LoD Support, Vertices Counter and Export Logs

You voted for it via the new Suggestion Box, and now LoD support for CryENGINE is here. In addition, PlayUp now has a vertices counter as well as a way to turn on export logs in the Ruby console. LoD and export log support for Unity 3D are still to come. Grab the latest version in the Download section.

LoD Support (CryENGINE)

What is it?
You have a highly detailed model that looks great close up, but you don't really want to render all of those polygons when it's in the distance. LoDs are lower poly models that the engine will swap out for you when you reach a certain distance from the object.

How many can I have? How many do I need?
The maximum limit is up to 6 LoDs. You do not have to have all 6.

I see these LoDs are numbered.  How do I order them?
The lowest number, LoD #1, is the next highest polygon count after your high detailed mesh. LoD #6 would be the lowest polygon count of the group. You cannot skip a number.  If you do, anything higher than the number you skipped will be ignored by the engine.

I've made my models.  How do I link them?
Simply nest them inside your high detailed model and use the PlayUp Geometry Properties view to tag them as LoD1, LoD2, etc. See below for an example.

Figure 1. The group named "house_detail_1" is nested inside the
high detailed group called "house" and has been tagged as LoD1.

What do I name the LoDs?

It doesn't matter.  They will assume the name of the high detailed model with "_lod#" appended to the name.  In the example above, the selected model will export as "house_lod1.cgf".

How can I test that it is working in the engine?
In the CryENGINE console, type "e_debugdraw 3".  This will show a number on your model like "1/4" (see below).

Figure 2. Using "e_debugdraw 3" to view an entity

What that is indicating is that you are looking at one out of four possible models that this entity can be.  If you increase the LodRatio in the GeomEntity Params for this model, you can adjust how far you need to be from it before it swaps out the model.

Figure 3. Adjusting the LodRatio

Export Logs (CryENGINE)

What is it?

In your SketchUp Ruby console, you can now see everything that gets generated (with the exception of CGF files since those get compiled by an external EXE).

Figure 4. Sample of an export log

How do I use it?

There is a new option in your PlayUp Preferences menu to turn this feature on. Check the box, and remember to bring up your Ruby console on export.

Figure 5. New check box in preferences to enable logging feature

Vertices Counter

What is it?

It's a new button on your toolbar that allows you to check the vertices (including all of the nested vertices) of your selection.