decimation (novice general question)

[roger johnson]

Are there any downsides to NOT decimating a model - if you want the highest quality model youcan get ?

[Roberto]

Decimation is useful to make the model more lightweight. For example, suppose you need to share a textured model over the web, where color and presentation are more important than raw geometry. In that case, decimation can decrease the file size and make it easier to handle the 3D model in external software. Instead, if you don't worry about heavy models and you want to keep the best raw geometry quality, you don't need decimation.

[roger johnson]

Thanks. Just trying to play catch up.