This is a bit of an odd question but I was wondering if there is a way to preserve vertices to remain unphased when using a modifier that decimates/adds geometry?
Below is a model I downloaded of a high poly male mesh.
The mesh contours don't quite work out very well in this explanation but imagine the red lines are vertices that loop all the way around and connect again; ideally these would function as joints that could be used to move limbs. I would like to decimate the mesh detail without destroying the vertices marked with a red line. I suppose you could manually reduce the level of detail by dissolving certain edges or vertices, but I think decimating the geometry with a modifier is quicker, albeit dirtier.
Would you need to add the vertices you wish to remain untouched in a vertex group, or a sculpting mask? If anybody has a recommendation I would love to hear it. Thank you for reading.
UPDATE: I tested a method suggested to me. I selected the vertices I wanted to keep, created a vertex group, assigned them to the vertex group and named the vertex group to Joints. I then applied a Decimate modifier to my model, selected the Joints vertex group, and clicked the double arrow button on it, which decimates everything except the vertex group.
My result looks a little sloppy and could use some tweaking, but I am very pleased. This could prove useful for creating different levels of detail (LODs). :)
