Meshing Question How can I simplify a mesh without losing any of the detail?

[Saturn V]

Trying to animate a gantry with SC3 and just realized the limitation on animatable groups is 1024.

The mesh in question is 1755 groups.

Any solutions?

 

[Andy44]

One thing I had to learn how to do is to create a truss out of one group instead of gluing lots of cylinders together.

To reduce the overall mesh memory size and poly count, I learned that a round pipe really only needs to have five sides, especially if it is shiny, since in Orbiter it still has the illusion of being round.

 

[Saturn V]

Nah, it's not the shapes or the memory, it's the number of mesh groups. 1024 allowed, 1755 in the model.

 

[Kaito]

What program are you using?

Maybe try to use it to combine the smaller groups into one larger one?

 

[Saturn V]

Everything was done in anim8or, but that's what I'm looking for...something that will combine several groups into one (while maintaining texture placements).

Pretty sure a few guys here have done something similar, so if someone can point me in the right direction, or would be willing to take a look at this, I'd appreciate it.

 

[Loru]

Ungroup object in Anim8or and select object with the same material and use Build->Join Solids.

All objects must be converted to meshes and no grouping allowed.

 

[Saturn V]

Thank you Loru. Works perfectly now.