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Keyframe Decimator

by RUIDO VFX·Workflow

Images © RUIDO VFX. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

Keyframe Decimator earns its place in the superhive library as a focused cleanup tool: it targets the redundant keyframes that pile up in motion capture and baked simulations, with intensity and range controls plus a Keep Last Frame safeguard so the final pose survives the pass.

What is Keyframe Decimator?

Keyframe Decimator is a Blender add-on from RUIDO VFX built to simplify dense animation data. It removes redundant keyframes from motion capture or baked simulations, turning heavy files into lighter data that is easier to edit and polish. You set a range and an intensity, then let it clean up the animation while preserving core motion and timing.

The add-on works on entire armatures, individual bones, or any animated object, so you can decide exactly what gets cleaned. A custom range controls where optimization starts and ends, adjustable intensity sets the cleanup strength, and a Keep Last Frame option makes sure the final pose stays intact. All the tools sit in a sidebar tab in Blender.

It ships as a ready-to-install .zip add-on with an installation guide and complete user instructions, and is distributed under the GPL license. Compatibility spans Blender 4+ and Blender 5+, covering versions 4.0 through 5.2.

Who is Keyframe Decimator best for?

Keyframe Decimator is best for animators and riggers cleaning up dense motion capture or baked simulation data in Blender who want to thin redundant keyframes while keeping core motion and timing.

How much does Keyframe Decimator cost?

Keyframe Decimator is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Adjustable intensity to control cleanup strength — for example, an intensity of 1 keeps one keyframe and deletes the next, alternating through the range
  • Custom range to set exactly where the optimization starts and ends
  • Keep Last Frame option that preserves the final pose
  • Applies to entire armatures, individual bones, or any animated object
  • All tools grouped in a sidebar tab
  • Compatible with Blender 4+ and Blender 5+ (versions 4.0–5.2)
  • Ships as a ready-to-install .zip with an installation guide and complete user instructions

Tags

#keyframes#motion capture#animation cleanup#optimization#rigging#Blender add-on#workflow

Frequently asked questions

Does Keyframe Decimator work with Blender 5?

Keyframe Decimator lists compatibility with Blender 4+ and Blender 5+, with a stated version range of 4.0 through 5.2. It's also marked as Blender Extension compatible and ships as an add-on under the GPL license. If you're running a version inside that range, the tool should install and run as expected. For any version outside it, or to confirm the latest supported builds, check RUIDO VFX's developer page before installing.

How does the intensity setting in Keyframe Decimator work?

Keyframe Decimator uses an adjustable intensity value to control how aggressively keyframes are removed. As an example from the developer, setting intensity to 1 keeps one keyframe and deletes the next, alternating through the selected range. You pair this with a custom range that defines exactly where the optimization starts and ends, and a Keep Last Frame option that preserves the final pose. Together these settings let you thin dense animation data while holding onto core motion and timing.

How do I install Keyframe Decimator?

Keyframe Decimator comes as a ready-to-install add-on packaged in a .zip file, and it's bundled with an installation guide plus complete user instructions. Once installed, its tools live in a sidebar tab in Blender, so everything sits in one place. It's listed as a Blender Extension type add-on. Follow the included installation guide for the exact steps, and refer to RUIDO VFX's developer page if you need further setup details.

Is Keyframe Decimator free?

Keyframe Decimator is listed as free here in our catalog. Licensing and availability can change over time, so check RUIDO VFX's developer page for the current terms before you download. The add-on is distributed under the GPL license and comes as a Blender Extension type add-on with an installation guide and user instructions included. That gives you a clear picture of what's in the package regardless of pricing.

Can I apply Keyframe Decimator to specific bones?

Keyframe Decimator can be applied to entire armatures, individual bones, or any animated object, so you're not limited to cleaning up a whole rig at once. This flexibility lets you target exactly the animation data you want to simplify. It's built to remove redundant keyframes from motion capture or baked simulations, turning heavy files into lighter, more manageable data while preserving the core motion and timing of your animation.

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