I've created a pretty detailed model of a college campus. It works pretty well for the most part, but at some points the frame rate goes completely to pot. I mean like down to 2 or 3 fps. I've got a couple ideas, but I'm not sure which to start with.

One place it really slows down is where I use a bunch of sprites for things like trees and statues. Also near that place, though, is a stairwell I cut into a block using CSG subtract. Well, I'd already hollowed the block so I could apply different textures to the various sides of it. So when I did the CSG subtract I ended up with an opening into the block.

Another place the level really slows down is close to another CSG subtract mistake, so I'm guessing that's the problem, not the sprites. After those two mistakes and reading several posts about the evil doings of CSG subtract I now steer clear of it, but do you think that could be causing the drop in frame rate?

What are some other things I should look for to speed up the frame rate?

Thanks,
Spaz

yes cgs subtract can do such problems. for detail work insted of so many blocks, i recomend replacing some of that block work with map entitys.

avoid intersecting block surfaces. snap them flush vs passing one block through another.

avoid too many angled surfaces on a single block. more surfaces that are aligned to the level grid the better.

be sure to use snap to grid. surfaces not snaped to the BSP level grid can give some rendering and build problems

if running allot of sprites/models look at making LOD versions of them so you can reduce rendering time for further away sprites/models

don't use allot of huge textures. i try to avoid using any over 256x256


be mindful of visability. more that is visible in a given frame more the frame rate hit. a little texture fog and level fog helps. plus it helps reduce texture shearing, and moraie effect (correct spelling?) for distant rendered surfaces.

Thanks for the reply, Grimber. I'll check all those things and see what happens.

Your site has been a huge help, btw. Thanks for all your help to the community.

Cheers,
Spaz

I've noticed that the frame rate only slows down when facing West. Does that mean anything? Should I be looking for something that would cause the problem on the West side of the level?

Hi, Spaz

"Should I be looking for something that would cause the problem on the West side of the level?"

In outdoor levels, yes, of course. And additional you can set camera fog.

you may have more terrain/objects to the west which means the engine has more to render thus decreasing the fps, trya different clipping distance, or maybe LOD