Importing Static Meshes from 3D Max 5

[MaXimus]

Hi guys, who here have got some experience in importing static meshes from 3D Studio Max into UnrealEd?

I've got some problems doing this and need some help.

Thx in advance!

[J1nX]

Ahh that's easy, nothing a cable tie and monkey wrench can't fix :P :P

hehe jk..

Gl man - mebbe you should ask Dace - since he's our resident UnealEd guru....

[MaXimus]

Thx J1nx, I've already PM'd Dace :)

I can actually import the mesh but the texture goes missing in the process. Even after following the UDN's guide (http://udn.epicgames.com/Two/MAXtoUnreal). I believe I'm just missing something small.

[J1nX]

All the best, sorry - no clue on that sort of stuff.

[Shrimp]

You'll need to export/save/convert it to/as a LightWave mesh, LWO I believe the extension was.

// Edit - Oh, I see you're already importing it. When you say the texture goes missing though, what do you mean? The texture mapping get messed up and your texture doesn't wrap around your model properly?

[MaXimus]

Hmmm, I've been exporting to ASE files. Aagh crap, ASE is a text file, so it wouldn't have the texture included, I'm such a idiot. I don't have the LightWave plugin though, Googling for it now. Thx Shrimpo :)

[MaXimus]

BTW, I can import the texture seperately but then the alignment is all screwed up. I'm still looking for a LightWave plugin/converter.

[Shrimp]

The texture cannot be imported along with the model, ASE (oops, forgot UT2004 supported this by default), LWO or otherwise, unfortunately.

You need to set up your texture mapping / UV mapping properly in your 3D modelling application, then export your model, import into UT, then import the texture separately. There may be some UV Mapping/Texture options which you need to enable when you do the model export, to ensure your texture maps properly when imported into UT.

[MaXimus]

Thx for your help Shrimp, I've discovered this tutorial (http://fordy.planetunreal.gamespy.com/gradientssmeshtutorials/contents.html) and will be working through it. Hopefully it will help me achieve better results.

[MaXimus]

Just an update: That tutorial is pretty good. I managed to succesfully import a simple static model with its texture. :)

[J1nX]

Gratz - glad you got your help :D