Using Ascii Scene Importer
Lars Englund - 2002

Exporting a valid ASE file from 3DStudio MAX

After finishing your scene in 3DStudio you have to, if you have not allready, apply mapping coordinates to every object in the scene. To check if some object is missing mapping coordinates or texture simply render the scene and look for untextured areas or warnings from 3DS that some objects are missing mapping coordinates.
Applying mapping is most easily done by applying a UVW map to the object. To do this you select your object, go to the "Modify" tab and choose "UVW Map", as shown below.

Apply UVW Map
Applying the UVW Map

After selecting and adjusting your mapping (planar, spherical, box or whatever) go to "File -> Export" on the top menu.
This will bring up a dialog where you should choose to save as an ASE file. The next dialog asks you for a bunch of parameters for exporting. Just use the ones seen in the following image.

ASCII Export
Exporting to ASE

Converting the ASE to a Quadtree and render lightmaps

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References
  1. ASE BNF - © Lars Englund

  2. Sample ASE file