[Flipside]

In the point of view of the current engine is it :-

a) Better to have several LODS usings the same Large bitmap, since this will save Texture memory or

b) Better to use the smaller textures for Lods since it decreases render-time.

And is this likely to change if the texture system gets updated?

Ta

Flipside

[Liberator]

I think the single file would be better since modern video cards are so powerful.

[StratComm]

Smaller textures on lower LODs, preferably one texture baked.  You don't need the crispness that a higher resolution map will provide at intermediate to long range, and it'll take less time to pass the smaller image to the renderer.  I don't even know if it'll take more texture memory, but at 256x256, it should be negligable.

[Deepblue]

Memory is oh so precious for me, I would rather use one map.

[Roanoke]

how do I go about texture baking ? Is it an automated sequence (ie a tool in some proggy) or some funky technique ?

[StratComm]

It's a function of a few of the more powerful rendering programs; basically you apply the textures like you want them, then set up lighting, and finally render the maps out to one fitted texture.  Max calls this process rendering to texture, and I think it's called baking in lightwave.

[Roanoke]

how about later versions of Truespace (ie; 6.5 ?)