How to import 3ds Max models into Blender?

Seemingly there is no standard import/export feature implemented out of the box. Is there somewhere a plugin or something?

The problem ist that it’s a scene, not just a model/mesh (same as with .blend-files).
I found this, but have not tried it:

I used this before and it sometimes works. It may be not working 100% for every file:

Thanks, but …

Batch convert is a script to run in 3ds max … which I don’t have.

The “Online Dateikonverter” doesn’t work for me, at least not with the Church (see CCC

Quevy tried to send me the .obj, I hope this wil work eventually.

However I’m still interested to find a Solution.

Sorry! I didn’t realize, that it’s a script for within Max (as written: didn’t check it). It looked like a stand alone tool.
Yes, the online converter sometimes works, but not always.

BTW: That abandoned cathedral (see Custom Content Challenge - June/July 2024: Cathedrals! - #22 by quevy) also comes as .3ds, which imports into Blender. All parts are seperated.
I only did a quick test and see that the textures are not displayed, even though they are assigned in the Shader Editor… Anyway: Maybe a point to start/Try again.

Right, messing around with this will be a gainful excercise. But not now …

Seemingly there is no import filter/plug in for blender to import the models directly.

Best solution seems to be to export them into a common format. But *.obj format butchers the textures (the “texture file input” is missing in the shading). So maybe try .fbx as Black rider mentions?

The bad news is, that one needs max to export something.

So the case is closed for now, I’ll come back to it if I find out more …

looks like blender 4.2 might have what you need.

That might be, but afaik, 4.0 is the latest version which is supported by Neverblender.

oic, yeah didn’t realize this was for nwn1/EE

You can install multiple versions of Blender in parallel. Blend files are mostly backwards combatible. So you could import the .3ds with the latest version of blender, save as a .blend and open this file with Blender 4.0. Or you could export as .fbx with the latest Blender for import to 4.0.

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