• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

New Feature

The ProOptimizer modifier has been improved in 3ds Max 2012. The modifier is now faster and isn't as likely to flip faces. •

When first applied, the ProOptimizer modifier doesn't do anything. To use it, you need to select the settings first and then click the Calculate button. The settings found in the Optimization Options rollouts let you define which vertices can be removed. For example, you can set the optimization to Crunch Borders, Protect Borders, or Exclude Borders. A border is an edge connected to a single face. The Crunch Borders option makes the borders fair game for being optimized. This can yield the greatest amount of reduction but also can change the surface of the model. The Protect Borders option minimizes the amount of reduction at the borders, and the Exclude Borders option removes any border faces from being considered for reduction. The last choice limits the amount of reduction that is possible, but rigidly maintains the surface.

Other settings let you specify the Material Boundaries, Textures, and/or UV Boundaries off-limits. Additional settings protect any applied Vertex Colors and Normals. The Merge tools cause all vertices and/or faces within a given Threshold to be merged before optimizing the mesh. This helps to eliminate any extra vertices or co-planar faces that could cause problems. Finally, the Sub-Object Selection setting lets you preserve a given selection of vertices and makes it possible to optimize only a portion of the model.

The Symmetry options cause the modifier to equally reduce polygons on either side of a designated axis to maintain visual symmetry. There is also a Tolerance value for looking for symmetrical edges. Within the Advanced Options rollout, the Favor Compact Faces resists eliminating a face if it causes sharp pointed faces as a result. You can also select to Prevent Flipped Normals and the Lock Vertex Position option prevents any of the remaining vertices from being moved from their original locations, thus maintaining the model's shape.

After all the settings have been configured, click the Calculate button to run the optimization pass. The Statistics panel (located under the Calculate button) shows the number of points and faces in the model. By dialing down the Vertex % value, you can interactively reduce the total number of faces.

Figure 26.9 shows an alligator model that has been optimized using the ProOptimizer modifier. Notice the dramatic reduction in the number of faces from the left to the right. Viewpoint Datalabs, known for producing high-resolution models, created this model. In the Modify panel, you can see that the number of faces has been reduced from 34,404 to 6,937 faces. (I guess that would make the gator on the right “lean and mean.”)

Note

The Optimize and MultiRes modifiers are older versions of the ProOptimizer modifier and are maintained for compatibility with older files. •

If you have an entire folder full of models that you want to optimize, you can use the Batch ProOptimizer utility. This utility is available from the Utilities panel and opens a dialog box where you can specify the source files to optimize, all the optimization settings, and the out filenames and locations. Once configured, you can simply click the Ok button to optimize several model files in a batch process.

Tutorial: Creating a low-res hand

You can use the ProOptimizer modifier to dynamically dial down the resolution to exactly what you want. In this example, you use the ProOptimizer modifier on a high-res hand model created by Viewpoint Datalabs. The hand weighs in at 2,906 polygons, which is a little heavy for any game engine.

FIGURE 26.9

You can use the ProOptimizer modifier to reduce the complexity of the alligator model.

To create a MultiRes hand, follow these steps:

1. Open the ProOptimizer hand.max file from the Chap 26 directory on the CD.

This file contains a simple hand model.

2. With the hand selected, choose ProOptimizer from the Modifier List to apply the modifier