Always use the optimizer, and your models will be many polygons lighter, my son...
Optimize is a modifier I learned all about in my sophomore year, my first year on the animation team of 108. AFTER our animation was submitted. I had a huge count on merely the terrain which was made of a massive patch grid. Something around 10000+ polys. Not good in the times of MAX 1.2 and 200mhz pcs being tops.
But basically optimize cuts down on your polygon count, while doing its best, according to spinners you set, at keeping the original model intact. In many cases, models can be cut down to fractions of what thier original count was and still look beautiful. Not to mention you can have differing poly counts for the renderer and the viewport, meaning faster working with cruddy looking models that render quite well. I think you can only use this on polygonal objects, however I will have to experiment now.
Read through the MAX Online Help and books for more detailed info.
-Robby O
FIRSTanimators Moderator
oshortwan@hotmail.com
PS: I currently have to use Kinko's internet connection so my communications will be varied, however look for me to be on quite often as I am not in school this quarter. Oh, and did everyone leave FIRSTanimators for the Chief Delphi boards?? Just curious B^P.