first off, is it better to use models ina game or prefabs? and is it better to create blocks and add a wad 2 it or skin a blockin MED then transfer it over?

second, wat do u savew ur models as in MED and then how do you open them in your game because mine always turn out blue, or r not there or something weird like that.

thanx for the help!

Save them to .MDL

Models render faster

Well, each has a different purpose, as I understand it.

Models are usually (USUALLY) used for organic and detail items. Characters and things that need to be animated should be modelled. This would include trees, fire hydrants and objects that you manipulate. They can be quite irregular shaped and detailed, and render quite fast if you keep poly count low.

Prefabs are used for doors or other level geometry that moves, or for windows that break. They are basically little tiny levels made up of blocks with assigned actions that mimic animations. Since they are pre-rendered, they are almost as fast to display as models.

Level blocks are used to confine and divide space, saving render time by isolating the view. They are slower to render as they increase the math required when calculating the view. Blocks are better at defining areas than models, as they have a very self-contained bounding box, improving collision detection. Models tend to have collision hulls that do not conform to their shape (like a great big square that encompasses the whole model).

This is my understanding. Could be wrong. It has happened at least once before...

Cheers!
Mark

and i'm guessing that models don't use level lighting so you have to light them in MED? or is that just with entities?

models are entities, i think your confusing "entities" with map entities, map entities are just mini levels that can have actions assigned to them, models are, well you know what they are, but both are entities, entities include:
Models
map entities
sprites
terrains

the definition of an entity in c-script is basically something that can have c-script assigned to it.

as far as lighting goes, its a bit hard to explain, but models wont cast shadows using level lights, but there color is tinted the color and darkness of the block directly below them.