could never get XSI 6.0 to work on windows 7. I had restore my old crap windows xp box to use 6.0. Until mod tool came out then i switched back over. I experimented with newer versions of softimage, but they don't work too well with ConvertXSI. 7.5 (mod tool) is your best bet, because it is free, and we know it works.

nope. it refuses to work.

the 7.5 version. I aborted the 2012 version once you told me that i wouldn't be able to export models. But I managed to install it after all

do I still need blender/3ds max even if I have Softimage? If so, which version?

If you really want to learn softimage then stick with it. However you can mesh with pretty much any modeling program that can export a format that softimage can import. 3dsmax is my weapon of choice. You can use blender (it does export OBJ, X, or 3ds correct?). You really only need XSI to finish off the model with Material hook ups, Hardpoints, Tangents, and Conversion to .XSI format to get it ready for ConvertXSI.

Other modeling programs can export to .XSI, but the materials, and tangents will be screwed up. So yes XSI (softimage) is necessary to finish your models off.

I use 2010 as well but there isn't really too many differences on the rudimentary level between the versions except for the color of the layout, some viewport rendering changes, and the FBX formats they support.