Validation of CG Models - An Introduction to Computer Graphics for Artists - page 141

but less easy to know if the polygons used are necessary for the object represented
by the model. Chapters 8 and 9 discuss methods to determine whether the poly
count you have used is appropriate or not. The purpose of mentioning the subject
here is that you should always make a fi nal check of your object before delivery
to ensure the polycount is as low as possible without sacrifi cing any necessary
structural detail.
It is generally accepted that exceeding a polycount budget by as much as 10 % is
not an error if the added polygons contribute to the model. If they do not, it is an
error, even if the polycount budget is met exactly.

9.5.6 Edge Pattern Confusing

Polygonal edges form patterns in your object. The four sides of a quad are a square,
and six edges that meet at a single vertex will look something like an asterisk (*).
These patterns can add to or detract from the clarity of your model. Sometimes it is
necessary to make edge patterns that add to the visual clutter of your object, but this
is not always the case. It is a good idea to remain sensitive to the edge connection
pattern between vertices to ensure that it enhances the clarity of your model. If it
does not, editing your model will be slower because it will be more diffi cult to rap-
idly determine what part of the model is being viewed, or what its exact shape is.
Another way to describe this is edge fl ow . Edge fl ow is how smoothly your edge
pattern follows the contours of your model. This is particularly important for dense
organic meshes like character models.

9.6 Organization

9.6.1 Introduction

Organizing a fi le ensures that you can fi nd all of its parts, navigate it, and modify as
needed. You also want to be able to give your fi le to someone else, and without any
instruction that person should be able to navigate your fi le just as well as you can.
You don't want any of the parts you labored over to get lost, or connections between
related objects to be broken. Your fi le should be so well organized that when other
artists open your fi le, they will be impressed by how neat it is.
Accomplishing this is not diffi cult if you know how, but it does require some
patience. Failure to properly organize your fi le can lead to irritation among team
members. If one artist cannot locate or use a needed element due to improper orga-
nization, disagreements will arise. The larger a fi le is, the more elements it has, the
more likely it is that this will happen. In your work, you need to develop good orga-
nizational habits immediately. The sooner you start, the better off you will be.
The two primary methods of organizing a 3D fi le are through naming and grouping .