Bulding a city block as a LOD target instead of TOD: pros/cons?

[Centurion-1 1,228]

Well if I've understood correctly this is not a new idea but what would be the pros and cons of building a city block/tile in 3ds Max and exporting it instead of making the buildings TODs in TE?

 

On the top of my head:

 

Pros:

+Higher detail possible, not limited to boxes

+Collision detection for city buildings

+Proper self shadowing

+LOD detail levels for more detail up close

+Small details like parked cars, sat dishes et c possible

 

Cons

-City tiles need to be more or less flat, otherwise there will be submerged and/or floating buildings

-Clutterings of target inis

-FPS hit? Doubtful if you ask me

 

Anyone got any more pros/cons and ideas?

 

I am going  to try out a simple test, I'll see what happens. 

[+Stary 2,427]

been there done that... in 2007, for Battle of Britain, albeit as whole villages, Baltika's campaign had them, some pics I think are still in my gallery

 

The problem is, you'd have to make lots of levels of detail not to kill system (quite easy) and place them as taretareas on the tiles -bigger problem as both it's PITA and has impact on framerate; I think target areas have more impact on the engine that the objects meshes themselves

[Wrench 9,848]

they'd also need to be destroyable, each building mesh seperately, so to replicate bombed out sections of the city.

as you mentioned, all cities would need to be perfectly flat (this can be seen with TOD solid objects too, as they're always vertical to the earth's center)

 

using large lods like that, preclude the use of individual targetable objects (and many city TODs do this as well) making it intensely difficult to put things in cities to destroy (example: evildamncommbuilding, steel mills, generators, hot-dog stands)

 

I'm also sure there would be frame rate loss, as well. Add multiple AAA/SAMs, it'll get lower

[+Stary 2,427]

cities don't have to be flat kevin, just the parts of single-tile related objects, say 4x4 objects for single tile, as I think at 1000 km standard maps lowest heightmap (the global one) resolution is 500 meters, then you can make meshes that have parts "buried" in the flat terrain like basement stone walls etc that could be shown on sloped areas

[Centurion-1 1,228]

I can't get my test city block to show up.. any idea what I am doing wrong?

 

From IR_TYPES.ini

[TargetType256]
Name=IR_Citytile1
FullName=City block 1
ModelName=IR_Citytile1.LOD
TargetType=MISC
ActiveYear=0
TargetValue=0
UseGroundObject=FALSE
//GroundObjectType=IR_Citytile1
DamagePoint=100.0
ArmorValue=90000.0
ArmorType=1
RepairRate=0.150
StartDetectChance=20
StartIdentifiedChance=0
IncreaseDetectChanceKey=0
MaxVisibleDist=12000.0
DamagedModel=
DestroyedEffect=LargeTallStructureCollapse
DestroyedModel=warehouse1_destroyed.lod
SecondaryEffect=MediumExplosionEffect
SecondaryChance=100

