External conversion programs provide a means of converting your gmax created .MD3 models
into other standard 3D modeling and game formats. This makes it possible to create content
for games which do not have "game packs" available, or for importing into high end 3D applications
for rendering and post-processing. These conversion programs and plugins also provide the means for
importing 3D model formats beyond those that gmax supports directly.
gmax Import/Export scripts and plugins
- Download page at discreet
Download the official tutorials, Tempest game pack, etc. Note to Tempest users, I highly recommend replacing the .MD3 export plugin with Chris Cookson's
MD3 export plugin Beta version 1.1.
- Boboland - BackFromFive v0.3.6, probably The Best way to move Max files to gmax
BackFromFive is a MAXScript based object exporter developed for moving data from 3ds max 5 back to 3D Studio MAX R3.1.
The good news for us is that since the output is an actual MAXScript, gmax can read the data as well!
This tool provides a superior means for exporting Max files compared with using the .3ds, or .obj format, for reasons that
Bobo explains in detail on the BFF page. I've also hacked up the code a bit and found that I can use it to extract gmax model
data to the listener window as well, which opens up the possibility of not only moving models directly from Max to gmax,
but also gmax to Max! (If I ever finish the hack I'll ask Bobo about releasing it as a gmax import/exporter).
- Chris Cookson's gmax resource page - Great Scripts!
Chris has written many popular import scripts expanding gmax and Max to directly import Q2 - MD2, Q3 - MD3,
RTCW - MDC & MDS, HL - SMD and TWPGA - TWG file formats. He has also recently completed rewriting the
Max/gmax MD3 export plugin, adding features and fixing all known bugs, and made available the Max export plugin source code.
- MD3 export plugin Beta version 1.1 at Chris' site. - Essential!
- Tiger Woods Geometry Exporter
Chris also wrote this Tiger Woods Geometry Exporter plugin for 3ds Max and gmax.
The output is a modified .obj specific to Tiger Woods course designer. You can download the exporter
and see a Flash tutorial at wolverine designs.
- D Smith's tool collection
Includes direct links to some script based importers and exporters as well as many useful utilities, and gives
a slightly different take on some of the converters listed here (he really liked Quick3D Pro).
- gmax2obj.zip - gmax to .obj export script
I found this script about a year ago, the author is unknown and the site no longer exists. I've included a help
file in the .zip and made it available for direct downloading. Note: requires a lot of manual cut and pasting
of data from the listener window to export anything other than a simple primitive. The "grabber" utility discussed on
the Rendering page eliminates the need for manually cutting and pasting from the listener window.
- Mindblasts Orbiter Page
Toolset for import/export of Spaceflight Simulator Orbiter .msh files.
Game packs
- SDK's and complete import/export toolsets can be found on the Links page, of special interest
is the FS2004 SDK which can now be used seperately to exract .X format files directly from gmax. Also check out the "snoop"
and "grabber" utilities discussed on the Rendering page for capturing data from the MAXScript listener.
3D converters & viewers
- These all have demo versions available for download or are shareware/freeware,
(some require registration prior to accessing the demo links).
- Professional Grade -
- Deep Exploration - Demo
Dozens of 2D & 3D file formats supported, excellent UI with easily selectable viewing & lighting options,
has a built-in renderer, imports MD3 animations. Outstanding but expensive unless upgrading from 3D Exploration.
- 3D Exploration v1.5 (direct download link) - Demo
v1.6 is also available from gearhead heaven - Demo
The predecessor to Deep Exploration, supports fewer formats but the demo is not time-limited.
- NuGraf and PolyTrans - Demo
Has plugin versions for Max and Maya, also available as stand alone programs.
I haven't tried them (quite expensive).
- Consumer Grade -
- 3D Object Converter - Shareware
Claims to support 300 file formats, but wouldn't load the QuakeIII models I tried.
The latest version (3dc32230.zip) can be found at ftp://ftp.elf.stuba.sk/pub/pc/graph/3dc32xyz.zip (Note xyz=version).
- Alteros3d - Shareware
An OK 2D/3D viewer, no exporter, won't display some add-on QuakeIII models.
- LithUnwrap v1.3 - FREE, Highly Recommended!
Has been replaced by Ultimate Unwrap3D, LithUnwrap was created primarily as a UV mapping tool, it supports about two dozen
popular 3D modeling formats, has a number of built in tools, some modeling capabilities, and a good built-in OpenGL viewer.
Note: Strangely there are at least 3 different v1.3.0.0 versions of this program, the latest version that I'm aware of is
dated 2/12/02 and contains additional features. This site simples-designs.com
had the latest version (site currently down 12/12/03).
- Milkshape3D - Shareware
Originally created to be a low poly modeler for Half Life, the huge user community has expanded it's
import/export capabilities, it now supports most 3D game formats either natively or with plugins,
still a bargain at $25.
- Npherno's MD3 Compiler - FREE
Imports MD3, MD2, 3DS, ASE formats with animations, MD3 Exporter and Compiler for QuakeIII.
- Quick3D Pro/Geometry/Viewer - Shareware
Supports several dozen formats, but the Geometry version I tested was slow loading large MD3 files, and
would sometimes crash.
- Ultimate Unwrap3D - Shareware
Replaced LithUnwrap, with many new features and more supported model formats.
Looks great but I haven't tried it yet (demo version doesn't support saving).
- Misc. -
- Wotsit's File Formats
A comprehensive collection of data on many file and data formats for programmers.
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