Please reccomend a free, simple 3ds viewer /editor

personoid · Post by **personoid** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 8:59 am

Hi,

Can anyone reccomend a free , simple 3ds viewer /editor ?

I want to quickly view existing 3DS models, and perhap do simple editting , eg removing components.

I would especially like to easily view the size of the models, eg how many units (m?) long / wide / deep it is.

I don't need to do complex modelling and editting.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

Personoid.

Brainsaw · Post by **Brainsaw** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 10:25 am

I use Wings3d which is (imho) easy to use and can import 3ds files. It's not a special 3ds viewer/editor, but it can import and export 3ds (and a lot of other formats as well).

RuggJack93 · Post by **RuggJack93** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 4:18 pm

If you had previous experiences with 3DS Max, you can go with G MAX .
It's a "restricted" version of 3DS max (so the interface it's almost the same), but has all you need for basic modeling and texturing. IMO it's quite easy to use and it imports (if i remember well) 3DS and CAD and exports plasma 3d files, but you can install additional plugins for import/export (download the gamepacks in the main page, they contain also the plugins for g max ).
Here's the link: http://www.turbosquid.com/gmax
Happy Modeling !!!

shadowslair · Post by **shadowslair** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 4:38 pm

You can also take a look at Anim8or http://www.anim8or.com/main/index.html . It`s absolutely portable and one .exe in 1.73 mb. Very easy to start and use program with many features. But for the dimensions- you can use the grid or create a box with the dimensions you want to check the scale. Not sre if it can tell you the exact dimensions.

personoid · Post by **personoid** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 8:58 am

Thanks, Anim8or looks like what I need.
Particularly like the simultaneous 4 views; top , bottom , left , right.

Personoid.

Bate · Post by **Bate** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 9:42 am

personoid wrote:Thanks, Anim8or looks like what I need.
Particularly like the simultaneous 4 views; top , bottom , left , right.

Personoid.

You would have trouble finding an editor that does not offer 4 views.

vermeer · Post by **vermeer** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 9:07 pm

Maybe both Wings3d and Metasequoia are good choices for your needs.

personoid · Post by **personoid** » Thu Oct 28, 2010 1:32 am

Bate, how do you get the 4 similaneous views in Wings3D?

Call me thick, but I can't see how to do it.

Thanks
Personoid.

Lonesome Ducky · Post by **Lonesome Ducky** » Thu Oct 28, 2010 2:21 am

personoid wrote:Bate, how do you get the 4 similaneous views in Wings3D?

Call me thick, but I can't see how to do it.

Thanks
Personoid.

Windows -> New Geometry Window
Then set it to view along your axes and voila.

personoid · Post by **personoid** » Thu Oct 28, 2010 4:41 am

Thank you.