I had a plugin that did just this and it worked wonderfully. However, my system crashed and I can't seem to remember where I downloaded it from (was free). I've been searching the web to no avail... Anyone know of one? I know this was discussed before http://www.gamedev.net/community/forums/topic.asp?topic_id=310924 but the thread is closed. Thanks!

this question has been answered before
http://www.gamedev.net/community/forums/topic.asp?topic_id=256565&whichpage=1�

Try milkshape it's useful for lot's of things.

But the real question is, why do you want to import .x files when you should only be exporting them?
Then there are the copyright issues.

Actually, you're wrong; the thread does not answer my question. I had a FREE .X Importer for 3DS Max that imported the bones and animation flawlessly.

Milkshape neither imports the bones nor the animation.

When people say there is NO free importer for 3DS Max that does this, they are horribly misinformed. I had one.

I just can't seem to find it... I know it exists and I'm not the only one.

Further, I have my reasons why I want to do this. And it's not to infringe on any copyright laws.

I think there is an importer in the directx SDK, but I may be wrong

There is an exporter but not an importer.

u can try to use
http://www.okino.com/conv/demos.htm

Used that but it's not the importer I had found before. Believe me, it's out there somewhere!

I'd be very interested in finding one too.

I've written an app that outputs the .x mesh and to assist others in loading this into the favourite 3d app I want to find the simplest solution possible.

I would have thought that a simple plug-in or max script would be available but after many many hours of googling the only things I can find are converters. I really would prefer to avoid having this additional step in the process.