Tutorial: How to import/export OBJ models in 3DSMax

Seeadler · 10-19-05, 01:45 PM

3DSMax v5.1

1. get the plugins
- Import plugin OBJ2MAX from http://www.habware.at/duck4.htm
- Export plugin MAX2OBJ from http://www.habware.at/duck4.htm

2. install the plugins
- copy Obj2Max.dli to \3dsmax5\plugins
- copy Max2Obj.dle to \3dsmax5\plugins
- the HLP files for these plugins goes to the same folder

3. import an OBJ model
- start 3DSMax, the plugins will normally load automatically
- select Import... from the File menu
- choose Wavefront *.obj as filetype and select the OBJ model
- now you see this import dialog, make the settings as in this screen
- type in the material file (*.mtl) created by Pack3D

- select OK, also on the next warning dialog

Now if the model was loaded you will see that all faces are inverted, that's normal for Wavefront OBJ models, we must invert them again.
- select the model an convert it into "Editable Mesh"

- now choose the Element selector and select the whole model

- once selected scroll down the modifier panel to the "Surface Properties"
- click the Flip Button in the "Normals" section

If you want to work with the textures, open the material editor
- pick a material group
- take the material picker and click with it on the model

Now the material described in the *.mtl file from the models are loaded in the material group and you can work with this group

4. export to a OBJ model
- don't forget to flip the faces again before exporting
- select the whole model and choose again the Flip Button in the "Normals" section
- convert the model back to "Editabel Patch"

- select Export... from the File menu
- choose Wavefront *.obj and the location to export
- now you see the export dialog, make the settings as in this screen

- if you changed the textures you must also select "use materials" and "create matarial library"

3DSMax v7.1
- install the Service Pack 1 for Max 7, get it here
- don't install any 3rd party OBJ plugins because the Max7 Service Pack comes with build-in OBJ plugins
- the import/export works in the same way as in Max 5

Max7.1 Import dialog:

Max7.1 Export dialog:

10-19-05, 01:45 PM	#1
Seeadler Pacific Aces Dev Team Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Northern Germany Posts: 1,096 Downloads: 169 Uploads: 0	Tutorial: How to import/export OBJ models in 3DSMax 3DSMax v5.1 1. get the plugins - Import plugin OBJ2MAX from http://www.habware.at/duck4.htm - Export plugin MAX2OBJ from http://www.habware.at/duck4.htm 2. install the plugins - copy Obj2Max.dli to \3dsmax5\plugins - copy Max2Obj.dle to \3dsmax5\plugins - the HLP files for these plugins goes to the same folder 3. import an OBJ model - start 3DSMax, the plugins will normally load automatically - select Import... from the File menu - choose Wavefront .obj as filetype and select the OBJ model - now you see this import dialog, make the settings as in this screen - type in the material file (.mtl) created by Pack3D - select OK, also on the next warning dialog Now if the model was loaded you will see that all faces are inverted, that's normal for Wavefront OBJ models, we must invert them again. - select the model an convert it into "Editable Mesh" - now choose the Element selector and select the whole model - once selected scroll down the modifier panel to the "Surface Properties" - click the Flip Button in the "Normals" section If you want to work with the textures, open the material editor - pick a material group - take the material picker and click with it on the model Now the material described in the .mtl file from the models are loaded in the material group and you can work with this group 4. export to a OBJ model - don't forget to flip the faces again before exporting - select the whole model and choose again the Flip Button in the "Normals" section - convert the model back to "Editabel Patch" - select Export... from the File menu - choose Wavefront .obj and the location to export - now you see the export dialog, make the settings as in this screen - if you changed the textures you must also select "use materials" and "create matarial library" 3DSMax v7.1 - install the Service Pack 1 for Max 7, get it here - don't install any 3rd party OBJ plugins because the Max7 Service Pack comes with build-in OBJ plugins - the import/export works in the same way as in Max 5 Max7.1 Import dialog: Max7.1 Export dialog: