3DS Max: "Improper File Format"

Hello guys. My problem is that everytime I try to import the 3ds files created by 3DSimEd, 3DS Max (even tried Blender, ZModeler, GMax all the same) says it's an improper file format. I did everything as described in the "simple conversion thread" thread. That's so frustrating!

converted from?

rFactor or F1 2010 it's the same/does not matter.

I sometimes have the same problem.
I first try to make a 3ds file without the 8.3 setting and convert it to fbx format with the fbx converter. I did manage a few tracks this way but sometimes this just wont work.

if this did not work then i try the way Albert describes ( so with the 8.3 setting ).
This usualy works, but sometimes gives me also a improper 3ds file.
In that case you can try to convert the improper 3ds file with the fbx Conversion tool. ( this worked for me with 1 track, if i remember correctly then this was a f1 2010 track )

So, converting a track is not always easy .