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MDX LOD's (Viewing distance)

wideloadwhitford

wideloadwhitford

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Just to confirm, by me making a LOD (lets say 40) "Vertex Clustering"

My object's viewing distance will be less, or in other words will not show up on a 15 mile final? My ground polys are 30000 feet.

I just want my minor stuff such as Tugs and Ramp Loaders to show up while I am in the vicinity, not on final.

Thanks, Ryan.
 
Hi,

Which method you use the made the LOD does not really matter.

But yes, if you have two LODs, one at 100 and one at 40, the LOD 40 will show up in the distance and the LOD 100 when you are closer. The exact distance depends on the size of the object, your screen resolution, etc.

You can not have only a LOD 40 in your object, in that case it will still show up all the time. You can add an (almost) empty LOD though, that will let the object disappear.
 
Thank you Arno.

Just to recap, but I want my objects that are not viewable in the distance (such as cars, fences, and marks, etc...) to show up within 100 feet of the airplane. What LOD should I use? That is... if it is even possible.

Thanks, Ryan
 
Hi,

As I understand it, it depends on the size of the object on the screen. An LOD 40 object will appear when it becomes a certain number of pixels wide (tall?) on the screen. If it is a very large object, it will appear when quite far away. If it is tiny, it will appear only when very close.

Perhaps Arno can correct me if wrong...
 
Hi Tom,

That is correct. If I remember correct, the rule is roughly that the number is the amount of pixels the object is wide on screen.
 
Thank you guys! I know this sounds really under par, but adjusting the LOD will increase my performance in the sim when it converts to the lower LOD when farther away, but will also increase the memory usage?

Thanks, Ryan
 
Hi,

You are right. Adding LODs is a balance between increased performance and more memory usage. So the entire MDL will always be loaded. That's why usually only about 3 levels of LOD are used on most scenery models. Else the memory size increases quite a bit.
 
arno said:
Hi,

You are right. Adding LODs is a balance between increased performance and more memory usage. So the entire MDL will always be loaded. That's why usually only about 3 levels of LOD are used on most scenery models. Else the memory size increases quite a bit.
Click to expand...

Thanks Arno! This has helped alot.
 
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