Could use this as a bake mesh, then optimize post-bake if it works. Would retain all UV's if they are clean edge loop additions, very easy just to cut loops if they arent UV border edges
Gotcha. Cheers both. I'll go back and add more edge loops to try fix the distortion - comes with the big polycount jump though as there's a lot of horizontal edge loops within the piece controlling the detail.
You don't need more edge loops around, more edge loops vertically will help the most. Also it would help if you modeled your high poly to bake well onto a lowpoly. Making 90 degree angles into a bit less extreme of angles helps, and people don't notice.
Yes, add more sides to the cylinder. Also, regarding triangle usage on cylinders, I often see people adding cross directional control loops in an attempt to correct distortion. Consider that the two cylinders here have the same triangle count and one of them looks a whole lot better.
Cheers Zac and Obscura. I started with 64 sides on the cylinder because it was the most appropriate amount to start with due to the location of the mail slot, and the door on the post box. When it came to the low poly I felt 64 sides was too many so halved it to 32. I'll definitely give the method shown with sides a go on…