When are object files needed?

[Faery_Light]

If you create a character file I know you need the object file for it.
But I was wondering if when you create a prop is the object file still needed?

 

[Alisa]

To sell here, yes. It can not be embedded in the prop.

 

[Miss B]

Yes, I think there's a script, though don't recall who wrote it, or what store it's in, that will strip the geometry out of a prop, so then you would need to include the OBJ.

 

[seachnasaigh]

If you create a character file I know you need the object file for it.
But I was wondering if when you create a prop is the object file still needed?

Even for freebies, it is good etiquette to have the geometry stripped from a prop and externally referenced by the prop.

One reason is that others can easily make alternative textures for the prop and offer a pre-load prop, without including your geometry. This is especially important if your prop has a muli-piece pre-load setup with parented parts.

Another reason is to accommodate users of other 3D studios who may not be able to load your prop format; nearly any 3D studio can import an OBJ.

There are several small utility programs which will strip the geometry from your prop and re-write your prop file to remotely reference the OBJ.

I usually use Vanishing Point's Geometry Stripper (written by John Hoagland) simply because of habit.
I also have Object Extractor from EvilInnocence. I think I also have geometry strippers by Ralf Sessler among his D3D utilities, and from Phil Cooke.

 

[Willowisp]

Another reason to strip the geometry from the prop is that it will save on memory if you have multiple of the same prop in the scene. Instead of loading the same geometry multiple times, all the props will just reference the same obj. At least that's how I understand it.

 

[Glitterati3D]

If you have Netherworks Creator's Toybox, it will strip the prop geometry out for you.

 

[Faery_Light]

Yes, I have NW Creator's Toybox and it is proving to be a great app,
Guess I need to play with it more, thanks for the tips.

 

[Miss B]

I usually use Vanishing Point's Geometry Stripper (written by John Hoagland) simply because of habit.

YES, that's the one I was thinking of. Once you mentioned John Hoagland I remembered it.

I also have Joe/Netherworks Creator's Toybox, so have that too, though haven't used that particular option as yet, because I'm so used to the Geometry Stripper.

 

[Glitterati3D]

Yes, I have NW Creator's Toybox and it is proving to be a great app,
Guess I need to play with it more, thanks for the tips.

If you use Toybox to optimize the prop, it will ask you if you want to strip the geometry and then pull up the Geom folder for you to save it to. Very handy stuff.

 

[Faery_Light]

I've got pythons by snarlygribbly, ockham, PhilC and NetherWorks and maybe one other as well.

I used ToyBox earlier to optimize my prop files and it is great.
But it messed up my cr2 sets when I tried it, guess I need to read the instructions again.

 

[seachnasaigh]

Oh, yes, I forgot NetherWorks' Creator's Toybox - I have that also.
I second @Willowisp 's point about referencing a single remote OBJ for instancing.

 

[sapat]

I've been a beta tester for 11+ years at different stores and privately. Anything we find with embedded geometry will fail and the vendor will need to fix before it will be accepted for the reasons mentioned above.

 

[Faery_Light]

I used ToyBox to correct the props and they are much better now.
I also reduced the size of the cr2 using it and it made them smaller to.
The first time I did it wrong and corrupted the cr2, it was invisible after.
Thanks for the rwplies.