1 Topic by n2ri

  • n2ri
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Topic: converting 3ds max files to an stl friendly format?

how can I find a free download of a 3D file converter to deal with the Max files to ultimately convert them to stl? searched all the BS web sites that give bad info etc on this. I can convert near every other 3D file to get stl but max unless using an online converter which limits how many per day. so it IS possible regardless what some blogs say.

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs

2 Reply by pirvan (edited by pirvan 2015-02-01 03:06:39)

  • pirvan
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Re: converting 3ds max files to an stl friendly format?

No, not really.  I've seen a few on line services, but not an app you can download and use.  A lot of the online services, basically take the MAX file, load it into 3DS Max and export it out.  I've heard of professional grade converters, but I've never seen one (or the output from one).

Then there's the real problem.  Most Max files are not meant to be printed, as 3D Studio is intended for animation not solid modelling.  If you do a straight export of a MAX file you usually find that it's not manifold, has loads of errors, and loads of open surfaces.

There are tools in 3DS Max to convert surfaces to shells (solids), close holes, and such, but they are time consuming, manual work.  There's no "automatic", fix everything.

So your options are petty much to see if you can find the same object in a different format, or get a copy of 3DS Max and learn how to use it (at least in as much as you need to learn for conversion purposes).

To print or, 3D print, that is the question...
SD3 printer w/too many mods,  Printrbot Simple Maker Ed.,  FormLabs Form 1+
AnyCubic Photon, Shining 3D EinScan-S & Atlas 3D scanners...
...and too much time on my hands.

3 Reply by n2ri (edited by n2ri 2015-02-01 08:57:32)

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Re: converting 3ds max files to an stl friendly format?

thanks, seems a few other file types like that also, including a few odd zip files and winzip is buy or 30day trial now. zip folders wont open some of those odd files

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs

4 Reply by pirvan

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Re: converting 3ds max files to an stl friendly format?

n2ri wrote:

thanks, seems a few other file types like that also, including a few odd zip files and winzip is buy or 30day trial now. zip folders wont open some of those odd files

Don't bother with WinZip.  Use 7Zip instead

http://www.7-zip.org/

To print or, 3D print, that is the question...
SD3 printer w/too many mods,  Printrbot Simple Maker Ed.,  FormLabs Form 1+
AnyCubic Photon, Shining 3D EinScan-S & Atlas 3D scanners...
...and too much time on my hands.

5 Reply by n2ri

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Re: converting 3ds max files to an stl friendly format?

pirvan wrote:
n2ri wrote:

thanks, seems a few other file types like that also, including a few odd zip files and winzip is buy or 30day trial now. zip folders wont open some of those odd files

Don't bother with WinZip.  Use 7Zip instead

http://www.7-zip.org/

thanks thats what my kids said too. like it better and free

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs

6 Reply by n2ri

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Re: converting 3ds max files to an stl friendly format?

which is better for converting to stl for 3D printing 3ds or obj? some models come with these and even couple other types zipped together of same item. obj is always bigger file size either less compressed or higher quality maybe

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs

7 Reply by pirvan

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Re: converting 3ds max files to an stl friendly format?

It doesn't really matter, NetFabb will open both OBJ and 3DS files and you can save them as STL. 

As for which is better, there's probably no difference.  3DS files can be opened in 3D Studio Max and massaged in there, while OBJ files can be opened and worked on in Lightwave 3D.  Assuming these files were native to one of these programs, and not just simple ports, they will have textures and features that NeFabb simply ignores.

However, for printing purposes it probably doesn't matter.  Open both up in NetFabb and see if there's a difference.  There probably won't be any

To print or, 3D print, that is the question...
SD3 printer w/too many mods,  Printrbot Simple Maker Ed.,  FormLabs Form 1+
AnyCubic Photon, Shining 3D EinScan-S & Atlas 3D scanners...
...and too much time on my hands.

8 Reply by n2ri

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Re: converting 3ds max files to an stl friendly format?

also 3ds max wont even run on windows xp so lots of useless max files and a few others that seem incomplete on sites

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs

9 Reply by barry1685

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Re: converting 3ds max files to an stl friendly format?

What max file is it. I can export out of 3d max to stl