Looking for a render tool for 3DS

[firlefanz]

Hello,

I am searching for a cheap or freeware render tool for 3DS models. We are using Amapi 7 to create models, but you cannot render with it.

So I am looking for a tool I can import a 3DS object, select a texture, and then make some images from different perspectives of my model with that image.

Any ideas, what are you using?

Thanks,
Firle

[MoP]

http://www4.discreet.com/gmax/

You could try GMax. It's free, and if you get the "Autodesk .3DS Import" script from the link below, you will be able to import 3ds files.

http://www.gmaxsupport.com/html/download.asp

There is no proper software renderer, but the viewports will display the textured model at a pretty high quality, you could get screengrabs at different angles.

Or, you could try blender:
http://www.blender3d.org/

and get the 3ds import/export script from:
http://bane.servebeer.com/programming/blender/index.html

Blender has a proper raytracing renderer, and it's free.

I'm afraid I can't think of any other suggestions off the top of my head, so good luck with those.

MoP

[firlefanz]

Hello MoP,

thanks for the links and the info. I already tried blender, but had no 3DS import, and I'll also take a look at GMAX, thank you /images/graemlins/smile.gif

Firle

[Downsizer]

http://www.povray.org/

GMAX does'nt have a renderer. Just viewports. I'm sure if he just wanted viewport screenshots he could already do that.