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3 Dimensional Chat / How to smooth objects in .3ds Files

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Mr Garfield
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Posted: 28th Jul 2003 15:41
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Hi everybody,

I've been fiddling around with .3ds files and .x files on the weekend. I made some simple models (i.e. a sphere) and tried loading them in DBP as .x and .3ds. If I change the creasing to 2 in 3D Canvas I get a smooth surface in DBP when loading as an .x file. Saving the same model as a .3ds and loading it in DBP gives me a sphere with visible faces (i.e. surface does not appear smooth). How do I get smooth surfaces in 3DS files?
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Darclyte
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Posted: 29th Jul 2003 02:48
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Had the same problem using 3DS Max R3. Gave up and hunted down an X expoter instead.

Normals are to Blame!

I reckon the problem must be inherent in the 3ds format. My X exporter (from the Direct X 8.1 SDK) gives me the option to switch normals between "Face" and "Vertex". My 3ds exporter (native to Max) doesn't give me the option and always exports face normals, making everything look chunky. I've even tried churning 3ds files through the various converters out there but with no success.

I don't think the DBPro team is to blame on this one.
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Mr Garfield
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Posted: 29th Jul 2003 11:48
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Can you export object animations created in 3ds max with that .x exporter?

Also I found that the default ambient light direction seems to be different in .3ds (saved in max) and .x files. Any idea why and how I can change that?

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UnderLord
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Posted: 3rd Aug 2003 04:40
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In 3ds Max 5 (which is what i use) when making a sphere you change the segmant useally it starts out at 32 but i useally turn it up to 100 to make the surface more smooth but this could be because im making big objects

http://www.freewebs.com/independant/
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Guyon
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Posted: 3rd Aug 2003 21:11
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Though turning up segments really high might blow out the budget for polys if taken in to a game, or used with DBpro. I don't recommend this solution.

I don't think the problem is the .3ds format but more with the .x converter or it's inherent handing of surfaces during the convert.
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UnderLord
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Posted: 4th Aug 2003 01:18
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well yeah it will up the polys super high but if you want to use it in a game its best to keep it at like 50 or lower

http://www.freewebs.com/independant
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Darclyte
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Posted: 5th Aug 2003 00:14
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I've found a few X exporter plugins for Max but only the "Direct X 8.1 SDK" exporter will export animation (although I'm having keyframe problems with it!)

Have a look in at www.maxplugins.de under the Import/Export section. There are at least 3 in there including the SDK one as mentioned above.

You could really do with someone like Raven looking at this, he gave me the URL above and seems to be well up on MAX.

Give us a Clue Raven, go on,....
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