---
title: Decimate
slug: software/decimate
description: Decimate large meshes in Carbon Design Engine to improve performance by simplifying part geometry by reducing the number of vertices and triangles.
docTags: 
createdAt: 2024-05-02T18:21:17.565Z
---

Large, complex mesh models can be challenging to work with due to long processing times. Decimating large meshes can improve performance by simplifying part geometry by reducing the number of vertices and triangles. This process may also be referred to as reducing a mesh.

Jump to section:

- [Recommended Use Cases](docId\:v_ZZJZ5HeJ2YC-La4dPk9)
- [Considerations](docId\:v_ZZJZ5HeJ2YC-La4dPk9)
- [Decimate Workflow](docId\:v_ZZJZ5HeJ2YC-La4dPk9)

# Recommended Use Cases

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### Mesh Model is >50MB

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/carbon3d/image/upload/v1708480017/Education/Software/Design-Engine/Tools-Features/Decimate/File_size_bad.png "Check the file size for the uploaded model.")
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###  Triangles >1 million

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/carbon3d/image/upload/v1708480013/Education/Software/Design-Engine/Tools-Features/Decimate/Triangle_count_bad.png "Check View info from the model menu to see the triangle count for the mesh.")
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### More Triangles than Necessary

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/carbon3d/image/upload/v1708480013/Education/Software/Design-Engine/Tools-Features/Decimate/Decimate_unecesssary_triangles.gif "In this cube example, only two triangles per face are needed to represent the geometry accurately. Any extra triangles per face are unnecessary.")
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### Processing is Slow

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/carbon3d/image/upload/v1708480010/Education/Software/Design-Engine/Tools-Features/Decimate/Mesh_processing.png "Some amount of processing time is normal, but if operations are taking longer than a minute or so, decimation may reduce wait times.")
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Decimate is intended for input models only; not recommended for generated models.
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# Considerations

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![](https://res.cloudinary.com/carbon3d/image/upload/v1708480019/Education/Software/Design-Engine/Tools-Features/Decimate/Detail_Loss.gif "Original Mesh | 50% Decimation | 1% Decimation")
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### Detail Loss

Decimation can cause your model to lose detail as curves become faceted with fewer triangles. The impact will vary based on geometry and the percentage of decimation selected.

Decimation is adjustable; iterate with different percentages to get the desired outcome. Generate the operation to view the effect of decimation.
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The percentage selected will retain that percentage of triangles in the mesh.
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### File Downloads

Both the original mesh and the decimated mesh may be downloaded.

The percentage of decimation will yield approximately the same amount in file size reduction.
*For files of the same type; ie if an STL file is uploaded, the downloaded decimated STL will be reduced to the specified percentage.*
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![](https://res.cloudinary.com/carbon3d/image/upload/v1708480010/Education/Software/Design-Engine/Tools-Features/Decimate/File_download.gif)
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# Decimate Workflow

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Video Text

1. Switch to Triangle view
2. Select Decimate
3. Select Input Mesh
4. Select percentage of triangles to retain - 50% default
5. Generate
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