This "HOWTO" describes how to import a 3D-model stored in a 3ds-file into ZGameEditor to use in your own projects. 

First step is to select "Import 3ds-file" from the "File"-menu.

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Then you select which file to import using a file browser.

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Next is the 3DS-file import options dialog which looks like this:

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The default options are normally the best for most models. Here is a more detailed description of what the options mean:

* Name prefix: This is the name that the generated components will have in your project after the model is imported.
* Auto scale model: Click this box to make the imported model scaled to the length of one in the X axis. This is useful because many 3ds-files have very large dimensions and need to be scaled down.
* Mesh scale: Select a scale value in percent. This option is only enabled if Auto Scale unchecked.
* Import vertex colors: Click this box for importing the colors of the model on a per-vertex basis. If this box is not checked then ZGameEditor tries to pick one color for each mesh in the model based on the dominating material.
* Auto center model: If this box is checked the model will be centered around the origin (zero) coordinate.

When you select "OK" in the options-dialog the model is imported into your currently opened ZGameEditor project. 

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The 3ds-format is quite common and many 3D-modeling tools can export 3d-models in this format. Here are some sites that contain free 3ds-models:

* http://www.3dtotal.com/
* http://www.3drt.com/downloads.htm
* http://www.klicker.de/human.html

Here is a sample project in which two models are imported into a ZGameEditor project. The zip-file contains both the .zgeproj file and an separate exe-file that can be executed.

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Download here: [[Path:/files/zzdc/WolfAndBart.zip | WolfAndBart.zip (100kb)]]. 

The Warewolf head is by META3D and downloaded from http://www.3dtotal.com/
The Dolphin model is by Flash Fire Designs and downloaded from http://www.3dtotal.com/
The Bart model is downloaded from http://www.klicker.de/human.html