--- title: "Smart Low Poly Guide" description: "Turn dense AI-generated 3D models into clean low-poly meshes with AI retopology: triangle or quad output, texture baking and optional UV unwrapping." source: https://docs.3daistudio.com/processing/smart-low-poly --- # Smart Low Poly Turn dense AI-generated 3D models into clean low-poly meshes with AI retopology: triangle or quad output, texture baking and optional UV unwrapping. Smart Low Poly rebuilds a dense model as a clean, lightweight mesh. Instead of just deleting polygons, it retopologizes the model: edges follow the shape, detail is kept where it matters, and the original textures are baked onto the new mesh. The result is ready for games, AR/VR, the web, and any real-time use. Open any model from your [Dashboard](https://www.3daistudio.com/Dashboard) and choose **Smart Low Poly** in Model Actions. ## Model versions | Version | Credits | Best for | |---------|---------|----------| | **3.0** (newest, default) | 30 (triangles) / 35 (quads) | The best retopology. Also unwraps clean UVs in the same step | | **2.0** | 25 | Clean, edge-preserving retopology | | **1.0** | 15 | Plain, fast decimation to an exact polygon count | Credits are refunded automatically if a conversion fails. ## Settings - **Topology** -- *Triangles* gives a GLB for game engines and real-time viewers. *Quads* gives an FBX with four-sided faces for animation and DCC tools. - **Polygon count** -- *Auto* chooses the best count for the model. *Custom* sets a target: - 3.0 and 2.0: 500-20,000 triangles or 500-10,000 quads - 1.0: required, up to 2,000,000 triangles or 150,000 quads - **Bake textures** (3.0 and 2.0) -- projects the original textures onto the new mesh. Turn it off for an untextured mesh. - **Unwrap UVs** (3.0, off by default, no extra cost) -- gives the new mesh a clean UV layout in the same step. It softens the existing textures, so turn it on when you plan to re-texture or paint the model in the [Texture Generator](https://docs.3daistudio.com/textures/texture-generator) or [Texture Painter](https://docs.3daistudio.com/textures/texture-painter). - **Restore original material** (off by default, free) -- keeps the original matte look. Without it, the result can look glossier than the source. Triangle (GLB) results from GLB models only. - **Clean texture seams** (off by default, free) -- removes dark lines along texture seams that can show when the model is viewed from a distance. The file gets slightly larger. Triangle (GLB) results only. ## Limits - **Max file size:** 150 MB - **Accepted formats:** GLB, FBX, OBJ, STL ## Tips - Start with version **3.0** and **Auto** polygon count. Only set a custom count when your target platform has a hard budget. - Choose **Quads** for characters you plan to rig and animate; choose **Triangles** for everything that goes straight into a game engine. - Leave **Unwrap UVs** off for the sharpest textures; turn it on only when you will re-texture or paint the model. - Faces and small details are simplified at 20,000 polygons or fewer. For hero characters, keep a higher-detail version for close-ups. - The low poly texture keeps the resolution of the source texture. Models generated with Fast textures give a soft result; generate with a higher texture quality for sharper results. - Need several detail levels? Use **Add LOD's** in Model Actions instead. ## What's Next With a light mesh in place, you can [rig and animate it](https://docs.3daistudio.com/processing/rigging), [re-texture it](https://docs.3daistudio.com/textures/texture-generator), or [unwrap its UVs](https://docs.3daistudio.com/processing/uv-unfold) with Smart UV. Want a low poly model from the start instead of reducing one? The [AI low poly generator](https://www.3daistudio.com/UseCases/LowPoly) creates low poly models and characters directly. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is the difference between Smart Low Poly and Remesh? Smart Low Poly is focused on one job: turning a dense model into a clean, light mesh that keeps its look, with almost no settings. The [Remesh tool](https://docs.3daistudio.com/processing/remesh) offers more providers and export options (format conversion, texture resolution, pre-processing) for production pipelines. ### Which version should I choose? 3.0 is the newest version, gives the best results and is the default. 2.0 is slightly cheaper and still produces clean topology. 1.0 is the cheapest and fastest, but it simply reduces the polygon count without rebuilding the topology, so it needs an exact target polygon count. ### Does Smart Low Poly keep my textures? Yes, with **Bake textures** on (the default), the original textures are projected onto the new mesh. Basic decimation keeps the existing texture layout of the model. ### Why is my quad result an FBX file? GLB cannot store four-sided faces, so quad meshes are delivered as FBX. Choose triangles if you need a GLB. ### Can I get clean UVs at the same time? Yes. With version 3.0, turn on **Unwrap UVs**: the low-poly mesh comes back with a fresh, clean UV layout at no extra cost. It softens the existing textures, so it's best when you plan to re-texture or paint the model. ### Why does my low poly model look glossier or show dark lines on the texture? The conversion can make the material look glossier than the original and leave dark lines along texture seams. Turn on **Restore original material** and **Clean texture seams** (both free) to fix this. ### Why is the texture blurrier than the original? The low poly texture keeps the source's resolution, and the original texture is re-projected onto a much simpler mesh, so some sharpness is lost. Models generated with Fast textures start out softer; generate with a higher texture quality for sharper results. --- > Documentation index for AI agents: https://docs.3daistudio.com/llms.txt