How to convert 3DS to OBJ
- Add your .3DS file - drop it in the box above or click to browse.
- Convert it to .OBJ in a few seconds.
- Download your new .OBJ file.
What to expect
- OBJ always exports as two files -
model.objandmodel.mtl- keep them in the same folder alongside any texture images or materials will appear missing. - Keyframe animation stored in the
.3dsfile is not transferred; OBJ is a static mesh format - convert to.fbxinstead if you need animation. - Old
.3dsfiles often have inconsistent face normals that cause faces to appear black or flipped; fix them in Blender (Edit Mode > Mesh > Normals > Recalculate Outside) before exporting.
Frequently asked questions
Will textures be included in the converted OBJ?
The
.mtl file generated alongside the .obj references texture filenames but does not embed them. Keep the original texture images in the same folder as the .obj and .mtl.Does the OBJ keep animation from the 3DS file?
No - OBJ is a static mesh format and all keyframe animation is discarded. Use
.fbx instead if animation must be preserved.Why do some faces look black or inside-out after conversion?
The source
.3ds likely has flipped face normals, a common issue in older files. Recalculate them in Blender (Edit Mode, select all, Mesh > Normals > Recalculate Outside) before exporting.Is the conversion lossless?
Geometry and UV coordinates carry over intact, but object and material names may be truncated because the
.3ds format uses a legacy short-name character limit.Programs that convert 3DS: 3D Object Converter · AccuTrans 3D · FBX Converter · PolyTrans|CAD+DCC · Blender · 3ds Max (3D Studio Max) · Autoconverter · Bryce
