free alternative to 3ds max?

**Hellenic_Hoplite** · 11-24-2007, 02:48

I am a semi-experianced modder and wanted to get into making models but they all require 3ds max and I don't have $3,500 dollers to spend of a piece of software so I was wondering if anyone knew of a program with similar features that was free or at least alot cheaper?

Thanks in advance.

**Red Spot** · 11-24-2007, 07:33

options are;

-2nd hand 3D max (I have v3, 5, 6 and all perfectly legal for under €100,- in total, like I recently got v5, much needed, for €30,-)

-trial versions (still have v9 trial on disk just incase 3, 5, and 6 cant handle it)

-G-Max

-GameSpace (Light) "GSL"

though iirc you need max to be able to export the model (or something, I just recall there is some need to actually have max)

G

**Myrddraal** · 11-24-2007, 17:10

Exactly, the CAS extractor is only available for max, so though you can model in other programs, someone you needs to export the models in max.

**Hellenic_Hoplite** · 11-24-2007, 20:22

I heard of a program called "blender" is that any good?

**max_minimod** · 11-24-2007, 23:45

Yes it is: Its a free, open source prog, can do all things 3dsm can do, BUT:
-the interface is arkward (they did reinvent the wheel and thought to make things better, so it is not like any other common interface).
-Sadly the .cas exporter is only for 3dsmax, there is no .cas exporter for blender or other free prog

(it would be very good to have a simple prog that converts files, lets say .3ds to .cas but there is no such one, so all is clued to 3dsmax

)

**Hellenic_Hoplite** · 11-25-2007, 21:38

thank you.

**Horton III** · 11-26-2007, 21:01

Gmax will handle the .CAS exporter, in fact it is 3Ds Max without the $$, made by the same team after a rift with Softdesk. I only use gmax and can import/export .CAS with the 3dsmax script.

**max_minimod** · 11-27-2007, 10:39

Can you post what gmax and cas script version you use?
I hear often it works, but on my gmax version I can only import cas, if I try to export I get an 'fopen' error and only an empty file.

**Jubal_Barca** · 11-27-2007, 20:06

I actually can't find a working link to the cas importer script. Does anyone know of one?

**Makanyane** · 11-27-2007, 20:29

link for verc's cas importer/exporter
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/downl...do=file&id=141

**Ossie The Great** · 11-29-2007, 19:59

Originally Posted by Horton III

Gmax will handle the .CAS exporter, in fact it is 3Ds Max without the $$, made by the same team after a rift with Softdesk. I only use gmax and can import/export .CAS with the 3dsmax script.

Yes, i heard this to . The last time since i tried exporting with gmax i got an error but i belive they have released a updated version ( since then i have only used 3ds max ).

What i will do is experiment with different things this weekend and get back to you with the results, ( as it would be great if we could get the cas. exporter working for gmax , as it would mean a whole lot more modelers for rome total war ). but it will mean re-instuling gmax once again.

**max_minimod** · 11-30-2007, 08:06

Yea, even better would be a little converter prog that can convert a common format (.3ds or .wrl?) into .cas
That way we would not be clued to $$$-companys and could freely choose our tools.

If one has knowledge of definition of .cas and can explain me, I maybe could write an exporterscript for anim8or ( http://anim8or.com/ )

**Squid** · 11-30-2007, 18:30

Just open the .cas importer/exporter and look at the script, looking at that will be the easiest/best way to figure out the internal makeup of a .cas file.