Performance question model formats

[grantkrieger]

Hello,

Is there a preferred model format for speed ? Whats the best model format for the fastest performance. If there is.

Example would be 3DS , x etc etc

Thanks

Grant

[arras]

I would say there is no diference. Irrlich transform all that data in to more or les the same structure ...vertices, indices, materials, textures, animations. Only diference can be howe fast diferent formats are loaded.

But to be sure, just run some simple test: load the same polygoon heavy model from diferent formats and see zour fps.

[hybrid]

Static models are almost the same for all formats. Only polycount matters, which might be different due to differences in the exporte you use or the mesh loader in Irrlicht. You will have to try.
For animated models .b3d and .ms3d are properly supported. They are both quite fast. The .x format is somewhat slow, however, Luke is currently porting it to the new animation system which might increase its performance. .md2 is only useful for very specific things and is often still slower than good animations in .b3d. Finally, .md3 is not yet properly working in Irrlicht, so avoid it for the moment.
After all, most performance differences will be due to badly designed animations. So try to spend enough time on the animation design, the format can be easily changed upon export.

[Sean H.]

hybrid, I noticed that when .x models are animated their normals are always updated, could this be part of the reason it's slower?

[hybrid]

What else should happen with normals? would look pretty weird if you don't update the normals... So no, all formats update their normals.