Reducing number of prims using texture

You all most likely know of this trick already, but I was all excited when I discovered it.
I needed to build a construction crane lattice - you know those triangular lattices in tall tower cranes. Obviously, actually building it using cylinders would take up a huge amount of prims.

So I needed to do a texture - now I am not artist, so that is a problem to me.

What I ended up doing was the following:
a) build a small section in SL
b) took a snapshot of it in SL
c) cut out the part I needed using Photo Shop - could be done using any program supporting transparent textures
d) Imported the texture into SL
e) Hollowed out a rectangle and put the texture on there

And in the end, I was able to get a triangular lattice crane tower in only one prim. I am one happy camper.

If anyone want to see the final result, you are welcome at: Splendour(237,225,3020), the samples are likely to sit there for a week or so.

Morale - build your thing in SL, snapshot it, turn it into a texture, and wrap texture on something simpler - yes, you all knew that trick, but I discovered it all by myself again, and are proud

Good on you!!
Thinking laterally will get you everywhere.

Just to add something for the newer folks....

Windows and doors are great for this too.
To add realism, get some graduated shadow textures and make shadows under sills and near edges of things. take your time, texture well, use many prims.

Another way to get a perfectly square snapshot:
Make sure root X direction is forward. Shrink your object down and attach it to your hud. Snapshot and include interface.