Optimizing

https://book.leveldesignbook.com/process/env-art/optimization

https://kotaku.com/horizon-zero-dawn-uses-all-sorts-of-clever-tricks-to-lo-1794385026

Unity - Manual: Optimizing graphics performance

📽️3D Modeling (Videos)

1. Organic 3D modeling - anime style (good to look at general topology, although their model is a little poly heavy)

📽️Rigging (Videos)

1. Rigging humanoid model (A little more in-depth rigging tutorial for humanoid models)
2. Quick and simple rigging (non human bipedal) (Quick and easy reminder on how to do basic rigging.)
3. Squash & Stretch rigging + setting up custom controls
4. Shape Keys in Blender for Facial Animation and deform correction ⭐
5. Mirroring Shape Keys ⭐
6. Controlling Shape Keys with a Driver ⭐

⭐ if working with larger shape key animations; drivers are ideal to work with in order to track all shape key animations and assign them to an armature. It is also important to note that vertex groups may cause animation export issues as well.

if vertex groups are absolutely necessary for your animation, try this method below.

If this method does not work for you; unfortunately you may have to back track and create a bone that will achieve the same results as your shape key animation. Otherwise, if the shape Key deformation isn’t large and does not affect unwanted vertices, you may be able to get away with not using a vertex group at all and exporting the animation as is. The animation should work properly with no issue.