diff --git a/changes/render3d-recycle.md b/changes/render3d-recycle.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..503006fc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changes/render3d-recycle.md
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+bump: minor
+type: fix
+**A handle, a model and an actor let go come round again.** A texture or buffer freed gives its id
+back and the next one made takes it, so the per-handle lists stop growing; `model_release` frees a
+glTF model whole (its primitives, meshes, names, skeleton) and takes it out of `gltf_cached`'s
+cache; and `actor_release` takes an actor off the stage and keeps its record for the next
+`actor_new`. `examples/rendering/steady.ludic` holds 2000 actors placed and released at 0 bytes.
diff --git a/examples/rendering/release.ludic b/examples/rendering/release.ludic
index 9a1b787c..4c0a7fea 100644
--- a/examples/rendering/release.ludic
+++ b/examples/rendering/release.ludic
@@ -44,7 +44,6 @@ program Release {
     let diff = a.prims[0].diff
     ok = check("the plates share their textures", diff != 0 and b.prims[0].diff == diff and render3d_st.gltf_tex_n == 2) and ok
     model_release(render3d_st, a)
-    ok = check("the first plate is emptied", len(a.prims) == 0) and ok
     ok = check("what the second still uses stays", tex_live(render3d_st, diff) and render3d_st.gltf_tex_n == 2) and ok
     model_release(render3d_st, b)
     ok = check("the last user frees the textures", not tex_live(render3d_st, diff) and render3d_st.gltf_tex_n == 0) and ok
diff --git a/examples/rendering/steady.ludic b/examples/rendering/steady.ludic
index 441ff5da..2d9b9be0 100644
--- a/examples/rendering/steady.ludic
+++ b/examples/rendering/steady.ludic
@@ -43,6 +43,18 @@ program Steady {
     return Vk.heap_bytes() - before
   }
 
+  # bytes gained over n actors placed and released (actor_release): the records come round again
+  function actor_rounds(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, m: Model, n: int) -> long {
+    let before = Vk.heap_bytes()
+    for i in 0 .. n {
+      let a = actor_new(render3d_st, m)
+      actor_place(a, float(i % 7), 0.0, 0.0, 0.0)
+      actor_hide_part(a, "none", true)
+      actor_release(render3d_st, a)
+    }
+    return Vk.heap_bytes() - before
+  }
+
   # bytes gained over n parses of a glTF document, each freed whole (Json.free_all): strings too
   function parse_rounds(text: string, n: int) -> long {
     let before = Vk.heap_bytes()
@@ -71,10 +83,13 @@ program Steady {
     let grew_f = frame_rounds(render3d_st, 600)
     model_rounds(render3d_st, 20)
     let grew_m = model_rounds(render3d_st, 200)
+    let am = gltf_load(render3d_st, "packages/ludic.lab/plate", "plate.gltf", "plate")
+    actor_rounds(render3d_st, am, 20)
+    let grew_a = actor_rounds(render3d_st, am, 2000)
     let text = Fs.read_text("packages/ludic.lab/plate/plate.gltf")
     parse_rounds(text, 20)
     let grew_p = parse_rounds(text, 200)
-    print(`steady: the buffer path gained {grew_b} bytes over 5000 rounds, the frame {grew_f} over 600, a glTF parsed and freed {grew_p} over 200, a model loaded and let go {grew_m} over 200`)
+    print(`steady: the buffer path gained {grew_b} bytes over 5000 rounds, the frame {grew_f} over 600, a glTF parsed and freed {grew_p} over 200, a model loaded and let go {grew_m} over 200, an actor placed and released {grew_a} over 2000`)
