I see that there are scripts available to import 3DS and OBJ files. Any opinions out there on if any particulat format is better to use when importing ( e.g. achieving the same results with less meshes)?
I can’t give you technical info about why, but I have had better results with .obj over vrml. This link to the previous forum page has a script for .obj import and export for Blender 2.28. Since it was posted I’ve been using it like crazy and it has given better results; though this may be due to less number of conversions -I hear that less file formats is better. Hope this helps,
-Brian
.obj file format is the best format to use as the .3ds format can do weird things to your model. There are a few really good .obj import/eport scripts out there if you just do a quick search on the forums. You’ll probably want 2.23 though as it is still the most compatible with useful scripts.
TorQ
thx all for the incredible link to that OBJIO script…worked like a charm to get my heightfield.obj in blender…now I can UVMapp away! 
yipee!
thx
lee