Texture switches question

Graphics Shaders & Materials
1

Hi. I’m experiencing some large drops in framerate - and all around choppy gameplay experience, and would like some second opinions on what might be causing it.

I’m suspecting that these pipes are the culprits. (in game screenshot)

When looking in the direction of the pipe, the stats show 72 “switches”.

However, when looking in any other direction, the switches are maximum 2.

First question: What are these switches exactly? (as that could help me solve the root of the problem)

Second question: Now, the model is just different pieces of the pipe, which was then assembled within Unity. Can that be the cause? Will assembling everything within Maya, and the applying shaders and materials afterwards change anything?

Any and all help appreciated.
Thanks. :slight_smile:

2

Here’s an all-in-one picture of the problem.

230251--8265--$unityproblem_141.jpg
230251--8265--$unityproblem_141.jpg1237×700 203 KB

3

Are you (intentionally) using separate render textures for each pipe? Using a lot of them would certainly slow things down.

4

Not intentionally no, (I’m not that experienced yet) so didn’t know that could slow things down - but totally makes sense when you stop to think about it.

Currently rebuilding the pipes as one mesh, since that seems like what I need to be doing.

Also, Murcho from UnityAnswers answered my question here:

http://answers.unity3d.com/questions/777/what-is-switches-in-the-stats-tab-and-is-it-connected-to-my-framerate-issue/783#783