Hello! Firstly,thanks be to all of you who have supplied help to me in my ineptitude. 'Twas a good thing. Secondly, I need a model (pref. obj.) of an accordian...a concertina will suffice in a pinch. Anyone know where I might find it? Thanks, Wayne

I can't remember ever seeing one, but you might give 3D Cafe a try. Melanie

Thanks, but no-go. I saw one of each once, but can't recall where! Wayne

I do have an excellent accordian, but it's in Simply3D format. Does anyone know it it can be converted to obj, & if so, how? Thanks, Wayne

Send me the 3ds file and I'll return an obj.

OOPS! Its S3D, not 3ds. I have yet to find a way to conver them to obj. I can do most of the others, but Micrografx seems to have a lock on Simply3D. Too bad...lots of great models.

I know the secret if you're using Simply 3D version 3. Load the model in Simply 3D3, save it as a vrml 1.0 object, export the textures to the same folder as the model in jpg format. Then go grab 3D Exploration at http://www.xdsoft.com/explorer/ for a free 30 day trial - it will convert most of Simply 3D's models to obj format or other formats even. It does batch conversions now too - I don't know if that function works in the unregistered version though. View the model in 3D Exploration, save it as an obj file and make sure you tell it to create a mtl file (materials) file and save vertex normals so your model will be fully textured automatically when loaded in Poser or Bryce. If your models have transparency settings, you will have to reset them in Poser though, the conversion process doesn't preserve those settings. I've done hundreds of conversions already, have them as poser props now - love this 3D Exploration software, registered it right away. Some of Simply3D's models do not export well in vrml and therefore don't convert well either - like the houses are warped bad and a few others. The majority work ok, I just tried the accordian conversion, it worked fine.

Thanks Diana! That looks like it will work...a bit tough for such an inept as I, but I'll give it a shot. Thanks again. Wayne

If it doesn't work in the non-registered version I have the regged version of explorer. I would love to get my hands on an accordian, my husband plays one and I would like to do a model of him playing. Marque Explorer 3D is a pretty good program for the price

It would be illegal for him to send you the accordian actually, Marque. That's a copyrighted model. Even if we both have the same software, I am still forbidden to transfer the model to anyone else in any model format so I can't give him my converted model. They have similar restrictions on redistribution like the Zygote, Poser, RayDream, CorelDream, or Dedicated Digital models.

I forgot to mention that if you want the 1000+ models that come with Simply3D3, a lot of clipart and photos, Windows Draw 6 (vector app), Picture Publisher 8 (like Paint Shop Pro or PhotoImpact kinda) and Media Manager 8 (image thumbnail cataloging program) it's about $40 at http://www.us.buy.com/soft/product.asp?sku=20007991 Such a deal for the models alone, the other software I use too, except Media Manager. Simply3D3 costs more stand-alone than this bundled package. I am not affiliated with Micrografix just buy a lot of their software when the prices get really cheap. It's old stuff actually, phased out in the local stores here quite a while ago but the models don't go "bad" and the software works fine in Win95-Win98SE. If you want to see all the models that come with the software check out my screen shots of the model thumbnails - they don't give you a printed model catalog when you buy the software so I made my own browseable text file and jpg files of each category so I don't have to open each catalog in the software to find a model I want. http://members.xoom.com/tubes/s3d/index.html BTW, Simply 3D3 can import Poser people and props saved in obj format so you can build scenes and use its ray tracing engine to render them. That means real mirrors, real reflections, etc. It's not really good at making sophisticated models (simple vases, bowls, etc are easy to make though) but it does a good job at rendering and I find it very easy to use. All the prefabbed animations, animated and still lights, plenty of textures and models make this program give the most bang for the buck. You can't animate your poser people's joints like you can in Poser but you can rotate, spin, squash, bend and otherwise distort them as a fixed pre-posed model.

I did not ask for a model that was done by the company, I thought he had done a model himself and so it would be legal to give away. I don't trade stuff that is done by companies, (like Zygote), only stuff that an artist has done and is willing to share, like 3D cafe. If you notice I said "an accordian", which is kind of like fishing, if anyone has one they want to give away or sell I'd be interested. Marque

When he said "Its S3D, not 3ds. I have yet to find a way to conver them to obj. I can do most of the others, but Micrografx seems to have a lock on Simply3D. Too bad...lots of great models.", I thought his statement was clear that he was asking about a Micrografx model, not one he did himself. When you said "If it doesn't work in the non-registered version I have the regged version of explorer. I would love to get my hands on an accordian,", I understood you to mean that if he couldn't convert it (the Simply3D model he spoke of) in the unregistered version you could do it for him - which would mean he would have to send you the model illegally and in doing so, you would acquire an accordian model. I would feel bad if my attempt to help a fellow Simply3D3 user get more use from his models would lead to illegal distribution of the models. I'm sorry but I did not and still do not see any other way to interpret the messages I read above so you'll have to pardon my wanting to do the right thing.

No, it never crossed my mind to take something, I know that sometimes the unregistered versions of programs are limited. I bought my copy of 3D explorer to prevent that. I do not have to steal a model, and it isn't important enough for me to pay a lot of money for this model. You are blowing this way out of proportion...and I have to wonder why. S**t, all I said was that I wouldn't mind a copy of an accordian model..lay off! You must have guilty thoughts of your own to try to plant ideas on someone else's statement, or maybe you are just bored. Please give me a break! Marque

Oh, and if you will notice the time it was 1:25 A.M., I was probably half asleep when I wrote it. Marque

Me thinks thou doth protest too much Marque... You don't owe me excuses and I don't care to read any more of them. Unfortunately way back when I first posted in this thread I checked the email me when someone replies in case the original poster needed some questions answered. As long as you persist in whining about my posting information that I thought you were might not be aware of (those models being copyrighted) and information that you might even find helpful (the additional information about Simply3D3), I'll get prompted to come back here.

Jeepers Folks, let's chill out! It sounds as though somebody has their undies in a bundle & should just cool it for a while. Thanks for the tip, Diana. I'll try it tomorrow. Wayne