I m about to negotiate price with a modeler. He ll make textured 3d air plane models of approximately 100 triangles each. In addition to the base air plane, he would make missle and landing gear too, which are not in the 100 triangles limit. I m interested in knowing typically how many hours or working days are required to make each model, and what is a reasonable price. Does it cost less since these are low poly models? Or more because it takes skill to reduce poly-count? Thanks!

Here is a great discussion on pricing and links to other discussions about pricing:

http://www.gamedev.net/community/forums/topic.asp?topic_id=386469

For me, it typically takes me between 3 to 5 hours total to model, unwrap, texture and export a basic static environment model. I am fast at some things, slow at others -- particularly I am slow at texturing. You can see examples of something that takes me that long in my signature.

Scott

It's hard to say for sure without having the concepts to look at, but if they're only 100 triangles then they shouldn't take very long at all. Maybe 1 hour to model and 1-2 hours to unwrap and texture. Maybe less if the texture resolution is real low such as 256x256, and if you only have the color/diffuse channel and no specular, bump, emmissive, or other maps.

Here's how I think it would break down.

100 tri plane model: 30-60 minutes (depends on quality of conept)
Unwrapping UV's: 15 minutes
A single 256x256 color texture: 60-120 minutes

As soon as an artists develops a process it could actually go faster or slower depending on what you expect.

I'm guessing these planes are for an RTS game where they will only be seen from a distance.

thx for all your feedback.

To save cost and avoid hassle, I may have to do the models myself. FYI, after becoming familiar with 3ds max for the past several weeks, finally modeled a F-117. Took me three hours; 76 triangles, 66 vertices, with planar texture from top down view image, dont know UVW unrap yet.

Perhaps I ll be more efficient with practice. I dont suppose anyone can provide me royalty free models at this stage. Overall it was a fun experience modeling the thing though.