func_detail question


Woj
01-14-2008, 02:28 PM
I have some pics of a WIP map I want to post soon but I have a question about func_details since I'm now going around and working on them.

When turning something into a func_detail, is it better to combine several brushes into a single func_detail or to make each individual brush its own func_detail? Or does it make no difference whatsoever and it's just up to personal preference?

For example, if you your roof is made out of two pieces or if you have a set of stairs, should each individual stair be its own func_detail or can you safely make one entity out of the whole staircase?

Is doing it either way going to effect performance/lighting/anything else?

etfninja
01-14-2008, 02:56 PM
to the best of my knowledge func_detail can be done either way. I group similar stuff like I would func_detail all details for one building together.

Performance wise or lighting or anything else isn't really effected. Func_detail is just so vis doesnt use the detail to calculate visibility.

hopes this helps

Furyo
01-14-2008, 03:37 PM
For extreme optimization concerns, the less func_detail entities there are the better off you'll be.

We're talking extremely large and detailed maps, where you may be faced with MAX_ENTITIES errors, when the map contains over 4096 different entities (all entities). When this happens, your compile will fail. At that point, if you can still merge together func_detail entities within the same vis leaf, you should do so.

There won't be performance changes as long as the new func_detail doesn't cross over different vis leafs. If it does your optimization (hints and areaportals) will be overriden, and the entire func_detail will be rendered when you used to have each part separately before.

Clearly this is not going to happen to you, but I felt like giving the most complete answer.

As far as you're concerned, I would try and stick with per area based entities, where you'll have a easier time selecting a group of objects you may want to move as opposed to each segment of detail individually.

Woj
01-14-2008, 04:30 PM
Thanks a lot, that seems about what I figured.

Day of Defeat Forum Archive created by Neil Jedrzejewski.

This in an partial archive of the old Day of Defeat forums orignally hosted by Valve Software LLC.
Material has been archived for the purpose of creating a knowledge base from messages posted between 2003 and 2008.