[Newbie question] What would be the best way to model this ?

Digipyro

Hey guys,

I'm embaressed to ask this but is this the most effective (and cleanest) way to model this circle ? I end up with so many triangles and started to wonder. Even though I'm trying to get Smooth circle I'm still trying to be semi conservative. I understand I could throw in a dozen edge loops but I doubt that would be the way to go (feel free to tell me wrong if I am)

Udjani

If you are traying to make a highpoly you can use subdiv to get smooth shapes. 

musashidan

If this is an in-game production asset that will be baked then just add it to the normal map as it isn't that deep and doesn't affect the silhouette.

Digipyro

I'm trying not to make it high poly ( medium poly ?), the smooth modifier doubles if not triples the tri count. the result is great but unfortunately not the solution. I think it's mostly in the modelling. 

Digipyro

musashidan said:

If this is an in-game production asset that will be baked then just add it to the normal map as it isn't that deep and doesn't affect the silhouette.

I'll give that a try.

musashidan

Yes, your topology is going to be like this when you have areas of contrast between high-segment curves and very sparse geometry. What you have is on the right track, but you have a redundant edge loop around the border of the top of the hole. It's doing nothing as it's on a flat surface an doesn't affect the form/silhouette. Also, another little trick is to collapse the edges around cylindrical forms where the silhouette isn't as noticeable - like I've done in the image below at the base of the hole.

When optimising your game mesh you can get away with a lot, but don't go too crazy(geo is cheap these days) don't sacrifice the silhouette for the sake of a few triangles, and don't be afraid to add extra segments to make curves look good. Just watch out for extremely thin triangles with long edges.

Digipyro

Yeah, I'm making an AC and wanted to give it a bit of depth so i could model a fan in front of it. making the back face dark.

Thank you for both replies. Will post the result.

musashidan

Yes, if it's a major form change that serves a function - like a housing for a fan in this case - then it should be modeled in if possible.