Reducing Planes.

phantombadger

L2: Junior Member
Sep 20, 2008
56
1
Does anyone know of a way to reduce planes?
I was reading up on them and they are defined by vector equations, so I thought of reducing the Displacements and Displacement sizes on my map to see if that helped, it actually increased them from 87% to 94%.

a few things that I thought that would drastically increase the planes were the 1/4 pipes I fashioned out of a Torus. I made a 200x200x200 90° pipe bend, which I have in 7 spots in the map. I had put a displacement on the face of one 90° bit, but removed it cuz I wasnt using it, this seemed to increase the planes by a few thousand. I did some math on the probable of the angles made by each corner in each slice, as I figured that each edge created a plane, and the 7 sections only add up to 21,000~. these pipes Cut through 3 surfaces each, I guess I could fashion them as square instead of circular carves, but I dont see this reducing the planes by much maybe a few thousand if they affect planes.

Most of the level geometry is Square with exception of the roofs and stairs. The level isnt that big either. about 2500x1800x1200. The progress is about 40%. after a few doors and enviro models, I was gonna start populating the map with tools and lights.
 

phantombadger

L2: Junior Member
Sep 20, 2008
56
1
Pipes are made from arch tool. The Carving is carving a small circle in a wall and floor for it to pass through. I fixed a few of those carve holes, made them square carves, DUN DUN DUNNNNNNN. I reduced planes by 2% with 5 holes. Making tunnels out of squares is tedious, and long. you can get a much smoother pipe with an 8 or 16 chunk arch.
 
Feb 14, 2008
1,051
931
You can get an almost perfectly smooth tunnel by subdividing displacements. See: Doublecross.
 

phantombadger

L2: Junior Member
Sep 20, 2008
56
1
Looks like I have a few hours of Rebuild on my hands. and looking at double cross. hmmm, diamond tunnels with displacements. I was gonna make a 6 sided 360 arch then smooth it out. but I guess 4 walls is less planes.

Looking at the compile log, looks like Disp-verts have no limits, and displacements in general. this could have been useful info in EVERY displacement tuorial. Building a torus with brushes loads up the planes like I have done, where I could have been making subdivided displaced 4 walled arches.
 

phantombadger

L2: Junior Member
Sep 20, 2008
56
1
So I elminated both tunnels and the walls I Cut through and im down to 4%. Looking at those tube a I cant Fathom how there are near 30,000 planes each. I was going for broke, and got there quick with the 16 sided 360 arches and 90° torus bends. It looked nice and was built a matter of minutes. Time to get my displacement on.

If anyone is wondering what they looked like, here are a few links. PW: Shoppe
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/metclan/WIP/SS6.png
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/metclan/WIP/SS5.png


* update - I found the subdivide button. 3 sec I have a perfectly rounded tunnel.

My tunnels, half complete made with displacements. theres a grade on it now, Design choice, as I made them longer and they will be filled half way with water. A steady few hours messing with diffrent combos for the 90° angles. I still have to detail them a bit more and close leaks, but the tunnels are mostly done. 91% of planes GONE. Down to 3% with current config.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/metclan/WIP/SS10.png
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/metclan/WIP/SS9.png
 
Last edited: