Hi, I know that the 3DS format loading has been discussed quite often in this forum, but since a few days I can't find the answer to my problem. First of all I am aware that writing a 3DStudio exporter to my own fileformat would be the easiest solution. However I don't have that software installed on my computer but still want to import 3DS models created by other artists. So I embedded the 3DS loader from Lev Povalahev (http://neworder.box.sk/news/17993) which used to be quite popular a few years back. But like many other 3DS loaders, it doesn't take into account the individual mesh transformation matrices when a keyframer chunk (chunk id 0xB000) is present and in that case the individual meshes are misplaces relative to each others. (this doesn't happen without keyframer chunk or when no object hierarchy exists (no parent-child relationship between meshes)). Now I tried to rebuilt the correct mesh placement and hierarchy using the loaded local matrices (chunk id 0x4160) and nodes (chunk id 0xB010) (http://www.whisqu.se/per/docs/graphics56.htm). But whaterver matrix multiplication combination I try, I cannot restore the correct mesh placement. I found many other 3DS loaders that work fine for simple models that don't contain a keyframer chunk or hierarchy, but they all fail at correctly placing the meshes when a keyframer chunk is present. I am a little bit desesperate, I have been trying and searching the net for days now. And the 3DS format specification that can be found is so scarse and briefly explained that it is hardly usable. Did any of you bump into the same problem, and how did you solve it? Thanks a lot for any information that could help me solve my problem!

You said that you already evaluated many 3ds loading libraries, so most probably you already know lib3ds. If not, give it a try, though I don't know if it resolves your specific issue.

There is also assimp.

Hope this helps.

Thank you for your reply Cignox1,

Actually lib3ds works fine, it is just that the footprint was a little bit too big for my application (I just need the meshes and nothing else). However I finally stripped-down the lib3ds of everything that I didn't need and now I am satisfied.
Thanks again!

I'm happy to hear that. I can also provide you a simple 3ds loader I've written some time ago: it is just a couple of files wich can be easily added to your project. Using it is not as easy as with lib3ds, but if you need the smallest footprint perhaps you might be interested.

Thanks again cignox1!

Yes, I'd be interested in trying your 3DS importer. Can it freely be used for commercial applications also?

Quote: Original post by floatingwoods
Thanks again cignox1!

Yes, I'd be interested in trying your 3DS importer. Can it freely be used for commercial applications also?

Loader3ds>Here it is.

Be warned that:
-Is can not be considered 'complete' by any means.
-It is not what I would consider easy to use (was just a learning experience)
-Use it at your own risk (I won't take responsabilities).

That said, use it the way you want. Change it, use it (with or without credits, It doesn't matter) or delete it.

There is a small documentation included, and a simple sample.
Good luck :-)

Thanks a lot, but somehow I cannot access your website. If not too big, could you send it to me? --- (email address removed)
Thanks

[Edited by - floatingwoods on March 11, 2009 6:40:12 AM]

I've sent you the rar file of my 3ds loader. Please tell me if it arrives and what you think about it.
Regards,
Alessandro

Alessandro,

I tested you 3ds loader, however it suffers from the same problem than all the others that I tested (except the "lib3ds"): some meshes don't get placed into the right position (only with models that have a keyframer chunk or when there is an object hierarchy as it seems). But it loads without any problem simple models.
Anyway, thanks again for your kind assistance!

Marc

Quote: Original post by floatingwoods
Alessandro,

I tested you 3ds loader, however it suffers from the same problem than all the others that I tested (except the "lib3ds"): some meshes don't get placed into the right position (only with models that have a keyframer chunk or when there is an object hierarchy as it seems). But it loads without any problem simple models.
Anyway, thanks again for your kind assistance!

Marc

Es tut mir leid :-)
Yes, I never tested it in cases different than very simple objects. Thank you for reporting your experience anyway.