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[PompiPompi]

I need to be able to read a standard 3D format and convert all other formats into that file format.
I tried to use Collada, but apart from Collada Dom being horrible to compile, it didn't seem to work(don't remember what was the issue).
I also tried fbx, but I was getting a single empty node for reading a file and I had no idea why. There was also no sample file in the SDK that I know should work.
The only thing I was able to make work is reading a half life .smd file. However, there doesn't seem to be any tool to convert standard 3D file formats into smd, unless I buy a $4k software like Maya and use a plugin for that.

Any advice on how to read standard 3D file formats?

[Nix]

Sounds like you need a lesson in reading documentation

[Schrompf]

Collada works fine for me, in case I need skinned meshes, node animations or instancing. Our artists usually use something simple like .3ds or .obj if they just have a simple static model to export. On the reading side I use the Open Asset Import library. It reads all of these formats, and 30 more, and is somewhat easy to set up. But as I'm one of the founders of this library, I'm probably a bit biased.

[PompiPompi]

Sounds like you need a lesson in reading documentation

Or someone needs a lesson in writting proper(MS like) documentation?

[VortexCortex]

There's really no standard for 3D formats.  There's several common formats, but only defacto industry standards...

Anyhow, if you're not writing your own format to address your own specific needs, then go with a format that meets your requirements.  I'm not really sure what your needs are, so it's hard to suggest one.

Blender supports many formats and is open source.  I'm not advocating its use, but you could look at its code if you need help importing a 3D format that it understands.

[rivon]

You can take a look at how Irrlicht imports all the model files.

[PompiPompi]

Oh, I used assimport eventually, it's pretty awesome and easy to use.