CompuServe Thread

#3DS to .obj

14 messages in this thread
#96622From: Jack WalshApr 11, 1994 8:10 PM
Hi All, Does anyone know if there is a .3DS to .obj (Wavefront) converter utility out there. I've heard that a company named Syndesis(?) has one, but I don't have a phone number for them. So far, the 3DS modeler seems superior to the one Wavefront offers. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jack Walsh Future Grafx
#96623From: Paul LindApr 11, 1994 8:16 PM
Jack, I know I have an e-mail from you that I haven't gotten to…. sorry. You can reach John Foust of Syndesis Corp. here on the forum at 76004,1763. I don't think that they have their converter done yet, but they were working on one. Paul
#96652From: John TissavaryApr 12, 1994 1:29 AM
Hi Paul, how are you? Busy, I suspect <g>. Me too. My Targa+ just ate the big one, and I'm scrambling to get a replacement/repair. Check your E-mail see ya, John Tissavary (LUNA cie)
#96680From: SyndesisApr 12, 1994 8:46 AM
Syndesis is here! Yes, we have IPAS that load and save many 3D formats. Call (414) 674-5200 for info.
#96685From: Paul LindApr 12, 1994 9:15 AM
John, Do you actually have your converters shipping? Did you solve the memory allocation difficulty? Paul
#96736From: SyndesisApr 12, 1994 3:02 PM
No, they are not shipping yet. So far, there looks to be a lot of problems with memory but it's due to PharLap, but I'm not going to make an premature, rash definitive statements. 🙂 Also, I'm eagerly awaiting the lengthy dissertations from the beta testers (harpumph) regarding suggestions for features, user interface, bundling, pricing, etc.
#96789From: Jack WalshApr 12, 1994 7:52 PM
John, Thanks for the info on the converters. I hope they're done soon. Looks like I'll have to write a .dxf to .obj converter instead for the time being. Hate to do it 'cause dxf files get so BIG!! Jack Walsh Future Grafx
#96884From: SyndesisApr 13, 1994 10:30 AM
DXF to Wavefront is tough, one uses absolute point references, the other uses relative. Munching big DXFs to big .objs takes a lot of memory and/or a lot of disk space. You just want to save Wavefront files from 3DS? I can help you out, please give me a call at (414) 674-5200.
#97020From: Jim LammersApr 14, 1994 12:11 AM
>>Does anyone know if there is a .3DS to .obj<< >>(Wavefront) converter utility out there. I've<< I've got an OBJ to 3DS convertor on-line on our BBS [The Rendering Plant, 816-525-0103]… I haven't yet tried going the other way yet with the on-line utilities at our BBS, but I will soon. One of our guys subscribers uses Wavefront and wants access to all of our meshes, which are mostly in 3DS format. He said that Wavefront wanted like $7000 for their DXF convertor. The Syndesis one is only ~$300, though, and that seems pretty justifiable for the cost frame usually associated with SGI work. Now I'm just wondering if it can be done with any of the tools I have online… Granted, the Syndesis tools are MUCH better; they retain materials, shading, heirarchy, etc. With the public stuff, any conversion (or sequence of conversions) performed on meshes usually just gets you the faces in 3DS, and you have to start from there. . . . Well, I checked. I can only translate Tpoly and 3D2 formats to OBJ. If you can get DXF or 3DS into one of those, I can get it the rest of the way. Thanks Jim
#97211From: Aleksey PopelyukhinApr 14, 1994 10:56 PM
Hi Jim! Do you have any information about 3DS to SoftImage convertors? Also, is it possible to convert 3DS to Wavefront (obj or rla or rlb) with animation? Thanks in advance, Alex.
#97217From: Paul LindApr 14, 1994 11:15 PM
Alex, SoftImage has a built in 3DS converter, it was written by Minerva. Just do a Model/Get/3DS2SOFT with the latest version. It was written to make the NT version more compatible with 3DS. Paul
#97380From: Aleksey PopelyukhinApr 15, 1994 10:31 PM
Hi, Paul! What do you mean under "NT version of SoftImage"? Are they (MicroSoft) going to come up with NT port? Now soon? How expensive? How compatible? How much slower (Pentiun vs. Indigo 2 Exterme)? What do you know about that? Release date, beta-testing (how to become a beta-tester)? Vry, very interesting. Regards, Alex
#97389From: Paul LindApr 15, 1994 11:26 PM
Alex, I must've brought it up in a sleepwalking state. Now that I'm awake, I refuse to discuss/speculate/exchange banter about any product other than 3D Studio on this forum. 🙂 Paul
#97561From: Jim LammersApr 18, 1994 1:00 AM
>>Do you have any information about 3DS to SoftImage convertors?<< No, sorry, nothing on that yet. I'll get anything that I find and let you know. >>Also, is it possible to convert 3DS to Wavefront (obj or rla or rlb) with animation? << You mean, not lose the animation portion in the translation? I'm sure that it's possible, don't know if it exists. This is a good question for John Foust (76004,1763). His Interchange program can do a lot, maybe it can transfer animation information also… Jim