Modelling Question

Unity Engine
1

I am looking to create a 3d game which controls like an fps but all takes place in one building.

What would be the best approach: modelling one large building in my tool of choice (maya/blender) and using a mesh collider or making various components (walls, stairs, etc) and positioning them in the game world? Decor such as boxes, chairs and such would be added separately either way.

Thanks

2

As the Game Developer(you) , its completely up to you how you go about designing your game. there a few Techniques available, but it depends on the sheer size of the building. Are we talking a fish and chip shop or one of those huge 1400 story corporate buildings?

because your entire game is one building i would split the building up into sections the fit together and be recycled throughout it. this also makes designing an ease. then have your decor such as doors, plants, desk, computers, boxes, extinguishers etc. as separate models. basically your building is made up of X by X by X size pieces. typically these pieces are made of 1 or more walls, a floor, and a roof. Just like you metioned.

advantage

  1. Occlusion Culling likes it(makes it easier it)
  2. Design as you go
  3. smaller game size do to recyclable parts
  4. Lower memory usage

Disadaventages:

  1. Lots of Game Objects
  2. can be annoying to mode everything to scale and make it fit together without modeling experience
  3. more time is taken to designing the level withing Unity

Now the other way where the building is one be Brute of a mesh, if its small then no problem but if it big it can be a headache. all the props will still need to be free of the mesh in order to move around of course. including doors and switches. you can split the meshes up to accomadate material such as making the floor concrete, the walls black marble, and the roof that horrid false ceiling tiles. I’ve seen a Workshop done in this manner.

Advantages:

  1. Pre-designed
  2. not as uniform
  3. easily placed into the scene

Disadantages

  1. memory cost(spend son size)
  2. very annoying to make aditions
  3. Very difficult

So yeah I really hop this helps you on which method you’d like to use, it also depends on the platform for too…
I prefer making pieces because i can edit a Wall easily, but not so much a building

3

Thanks a lot Fornoreason, this has given me some good insight into building my game world - as small as it may be.

I think I will try the former of your options to begin with as it makes more sense, but as the game should consist of hardly anything more than just a large house I will see very little benefit of reusable parts.

Thanks