and you thought Gmax was complicated?

[Wing Nut]

I downloaded Gmax's big brother on steriods for a trial period, 3ds Max.

[Hellhound]

can it import gmax files? and how long does the trial period last for?

[Wing Nut]

No, but it can import and export Autocad, and the trial period is one month.  Considering the price, I may not buy it...

[Sterk]

And you think 3D Studio Max is complicated?
Download Maya Learning Edition(free)
or free version of Softimage XSI and you'll see really complicated thing...

2Hellhound:
As far as I now-there is no way to get models from gmax
out to any 3d programm...
The only format gmax can export is .p3d.and I dont know what this format is and wich app can open it.

[Mathias]

can it import gmax files? and how long does the trial period last for?

You can export as 3ds file and reimport to Gmax.
Texture coordnates and animations remain widestly intact, only drawback is the 8 character limit of part names.

Alterntivley use Bobo's file format script.
It can make Max 6 files compatible with older Max builds inclusive Gmax.
Look out for BFF here:
http://www.scriptspot.com/bobo/

You can leave out Gmax entirely if you export to X file from within Max6 and load this one separately into makemdl.

X-file exporter here:
http://www.pandasoft.demon.co.uk/Index_Graphics.htm

Related FS help here:
http://www.oregon-coast.net/FS2002/3DSM-PandaX-FS.htm

[Sterk]

Mathias,the question was wether 3dMax can take gmax files...
We all have no problem with transfering files from
3dstudio Max or any other programm to Gmax...

But to get out things FROM Gmax to any other app-this is a problem...

[Mathias]

Mathias,the question was wether 3dMax can take gmax files...
We all have no problem with transfering files from
3dstudio Max or any other programm to Gmax...

But to get out things FROM Gmax to any other app-this is a problem...

Sorry, I've missread that.
Well, then either the quake or the x file route is it.
There's no lossless way that I'd know of.
You would either use the tempest gamepack to export to quake md3, load into lithunwrap and save as 3ds or dxf file and reimport to Max from there,
or keep the x-file while exporting to a flightsim format using middleman in conjunction with mdl commander, load the x-file into deep exploration and save as 3ds or max file.