Attached Link: http://www.timatee.btinternet.co.uk/PoA_thumb.jpg

I'm trying to load a 2.4mb 3DS file into Vue 4, complete with textures, made in trueSpace 6.6. The model is fine, no holes, fully triangulated, textures map perfectly in Poser. But when I import it into Vue 4, it asks for textures, finds them, and then just hangs as the progress bar reaches 100%. It wouldn't load at all. It just completely seized up my pc and I had to reboot. It did this 2 times and I'm not trying again. I've tried with the 4.1 and 4.22 updates - no success.It won't load without textures, either. And I'm useless at texturing OBJ files; as an OBJ file it's over 9mb and I'd rather keep the file size as it is.

I don't see what could be wrong with this model for Vue to choke on it. I tested a simple cylinder with a texture as a 3DS and it imported into Vue fine. I don't get it!

Cheers
JoeBlack

Message edited on: 03/06/2005 11:20

Maybe a texture file format problem? And/or a feature of TrueSpace texturing that Vue does not understand and interpretate wrongly? 3DS is one of these formats where different dialects exist. Cinema 3DS files for example have problems when you import them into Vue always. Especially with the textures. So here it seems that the one Vue uses and the one Truespace writes does not match completely. I hate it when things like that happen. Have you tried another format like obj? Or try to import that file into Poser first and if that works import the result to Vue?

What version of Vue 4 do you have??? Is it Vue 4 Pro??? If you have Vue 4 Pro there is a new update 4.54: Update to Version 4.54 - Build 274991 This update is available for Mac and Windows platforms, as an incremental update from v4.53 or as a full update from any previous version. All fixes from previous updates are included in this release. This update is still in beta. Click here to display details on the latest official update. The following is a list of bug fixes and improvements included in this update: Fixed OBJ, DXF and 3DS export. Other minor interface fixes and improvements. Not sure if that would fix the problem for you but it's worth a try. I have Vue 4 Pro and have the same problem with 3DS files, some work and some don't. It would be nice if there was one 3DS format that worked with all applications.

I'm using TrueSpace 6.6 all the time with Vue 5 and have used it Vue 4 without any problem at all. I'm using 3ds at all to export from TrueSpace, but save all of my TrueSpace objects as .cob file (truespace object) anf that works fine. I do recall having problems with 3ds files with Vue 4 too, not only those created with TS, but other applications too. Use .cob instead, should work fine.

Looks like e-on are beefing up their import/export in V5 Infinite (so they say). Have had problems exporting from V4 Pro, so i'm hoping they did so.

I know file size is an issue, but I would probably resort to importing the file as a .pz3 format from Poser. That's worked for me in the past when I've gotten stuck. Also, once you have the model imported, you can export it as .vob file, then reload .vob file at any time. It's well known that Vue handles native objects with greater precision.

Heya Joe long time no read! great to see your type ;-)

A long time ago, in a similar problem, MikeJ suggested trying the following:

1. save your 3DS file as per normal.
2. use a converting utility like 3d exploration to open the file.
3. save it (without changing anything) in the program as 3DS.
4. open the file u saved in vue.

for some weird reason, it worked.

I think Bill (tesign) coined a phrase along the lines... 'sometimes Vue is funny like that'

might not help in this case, but it could be an alternative option, if necessary.

let us know what happens :)

take care,
~beck