Situation: I have a library of proprietary models in .MAX format, and need to convert them into Sketchup.
I have 3D Studio Max, but I’m a complete novice with it, so I would prefer to use Sketchup.
However, I can open the .MAX files and export them as .FBX, .OBJ, .DAE, and other formats.
Problem: no matter which format I choose, or the options I play around with, when the exported model is imported into Sketchup, there are randomly reversed faces, and extra diagonal lines (which apparently connect non-coplanar faces, even though in 3DS they ARE coplanar).
Cleaning up the broken geometry and manually reversing faces is not an option - it’s 100s of models.
Is there another method for a smoother transition of .MAX models into .SKP? A specific export path I’m not aware of? Any plugins that can fix this kind of broken geometry?
Attaching a screenshot of the issue, and a .ZIP file containing the original .MAX file and an exported .FBX.
hello,
you could either use skimp (which is not free) for a better import or use cleanup3 (free) by thomthom (you can find both in the extension warehouse)
clean up will merge every coplanar faces
Some trivia for you: Many 3D programs, Blender for example, can’t put a hole into a face. They achieve the effect by connecting triangles from nearby edges, that’s why you see so many triangles.
You could do the things Paul suggested, or, if you happen to use Collada (DAE), the import options have a merge coplanar faces option. That will import the geometry without the triangles showing.
Part of the issue is that apparently they’re NOT coplanar? If I try to merge them with Cleanup^3, they don’t merge, and if I delete the line, it breaks the surface. Even though if I turn on the Style → Edges → By Axis color, they LOOK aligned… but somehow can’t be deleted without breaking the face.
If the faces aren’t coplanar soften the edge between them.
Generally when I have to work with a triangulated import I select all of the geometry, right click, choose Soften/Smooth and then deal with whatever is left.
You could try the extension attached to this post:
Download sw_flatten_to_calculated_plane.rbz, and install it with extension manager. You then get a Flatten to Calculated Plane option in the Extensions menu. Select the faces that really ought to be coplanar, then choose that menu item. Undo does work, if what it did wasn’t an improvement.
