Hello all! 
I use blender some time now and I like to work with.
One question though
After exporting my blender objects in 3ds file format and try to import it in wings 3D I see nothing or importing in gmax it tells me ‘improper file format’.
Some time ago an import in gmax was possible but I saw only vertices in wireframe mode but now as already mentioned I get the message ‘improper file format’.
My OS is winxp and I use blender 2.42a
Any help is appreciated.
Well, I’ve been able to export to .3ds easily. I do know that the model didn’t look right until I re-calculated the normals.
Thanks for the reply.
My normals should be ok so (pointing outside). But I’m not able to export to an proper 3ds file. Do I need to make some preparations with my objects prior to exporting? I simply select the objects (mesh) in object mode and then scripts-export-3ds. A 3ds file has been saved but seems to be corrupt although the console tells me all went well. Importing in gmax or wings 3d failes. 
You might only be able to export one object at a time. In that case, select the object, export it, select the next object, export that, etc.
Now I created a cube mesh object with space - mesh -cube.
Then I changed to object mode select the cube and then file - export - 3D studio (.3ds)
The same result the 3ds file is not useable.
I tried this with that simple object to test if it has anything to do with my other more complex one.
I think the best for exporting/importing from or to blender is the .obj format to keep the uvw coords and dxf for raw models .
The 3ds export in blender offently crash !
and its also limited in polygons numbers …
I would like to import in gmax is this possible with the obj. format?
Ok the cube has been exported correct now I see that some of my objects will exported without problems but others not. I could not find the reason.
humblebee,
submit the files that have difficulty to the bug tracker, then it can potentially be fixed for the next release.
LetterRip
Now I believe to know what causes the trouble.
The object name may not consist of more then 10 characters.
Thanks a lot humblebee, worked great once I changed the characters name 