Some (very) basic questions regarding file optimization for texturing meshes for use in game engines
polycounter lvl 5
I know how to do many things in Maya, but I'm still foggy on the best ways to implement things I make in 3D into things like modern game engines (Unity, Unreal) since I haven't spent as much time in them as I've wanted to so far. I think I generally just have some confusion when it comes to implementation and workflow.
In Maya, let's say I'm working on a semi-complex building with many different pieces to it. Door, roof, doorknob, mailbox, all with different colors, and possibly different alpha and specular channels. Would it be more optimal to go into Maya and individually assign different arnold textures to each of these things, or should I take all of these things and assign them one giant texture? I know file size can be a concern, but what is there to think about besides that? Are there any issues with compatibility if I choose to take these things into game engines like this? How about if I do this with AI textures? How do these things compile exactly? Is one choice clearly superior to the other? Or is there something even smarter to do here that I don't know about? Can game engines like these handle AI textures properly or do I need to stick to using lamberts?
I don't expect for all my questions to be answered, or even for them to make sense, I'm just a little hazy on how best to proceed from this point on. Thanks for reading.
In Maya, let's say I'm working on a semi-complex building with many different pieces to it. Door, roof, doorknob, mailbox, all with different colors, and possibly different alpha and specular channels. Would it be more optimal to go into Maya and individually assign different arnold textures to each of these things, or should I take all of these things and assign them one giant texture? I know file size can be a concern, but what is there to think about besides that? Are there any issues with compatibility if I choose to take these things into game engines like this? How about if I do this with AI textures? How do these things compile exactly? Is one choice clearly superior to the other? Or is there something even smarter to do here that I don't know about? Can game engines like these handle AI textures properly or do I need to stick to using lamberts?
I don't expect for all my questions to be answered, or even for them to make sense, I'm just a little hazy on how best to proceed from this point on. Thanks for reading.
Replies
If creating a complex building/level for use in UE4/Unity it would be done using a mix of modular and unique meshes, and tiling and unique textures. This is a very general and simplified answer I have given, but it is a very in-depth subject. As you are completely new to creating assets for use in a real-time game engine environment I would advise spending as much time as you need on the Polycount WIKI. There is a huge amount of info to digest so it's a bit out of the scope of a forum post.
http://wiki.polycount.com/wiki/Polycount
http://wiki.polycount.com/wiki/Modular_environments
http://wiki.polycount.com/wiki/MultiTexture
Best of luck! It's a fun topic to work on!