I need help with .x files!

I need to be able to load and save their data, so... (PS I am using VB6, DX8)

* I have found functions that I can use to get/set the raw vertex data from a D3DXMesh object, which is a start. However, this does not preserve the submesh information. How can I get/set this, or is it possible to do so?

* If it isn't possible, then how could I read in a .x file myself in order to load up a 3d mesh into a custom class object that I would write for this? The mssdk reference material only helps to make this more confusing to me. In other words, how would I open up the .x file and parse the data?

If the first one is possible, I would really prefer it, as it would be a lot easier for me. :D
Note that once I have this data, I am writing it to my own binary resource file and then reading it in later. I can already handle the materials and the textures, so it is just the 3d data itself (and particularly the submesh data) I am worried about.

D3DXMesh.LockAttributeBuffer is the way to get that information. Have fun using it in VB, though.

Z.

Ah, I spoke too soon. D3DXBaseMesh.GetAttributeTable looks to be a little bit friendlier to you VBers ;).

Z.

Well, that function seems that it should do exactly what I would want. However, when I tried it, I got back no data whatsoever - just a bunch of 0s. How does one use this function properly?

No idea. I use my own formats =).

Z.

Zaei, have you done a 3ds to your format converter then?

Quote:

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Originally posted by petrus
Zaei, have you done a 3ds to your format converter then?

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ASE, at the moment, not 3ds.

Z.

heh ok

Actually, it doesn't have to be .x files for me; any widely-accepted object format (*.dxf or *.obj for instance) would do. I was concentrating on .x files because DirectX has native support for them. Once I have the data, I will basically be using my own file format as I will simply be packing the pertinant data into my custom binary resource files. So could anyone point me in the direction of a tutorial or such that would explain how to load one of these such formats (preferably one that's relativly straightforward to understand)? Thanks a bunch.

It's even hard to find a tutorial about loading X-files..

Please? I'm really in a bind here! I can't continue with my game until I get this working!