[Tutorial] How to create lower LODs with Blender
Posted by Carl_gpgames
Thanks to Öggo's Blender Plug-in, it is very simple to create lower LODs for GP4. Here i'm going to show you how to do it.
Requirements
- Blender (you can get it for free from here: [www.blender.org]). If you have Windows 11, simply run PowerShell as administrator and type winget install BlenderFoundation.Blender
- GP4 Mesh Tools for Blender by Öggo
- An unencyrpted GP4 shape (car, helmet, rim or whatever)
How to create lower LODs
Step 1: Import your GP4 file
Start by importing your LOD0 gp4 file. Important: Make sure to have all texture files in tga-format in the same location as your gp4 file. This includes both carlightmapch2.tga and carlightmapch3.tga!
If necessary, select Flip UV
Step 2: Join or delete parts
All parts that start with z_ are not needed for LODs 1-3. Depending on what they contain, you can either delete them or join (merge) them with any other part. In my example, i join them with the cockpit part by hitting ctrl+J:
Step 3: Decimate faces
Now you select all parts except for brake glows and rear light:
Next, you go to add modifier and select decimate:
Now you choose how much to decimate your car (ratio). I suggest around 70% for LOD1, 50% for LOD2 and 30% for LOD3. But this may depend on the shape you are using.
Step 4: Apply modifier to all selected parts
Once you have set up your modifier, simply hit ctrl+L to apply your modifier to all selected parts.
Step 5: Export GP4 file
LOD1 is done now and you can export it in GP4 format:
Make sure to use the correct file names. LOD1 f. e. is car_teamname_car1_lod_1
Step 6: Create LODs 2 and 3:
Repeat steps 3-5 for LODs 2 and 3
Step 7: Create LOD4:
For LOD4 you can join all parts (see step 2) into one single part. Before you do so, you can delete all unneeded parts. In my example, i delete the suspension. You might delete brake lows and rear lights as well. For cars, rename the remaining single part to cockpit_low (for other objects than cars, check the original gp4 shapes to see how parts are supposed to be named).
Then export it as well (see step 5).
That's it, you're done. Once you get used to the process, it takes only a couple of minutes to create lower lods for any object in GP4.
GP Files | GP Videos | Discord: Carl_gpgames#2350
Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 10/03/2022 12:32AM by Carl_gpgames.
Requirements
- Blender (you can get it for free from here: [www.blender.org]). If you have Windows 11, simply run PowerShell as administrator and type winget install BlenderFoundation.Blender
- GP4 Mesh Tools for Blender by Öggo
- An unencyrpted GP4 shape (car, helmet, rim or whatever)
How to create lower LODs
Step 1: Import your GP4 file
Start by importing your LOD0 gp4 file. Important: Make sure to have all texture files in tga-format in the same location as your gp4 file. This includes both carlightmapch2.tga and carlightmapch3.tga!
If necessary, select Flip UV
Step 2: Join or delete parts
All parts that start with z_ are not needed for LODs 1-3. Depending on what they contain, you can either delete them or join (merge) them with any other part. In my example, i join them with the cockpit part by hitting ctrl+J:
Step 3: Decimate faces
Now you select all parts except for brake glows and rear light:
Next, you go to add modifier and select decimate:
Now you choose how much to decimate your car (ratio). I suggest around 70% for LOD1, 50% for LOD2 and 30% for LOD3. But this may depend on the shape you are using.
Step 4: Apply modifier to all selected parts
Once you have set up your modifier, simply hit ctrl+L to apply your modifier to all selected parts.
Step 5: Export GP4 file
LOD1 is done now and you can export it in GP4 format:
Make sure to use the correct file names. LOD1 f. e. is car_teamname_car1_lod_1
Step 6: Create LODs 2 and 3:
Repeat steps 3-5 for LODs 2 and 3
Step 7: Create LOD4:
For LOD4 you can join all parts (see step 2) into one single part. Before you do so, you can delete all unneeded parts. In my example, i delete the suspension. You might delete brake lows and rear lights as well. For cars, rename the remaining single part to cockpit_low (for other objects than cars, check the original gp4 shapes to see how parts are supposed to be named).
Then export it as well (see step 5).
That's it, you're done. Once you get used to the process, it takes only a couple of minutes to create lower lods for any object in GP4.
GP Files | GP Videos | Discord: Carl_gpgames#2350
Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 10/03/2022 12:32AM by Carl_gpgames.
Lods can make massive performance improvements for not a lot of work, thoroughly recommended, and all these tools are free.
Great tutorial, super easy.
Thank you.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/30/2022 10:46AM by fongu.
Great tutorial, super easy.
Thank you.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/30/2022 10:46AM by fongu.
Superb tutorial Carl.
Its great to do it to new cars. Its improves a lot the PO as Öggo said.
Thank you very much to share the knowledge.
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PLEASE VISIT: Grand Prix Mods Blog
Its great to do it to new cars. Its improves a lot the PO as Öggo said.
Thank you very much to share the knowledge.
PLEASE VISIT: Grand Prix Mods Blog
Thanks a lot Carl.
Should be pinned somewhere.
Should be pinned somewhere.
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