duplivert is an old technic but is probably the best way and still simplest wasy to save verts coutn and get a fast ender time!
ok i’v redone a new model with bolts and no threads then applied a duplivert
but need a duplivert per global axis cause you cannot rotate the circle
unless there is a trick here!
and that seems to reduce verts count a lot !
i guess i could also use this method for the big tank with 1000 rivets and get a nice look!
thanks
Nah. why not particles? The huge topic with island tree’s shows that particle system dosn’t count… on verts and it saves.! I have done a simple image just take a look:
so the hex bolt’s: look like this
http://screenshooter.net/6723649/oohbblk
whole image
http://screenshooter.net/6723649/lbggxnw
Single hexbolt have 550 vertex.
final image have 1856 vertex’s.
And final render… 180 samples…
Shouldnt matter how you use instances, alt-D particles dupliverts array, theyre all the same thing. right? thats why theres the instances on off button in the world tab i think.
how do you do it with particules ?
is it like using object but then how do you locate these ?
i began one using duplivert for the boiler with some rivets i mean same principale
but not for around the cylinder not certain if it can be done with dupiverts
may be following path !
but now i have to complete the front !
also see this one for pipes
using dupliverts
but i did remove the screw part on the end which was using a lot of verts!
thanks
quick tutorial and blend file 
so first step is you just selected vertex where you want to be a hex…
http://screenshooter.net/6723649/iulqptb
next step is settings particle system:
http://screenshooter.net/6723649/urkyjxl
and blend file http://speedy.sh/f7jFt/particle-show.blend
thanks for example and sample file i see how to make it with a vertex group!
and this use automatically instancing !
but still how do you control the rotation depending where it is like around the cylinder ?
happy cycles
In particle system you have to check rotation (look on secound screen)
