the regular optimize modifier works with subobject selection if thats any help. probably not though because RIP UV if you use the regular optimize modifier
Old modifiers are kept around just for backwards compatibility. Lots of longtime Autodesk customers have long archives of models, to support clients who need updates (think large architecture firms supporting huge multinationals) so they can pull up old Max files to update something or other. To open a Max file, you need…
Pro Opt only works on the entire object, and doesn't respect sub-object selctions like most other modifiers would. After splitting and running it, it should preserve smoothing groups/hard edge placement, yeah - but if you mean custom tangent work you've done that you want to keep, it may not preserve that.
Does it work in 3d max at all? For years already I use Blender decimate modifier for distant LODs. It can work for certain set of vertexes only, keeps UV and even normas mostly until its almost nothing left at least. So you just put a few of them for different parts of your model. Works like a charm in a word. Today I…