[maje]

After struggling with instabilities of the 3D Studio Max POF Exporter (which quite frankly crashes far too easily), I'm wondering if there are any more reliable and efficient ways of getting a max model into POF or PMF format without going through 20 different programs and without having to reset every little thing that's been set up in Max.

Don't get me wrong, I've nothing against doing the path setup, glow points, turrets, etc. in PCS, but I'd hate having to fix UV layouts, smoothing groups, and hierarchy in another program just to get something into PCS.

[Water]

After struggling with instabilities of the 3D Studio Max POF Exporter (which quite frankly crashes far too easily), I'm wondering if there are any more reliable and efficient ways of getting a max model into POF or PMF format without going through 20 different programs and without having to reset every little thing that's been set up in Max.

Nope

Don't get me wrong, I've nothing against doing the path setup, glow points, turrets, etc. in PCS, but I'd hate having to fix UV layouts, smoothing groups, and hierarchy in another program just to get something into PCS.

UV layout and smoothing groups - yep
Hierarchy - 
Basically getting it to PCS2 with hierarchy is the hard part. Use a good conversion program that can convert to cob with hierarchy (good luck)(directX ?) Then sort the rest out in Truespace. Or find a way to get it into Blender with hierarchy (and lose smothing groups). Both Blender and Truespace can be used to import .obj format, assemble hierarchy and lamps (firepoints). Which gives you the ability to have PCS2 auto generate turrets on import.

If you are using Max, then using Truespace or Blender won't be high on your todo list.
Otherwise wait for: An improved Max exporter, or PCS2 Collada import support.

[KewlToyZ]

Is 3D explorer's COB files structured badly?