Can't generate a useful .3ds file

[Steve Jepson]

I am unable to save my ArchiCAD 18 models as .3ds and import them to Maxwell Render.

The Maxwell Render plug-in works but so I can get the model in to Maxwell Studio but not by saving the model as .3ds and then importing it.

I have been able to do it a few times saving the model as .obj

Anyone else have a problem generating usable .3ds files from very large ArchiCAD files?

[Laszlo Nagy]

I tend to suspect that one or two or a limited number of ArchiCAD elements may prevent the 3DS file from saving.
Does the saving process present you with an error message?

You could try to track down the problematic elements by making one layer visible and saving just that as 3DS. If it saves all elements on that layer are fine.
Then make another layer visible and save again. And by making additional layers visible and saving again and again, you can find at least the layer of the element which causes the 3DS not to save.
Then you can continue narrowing it down and finding the problematic element(s).