High- and Low-detailet meshes

[Himaren]

I don't get it... Why should I make both a high-detailed and a low-detailed mesh? Do I have to make both of them.

Here is what I don't get (http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/ImportingSkeletalMeshTutorial.html)

[darthviper107]

You create a high detail mesh to be able to generate a normal map for the low detail mesh. A normal map adds small details that aren't modeled into the mesh, things like wrinkles on a character's face or stuff like buttons on a shirt. These things wouldn't be modeled on a low detail mesh that you would see in a video game, but the normal maps created from a high detail mesh can give the illusion that those details are there.

[BigDaz]

You don't have to make both, it's just an option that's available. Using very complex models slows the game down, so this a trick to make a simple model look more complex than it is.

[Himaren]

Ok, thanks!