5 Simple Tips to Fix Blender File Lagging Issues While Animating

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 19 June 2023 6 min read

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Blender is a powerful tool for creating stunning animations, but sometimes, you might face blender file lagging while animating. Don't worry; we've got you covered! In this blog, we'll discuss five simple tips to fix your lagging issues and get your animations running smoothly again.

1. Optimize Your Scenes

Before you start animating, it's essential to optimize your scenes to reduce lag. This can be done in two key ways—reducing the polygon count and lowering the texture resolution. Let's dive into these methods.

Reduce Polygon Count

High polygon counts can slow down your animations, so it's a good idea to reduce them where possible. Here are some tips to help you achieve this:

Use the Decimate modifier to reduce the number of polygons in your models without losing too much detail.
Remove hidden or unnecessary geometry from your scene that's not contributing to the final render.
Opt for simpler, low-poly models when creating background elements or objects that aren't the main focus of your animation.

Lower Texture Resolution

High-resolution textures can also contribute to blender file lagging while animating. You can lower the texture resolution to improve performance. Here's how:

Resize your textures to a smaller size, such as 1024x1024 or 512x512 pixels.
Use image compression tools to reduce the file size of your textures.
Avoid using large texture maps for small details—instead, use procedural textures or smaller image textures.

By optimizing your scenes, you can significantly reduce lag and ensure a smoother animation process.

Use Proxy Objects

Another effective method to reduce blender file lagging while animating is by using proxy objects. Proxy objects are simplified versions of your original models that can be used during the animation process to improve performance. There are two main types of proxy objects—proxy meshes and simplified rigs. Let's explore both.

Create Proxy Meshes

Proxy meshes are simplified versions of your original models. They contain fewer polygons and require less memory to render, allowing for quicker viewport updates. To create a proxy mesh:

Create a low-poly version of your original model.
Link or append the low-poly model to your scene.
Use the original model for rendering while animating with the low-poly proxy mesh.

Use Simplified Rigs

Complex rigging systems can also contribute to blender file lagging while animating. Using simplified rigs during the animation process can help reduce this lag. Here's how you can create and use simplified rigs:

Create a simplified version of your original rig with fewer bones and constraints.
Link or append the simplified rig to your scene.
Animate using the simplified rig while keeping the original rig for the final render.

By using proxy objects, you can significantly improve the performance of your viewport and make the animation process more efficient.

3. Enable Simplify Option

Blender offers a built-in Simplify option that can help you decrease blender file lagging while animating. This feature allows you to quickly lower the complexity of your scene, making it easier for your computer to handle. There are two main aspects of the Simplify option—simplify render settings and simplify physics simulations.

Simplify Render Settings

Adjusting the simplify render settings can help you improve viewport performance by reducing the quality of certain elements in your scene. Here's how you can enable and configure the Simplify option:

Go to the Render Properties tab in the Properties Editor.
Expand the Simplify section and check the "Use Simplify" checkbox.
Adjust the "Viewport" and "Render" sliders to control the level of simplification.
Optionally, modify the "Max Subdivision" and "Child Particles" settings to further optimize performance.

Remember to restore the original settings before rendering your final animation to ensure the best output quality.

Simplify Physics Simulations

Physics simulations, like cloth or fluid simulations, can also cause blender file lagging while animating. Simplifying these simulations during the animation process can help improve performance. To simplify physics simulations:

Go to the Scene Properties tab in the Properties Editor.
Expand the "Rigid Body World" section and check the "Use Simplify" checkbox.
Adjust the "Steps Per Second" and "Solver Iterations" sliders to control the simulation accuracy.

Keep in mind that simplifying physics simulations may affect the final result. After completing the animation, restore the original settings and bake the simulations to ensure accurate results.

By enabling the Simplify option, you can optimize your scene complexity and significantly reduce blender file lagging while animating.

4. Manage Add-ons and Plugins

Blender supports various add-ons and plugins to enhance its functionality. However, having too many of them enabled can cause blender file lagging while animating. To ensure smooth animation, it's essential to manage your add-ons and plugins effectively by disabling unnecessary ones and keeping them up to date.

Disable Unnecessary Add-ons

Disabling add-ons that you don't use can free up valuable system resources and improve Blender's performance. To disable unnecessary add-ons:

Go to the Edit menu and select "Preferences."
Navigate to the "Add-ons" tab.
Look through the list of enabled add-ons and uncheck the ones you don't need.
Click "Save Preferences" to save your changes.

Make sure to keep only the essential add-ons enabled to prevent blender file lagging while animating.

Update Add-ons

Updating your add-ons can help fix compatibility issues and improve their performance. To update your add-ons:

Check the official Blender add-on repository or the add-on developer's website for updates.
Download the latest version of the add-on.
Go to the Edit menu, select "Preferences," and navigate to the "Add-ons" tab.
Click the "Install" button and locate the downloaded add-on file.
Enable the updated add-on by checking its box in the list.
Click "Save Preferences" to save your changes.

Keep your add-ons up to date to ensure the best performance and avoid blender file lagging while animating.

Effectively managing your add-ons and plugins will help you maintain optimal performance and reduce the chances of blender file lagging while animating.

5. Upgrade Your Hardware and Software

Upgrading your hardware and software can significantly improve Blender's performance and reduce file lagging while animating. Investing in better hardware components and keeping your software up to date can make a noticeable difference in your animation workflow.

Increase RAM

Adding more RAM to your computer will allow Blender to handle complex scenes and animations more efficiently. The more RAM you have, the more data Blender can store and access quickly, reducing the likelihood of blender file lagging while animating. A minimum of 16 GB of RAM is recommended for most animation projects, but 32 GB or more can provide even better performance.

Update Graphics Driver

Updating your graphics driver can help improve Blender's performance and compatibility with your graphics card. To do this:

Visit your graphics card manufacturer's website (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel).
Search for the latest driver for your specific graphics card model.
Download and install the updated driver following the manufacturer's instructions.
Restart your computer after the installation is complete.

Keep your graphics driver up to date to ensure optimal performance and reduce the risk of blender file lagging while animating.

Switch to Blender LTS

Blender offers a Long-Term Support (LTS) version that focuses on stability and compatibility over new features. Switching to Blender LTS can provide a more stable and reliable experience, especially for larger projects, reducing the chances of blender file lagging while animating. To switch to Blender LTS:

Visit the Blender LTS download page on the official Blender website.
Download the LTS version compatible with your operating system.
Install Blender LTS, following the installation instructions provided.

Consider using Blender LTS if you prioritize stability and performance over cutting-edge features to avoid blender file lagging while animating.

Upgrading your hardware and software can make a significant difference in your animation workflow, helping you to avoid blender file lagging while animating and enabling you to create stunning animations more efficiently.

If you're intrigued by the world of 3D animation and want to dive deeper into how physics play a crucial role, be sure to explore the workshop 'How Physics Work in 3D Animation' by Marvin Hrn. This workshop will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the principles of physics in 3D animation and help you create more realistic and captivating animations.