Convert 3ds files to obj with Blender
Tuesday, January 24th, 2012
3DS is an aging binary interchange format for 3D models. OBJ is another aging, but ASCII-based format for 3D models.
Here is a simple Python script that converts one or more files from 3DS format to OBJ format using Blender:
#
# Run as follows:
# blender -b dummy.blend -P bl_3ds2obj.py — file.3ds …
#
# dummy.blend is just an empty Blender file needed as an argument.
# Put one or more .3ds files on the end of the command.
# The .obj files will be created with the same name (and path) as
# the .3ds file, but with the .obj extension.
# The export creates a .mtl file for each .obj file also.
import bpy
import sys
import os.path
for i in range(1, len(sys.argv)):
if sys.argv[i] == "–":
break
for file in sys.argv[i+1:]:
# Start with an empty scene
bpy.ops.object.select_all(action="SELECT")
bpy.ops.object.delete()
# Read a .3ds file
bpy.ops.import_scene.autodesk_3ds(filepath=file)
# Write a .obj file
outfile = os.path.splitext(file)[0]+".obj"
bpy.ops.export_scene.obj(filepath=outfile)
Save the script code in a file named blender_3ds2obj.py. You will also need a Blender file to use as a placeholder in the command line. You can save an empty file from Blender, or use an existing one. Assume it is called dummy.blend.
To convert 3DS files, use the following command:
Tack on as many 3DS files to the end of the command as you want.
Note: This assumes that dummy.blend and bl_3ds2obj.py are in the same folder as your 3DS files. If not, you will need to specify the proper path to each.
I just learned this one: to get the text of cross references in your MS Word document to update (say you inserted another table and it changed the numbering of your Table captions), do a Print Preview… then close the preview window. Sigh. And that after a lot of time spent looking for an Update Cross References button. Also, searching in the Word help for “update cross references” turned up nothing.
