Lightwave to MAX conversion

[shade]

Well, I only had to convert models to max 5 and for that I found quite nice max plugin which read lw objects decently. Now and then I had some problems with them, but eventually I could convert all of them nicely. As far as I recall, it also supported uv's and textures. And also if Im not mistaking badly, you can use .OBJ file format also. But with that plugin you dont need to triple object. Unfortunately I dont remember where I got that plugin to import .lwo objects and it only works for max 5 or below...

[kennez]

Try using Alian FBX, available from http://www.alias.com/fbx

[paragonent]

FBX is great....you ca even transport from LW to max animation using bones, not to mention textures, ligts and cameras.

[fabmedia]

Well I'm about to find out whether the client can do it on their end. I also have a backup with someone doing the conversion for me as well. So I'm sure that there is a solution for this project. Thank you everyone!

Cheers!
Arlen

[southparx]

hi fabmedia,

i'm not sure about max 5 but i've been exporting lightwave objects to max 6 and lately 7 without any problem.

what i did was export to obj in Modeler,
in Max, import .obj then when the object is loaded,

if u plan to 'Meshsmooth' the imported object, there are some vertices that might not welded together (although they're sitting exactly on top of each other),
so it's better to select all the vertices and perform 'Weld Average' with a very small value like 0.1 before adding 'Meshsmooth' modifier,

to get UV data:
add 'Unwrap UVW' and 'UVW Mapping Add' modifiers to the object,
open Material editor, and get all the necessary files to the correct channels (diff, spec, etc),
and lastly just 'Assign Material' and 'show map in viewport' to the object.

hope it works :)

btw Cyrus_nk,

about exporting lw animation into max via fbx, can u explain further the process?
i know i can get the fbx plugin from kaydara's site, but i was curious about the process,
e.g model, rig, texture, animate characters in lightwave then just run the plugin to export to fbx or any known problems i should know?
i'm really thinking of rendering in max, i'm just to lazy to learn how to rig there.

thanks in advance

[paragonent]

Hi southparx!

a few days ago i made a simple test. i made in LW a poly box......subdivide it to help deforming, i trow 3 bones in the object and made a simple animation lik an arm bend.

i exported as a FBX file and imported in max and there was the animation....the object and the LW bones are now MAX bones:) cool

i used max 7.

when you donwload the FBX plugins for LW....be sure to download all the versions of the plugins because i don't think the the latest plugin will work. If the latest doesn't work, try the 5.3 FBX version...and do some testing

right now i can't tell you for sure but if you don't succede....i'll test and explain you for sure. anyways......it works!!! :D

good luck

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