3DS Import for SpaceClaim is a 3D Studio (.3ds) file import add-in for SpaceClaim. This add-in gives SpaceClaim the ability to import polygon mesh data from 3DS Studio 3DS files.
3DS Import for SpaceClaim reads polygon mesh data stored in 3DS files and imports it into SpaceClaim. A polygon mesh in a 3DS file is comprised of a set of triangular faces. 3DS Import for SpaceClaim creates trimmed planar surfaces for each triangle and knits them together to create a solid. The solid is then cleaned up so that adjacent coplanar faces are merged in single trimmed planar faces. If the polygon mesh is closed (i.e. it does not contain boundary edges) then 3DS Import for SpaceClaim will create a closed solid feature, otherwise an open surface will be created.
3DS Import for SpaceClaim is very easy to use.Once installed, it automatically loads itself into SpaceClaim and adds a new ribbon bar to SpaceClaim called "SYCODE" containing the
The new commands are:
Import - Imports a 3DS file
Help - Displays the 3DS Import for SpaceClaim help file
Register - Displays the 3DS Import for SpaceClaim product registration dialog box
About - Displays the 3DS Import for SpaceClaim about box
3DS Import for SpaceClaim comes with detailed documentation for each command as well as a tutorial to get you started in the shortest possible time.
The 3DS File Format
The 3DS file format is the native file format of 3D Studio. 3D Studio has now been replaced by 3ds Max whose native file format has a .max file extension. However, 3ds Max is still able to read and write .3ds files. 3ds Max is one of the most widely-used off the shelf 3D animation programs. It has strong modeling capabilities, a flexible plug-in architecture and a long heritage on the Microsoft Windows platform. It is mostly used by video game developers, TV commercial studios and architectural visualization studios. It is also used for movie effects and movie pre-visualization.