[Kaelic]

Is there any way to go about this? What program to use to extract the models? Any sites which may already have them in 3DS or something similar? Thanks

[Galemp]

Normally, one would export a 3DS from Truespace, but they're corrupted somehow and Max won't open them. Wish there was another way.

[Visionism]

Have you tried the 3D file converter Crossroads? Couldn't tell you offhand whether it does COBs. Since I'm a Lightwave type and it doesn't do LWOs I never looked into it that closely.

Incidentally can someone tell me whether Truespace exports either LWOs (Doubtful) or Autocad DXFs?

[Grunt]

Crossroads converts cob files into 3ds but only the geometry without texture data. Also the face normals will be messed up, though you can solve this with the Unify normals / flip normals options. And the program is free.
I've just downloaded the Deep Exploration demo (do a search for it on the web) which is able to convert cobs to full 3ds format. Not sure about the functionality of the demo, 'cos I haven't tried it yet.
If I could convert those models at last, I would make them available on my site for D/L.

As for extraction of the V models, you can use VPview to get the POFs, then use PCS for the POF to COB conversion. Also use VPview to extract the texture files the model uses, into the same directory where you have the cob and convert them into BMP with an image converter prog. This way TS will find them when opening the cob. (the latest is not necessary for the conversion into 3ds.)

And Visionism:
TS exports DXF, and Deep Exploration converts cob into LW as I know.

[Visionism]

Hot damn. Hadn't heard of that one. Deep Exploration here I come. Thanks Grunt.

[Galemp]

Deep Exploration is truly wonderful, but the full version costs Four Hundred Dollars.

[ShadowPuppet]

Have you tried using Lithunwrap?

The thing will import and export both .cob and .3ds formats, and since it's a texturing program, I can't see it ruining the texture mapping!!!!

[Vertigo1]

Use VPView to extract the POF and PCX textures.

Use PCS to convert the POF to COB files.

Use Deep Exploration to do a mass conversion of the PCX files to JPG or GIF. (this will take a while since it frequently pesters you to buy the stupid program, which the nag screen will take forever to load while converting the files.)  Then do the same with the COB files to 3ds.

Then import them one by one, delete any un-necessary geometry and groups, point the geometry to the new texture files, and you're done.

[Grunt]

Originally posted by Vertigo1

Use Deep Exploration to do a mass conversion of the PCX files to JPG or GIF. (this will take a while since it frequently pesters you to buy the stupid program, which the nag screen will take forever to load while converting the files.)

Each conversion to these formats will degrade the texture quality, which is not an advantage when making renders. I suggest that you use BMP instead.

Deep Exploration demo is a 30 day fully functional trial version, which is enough to convert all V models into 3DS.
No nag screens, also converts, renames and copies texture files, etc.

A similar program is Quick3D, and Polytrans, the later has a 3DS export/import plugin, so COB files can directly be loaded and saved from MAX. It's bad that the trial version deletes each 5th faces.

[karajorma]

Originally posted by Vertigo1
Use Deep Exploration to do a mass conversion of the PCX files to JPG or GIF. (this will take a while since it frequently pesters you to buy the stupid program, which the nag screen will take forever to load while converting the files.)  Then do the same with the COB files to 3ds.

I'd convert to BMP instead and also I`d use irfanview (do a search on google) to do the conversions instead of Deep Exploration. It's free, pretty simple to use and it will take about 1 minute to convert all your files.

[karajorma]

EDIT : When the hell did this become a double post? Looked fine last time I looked

[Vertigo1]

Originally posted by Grunt
Each conversion to these formats will degrade the texture quality, which is not an advantage when making renders. I suggest that you use BMP instead.

I prefer to conserve disk space, and the degredation isn't noticable.

Deep Exploration demo is a 30 day fully functional trial version, which is enough to convert all V models into 3DS.
No nag screens, also converts, renames and copies texture files, etc.

You've obviously never done mass conversions using Deep Exploration.

[Grunt]

Originally posted by Vertigo1


You've obviously never done mass conversions using Deep Exploration.

Quite interestingly I did not realize that you were talking about Deep Exploration when I replied. Somehow I believed that it was about 3D Exploration.

And yes, obviously not.