3DS to OBJ converter
Convert 3DS to OBJ free online. Bring legacy 3ds Max files into any modern 3D editor with universal OBJ compatibility. No signup, files deleted in 1 hour.
Drop a file to convert here
or click to browse
About Wavefront OBJ
Common Use Cases
- Opening legacy 3ds Max files in modern editors
- Recovering meshes from old 3DS archives
- Converting old assets for modern pipelines
3DS is the original binary format from 3D Studio and early 3ds Max. It has a 65,535-vertex limit per mesh and lacks modern features like smooth groups and Unicode names. OBJ has none of these limitations and opens in every 3D editor made in the last 30 years. Converting 3DS to OBJ rescues legacy assets and makes them usable in modern workflows.
3DS is a legacy binary format with hard vertex limits and no modern material support. OBJ is an open text format with no vertex limits and broad material support via .mtl files.
Why Convert 3DS to OBJ?
Rescue legacy 3D assets
If you have old 3DS files from the 1990s or early 2000s, converting to OBJ makes them accessible in any modern 3D tool without hunting for vintage software.
No vertex limits
3DS has a hard 65,535-vertex limit per mesh object. OBJ has no such limit, so complex models convert without data loss.
Open in any modern editor
Blender, Maya, Cinema 4D, SketchUp, Rhino, ZBrush, and every other modern 3D application imports OBJ natively.
Clean starting point for modern workflows
OBJ gives you a clean mesh with UVs and materials that you can bring into modern pipelines, re-texture, and re-render with current tools.
When to use each
Use 3DS when...
- Working with legacy files that only exist as .3ds
- The source application only exports 3DS
- Simple models under the vertex limit
- Opening in very old 3D software
- Quick throwaway previews
Use OBJ when...
- Importing into modern 3D editors
- You need universal compatibility
- Complex models that exceed 65K vertices
- Sharing assets across teams and tools
- Archiving meshes in an open, future-proof format
Common use cases
- Opening legacy 3ds Max files in modern editors
- Recovering meshes from old 3DS archives
- Converting old assets for modern pipelines
How to use
- Upload your 3DS file. Drag and drop a .3ds file onto the upload area, or click to browse. Files up to 500 MB are supported.
- Run the conversion. Click Convert File. The legacy 3DS binary is parsed and written as a standard OBJ with materials.
- Download your OBJ. Save the .obj file and open it in any 3D editor. Files are deleted from our servers within 1 hour.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the converter handle the 65K vertex limit?
- 3DS splits meshes at 65,535 vertices. The converter reassembles these splits where possible, giving you the complete mesh in OBJ.
- Are materials preserved?
- Yes. Basic material properties from the 3DS file are mapped to OBJ .mtl materials. The 3DS format has limited material capabilities, so complex shaders will be simplified.
- Can I open very old 3DS files?
- Yes. The converter handles 3DS files from all eras of 3D Studio and 3ds Max.
- Is converting 3DS to OBJ free?
- Yes. Free with no signup. Anonymous users get a daily allowance, registered accounts get higher limits, and Premium or Lifetime members get unlimited conversions.
- What is the file size limit?
- The maximum file size is 500 MB per conversion.