Splines

[ccowan2126]

When using splines, specifically the JR GRAZZY splines, along a trackside, is it better to use long splines or a series of short splines? I am referring mainly to how the splines affect frame rates. I have heavy wooded areas along the tracks of my Yadkin Valley RR route and I need underbrush and grass to camouflage the tree trunks where they contact the ground. It is tedious work, no doubt. If any one has any suggestions for what I want to accomplish, feel free to comment.

 

[Dinorius_Redundicus]

I'd guess that the important things would be the total number of polygons that have to be rendered in the scene (the less the better for frame rates) and the number of different texture materials used on those polygons (again, the less the better). Using PEV Mesh Viewer to open the various meshes in the splines and report on polygons, textures and the lengths of the meshes, you can make an estimate of what it would 'cost' to fill a typical scene (i.e. visible area) with each spline. You'd need to take into account any end-cap meshes as well as the total number of repeating unit meshes used in the scene.

Generally speaking, splines with long mesh lengths will fill more scene for the money, but it depends a lot on how they were made compared to the shorter mesh splines. For flexibility, a long repeating mesh unit is sometimes made with more polygons per repeat unit, which offsets the benefit of having a longer mesh. You need the details to really say which is better.

And of course a short mesh spline can be more aesthetically useful because it's more flexible and more suited to placement in lots of different orientations for a more randomized natural appearance.


.

 

[ccowan2126]

Thank you, sir !

 

[martinvk]

... I need underbrush and grass to camouflage the tree trunks where they contact the ground. It is tedious work, no doubt. ....

Perhaps just as tedious but you could also lower many of the trees by various amounts. Makes for more visual variety as well as preventing any floating trees on hilly ground.

 

[davesnow]

I've always wondered.... Is Splines pronounced SP-LINES or SP-LEENS---?

 

[narrowgauge]

Dave

Spline as in 'line' or 'fine' is the normal usage according to my dictionaries, American common usage may be different but according to Google it is the same.

Peter

 

[ccowan2126]

Perhaps just as tedious but you could also lower many of the trees by various amounts. Makes for more visual variety as well as preventing any floating trees on hilly ground.

That is a really good idea, thanks.