Dh3 Model Polycounts

[Ambershee]

Since Dh3 is based on the HL2 engine, in theory models can exceed many thousands of polys.
However due the nature of the game I intend to create along with any counterparts that may choose to aid me in my quest!

I think that the game should have some good level of detail, but it should be enough for the game to run smoothly with the obscene level of ingame movement that will be occuring.

The game may well have in excess of 2-300 models in view at any given time, ranging from players to guns to tanks and trees, meaning that polycount must be lower than would normally be the case. Most details will be skin based rather than being present on the model, so the polycount is restricted down further than normal.

So, i'm going to impose a rough restriction in terms of model polycount to gain maximum efficiency;

Weapons models should be restricted to 400 polys without accessories, I know it's low, see if you can work with it!

Players should be limited to about 1000 polys. Once again, very low.

Vehicles are limited to about 600 polys, even though they're uncommon it's still better to limit them as much as possible.

Other objects are limited to 200 polys for small objects to 500 polys for larger objects.


Still, I'm not really a modeller, so what do you think about these restrictions?

[A_Llama]

This is kind of a coincidence because I thought that the weapon I was making (before it deleted itself) was way too low poly. I asumed, since it is a hl2 mod, that you want 1500k+ poly models. The polycounts seem reasonable, but we will probably have to raise them bit so the models don't look pants. Also: Will we be adding new weapons (ones that don't exist yet) into the mod? I personaly think we should, as it is set in the future (i'm not thinking lazers and things like that though). And what about explosive weapons?

[Ambershee]

The polycounts could be raised a little for particular models if they're looking a bit bad. I think we must be the first HL2 project actually looking at creating lower detail low-poly models actually.
The weapons on my list are the definite includes, and in regards to explosives, well a 40mm machine gun is a bit of a beast - and that's not an accessory like a LAW (like a one shot RPG) or a Claymore ! That 40mm is actually a real weapon set to enter use in the German military in a couple of years - perfectly apt for a title set a couple of years into the future is it not?
As for futuristic weapons, since this is David Hunter, I thought it might be an idea to port over the original DH weapons too. The UNDH soldiers although rare are included in the line-up, so things like the Special Colt M4 Carbine will be introduced. It's likely we'll see the return of the Big Bertha Handcannon (Very Big Pistol) too as it's a classic.
I believe the weapons list has good references to explosive weapons which are very limited in quantity. Generally in this title, the player isn't expected to go about tank bashing like some one-man army, but they should certainly stand their ground against a couple of hundered bullet launching clone nasties !
Mostly however, we'll stick with the weapons that are currently in service ATM with a few nice upgrades that weren't previously available for them, and some of the weapons that are in prototypical stages at the moment. Still, there's always room for some developement isn't there? It may go the way that in the latter stages of the game, technology level gets a bit higher. We'll see.
I'm also in the process of compiling a full list of player / weapon / vehicle models we're likely to need.

Still, good luck with the second attempt eh?

AmberZ.

[Ambershee]

Updated Poly limits:

Due to the input we've had from the modding community, and to the turnout and theory behind the models relative to the engine, I've decided to up the polylimits to 175% of the originals - they now stand as;

700 for weapons
1750 for characters
and vehicles are to be worked on by a vehicle to vehicle basis.

That is all.

Unfortunately that may result in scrapping our first model - sorry!