Convert .ma to .3ds?

# 1 16-07-2006 , 12:47 PM

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Forgive me if this question has already been answered, but I would like to know the simplest way to export geomentry (without texture or animation) from maya into .3ds format??

I have already tried to export my maya geometry as a .fbx file and then import this file into 3dmax so I could simply save it as a .3ds file, but I could not see any geometry in 3dmax after it was imported.

I am obviously doing something completely wrong - any help would be awesome.... user added image

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# 2 16-07-2006 , 09:38 PM

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I'd go for FBX - Its pretty good at changing between maya and max. There where some old .3ds exporters for maya but I haven't seen any for the recent versions.

First make sure you have the most up to date fbx plug ins for both max and maya

https://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet...112&id=6839916

Also, note that when you import fbx into max from maya, the geometry tends to be at a VERY different scale than in maya. Usually much smaller. Try scaling up the model to export by about a factor of 10 - it is possible that the geometry is there, but its too small to see. I'm not sure what else could be the problem. .fbx export has always proved very reliable for me.

Good luck!

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# 3 16-07-2006 , 10:40 PM

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Hi kavelle, thanks for the quick reply.

I tried as you suggested and did manage to import the .fbx into Max however, it lost alot of the geometry detail. user added image

I have attached a pic to explain...

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KickarZ Studios

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# 4 16-07-2006 , 10:44 PM

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Please feel free to say 'NO' but incase you are willing to help further, I have attached my maya project file (36Kb) for you to attempt the import into 3dMax.

I would greatly appreciate it if you could manage better results user added image

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dj.zip (34.9 KB, 346 views)

"If you think you can or if you think you can't....... you're right!"
- Henry Ford.

KickarZ Studios

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# 5 16-07-2006 , 10:48 PM

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Try exporting as an OBJ file.

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# 6 16-07-2006 , 11:07 PM

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Ah! There is your problem. Max doesn't support polygons with holes in them, unlike maya & fbx. The face of the large dj face polygon for instance doesn't contain the hole when you export it. To fix this, you could triangulate the faces, or clean it up in max. Ideally this kind of thing would be exported as a path...

Anyway, I fixed it up for you. Attached is the .3ds format.

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dj3ds.zip (15.5 KB, 345 views)

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