Retopology
Retopology is the process of creating a new, optimized mesh topology over an existing 3D model, typically one with high polygon counts or messy geometry from sculpting or scanning. It involves manually or procedurally rebuilding the mesh with clean, efficient edge flow and polygon distribution to improve performance, animation, and texturing. This technique is essential in 3D modeling pipelines for converting detailed sculpts into production-ready assets.
Developers should learn retopology when working in 3D graphics, game development, or animation to optimize models for real-time rendering, rigging, and deformation. It is crucial for reducing polygon counts while preserving shape, ensuring models animate smoothly without artifacts, and preparing assets for UV mapping and texturing. Use cases include character modeling for games, VFX production, and 3D printing preparation.