[Noob] How would you go about getting this weapon UDK ready?

ckj

I've google'd and youtube'd my way to my first game asset for UDK:
http://cl.ly/image/2Z1D392F1q3i

Problem is I have no idea which part of the process comes next. I attempted to automatic map the UV's, but at 130k tris you can probably imagine how that turned out.

Should I map out lower res topology with something like Topogun at this point? When is the appropriate time to generate UV maps? Are there steps that i've missed?

How would you approach this?

Obscura

if you want to use it in udk, you really need to reduce the polycount. a few thousand would be good for the final model.and for the uv's.dont use automatic uv mapping.because it breaks the uvs almost randomly, and its really hard to texture.learn to uving first, and then go to modeling assets for games engines.proper uvs are important as the "low" polycount.

you can find very useful tutorials and guides here about almost everyhting what is needed for real time 3d things:
http://wiki.polycount.com/

Luka

1. make lowpoly version of the gun.
2. unwrap lowpoly
3. bake normals, make other textures you need
4. export your low poly.

Obscura

also, i think the weapons in unreal engine are skeletal meshes
http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/SettingUpWeapons.html

ckj

Thanks guys.

Luka wrote: »

1. make lowpoly version of the gun.
2. unwrap lowpoly
3. bake normals, make other textures you need
4. export your low poly.

I'm assuming the low poly version should be a single object? Are you suggesting that Topogun might be overkill for my model?

Obscura

Use topogun if you want.But i think, the basemesh of this model without geometry subdivider modifier would be good for this, with little optimizations.If you dont really have idea how you should make the lowpoly, search a little at polycounts wiki, what i linked before.it was 1 min to me to find this there.
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL925958D31D8D30C7