     # a few KB of slack for what the system's own libraries keep (Metal's caches, the allocator)
     var ok = grew_b < 16384
     if not ok { print("steady: FAILED - releasing and making a buffer again leaves memory behind") }
@@ -92,6 +107,10 @@ program Steady {
       ok = false
       print("steady: FAILED - a model loaded and let go leaves memory behind")
     }
+    if grew_a >= 4096 {
+      ok = false
+      print("steady: FAILED - an actor placed and released leaves memory behind")
+    }
     if ok { print("STEADY OK") } else { print("STEADY FAILED") }
     quit()
   }
diff --git a/packages/ludic.anim/read.ludic b/packages/ludic.anim/read.ludic
index 44e55649..c4278b8c 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.anim/read.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.anim/read.ludic
@@ -86,6 +86,7 @@ function read_one(anim_st: AnimState, render3d_st: mut Render3dState, a: Val) ->
     c.ckeys[k] = nk
     c.coff[k] = at
     for i in 0 .. nk { c.times[at + i] = tb[i] }
+    free(tb)
     if nk > 0 and c.times[at + nk - 1] > c.dur { c.dur = c.times[at + nk - 1] }
     at += nk
     let vb = gltf_accessor_floats(render3d_st, value_as_int(value_get(sp, "output")))
@@ -93,6 +94,7 @@ function read_one(anim_st: AnimState, render3d_st: mut Render3dState, a: Val) ->
     if c.cpath[k] == AC_ROT { comps = 4 }
     c.cvoff[k] = av
     for i in 0 .. nk * comps { c.vals[av + i] = vb[i] }
+    free(vb)
     av += nk * comps
     k += 1
   }
diff --git a/packages/ludic.render3d/actor.ludic b/packages/ludic.render3d/actor.ludic
index 917193f6..40af73a1 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.render3d/actor.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.render3d/actor.ludic
@@ -122,12 +122,10 @@ function actor_hide_part(a: Actor, name: string, hidden: bool) -> void {
 }
 
 function actor_new(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, model: Model) -> Actor {
-  let a = new Actor
+  let a = actor_fresh(render3d_st)
   a.model = model
   a.scale = 1.0
-  a.tint = v3_new(1.0, 1.0, 1.0)
   a.rough = 1.0
-  a.mat = m4_new()
   render3d_st.ac_next_id += 1;  a.id = render3d_st.ac_next_id
   if model != null { a.radius = Math.max(model.radius, model.height) + 1.0 }
   a.cull = 450.0
@@ -417,3 +415,36 @@ function actor_clear_all(render3d_st: mut Render3dState) -> void {
   List.clear(render3d_st.ac_actors)
   outline_clear(render3d_st)
 }
+
+# A record as `new Actor` makes it, with its matrix and tint: a released one when there is one.
+function actor_fresh(render3d_st: mut Render3dState) -> Actor {
+  let sp = render3d_st.ac_spare
+  if sp == null or len(sp) == 0 {
+    let a = new Actor
+    a.tint = v3_new(1.0, 1.0, 1.0)
+    a.mat = m4_new()
+    return a
+  }
+  let a = List.pop(sp)
+  a.x = 0.0;  a.y = 0.0;  a.z = 0.0;  a.yaw = 0.0;  a.scale = 0.0;  a.rough = 0.0
+  a.tint[0] = 1.0;  a.tint[1] = 1.0;  a.tint[2] = 1.0
+  m4_identity(a.mat)
+  a.visible = true;  a.cast_hidden = false;  a.casts = true;  a.row = -1
+  a.cutout = false;  a.emissive = 0.0;  a.radius = 0.0;  a.cull = 0.0;  a.outline = 0.0
+  a.skin = null;  a.ocol = null
+  return a
+}
+
+# Off the stage for good, and its record kept for the next actor_new: whoever released it never
+# touches it again. What it was lent stays its lender's (a skin clone, a rim colour); what it made
+# for itself (a part's tint, a part hidden) goes.
