Need a 3D content optimizer? Simplygon now has a free one for Unreal 4

Heads up, if you’re a developer working to improve your 3D asset pipeline, and are working in Unreal 4, there’s a new tool that may help you out.

Today Simplygon’s Martin Ekdal took to the Unreal blog to announce that its 3D content optimizer, which automatically optimizes 3D content like meshes and textures, will now be shipped for free with Unreal Engine 4. 

It’s a niche tool but potentially useful for game developers working with 3D assets in their game design. What’s especially interesting is that according to Ekdal, Simplygon is changing the pricing structure for indie developers working with the tool in order to keep costs low during development. 

Essentially, the tool is free to install and use as you work on your game, then once your game ships, you pay two percent of your gross revenue to the company. The post says this strategy is meant to mimic Epic Games’ “we win when you win” mentality when it comes to Unreal licensing for independent developers. 

The main draw of Simplygon seems to be that it’s a method for reducing workload on your 3D asset team when it comes to optimizing assets for different devices. Ekdal writes that developers are able to “reduce draw calls, combine several high-res meshes into one cheaper mesh, optimize a scene for certain viewing angles, remove invisible geometry,” and more. 

If you’re interested, you can grab the Simplygon plugin from the Unreal store, or click here for more information.