How to transform your meshes in game?

junfanbl

I am trying to figure out how to transform the topology of my  model in game, like a sort of animation. I have some guns for a FPS, but I would like to create an animation where the player can change the style of the gun. The actual form of the gun will not change, but the way it is detailed will. It is supposed to have a lot of deep and random cracks and crevices in it, with a blueish light coming emitting from the cracks.

My problem is I don't know how to show this transition as an animation?

Any ideas?

Vollgaser

seems like you could use LOD screensizes for that. different detailed version of the guns.