Lowering Poly's on a Model

I am not much of a model developer, but I think there isn't much you could do, to reduce the polygon use, since they are mostly based on triangles

The only real way to reduce polys, is to use the model with too many as a template, and simplify its shapes.

The truth is harsh

 

Thanks guys!

You have several method but they don't work for all model... it is mainly related to the level of detail from the model...

 

First, you can work with automatic tools... by example, i use the BlackSmith3D suite... but it is not perfect... take a look at the dragon picture at http://www.blacksmith3d.com/blacksmith3D-3d-modeling-software.php ... poly reduction is working but the result have a lot of multi side poly... once triangulate again, the reduction is really minimal...

 

Manually, you can delete some edges on big flat surface, check if you have not double eges, isolated vertice... in some case, it is beneficial to cut a object in two... by example, for a little cube extruded from a big one, the junction is 8 tri... if you separate them in two object, two new face will be 2 tri each...

 

Like xXx explain, for some more complex piece, who eat a lot of poly, it is better to remodel these piece... will be more fast...

 

In some case, it is almost impossible to reduce poly... by example, you will have difficulty for reduce the poly from my own model since i apply all the trick that i know for have already a low poly count when i create the model... only way will be that you know a trick that i don't know...

 

In short, it is possible... but it is mainly a manual work and related to the model itself...

Automatic lodders tend to cause some mesh errors, because they just randomly remove triangles based on a parameter you input. The only way to lower counts without ruining the mesh itself is to fire up a modeling program, and manually do it all yourself. 1 triangle at a time, or as said before re-building a new lower poly model using the high poly version as a template. Ether way will be long, and tedious, but the end result will be well worth it. If you re-build from scratch then you can call that model your own work based on the old design.

I was watching a tutorial in XSI once and it had one that changed a low res into a high res, so by reversing the process, could not you reduce it?

Reversing the process is harder than taking low poly to high poly.  The easier route is to model a low poly using the high poly as a template.  I've been modelling and modding for 6 to 7 years now, experience tells me these things.  If you find another way that is easier, I'll be glad to hear it.