Simplify Object Tool
Table of contents:
Introduction
Simplify Object
Advanced Settings
Let's talk about the Simplify Object tool. In other applications, similar functionality is commonly referred to as Decimate, Reduce, or Mesh Simplify. While the naming may vary, the purpose is the same: it reduces the number of polygons in a model by simplifying its geometry while attempting to preserve the overall shape.
In SelfCAD, Simplify Object can be found in the Modify section of the main Toolbar. It allows you to reduce the number of faces in an entire model or selected regions, effectively lowering mesh density. In practice, this enables users to optimize models for 3D printing, improve performance in complex scenes, prepare assets for real-time applications, reduce file size, or clean up overly dense imported geometry. As simplification increases, the model gradually loses detail, which can also be used intentionally for stylized or low-poly designs.
Unlike deformation tools, Modify tools directly alter the object's topology by removing and rebuilding geometry where necessary. With its Advanced Settings, Simplify Object can be adjusted for controlled optimization. In this article, we'll explore how to use the Simplify Object tool effectively and manage mesh complexity in your models.
Select the object
The first step of using any modeling tool is selecting the object on which you want to use it. You can select objects by either left-clicking on them in the workspace or by selecting them in the Object Management section, in the right-side panel. The second option has an in-built search engine, which is extremely useful when you are working with multiple objects.
Activate the tool
Once the object is selected, you can activate the Simplify Object tool by selecting it from the Modify drop-down list or use a shortcut by pressing the ‘M+S’ combination on your keyboard. This way, you’ll open a Tool Setting Panel with all of the customizable options for this tool on the left side of your screen.
Simplify Object
You can Simplify the Object by manipulating the Intensity setting, which, as its name suggests, allows you to set how much you would like to Simplify the model or a profile. As always, you can change this setting by either moving the slider or type the value directly into the text-box in the Tool Settings Panel.
Advanced Settings
At the very bottom of the Tool Settings Panel, you will find the Advanced Settings of the Simplify tool. You will find there three additional options to customize how the object will collapse.
Optimal Placement
The first of the Advanced Settings of the Simplify tool is Optimal Placement. By enabling this option, you will ensure that the object will be simplified relatively evenly, without leaving spikes in the object's topology.
Preserve Normal
The second option in the Advanced Settings is Preserve Normals. It's a relatively minor setting, which is enabled by default. With this option, the software will avoid flipping the faces of the model during the simplification process.
Preserve Topology
The last of the Advanced Settings is the Preserve Topology. It's a fairly straightforward option as its function is included in its name. By enabling this option, the Simplify tool will avoid collapsing faces in a way that would ruin the topology of the object.
And that’s about it for the Simplify Object. After reading this article, you should know the basics of this tool and how to use it, and know about its different applications. Of course, the graphics shown here were just examples, and using this tool on other shapes will give you slightly different effects, but its underlying principles will always stay the same.
That's all I have for you today. I wish you success in your future projects. See you, and stay tuned for more content to come!
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