Map Optimizing

[Pectabyte]

So I have a rather large map I'm getting ready to release:

http://forums.epicgames.com/showthread.php?t=644386

As you can see its a rather large level. It slows down pretty bad when viewing the church from outside. I've turned off shadow mapping on all my models and deleted a few lights and it really hasn't helped. I think whats going on is that the interior spaces of the church aren't being properly occluded away. I've tried playing with a cullingVolume but it doesn't seem to do anything or I just have no idea how to use it. Does anyone know any optimizing techniques? I've already compressed my textures in my package but that doesn't seem to help either.

[Odedge]

The design of your map will have the biggest influence on how well your map will run. If you are using terrain, make sure that the parts that will never be seen by the player is "removed".

In my signature is a link to a list of tutorials. There is a section that is for optimization, some of the links may help.

p.s. In an offline game, you can type "stat engine" and a bunch of green text will appear in the top left of your screen. Go to the biggest trouble spot and take a screen shot and post the info.

p.s.s. If you need to create threads in the future about map building, you should post them in the Level Editing, Modeling, & Skinning section.

[Nawrot]

From pictures in that other thread: remove terrain completely, use CSG as surface for area inside fence, and some rock meshes to rest of island. Model only parts that can be visible by player. Generating terrain usually takes around 40% of resources. You are not using terrain as playable area, meshes can easily replace it.

Also those windows in church. make them nontransparent, thin CSG like 8-16units. This should occlude interior from outside. Then fake light by material and decals+ lightfunction. It is not like you letting player really see trought those stained glass windows, all you are getting from it is some colored shadows. Be sure that nothing from inside is rendered when you are outside and vice veras. Also make all meshes inside to have occlusion range of radius of your church. From map size i approximate it as 4096 (yes old habit of using powers of 2).