Importing models from 3dstudio max (.3ds files)
Procedure
The Part Editor can be used to import models stored in
3dstudio's .3ds format.
The "File" pulldown menu of the Part Editor includes an
item "Import .3ds...". Picking this item allows the a .3ds file to be
selected using a standard file dialog.
The selected
3ds file is scanned for "meshes" (geometric models) and associated materials. If there
is more than one mesh object in the file, a dialog will appear
listing the names of the meshes. One or more meshes can be selected for
import. If
more than one mesh is selected, the option to
combine the meshes into a single model is provided. It is normally advantageous
to combine multiple meshes into a single model since it will almost always result in faster rendering.
Finally, a dialog will appear allowing the
scale of the imported object to be changed. The
default scale factor presented in the dialog is usually sufficient to make the
imported model fully visible in the editor.
Saving imported models
Once imported, the model can be saved into a native ST3D
format using the "Save as..." command in the "File" pulldown menu of the Part
Editor. Imported models are saved as instances of CcMeshShape with an
associated instance of CcMeshGeometry.
Any texture image files referenced by the imported model
must be added to the ST3D "Images" folder for the model to be rendered
correctly. If ST3D cannot find an image file, a default image (red
background with text "file not found") will be rendered in the place of the
missing image.
Limitations
- All objects in a 3ds file must be
associated with at least one material in order to be rendered by ST3D.
- The ST3D import mechanism ignores
any light and camera objects contained in the 3ds file. Only "tri
meshes" and associated materials are imported.
- Many of the more advanced material
properties available within 3dstudio are not supported.
- ST3D does not currently support the
import of skeletal, keyframe or character studio data.
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