Uploaded December 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Learn how you can take any 3d model and reduce the polygon count IN-EDITOR to generate LODs. This works on models with Blendshapes, static meshes, and skinned meshes! We'll be using the FREE Mesh Simplifier tool from Unity, called AutoLOD: github.com/Unity-Technologies/AutoLOD to achieve this.
In this tutorial I am using models from the asset store to get a realistic view of how you might use this tool and see what kind of performance benefits you can expect to see. The Half-Orc model here is from InfinityPBR: assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/characters/humanoids/fantasy/half-orc-rpg-character-fantasy-rpg-156256?aid=1101l9QvC
and the City Props are from ReversedInt: assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/environments/urban/city-builder-urban-180722?aid=1101l9QvC (50% off in the New Year's sale)
🔶 ALL THINGS LlamAcademy now available at: https://llamacademy.dev/support including latest tutorials, courses, ways to support, and more! Check it out 🙂
👨💻 No GitHub repository for this one, but you can find all of my projects for FREE on GitHub: github.com/llamacademy
🏷️Save 25% on the ultimate C# IDE: JetBrains Rider with code LLAMACADEMY: jetbrains.com/store/?section=personal&billing=yearly
📚 Resources:
🟠 AutoLOD GitHub: github.com/Unity-Technologies/AutoLOD
🟠 AutoLOD Blog Post: blog.unity.com/technology/unity-labs-autolod-experimenting-with-automatic-performance-improvements
🟠 HLOD Tutorial for even more FPS! youtu.be/f6KaJHUfE2M
Some links may be affiliate links, which at no additional cost to you, gives me a small portion of the purchase.
Chapters:
00:00 The Problem
00:53 The Solution
02:20 Default Scene Performance - No LODs
03:00 Model to be Simplified
03:20 How to Install Auto LOD & Default Mesh Simplifier
04:05 AutoLOD Configuration in Preferences
05:03 How to Uninstall Auto LOD
05:45 How to Simplify a Mesh In-Editor with Auto LOD
07:40 First Pass Simplification Results
08:27 Revert LOD Generation, Update Settings, Re-simplify
09:05 Second Pass Results - There's a Problem!
09:39 Important! Handling LOD of Held Objects
09:56 Fence Model Simplification Example
11:46 Final Thoughts & Support the Channel!
Learn how you can take any 3d model and reduce the polygon count IN-EDITOR to generate LODs. This works on models with Blendshapes, static meshes, and skinned meshes! We'll be using the FREE Mesh Simplifier tool from Unity, called AutoLOD: github.com/Unity-Technologies/AutoLOD to achieve this.
In this tutorial I am using models from the asset store to get a realistic view of how you might use this tool and see what kind of performance benefits you can expect to see. The Half-Orc model here is from InfinityPBR: assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/characters/humanoids/fantasy/half-orc-rpg-character-fantasy-rpg-156256?aid=1101l9QvC
and the City Props are from ReversedInt: assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/environments/urban/city-builder-urban-180722?aid=1101l9QvC (50% off in the New Year's sale)
🔶 ALL THINGS LlamAcademy now available at: https://llamacademy.dev/support including latest tutorials, courses, ways to support, and more! Check it out 🙂
👨💻 No GitHub repository for this one, but you can find all of my projects for FREE on GitHub: github.com/llamacademy
🏷️Save 25% on the ultimate C# IDE: JetBrains Rider with code LLAMACADEMY: jetbrains.com/store/?section=personal&billing=yearly
📚 Resources:
🟠 AutoLOD GitHub: github.com/Unity-Technologies/AutoLOD
🟠 AutoLOD Blog Post: blog.unity.com/technology/unity-labs-autolod-experimenting-with-automatic-performance-improvements
🟠 HLOD Tutorial for even more FPS! youtu.be/f6KaJHUfE2M
Some links may be affiliate links, which at no additional cost to you, gives me a small portion of the purchase.
Chapters:
00:00 The Problem
00:53 The Solution
02:20 Default Scene Performance - No LODs
03:00 Model to be Simplified
03:20 How to Install Auto LOD & Default Mesh Simplifier
04:05 AutoLOD Configuration in Preferences
05:03 How to Uninstall Auto LOD
05:45 How to Simplify a Mesh In-Editor with Auto LOD
07:40 First Pass Simplification Results
08:27 Revert LOD Generation, Update Settings, Re-simplify
09:05 Second Pass Results - There's a Problem!
09:39 Important! Handling LOD of Held Objects
09:56 Fence Model Simplification Example
11:46 Final Thoughts & Support the Channel!
