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