Transmutr vs Skimp
Transmutr vs Skimp: compare 24s vs 52s import, simplification quality, standalone and in-SketchUp workflows, materials, proxies, and batch conversion.
Transmutr and Skimp both simplify and import 3D models into SketchUp. Skimp works inside SketchUp, while Transmutr is a standalone application with render-ready materials and proxies.
Where Transmutr is stronger
- Better quality simplification than Skimp
- Render-ready PBR materials and one-click V-Ray and Enscape proxies
- Flawless imports for common asset libraries
- Convert multiple files at once
When Skimp still makes sense
Although that workflow is slower with big models, Skimp runs directly inside SketchUp. It's more straightforward when you mainly need to simplify objects that are already in your SketchUp model.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Transmutr | Skimp |
|---|---|---|
| Import formats | Yes (FBX, GLTF/GLB, USD/USDZ, OBJ, SKP, 3DS, DAE, STL, ZIP, folders, and common image formats.) | Yes (GLB, USD, SKP, FBX, OBJ, STL, DAE, 3DS, PLY, VRML.) |
| Clean hierarchy, units, scale, axes | Yes (Automatically handles unit conversion, up-axis mapping, and preserves component structure.) | Yes |
| Geometry simplification | Yes (Best simplification engine of the lineup (see benchmarks below).) | Yes |
| Advanced simplification | Yes (Magic simplification and per-object control.) | Partial (Automatically sets a default simplification level. No per-object control.) |
| In-SketchUp simplification | Yes (Edit and simplify objects already in SketchUp.) | Yes |
| Materials | Yes (Render-ready materials for SketchUp, V-Ray, and Enscape, including materials-only conversion.) | Partial (Base texture and UVs.) |
| V-Ray and Enscape proxies | Yes (One-click proxies, blob proxies, automatic billboards, and Enscape Asset Library export.) | No |
| Curated asset-source imports | Yes (Flawless imports for Poliigon, Humano, Poly Haven, and similar libraries.) | No |
| Convert multiple files at once | Yes (Batch conversion and automations, Command-Line Interface.) | No |
| Standalone converter | Yes (No need to load the heavy file into SketchUp when you don't have to.) | No |
Performance benchmark
Tested on the same real-world 1 million face model (either as GLB or FBX). Import time includes processing times for loading the source file into the UI, applying a 70% simplification (when available), and the final SketchUp file generation phase. User manual actions are excluded.
Import speed
- Transmutr: 24s
- Skimp: 52s
Simplification quality
- Transmutr: 5 / 5
- Skimp: 3 / 5
Simplification quality
Skimp's simplification engine tends to produce small holes in dense geometry. Skimp simplifies small faces first, while Transmutr first simplifies faces that contribute less to the overall shape (so this can target small faces first, but not always). This results in a cleaner silhouette and fewer messy faces at the same simplification level than Skimp.