Inventor->Maya
 

Even though we need to use 3DS for the animation, is there a way to import from Inventor to Maya (preferably version 5) without getting a 3rd party program to convert the file?

Re: Inventor->Maya
 

You can import your Autodesk Inventor Files into 3-D Studio Max.

Re: Inventor->Maya
 

With some difficulty, that is.

Re: Inventor->Maya
 

Going from Inventor to 3DS isn't the problem. I was wondering how to go from Inventor to Maya 5. (but thanks anyway ;) )

Re: Inventor->Maya
 

Perhaps you could import the inventor files into 3d studio, and then export using 3d studio in a format that Maya supports. 3ds Max has a few other export options, so one of them might be compatible. Also, there is a program called Milkshape 3d that will open a .3ds exported from 3d Studio (and will not open .MAX) and save to a ton of formats, pretty much sure to work. free trial: Milkshape

And I'm wondering, why Maya?

Re: Inventor->Maya
 

I wish i knew how to convert inventor files to maya as it would make it a better way to make stuff for ut2003.

but maya is far superior to 3ds max, especialy now that they are trying to steal 3ds game nitch.

Re: Inventor->Maya
 

Unfortunately there isn't an easy way to go about this. I have tried this before but it just won't work.
I've actually tried Milkshape3D before. Though it does work to some extent, the export plugins are not the best for Maya. You tend to lose polygons/normals in the conversion process. Also, I'm trying to get something along the price lines of $free :D .
I use Maya for a number of reasons:

1) Power and functionality
2) Ease of use
3) Strength of dynamic interactions
4) Cross-compatibility (works with Windows, Mac OS, and Linux)

I also want to use Maya to comply with designer preferences. My graphic designers for Tri5 Software use a multitude of software and it would be nice to allow them to use the programs they prefer, rather than having them learn new ones.