3ds import

[Phil hunt]

What's the best way of importing a .3ds file into vectorworks. I have tried to import a file but seem to loose the textures. When I import in form z the file comes in with the textures with no problem but into vectorworks the model imports ok but I seem to loose the textures although I check the import textures box, if I do manage to import the file can I then save it as a symbol to use in a model and will it keep its textures ?

[PVA - Admin]

So far I have never been able to import 3DS with textures included. Most of the time another export format from the source file to bring into Vectorworks is required, or the textures have to be re-applied after the fact.

[gester]

which other exchange formats work between 3dsmax and vw?

rob

[Monadnoc]

It's hit and miss with importing a 3ds file into VW and getting the textures. 3ds is an old file format and has some limitations, especially with file names. I think what program it was exported out of influences how well VW imports it too. With models found on the web I've found some work, some don't. After some experimenting with exporting from Cinema 4D, I found a few things that can make or break it. One, the texture image source has to be named with 8 letters or fewer, with no spaces. And should be either png or jpg for best results, but I've also gotten tif to work. Two, in C4D the Material name has to be 15 letters or less for it to work. Third, the source texture files (the 8 letter pngs or jpgs that were assigned to the Material) have to be located in the same folder you export the 3ds file into. If all three are met I've had success 100% of the time. When you import the file into VW, the Material name from C4D becomes the Texture name in VW. Once it is imported into VW you CANNOT SCALE the model, or all the textures fall apart. Just a limitation of VW, not 3ds.

And yes, you can save it as a symbol and use it in the model without losing the textures. Just don't scale it.

Since you can open the file in Form Z, maybe you can tweak things there in terms of file names, reassign the textures, and export as 3ds from there, where you have a little control over the process. I've never used Form Z so I'm not sure how it works compared to C4D.

Good luck. But it can be done.

Edited November 4, 2013 by Monadnoc

[Phil hunt]

thanks all

so what about sketchup models do we have the same problem with the textures on the import.

If i have a 3ds with textures can it exported to another file so it keeps it textures and will then come into vectorworks with the textures attached....

the reason for the question is that i have various cars that i have been using

as 3ds models (that i have in my library as i work for a well known manufacturer)

that i want to bring into renderworks.

[Monadnoc]

The Import > Sketchup command does not import textures. The recommended workflow if you want the textures is to export out of Sketchup as 3ds. Never tried it so I don't know the tricks required.

[PVA - Admin]

I am not sure when these two were made, but I believe they cover the current workflows:

From Sketchup to Vectorworks:

How to Import SketchUp Textures in Vectorworks:

[Phil hunt]

Thanks jim

of to try this one out cheers

[Dillon]

I watched both videos. The top one doesn't address textures.

The bottom video (showing 3DS method) shows that textures are imported into the resource browser, but in the video it looks like they aren't actually applied. So you would need to re-apply all the textures.