BC poly limit

[Aeries]

In my more recent works [namely bridge and interior design project for the Mithra, oh how long I have worked in it... lol] I've often found that putting a crap ton of polies just to smooth the whole thing out is pretty wasteful; you don't always notice it anyway. best thing to do, is to put those wasted polies into the edges. A grand example could be saucer sections. pisses me off seeing saucers all jagged-edged or sharp-edged when they should be [well, generally anyways] smooth and clean, not like someone could cut their foot walking on the darn thing. Spend the polies where "jaggedness" is going to be noticed and criticized, not on the project as a whole wherein a lot is going to be wasted.

Aeries, slowly learning not to be wasteful. xD

[RCgothic]

A thought occurs... Could a couple of modders post a few wire mesh views (or solid views with the poly edges highlighted or something), in order to demonstrate good mesh quality? Perhaps a few comparisons with less advanced meshes in order to highlight some common mistakes?

Could help the rest of us learn where we're going wrong.

[Aeries]

You got it, RC. :]

Pic one:
Base shape created from a spline outline then lathed. Pretty raw, untouched and not modified at all. Obviously, very disgusting and not usable for any model these days, even low-standards.


Pic two:
Using the loop tool and highlight functions, remove the un-needed edges then the un-needed verts they connect to, in areas they aren't required, to keep the mesh at a nicer and significantly lower poly count. Then, using the Chamfer tool, chamfering the vertical edges of the saucer to created a nicer, smoother and far less jagged outline.


Pic Three:
Be sure to weld/target-weld the un-needed verts!!


Pic Four:
Chamfer the horizontal edges to dull the saucer edge, so as to not look like you can cut your finger on it.


Pic Five:
Not WLAYS needed for modeling in CGI settings, but in BC and many/most games, triangulating is a must. a VERY simple way to do this is to convert the mesh into an editable patch, then back to editable poly/mesh/whatever you wanna use. [I like poly, much more versatile.]



NOTE: If you need to keep the mesh perfectly symmetrical, make sure the pivot point is centered to the mesh and the axis you want to be symmetrical, and use the Modifiers -> Mesh Editing -> Symmetry tool

Like I said, this is really rough. there's still a bunch of things you can do to improve upon the mesh and optimize it a bit, but this should get the point across. Happy modeling.

[Lionus]

Ooooh.. so that's how it's done.. as soon as year changes, I have time and interest to start trying this stuff myself. 

[limey98]

Not WLAYS needed for modeling in CGI settings, but in BC and many/most games, triangulating is a must. a VERY simple way to do this is to convert the mesh into an editable patch, then back to editable poly/mesh/whatever you wanna use. [I like poly, much more versatile.]

The nif exporter triangulates the mesh itself. I think others would too, so that's not much of a concern.

NOTE: If you need to keep the mesh perfectly symmetrical, make sure the pivot point is centered to the mesh and the axis you want to be symmetrical, and use the Modifiers -> Mesh Editing -> Symmetry tool

I personally find its easier to model the thing as a whole, making sure at least one half of it is perfect, then splitting it and using a symmetry modifier right at the end. Though if you do, remember to remove any unneeded faces making the seam will create.

[RCgothic]

Thanks Aeries. Getting a good edge on something without wasting polies in the middle is something I've always found difficult, and you've solved it straight off. Cookied!

I've always modeled by symmetry, and it is important to keep the polys centred exactly on the axis. In lightwave there's a 'set value' tool. If I screw up and end up with a few off-axis, I can select all the affected polys and set the offending coordinate back to zero.

[Vladko1]

Aeries, that is one extreamly important information. You have a cookie from me.

[Villain]

Agreed, very handy, Aeries, mate! Cookie for you!

Also, RC, seeing as we both have Lightwave (Albeit different versions), Is Chamfer listed under a different name? I can't find the dang thing!

[RCgothic]

Hmmm, turns out we don't have a chamfer tool in lightwave. That's going to make things trickier.

[Villain]

Found something handy...

There is an alternative in Lightwave. Not as great, and very basic, but using Smooth Shift gives a similar result.

[RCgothic]

It doesn't actually. I use smooth shift a lot for box modelling, and it doesn't increase the number of polys around the edge, it just extrudes the existing polies.

[Villain]

Ah, that would explain why it won't double up... Seems only 9.5 has a chamfer called "Rounder"

[RCgothic]

9.5? Lol, I'm using 5.6. From my KA days. I think if you have a reasonably up to date LW, you should be able to find plugins for it.

[Aeries]

Hehe, I'm glad I was able to contribute a little something. :]

[Aramus]

Here is something also.

When working on a low poly mesh, that needs that EXTRA detail in places.

I will continue to add examples of this during the build of this andorian ship.

by cutting into the mesh and connecting in new lines here and there, I managed to modify my simple shape to allow me to add those detailed extrusions in a clean manner.

[RifleMan80]

Dang guys! I tried makin a ship back in 03' for BC but I did not have the get-go, nor the understating of this kind of work. To this day, I cannot even understand basic modeling lol. Work by pure genius if you ask me. But if it weren't for you guy's expertise, my videos would not be possible. It all goes to you guys.
*Raises glass of beer*

[Aeries]

Hmm. One of these days I'm gonna have to write some tutorials, methinks.... xD

[candle_86]

Dang guys! I tried makin a ship back in 03' for BC but I did not have the get-go, nor the understating of this kind of work. To this day, I cannot even understand basic modeling lol. Work by pure genius if you ask me. But if it weren't for you guy's expertise, my videos would not be possible. It all goes to you guys.
*Raises glass of beer*

just grab gmax and fiddle lol thats how i got going granted im not that good yet