topic Re: 3Ds Max convert to Cinema 4D in 3ds Max Forum

3Ds Max convert to Cinema 4D

jamieHNYJV — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 03:34:40 GMT

Hi All

I have a .max (995mb) file of a warehouse model, that also used Corona vray. I want to open the model in Cinema 4D with all the textures already complete, so it looks the same as what it looked like in max.

My first question is, is this possible? The person who made the model has sent me obj, fbx and when I use them in C4D, it's a wireframe, or it's all a light grey color. I'm on mac so using max isn't possible, plus expensive for what I need it for. It would be great to know if this is possible, and what the process is to complete this, as this will be an ongoing thing I would like to learn and share back with the designer.

If you could help me or point me to a video that answers my questions, that would be amazing, or to clarify if this will not work, so I can look at an alternative option.

Thanks for your time

Jamie

Re: 3Ds Max convert to Cinema 4D

10DSpace — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 14:21:58 GMT

@jamieHNYJV

Your question is really how to import an .fbx or .obj file into Cinema 4D and adjust settings, lights materials as necessary to achieve the look you want. You need to post this question in forums dedicated to Cinema 4D, not the 3DS Max forum.

Regarding your question as to whether it is possible to successfully do this import into Cinema 4D and achieve the look you want, I have to believe the answer is yes, with enough knowledge of Cinema 4D and the 3D principles of Materials, Lighting & Rendering. These concepts and capabilities are incorporated into all major 3D software packages like Max, Maya, Blender, Cinema 4D, but you need to engage with forums where that expertise with Cinema 4D is available if that is your chosen 3D Package.

Re: 3Ds Max convert to Cinema 4D

jamieHNYJV — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 08:59:13 GMT

Thanks for responding, you didn't really answer my question but I'm going to read between the lines of your comment and say that there's NO easy way of taking a .max model with textures and open it in C4D without needing to re-add all the textures.

I think this question is perfectly suited to this forum because I'm trying to work out if it's more cost effective paying for max and learning myself, paying someone else who uses max, or converting to C4D that I already know and use.

Thanks for your time

Re: 3Ds Max convert to Cinema 4D

10DSpace — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 14:33:53 GMT

@jamieHNYJV

No, sorry , but with your reframing of the question I see that both you and I misunderstood each other. So let me try again.

.fbx is a file format that is designed to allow the transfer of objects with their assigned materials between 3d apps. I assume (but do not know from experience) that Cinema 4D has implemented its .fbx import feature in a way that allows you to do this easily as long as you know the right import settings for Cinema 4d. Also different apps use different types of materials that are not always translated correctly via .fbx export/import.

I had (mis)interpreted your original post to mean that you did not want to use max because of expense and you have a Mac. But ultimately, you need to understand Cinema 4D .fbx import options and correct Max export options suited for Cinema 4D to make this material transfer. I do not know anything about these specifics for Cinema 4D, but maybe someone else does. It is also possible that someone in the Cinema 4d community may have better info for you. Sorry for misunderstanding and good luck.

Re: 3Ds Max convert to Cinema 4D

jamieHNYJV — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 01:24:07 GMT

Thanks for clarifying and I understand your comment better too. So it really comes down to the use of exporting and importing .fbx files. I'll definitely post on a C4D forum now that I know what question to ask. It's been challenging finding anyone who uses both. Thanks again for your time and the mission continues. 😀

Re: 3Ds Max convert to Cinema 4D

10DSpace — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 02:27:09 GMT

@jamieHNYJV

To give you some further focus for your questions to post regarding the .fbx export/import process, it sounds from your first post that the path to texture maps used in various material slots are not being found by Cinema 4D after import. Thus you are seeing a solid grey material only. (I am guessing here, because I don't know if your materials in the scene are using texture maps at all, but probably they are). With the .fbx export process the material texture maps that are used by various material slots (e.g., "diffuse" or "base Color" Map, "specular" or "roughness" Map, Normal map, etc.) should all be consolidated in a separate directory alongside the actual .fbx of the scene itself. There must be a way in Cinema 4D for you to tell the program where the missing maps are by pointing to the directory. (In Max and every other 3D program I know, there is). You can verify that the .fbx export process provided you with these maps in a directory along with the .fbx scene file. If not, maybe whoever did the .fbx export from Max neglected to provide you with the directory of maps by mistake. Just a few things you might check to help troubleshoot the problem and focus your questions. Good luck.

Re: 3Ds Max convert to Cinema 4D

10DSpace — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 12:22:43 GMT

@jamieHNYJV

The .fbx export options from Max are more complicated than I described in the above post. Specifically the "Embed media:" option should be checked for the texture maps to be included for use on a different computer. As explained in the link below, the texture maps are embedded in the .fbx file and only when the .fbx file is imported is the folder of separate texture maps created.

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/3ds-max/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2022/ENU/3DSMax-Data-Exchange/files/GUID-FB993022-FD65-4ABD-8AF3-7F2CF613D71D-htm.html

So 2 things for you to check are whether whoever created the .fbx file for you checked Embed Media or not and whether there is a setting in the Cinema 4D .fbx Importer for these texture maps to be extracted into a separate folder.

Here is what the Max .fbx exporter dialog Embed Media option looks like:

Re: 3Ds Max convert to Cinema 4D

jamieHNYJV — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 02:24:21 GMT

Thanks for looking into it further for me. I'll chat with the designer and see what he says. It'll take a little trial and error to get going, but I feel like we're getting closer to finding a workable solution.

Re: 3Ds Max convert to Cinema 4D

JezEmin — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 13:25:27 GMT

I had a very similar problem, there is a script you can purchase called MaxtoC4D, it's written by 3dtoall.com and it costs $29 plus taxes.

I think it'll do what you want but it didn't do what I wanted when I trialled it and so I got a refund (I was after a script which could save out a .max file as a .c4d file but this script saves out an .fbx file, with the maps).

https://www.3dtoall.com/products/maxtoc4d/

Take a look at it, give it a go and let us know how you get on!

Re: 3Ds Max convert to Cinema 4D

jamieHNYJV — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 06:21:15 GMT

Thanks for that, I've download it and will test it.