"Average" polygon count

#1 thats incredibly high, the whole vehicle should be about that many. In those shots of Isotope X that were up a few days ago that roach was about 1500 poly's and the drinkingbird was about 1100. I think (based on other threads I have read on the subject) that the upper poly counts for characters is about 2500, vehicles 1500 and weapons 800 (this is all assuming your using LOD and that is just the most detailed level)

#2 So is this too detailed or am I just doing a crappy job of modeling?
cauldronborne.tripod.com

#3 ah, that takes me back to my tripod days :) hehe, you'll have to put up a link, tripod is really gay about letting you display pictures like that, you'll have to give us the url

#4 Thats alot of polys for how little details are in that model. A wireframe screenshot will make it easier for people to give you advice where to cut down on polys.

#5 Ok, I've posted two wireframes. Also, does anyone know how to host files on a home comp. using Win XP or Advanced Server?

#6 If you want it to be an http url then you need a web server. Win2k server has it built in. You just need to configure it. If you need a static domain name then try www.ods.org, and setup an account there.

For WinXp you might have to download Apache and set it up. Again, you need a redirector such as ODS if you want to provide a link that will work no matter what your ip is. If you have a static IP address then skip the ODS part.

#7 Thanks for the XP info

#8 depends on what hardware you are targeting?

#9 If you mean computers, just the everyday average user (i.e. myself)....
P700
ATI All in Wonder
SB Audigy
128MB RAM
120GB HDD

#10 When you mentioned turret + tank, you brought up an interesting point. On a tank with that type of turret (reminds me of C&C mammoth... a lot) , the body is usually mostly panel-ular, so its kind of low poly. I'm sure you've figured this part out already, though. 1500 sounds pretty good for a tank, but if its a really important tank, like maybe only 2-3 will ever be on the screen at a time, ever, then you may be able to tweak it up a little bit. One note, the most poly-dense area seems to be the interface between the kind box thing on the back (holding rocket boxes) and the main turret area. It looks like there are 3-4 identical layers of something, inside the model. Or maybe I'm just seeing things...

#11 One thing you might do if you are trying to retain that shape is try to build around your exsiting model with a lower poly version.I am not sure what tool that is but looks like Milkshape. I am not sure what tools are availible but if you can just start real basic and "cut" the brushes the way you need them. Make sure to delete any faces that aren't actually exposed. Try to be conservative with the second one. If you manage to get it down then add alot of the detail in your texture. You can simulate rounded edges and little details with a good paint job.

Good luck
Matt

#12 Im no modeller, but I have seen the guys I work with talk about capping cylinders with planes to reduce the poly count. Then apply a skin that is transparent around the edges of the cylinder.

Here is an example of what Im talkin about


EDIT: spelling :p

#13 I noticed those extra boxes and took them out and also started deleting hidden faces. This is my first time building anything in a program other than Autocad, in fact, its my first time doing anything other than messing around in a modeling program. That explains multiple occurances of the same shape. And yes, the idea for this version of the tank was taken from a C&C (on N64) game, but its the base chassis for a line of five tanks ranging from MBT designs to fire-support tanks. There was something about the C&C tank that really got my attention. These are probably larger than the C&C tanks though - on average of 50ft in length and used on relatively flat terrain, but they pack a very powerful punch. For you Battletech/Mechwarrior types, 2 PPCs, 2 LLAS, 2 LRM racks, and 1 SRM rack and thats the "light" version. A different version packs 3 PPCs, 2 LLAS, 1 MLAS, and 2 LRM racks. But anyways I've strayed way off subject....

Edit: Ahhh, I think I see what you were talking about between the ammo storage and main turret, thats a buffer to shield the main turret from the missile ammo in the rear part of the turret should it explode, and mechanisms to allow shedding it from the turret if needed. I found some other things I needed to take out though as stated above. Thanks for all the help everyone, I really appreciate it.

#14 take out the seam you have in the middle of the tank, that will reduce alot of polygons.

have the barrels pass right though the block placed in the middle of the barrel.

have the start of the barrels where the connect to the main part of the turret not welded to the turret, you created a ton of polygons when you did that.

in the back there are a mess of polygons that you could easly simplify

if you need more specific things to do let me know and i can draw on your screen shots to show you, or post your file and ill try to help you out.

#15 Thanks, I wouldnt have thought of doing those things you said to do. I'll do that and see how many polys I have, as of now there are 1414 polys and the tanks is almost completed. All that is left to finish is the other half of the track system and some minor objects on the turret.

#16 battletech tanks are cool...

mostly just little crushable things in the games though.

#17 If you use combined forces properly in Battletech, you can send a star (a lance for all those dirty Freebirths out there :p) of 'Mechs running with just ground vehicles like Schrecks, Demolishers, LRM carriers; and infantry.