CAD tip # 8937:

Visual Studio 2012 has a simple 3D content pipeline that generates .CMO files from .FBX files. FBX files can be easily exported from 3ds Max and other Autodesk applications. The FBX-CMO conversion is demonstrated in the "Visual Studio 3D Starter Kit" sample. So 3ds Max is a preferred tool to generate 3D content for software development of computer games and other 3D applications.

Use the following options to generate (export) FBX files from 3ds Max 2013 or 2013 scenes:

• Geometry: Smoothing Groups, TurboSmooth, Convert Deforming Dummies to Bones, Preserve edge orientation
• Animation: Bake Animation (Start=0, End=100, Step=1), Deformations, Skins, Morphs
• Lights: Yes
• Cameras: Yes
• Units: Automatic
• Axis conversion: Y-up
• FBX File Format: Binary, FBX 2013