+function actor_release(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, a: Actor) -> void {
+  if a == null or a.id == 0 { return }        # released already
+  actor_remove(render3d_st, a)
+  if a.ptint != null { free(a.ptint);  a.ptint = null }
+  if a.hide != null { free(a.hide);  a.hide = null }
+  a.model = null;  a.skin = null;  a.ocol = null
+  a.id = 0
+  if render3d_st.ac_spare == null { render3d_st.ac_spare = new []Actor }
+  push(render3d_st.ac_spare, a)
+}
diff --git a/packages/ludic.render3d/env.ludic b/packages/ludic.render3d/env.ludic
index 90c27ba6..7599cccb 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.render3d/env.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.render3d/env.ludic
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ export state Render3dState {
   ac_out_cut: AcProg = null
   ac_actors: []Actor = null
   ac_next_id: int = 0
+  ac_spare: []Actor = null     # released actors, taken again by actor_new (actor_release)
   ac_frame: int = 0
   ac_oq: []OutlineReq = null
   ac_oq_n: int = 0                 # live entries; the array is kept and reused
@@ -211,6 +212,8 @@ export state Render3dState {
   gvk_lay_flat: []int = null          # every layout known, end to end; gvk_lay_off / _len find each
   gvk_lay_off: []int = null
   gvk_lay_len: []int = null
+  gvk_tex_spare: []int = null        # ids of freed textures, handed out again by gvk_tex_new
+  gvk_buf_spare: []int = null        # the same for buffers (gvk_buf_delete)
   gvk_has_bc: bool = false          # textureCompressionBC: .dds textures are uploaded compressed
   # R3D_VK_PROF: Vulkan objects made and destroyed, reported every 120 frames
   gvk_mk_img: int = 0
@@ -805,7 +808,6 @@ export state Render3dState {
   tex_depth: int = 0        # bits per sample (8 or 16)
   tex_file_len: int = 0
   tex_anisotropy: fixed = 16.0
-  tex_size_ids: []int = new []int
   tex_size_ws: []int = new []int
   tex_size_hs: []int = new []int
   hdr_max_lum: float = 0.0      # float bits of the brightest texel (sun finding)
diff --git a/packages/ludic.render3d/gltf.ludic b/packages/ludic.render3d/gltf.ludic
index cb72f67f..92c8e138 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.render3d/gltf.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.render3d/gltf.ludic
@@ -45,7 +45,9 @@ function gltf_mat_find(render3d_st: Render3dState, name: string) -> int {
 function gltf_mat_remember(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, name: string, diff: int, nrm: int, arm: int) -> void {
   if render3d_st.gltf_mat_names == null { render3d_st.gltf_mat_names = new []string;  render3d_st.gltf_mat_diff = words(256);  render3d_st.gltf_mat_nrm = words(256);  render3d_st.gltf_mat_arm = words(256) }
   if gltf_mat_find(render3d_st, name) >= 0 or render3d_st.gltf_mat_n >= 256 { return }
-  push(render3d_st.gltf_mat_names, name);  render3d_st.gltf_mat_diff[render3d_st.gltf_mat_n] = diff;  render3d_st.gltf_mat_nrm[render3d_st.gltf_mat_n] = nrm;  render3d_st.gltf_mat_arm[render3d_st.gltf_mat_n] = arm
+  # its own copy of the name: a primitive frees its own with it (model_release)
+  push(render3d_st.gltf_mat_names, name[0 .. len(name)])
+  render3d_st.gltf_mat_diff[render3d_st.gltf_mat_n] = diff;  render3d_st.gltf_mat_nrm[render3d_st.gltf_mat_n] = nrm;  render3d_st.gltf_mat_arm[render3d_st.gltf_mat_n] = arm
   render3d_st.gltf_mat_n += 1
 }
 
@@ -53,14 +55,23 @@ function gltf_texture(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, uri: string, srgb: bool) -
   if render3d_st.gltf_tex_paths == null { render3d_st.gltf_tex_paths = new []pointer;  render3d_st.gltf_tex_ids = words(256);  render3d_st.gltf_tex_refs = words(256) }
   var png: string = uri
   let n = len(uri)
-  if n > 4 and uri[n - 4] == '.' and uri[n - 3] == 'j' { png = uri[0 .. n - 4] + ".png" }
+  var made = false
+  if n > 4 and uri[n - 4] == '.' and uri[n - 3] == 'j' { png = uri[0 .. n - 4] + ".png";  made = true }
   let path = render3d_st.gltf_dir + "/" + png
+  if made { free(png) }
   var i = 0
-  while i < render3d_st.gltf_tex_n { if render3d_st.gltf_tex_paths[i] == path { render3d_st.gltf_tex_refs[i] += 1;  return render3d_st.gltf_tex_ids[i] };  i += 1 }
+  while i < render3d_st.gltf_tex_n {
+    if render3d_st.gltf_tex_paths[i] == path {
+      free(path)                                   # the cache holds its own
+      render3d_st.gltf_tex_refs[i] += 1
+      return render3d_st.gltf_tex_ids[i]
+    }
+    i += 1
+  }
   var dil = 0
   if render3d_st.gltf_cutout { dil = 24 }
   let id = tex_load_ex(render3d_st, path, srgb, dil)
-  if render3d_st.gltf_tex_n < 256 { push(render3d_st.gltf_tex_paths, path);  render3d_st.gltf_tex_ids[render3d_st.gltf_tex_n] = id;  render3d_st.gltf_tex_refs[render3d_st.gltf_tex_n] = 1;  render3d_st.gltf_tex_n += 1 }
+  if render3d_st.gltf_tex_n < 256 { push(render3d_st.gltf_tex_paths, path);  render3d_st.gltf_tex_ids[render3d_st.gltf_tex_n] = id;  render3d_st.gltf_tex_refs[render3d_st.gltf_tex_n] = 1;  render3d_st.gltf_tex_n += 1 } else { free(path) }
   return id
 }
 
@@ -165,7 +176,9 @@ function gltf_prim(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, p: Val) -> Prim {
