Originally Posted by jgro  Even if you could get an iges file, it wouldn't have smooth surfaces. 3D Max is a polygonal modeler, which will create a bunch of facets instead of a smooth surface (click on image below to see larger version).
jgro |
3DS Max files CAN be converted to other formats using 3D Exploration 1.5... there's a link to this in the "share your parts or art" thread on the zone. it will also convert .3DS and .LWO without difficulty.
It's a non-expiring demo.. which you're supposed to register.. but registration is not actually possible as the website to register has been taken down...
it is an older application.. so it may not convert files from the most recent versions of 3ds max.. there are a wide variety of output formats.. IGS /IGES doesn't seem to be listed... but as pointed out above.. MOST 3dsmax files are polygonal.. but you can get .STL or .DXF without problem...
I say MOST 3DSMax files are polygonal because 3DSMax version 7 onwards can work directly with the IGS/IGES format and has full surface modeling features. However not many (if any) people provide stock NURBS models.. so your .MAX files are likely to be MESH surfaces.. although without seeing the files I couldn't be adamant about this..
hope this helps
Danny