Final Project | Final Conclusions
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I originally did this final project in order to create a tutorial for people who wanted to convert AliasStudio Models into the 3d Game Studio. My original premise was that the reason the models in 3dgs games were so chunky was because the native model editor was not powerful enough to create convincing models. Through the trail and error process I found that the real reason for having such minimal, squarish models was because the 3dgs program was not powerful enough to use a model from a program like alias. The models in alias are based on Bezier Curves rather than a Polygon Mesh. In other words the skin of the model is vector math rather than a solid modeler in which you add or subtract from a solid piece of material much like in the real world.
The modelers used in product design are inherently more processor hungry because they are so much more complex than in game models. For a product model you could render one screen image for 5 hours. For a game you need to render about 50 images a SECOND! So to help with speed of rendering the game modelers opt for simpler models with more complex skinning that looks like it is 3d but is actually a skin. Product models have to be more complex form wise because if your going to make it a real thing just pretending that the texture is on the part is not enough. I learned that in game models can have a higher polygon count than 1st person weapons. I could get the gun into the game but not into the players hand.
Making a tutorial for this process would lead to a lot of people having to waste a lot of time. Learning the native Med program or another program that is meant for game models would be a better use of time.