@Icon
The equivalent mesh model might be 5.6 times higher in prim use than the sculpt you mentioned, but most sculpts, at least the non blob shaped ones have a TON of unused, tucked away vertices... AND faces. So the equivalent shape (not model) will be better than 5.6 times higher. You might not get the same shape for 1 used prim, but then again it should be a lot easier to build and texture. Not to mention the fact you can apply the texture to it any way you like, or apply multiple textures (as a builder). On top of that the control over LOD and physical shape make the meshes much nicer to work with than a sculpted prim (also for the end user). No more need for dumb, difficult to link "walkprims" (which ofcourse add to the primuse).
Now I am sure in some cases the sculpted prim has the overhand. Well in those cases, use them, LL didn't stop supporting those. The only downside I see is a very personal one, I liked the challenge of folding, wrapping and molding a sculpt into a nice shape, that challenge is gone now.
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No viewer issues here, as a matter of fact I was pleasantly surprised by the V3.0 viewer. I tried the 2.0 when it came out and didn't like it. I've been using phoenix since and have to say V3.0 doubles my fps, up to a point where I can turn on shadows...on my near empty building platform...with 5 fps. (hehe)
Anyway, a big improvement over phoenix, I guess I'll get used to the unneccesary changes they made (V1 -> V2).
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One thing about the Philip Linden reference, stating people can build together and discuss the progress while doing so. Most people build alone, either outside of SL or inworld. I'm sure some people will miss this with building meshes, but I will take a more efficient and better looking build over a stack of boxes anytime. When working on large projects you can always use some dummy prims to see how things will look. That works pretty well, see it as a model or drawing before an actual building is constructed. Adding a mesh workspace to SL could help, but it would never be as good as the stand alone programs around.