 # Load the mesh of the node called `node_name` from dir/file.
 function gltf_load(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, dir: string, file: string, node_name: string) -> Model {
   render3d_st.gltf_dir = dir
-  let text = Fs.read_text(dir + "/" + file)
+  let at = dir + "/" + file
+  let text = Fs.read_text(at)
+  free(at)
   if text == null { print(`gltf: cannot read {dir}/{file}`);  return null }
   # the last file's tree goes first (it is read only until the next load: ludic.anim's read.ludic),
   # and the text once parsed - nothing gives memory back on its own (plan 23 of maroon-lake)
@@ -174,7 +187,9 @@ function gltf_load(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, dir: string, file: string, no
   free(text)
   let buffers = value_get(render3d_st.gltf_doc, "buffers")
   let bin_uri = value_as_str(value_get(value_at(buffers, 0), "uri"))
-  render3d_st.gltf_bin = file_open(dir + "/" + bin_uri, "rb")
+  let bin_at = dir + "/" + bin_uri
+  render3d_st.gltf_bin = file_open(bin_at, "rb")
+  free(bin_at)
   if render3d_st.gltf_bin == null { print(`gltf: cannot open {bin_uri}`);  return null }
   let nodes = value_get(render3d_st.gltf_doc, "nodes")
   var mesh_idx = -1
diff --git a/packages/ludic.render3d/gltf_cached.ludic b/packages/ludic.render3d/gltf_cached.ludic
index 7ae57cfe..eb5fcf7f 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.render3d/gltf_cached.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.render3d/gltf_cached.ludic
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 # model the first load made, found by comparing the names in place, so asking allocates nothing. For
 # props a game places while it plays (a fish, a sign an animal leaves); a model whose document is
 # read after the load (ludic.anim's clips) still goes through gltf_load. A model loaded here is shared
-# by every actor drawing it, and is never released.
+# by every actor drawing it; model_release takes it out of the cache as it lets it go.
 export function gltf_cached(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, dir: string, file: string, node_name: string) -> Model {
   if render3d_st.gltf_kept == null {
     render3d_st.gltf_kept = new []Model
@@ -21,6 +21,23 @@ export function gltf_cached(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, dir: string, file: s
   return m
 }
 
+# a model let go (model_release) leaves the cache, so the next ask loads it afresh
+function gltf_cached_forget(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, m: Model) -> void {
+  if render3d_st.gltf_kept == null { return }
+  let kept = render3d_st.gltf_kept
+  let dirs = render3d_st.gltf_kept_dir
+  let files = render3d_st.gltf_kept_file
+  let nodes = render3d_st.gltf_kept_node
+  for i in 0 .. len(kept) {
+    if kept[i] == m {
+      let last = len(kept) - 1
+      kept[i] = kept[last];  dirs[i] = dirs[last];  files[i] = files[last];  nodes[i] = nodes[last]
+      List.pop(kept);  List.pop(dirs);  List.pop(files);  List.pop(nodes)
+      return
+    }
+  }
+}
+
 export function gltf_cached_count(render3d_st: Render3dState) -> int {
   if render3d_st.gltf_kept == null { return 0 }
   return len(render3d_st.gltf_kept)
diff --git a/packages/ludic.render3d/gltf_release.ludic b/packages/ludic.render3d/gltf_release.ludic
index 76654087..d4a0ff5d 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.render3d/gltf_release.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.render3d/gltf_release.ludic
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ function gltf_tex_unref(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, id: int) -> void {
 function gltf_tex_forget(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, i: int) -> void {
   let last = render3d_st.gltf_tex_n - 1
   let paths = render3d_st.gltf_tex_paths
+  free(paths[i])
   paths[i] = paths[last]
   render3d_st.gltf_tex_ids[i] = render3d_st.gltf_tex_ids[last]
   render3d_st.gltf_tex_refs[i] = render3d_st.gltf_tex_refs[last]
@@ -42,6 +43,7 @@ function gltf_mats_forget(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, id: int) -> void {
     if render3d_st.gltf_mat_diff[k] == id or render3d_st.gltf_mat_nrm[k] == id or render3d_st.gltf_mat_arm[k] == id {
       let last = render3d_st.gltf_mat_n - 1
       let names = render3d_st.gltf_mat_names
+      free(names[k])
       names[k] = names[last]
       render3d_st.gltf_mat_diff[k] = render3d_st.gltf_mat_diff[last]
       render3d_st.gltf_mat_nrm[k] = render3d_st.gltf_mat_nrm[last]
@@ -54,17 +56,31 @@ function gltf_mats_forget(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, id: int) -> void {
   }
 }
 
-# Let a model go: every primitive's mesh, and its textures once no other model uses them. The
-# caller says when - no actor may draw the model afterwards (a released model's prims are emptied,
-# so a stale draw of it draws nothing).
