Hi Wayne,
Do your TriMeshes overlap each other or are they completely separate? (I can't tell without the media)
It does sound like they overlap, as this would cause severe slowdown. The reason is because lots of contacts are generated between each TriMesh and it takes a long time for ODE to process them each step.
Create a top level space (Space), then place ALL of the TriMeshes into their own sub-space (TriSpace). Then make sure to disable the internal collide mode with...
dSetInternalSpaceCollideMode(0)
When you've done this, all objects in any other space will collide with the TriMeshes, but the TriMeshes will not collide with each other (meaning no contacts are generated each step) which should cure any slowdown.
I've had four TriMeshes in the TriMesh Car Demo running simultaneously without any speed hit whatsoever using this method.
Also, for best results put the Plane (when used) into the same space as the TriMeshes, as that can also generate lots of contacts. In the TriMesh Car Demos, there is a very small gap between the TriMesh and the plane (your TriMeshes may be in contact with it).
Do your TriMeshes overlap each other or are they completely separate? (I can't tell without the media)
It does sound like they overlap, as this would cause severe slowdown. The reason is because lots of contacts are generated between each TriMesh and it takes a long time for ODE to process them each step.
Create a top level space (Space), then place ALL of the TriMeshes into their own sub-space (TriSpace). Then make sure to disable the internal collide mode with...
dSetInternalSpaceCollideMode(0)
When you've done this, all objects in any other space will collide with the TriMeshes, but the TriMeshes will not collide with each other (meaning no contacts are generated each step) which should cure any slowdown.
I've had four TriMeshes in the TriMesh Car Demo running simultaneously without any speed hit whatsoever using this method.
Also, for best results put the Plane (when used) into the same space as the TriMeshes, as that can also generate lots of contacts. In the TriMesh Car Demos, there is a very small gap between the TriMesh and the plane (your TriMeshes may be in contact with it).