Retopology: The Basics

Retopology is the process of converting high-resolution 3D models into 3D models that are much more manageable for use in creating animations, virtual or augmented reality (VR/AR) digital assets. A simplified mesh is created from the original complex mesh that is 3D scanned. Check out these examples below:

Low resolution 3D scan on the left, and 3D model after retopology, on the right.

Another simple example of retopology.

When choosing a 3D scanning service, it is important to choose a company capable of doing retopology if necessary, as retopology may be necessary to convert 3D scan data into a usable 3D model for digital use, such as digital marketing, app development, or for 3D holograms.