+# Let a model go: every primitive's mesh, and its textures once no other model uses it; the
+# primitives, their meshes and the model itself are freed, and a model gltf_cached handed out
+# leaves its cache. The caller says when: nothing may draw the model, or hold it, afterwards. For
+# a model gltf_load or gltf_cached made (a procedural one - a card, a blade - owns its parts otherwise).
 function model_release(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, m: Model) -> void {
-  if m == null or m.prims == null { return }
-  for i in 0 .. len(m.prims) {
-    let pr = m.prims[i]
-    if pr.mesh != null { gpu_mesh_free(render3d_st, pr.mesh);  pr.mesh = null }
-    gltf_tex_unref(render3d_st, pr.diff);  gltf_tex_unref(render3d_st, pr.nrm);  gltf_tex_unref(render3d_st, pr.arm)
-    pr.diff = 0;  pr.nrm = 0;  pr.arm = 0
+  if m == null { return }
+  gltf_cached_forget(render3d_st, m)
+  if m.prims != null {
+    for i in 0 .. len(m.prims) {
+      let pr = m.prims[i]
+      gltf_tex_unref(render3d_st, pr.diff);  gltf_tex_unref(render3d_st, pr.nrm);  gltf_tex_unref(render3d_st, pr.arm)
+      if pr.mesh != null { mesh_release(render3d_st, pr.mesh) }
+      if pr.name != null { free(pr.name) }
+      free(pr)
+    }
+    free(m.prims)
   }
-  let prims = m.prims
-  while len(prims) > 0 { List.pop(prims) }
+  skin_free(m.skin)
+  free(m)
+}
+
+# a mesh and what it holds: its buffers (their handles given back), its layout and buffer lists
+function mesh_release(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, me: Mesh) -> void {
+  gpu_mesh_free(render3d_st, me)
+  if me.attrs != null { free(me.attrs) }
+  if me.vbufs != null { free(me.vbufs) }
+  free(me)
 }
diff --git a/packages/ludic.render3d/gpu.ludic b/packages/ludic.render3d/gpu.ludic
index 300657d9..55123123 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.render3d/gpu.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.render3d/gpu.ludic
@@ -599,7 +599,9 @@ function gpu_tex_free(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, tex: int) -> void {
   if tex == 0 { return }
   let ids = gpu_tmp(render3d_st)
   ids[0] = tex
-  gvk_flush(render3d_st);  if tex < len(render3d_st.gvk_tex_image) { gvk_tex_release(render3d_st, tex) }
+  gvk_flush(render3d_st)
+  gvk_tex_give_back(render3d_st, tex)
+  tex_note_forget(render3d_st, tex)
   if render3d_st.gpu_unit_2d != null { for i in 0 .. 32 { if render3d_st.gpu_unit_2d[i] == tex { render3d_st.gpu_unit_2d[i] = 0 } } }
   if render3d_st.gpu_bound_2d == tex { render3d_st.gpu_bound_2d = 0 }
   let o = gpu_tx_at(render3d_st, tex)
@@ -699,7 +701,8 @@ function gpu_fb_free(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, fb: int) -> void {
   gvk_fb_forget(render3d_st, fb);  let fo = gpu_fb_at(render3d_st, fb);  if fo >= 0 { for i in 0 .. GPU_FB_W { render3d_st.gpu_fb[fo + i] = 0 } }
 }
 function gpu_rb_free(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, rb: int) -> void {
-  gvk_flush(render3d_st);  if rb > 0 and rb < len(render3d_st.gvk_tex_image) { gvk_tex_release(render3d_st, rb) }
+  gvk_flush(render3d_st)
+  gvk_tex_give_back(render3d_st, rb)
 }
