Mesh Tools

Mesh Tools is a sub-panel of Optimization. It collects general mesh cleanup and preparation tools that used to live in the old "Other Options" panel.

These tools are found under Optimization → Mesh Tools.

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Separate By

Split a mesh into multiple objects.

• Materials = one object per material. Good for organizing complex models or optimizing specific sections.
• Loose Parts = one object per disconnected piece. Useful for finding stray/hidden geometry.
• Shapes = creates separate meshes from shape keys (advanced; useful for editing or analysis).

⚠ Separation isn't always easy to undo save first.

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Normals

• Recalculate = fixes inside-out faces and shading issues by making face directions consistent. This is the one you usually want (after mesh edits, boolean ops, or import shading problems).
• Flip = inverts all normals. Only use this if the entire mesh is inside-out.

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Apply Transformations

Bakes an object's position, rotation and scale into the mesh and resets the transform to defaults. Important before merging models and before creating shape keys, and after scaling.

The small button beside it applies transforms to all objects at once.

⚠ Applying transforms can't be easily undone save first.

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Shape Key Tools

• Remove Unused Shapekeys = removes shape keys that don't actually deform the mesh, reducing file size.
• Repair Broken Shapekeys = fixes corrupted/broken shape-key references; use if shape keys aren't working.
• Optimize Static Shapekeys = keeps only the vertices a shape key actually moves, significantly reducing file size. Safe and recommended before export.

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Typical order of operations

1. Translate names (Translation)
2. Apply Transformations if needed
3. Recalculate Normals if shading looks wrong
4. Optimize / Repair shape keys as needed
5. Continue with the rest of Optimization

Preparing for VRChat upload

1. Remove Unused Shapekeys
2. Optimize Static Shapekeys
3. Recalculate Normals
4. Proceed to export

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Related Pages:

• Optimization = Parent panel (atlas, materials, bone cleanup)
• Bone Tools = Digitigrade legs and twist bones
• Translation = Translate before setting up features
• Troubleshooting = Common mesh issues

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Last Updated: July 28, 2026 | Plugin Version: 5.2.3.0 | Blender: 5.1 & 5.2 (5.2 LTS recommended)