FAQ: Working with imported 3ds files?

watkino · Post by **watkino** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 8:33 pm

I recently purchased a wireframe globe oject as a .3ds files I hoped would be easy to work with in Cool 3d Production Studio. My problem is this: When the object is imported, I see three components: 1) The "wireframe mesh" component of the globe 2) The globe itself 3) The textured Continents.

They cannot be "ungrouped" and appear all as one object. How to I manipulate these components individually?

rwernyei · Post by **rwernyei** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 11:39 pm

The answer to your question is in one of my past replies.

As for 3DS models, in COOL3D PS you have 2 options for import. C3D will import models with no color, D3D will import models with color. If you want to change to the colors of your original downloaded model, one needs a program by Right Hemisphere called "Deep Exploration". This program allows you to break up the 3DS model/models into separate parts. Which allows you color them separately. Then you can use this program to re-package the model/models or save your separate pieces in 3DS format. Then import into COOL3D PS with either of the 2 above-mentioned options.

watkino · Post by **watkino** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 3:11 pm

So you're saying I need a $250 piece of software to parse out my .3ds file. No thanks. I think I'll contact my vendor and see if they can provide the discreet components.

rwernyei · Post by **rwernyei** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 3:24 pm

Unfortunately, that is the only workaround for a product with many limitations.

watkino · Post by **watkino** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 5:26 pm

OK - so I thought I'd go ahead and take your suggestion, especially since there is an evaluation version of Deep Exploration that is fully functional. WOW - it gave me the model I purchased "as advertised" - not the colorless, lifeless version Cood 3d imports. Seems as though Cool 3d really can't claim to import .3ds files if the results are so anemic.

watkino · Post by **watkino** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 5:42 pm

I'm not finding the .d3d format you mentioned as an option either for Cool3d or Deep Exploration. c3d is Cool 3d's native format. Deep Exploration supports u3d or w3d.

watkino · Post by **watkino** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 5:46 pm

Forgive my nubie-ness. I found the d3d data type checkbox on import. Now the model looks FANTASTIC - thanks to Deep Exploration. YOU DA MAN! Thanks for the help - problem solved.