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How do I convert .MAX to something DAZ Studio can open?

SertorialSertorial Posts: 962
edited December 1969 in New Users

I have found a nice source of models, but they are all native 3dsmax format (*.MAX). How can I convert these to something DAZ can open (such as *.OBJ)?

Thanks

Comments

  • Herald of FireHerald of Fire Posts: 3,504
    edited July 2014

    Well... if you don't have 3D Studio Max, you can't.

    Max is the save format used by 3D Studio and includes a whole bunch of proprietary stuff which makes converting directly them a nightmare. Even online conversion websites won't touch them because they'd effectively have to load 3DS Max to convert them effectively. I'm lucky enough that I own an older copy of Max, but the newer formats I can't even convert myself. I have a friend who helps me with that on my behalf should the need ever arise.

    If you're dead set on using a MAX file, you'll have to get 3DS Max by downloading their free trial. Buying 3DS Max is a costly endeavour, at a minimum $3700 or 'rented' at $185 a month. Either way, it's not going to be cheap. Just be warned that when the trial is over you'll not be able to convert any more files, so get them done while it lasts.

    Post edited by Herald of Fire on
  • SertorialSertorial Posts: 962
    edited December 1969

    HeraldOfFire said:
    Well... if you don't have 3D Studio Max, you can't.

    Max is the save format used by 3D Studio and includes a whole bunch of proprietary stuff which makes converting directly them a nightmare. Even online conversion websites won't touch them because they'd effectively have to load 3DS Max to convert them effectively. I'm lucky enough that I own an older copy of Max, but the newer formats I can't even convert myself. I have a friend who helps me with that on my behalf should the need ever arise.

    If you're dead set on using a MAX file, you'll have to get 3DS Max by downloading their free trial. Buying 3DS Max is a costly endeavour, at a minimum $3700 or 'rented' at $185 a month. Either way, it's not going to be cheap. Just be warned that when the trial is over you'll not be able to convert any more files, so get them done while it lasts.

    Right! I see. Thanks for that.

    But if I do download the trial of 3dsmax it will be possible to generate a useable .OBJ file (for use in DAZ Studio) from the original .MAX file right?

  • MN-150374MN-150374 Posts: 923
    edited December 1969

    PoseRay is a free conversion software: https://sites.google.com/site/poseray/

    Most time the conversion .3ds to .obj works very well.

  • SertorialSertorial Posts: 962
    edited December 1969

    MN-150374 said:
    PoseRay is a free conversion software: https://sites.google.com/site/poseray/

    Most time the conversion .3ds to .obj works very well.

    sure. .3DS to .OBJ is easy

    but I am trying to convert .MAX to .OBJ

  • Richard HaseltineRichard Haseltine Posts: 102,720
    edited July 2014

    As HoF says, .max isn't convertible - I believe it's effectively a metafile, giving instructions in 3DS max functions to build the item, and that's why it can't be converted the way a polygon-based format like .3ds can be. The problem with getting someone to convert for you is that, if the objects don't allow redistribution, you would be breaching the EULA - getting the latest demo once a yer and converting a back-log seems the only option (assuming that the 3DS EULA allows that).

    Post edited by Richard Haseltine on
  • SertorialSertorial Posts: 962
    edited December 1969

    Richard Haseltine said:
    As HoF says, .max isn't convertible - I believe it's effectively a metafile, giving instructions in 3DS max functions to build the item, and that's why it can't be converted the way a polygon-based format like .3ds can be. The problem with getting someone to convert for you is that, if the objects don't allow redistribution, you would be breaching the EULA - getting the latest demo once a yer and converting a back-log seems the only option (assuming that the 3DS EULA allows that).

    Right. Thanks Richard. That would appear to be that.

    Fortunately this site does have some models in other (more useable) formats too.

  • Herald of FireHerald of Fire Posts: 3,504
    edited December 1969

    Richard Haseltine said:
    As HoF says, .max isn't convertible - I believe it's effectively a metafile, giving instructions in 3DS max functions to build the item, and that's why it can't be converted the way a polygon-based format like .3ds can be. The problem with getting someone to convert for you is that, if the objects don't allow redistribution, you would be breaching the EULA - getting the latest demo once a yer and converting a back-log seems the only option (assuming that the 3DS EULA allows that).
    Yeah, the way the MAX file 'builds' the model is done so that you can easily backtrack. It has various different 'layers' so to speak, such as mesh editing on top of a smoothing modifier and so on. Each layer is stacked on one another, which forms the final creation.

    The catch with trying to convert something like that is that you need to build the model as 3D Studio would, which is why you either need 3DS Max or a conversion tool which is effectively doing the same job as 3DS Max. The latter of which doesn't exist for obvious reasons.

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