IR_Citytile1.ini

[LOD001]
Filename=citytile1.lod
Distance=2000

[LOD002]
Filename=citytile1_lod2.lod
Distance=5000

[LOD001]
Filename=citytile1_lod3.lod
Distance=10000

[Shadow]
CastShadow=TRUE
ShadowCastDist=2000
MaxVisibleDistance=5000

from IR_Targets.ini

[TargetArea007]
Name=Baghdad
Position=408195,628285
Radius=6000
ActiveYear=0
Location=2
Alignment=ENEMY
Target[001].Type=CommBuilding1
Target[001].Offset=0,0
Target[001].Heading=90
Target[002].Type=palace
Target[002].Offset=1645,-2575
Target[002].Heading=90
Target[003].Type=GeneratorBuilding1
Target[003].Offset=4805,-4995
Target[003].Heading=90
Target[004].Type=GeneratorBuilding1
Target[004].Offset=-2853,-942
Target[004].Heading=0
Target[005].Type=HQ01
Target[005].Offset=-5000,3865
Target[005].Heading=270
Target[006].Type=vBridge3
Target[006].Offset=-1285,4815
Target[006].Heading=0
Target[007].Type=vBridge3
Target[007].Offset=-2380,6710
Target[007].Heading=90
Target[008].Type=vBridge3
Target[008].Offset=1805,-1270
Target[008].Heading=90
Target[009].Type=vBridge3
Target[009].Offset=1035,-1260
Target[009].Heading=90
Target[010].Type=vBridge3
Target[010].Offset=2800,-2285
Target[010].Heading=0
Target[011].Type=vBridge1
Target[011].Offset=-2425,-1290
Target[011].Heading=90
Target[012].Type=vBridge3
Target[012].Offset=-1110,2600
Target[012].Heading=0
Target[013].Type=vBridge3
Target[013].Offset=-2190,720
Target[013].Heading=90
Target[014].Type=vCity3
Target[014].Offset=275,5915
Target[014].Heading=90
Target[015].Type=funkturm
Target[015].Offset=1505,-4515
Target[015].Heading=0
Target[016].Type=funkturm
Target[016].Offset=-4435,2830
Target[016].Heading=90
Target[017].Type=CityBuilding3
Target[017].Offset=-6985,-115
Target[017].Heading=90
Target[018].Type=CityBuilding3
Target[018].Offset=-2483,-4174
Target[018].Heading=90
Target[019].Type=CityBuilding3
Target[019].Offset=4415,-800
Target[019].Heading=90
Target[020].Type=CityBuilding3
Target[020].Offset=5990,-4370
Target[020].Heading=0
Target[021].Type=CityBuilding3
Target[021].Offset=-2410,5505
Target[021].Heading=270
Target[022].Type=af45radioant
Target[022].Offset=-5003,3923
Target[022].Heading=90
Target[023].Type=af45radioant
Target[023].Offset=-4971,3880
Target[023].Heading=90
Target[024].Type=satantenne
Target[024].Offset=-4966,3808
Target[024].Heading=90
Target[025].Type=IQFlag
Target[025].Offset=-5032,3869
Target[025].Heading=90
Target[026].Type=HQBuilding1
Target[026].Offset=1535,-160
Target[026].Heading=90
Target[027].Type=CommBuilding1
Target[027].Offset=3200,6235
Target[027].Heading=0
Target[028].Type=CommBuilding1
Target[028].Offset=3916,-2000
Target[028].Heading=270
Target[029].Type=building3
Target[029].Offset=-6490,1510
Target[029].Heading=90
Target[030].Type=vIndustrial2
Target[030].Offset=-3995,5250
Target[030].Heading=0
Target[031].Type=factory5
Target[031].Offset=-2480,3470
Target[031].Heading=180
Target[032].Type=factory1
Target[032].Offset=-5665,300
Target[032].Heading=0
Target[033].Type=vIndustrial1
Target[033].Offset=-4480,-2450
Target[033].Heading=270
Target[034].Type=af53factbldgB_sm
Target[034].Offset=-5925,-2055
Target[034].Heading=0
Target[035].Type=schornstein2
Target[035].Offset=-5960,-2112
Target[035].Heading=0
Target[036].Type=schornstein2
Target[036].Offset=-4480,-2450
Target[036].Heading=0
Target[037].Type=warehouse1
Target[037].Offset=3940,-1385
Target[037].Heading=0
Target[038].Type=warehouse1
Target[038].Offset=4015,-1555
Target[038].Heading=0
Target[039].Type=warehouse1
Target[039].Offset=4495,-2195
Target[039].Heading=90
Target[040].Type=warehouse1
Target[040].Offset=1600,6475
Target[040].Heading=180
Target[041].Type=warehouse1
Target[041].Offset=-6200,1875
Target[041].Heading=270
Target[042].Type=warehouse1
Target[042].Offset=-6255,1750
Target[042].Heading=180
Target[043].Type=warehouse1
Target[043].Offset=-6240,1650
Target[043].Heading=0
Target[044].Type=mosque1
Target[044].Offset=1075,-20
Target[044].Heading=180
Target[045].Type=mosque1
Target[045].Offset=-5910,2005
Target[045].Heading=180
Target[046].Type=mosque1
Target[046].Offset=4430,5255
Target[046].Heading=180
Target[047].Type=mosque1
Target[047].Offset=-450,-2525
Target[047].Heading=0
Target[048].Type=mosque1
Target[048].Offset=-3446,1943
Target[048].Heading=0
Target[049].Type=mosque1
Target[049].Offset=-5585,-2805
Target[049].Heading=180
Target[050].Type=mosque2
Target[050].Offset=3345,-4470
Target[050].Heading=180
Target[051].Type=mosque2
Target[051].Offset=960,1900
Target[051].Heading=180
Target[052].Type=mosque2
Target[052].Offset=3365,5455
Target[052].Heading=0
Target[053].Type=af32bldgB_lg
Target[053].Offset=-470,-2525
Target[053].Heading=0
Target[054].Type=af32bldgB_lg
Target[054].Offset=-30,1255
Target[054].Heading=180
Target[055].Type=af32bldgB_lg
Target[055].Offset=-470,-2525
Target[055].Heading=0
Target[056].Type=vBridge3End
Target[056].Offset=-2380,6760
Target[056].Heading=90
Target[057].Type=vBridge3End
