Opening Max 8 with Max 6

[thickly]

is there any way to open an 8 file in 6? I was told there was a plug-in or freeware that could handle it - albeit sometimes with some bugs - but I can't seem to find the name of it.

 

any help would be appreciated, it will save me from having to do a ridiculous amount of modelling over the weekend.

 

thanks,

SD

[kdavenport]

I've never heard of anything like the plug-in you described, though that does not discount it's existence. However, you could always export your models as 3ds files and import them into max 6; it will even maintain texture coordinates for you.

 

Hope it helps.

[sob80sup81]

I agree with Kevin there... the only possible way to re-open max 8 files using the earlier version is by importing the model into 3ds format...

 

Rather annoying since it's no longer easy to modify the parameters though

[DavidR]

This is a real pain in the ass, because I don't understand why I can't import a poly model with Turbosmooth, symmetry and uvw mapping from Max8 to Max7. Why not display a warning message? If the core is the same,m there should be no problem. Maybe Autodesk will come up with a way to do this at the same time they're figuring out how to get Maya stuff in and out of Max.

[NickG]

Hi! I am not 100% sure but I think to remember, that with both

applications installed, this can do it http://www.righthemisphere.com/products/dexp/index.htm

 

BTW - Autodesk can have no interest in this feature, because it

would allow to use old licenses with upgraded seats. Also it would

reduce the pressure of buying upgrades...

 

NG

[RErender]

You could try http://www.scriptspot.com/bobo/darkmoon/bff/

 

You'd have to have access to Max 8 to export it though.

[thickly]

thanks for all the input -- of course I would have been much happier if you told me that is was a simple process - but it never is. Unfortunately I do not have access to Max 8 to export as an object file.

 

I understand the rationale that Autodesk wants you to have to purchase the upgrade, but even with AutoCAD you have the option of saving down to an earlier version so that other people can work with the file. Its not like all of us have the $$$ to upgrade with every release.

 

Any thoughts regarding downloading the Max 8 trial version, exporting the objects I need and then working on them in Max 6. If I download Max 8 trial, is it going to screw up my Version 6? This is definitely not one of those weekends I can afford to having computer problems.

 

Again, thanks for all your input.

[Brian Cassil]

The reason I would like to be able to go back to older versions is so that I could more easily go between max and viz. I work I use max but sometimes work with people who use viz, when I teach I use viz but have students who have max. I agree that going back a version or two should not be a problem, and it would help a lot of us out.

[Brian Cassil]

hmmm. I'll have to give bobo's file format a try.

[C.Vestal]

bobo's script has helped me get out of a jam before, it is good

[theqball]

Any thoughts regarding downloading the Max 8 trial version, exporting the objects I need and then working on them in Max 6. If I download Max 8 trial, is it going to screw up my Version 6? This is definitely not one of those weekends I can afford to having computer problems.

 

Sean, there should be no problems in doing this. After the 30 day trial expires you wont be able to do it again though. The trails are full working copies of the software and do not have limitations other than the license.

[kdavenport]

The trial 3dsmax 8 should not mess with max 6; I have 6, 7 and 8 installed on my machine currently and have had no issues. Unfortunately, the core is not entirely the same from version 6 to 8, thus the issues. Of course, the Turbosmooth modifier is not available in max 6 and that probably the issue your getting, something about missing dll files as it lloks for the code for that modifier.

 

It would be nice if there was a save down feature or at least, as you say, an error message about the fact that the file is incompatable.

[thickly]

thanks for all the responses. I'm glad to hear that you can have simultaneous versions of Max on your machine and it doesn't appear to cause any issues. The missing .dlls error is what I was getting, but I knew from past experience that it was a version compatibility issue.

 

anyway, This was a case where I was eventually able to talk the client out of having to see every detail since it was a preliminary concept render, so I just did everything I could in 6 -- maybe I'll talk the boss into getting the upgrade - for my home machine that is.

 

thanks!