UDK Level Optimization

[DevinSherry]

Hey everyone!

I wanted to start this thread to talk about tips and tricks to optimize levels in the UDK so that they stay at a relatively high frame-rate. As of now, I have been referencing this udn page to assist me for level optimization: http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/ViewModes.html

I was curious what others do to keep their levels optimized without sacrificing the quality of the content, so please share any knowledge you have!

[White Paper Games]

Be sure to keep collision down! A lot of people over complicate collision! Just put blocking volumes around large groups of meshes and turn off collision on them all!

Also think about draw calls, the way I think it works is that if you have multiples of the same mesh, it costs much less if you had lots of variations of similar sized meshes.

I think Alex, Warren and BadSector will be a real help in this thread! I know they've spoken a bit in the past about things like this. I like your thinking Devin! I'm currently optimising loads and found the UDN a real help but it would be cool to see other peoples practical work flows! Good idea

[White Paper Games]

I've also found these pages quite helpful:

http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/MemoryProfilingHome.html
http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/PerformanceHome.html

Also, if you check out the Eat3d video where Hourences makes an iOS game, he talks quite a lot at the end of that how they optimised The Ball. Really interesting!

[White Paper Games]

They just updated this page on the release of the July BETA UDK too

http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/GameplayProfiler.html

[AlexG]

I wanted to add a few links as well:

http://castovocaludk.blogspot.com/20...imization.html

http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/LevelOptimization.html

http://udn.epicgames.com/Two/LevelOptimization.html (older engine build, but you may find some relevant info)

http://www.hourences.com/tutorials-u...-introduction/

[AlexG]

Couple of more Optimization/Performance links:

Massive LOD: great for large open worlds
http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/MassiveLOD.html

Visibility Culling: rendering and hiding static meshes based on distance
http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/VisibilityCulling.html

[White Paper Games]

Texture Optimisation: Tons of information on textures most people don't even think about!
http://www.hourences.com/tutorials-u...-optimization/

[White Paper Games]

Excellent link!

http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/HotSp...eneration.html

Very clever indeed.