Recent updates to the trunk build of Away3d include a revamped 3DS file importer. Enhancements include:
- Multiple mesh support
- Automatic texture loading
- Individual material support for faces
The update is based on AS3 code supplied by Masi Woermann, to whom i now owe a beer 
. You can download the source for the demo above by using the right-click ‘View Source’ option on the background of the swf
Plans to include auto texture loading for other formats that allow it are in the pipeline…