LOD for DIF textures
by ChrisG · in Artist Corner · 01/10/2007 (6:00 pm) · 6 replies
Is there a way to create LOD for the textures in a DIF (eg. texture_0.jpg, texture_1.jpg, texture_2.jpg)
without having to create LOD for the DIF itself (eg. map_0, map_1, map_2 etc)?
without having to create LOD for the DIF itself (eg. map_0, map_1, map_2 etc)?
About the author
Currently working on ZDay: www.zdaygame.com
#3
The problem is this.
I have a couple of buildings and surroundings (carparks, walls etc.) as one DIF as they are all interconnected. In the outside area of the buildings (in non-portalled areas since they are outside) I have maybe 10 textures that area 1024 x 1024 and many more of smaller sizes.
On my computer with a 7600GT/256Mb card it runs fine, however I ran it on a laptop with a onboard graphics card and the fps dropped to around 2fps while outside and then up to 20-30 when inside (portalled areas).
Obviously this is not a problem yet, but I'm wondering if it will be a problem if I make this DIF larger or add other equally large DIFs (and textures) to the level. And if it will be a problem what can I do now to stop it?
Also, with the automagical mip mapping, are the mip maps created once and then used whenever needed in the game or what?
01/11/2007 (5:25 pm)
Ok, I'll outline the problem in more detail just to make sure I'm asking the right questions.The problem is this.
I have a couple of buildings and surroundings (carparks, walls etc.) as one DIF as they are all interconnected. In the outside area of the buildings (in non-portalled areas since they are outside) I have maybe 10 textures that area 1024 x 1024 and many more of smaller sizes.
On my computer with a 7600GT/256Mb card it runs fine, however I ran it on a laptop with a onboard graphics card and the fps dropped to around 2fps while outside and then up to 20-30 when inside (portalled areas).
Obviously this is not a problem yet, but I'm wondering if it will be a problem if I make this DIF larger or add other equally large DIFs (and textures) to the level. And if it will be a problem what can I do now to stop it?
Also, with the automagical mip mapping, are the mip maps created once and then used whenever needed in the game or what?
#4
01/15/2007 (4:39 pm)
Well.. shrink your textures. Use the same texture on several objects. Make sure everything is portal'd. Use LOD's for buildings. Use any trick you can. You do have to realize that onboard graphics cards are inherently weaker than a full size card, so you will be getting poorer performance on it. Not much can be done about that.
#5
just wanted to make sure I was aware of the tricks I could use. I think LOD for buildings and trying to make smaller textures is the key here. Not to mention some clever map designing that will allow me to portal more of the outside areas.
01/15/2007 (4:59 pm)
Thanks,just wanted to make sure I was aware of the tricks I could use. I think LOD for buildings and trying to make smaller textures is the key here. Not to mention some clever map designing that will allow me to portal more of the outside areas.
#6
03/06/2007 (5:04 pm)
You see with most games they have a Video options tab where you can set the texture resolution, which is just like using a different texture set, in this case there all the same textures just smaller sizes. When I make my DIF's and their textures ill make the 1024's, then ill make a 512, and a 256 set of them and set them away so that when i finish the product, all the other textures are available. you don't have to have the same textures for you DIF's as the ones you made hen with, they just have to have the same name that's all. Try making a simple DIF with a 1024x1024 texture on it, export and do all your material scripting, then run it and see how it looks. Then take some other texture, it doesn't matter what it is, just name it the same as the texture you swapping it out with. i use this method so i can paint static shadows on static object once their place in the game...great for areas that have non moving light sources:) 
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