New to Modelling/Texturing - Need Help

[wasaki 11]

Hello, like i said i'm new to all this modelling thing and i wanna know why 3ds max is dividing my polygons into small little triangles, like this :

Thanks in advance

[Ronyx69 2,413]

All 3d models are triangles somewhere under the hood.

It's just that it shows it to you.

A surface that big and complex would be impossible to work with as a singular face anyway.

What are you trying to do?

[wasaki 11]

Does that adds to the tris count?

and if so i'm better doing big square instances into little squares?

Quote

What are you trying to do?

That is a college building

[GC_Vos 714]

Yes, all triangles add to the tris count. This big complex ones are called ngons (they show up as one face but can have dozens of triangles in reality). You could try to work with your own layout of squares. That usually also makes texturing a bit more easy but it may require more vertices.  

[wasaki 11]

So, i need to try to deleted such ngons/model not so large faces

[GC_Vos 714]

I would at the least try to remove some holes in those faces. You could have some big flat polygons where parts of them are underneath the rooftop elements. That will definitely lower the tris count, but it will add some unused areas to the uvmap. I sometimes use these areas for texturing other smaller faces.

[wasaki 11]

Also, can i do the diffuse texture first and then applied to the model?

[Ronyx69 2,413]

What are you asking exactly? Sure you can make the texture before the model, or vice versa.

[wasaki 11]

How do i apply such texture to the model, and does the model knows what goes where?

[Ronyx69 2,413]

You need to do UV mapping, you already showed a screenshot of you modifying the UV so I'm not sure why you're asking that.

[wasaki 11]

I figured out, but know when i export it to the game, the texture that is at terrain level is all wonky and doesnt show properly

 

[Ronyx69 2,413]

You mean you have a ground plane for your model, and that looks flickery ingame?
That's called z-fighting, it's because your model and the terrain interfere because they're at the same height.

If it's something else, then try explaining more.

[wasaki 11]

Yes, i think that is, so i need to make the model a bit on the air?

[Ronyx69 2,413]

If you want a ground plane yeah, raise it a little bit.

[wasaki 11]

I decided to go with a lower model to begin with to practice mapping and such, i think it came pretty good given how im just starting, GAS Station

[barcasam7 185]

This looks pretty good start. Definitely start with a smaller model. Walk before you run as they say. Keep it up. 

[wasaki 11]

Is there a way to see the tris count for vanilla games models? 

[boformer 3,169]

12 minutes ago, wasaki said:

Is there a way to see the tris count for vanilla games models? 

There is a secret key combo in Mesh Info: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=453956891

[wasaki 11]

Does the game adds in more triangles? in 3ds it says one number but in game says another

[Avanya 2,605]

Yes, it adds faces from the bottom edge and into the ground to create the foundation we see on slopes.

[wasaki 11]

So. the bigger the model the more faces is going to add?

[Ronyx69 2,413]

If it works that way, the added face count depends on the complexity of the model at ground level.

It just pulls out all the edges touching the 0 height downwards by the looks of it.

My guess it comes out to this - edge count touching the ground x 2, because a face is 2 tris. Assuming it doesn't subdivide them.

[wasaki 11]

So for example if i make a model that is floating in the air, with no faces attached to the floor it wouldn't create those extra faces

 

[Ronyx69 2,413]

Yeah, or you can use the Custom/Buildings/Building/NoBase shader to generate no base at all.

[wasaki 11]

Well, i dont know whats that, i'm just starting, i'll stick to some more faces, the more complex model i have is 10k~ tris and i saw that the building with most tris is the amsterdam palace i think is called, and has 28k tris

[Hsnopi 1]

that looks really good! I'm just jumping back into modding after a 15 year hiatus. I feel like I'm starting from scratch!