3dsMax6 - can't import a file with over 60k polys - help?

Coxxon

I've got a model that's approx 30k verts and 60k polys. It seems to export to a .3ds file without any problems. But when I try to import it back into a scene file I get an error message that says "vert index out of range" and it won't import.

When I export it and don't set 'keep texture coord.' and then import it, it comes in but the texture is messed up.

I figure surely there must be a way to export and import large models.

Anybody seen this problem before, and maybe have a solution?

Thanks!

SnowCrash

Run STL check on it before you export - that may find the errors

OriK

Perhaps you can try another file format or you sperate the mesh into 2 parts. The second solution is what I do if I have an object with more than 60.000 tris. It's not very comfortable but it works.

[Deleted User]

Another solution is to export to .obj a lot. Apparently you can only go up to a cetain amount of verts/Polies with a .3ds format. Weather thats true, I dont know.

Andrew March

Exporting to older formats will certainly mean less polys/vertices, As already suggested I would start using .Obj format for exporting.

Coolhand

what are you importing from?

Guerrilla

What everyone said. 3ds has a poly/vert limit. Try obj instead.

[Deleted User]

If you were wondering, the .3ds limit is 65,536 verts and faces.

Coxxon

Thanks, for the replies.
I found an obj importer/exporter for Max6.
It kinda works. The problem is the texture (coordinates?) is ALL messed up.
Don't suppose anybody knows of a specifiic place to find one that works simpler.

Andrew March

Max comes with a .Obj exporter built in, and the controls are so easy even I can use it.

What's wrong with the one you've got?

SnowCrash

I've got a model that's approx 30k verts and 60k polys. It seems to export to a .3ds file without any problems. But when I try to import it back into a scene file I get an error message that says "vert index out of range" and it won't import.

I've just re-read this.... Are you saying that you ALREADY have an object in Max and you are exporting to another format and then importing it back into Max?

Coxxon

A.M. - I'm using Max 6 - it does not come with the native ability to export an .obj file type. Thus the need to find a good plugin.

S.C. - Yes to your question.

SnowCrash

Why export - wouldn't it be easier to merge it into the new scene?

Guerrilla

HABWare Willkommen

Obj2max & max2obj.

As far as UVWs go, obj carries them just fine, unless you've got something other than basic unwrapping going on.

Coxxon

SC - I'm trying to prepare if for public distribution as well as the ability to use the model in other programs. For that I would prefer to be able to send it out as something besides a .max scene.

Guer - I'm pretty sure that's the ones I'm using. Website certainly looked familiar. As for the texture mapping - parts of a single mesh are uvw box mapped while other parts had to be uvw unwrapped mapped. The final model is a single collapsed (not booleaned) mesh. It does use (excuse the lack of precise terminology) a single "material" with 3 sub materials. Basically 3 textures carried on one material, applied to various parts of the mesh. It's never been a problem with other file formats.

SnowCrash

Ok - now I'm with you. I'd still run the STL check on the mesh thats causing problems before trying to export it - that will normally identify any true errors.