We will divide this tutorial y two parts, this is the first one and I'll try to show a pair of tricks about LOD modelling in Max for low-poly props. It's my first tutorial and I must put it here because www.licordecactus.com has not been developed yet.
First, make a simple garden fence like this:
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We've just put some boxes and now we say it's a fence (texturing and context will determine it), but it's really simple. Ok, now copy the firste fence (Copy, not instancing it) and add more edge to the boxes:
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Where should you add the edges? Ok, there's no magic here, just put it where you think it can add more detail. The second time you'll see it perfectly. Now, selecting the higher poly fence we can apply the Noise modifier. Remember, you must select all the boxes at the same time.
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I'll explain some of the parameters here:
- Seed: it's just a number to make the noise "randomizable", you can change it until you get something cool.
- Scale: if you put a LOWER number here, youll get a GREATER noise in your model. At zero the model collapses.
You can choose normal or Fractal noise. Fractal is more accurate, but it consums more resources(Not many more).
And here is a rendering!
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Upper fence got 188 triangles and the lower one 96, so you got a LOD versiĆ³n of it. This trick can be used in any model you got if you are trying to make it old, or natural.