If I export a scene from Poser 5 in .3ds format, is it exported textured, or would I need to add the textures manually if I wanted to render it in another app?

I've never been able to get any version of Poser to export to .3DS with textures. But it may be that the 3D apps I use (Bryce, FormZ, Bodypaint) just don't support the way Poser does .3DS. That's one of the problems with a format like .3DS that's not officially documented. HTH; Dan

Poser usually exports objects with a "mtl" file. Your other program (Bryce, Lightwave) would have to be able to read in the mtl file to know how to apply textures and colors to the materials. Programs like Vue and Cinema 4D can read Poser pz3 files that have the materials built into the file. But, currently, no other program can read Poser 5 materials and dynamic cloth information.

"Programs like Vue and Cinema 4D can read Poser pz3 files that have the materials built into the file. But, currently, no other program can read Poser 5 materials and dynamic cloth information." Yes, there are others that can read a Pz3 with material info and support for dynamics (not procedural materials though). 3dsMax, Maya, and I believe Lightwave all have plugin support for Poser. Just like the other two you mentioned.

Attached Link: http://www.reiss-studio.com/

.3DS files don't use .mtl files - it stores a pointer to where the image files are located and procedurals are stored internal to the file. I think that the .OBJ format is the only file format that supports .MTL. Reiss Studios makes Poser plugs for Max and Maya (link). Best; Dan

check out the 3ds max forum here at Renderosity. There's a whole section for using 3ds max and poser together, which really helped me get started.

I had the same problem with Poser 5 export to Bryce 5. Below is a free download called MeTal Fixer... suggested to me by EnglishBob. His IM read:

Poser doesn't export OBJ files in a very helpful manner - the path names in the materials are shortened. There's a utility called MeTaL Fixer which you can get from here: http://www.fignations.com/jelisa/mtl/mtl_fixer.html and some tutorials on using it here: http://www.fignations.com/jelisa/mtl/mtl_tutorial1.html

I hope this helps with your.3ds needs. -Susan

Message edited on: 10/06/2004 21:30

Hope it's not too off-topic for the thread, but since I installed Poser 5's last service update, Cinema4D refuses to import 3DS files that are exported from Poser, 'Unrecognised format'. Anyone else had this?

@ twosheds... I just exported 'Don' as a 3DS format and it opened in Cinema4D just fine.

Must be something else then - assuming you're using Poser 5 with the latest release SP, and C4D8.5...

Yes I am... it's always interesting to find a problem and fix it... I wonder what it could be?