CompuServe Thread

Importing Mac Graphics

7 messages in this thread
#18559From: Mark ChambersJul 6, 1992 1:59 PM
Help!- I have a client that has designed some logos on a Mac that they want me to animate in 3DS. I unfamiliar with that platform. I assume that I can import the graphics in Corel Draw! but I'm not sure how to get the files onto my PC. Does the Mac format a floppy disk differently than the PC. Any suggestions that would help me get the files from the Mac to my PC would be appreciated. Thanks, -Mark
#18615From: Steven ElliottJul 6, 1992 9:13 PM
Mark, If your client has a Mac with a superdrive (SE/30 or newer) you have no problem transferring the files, these Macs can read and write MS-DOS formatted diskettes. You may have some trouble with file formats since the structure of Mac files is considerably different from that of DOS files. If Corel Draw can read Mac format DXF or AI files, again no problem. Otherwise you might want to look at the file translators avaialble from DataVis. They make a Mac program named Maclink Plus/PC that transfers and translates files between a Mac and a PC. Cost is about $110. Steven
#18685From: Mark ChambersJul 7, 1992 4:54 PM
Steven- Thanks for the info. That helps me alot. I didn't know how I would get the files across with different formats. Thanks again. – Mark
#18748From: Mike MorrisonJul 8, 1992 11:30 AM
Mark, With System 7 there is a utility called File Exchange. It will let you copy files from the Mac to any DOS formated 1.44 Meg diskette. It will even format 1.44 disks in DOS format! I've used this utility to load 3DS renderings into PhotoShop to send to Iris color printers. -MM
#18778From: Mark ChambersJul 8, 1992 4:03 PM
Mike, Thanks for the info. I'll have to check with the client to see what type of setup they have. I'm a Mac illiterate so this is all new to me. Thanks again for the info. -Mark
#18791From: JORGE R CLAVOJul 8, 1992 5:56 PM
Mark, I've done some work in Macs but use PC's most of the time. There are a number of different situations you can find. A month ago I did a test exporting a 3DS file to DXF and then into SWIVEL 3D (Mac 3D program). No problem at all. The geometry exported perfectly and I could manipulate it in SWIVEL. Many Mac programs export splines to DXF. If the logos are bitmaps, they can be exported through Photoshop as Targa files, but you may have to change the aspect ratio, because the Mac typical format would be 640×480 and Targa video format is 512×486 So, while in Photosop you have to do "IMAGE SIZE" changing the proportions and it wiloff l be OK in a Targa board. Another suggestion is to use HIJAAK, a PC conversion program that imports .PICT (Mac format) and .MAC (Mac Paint). As for media every Mac with a Superdrive and a "Dos mounter" will read and write to 3.5" DOS disks. Basically it all depends on what is your client using to create the files… Jorge
#18829From: Mark ChambersJul 9, 1992 8:40 AM
Jorge- Thanks for the info. I think I'm OK as far as reading the MAC files. I have several programs that are able to do that. My concern was actually transferring the file to my PC, but I've been told, just as you said, that the newer Macs will write to a DOS diskette. That should do the trick. Thanks for the help. -Mark