Catch-22
I wonder if you might use Replace Mesh to replace your ACAD seats with mapped
3DS ones. In 3D Studio, you can name the ACAD seats SEAT1 through SEATN. Then
in a different file, make an array of fully mapped 3DS seats also named SEAT1
through SEATN. If all the local axis are correct, when you use replace mesh
the 3DS seats should come in at the exact same locations as the ACAD ones.
Steve