14 replies to this topic

[TheLionKing]

Hi,

If I create a model in 3D Studio MAX with animation and want to use it with DirectX, then how it is possible?

What about the .X Files?

To how many formats it can be exported to be used?

How do professional programmers do this?

Any suggestions ... :blush:

[bladder]

TheLionKing said:

If I create a model in 3D Studio MAX with animation and want to use it with DirectX, then how it is possible?

you can convert it into an x file and then use the d3dx mesh loading functions to use the x file. You can use teh tools that come with the directx sdk to export either a maya file to an x file or a 3d max file to an x file.

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What about the .X Files? To how many formats it can be exported to be used?

You can export an x file to any format really...as long as you know how an x file is arranged and how the file your exporting it to is arranged.

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How do professional programmers do this?

Most games have their own proprietary mesh format. The programmers would make a mesh in maya of 3d max and then convert it into their own formats. For example if I were using teh quake engine, then I could make my stuff in maya and convert it to an md2 (or was it md3?) file.

There are many many ways to go about it.

[TheLionKing]

:yes: I am hungry for more ;7

I need some more information ... please :blush:

[TheLionKing]

Are there any articles on this topic or somehting like that?

I searched on google but cant seem to find the right one :unsure:

[bladder]

on what topic? on converting from max to x? or on creating your own format? on using the D3DX library? on loading md2 files? or on using max?

Lots of topics here

[TheLionKing]

Loading 3D Studio MAX Models and doing programming with them?

I have never done that before :blush: !

[bladder]

For that you have to use the max to x converter that comes with the directx sdk extras. Then look up the ID3DXMesh interface in the sdk help files. That should get you started.

In the SDK help files you can start reading from

DirectX Graphics -> Reference -> X File Reference

to get the max exporter (its called Conv3ds.exe). You'll have to download the DirectX SDK Extras file that should be found on the directx sdk download page. In the sdk help files check:

DirectX Graphics -> Programming Guide -> Advanced Topics -> X Files -> Converting and Exporting 3D Models to X Files.

[TheLionKing]

:yes: Thanks ... hope this will give me a good start ...

Thanks again :blush: !

[CyraX]

To make things even simpler you can use hte Game Export Interface. But a word of caution - it is still buggy.
- I have seen it quite a lot myself.
- It doesnt have good enuf documentation.
- Hardly any resources.
But still I guess its good enuf to work on. You would be surprise how fast you can write export plugins. I think its worth a try. They have many of hte apps readily available.

support.discreet.com
http://sparks.discre...m?site=software

You will be having a good support for queries in http://sparks.discre...px.dll/~maxsdk/

Try it.
Just a few questions:
btw do you have experience coding in Max SDK?
Is it madatory for you to export in .X file format?
You have a ready made app (source included) indownloads for sparks.discreet.com

[TheLionKing]

CyraX said:

Just a few questions:
btw do you have experience coding in Max SDK?
Is it madatory for you to export in .X file format?
You have a ready made app (source included) indownloads for sparks.discreet.com

Here are the answers to your question :

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do you have experience coding in Max SDK?

Nope ...!

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Is it madatory for you to export in .X file format?

It can be any format. I am just learning :blush: !

Quote

You have a ready made app (source included) indownloads for sparks.discreet.com

Nope!

Thanks for the links :yes: !

[CyraX]

If you do not have any experience in MAx SDK go for Game Export Interface. The documentation is a little broken but I guess there is an example that does the animation exporting already :D (XML)

[TheLionKing]

Thanks for the reference :yes: !

[el_vitucho]

Hi everybody,

bladder said:

For that you have to use the max to x converter that comes with the directx sdk extras. Then look up the ID3DXMesh interface in the sdk help files. That should get you started.

In the SDK help files you can start reading from

DirectX Graphics -> Reference -> X File Reference

to get the max exporter (its called Conv3ds.exe). You'll have to download the DirectX SDK Extras file that should be found on the directx sdk download page. In the sdk help files check:

DirectX Graphics -> Programming Guide -> Advanced Topics -> X Files -> Converting and Exporting 3D Models to X Files.

converting a 3dmax model into a x file doesnt lower its quality? .

I was searching about file formats, because i want to develop a render engine that load a 3dMax model and convert it into another simpler format (i was thinking quake 3 file format), and then render it, but the problem is that there arent too much information and specifications about the 3dmax format.
has anybody done something similar??? has anybody have some information??... i need help plzz

[Nils Pipenbrinck]

I've exported from 3DS-Max.

it was a lot of work, but you can export *anything* that you can edit in max. You have to take the sdk, read it as deeply as possible, try out a lot of things and develop your own custom exporter plugin.

It's a lot of work, but after you got the basics down the sky (and your time) is the limit.

I've used the .asc exporter as a boilerplate for my stuff btw. The source is part of the SDK.
Nils

[jourdan]

use the panda X exporter

http://www.andytathe...directxmax.aspx