Discussions about weapon-models..

[zapher]

I've got some questions i would like have answered:
1. How many polys will be average for a weapon in HL2?
2. Someone said that you don't have to make the right side cuz it won't be used, is that right ?

 

[Newton]

Answers to your questions.........

1. Weapon models will be around 2000 for weapon view models. Here is a direct quote from the FAQ

We target between 3000 polygons (i.e.: headcrabs) and 7500 polygons (i.e. Alyx, the Gman) for characters and monsters, depending on function and how many we hope to have on-screen simultaneously, and we have several stages of LOD (level of detail) models with drastically reduced polygon counts for when things get smaller in screen space (further away). We're targeting around 2000 polygons for our viewmodels, which of course do not LOD.

2. You may have to model the other side of the weapon if it will be seen during a reload or other animation. The best thing to do would be to model the entire thing, then only delete the unseen polys AFTER you finish the animations for it.

I hope that helped.

 

[zapher]

1. Viewmodels? Like weapons and minor stuff?
2. Aaah, you mean like use different models?

 

[Newton]

1. The weapon view models are the ones you'll see in the players hands, I.E. the one you are carrying.

2. Well sort of, The weapons other people will see (3rd person models I think they're called) will be a different model. But what I meant was for the main view model just make it complete then after you animate it delete any polys that you will never see while carrying the weapon.

 

[zapher]

1. Yeah, but i already knew that, what i was thinking of was 1st person..
2. You mean that you carry a stripped model, then when you reload it changes into a fullversion that's been animated and then back again?

Or can you go around this in HL2?

 

[HiroProtaganist]

no i think what he means is that you create the model detailed on both sides. Then after doing the animations for it you determine what polys won't get seen by the player and delete those. That how it will work if they do a _w _p setup however if they create it so that the same model is used for 1st person as 3rd person then you won't be deleting any poly's

 

[zapher]

Yeah, but they won't do a_ w_ p_ right?
So i make the 1st person-model as one animation but after you see the reload animation the polys on the right side disappears.

But if you can have the weapon in the left hand will i do a different model then?

 

[HiroProtaganist]

i don't think they have said whether or not they will do the _w _p system. as for the model your only going to delete polys that aren't seen during animation. You won't have seperate meshes for the animation sequence it will all consist of one mesh so after you import the model to the game and get the positioning right then you'll be able to tell what polys you wil and won't see. Though i could be wrong about that.

 

[zapher]

Alright, i'm the webmaster so this was to get some more information to our modeler

 

[EVIL]

your (wannabe)modelers dont know this.. GOD!! HELP ME.. THE WORLD IS GETTING EVIL!!!

 

[zapher]

Huh?

 

[Sherrill]

Anybody know how many polies the 3rd person view model will be for HL2?

Have they said anywhere?

 

[zapher]

Sherrill: Don't think so..
If weapons will be 2000 view-models then maybe the 3d person will be around that too, not as much details.