Sketchup 8 + LOD + Texturing?
by Aaron ward · in Artist Corner · 04/17/2011 (1:05 pm) · 5 replies
Hi all,
Im making some buildings in google sketchup - because its very fast to import/export, but haven't figured out how to set the LOD when they export. I'm getting terrible frame rates with the detailed buildings. Each building is approx 200 polys and i have a single building that is 800 polys. They are optimised and i have deleted all hidden geometry but still bad frame rates. I'm guessing because there is not LOD on the models.
Also does anyone else find using the material system with sketchup extremely complicated?
Im making some buildings in google sketchup - because its very fast to import/export, but haven't figured out how to set the LOD when they export. I'm getting terrible frame rates with the detailed buildings. Each building is approx 200 polys and i have a single building that is 800 polys. They are optimised and i have deleted all hidden geometry but still bad frame rates. I'm guessing because there is not LOD on the models.
Also does anyone else find using the material system with sketchup extremely complicated?
#2
Also I didn't mention before that i'm using BETA 3 with SSAO on.
As for the materials I was refering to the T3D material system, I import the collada models with textures in both .dae and .kmz format but the material system keeps reverting to either the orange error material or a random material - very strange, I'm also finding it difficult to rename my materials, sometimes they don't save at all.
04/18/2011 (12:11 pm)
Thanks for the reply Alexander, I'm only using three buildings, all are solid objects that consist entirely of squares to lower the polycount but yes there are many many windows ~500 windows per large building and ~50 windows per small building, there is one large and two small buildings so the windows could be the problem.Also I didn't mention before that i'm using BETA 3 with SSAO on.
As for the materials I was refering to the T3D material system, I import the collada models with textures in both .dae and .kmz format but the material system keeps reverting to either the orange error material or a random material - very strange, I'm also finding it difficult to rename my materials, sometimes they don't save at all.
#3
It could be reduced if you import the buildings without windows. Then import one window model and place it within the Torque editor. Sounds like a lot of work, but this should increase your performance immensely.
If it's a skyscraper you could use one large window for one floor or one building side:
.
.
I guess you already tested it without SSAO?
04/18/2011 (4:26 pm)
So, there are at least 600 draw calls only for the windows geometry.It could be reduced if you import the buildings without windows. Then import one window model and place it within the Torque editor. Sounds like a lot of work, but this should increase your performance immensely.
If it's a skyscraper you could use one large window for one floor or one building side:
.
.I guess you already tested it without SSAO?
#4
yeah I tested it without SSAO and it ran ok with the 600 draw calls, i think its better to use the methods you suggested. Thanks again.
04/22/2011 (5:27 am)
Thanks Alexander, im using the import per window method and it has improved greatly!yeah I tested it without SSAO and it ran ok with the 600 draw calls, i think its better to use the methods you suggested. Thanks again.
#5
04/22/2011 (7:40 am)
You're welcome :) If there's anything else... 
Torque 3D Owner Alexander Krause
Coming soon...
My first guess are the materials/textures and model pieces. Do the buildings consist of one piece or many? Like one separate roof, window-frames, doorsteps, etc.
I had this issue before. You can check that by selecting on of those building and then scroll down the inspector menu. Under the "dynamic field" tap is a list of parts, that can be used as a field.
I don't know about the material system of sketchup, I use Blender.