how to convert .3ds or .max models to HL2?

[quezako]

Hello,

Sorry if the question has been asked hundreds of times but Im a bit lost with all those tuts.

All I want is to convert .3ds or .max models to HL2.
But the problem is that the models have some "non-bitmap" textures.

What softwares do I need?
What tuts should I read?

Here is a typical example.
http://quezako.is.free.fr/temp/Bag-3DS.zip

Thanks for your help.

 

[StardogChampion]

You'll want to look for an .SMD exporter. I can't remember where I got my one from, or what it was called in my directory.

Next, you might want to convert the .JPGs to .TGA files, since I'm not sure vtex can do .JPGs, although I've never tried with anything other than .TGAs.

Now export your .MAX file to a .SMD then use the program in my sig to compile the textures and model (HL2 Compile Toolkit). You must extract this to your "C" drive, because it won't work properly on any other letter. Instructions are in the readme.

EDIT: The toolkits site is down, get it from here temporarily - http://www.stardogchampion.net/HL2_Compile_Toolkit.zip (if there's an error, it might be uploading)

 

[SidewinderX]

The file has to be a .TGA, and no, you can't use procedural/raytraced/etc. materials. Try rendering-to-texture and then working from there.

 

[quezako]

So I must use 3dsmax?
Can I use gMax with .max files?

 

[crackhead]

?? u need to download the tools to export into smds from 3dsmax. then with your smds and qc file compile it to a .mdl file. u also need a texture and bone assigned when you export.

 

[StardogChampion]

Do you need a bone? I thought that was just for the leaked code. I've imported loads of models without one.

 

[-Psy-]

Same for me too. The bones are unesscessary unless it is going to be animated.