The problem you have with .max files is that they aren't meshes in the traditional sense of the word, but are instead an instruction stack to 3DStudio telling it how to replay the commands you have entered in order to build the object in the first place.

Therefore, you need a copy of 3DStudio in order to replay the files. I also believe that Discrete haven't actually released the format for the .max files.

So, unfortunately the problem still remains - you need to load the .max files into 3DStudio and then export them as .3ds meshes.

Hmm, thats really unfortunate. Thanks for the Info. :)

I am new at Lightwave...Well i got it yesterday but if lightwave can import any of the following files/meshes then u are in luck.

.dwg
.prj
.dxf
.ige, igs, iges
.stl
.wrl , .wrz

These are all the files/meshes 3D Studio max can export and import.

OK, well I know LW can't do .dwg files as I have had this problem myself in the past. However, it will import DXF files.

As for the other formats I'm not entirely sure.

http://www.hades-studios.com/starfield

really good tutorial that uses layer effects and procedural textures. No medeling needed.:D