To preserve scaling convert the .3DS file to a .X file using conv3ds.exe. The .X file can then be imported into 3DCPro. The conv3ds.exe is NOT the one from MSTS but from the SDK. I can’t remember the link but you can do a search for it and it is free. One of the threads on here explains this issue in great detail. It is very easy to do
When I import the Dash9.3ds example from the MSTS Samples folder I get a locomotive that is approximately 5 grid squares long. As I understand it that means 5m long. The loco should be about 22m long according to its .eng file in the simulator.
Am I confused or is scale info lost when .3ds files are imported?
Looks like rescaling as a final step before export probably is the best option. Its easier than I originally thought because I see that I can get the exact demensions of the object in 3DC to determine the needed scale factor by right clicking and selecting Properties or I can use the andquot;Scale toandquot; option of the Scale operation to set the final dimensions. Also once everything is linked into a hierarchy, I can scale all objects at once by Alt-Selecting the hierarchy.
Larry
Thanks MRR and Mike. I’ll give the DirectX route a try. I was aware that materials, hierarchy, and pivot point locations didn’t make the .3ds to 3DC transition but didn’t realize that scale was also lost.
I am in the process of determining the best methodology to draw in Rhino 3D then texture, merge, animate, and export in 3DC, so I thought I could bypass the DirectX conversion step.
Larry
Larry, if the other factors aren’t important, you might just want to check the layers information for the 3ds import. I’ve imported some non-MSTS models and found a compact action in the layers that changed the model size when I deleted it. I didn’t think to check the MSTS samples though.
You could also scale the model back up too I should think.There is a scale tool in the object operations section. Right click on it to set options. There are options for both realtive and absolute scaling.
Mike
3ds isn’t the preferred import format. It should come out right if you convert it to DirectX x file format first. This will preserve the hierarchy too. Check my tutorial for details.
[img:1mumq6qa]http://www.btinternet.com/~mike.pye[/img:1mumq6qa]
<!– m –><a class="postlink" href="http://www.btinternet.com/~mike.pye">http://www.btinternet.com/~mike.pye</a><!– m –>
Mike
hmmm… two answers at once <!– s:) –><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt="
" title="Smile" /><!– s:) –> the link is in the turorial.
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