Avoiding Common Mistakes: Preview Mode vs. Play Mode
This page details important for avoiding errors when working with VIVERSE Polygon Streaming.
Last updated
This page details important for avoiding errors when working with VIVERSE Polygon Streaming.
Last updated
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When working with high-fidelity 3D content using Polygon Streaming, it's essential to differentiate between Preview Mode and Play Mode (also known as Runtime, Live Mode, or Launch Mode depending on the game engine). For simplicity, we will use "Play Mode" as a shared term throughout this article, although each engine may refer to it differently. Understanding these modes is crucial to ensure that developers are testing their models under realistic conditions. Below, we'll explore what to expect when using Polygon Streaming in PlayCanvas, Unity, and Unreal Engine, and provide clear instructions on how to test models effectively in each environment.
Preview Mode: This mode provides a quick visualization within the editor, allowing developers to see a basic representation of their models and adjust placements in the scene. It offers a rough approximation and may show visual artifacts. This mode does not fully utilize Polygon Streaming capabilities and should not be used for assessing the final quality or behavior of the models.
Play Mode: Known by different names such as Runtime or Launch Mode in various engines, Play Mode simulates real-world conditions by running the application as it would be experienced by end-users. Polygon Streaming is fully active in Play Mode, ensuring high-quality rendering and optimal performance. Testing in Play Mode is essential for final model evaluation.
In PlayCanvas, models utilizing Polygon Streaming are treated differently between modes:
Preview Mode: In PlayCanvas, Polygon Streaming models are not visible in Preview Mode. This mode only shows basic placeholders, making it unsuitable for evaluating the model’s quality or performance. Developers can use this mode for simple adjustments and placements, but it doesn't reflect the actual capabilities of Polygon Streaming.
Play Mode: Known as "Launch Mode" in PlayCanvas, this mode is activated by clicking the "Launch" button. Play Mode is where Polygon Streaming becomes fully operational, streaming the model from the cloud and rendering it in high fidelity. Testing models in Play Mode is crucial for an accurate assessment of both performance and quality.
In Unity, the terminology and functionality align with industry standards, using Edit Mode and Play Mode:
Edit Mode: Similar to Preview Mode, Edit Mode allows developers to place and adjust models within the Unity editor. While models can be viewed in this mode, the representation might include artifacts, and streaming optimizations are not fully applied. Edit Mode should not be relied upon for evaluating final model quality or performance.
Play Mode: Activated by pressing the "Play" button in the Unity interface, this mode initiates the full capabilities of Polygon Streaming. The models are streamed in real-time from the cloud, showcasing their high-quality rendering and optimized performance. Play Mode is essential for realistic testing and accurate visualization.
Unreal Engine follows a similar structure, with Editor Mode and Play Mode being key concepts:
Editor Mode: Referred to as Preview Mode in other contexts, this mode in Unreal Engine allows for basic visualization and placement of models. However, it does not utilize the full power of Polygon Streaming, and visual artifacts may be present. Editor Mode is useful for setup but not for final evaluation.
Play Mode: By clicking the "Play" button in Unreal Engine, developers activate Play Mode, where the game is simulated under real-world conditions. Polygon Streaming is fully engaged, streaming high-quality models from the cloud and ensuring that the performance and appearance meet expectations. Play Mode is crucial for validating the final output.
Apart from the in-editor modes like Preview and Play Modes, it's also important to understand how the "Model Preview" feature works within the console. When you upload a model to the Polygon Streaming platform, you can access a "Model Preview" option. This preview opens in a new browser window and provides a basic visualization of your model, giving you a quick way to see the model's appearance and structure.
However, like Preview Mode in development environments, the "Model Preview" is not indicative of the final streamed quality. It serves more as a preliminary check for the model's appearance rather than a comprehensive evaluation of its streaming performance or interactive capabilities. Developers should always perform thorough testing using Play Mode in their chosen game engine to fully understand how their models will behave in a real-world application.