Target[057].Offset=-2380,6660
Target[057].Heading=270
Target[058].Type=vBridge3End
Target[058].Offset=-1235,4815
Target[058].Heading=180
Target[059].Type=vBridge3End
Target[059].Offset=-1335,4815
Target[059].Heading=0
Target[060].Type=vBridge3End
Target[060].Offset=-1060,2600
Target[060].Heading=180
Target[061].Type=vBridge3End
Target[061].Offset=-1160,2600
Target[061].Heading=0
Target[062].Type=vBridge3End
Target[062].Offset=-2190,770
Target[062].Heading=90
Target[063].Type=vBridge3End
Target[063].Offset=-2190,670
Target[063].Heading=270
Target[064].Type=vBridge3End
Target[064].Offset=1035,-1210
Target[064].Heading=90
Target[065].Type=vBridge3End
Target[065].Offset=1035,-1310
Target[065].Heading=270
Target[066].Type=vBridge3End
Target[066].Offset=1805,-1220
Target[066].Heading=90
Target[067].Type=vBridge3End
Target[067].Offset=1805,-1320
Target[067].Heading=270
Target[068].Type=vBridge3End
Target[068].Offset=2750,-2285
Target[068].Heading=0
Target[069].Type=vBridge3End
Target[069].Offset=2850,-2285
Target[069].Heading=180
Target[070].Type=vBridge1End
Target[070].Offset=-2425,-1240
Target[070].Heading=270
Target[071].Type=vBridge1End
Target[071].Offset=-2425,-1340
Target[071].Heading=90
Target[072].Type=warehouse1
Target[072].Offset=2710,1565
Target[072].Heading=90
Target[073].Type=warehouse1
Target[073].Offset=2915,1850
Target[073].Heading=0
Target[074].Type=CityBuilding3
Target[074].Offset=-4920,1700
Target[074].Heading=90
Target[075].Type=halle_gross
Target[075].Offset=65,-3460
Target[075].Heading=270
Target[076].Type=halle_gross
Target[076].Offset=-5083,-1737
Target[076].Heading=90
Target[077].Type=halle_gross
Target[077].Offset=1375,4800
Target[077].Heading=0
Target[078].Type=halle_gross
Target[078].Offset=5861,2907
Target[078].Heading=270
Target[079].Type=FireCan
Target[079].Offset=-6537,-2451
Target[079].Heading=90
Target[080].Type=FireCan
Target[080].Offset=3374,-7375
Target[080].Heading=90
Target[081].Type=FireCan
Target[081].Offset=-5143,3930
Target[081].Heading=90
Target[082].Type=FireCan
Target[082].Offset=5351,3551
Target[082].Heading=90
Target[083].Type=FireCan
Target[083].Offset=1805,5713
Target[083].Heading=90
Target[084].Type=AAA
Target[084].Offset=3464,-7421
Target[084].Heading=90
Target[085].Type=AAA
Target[085].Offset=3465,-7376
Target[085].Heading=90
Target[086].Type=AAA
Target[086].Offset=1935,-6912
Target[086].Heading=90
Target[087].Type=AAA
Target[087].Offset=1402,-6873
Target[087].Heading=90
Target[088].Type=AAA
Target[088].Offset=-1321,-648
Target[088].Heading=90
Target[089].Type=AAA
Target[089].Offset=-2138,-648
Target[089].Heading=90
Target[090].Type=AAA
Target[090].Offset=-3093,-4091
Target[090].Heading=90
Target[091].Type=AAA
Target[091].Offset=-3108,-4183
Target[091].Heading=90
Target[092].Type=AAA
Target[092].Offset=-6443,-2491
Target[092].Heading=90
Target[093].Type=AAA
Target[093].Offset=-6435,-2575
Target[093].Heading=90
Target[094].Type=AAA
Target[094].Offset=-6379,-2519
Target[094].Heading=90
Target[095].Type=AAA
Target[095].Offset=-5721,-1203
Target[095].Heading=90
Target[096].Type=AAA
Target[096].Offset=-4455,945
Target[096].Heading=90
Target[097].Type=AAA
Target[097].Offset=-4127,2386
Target[097].Heading=90
Target[098].Type=AAA
Target[098].Offset=-5130,3783
Target[098].Heading=90
Target[099].Type=AAA
Target[099].Offset=1761,5668
Target[099].Heading=90
Target[100].Type=AAA
Target[100].Offset=1760,5775
Target[100].Heading=90
Target[101].Type=AAA
Target[101].Offset=1845,5769
Target[101].Heading=90
Target[102].Type=AAA
Target[102].Offset=1859,5674
Target[102].Heading=90
Target[103].Type=AAA
Target[103].Offset=4278,5908
Target[103].Heading=90
Target[104].Type=AAA
Target[104].Offset=5326,3478
Target[104].Heading=90
Target[105].Type=AAA
Target[105].Offset=5340,3537
Target[105].Heading=90
Target[106].Type=AAA
Target[106].Offset=4943,-2036
Target[106].Heading=90
Target[107].Type=AAA
Target[107].Offset=4369,-4704
Target[107].Heading=90
Target[108].Type=IR_Citytile1
Target[108].Offset=2805,708
Target[108].Heading=0

[Icarus999 70]

Any luck with this Centurion ?

[+baffmeister 1,205]

One of these things is not like the other?

 

[TargetType256]
Name=IR_Citytile1
FullName=City block 1
ModelName=IR_Citytile1.LOD.......................................Here

 

[LOD001]
Filename=citytile1.lod...............................................Here
Distance=2000

[LOD002]
Filename=citytile1_lod2.lod
Distance=5000

[LOD001]
Filename=citytile1_lod3.lod
Distance=10000

[Centurion-1 1,228]

Thank you Baffmeister, as always this proves that one shouldn't try to mod while tired. Well, it seems that this is a dead end more or less, my systems FPS took a real nosedive from just one of the detailed city blocks (SF2 is really not good at handling any kind of larger amounts of polygons), and having a whole block instantly appear is quite ugly. Guess I will have to make friends with Terraineditor some more then.