Anyone know how I can convert from the max format to 3ds or obj in Windows 98?? I have Bryce, Poser4, RDS5.5, Carrera .. Regards, Pack

I've not yet seen a programme that can convert from .max to another format except MAX itself. If anyone knows of one.... Paul

Yes! Please!

I don't know if this exports, as I haven't tried it yet. And even though max isn't listed, I do know sometimes it WILL view a max file. That much I have tested. http://www.xdsoft.com/explorer/

Warrior, I have been using 3DExploration for some time now and have never been able to view a .max file (like in the scenes directory). If you know of one, please let me know. What 3D Exploration will allow is to view, zoom and rotate any .obj, .3ds or similar file types as well as most 2d image files ie.:.bmp .jpg .tif .dxf etc. This is a great program and is very inexpensive! Regards, - Art -

Pack, If you are in need of a .max object converted let me know and I'll see about converting it for you. - Art -

Well, the files I viewed that are max are starships, not characters. These are older max files, ie 2.0 and 2.5 Like I said, I only view files in it. For conversions, I use Max to convert Max files to obj or 3ds, and for all others, I use PolyTrans.

I bought a CD not knowing there is a diff between .max & 3DS. The model collection is truly awesome. A truly great bargain if your are considering a career or business. Here's what they say : http://www.deespona.com/ "All the models comes in 3dsmax format. If you dont use 3dsmax, use a max license to output to 3ds or dxf formats, then you can read the models in any other popular format." The model are various, from Highly detailed to low formeach of the 5000 models. Regards, Pack

Strictly speaking you can't convert .max to .3ds. It's like a .pz3 in that it contains information about the cameras animation, lights etc. as well as the mesh(es), but just like with Poser, you can export a mesh object from MAX to other formats. That's why the object viewers don't handle it, and there aren't any simple conversions. A 3DS MAX user can easily export the bits for you.

Thanks for all the info. I will buy a used version of 3dsMax 3.0, I suppose. I was disappointed that Carrara doesn't animate characters very well. No bending of joints, as I can see from thumbing thru the manual. So I will need to upgrade my 3D animation s/w anyhow. I don't think I can live with RDS5.5 as my main 3D s/w app. regards, pack

Thanks Bongo, I'm looking at Vue closely. Looks great. Curious if it has faster render modes besides Raytracing as Bryce only has. I'll take this topic over to the 3D Apps forum

For those saying 3DExplore can't read .max files, then please tell me what it says on these screen caps, where I have the red arrows :o) http://members.vavo.com/startrek/3dexpl00.jpg http://members.vavo.com/startrek/3dexpl01.jpg http://members.vavo.com/startrek/3dexpl02.jpg

Using 3DExploration (unregistered free version) (available at http://www.xdsoft.com/explorer/ ) I WAS able to read AND export a .max object to a .obj. I imported to Poser & Bryce, but RDS 5.5 had a little trouble, till I diddled the import settings to "as meshes". This a very useful tool to very quickly see any type of 3D mesh or image. Got gigs to keep track of, thanks to the PFO. I also have over 20 CD's, half of them Zipped on top of that, plus over 12 years of collecting. Even though a .matl file was exported, the textures did not come thru. The object is always all black when imported. That causes a very labor intensive new problem. I'm curious if its just Meta's s/w importing doing that to the texture, or its unavoidable. Anyhow if anyone want a .max object to test it on, let me know privately at cady.patrick@acd.net Thanks everyone, especially WarriorDL, for your help. Regards, Pack

pack, best thing to do after exporting it is to run the new obj in UVMapper and make a new template. In UVMappre, you can assign the materials to new material names, and groups to new group names if neccessary. Glad to help :o)