I've seen in Q3map2 Toolz that you can convert a bsp file to an ase file.  So what's an ASE file?  If this is a RTFM question just point me there and I'll be quiet.

isnt ase another compression format?? like zip or rar

ASE is 3D format like 3DS but unlike it, it has no capability for storing texture information. Q3Map2 allowed at one time to export the whole geometry (polygons) of a map to a .ASE file, but I'm not sure if it still allows it. That's all what it is; but I do wonder about the usefulness of this feature for a mapper...

I found a use for it pretty much straight away. I converted my rivendell map (as it stood) into ase then got it into 3DS Max. Seems to be invaluable once you find a use for it! Like all things really...e.g. a blender, you want one but you never know why until that one day....

is there a plugin or somthing similar to get an ASE file into milkshape or gmax?

Ase files are exported files from 3DSmax that contain the model information and its uvw unwrapping. The advantage of using ASE files in your maps is (if I recall my conversation with INVIS correctly) is that these models are automatically clipped. While autoclipping (apart from the work you have to put into it otherwise) seems ok but not so important, it is rather important for realism mods like Urban Terror. I think that the skinmap of the model needs to have the same name as the model to work. But check splashdamage for information if you need it.

So... no?

what's splashdamage?

http://www.splashdamage.com, home of ydnar, creator of Q3map2.