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Mesh De-Duplication
When you are using large meshes, typically reference models or lidar data, and have many versions of the SNI file, a lot of disk space can be required.
Tip : The amount of space required for a given mesh can be shown by selecting it, then running the Mesh Information tool script.
To reduce the total SNI file sizes, you can use the mesh de-duplication feature, which stores mesh data separately from the SNI file.
Since reading large mesh files can be rather time-consuming, de-duplication uses a new SynthEyes-specific mesh file format, "SBM" for SynthEyes binary mesh, which can be read (closer to inhaled) very rapidly. You can import or export SBM files directly for any mesh; it is a mesh format just like an OBJ or DXF is. (This file format specification is available if you want to read or write it from other applications.)
There are a substantial number of de-duplication modes that control where and how SBM files are generated. These modes can impact the integrity of your files and how you send files to others, so please read the following sections carefully.
Note that there is a preference for the de-duplication mode, found in the Meshes section (along with a minimum size setting), as well as a scene setting, found on the Edit/Edit Scene Settings panel. By default when a scene is created, the scene will just use the preference setting, even if it is later changed.
You can use the scene settings panel to set the de-duplication mode specifically for a given file. (The most common reason for that is to set the mode to Never before saving a SNI file that will be sent to someone else, more on that later.)
Mesh de-duplication files may be located in a "Mesh Area," which is a folder within your File/User Data Folder. The location of this folder is a preference which can be changed from the Folders portion of the Preferences panel.
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