I've been going around as a writer, but started getting drawn into Concept Art and 3D modeling. I'm currently finishing my studies as a 3D artist and will then be let loose on the world. Beware!
Idk why this model looks smooth in XSI, but the normal maps don't do much good in UDK. I hate how the trianlges show. Either I messed up smoothing groups, or I have to check lightmap or even re-bake everything just to figure out the source of errors.
512x512 texture resolution 680 Tris. I feel with the low level of detail I have, I should be able to make this look good as low as 400-450 polygons. Yet, first of all I have to figure out the errors.
Check if on your UV etc. - Maps the parts are not too close together, because this can mess up alot in UDK.
Just one tip I saw in a UDK Development Video, it might help :/
wow, that is pretty low res for the texture. I'm surprised it looks so good! For some reason I figured the lowest would be 1024x1024
might be the normal maps fighting the smoothing groups. try putting everything in one group & re-bake.