[JeeKTan]

Does anyone successfully BAT a building from skechup to GMAX or 3DSMAX. Please give me a tutorial so I can convert my models into landmarks.

[joelyboy911]

I've not done it before, but if you use Sketchup Pro, I know you can export a .3ds model, which can then be imported into GMAX. You just need to buy/acquire a free trial of the Pro verson.

[adroman]

Alright, I'll write a tutorial... I've done the conversion enough times.
It's easy enough, as Joel said... the only way to go is with Professional, so you can either download the Trial (be conservative!) or buy the full edition, up to you.

Alright, let's start out, I assume you already have your model from the 3D warehouse or otherwise, right? right.
Open it up as per usual, make any minor adjustments you need to make.

I was feeling Christmas-y

Now, go to "File" down to "Export" and hit "3D Model"


Alright, save your model as whatever name you want, double check that the format is in ".3ds"


After SketchUp finishes converting, Close SketchUp, open Gmax.

Now, in Gmax go to "File", down to "Import"


Find your saved .3ds and hit "Import"

Press "Ok" on the two pop-ups, and your model will be in 

A note on textures... you may be confronted with a large selection, make sure you darken them 


I hope to see some top notch creations, but don't forget to credit the original modeller 

EDIT: I've discovered that if the SketchUp model is too complex, you will need to import it into 3DSMax.

Post any further quesitons here,
Adrian.

[JeeKTan]

Can I import with a free version of Skechup. If cannot, any other plug-in/software allows import to .3ds file?

[JonM]

"Deep Exploration" will convert the .skp into a .3ds, it can retain the texture coords too.

It is not free though... but there might a a trial...

There are a couple of a free 3d object converters, I haven't tried them for sketchup files though...

[adroman]

JeeKTan, yes... provided you are using the Free SketchUp Pro trial or SketchUp Professional.

I am aware of some other, more tedious methods... using the Pro Trial however is freer, and quicker.

You can pick up the trial here.

Did you use the tutorial I made? it does explain everything about the conversion process. I don't know why you'd want to re-import to SketchUp, personally 

Adrian.

[SimFox]

There is much better and error free/fool proofed way to bring Sketch Up models into SC4. with few conditions it will allow the whole process to be free (like in not needing to pay any money).
How it works? Well, latest version of 3ds Max - 2011/2011 Design has built in SketchUp model importer. So, you don't need paid version of Sketch Up or any other 3rd party plugins. Max itself is also available free (for 13 month license) providing you're student.

Same importer is available for MAX 2010 as well as a separate download from Autodesk site.

So it all peachy so far... yet one must remember that although there is nothing inherently wrong with sketchUp models as such, most of them (that is those available at google warehouse thing) are made in a fashion that wouldn't make for a good conversion into SC4 universe.

Alright, let's start out, I assume you already have your model from the 3D warehouse or otherwise, right? right.

Same for "top notch creations"

[adroman]

That's very true, SimFox. I know when I converted some aircraft, I had to use Smoothing tools to get them looking less "boxy".

I wasn't aware of the built in feature of 3DSMax, it's a useful tool. 

So yes, two methods... both workable.
Adrian.

[JeeKTan]

Since I got 3DMAX for free, maybe I can convert my design into landmarks. Thanks guys!