I'm staring a new project(hopefully it doesn't get deleted like my last one =/), but I was thinking about doing British soldiers, since a lot of people wanted them when DoD source came out. Though, I was wondering, would I have to make seperate LOD files for each level(as in distance)?

Hi, look at the default models and see the amount of difference in polygons. so if the model had 5000 polygons, and lod1 was like 4500 or something. you would subtract 500 polygons in the polygon reduction tool for your lod1 model.

Yes you need to make seperate versions of the mesh for each LOD but as stated, there are tools that will do it for you. Theres no hard and fast rule on how many polies per LOD to remove, you have to experiement with HLMV and judgement to basically keep the polycount as low as possible without to much of a perceptable change when the lods switch in and out.

Also, the LOD levels don't have to be weighted to the bones but they do have to be orientated and posed the same as the default reference model.

Well, I'm using XSI 6 Mod Tool and was wondering what the option was to take away polys was.

look here:

http://www.dayofdefeat.net/forums/showthread.php?t=74873