#3DS to Soft Image Conv.
7 messages in this thread
I am looking for a converter that will convert 3DStudio R4 mesh files to a
compatible Soft Ima'ge (SGI workstation) mesh file? If anyone can give us any
help it would be a great help.
Thank you
Steve Lewis
Energy
Steve:
I use Syndesis Corp's Interchange to convert mesh files back and forth. Drop
a note to John Foust at (76004,1763), he checks in here often.
– Bob Ritger
If you are talking about Softimage (SGI, not Beta NT) then search no further.
You will find a wonderful little utility called 3ds2soft in your softimage /bin
directory (along with numerous other converters – TGA to PIC etc). You will
need to enter a whole slew of command line info – it should read something like
this:
3ds2soft (location of Database.dir) (path to target Database) (3ds file)
(location w/path of Softimage rsrc file) (location w/path to your 3DS map
DIRECTORY – all maps must be transfered to 1 directory for it to work! :{)
I must say that this converter will do great job of converting the 3DS geometry
to SI polygons, but expect to spend MANY hours remapping about 50% of your 3DS
file :{
Also, it is important that you breakup all objects that you have ATTACHED,
into separate elements or SI will treat the attached elements as one object
(with ONE mapping coordinate)
In SI, it is possible to goto GET>3ds2soft to import a 3ds mesh file (with no
maps)
SI will NOT accept .PRJ files.
Hope this helps. (try it before you plunk down any major $$ for converters)
Ian Coony
RGA/LA – 3DS/Softimage Animator
Hi Ian,
<< I must say that this converter will do great job of converting the 3DS
geometry to SI polygons..>>
Does this converter handle 3ds animation data well?
jonas[adesk]
I have converted camera path XYZ translations, FOV information, and some
primitave Object translations, but have yet to put it to the test with things
such as morphing, linking (IK) and such.
If you are interested, I can CC: to you any new revolations about these
conversions.
Regards,
Ian Coony
Hi Ian,
<< I can CC: to you any new revolations about these conversions. >>
Feel free to post them publically here.
jonas[adesk]
Although my company's InterChange product doesn't handle Softimage files
directly, your copy of Softimage may be able to import Wavefront files instead.
InterChange will easily translate your 3DS files to Wavefront .obj file format.
Call (414) 674-5200 for a catalog.
Yes, there is a 3ds2soft program, too, that was bundled with Softimage, but I'm
not sure if it's still in the latest version of the program.