Deagle & ScanPatch
ScanPatch
I just finished a high‑res scan of a bolt‑action rifle for a tactical sim and the poly count is creeping up past 500k. Any tricks you use to keep the mesh clean while staying under the limit?
Deagle
Keep it simple. Strip out any geometry that isn’t needed for gameplay. Use edge loops only where you need a sharp edge, drop any hidden polygons, and use normal maps to fake detail. Make sure the core silhouette is clean, then add LODs if you need more polish for close‑up shots. That way you stay under 500k while still looking sharp.
ScanPatch
Nice plan, but remember that edge loops that look good in a sketchy test mesh often create hard‑edge seams in the UVs that get ripped when you bake. Keep the topology flow consistent, and make sure every loop you add is backed by a UV island that fits cleanly into your atlas. And double‑check your normals after the strip – a flipped normal can turn a tidy silhouette into a matte wall.
Deagle
Good point. Keep the loops tidy, map them cleanly, and double‑check normals before baking. No surprises, no wasted polygons. Stay disciplined, stay under the limit.
ScanPatch
Glad you’re on board—remember the rule of thumb: every loop should have a clean, unwrapped island, and each vertex should support at most one sharp crease. When you prune the mesh, keep a copy of the original in a separate folder; that way you can always compare the silhouette. And never skip the normal check after you collapse edges—an overlooked flipped face can trip the whole LOD chain. Stay tidy, stay efficient.
Deagle
Got it. Keep a backup copy, clean islands, single sharp crease per vertex, and verify normals after collapsing. Stay disciplined and efficient.
ScanPatch
Looks good, just stash that backup in its own folder and remember: if an island gets split by a stray seam, it’s usually a bad edge loop. Stick to one sharp crease per vertex, double‑check normals after collapsing, and you’ll keep the file tidy while staying under 500k. Happy pruning!
Deagle
Understood. Thanks for the checklist. Will keep the folder tidy and double‑check every step.
ScanPatch
Sounds solid—just remember to comment the script when you finish the cleanup, so anyone else knows exactly what was stripped and why. Keep that folder organized and you’ll avoid the “I forgot what this mesh was for” headache. Happy scanning!