From Dodger: No, a Max scene file is not to a 3ds file as a PZ3 is to a PP2, at all. A 3ds file is only a mesh, and by default an editable mesh. A Max scene can contain NURBS, Patch models, Polymeshes, dynamics objects, particle systems, space warps, forces, and so on, and in their true form. A 3ds file is converted to an editable mesh on export. I think Little-Dragon mentioned something that could convert Max to OBJ outside of Max and without Max. Might have been Milkview or something. Ask him.