> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.gta.clothing/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.gta.clothing/basics/essential-knowledge/model-optimizer.md).

# Model Optimizer

Learn about the Model Optimizer

## Introduction

The **Model Optimizer** reduces the polygon count of clothing models and generates the LOD levels a drawable is missing. Where the [Optimizing Clothes](/basics/essential-knowledge/optimizing-clothes.md) feature works on textures, this one works on the geometry inside the `.ydd`.

Use it when a model is heavier than it needs to be, or when a drawable only ships a High LOD and pops out of existence at a distance in game.

{% hint style="info" %}
You can open the Model Optimizer, change every setting, scan the project and read the plan without a license. **Optimizing a model requires an Ultimate subscription**, for a single drawable as well as for a project wide run. The primary action names the tier it needs and checks before anything is written.
{% endhint %}

## What it preserves

While reducing geometry the optimizer keeps:

* UV layouts
* Materials and shader assignments
* Vertex normals
* Skin weights and bone bindings
* Mesh borders and seams

That is what makes the result wearable rather than merely smaller. It is still a geometry change, so treat the result as something to verify.

## Optimizing a single drawable

1. Right click a cloth drawable and select **Model Optimizer**.
2. Adjust the quality and LOD options. The 3D preview shows the current model and the optimized result side by side, so you can judge the trade off before committing.
3. Run the optimization.

## Optimizing the whole project

Open the optimizer from **View** and switch to the bulk mode. DCT scans every drawable against the polygon budgets configured in the Project Settings validation rules, then presents a plan.

The plan separates two different things:

* **Estimated rewrites**: models the optimizer can process on its own.
* **Models that must be inspected**: cases where an automatic reduction is not safe to promise. These are listed rather than silently skipped.

Exclude any drawable you do not want touched. **Exclusions are saved with the project**, so a later run does not propose them again.

## Advanced options

Expand **Show advanced options (power user)** for the detailed settings. These remain visible but read-only without an active Ultimate license, for both single-item and bulk optimization. Bulk runs give most of the window width to the plan so its columns remain easy to review.

* **Quality**: how aggressively geometry is reduced.
* **LOD sizing**: the target polygon share for each generated LOD level.
* **Hidden interior face removal**: drops faces that cannot be seen from outside the garment. This helps most on models ported from other games, which often carry a complete inner shell.
* **Generate missing normal & specular maps**: an optional pass on the Files tab. See [Normal & Specular Maps](/basics/good-to-know/normal-and-specular-maps.md).

## The report and undoing a run

When a run finishes, the report compares the models before and after and lists every failure with the drawable it belongs to. **Copy failures** puts that list on the clipboard.

The previous run stays undoable. Reopening the Model Optimizer offers **Undo last run** even after the report window was closed, and it remains available until the project's stored data is cleaned.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Check optimized clothing in game before keeping it. A reduced mesh can look correct in the preview and still show through another garment, break a seam or deform badly in motion.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
Findings in the Error List that a tool can act on offer a **Fix** action that opens the matching optimizer with the affected item selected, recommended settings and the appropriate repair mode. Missing LOD fixes keep the High model and generate missing levels; inefficient LOD fixes regenerate the lower levels. Saved exclusions for that item and bulk triangle filters are cleared for the repair. See [Cloth Analysis Report](/basics/essential-knowledge/cloth-analysis-report.md).
{% endhint %}