# Optimize and Convert

> Use the Optimize and Convert feature to transform your 3D assets into supported file formats.

Optimize and Convert is a built-in [pipeline](/cloud/automation/pipelines.md) that converts supported 3D assets into various general exchange [formats](supported-file-types). It creates optimized versions of supported 3D assets without changing the original asset version. Asset Manager stores each converted file as a separate linked asset, which lets you maintain the source asset while you generate additional formats. You can apply automatic optimizations using the following parameters:

* **Mesh Cleaning:** Removes duplicate geometry, small objects that are less than 2% of the overall model size, and any objects that are not visible from the exterior. Transparent surfaces, such as glass, are treated as opaque.
* **Merge Optimization:** Reduces draw calls by merging meshes that share the same materials, which helps optimize the product structure.

> **Warning:**
>
> Merge Optimization can cause some objects to lose metadata, interactivity, or animations.

* **Polygon Target:** Sets a target polygon count using one of the following strategies:
  1. **PolyCount**
  2. **Percentage** of the total polygon count

## Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you meet the following requirement:

* You have the [**Consumer**](/asset-manager/org-project-roles.md) or a higher role in the project that contains your assets.

> **Note:**
>
> * [**Contributors**](/asset-manager/org-project-roles.md) can convert an asset in edit and non‑edit mode.
> * [**Consumers**](/asset-manager/org-project-roles.md) can convert an asset in non‑edit mode.
>
> You can't convert multiple assets at once.

## Optimize and Convert an asset

To convert an asset:

1. Select the asset that you want to convert. The upper-right toolbar and the asset details side panel appear.
2. Select **Convert** from the toolbar or right-click the asset and select **Convert**. The Optimize and Convert options appear in the side panel.
3. Optional: Select the optimization parameters that you want to apply.
4. Enter an output name.
5. Select an output file extension.
6. Select **Convert**.

A notification bar in the bottom-right corner shows step‑based progress for the Optimize and Convert pipeline. When the conversion completes, you receive a notification with a direct link to download or open the converted output.You can view converted assets in the source asset’s **Files** section. To download a converted asset, in the upper-right toolbar, select **Download** > the converted asset name.

> **Note:**
>
> Converted assets are created as new assets and linked to the original asset as dependencies. To remove a converted asset reference, go to **Files**. In the **Converted Assets** section, select the more **(⁞)** menu next to the asset, and then select **Remove reference**.

> **Note:**
>
> Converted assets don't appear in the main view that displays all assets in a project. To view the converted assets, select **+Filters** > **References** > **Converted**.