Importing and Exporting 3ds Format

The VectorWorks Design Series can both import from and export to the .3ds file format used by Autodesk Media and Entertainment’s 3ds max software.

Importing a 3ds File

When importing a 3ds file, specify how the drawing components will be represented in VectorWorks.

To import a 3ds file and select conversion options:

1.	Select File > Import > Import 3DS (3D only), and then select the 3ds file to import.

2.	The Import 3DS Options dialog box opens; the options available depend on the contents of the file being imported. Specify the file import options.

 

Parameter	Description
Import Materials	Converts each material definition in the 3ds file to a RenderWorks texture in the Resource Browser (disabled if RenderWorks is not installed)
Import Textured Materials	If Import Materials is selected, select this option to import each texture from the 3ds file as a RenderWorks texture in the Resource Browser. The RenderWorks texture can then be edited (using the Edit Texture dialog box).
Import Mesh Objects	Imports each mesh object defined in the 3ds file as either a mesh object or a group of 3D polygons
Import as VectorWorks Mesh Object	Converts 3ds mesh objects to VectorWorks mesh objects
Import as Groups of 3D Polygons	Converts each 3ds mesh object to a group of triangles in VectorWorks
Use Texture Materials to Texture	If Import Textured Materials and Import as Groups of 3D Polygons are both selected, select this option to apply the imported textures to the appropriate portions of the 3D polygons during conversion
Scale	Opens the Import 3DS Scale dialog box, for specifying a scale to apply to all imported objects; see Scaling 3ds Objects
Import Light Objects	Imports light objects from the 3ds file
Import Spot Light	Select this option to import spot lights from the 3ds file as VectorWorks spot lights
Import Omni Light	Select this option to import omni lights from the 3ds file as VectorWorks point lights
Import Camera Objects	Imports camera objects from the 3ds file
Import Active Camera Only	Imports only the active camera from the 3ds file, and sets the current view to the camera view
Create Saved Views for Each Camera	Imports all camera objects from the 3ds file, and creates a saved view in VectorWorks for each

3.	Click OK to import the file with the selected options. The Object Info palette displays the image information.

The original file remains unchanged.