Reducing vertices that get created during Curve -> Mesh

Hi all,

I have a 3D printer and I am starting to do gears. I found the gears add-on, but there’s an online gear generator that gives me more adaptability.

I take the gear from it as PDF, then vectorize that image into an SVG file, then read it into Blender. So far so good. But when I turn the curves into meshes, I get an inordinate amount of vertices (see images).

Is there any way to reduce the number of vertices? This also creates really heavy face counts.


The PNG

The vert counts


The .blend
gear in curves.blend (503 KB)

Check the svg file to make sure it does not have too much detail

With the curve object you could use the Simplify Curves addon http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Extensions:2.6/Py/Scripts/Curve/Curve_Simplify


You could convert to a mesh (Alt+C) then use limited dissolve (X)


1 Like

You can try limited dissolve ( x/del => limited dissolve ), you select everything and it deletes the unnecessary. And “Space” from looptools to make the spacing between vertex even.

Btw, i think you can make this perfectly and low poly by hand, without havind to make curves

Is there anything special you would need to convert curve to the mesh? Edit: Ops… printer


Limited dissolve after curve is beveled/extruded http://www.pasteall.org/blend/34062

Many thanks! I will use these tips.