Maya 2011 Use FBX Converter to Convert .3DS Max files Tutorial by Stuart Christensen
Maya plays very nice with .FBX files and the free FBX Converter from Autodesk is a great tool for converting existing .3DS max files for use in Maya. The conversion process is simple yet there are quite a few things to be aware of as you convert and import .FBX files into Maya, and this tutorial by Stuart Christensen will show you the common problems you may encounter when using the converter and what to expect when you import .FBX files into Maya. So, download a bevy of free .3DS models from the internet and have some fun!