Easy way to make a low poly collision mesh from an existing model?

[odium]

Ok so heres the deal, our engine uses separate clip models for map models and the like in the game. These are very low detail, low poly models that are used simply for impacts and collisions in the world.

All fine and dandy, basic stuff.

But heres my problem:

http://www.team-blur-games.com/odium/skeleton_ingame.jpg

I've made a skeleton model that’s to be posed in maps an the like, standard fare. But making a low poly collision mesh for this is proving to be a bit of a pain in the arse.

So my question really is: "Is there an automated way to make a simple model based on an already existing one, or will I have to make all new geo?".

I've obviously made others before, by hand, with no issue. But this ones a bit more complex than a blummin tin can!!!

[Jungsik]

there's re-topology programs that could help you..i find topogun quiet easy to use

[Ruz]

how many bones in that :) sorry could n't resist
can't you just use really simple boxes. when I was building stuff for blitz indie stuff we just used one big sphere for collison.

[odium]

I could, but I've already posed him a few times and I'm being a bit lazy and was hoping there was a "gavs being lazy" button :(

[EarthQuake]

Convex hull?

You could take a simple mesh, like a quad ball, and shrink-wrap it(there are some functions in maya and max for this I think).

[Eric Chadwick]

Havok had a 3ds Max utility we used at one place recently. It would make the convex hull for you, but crashed a fair amount. One of our tech artists wrote his own from scratch, it worked even better, and on Sub-Object selections. Saved us a ton of time. Doesn't help you much tho, sorry.

Edit... some possibilities on Scriptspot....
http://www.scriptspot.com/search/apachesolr_search/convex%20hull

[odium]

Cheers guys, I'll take a butchers at whats been said and have look at it later :)

[shawnolson]

The next version of Convexity (http://www.maple3d.com) has a really cool Convex Hull utility. I've been beta testing it for a few months and it's pretty awesome. Unfortunately, I am not In-The-Know regarding the release date. I had hoped it would be out around the holidays... but now I'm told it will not be until sometime after the new year.

But in a nutshell... you'd be able to make a convex hull or collection of convex hulls (if you need pieces for each bone) in a matter of seconds.

[pthomas1172]

Ill use ZBRUSH by mesh wrapping it, decimatting it 99% then exporting... this process takes me about 3 min.
Hope this helps.