Introduction
Instead of using pre-combined objects, we can use what BGS has often used in FO4, but also in other of their games: Static Collections. A combined super mesh.
Though used for many objects, Skyskrapers and objects of very huge size rarely if at all are combined. If precombination is disabled what then? Draw calls are going through the roof because of that. Therefore to really optimize downtown and cannot see any other way than adding combined meshes of those huge buildings.
Expectation
In combination with Occlusion Planes and Boxes this should come close, maybe reach and even top precombination and previs at some point
Execution
Basically its very simple project but due to the size of the game it takes time ... so how am i doing it?
1) Create a separat plugin where all objects in the game world receive a new "Layer" this will greatly help tracking certain buildings since one can separat what ever is needed
1.1) Objects of interest receive a unique layer
1.2) Remove any unwanted group and reference from the collection, unique layer - When combining the SCOL all objects part of a reference such as a LOD reference OR a group are excluded by default
2) Create another plugin which uses the Layer plugin as Master
2.1) Track down the unique layers and click select all references from layer
2.2) Click "Make static collection"
2.3) Done
All of this is done best with both, the Creation Kit and FO4Edit. Creation Kit for combining the static collections (i cannot find any script which does this as of now) and FO4Edit for cleaning the unwanted references or leftovers in general.
The Back Bay skyskraper combined into a group and ready to be SCOLed.
Rating
Pros:
- Reduced object count/draw calls
- Reduced number of loaded references, if used in the same loaded scene
- Faster world building
- Reuse without having to rebuild the kit pieces again
- Keeping objects from fading out for a longer distance/have certain objects fade together
Cons:
- Material references are combined to, requires to create individual material swaps based on the vanilla object
- Mod Incompatibility, requires to split the SCOL if mods open interiors
Objects either SCOL or separat super NIF
- Bld0##
- BldgBrick##
- BldgMetal##
- BldgShell##
- ConcordMuseumBLD / ConcordMuseumAtrium01
- RedRocket## / RedR##
- SalemMuseum01
- TheaterDist_TESTBld01, TheaterDist_TESTBld01a, TheaterDistrictBLDG01
Note: More editor ids will be added over time.
Material Files
The following gives your a sneak peek of the material files used on many Skyskrapers, most use a variety of the following. If kit pieces are separat all the material files are separat too, vice versa if combined not. So, i have to track all the kit pieces with color variation first, create kits per material file second, and then all looks crispy as in vanilla too.
#808584 █ HitTechMetalPanel01Large [MSWP:000F4B3E]
#808584 █ HitTechMetalPanel01Long [MSWP:000AF325]
#6a6b69 █ HitTechMetalPanel02 [MSWP:0001B1C8]
#6a6b69 █ HitTechMetalPanel02Full [MSWP:00112D06]
#6a6b69 █ HitTechMetalPanel02Large [MSWP:00121256]
#6a6b69 █ HitTechMetalPanel02Long [MSWP:000AF43E]
#84c2c7 █ HitTechMetalPanel03 [MSWP:00078264]
#84c2c7 █ HitTechMetalPanel03Full [MSWP:0012124F]
#84c2c7 █ HitTechMetalPanel03Large [MSWP:000E449F]
#84c2c7 █ HitTechMetalPanel03Long [MSWP:000AF43F]
#ffad63 █ HitTechMetalPanel04 [MSWP:000B7D83]
#ffad63 █ HitTechMetalPanel04Full [MSWP:000F034E]
#ffad63 █ HitTechMetalPanel04Large [MSWP:00121257]
#ffad63 █ HitTechMetalPanel04Long [MSWP:000B7DA3]
#99cdab █ HitTechMetalPanel05 [MSWP:000B7D84]
#99cdab █ HitTechMetalPanel05Full [MSWP:000F4727]
#99cdab █ HitTechMetalPanel05Large [MSWP:000F4B3D]
#99cdab █ HitTechMetalPanel05Long [MSWP:000B7DA4]
#d7fdf0 █ HitTechMetalPanel06 [MSWP:000B7D85]
#d7fdf0 █ HitTechMetalPanel06Full [MSWP:00121250]
#d7fdf0 █ HitTechMetalPanel06Large [MSWP:000F0116]
#d7fdf0 █ HitTechMetalPanel06Long [MSWP:000B7DA5]
#fbf8f0 █ HitTechMetalPanel07 [MSWP:000B7D86]
#fbf8f0 █ HitTechMetalPanel07Full [MSWP:000F0BF5]
#fbf8f0 █ HitTechMetalPanel07Large [MSWP:000F4B3C]
#fbf8f0 █ HitTechMetalPanel07Long [MSWP:000B7DA6]
#e37262 █ HitTechMetalPanel08 [MSWP:00121259]
#e37262 █ HitTechMetalPanel08Full [MSWP:00121248]
#e37262 █ HitTechMetalPanel08Large [MSWP:00121258]
#e37262 █ HitTechMetalPanel08Long [MSWP:00121251]
References
- https://falloutck.uesp.net/wiki/Layer
- Fallout 4 Creation Kit Tutorial - Layers
- https://geckwiki.com/index.php/Bethsoft_Tutorial_Static_Collections#Practical_uses_for_Static_Collections
- Modding Mini Tutorials: Static Mesh Combining - Build New Mashups! by Elianora
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