Optimizing Your Scene
Keep in mind when you create your VRML scene that vistors to your world
will be using different browsers on Silicon Graphics, PC, or Macintosh
platforms. They may have a T1 connection to the Internet, or they may
be connected at 14.4 by modem.
Your goal is to create a scene that most people can quickly navigate
through. This means modeling objects with a low polygon count and using
some optimizing tricks to keep your scene graph small:
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Model objects separately, and save them as individual files. Create a
separate file for your scene, and import objects or inlines as needed.
-
Create clones instead of copies when you
use multiple instances of an object in your scene.
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Use the Primitive Counter to keep
track of each object's polygon count.
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Use the Polygon Reduction Editor
to reduce each object's polygon count. Also use this tool in
conjunction with the LOD Editor
to create and place versions of an object at lower levels of
detail. Place all but the invisible and lowest level of detail versions
in the scene as inlined objects using the Inline Editor.
-
Rebuild complex models with the Polygon
Copier.
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Turn on backface culling in models by using the Normal Doctor.
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Split complex scenes into several smaller scenes, linked through
anchors using the Link Editor.
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Use the Billboard Editor to
"paste" 2D images instead of creating a full 3D object.
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Use the Texture Editor to give
an object complexity without increasing its polygon count.
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Create VRML text instead
of geometric text (the latter has a very high polygon count).
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Use the Collision Editor to
specify collision detection only where needed. For example, instead of
creating your whole scene as a collision area, select only those
objects a visitor will try to walk through or bump into.
-
Use sensors to trigger actions needed only in particular parts of your
scene. For example, instead of creating permanent lights, you can use
the Switch Editor to create a "hot
spot" where a light will be triggered only when needed.
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Package your final scene to VRML, and
test on different platforms with different browsers to make sure your
audience can quickly download and navigate your world.