Graphics Question?!?

I know this subject might be kinda "out of the legue" for VB but im gonna ask it anyway... I need to know if its at all possible to use 3D rendered graphics in VB for a game with useing the whol $1200 3D StudioMax 4.0 and the Character Studio 3.0 (or something similar such as Lightwave)... I have 3DSMax 1.2 from a while ago and it works ok for making meshes but i have no real way to animate them. I dont even know what file types they would need to be converted to to use them in a game. I would like to know if its possible (without too, too much trouble) to use VRML or just 3DSMax without the character studio. If it is, then how would i go about implementing them in a game? (i know you would have to use DirectX... i mean more specific than that)... Like i said this is probably to hard of a project for VB to handle but I will try anyway if its possible... Thanx :)

I'm not convinced that there's ever a project that's too hard for VB to handle, but it all depends on how fast you want it to run...

Unfortunately, I can't help with 3D stuff, so I'll get my coat. You could try tempting one of the gurus to help you. I've heard Fox is quite partial to jelly babies....

Yes, this is fine for VB, Direct X SDK comes with tools to convert file formats from 3DstudioMax to Direct X meshes so thats not a problem.

I've seen the SDK samples, they've got classes to manage the animations.. you might want to check them out .. :)

btw: To create your models/animations you don't need expensive programs (well you can download them.. erm ;)), if you really can't get 3DS or such you can still make your own animation editor..

This answers the question about file formats: Use your own! When I made a 3D engine I first programmed a loading function for 3DS files, but later I've seen how to write a 3D Studio plugin to export the models from 3DS so I can import them into my game without problems... if you're looking for an easy way, use ASE files (3DS ASCII export, not sure it 3DS 1.2 supports them though) or as mentioned before, write a converter for the formats you have/want.

Thanx a lot everyone... this has helped a lot...:)