I've downloaded a plant model in 3DS format and when imported into Poser and rendered, it has these triangle shapes show up. I've contacted the artist and he wasn't sure why it is doing that. He converted it to an OBJ format but the same thing happens. When it's rendered in 3DSMax, it renders correctly and the triangles don't show. I'm not very knowledgeable about using a 3D modeling program so I need some help here. What could be being exported with the file to cause it to do this in Poser and is there a way to correct it so it will render correctly in Poser? Has anyone else had this problem with a 3DS or OBJ file?

The picture above, what was this rendered in? Can you show me a screen shot of what it looks like in Poser, the three triangles. Sharen

Sharen, It is render in Poser. If I render it in 3DSMax, the triangles don't show up. Not sure what the artist did or how he exported it but something seems to be exported that shouldn't be, but I'm not sure what that is. The original file was a 3DS file and it did this. When I contacted him, he converted it to and OBJ file and the same thing is happening in Poser when rendered. This pic is what it should look like.

I've gone back to the artisit website and evidently the file was originally created in VRML then changed into a 3D Studio Mesh (3ds) file by 3D Exploration. Not sure if that has anything to do with this problem.

I'm not 100% sure here so if someone knows better go with that. I feel its due to the smoothing groups that are present in the 3DS file. It appears that the stalks have them but the leaves do not. Export from Poser in OBJ format and then open that file in UVMapper. Go to Edit/Tools/Weld Vertices. Save the file with a new name. Now bring that into Poser to see if its improved.

Phil, I tried that and when loaded in UVMapper, I got "the model you have loaded contains out of range UV coordinate data" and ask if I wanted to correct it...I clicked yes and the texture map displayed. When I went to Edit/Tools/Weld Verticles I got "this obj contains no normal vectors". Now I'm really lost.

Attached Link: http://www.toucan.co.jp/product/3ds/3dsFrameSetE.html

The attached link are some of the other free plants that are available..all of them do the same thing as the one shown here. Maybe if someone is interested it finding out what is going on or how to correct the problem when rendering them in Poser, you'd let me know how to correct it.

just a guess here but try opening it in uvmapper and weld the vertices it may that the polys are split.........Steve

Already tried that Steve...Phil suggested that but it didn't work.

I've tried to use plant studio. There are several problems with the models. some (or even parts) of some plants seem to be inside out. Then there are some shapes that are single sided. Problem is that when you fix it you end up with a really BIG (size wise) flower. So what I've done is that I've brought the flower in to the modeller, and then re-modelled it all together. Seemed to be a better solution then fiddeling with Plant studio'd files. the water lilly (in free stuff) is one of the examples of that. Britt

UVMapper Pro can add normals. If you are anticipating getting deeper into 3D modeling I highly recommend you get it.

Phil, Thanks for that info. I downloaded the demo and it looks like it will solve this problem but I can't get the zoom button to work to really tell. If this really does solve this problem I'm having, I'll definately be buying UVMapper Pro.

Zoom button? With that tool selected, left click and drag an area of the screen. View will magnify so that portion fills the screen. Extra commands on the right click.

Well, from the above posts and the info, I can tell you this, if it was a .3ds you already are changing the polygon count, and sometimes the connections of the polygons themselves will change. When you change it into a "true" mesh according to Poser the polygons will change again. I guess I would put it into UV Mapper and at least first split the verticies. Then see what happens. Sharen

Wow I just went to the uv mapper link Phil provided and that looks like quite a bargain. Gonna have to start dropping hints to my brothers that my birthday is coming up.

Sharen, That worked for the mose part but it took awhile to load the OBJ file in Poser. This is the results. Still have the tirnagles but not as bad.

well, I can't spell this morning either....should be triangles not tirnagles...LOL

Yes, then it definately has to do with the 3ds polygon count. I know this because Mike and I will often run into this with our convertions of the models we do. We have seen the little triangles.....unfortunately UV mapper really increases the polygon count. Although I have been experimenting with this conversions, I can get good results if I split the verticies, save, then convert back to a 3ds and will get rid of the triangles when I import it back into poser as a 3ds. Sharen PS: I am going to come up with a formula so it works with all models out there without loosing important detailed information, and when I do, I will make millions.....ha ha ha...just kidding, when I do though I am going to post it so all can benefit.

Sharen, After I loaded the OBJ file in Poser, then exported it as a 3DS file, then tried to import the 3DS file back into Poser, I got an error message "Error in Plugin FF3ds.arp" and it also shows a windows "Exporting 3ds file" when it's actually importing the file. It only happens with this thing...other 3ds file work fine.

Oh Phil, If anyone is planning on purchasing a key for UVMapper Pro to allows saving, they will have to wait until after March 26th when Steven will be back to issue the key codes. Guess I'll have to wait on that one.

You can't convert the object file to a 3ds with Poser, (I mean you can, but it won't convert properly). Do you have any other software that does conversions? Sharen

I hope a way is figured out - because I've checked out Plant Studio and it makes wonderful plants.

Oh yes they do make wonderful models, you might want to also look at Trillium - Botonical excellent models. Sharen

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/messages.ez?Form.ShowMessage=553680

As you can see, you're not the only one who struggle with PlantStudion! :). I believe xena is using it to make the plants for the pots/plants combination they are making, and that you can find in free stuff. Neither of the plants have been flowering plants. and I'm not sure how they've solved the leaves problem. At any rate, the Lilly of the valley in the picture is one I totally remodelled after an output from Plant Studio. No matter how much I tried (even after I got UVmapper Pro) I couldn't turn the flowers white... they remained black. So I decided to re-model the whole thing. This is a VERY quick render, no textures to the flower or anything, - but just to show you the remodelled result. Like you, I'd be very grateful if anybody has a solution to the PlantStudio mystery. Britt

here it is... duhh! :)

Attached Link: http://home.crw.net/thgeisel/images/orchid3.zip

Just to tease you.This one done in xfrog.free for dl.

You know I was just going to say, thgeisel does a great job with flowers and here it is. But really should try tillium36 Botonical, works great in Poser. Sharen

Attached Link: http://www.trillium36.com/botanical.htm

I know it may seem a little high in Price, but totally worth it. Special the fact that it works so well in all software and she sends you lots of formats to use. Sharen

One of the disadvantages with that Sharen, is that those are just models. With PlantStudio you can MAKE all sorts of different plants/flowers/shrubs... etc. The only thing we have to do is to crack the code as of getting them to look decent in Poser. And thgeisel.. I AM green of envy. But xfrog is much more expensive than Plantstudio. :( Britt

You know you are probably right, I am going to go over there now and see if I can get a freebie from them to experiment, I know I can do this, I have been playing with lots of 3ds models lately and have had great results converting the models to work well in Poser. Sharen

Hey guys and girls...it's really nice to see this thread take off like it has and we are sharing thoughts, ideas, and whatever about plants. Really nice plants is one of the things that has been missing from Poser and it's so hard to find really nice ones. Let's keep this going and hopefully others will join in. Thomas, your teasing again with that orchid...I love it...keep them coming. Thanks again for all the help, ideas, and links.