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[Skip to content](https://support.lumion.com/knowledge-base/api/v2/help_center/en-us/articles/360049449114.json#main-content) English - United States Show submenu for translations ![Lumion logo](https://support.lumion.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo%20horizontal%202023-1.png?width=1353&height=640&name=Logo%20horizontal%202023-1.png) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English - United States Show submenu for translations - Contact us Contact us How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Knowledge Base](https://support.lumion.com/knowledge-base?hsLang=en-us) 2. [Import & Export Questions](https://support.lumion.com/knowledge-base/import-export-questions?hsLang=en-us) 3. [Model Import Guidelines](https://support.lumion.com/knowledge-base/import-export-questions?hsLang=en-us#model-import-guidelines) # Model import guidelines for the Autodesk .3DS file format ## **1. Export or import of a model in the .3DS file format** **1.1:** A number of 3D/CAD software, as well as online model resources, provide for the .3DS file format.  Lumion will import '.3DS' files.  However: - It is not recommended, although it does work for some models. - The 3DS format is so old that it does not include the unit type. - Texture file names must not exceed 8 characters so sometimes will require further conversion to work properly. - 3DS can sometimes create incorrect texture mapping coordinates. - The number of vertices and polygons per mesh is limited to 65536, so can only be exported from your 3D modeling software if the model is not very complex.  However, we recommend the use of *LiveSync* or other formats such as FBX or Collada DAE.   ## **2. Tips & Troubleshooting** **2.1: Problems with Scale/Size?** The .3DS format is so old that it does not include the unit type (meters, millimeters, feet, inches, etc), so Lumion cannot re-scale it automatically on import. In Lumion you can rescale using the *Scale* slider to decrease/increase the model proportionately by up to a factor of 1000. ![mceclip0.png](https://support.lumion.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/mceclip0_1753909848239-2.png) **Option:** if there are any problems with the scale then import it to SketchUp.  Use the scale option in the 'Import File' dialog window of SketchUp. Then save as an SKP file for import.   **2.2:  Textures do not import with the model?** Texture file names in the .3DS format must not exceed 8 characters for the old DOS 8.3 file name convention.  This can prevent some textures that are referred to in the material from being different from the file name.  So this requires further conversion to work properly. For example, a material used a texture file name in Windows 10 with the name 'stone\_marble.jpg'.  When the .3DS model is exported the texture is saved as 'stone\_ma.jpg' or 'stone\_m~.jpg' or similar depending on the 3D modeling software used to export the model. You can change the file name back to 'stone\_marble.jpg' to match the texture filename reference for the material. **Alternatively**, in Lumion, edit the surface using the *Material Editor* and change the *Color Map* for the texture by loading the 'stone\_marble.jpg' file.   **2.3: Why can't you see the model after importing and placing it in your *Project*?** - The *Insertion Point* for the *Imported Model* in *Lumion* corresponds to 0,0,0 in *the* 3D application that created the model. - If a model is far away from the *Insertion Point* in *Lumion*, you need to move the model closer to 0,0,0 in the application that created the model, before exporting it to *Lumion*. **2.4: Why can't you assign a *Lumion* material to individual surfaces?** - *Lumion* will always combine surfaces that use the same material in the application that created the model. If you want to assign a *Lumion* material to a specific surface, you *must* assign a unique material to that surface in the application that created the model before importing the model.   ## **See Also:** - **Knowledge Base:**  [Model import guidelines for 3ds Max](https://support.lumion.com/knowledge-base/api/v2/help_center/en-us/articles/360007814853.json?hsLang=en-us)   ## **Resources:** - **Lumion Community:** [The official Lumion list of 3D model collections](https://community.lumion.com/index.php?resources/the-official-lumion-list-of-3d-model-collections.3/)   - [Visit our other Sections](https://support.lumion.com/knowledge-base/visit-our-other-sections?hsLang=en-us) - [Contact Us](https://support.lumion.com/knowledge-base/contact-us?hsLang=en-us) - [Lumion Account](https://support.lumion.com/knowledge-base/lumion-account?hsLang=en-us) - [Latest News](https://support.lumion.com/knowledge-base/latest-news?hsLang=en-us#main-content) - [Major Known Issues](https://support.lumion.com/knowledge-base/latest-news?hsLang=en-us#major-known-issues) - 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