can someone explain the difference between these files? I assume rds is raydream studio, 3ds is 3d studio max and obj is wavefront, but why can only some people use .objs and only some use .rds's? And where do you put the .rds's? Sheesh!

Hi chesney, think your problem is not that big. - *.rds (or 3Ds): Matthias and I for e. need RayDreamStudio for creating all the special 3D-models and meshes, which we use at Poser. The file format is called .rds. -.obj After having finished the mesh or figure at RDS we have to export our RDS-model, because Poser f.e. is not able to import *.rds directly. The -bridge- filetype between RDS and Poser, which can be used in both programs, is called *.obj. A type which can be handled in many (every?) 3D-grafical-programs. Have a look into this ascii-file. It's not to difficult to understand the syntax of this file. Sometimes the programs (RDS) are offering some plugins. One plugin makes it possible to import Poser files directly into RDS. Please check the configuration of your Poser, whether all plugins (importer/exporter) are installed. Often more plugins are required. So we are missing the importer of poser-files into Bryce f.e. So, the only way to connect both programs is: Poser-> *.obj out ---> Bryce *.obj in (... with all the difficulties) Cheers Daniel

.obj files are the best for importing morph targets or props into Poser because a lot of freewares can optimize them and create excellent UV mapping to use in Poser. The main problem with .obj files is explained by "kruse" : an ASCII file (text) is always much bigger than a binary file like .3ds ... Moreover, a lot of 3d softs are unable to export a CLEAN .3ds format (even sometimes 3dsMax !!!). By the way, .3ds was the native format of (old' DOS) Autodesk 3dstudio.

Just a few more points... RDS is a Ray Dream Studio native file format. Can only be used in Ray Dream Studio or Carrara. OBJ (WaveFront) is more of an industry standard type file format that supports UV Mapping coordinates. Most 3D programs can Import and Export in OBJ format. OBJ is the way to go for most items you make. Clint