Possible to convert brushes into models?

[Immortal-D]

Edit 1: Ok, my attempt to make them into models was pretty awful. So now I have this, lol;http://forums.tf2maps.net/showthread...1738#post31738

After searching various tutorials (including our massive selection), I have been unable to find any info. I'm getting the compile error 'max_map_planes'. I know which detail brushes are causing this problem, but can't figure out if there's a way to keep them. I seem to recall somewhere that it's possible to convert a set of brushes into a prop/model using XSI, but can't find any good info on it. Thanks in advance for any help :)

[Brandished]

There's this (http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Converting_brush_structures_in_your_map_into_a_pro p_static_with_XSI_Mod_Tool) from the VDC. There's a few other tutorials listed here (http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Xsi) as well, that's all I can think of off hand.

[FaTony]

But I think that you really can' reach the limit because even my huge tc_street is arout 20% planes. Should be just a bad brush in ur map.

[VelvetFistIronGlove]

It's possible, but it really doesn't tend to yield very good-looking or well-optimised props, as I've found after doing it a couple of times. You'd be better off trying to get one of the decent modelers in the forum to help you out by creating a good model that occupies the same amount of space.

[Immortal-D]

Thanks for the info guys :) I can live w/ them not being the best eye candy, though I'll have to see how much of a performance hit I take w/ them as models. Actually, it's just a very large set of chains I made by slapping together a pair of arches. Normally not a huge deal, problem is I have several dozen of them, lol. If this doesn't work.. well, what's a good replacement for a large chain-link?

[TheDarkerSideofYourShadow]

Dpends on size and what not (would like to see a picture of your chains, with some props for scale), but a cable?

[Immortal-D]

Dpends on size and what not (would like to see a picture of your chains, with some props for scale), but a cable?

Just sat down to start the conversion process. Since I consider this my first real map, chalking up cp_trenchwar as a practice, I'm trying to hold off on screens for a bit. Though if this doesn't work, I suppose a couple won't hurt. Then I'll have to start bugging our modeling peeps :p

[VelvetFistIronGlove]

You could always C+P the chains into a new blank map and just screenshot them next to some random prop for scale...

The big advantage of models over brushes is that models can LOD, so they look nice and pretty when close up, but are nice and cheap when further away. They're also a lot cheaper to render because of simpler lighting, and repeated models can often be batched.

[Immortal-D]

Edit 1: Ok, my attempt to make them into models was pretty awful. So now I have this, lol;http://forums.tf2maps.net/showthread.php?p=31738#post31738

I actually didn't know that :) I'm also experimenting w/ using much larger arches for the chains, w/ a smaller face count. Before I had 18, but shrunk it down to 12 without losing too much quality.

[TheDarkerSideofYourShadow]

Got a lot of those spikes as well? Might want to consider making those models, if changing the chains doesn't solve the issue.

[Altaco]

You know what? I'll make you a chain model. I assume you can handle texturing and compiling? Just give me the brush-adapted model and I'll make it low-poly, efficient, and good looking as I can.

[Immortal-D]

You know what? I'll make you a chain model. I assume you can handle texturing and compiling? Just give me the brush-adapted model and I'll make it low-poly, efficient, and good looking as I can.

Freakin awsome! I really need to bug DJive and drpepper about adding small attachments to pms. In the mean time, I'll just submit it as a zip file, can delete it later. And Shadow, the spikes are actually ok atm. There's a lot of them, but they have a fraction of the complexity that the chains do.

[Altaco]

Holy shit Immortal, you have 666 posts D:

[VelvetFistIronGlove]

That teddy is really evil.

[Immortal-D]

I'm almost afraid to post again, for fear of breaking it..... crap. Btw, did you get the d/l I sent you?