9.5.2

426 • CHAPTER 7
OBJECTS MENU • DEFORMERS • 427
Mesh Quality Factor
The value assigned here affects the nal result of the optimization by determining how much fold-over
checking is done; a low value reduces the number of checks made while the mesh is reduced, a high
value increases the number of checks.
You can enter any value between 0 and 20000; use a high value if you have a complex mesh with a
high reduction strength, a low value should sufce for simple meshes and/or low reduction values. In
general, the value you choose does not affect the speed of the reduction process with the exception
that a value of 0 will lead to a faster reduction, since this turns off any checks.
As with other options the checks work during the entire reduction process and monitor the appearance
of overlapping polygons in the mesh of the object. Here is an example that shows how an overlapped
(i.e. folded over) mesh can result from a bad reduction decision and therefore why such checks are
necessary.
In Figure 1, below, the triangle (polygon) C has overlapped the A and B polygons of the mesh. Or,
perhaps more clearly, with the neighbor triangles of the collapsed edge being vi, vj in Figure 2. A
normal reduction should result in Figure 3 (or Figure 4 in 3D).
Figure 1. Figure 2.
Figure 3. Figure 4.
So, start with the default value for the Mesh Quality Factor, which should work ne for the majority
of objects and, if you encounter problems, increase the value until the problems disappear.
Co-Planar Optimization
This option, when enabled, will speed up the work of the reduction process for objects, such as cubes,
that have many co-planar areas. When you enable this option Polygon Reduction employs a special,
fast method to optimize co-planar areas (areas that have polygons in the same plane) irrespective of
the reduction strength factor.