登录查看更多内容

How can you optimize polygon count and LOD for character models?

由人工智能和领英社区提供技术支持

Polygon count and level of detail (LOD) are two key factors that affect the performance and quality of character models in graphics. Too many polygons can slow down the rendering and increase the memory usage, while too few can make the models look blocky and unrealistic. LOD is a technique that reduces the complexity of the models based on their distance from the camera, saving resources and improving framerate. In this article, you will learn how to optimize polygon count and LOD for character models using some practical tips and tools.

在这篇协作文章中查找专家回答

由社区从 6 条内容中精选。了解更多

1 Start with low-poly

The first step to optimize polygon count is to start with a low-poly base mesh that defines the basic shape and proportions of the character. This will help you avoid unnecessary polygons and keep the topology clean and efficient. You can use a sculpting tool like ZBrush or Blender to create the base mesh, or use a reference model from a library or a scan. You can also use retopology tools like TopoGun or Instant Meshes to simplify an existing high-poly model.

添加您的观点

Joel Kwabena Aboagye, MA.

Digital Marketing | Digital Communications | Brands and Communications MGMT | Social Media Associate | Digital Creator | E-Learner | DJI Drone Pilot
举报内容
Start with a low-poly base mesh to define the character's shape and proportions efficiently. Use sculpting tools like ZBrush or Blender to create the base mesh or simplify existing high-poly models with retopology tools like TopoGun or Instant Meshes.

已翻译

赞

2 Add details with normal maps

Normal maps are textures that simulate the lighting and shading of high-poly details on a low-poly surface. They are a great way to add realism and depth to your character models without increasing the polygon count. You can create normal maps from a high-poly sculpt or a photo source, and apply them to your low-poly mesh using a material editor like Substance Painter or Unreal Engine. Normal maps can also be combined with other maps like ambient occlusion, specular, and roughness to enhance the appearance of the models.

添加您的观点

Joel Kwabena Aboagye, MA.

Digital Marketing | Digital Communications | Brands and Communications MGMT | Social Media Associate | Digital Creator | E-Learner | DJI Drone Pilot
举报内容
Create normal maps from high-poly sculpts or photo sources to simulate lighting and shading on low-poly surfaces. Apply them using material editors like Substance Painter or Unreal Engine to add realism and depth without increasing polygon count. Combine with other maps for enhanced appearance.

已翻译

赞

3 Use LOD groups and settings

LOD groups are collections of different versions of the same model that have different levels of detail. You can create LOD groups manually by reducing the polygon count of your model in stages, or use an automatic tool like Simplygon or MeshLab to generate them. You can then assign LOD settings to your LOD groups, which determine when and how the models switch between the different versions based on the distance from the camera. You can use a game engine like Unity or Unreal Engine to set up the LOD groups and settings, and test how they affect the performance and quality of your game.

添加您的观点

Jesper ?? Tingvall

Simplygon Product Expert
举报内容
The settings you use for your automatic tools goes hand in hand with what the engine uses to switch LODs. If your engine uses how much of screen that is covered by the asset for LOD switching (both Unity and Unreal does this), you will have an easier time to figure out good LOD optimization sweetings in automated tools with screen size based metrics. This will give you more consistent result, compared to trying to guess when it would work to switch to a specific triangle ratio or count.

已翻译

赞
Joel Kwabena Aboagye, MA.

Digital Marketing | Digital Communications | Brands and Communications MGMT | Social Media Associate | Digital Creator | E-Learner | DJI Drone Pilot
举报内容
Utilize LOD groups and settings to manage different levels of detail for your character models. Create LOD groups manually or with tools like Simplygon. Assign LOD settings to control when models switch based on camera distance. Test and optimize performance using game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine.

已翻译

赞

4 Optimize textures and materials

Textures and materials also have an impact on the polygon count and LOD of your character models. Large and high-resolution textures can increase the memory usage and loading time of your models, while complex and dynamic materials can increase the shader complexity and rendering cost. You can optimize your textures and materials by using compression, mipmaps, atlases, and trim sheets, and by reducing the number of textures and materials per model. You can also use tools like TexturePacker or Materialize to create and optimize your textures and materials.

添加您的观点

Jesper ?? Tingvall

Simplygon Product Expert
举报内容
A detailed character model often have several materials and textures. Close up this is fine, but for lower LOD levels and weaker platforms it can be a good idea to merge the materials into one alongside reducing the triangle count. This reduces the draw calls required to render distance models. You can also go for a more simple shades as many lighting effects are only visible close up. For very distant viewing it can be worth using only vertex colors instead of textures as this gives a very simple shader without texture lookup. Automated LOD creation tools like Simplygon can do all of these material optimization alongside triangle reduction.

已翻译

赞

5 Test and tweak your models

The final step to optimize polygon count and LOD for character models is to test and tweak your models in different scenarios and platforms. You can use tools like Unreal Engine's Stat Unit or Unity's Frame Debugger to measure the performance and quality of your models, and identify any issues or bottlenecks. You can also use tools like Unreal Engine's Scalability Settings or Unity's Quality Settings to adjust the graphics settings for different devices and resolutions. You can then tweak your models, textures, materials, and LOD settings to achieve the best balance between performance and quality.

添加您的观点

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

添加您的观点

Jesper ?? Tingvall

Simplygon Product Expert
举报内容
It is not just triangles and materials that matter. Rigs can also be very complex for high quality character models. Consider simplifying the rig for lower LOD levels, like not have individually finger bones. Calculations for skinned meshes are in most engines done both of CPU and GPU, so having a more simple rig decreases the load on both.

已翻译

赞

Graphics

+ 关注

给文章评分

我们借助人工智能创建了此文章。您认为这篇文章怎么样？

很棒不太好

举报此文章

查看全部

How can you optimize polygon count and LOD for character models?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Start with low-poly

2 Add details with normal maps

3 Use LOD groups and settings

4 Optimize textures and materials

5 Test and tweak your models

6 Here’s what else to consider

Graphics

给文章评分

感谢您的反馈

更多Graphics相关文章

更多相关阅读内容

How can you optimize polygon count and LOD for character models?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Start with low-poly

2 Add details with normal maps

3 Use LOD groups and settings

4 Optimize textures and materials

5 Test and tweak your models

6 Here’s what else to consider

Graphics

给文章评分

感谢您的反馈

查看其他技能