PixelDiet: Keep Your SketchUp Models Lean and Fast
Hi everyone,
I want to introduce a new plugin that I’ve felt the need for over a long time. I am very meticulous about keeping my models lightweight and preventing them from lagging while I work. I can actually be quite obsessive about shrinking the file size saved on disk and managing those massive textures that come with imported models. I know tools like the Goldilocks plugin already exist for texture analysis, but I really wanted to take that a step further and build a dedicated, all-in-one optimization tool.
To make maintaining a clean and fast workspace easier, I initially developed this for my own workflow, and now I want to finally share the result with you: PixelDiet.
The main goal is to put your model on a diet and strip out that clunky, hidden weight. I built the plugin around two core modules:
1. Put on Scale
Instead of guessing, I wrote a scale system so we can work with hard data.
- Exact Disk Size: When you select any group or component, it instantly calculates its true physical byte size (MB/KB) as if it were saved as a standalone file.
- Deep Polygon Counting: No more wondering where the polygons are hiding. It counts recursively down to the deepest nested sub-components. You find the culprit instantly.
2. Material Optimizer
Geometry isn’t always the problem; often, it’s forgotten 4K/8K textures dragging the performance down.
- Heavy Texture Radar: It scans the entire model and exclusively lists the oversized, unoptimized textures in one dashboard.
- 1-Click Downscaling: Compresses massive materials to optimized resolutions with 1x, 2x, and 4x downscaling options. It does this without blowing up your UV mapping or geometry, and safely retains the original base colors and alpha transparency.
PixelDiet is completely free to use, and it will always stay that way. There are no paywalls or locked features. However, if this tool saves you time and you want to support the ongoing development, I’ve included a Patreon button. Any support is massively appreciated, but there is zero pressure!
I’m still actively developing this. If you give it a try, I’d really appreciate your feedback, bug reports, or any ideas you have for future features.
Cheers and happy modeling!
euphraetes,
Paralaks Tools
