[Stiglr]

I don't even know what issues I have with it yet. I can't even get a straight answer as to which VERSION of Collada AC3D exports. This is significant, as 1.4 and 1.4.1 formatted files have had different results when exporting to various game engines.

As the bill of goods I've been sold relative to Collada is that it's a seamless import of 3D shapes and animation programming (for 3D programs that actually support animation), I'd imagine the part heirarchy would be an important element of that. So, if I understand you properly, I'd say that'd be a concern of mine as well.

Right now, I'm doing experiments that consist of 3D modeling and texture assignment in AC3D, exporting to Blender 2.5 (in both Collada and .3ds), adding animation in Blender and export as Collada to two target game engines. It's been slow going, as both target game engines have their own (slow) development issues, which complicate the scenario a lot.