posted 03-26- 03:02 PM               

First, you have to undersand that SM is NOT a 3D format, it's much more than that.
A .SM file has much more info in it than a basic 3D model. It has FM and DM info, that's a lot of work.

Also, a MDL file is a 3D model in one piece. in SM files, the 3D model is cut in various parts (front fuselage, tail, left wingtip, left wing, etc). Because of this there will never be a way to directly import a MDL into OPS, for example.

What is possible with MDL files:
There is a converter called MDL2DXF (do a search on this forum, you'll find it). Its output are DXF files, AC3D imports them, but with lots of errors (normals totally screwed). I got my best results by importing them in Max, then exporting as 3DS and finally into AC3D. This way the normals are preserved and you even have a nice shading to start with. Let's sum it up:

MDL -> DXF -> 3DS -> AC

then you can texture map, cut the model in parts, and start modelling the usual way.

posted 03-26- 03:53 PM               

1. Your 3D program MUST be able to export either in: VRML, Waveform(Obj) or LOD format. (obj prefered IMO, but LOD is as good IF you can find it)

2. If your 3D program can't export one of those formats, then you must search for a program that can covert files you make in the said 3D program.

posted 03-26- 04:12 PM               

1.anim8or 3dSoftware at www.anim8or.com

2. 3D exploration (converter) at : http://www.xdsoft.com/explorer/