Making a tree:merging/welding leafs at LOD level

[jankvis]

Hi all.

 

I'm currently making some 3D models of trees and shrubs.

 

I use several basic treegenerators to make the geometry and add thousands of leafs w/texture (as billboards). This makes the HI-res version of my model.

 

When making LOD levels of this HI-res tree I need to reduce the poly count for each level of LOD. I use the multires and optimize modifier to reduce the poly's at the trunk and bough's/branches, which works fine.

 

But I want to 'merge' say 3 leafs into 1 leaf at the LO-res versions, like 'cluster' them together. This is great at distance as it will reduce the poly's and provide the 'main shape' of the tree.

 

So here is my question;

Is there a proper way to do this ?. It's only the leafs I want to 'cluster' together and keep the textures best possible way at the same time.

 

Any help appreciated.

 

cheerio, Jan