Within Blender 2.49b, I know now, how to select a bunch of polys and how to subdivide them later on, to make the mesh more dense.

But how can I do the opposite?

Like .. when having a dense mesh, that just stays in the far back, or will be blurred out due usage to DOF, or where there simply is no need for a big poly count, how can I reduce the it, or kind of "merge" a batch of ploys together, to a bigger cluster?

The goal would be, to save a bit of recources, and/or to use them where it's due.

Kinda stupid question, but as a very beginner, the whole programm and it's UI is pretty much confusing LOL

Thanks in advance.

Well, one way to do it is to turn off your subdivion modifier, or reduce the number division in it. [Assuming you've not gone ahead and applied it permanantly]

Another is to actually use a whole new version of the mesh called an "LOD" [level of detail] model that gets swapped in as the object gets further away from the camera. Its not uncommon in some cases to have three or four of these for an object, set to be used for varying distances.

The LOD's can be created a couple different ways. Either completely remodeling the mesh the way you'd retopo a high poly sculpt to a production level model, or using a polygon reducton tool. In Blender there's a modifier called "Decimate" that'll do what you're looking for, tho be warned, any automated polygon reduction tool has the potential to make an complete mess of your mesh.

This is kinda general, but hopefuly it gets you on the path you're looking. :)

Thanks for the answer!

That'll keep me occupied for a while. =)

Use the Desimate modifier

Me no like cause it makes object look ugly .. but fir what yu wanta do ... its the way to go

I haven't tried to do this since 2.49, but I think I used some PolyReduce script or similar. I would hope that Decimate would give better results, but it does know exactly how to remove polygons properly, and it can give some strange results. I thought I remembered there being a retopo tool, too. The best way, I think, is that when creating subdivisions is to use the Multires modifier and only apply it when needed or finished modeling. This way use can easily change the resolution of a mesh.

If nothing else you can retopo the thing using the snap to surface. Here's a good tut http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVwa9Xk3_dE. Also if you decide to use the decimate modifier... If you cut your model in 1/2 and then decimate, then mirror... it will preservere your center line.