.X file import and kml import ?? Confused... Very.

[Sebastian.womanizer]

First off I'm attempting to make a race track for GTR 2. A car racing game. I used google maps: From and too and it mapped out the route I wanted to copy. Google allowed me to save a template of the track with KML file and I used a website to adjust the elevation of the road. I used bob track builder pro to add the kml file and it created the mesh of the track for me. But it won't save to the native format I need. And I found out I can do much more to improve the track in 3ds max. The only none game format it exports to is .X file format. Please are there any scripts to import .X files into a scene for 3ds max ? Or is there a script that allows me to import a KML file from google and have 3ds max build a mesh of the track for me ? 

[10DSpace]

@Sebastian.womanizer 

Or is there a script that allows me to import a KML file from google and have 3ds max build a mesh of the track for me ? 

There is a script called KML Parser that imports the .kml files into .max  available here:

https://www.klaasnienhuis.nl/2012/09/import-kml-files-in-3ds-max/

The author of the script has a lot of info on exchanging .kml back and forth between Google Earth and Max.   The KML parser script is free but he also sells a paid tool called Maproom.  Read through his website and links for more info to see what you need. 

There is also a plugin called Terrain described here that has a .kml importer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rSIFw6PK4k

Check out the info and link to the trial version download here:

http://www.west-racing.com/mf/?page_id=2979

[Sebastian.womanizer]

Yeah those I found through google as well. But thanks. So .X files are a container file. If they were so common back in the day then why can't 3ds max open them now? ffs.

[10DSpace]

@Sebastian.womanizer 

Sorry can't definitively answer the why question.  But out of curiosity, is the .x file type you are talking about the one mentioned here?:

https://docs.fileformat.com/3d/x/#:~:text=A%20file%20with%20.,%2C%20and%20user%2Ddefined%20objects.

If so, the following lines from the link may give some partial answer (although doesn't help you) to why (i.e., superseded by .fbx)

"A file with .x extension refers to DirectX 3D Graphics legacy file format that was introduced with Microsoft DirectX 2.0. It was used for 3D graphics rendering in games and specifies the structures for meshes, textures, animations, and user-defined objects. It has been deprecated since 2014 as the Autodesk FBX file format serves better as a more modern format. X is template-driven and is free of any usage knowledge. You can open DirectX X files using Microsoft DirectX and common text editors"

If you mean some other type of .x file, then I have no idea.   As far as I know, the .kml import alternative you were also asking about in your original post is the only option.    Sorry I cannot help further on this.   Good luck.

[10DSpace]

@Sebastian.womanizer 

In case this is of any help to you there is apparently a free .x to .fbx online converter here:

https://products.aspose.app/3d/conversion/x-to-fbx

Also one here:

https://www.automapki.com/convert/x/x-to-fbx.html

Once you have an .fbx you should be able to get it into Max assuming the converter is any good.