Hey, I spent a while modeling an anglerfish in wings and (stupidly) tried to figure out uvmapping on the same file (no backups.) Well turns out I cut my model into 8 pieces (which was on purpose) but then I want to export to 3ds format. Well, after trying several times (i do the export command, it gives me the little clock cursor that tells me it's "exporting," but there is no file created. I tried an obj export and that works fine. But...my version of bryce is retarted and crashes when I open an obj, so that's not an option. I thought that maybe the uv's might be causing a 3ds export problem, so i simply deleted the uv files and maps from the outliner window. But...i sthink there is still uv info because if i select an object and go to uvmapping, it says there are already uv coordinates associated. I clicked discard but this seems to start a new map. Anyone know how I can completely clear all uv data?

if it's not possible, would anyone be so kind as to offer their services of a conversion utility to convert my obj to a 3ds file? I would greatly appreciate it, give you hugs, kisses, etc. :)

hmm... weird error. wish i could help dude, but don't have any such software on the puter. uvmapper must have screwed it up :/

If you have Poser you could import the .obj and export it as .3ds

Try running grouper on the object file to untangle it. I always have problems with importing obj to bryce, especially poser objects that have been posed.

Can't help with the wings problem. . . however, here is an angelfish that I modeled in PS as a lattice object for use in the terrain editor (made it but I didn't use it this month!). I'll post the gray and color pic files for download if you would like to use them. This process works with any fish (or object) pictured as a side profile. Also, after importing the gray image into the terrain editor you may want to crop a little low area off the edge and click the Smooth button once or twice. Hope you can use it!

Heres the gray map.

Here's the color pic.

AccuTrans 3D at http://www.micromouse.ca/ might be useful.

Thanks guys! these are all great suggestions but I am running on a mac and msot of the little apps won;t work. However, I do have poser (4) so i'll try that. Awesome fish nuski! BUt it's an angler-fish not an angel-fish. Actually quite the opposite :) Tha anglerfish looks like the fish from hell. (If you've seen finding nemo, it's the fish with the light on it's head) Here's the reference pic I used: http://earthguide.ucsd.edu/hughes2001/acct/bmounmanivong/Deepsea-Anglerfish_J01-closeup.jpg Thanks for all the help guys....it;s poser time.

here's a screen cap of my model in wings. As you can see, I have put some time into it so i hope it works.

Thanks guys the poser trick worked great! (took me a few times to open poser though...lol)

My bad. . . . .I guess that I read your post from the wrong ANGLE! Buy the way, great angler model. I have been spending a great deal of time presently learning Maya as a modeling app. . . . . apps like Wings, Maya, 3D Max. etc. are an entire new learning ballgame!!

LOL ok one more problem...when i export from wings in obj it does not preserve my separate objects, and the fish appears as one object in poser...and one object one the 3ds export is in bryce. I made the different parts different materials beofre i exported...same problem.

I am no help with modelling queroes at all, but I must say that is one terrific fish, I do hope you get it sorted out.

The greatest part of wisdom is learning to develop  the ineffable genius of extracting the "neither here nor there" out of any situation...."

Madmax, I'm not familiar with Wings3D so I don't know how it handles groups, my question and possible answer to your problem is, when you import the 3ds file into Bryce from Wings, does it show as a grouped object? If so, ungroup it and see if those are the parts you split it up into and map from there. I know it sounds simplistic but sometimes we tend to overlook the obvious. Nice stuff you guys are working on. Nuski, I've been working on similar lattice models as your angelfish, WTG, that's a beauty! And that's a great anglerfish too Madmax.

Ok i fixed it. Turns out it was the uv mess-up in wings that was the problem. I opened the obj in uvmapper, remapped it, and now it works fine! I'll post the first WIP render tomorrow. Thanks to all who have helped!

Fantastic model Max, I'm so glad you got it sorted, it would have been a terrible waste if not. 8)