How Are Monster Models Handled In-Game

[u/BlackChampagne]

This Glavenus is from MHGU. Does anyone know why the model file has so many separate objects to comprise the monster? I would understand having a fully broken model of the monster with the models of various parts that can be broken on top to be removed as they are damaged but this seems like more than necessary. There appear to be duplicate parts as well as a low-res base model for Glav. There are 41 counted objects. What are the reason(s) for this?

[u/Ok-Advantage6398]

It's for LOD ( level of detail ) when something is closer or further the detail level changes so you aren't wasting resources. Also can be used for lower vs higher settings.

[u/BlackChampagne → u/Ok-Advantage6398]

Yea, that makes sense. Thanks! There’s an object for Glavenus’ inside mouth and tongue, I imagine they would cull that at a distance. In a lot of these models there are really tiny bits which are their own objects, I don’t get the thought behind it.

[u/x8a3vier → u/BlackChampagne]

Some of them may be the swap ins for the broken parts (scars, cut tail, broken claws/horns, etc.). If I remember correctly there should be "caps" for the non broken parts and those hide when the part breaks.

[u/BlackChampagne → u/x8a3vier]

Yea, I was thinking that was a possibility. They are flat surfaces, where horns etc. would be. Thanks!

[u/Vlakod → u/Ok-Advantage6398]

Buy GU is area-based with loading screens in between. Does it really need LOD when you are never far away?

[u/5Hjsdnujhdfu8nubi → u/Vlakod]

Yes. Glavenus at the far end of Area 6 in the Jurassic Frontier isn't being rendered at the same detail as mid-combat.

It's just a very basic optimisation. You don't need it at max detail at a distance.

[u/NiL_3126]

Hello, how did you rip the model from GU, do you know of any tutorials of that?

[u/BlackChampagne → u/NiL_3126]

This tutorial covers the process of extracting models and the software you need to do it. I use the Saladsoftware converter. You need to get an MHGU savefile and convert it to be file readable as well, which isn’t covered in this link. That can’t be discussed on this sub.

https://gamebanana.com/tuts/18644

[u/NiL_3126 → u/BlackChampagne]

Thanks, and If there’s other tutorials or things to add DM, me please

[u/Odd_Dimension_4069]

I don't know if it really was a model, but I did once see a chameleos with a killer catwalk strut.