rdLODtools

A tool to create high performance, low poly LODs for static meshes.

rdLODtools is a UE plugin that resides in the Static Mesh Editor. It allows you to easily create Billboard, Planar, Cubic, TriSprite and Impostor LODs. Billboard LODs can have up to 64 frames in a FlipBook giving a full, 360 degree view (or a range) of the mesh in just 2 or 4 triangles (v1.4 will have dual axis). Planar LODs can have 2-32 planes plus a top plane. Cubic LODs can be modeled to any shape and TriSprite LODs are 1 triangle. Impostors are all-around views, using the ImpostorBaker Shaders for runtime.

Running rdLODtools over your meshes can speed up rendering by huge factors. These LODs can fill out your city buildings, Power/Light Poles, trees and foliage while also reducing your frame-rates.

Note: To create the LODs, Deferred Rendering must be used, if you're using Forward Rendering, just flip to Deferred while creating the LODs (or create them in another project).To create Impostors, you must enable the Impostor Baker plugin that comes with the engine.

Mesh Types that rdLODtools is most useful for are things such as:

• Trees

• Foliage

• Sky Scrapers and tall buildings

• Powerline Poles

• Traffic Lights

• Traffic Signs

Please note that often you will need to manually adjust the colors of your mesh - this is made easy by incorporating adjustment values in the LODs material instances.

Version 1.3 introduces many tools to speed up all your work with LODs. Context menus have been added to easily change many LOD details and also create/extract LODs from meshes.

Version 1.4 introduces Impostor LODs.

Version 1.44 introduces a tool to create new meshes at the specified reduced LOD size (disk footprint optimization)

Current Version 1.50

Technical Details

Features:

• Create 2/4 triangle, multi-angle Billboard LODs
• Create 2-32 poly planar LODs
• Create Cubic LODs which can be edited in modelling apps.
• Create high-speed, single triangle TriSprites.
• Create Impostors
• Complete color customization
• Speed up your Scenes by huge amounts
• Large number of tools for editing details about LODs
• Create smaller optimized meshes from reduced poly LODs
• Tools to Remove, Combine and extract LODs
• Workflow optimized
• LOD settings Vault for storing custom LOD values

Code Modules: rdLODtools (Editor)

Number of Blueprints: 0

Number of C++ Classes: 7

Network Replicated: No

Supported Development Platforms: Windows,Linux

Supported Target Build Platforms: Any, Editor only plugin

Documentation: https://recourse.nz/index.php/rdlodtools-manual-1-4/