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Lodgenerator

by kunyongChen·Workflow

Images © kunyongChen. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

Lodgenerator ships with documentation and a demo video, and the workflow centers on two clear steps: creating a LOD collection and adding the geometry node that switches levels.

What is Lodgenerator?

Lodgenerator adds a LOD workflow to Blender built around two main operations: creating a LOD collection, and creating a geometry node that automatically switches LOD levels. After installing the plugin, you press N to bring up its menu, select a high-polygon object as the active object, choose the LOD level to create, pick a Decimate Modifier method and a Decimate Ratio, then click Create LOD to generate the collection.

The generated collection is named after the source object, and its objects can be modified individually if a specific LOD needs adjustment. Once a camera is selected, Add LOD Node builds the geometry node that switches levels based on that camera. Checking LodRangeVisualization lets you judge the range for each LOD, and DistanceUnit, RangeMultiplier and RangeRegulate parameters fine-tune those ranges.

Additional operations include Apply Modifier, Arrange Collection for lining objects up along the X axis, Reset Position, Delete Collection, Set Active Camera, and Clean Unused Data for tidying up after creating or deleting many LOD nodes and collections. Documentation is provided by the developer.

Who is Lodgenerator best for?

Lodgenerator is best for blender users generating LODs from high-resolution models and switching levels by camera distance.

How much does Lodgenerator cost?

Lodgenerator is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Creates a set of LODs from an existing high-resolution model and switches levels automatically using the current camera
  • Decimate method and ratio selection applied uniformly across objects in the LOD collection
  • LodRangeVisualization toggle to help determine the range for each LOD
  • DistanceUnit, RangeMultiplier and RangeRegulate parameters for adjusting LOD ranges
  • Camera handling that can use a selected camera or auto-create one named after the object
  • Arrange Collection, Reset Position and Delete Collection operations for managing LOD objects
  • Clean Unused Data operation for after creating or deleting many LOD nodes or collections

Tags

#Blender#LOD#Decimate#Geometry Nodes#Optimization#Camera#Workflow

Frequently asked questions

How do I create LODs with Lodgenerator in Blender?

Lodgenerator works through two main operations. After installing the plugin, press N to open its menu and switch the language to English. Select your high-polygon object as the active object, choose the LOD level to create, pick a Decimate Modifier method and a Decimate Ratio, then click Create LOD to generate a collection named after the object. You can then adjust the objects in that collection to meet your needs before selecting a camera and clicking Add LOD Node to build the switching geometry node.

How does Lodgenerator handle the camera for LOD switching?

Lodgenerator uses a Select Camera checkbox to determine which camera the reference plane applies to. When the box is empty and there is an active camera in the scene, the plugin automatically selects that camera. When the box is empty with no active camera, it automatically creates a camera named after the object with the suffix _LodCamera and aligns the 3D view to it. A separate Set Active Camera operation makes the selected camera the active one.

What do the DistanceUnit and RangeMultiplier parameters do in Lodgenerator?

Lodgenerator uses DistanceUnit and RangeMultiplier to control LOD ranges: one adjusts the base range of the first LOD, and the other adjusts the range multiples of subsequent LODs. Setting these two parameters in advance in the UI means the plugin automatically applies them to subsequent geometry nodes, which helps when creating a large number of LODs. RangeRegulate can then fine-tune the range for different LODs individually within the node.

Is Lodgenerator free to use?

Lodgenerator is listed as free in this catalog. Pricing and licensing can change, so check the developer's page for the current terms before you rely on any specific arrangement. The plugin is created by kunyongChen for Blender, and documentation is provided to walk through the workflow. A demo video is also available if you want to see the tool before installing it.

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