hey, the 3d guy again [8D]. ok, first off, 3ds files can carry animation, just NL doesn't animate them in the program. the textures that have been aplyed in a 3d program need to be put into the objects folder along with the 3ds itself. Basic translusent (see-through) and color materials (that have been aplied like a normal mat.) will stay with the file. I would recomend getting the lowest poly count posible, around 1000-2000 would be ok. but the less the better (as long as it still looks good) in some 3d program there are options that automaticaly reduce poly count, I would recomend taking a look at those. Hope this helps