if you aren’t reading Loki Eliot’s build blogs, you should.
the prim absorbsion physics trick
http://www.lokieliot.com/blog/?p=829
sculpt v. mesh , land impact v. actual rendering cost
http://www.lokieliot.com/blog/?p=820
Theory of LOD, things you should know to make good judgement calls when uploading decay models
http://www.lokieliot.com/blog/?p=670
personal challenge for the end of summer: if you’ve got the tools, skills, and/or friends, think about replacing all of your sculpted stairs and windows. mesh replacements will look better and reduce lag.
Beq’s Mesh Studio notes
http://beqsother.blogspot.co.uk/
Took up your personal challenge. Made mesh chairs and tables to replace my sculpted ones.
(All the blogs were very helpful)
Comparision data sculpt vs. mesh.
Sculpt chair: Mesh chair:
1 prim 1 prim
1.5 Download 0.2 Download
1.8 Physics 0.8 Physics
0.5 Server (1.0 scripted) 0.5 Server (0.8 scripted)
767 display 394 Display
Mesh LOD was vastly better than sculpt.
Plus textures on mesh fitted to each part. Sculpt 1 texture wrapped to semi workable state.