l understood from forum here, that only 3ds max 7 can import 3D models from game (mechs) with "ase" plugin, or l misunderstood this???
3DMax 7 will import and export ASE files, no problem. 8 and higher only export. Mechcommander 2 was made using Max 6 (DOS) and 7 was the last with import functions. Make your model, in your favorite modeler. Use an original for scale value, since you can't really set the grid parameters correctly. Make sure Z is up (if I remember correctly.) Import the obj file in 7. Make your ASE file and export it. Take it into a current version of Max and parent constrain the helpers to the individual pieces. Export it as an ASE. Dump it in MC2 and mod all the CSV files.
I use Maya exclusively, so I never got really far with rigging the models for MC2. I still have an unfinished Catapult, based of the MWO version. (BTW, Magic, do you want it? It's already UV'ed, I just never got around to texturing it, nor rigging it - I couldn't figure out how to properly constrain the helper objects. Max is foreign to me, when it comes to constraints and completely gave up.)
If you need a copy of Max 7, let me know and I can post a copy on my google drive. It's a crack, however and will crash on Win 7 or higher, on close. Basically, you have to kill it, through the Task Manager when you're done. Otherwise, it works perfectly, including animations.
-M