Tris count vs topology
Hi there!!!
I'm new at polycount, and my first thread is to ask for your advice.
I'm modeling a helicopter, intended to be for high-end consoles. It is a requisite to get a job, and I must show this working in the engine (UDK), showing the fps.
I can finish it in two way, in both of them would look almost the same, with the maps applied:
1.- Keep it low triangle count, wich means not an ugly, but not nice topology (about 12,000 tris, aprox. (no interiors).
2.- Take care also of the topology, in order to show that I can keep modeling almost with quads and good flows. 15,000 tris, aprox. (no interiors).
For example, this is a blog where the guy shows the best way to close cylinders. Looks very clean, but increase the poly count considerably:
http://blog.whiteblaizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/sdm04_08.gif
He says is the best way to work for UV Maps... Is thath true?
What should I do?
I'd appreciate the advice from both: pros and novs.
I'm new at polycount, and my first thread is to ask for your advice.
I'm modeling a helicopter, intended to be for high-end consoles. It is a requisite to get a job, and I must show this working in the engine (UDK), showing the fps.
I can finish it in two way, in both of them would look almost the same, with the maps applied:
1.- Keep it low triangle count, wich means not an ugly, but not nice topology (about 12,000 tris, aprox. (no interiors).
2.- Take care also of the topology, in order to show that I can keep modeling almost with quads and good flows. 15,000 tris, aprox. (no interiors).
For example, this is a blog where the guy shows the best way to close cylinders. Looks very clean, but increase the poly count considerably:
http://blog.whiteblaizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/sdm04_08.gif
He says is the best way to work for UV Maps... Is thath true?
What should I do?
I'd appreciate the advice from both: pros and novs.
Replies
Once you bake out normals, don't futz with the edges or else you'll start having issues.
The cylinder in question there is a HP mesh. You wouldn't close a LP mesh like that. Here's a great old example:
Figure A terminates triangle stripping, which leads to worse performance. Figure B however, enables tri-stripping to continue across the entire surface, making performance better.
Joshua Stubbles. Thanks for that information. Now I'm reading about triangle strips. Is there some page with some other information about the best way to model for games?
I have a looooot to learn...
Jonathan, I don't have a triangle budget, but based on what Neos and Joshua said, i guess I'm goin to use tris to improve shape, instead of topology.
P.D. What "futz" means? I'm not native english speaker, and I can't find the word.
dont change them, thats not the exact translation but futz isnt a real word
that capping method is neat but its verging on the side of OCD, the nGon was perfectly functional and would bake exactly the same.
Also post some screenshots if you need more accurate advice.
futz/fəts/
Verb:
Waste time; idle or busy oneself aimlessly: "mother futzed around in the kitchen".
Deal with (something) in a trifling way; fiddle with. In this context it means don't move any edges or points after baking.