Using 3ds Max 2015 for Skyrim Modding

[zechestin]

Dear Friends,

My first post on lovers lab! 

Anyway, I hope you guys can help me out with a simple question. Recently I started going through some armor modeling tutorials in 3ds max 2012 - the version used for modeling because it's got a smooth nif exporter. My question is simple, can I use later versions, then import my file as an obj into 3ds max 2012, and then export as a nif? I mean, intuitively, it seems doable, but I really have no idea about these things. I also started using mudbox, and so in any case there is going to be some back and forth in the form of fbx files before we can even think of exporting. 

So, doable? 

<btw, using student license. I love autodesk. I will sweep their floors for a decade just for their student licenses.> 

 

[Leito86]

Sounds fine to me.  I use Maya to model and use Max for exporting nifs/skinning.

[lanilani]

Okay, so would I need an older version of 3ds Max to even open the .nif file? I ask because I'm currently using 2015 and it seems to refuse to import .nifs . Granted, I am a complete noob...

[Vioxsis]

Okay, so would I need an older version of 3ds Max to even open the .nif file? I ask because I'm currently using 2015 and it seems to refuse to import .nifs . Granted, I am a complete noob...

 

There are no nif tools for 2015, only 2014 and below (to 2009 i think).

[lanilani]

 

Okay, so would I need an older version of 3ds Max to even open the .nif file? I ask because I'm currently using 2015 and it seems to refuse to import .nifs . Granted, I am a complete noob...

 

There are no nif tools for 2015, only 2014 and below (to 2009 i think).

 

 

Dammit..... Thanks for letting me know.

 

[Akzyra]

Thats what I am doing too. 2015 is nicer to work with.

If you send to Mudbox from 3dsMax you will loose Smoothing Groups. Export as FBX with changed settings (Check Geometry -> Smoothing Groups)