I just found this thread in search of help. The last answer really helped me. I want to add that in my case it was not the flex modifier but the cloth modifier that killed the playback speed.
Save out the .env file, delete the skin modifier, scale the mesh, reset xform and collapse, reapply a new skin modifier, and load the env file. That has always worked for me.
Throw a smooth modifier on it. In the dialogue check the auto smooth box. Collapse the modifier. That should clear it up. If not then manually set your smoothing groups.
FIXED IT! I applied a symmetry modifier to it -> editable poly -> deleted the origional model = looks kinda fixed -> applied another symmetry modifier (so now the symmetry is the same as when it started) -> FIXED!
Thanks Howl - I rendered those plants in 3Ds Max and used the lattice modifier to get the wireframe. Set the modifier to 'strut from edges only', adjust the thickness, and you're good to go :)
you can use 'face' but then put a UVWunwrap modifier on top of that to rotate the texture. you could also use 'face' and then put a UVxform modifier to rotate the texture. either way should work.