I may seem out of place here since im usually a programmer, but my gaming team requires bit of help. Currently we are using 3DS Max 9 with the Skin modifier (is that what it's called, it's not the physique one). And we are having trouble converting the 3ds models into xfile's for use by Direct3D. Now, the actual models look fine but the problem occurs with animation. In 3ds the animation looks great, but running the converted model via my Direct3D program, the animation only ever appears to move the model (ie the arm bending, or walking does not show, it's only ever the model translation). This appears exactly the same way as in the DirectX Xfile viewer. Can anyone provide any advice to what is being done wrong and how animation or even the creation of the model should be done for Direct3D to use. Note: We are using the kW X-port exporter, Panda doesn't even show the models correctly. Thank you.

check here you will find a tool which allows you to set the model's vertex skinning weights in direct x format and save it back to .x file with its original animations.