Converting 3D models

I found some cool, free models at TurboSquid. However, the stuff I need is in .max format. I only have Blender and Milkshape3D. :-(

Is there a utility to convert .max files to .blend files? It needs to be free, and not have restrictions on commercial usage (like gmax does).


Thanks!

Nothing reads Max except Max. It's a closed format. You could try contacting TurboSquid support. They do say that they will often attempt to convert formats for customers, even at no cost, but they prefer you get in touch before buying. Presumably so that they can ask the author if they can do it first.

These are free models... *groan*

Isn't there some 'lite' version of Max that can be used to convert files?

GMax, it is free but it has limited filetype support and does not support plugins. Certainly worth a shot.

All right, I'll look that up. I had just found that, actually! Thanks!

But didn't you just say that you didn't want GMax because it has "restrictions on commercial usage"?

I just downloaded gMax. I thoroughly read their EULA, and it says it's free to use for creating game content - so I guess it's okay to use! I'm not sure where I heard that - maybe I was thinking of Google SketchUp. (?)

I still have to register, so I'm not yet sure if I'll be able to use it to convert .max files. If there's another program that does this, I'm still looking!

Crud. GMax only opens .gmax files, not .max files. Even if it could, it doesn't export to any usable formats. This will not work.

So... Is there any way to convert a .max file to something else (preferably .blend) without buying 3ds Max?

Help!!!

If send the models to me, I can convert them a more standard format for you (ASE,DXF,B3D etc). As long as they are PD models this should be ok. My mailbox is pretty large so as long as you zip the files you should be able to cram them into it (ugh that sounds disgusting)...

Darkheart

I got away with using non-max files for now. Thanks for the offer though - I may have to take you up on that, if Turbo Squid won't convert them (for free) :-).

So max is a closed format. I'm not sure why they would do that. It just limits the market. Or maybe it's to force everyone to pay for Max, which wouldn't be a problem if it wasn't so outrageously expensive. :-(

I read somewhere on the forums for modeling software, that you can get it for $200 if you're a student. Who exactly does that include? I'll have to look through the forums for that, but I don't remeber it being any more specific.

Autodesk's website is terrible to try to find any useful information. I had to spend 15 minutes before I even found out how much 3ds Max 9 costs. I think they buried that intentionally.