The Art of Low-Poly Modeling

Nowadays we see a lot of stunning games and mods with stunning high-detailed models. What happened with the art of low-poly modeling? When good looking models were made bellow 1000 polys?

Today I’ll try to explain and re-introduce for you the art of low-poly modeling.

Q: What’s a poly?

Well, a poly is the number of polygons that your model has. With more objects you add in the scene, more polys you will have.

Q: Why Low-poly if I can have high poly?

Well, everyone knows that nowadays the game engines are pretty advanced and can handle with a lot of details in the models. So why use low-poly modeling in such new engines? With fewer polys, less time and memory the engine will use to render it. In other words: To prevent unnecessary lag.

Q: But low-poly doesn’t mean a low quality model?

Yes and no. With a good low poly modeling, just the necessary details are putted in the model, the other details are covered by a good texture. With a good texture the model looks so high quality, that you’ll never believe that model is low-polyed.

above: Example of a High-quality low-poly model

above: Example of a High Poly model

Q: If low-poly modeling is so good, why people keep with the High-poly?

Well, by 2 reasons: the lack of a good 2D artist able to make a great texture that will save a lot of details and polys or because modelers like to impress the public with their super detailed models, because the public is too demanding for a good quality and do not understand the aspects of modding and modelling.

So did you make your decision? Low poly or High poly?

I’ll stick with low poly…and you?

Happy Modding,

-Gen.Kenobi out

Images: C&C Untitled

5 Responses to “The Art of Low-Poly Modeling”

1. Nick says:

   July 4, 2009 at 11:13 pm

   Two words: Bump Mapping

   Reply
2. Kwah says:

   July 21, 2009 at 8:14 pm

   Normal Mapping, infact!

   Reply
3. Hobbesy says:

   August 6, 2009 at 5:42 am

   That model looks familiar for some reason. :p

   Reply
4. Wiebe says:

   September 5, 2009 at 12:15 pm

   Good textures can get you really far. World of Warcraft is a good example of that. There are some creatures which have reduced to the minimum amount of poly’s possible and still they look good. There are however things where a good texture can’t pull of the trick. With many forms of shading for instance you will need to have a model with more poly’s. For realistic face and body motion you will also need more poly’s. So I think it really depends on the project if you want to use high or low poly.

   Reply
   • David says:

     September 5, 2009 at 1:24 pm

     Yeh, some WoW pets are only a few pollys, the rest is all texture

     Reply