Modding public service announcement: Object merging

[NovaSilisko]

When you export a model, MAKE SURE it consists of as few objects as possible. For example, a liquid engine only needs two separate objects - the rocket model itself, named whatever you want, and the collision mesh, named 'node_collider'

If you have a lot of objects, for whatever reason, it severely affects performance. Merge all objects that can be merged without affecting functionality (such as the 'base' and 'anchor' parts on a decoupler)

When I say merge, I don\'t mean connect vertices. Just make sure that the editor and game consider them to be one object instead of multiple for each grouping of polygons.

Be smart! Merge your objects!

[HarvesteR]

Well said. I was thinking of posting something about this eventually.

By merging all meshes (except functional ones) into a single object, the part becomes significantly less heavy on the game. Remember that each separate object on a part will be imported as such, and the game will have a lot of extra trouble managing those objects.

Cheers

[Payload]

I would just like to add...

To join meshes in blender all you must do is select the items you want joined in object mode and hit join in the tool bar or CNTRL-J. I also tend to remove internal faces if possible.

[Phoxtane]

You can do this in 3DS Max also.

First, make sure that there are no groups. All objects must be separate from each other.

Next, select all objects except for your node_collider, and group them. If you can\'t get at some of them, use the Select by Name tool to do so.

That\'s it! You should now have your grouped objects, and node_collider.

[NovaSilisko]

You can do this in 3DS Max also.

First, make sure that there are no groups. All objects must be separate from each other.

Next, select all objects except for your node_collider, and group them. If you can\'t get at some of them, use the Select by Name tool to do so.

That\'s it! You should now have your grouped objects, and node_collider.

No no no no no no! Don\'t just group them. Convert one into an editable mesh or poly and use the Attach command to merge the objects.

[Phoxtane]

No no no no no no! Don\'t just group them. Convert one into an editable mesh or poly and use the Attach command to merge the objects.

Apologies! This guy knows what he\'s talking about; I do not :-[

[Liarean]

Apologies! This guy knows what he\'s talking about; I do not :-[

By attaching one object to another it makes it as one.

Elements are still apart from eachother so when you use elemt selection mode you can still select both (previously) objects seperately.

So they both are still seperately selectable.

[OceanFire]

Thanks Nova and Payload. Thank you Nova for telling me that I need to join the parts, and Thank you Payload for telling me how to(in blender). This will be very useful for making my mod pack .