How many prims is too many?

Hi All,

I'm building a "gadget". An object that has multiple functions, that you either leave at your property, or carry with you, and pull out when you need it. This object can have multiple extra modules added, which increase it's functionality.

My question is, for this type of object, how many prims do people think is too manym when it comes to deciding whether to buy it or not?

I have 2 base versions. One is 8 prims, the other 14. Each add-on may run from 1 - 5 prims, and there could be up to 10 add-ons. So total prim count can range from 8 - 58.

At what stage would shoppers say it was too many prims for them to use?

I know the answer has a lot of "it depends" answers, but as a generalisation of people's first impressions when they see an item for sale, what do people think?

Thanks. Russell.

I don't know the answer in general. But if the gadget could be adapted to be an attachment (and especially if it can be a HUD attachment), then the prim count is a much less important issue.

If its not a hud, which it sounds like it isn't, and I need to be able to rez it on *someine else's* property at times, then I wouldn't want anything over 5 or 6 prims period.

On my own land, well, if I really really find something really useful or really beautiful, I'll spend 30 prims or more on it without batting an eyelash, but then my home is on a 8192 property, too. But if I was still living on a 512 or a 1024, I'd have to think long and hard past oh, 8 prims for any single object, no matter how useful it was.

So, yeah, it all depends on a lot of things.

Char

It depends. What could you possibly be building that could reasonably require it to be rezzed on someone elses' land?

I've been thinking about the same thing regarding a build I'm working on. It's a 'palace that blends in with a forest' that I'm building for a friend (She doesn't even play SL...just needs pictures for an RP! Really I just needed a project...). It looks pretty cool...kind of stuck on texturing a little. Anyway, it's pushing about 450 prims, and might well be 500 by the time I'm done, depending on if I want to do the four trees I was thinking about. It's not really designed to be livable...there are no rooms and you can't even get into any of the towers (though I suppose I could put teleporters) but it might make a neat club if I reconfigured it a little.

But it's ~450 prims! Is that too much? Need to be on a big chunk of land...

I don't think you can generalize this sort of thing. Your best bet is to utilize textures and scripts to their fullest in order to keep prims to a minimal. For instance, do you really need the add on to be in a new object or could it just be a new script? Do the details of the object need to be 3D or could they be done just as well with the right kind of texturing? Just get the prim count as low as you can. Always build with low prim count in mind and chances are that people won't think it's too many.

^I'll second this^

Still, it candepend on what you're going for. I've made things I know will be attachments and (probably wrongly) been pleased to forget the prim limit and just go for it. And then there are things which are going to count towards someone's allocation. In that case, is it ornamental, i.e. is it going to be out all the time, or just pulled out occasionally for use? It sounds like this is something you drop rather than wear. The 'left on your property' part sounds like you want it to be decorative and kept in view - in which case, I'd keep the prims low. Particularly if it's upgradeable with more prims. Aim low, and then you'll get the people with little land and those with loads

For me it would depend what it was, how often I was going to use it, whether I felt I needed it rezzed all the time. If so, 8 prims I could cope, 14 is pushing it a bit. 10x5 prim add-ons sounds pretty scary, but then will people be rushing to buy these? Will they be essential or collectible, or will those with low prim allowance be OK with just the base model?

If you can do what you want to do with textures, and this is an object you want rezzed in-world, then try and do it that way. I know a lot of people who are glad for a few prims spared here and there.



Heheheh, I did a similar thing not so long ago, building sets in sandboxes for a multimedia animation thingy, and OH WOW was it nice to think 'screw the limit' and just use a prim for every detail! I don't think I'd change how things work now, it's nice to have a challenge to try and compromise between look and limit; but still, it was a welcome break

Thanks for the responses folks.

To be a bit more specific, it's a multi-function companion. A decorative little "pet" that you could (for example) leave at you place as a greeter/vendor etc, or just as an ornament, or carry around with you and pull him out to initiate an in-build game, or sitting on your shoulder and talking to people. Appendages are the biggest prim problem.

Each add-on is both decorative (adds pieces to the pet) and functional (does something new).

I guess I'll just have to run with my ideas and see what sort of response I get. I may reduce the number of add-ons and increase the functionality in each one, and then offer the other add-ons as purely cosmetic for those who like to customise the appearance. I'll also offer lower and higher prim versions, depending on whether people want form or function.

Thanks again. Russell.

Yeah, exactly! I think it was similar for me, especially the 'limits' part. This is my third major build, and the first two were both for low-prim building competitions. Once you don't have to build and furnish a house in under 70-odd prims, you kind of go nuts. Whole thing is like a Food Network spun sugar sculpture...it's complicated, and looks neat, but it doesn't have to DO anything. Just need pictures, and it might be in a machinima, but other than that it's probably never going to be out anywhere unless I sell it.

I will say you've piqued my interest....so with that I will say that there are some things that if it's good enough and interesting enough...people will say screw the prim limit