Low-poly Renders

KottonKing

I made a construction zone set called DEconstruction Zone http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=44c961a868603d078511f64868e7c781 and so far I have two good reviews. In one of the reviews I was asked to make a low-poly version. Not to sound to noobish but, how do I make a low-poly version? And can I just convert my original model into a low-poly version without redoing the whole thing? Not that I have a problem doing so because I love Sketchup.

Stinkie

Any element you use more than once, should be made a component. Do a quick YouTube search for "SketchUp components", and you're bound to find at least a couple of useful vids.

KottonKing

For some reason when I make odds and ends; things I think might be useful in other models I make, I can't find them when I make them into components. I can find the In-model components. I can't find them when I start a new model.

Gaieus

If you make a component in a model, it won't be anywhere else but in that model. You need to somehow "export" your vomponents out of your model for further use. There are several ways; a simple one is to right click a component in the model and "Save as..." It will save it as an skp file which you can import or even simply drag and drop into your model.

Or have a look at the Component browser for ideas...:

KottonKing

Thanks Gaieus. That's a good idea. However I feel like this post is getting off topic. I still need to know how to create low-poly renders.

Gaieus

Once you made that model, you cannot really make it smaller without redoing the whole thing.

Also, note that though using components is very economical from a lot of points of view, the poly is still there in the model so for the reason that person asked, it wouldn't help.

That Pečoler is suggesting you not to use the default segment count for circles (which you later PushPull into cylinders) for instance.

Note that the segment count can be changed however SU will always use 24 as a default if you don't change it. Draw a circle and immediately afterwards type 12s and hit Enter to turn it into a 12 segmented circle (or any number you wish) For piping, 24 segments are indeed a waste of computer resources. Even high quality games often just use 8 or such for cylinders like railing or piping.

KottonKing

Thanks modelhead and Gaieus. That helps a lot. Kudos!