Invalid normal index.

KoldIt · Nov 2010

So I´m doing a school project and need to import an obj file that was made in maya into 3ds max2011. But after I specify what I want to import I get this error, "ERROR - invalid normal index". If anyone has had this problem and been able to solve it then I would be grateful for tips.

throttlekitty · Nov 2010

Can't say I've seen that one, google didn't help much.

I'd take a copy of the .obj into notepad and delete all of the normals data section. (typically prefixed by vn, sometimes n)

Snight · Nov 2010

Transferring an OBJ from Maya to max can be finicky. I would suggest exporting as an FBX file. It still has it's own issues but is much more stable than OBJ.

peppi · Nov 2010

Did you try the Auto or Faceted Normals setting in the importer?

seantriana · Apr 2014

This happens for me, after I imported the FBX files into 3ds Max 2013. It's giving me strange fallout shadows on my mesh. Right in that scene I converted it into other editable options, then it fixed the "...invalid normal" error. But now it render the texture black.

Maybe it's just me, because I thought the polygon got flipped...

Farfarer · Apr 2014

Is there a relative index option on the obj import?

OBJ supports negative indices. I know there's an option on the exporter for that in Max, there might be one in the importer.

St.Sabath · Apr 2014

Just shooting some ideas:
in Maya,select your model,try to unlock all normals,then export with normals ticked,as obj if you wish.
See if that helps..

If not,have you got both packages installed on 1 machine?If so,try booting up Maya ,then 3DSMax,and load up your object in maya.Then Go: File-->Send to 3dsMax-->as new file.

koyima · Mar 2017

The Auto option in the obj import settings, under Normals, worked for a file I exported from Unity and had that issue.

Invalid normal index.

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