# New LOD system
ShapesXR introduces a new **automatic Level of Detail (LOD) system** that makes complex 3D models reliable and performant in VR.
Models are analyzed and **optimized automatically** during import, ensuring stable performance on VR headsets — with no manual setup required.
This allows you to work with high-complexity assets while preserving visual quality and predictable runtime behavior.
### Why this matters
VR environments have strict limits on geometry complexity and memory usage. Previously, complex models could fail to load, degrade performance, or behave inconsistently between the Web Editor and VR.
The new LOD system removes this friction by automatically preparing models for VR during import, making complex content safer, more predictable, and easier to use.
### What to expect when working with models
The LOD system automatically balances visual quality and performance depending on asset complexity:
* **Large and complex models**\
ShapesXR supports models with hundreds of thousands or even millions of polygons. Extremely dense meshes may be simplified to maintain smooth and comfortable VR performance.
* **Automatic texture optimization**\
High-resolution textures (for example, 8K) are automatically resized to VR-safe resolutions. This reduces memory usage and improves stability on standalone headsets.
* **Models with many parts**\
Assets made of many separate objects may be reorganized or merged for performance reasons. Short pauses may occur while materials are processed.
* **Original vs optimized models**\
For lighter assets, you can compare the original and optimized versions in the dashboard. For heavier models, the optimized version is used by default to ensure the best balance between quality and performance.
* **Processing time**\
Most models are available quickly, but very complex assets may take longer to process. The model will appear automatically once optimization is complete.
### Improved Model Viewer in the Dashboard
We’ve significantly upgraded the **3D model viewer in the Dashboard** to make working with models clearer, faster, and more predictable.
The viewer now shows models closer to how they will look and behave in VR, helping you make better decisions before adding them to a space.
#### What’s new
* **Cleaner, higher-quality visuals**\
Improved lighting and presentation make models easier to inspect and more pleasant to view.
* **Switching between model versions**\
Easily toggle between the optimized and original model (when available) to understand the impact of optimization.
* **Optimized view = VR reference**\
The optimized version reflects how the model will appear and perform in VR, reducing surprises when entering a space.
* **Clear model info at a glance**\
See key details like polygon count, submeshes, materials, textures, and optimization status directly in the viewer.
### Enabling and disabling mandatory LODs
By default, ShapesXR automatically applies LOD optimization to ensure stable VR performance.\
However, for lighter models, you can control whether mandatory LODs are applied.
**To enable or disable mandatory LODs**:
1. Open the model **Viewer** in the Dashboard (double-click on the model).
2. Locate the **Mandatory LODs** option.
3. Toggle the checkbox on or off:
* **Disabled** — the model will always use optimized LODs for stable VR performance.
* **Enabled** — the original (non-optimized) version of the model can be used, if supported.
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**Note**: For heavy or highly complex models, mandatory LODs may be enforced automatically to ensure stability. In such cases, **the option may be unavailable**.
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