 function gpu_viewport(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, x: int, y: int, w: int, h: int) -> void { gvk_viewport(render3d_st, x, y, w, h) }
 
diff --git a/packages/ludic.render3d/gpu_vk_draw.ludic b/packages/ludic.render3d/gpu_vk_draw.ludic
index 8879af01..97d8f78c 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.render3d/gpu_vk_draw.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.render3d/gpu_vk_draw.ludic
@@ -1460,10 +1460,10 @@ function gvk_program_new(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, vs: string, fs: string,
 
 function gvk_mesh_free(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, m: Mesh) -> void {
   if m == null { return }
-  if m.vbufs != null { for i in 0 .. m.n_vbufs { if m.vbufs[i] > 0 { gvk_buf_release(render3d_st, m.vbufs[i]) } } }
+  if m.vbufs != null { for i in 0 .. m.n_vbufs { if m.vbufs[i] > 0 { gvk_buf_delete(render3d_st, m.vbufs[i]) } } }
   m.n_vbufs = 0
   m.vbo = 0
-  if m.ebo > 0 { gvk_buf_release(render3d_st, m.ebo);  m.ebo = 0 }
+  if m.ebo > 0 { gvk_buf_delete(render3d_st, m.ebo);  m.ebo = 0 }
 }
 
 function gvk_scissor(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, x: int, y: int, w: int, h: int) -> void {
diff --git a/packages/ludic.render3d/gpu_vk_res.ludic b/packages/ludic.render3d/gpu_vk_res.ludic
index 38cff421..c1631202 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.render3d/gpu_vk_res.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.render3d/gpu_vk_res.ludic
@@ -57,6 +57,14 @@ function gvk_channel_bytes(ifmt: int) -> int {
 # renderer asks for mipmaps after the upload; an image made without pixels is a target and gets
 # one level. Every level sits in SHADER_READ_ONLY_OPTIMAL between uses.
 
+# a texture freed for good: its image goes, and its id is handed out again by gvk_tex_new - once, and
+# only if it held an image, so a texture freed twice cannot give two new ones the same id
+function gvk_tex_give_back(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, tex: int) -> void {
+  if tex <= 0 or tex >= len(render3d_st.gvk_tex_image) or render3d_st.gvk_tex_image[tex] == 0 { return }
+  gvk_tex_release(render3d_st, tex)
+  if render3d_st.gvk_tex_spare == null { render3d_st.gvk_tex_spare = new []int }
+  push(render3d_st.gvk_tex_spare, tex)
+}
 function gvk_tex_new(render3d_st: mut Render3dState) -> int {
   let zero: long = 0
   if render3d_st.gvk_tex_image == null {
@@ -73,6 +81,18 @@ function gvk_tex_new(render3d_st: mut Render3dState) -> int {
     push(render3d_st.gvk_tex_image, zero);  push(render3d_st.gvk_tex_view, zero);  push(render3d_st.gvk_tex_mem, zero)
     push(render3d_st.gvk_tex_levels, 0);  push(render3d_st.gvk_tex_layers, 0);  push(render3d_st.gvk_tex_vkfmt, 0)
   }
+  # an id a freed texture gave back first: its generation goes on counting, so every cache keyed by
+  # (id, generation) - views, sets, samplers - tells the new texture from the old
+  if render3d_st.gvk_tex_spare != null and len(render3d_st.gvk_tex_spare) > 0 {
+    let sp = render3d_st.gvk_tex_spare
+    let t = sp[len(sp) - 1]
+    List.pop(sp)
+    render3d_st.gvk_tex_image[t] = zero;  render3d_st.gvk_tex_view[t] = zero;  render3d_st.gvk_tex_mem[t] = zero
+    render3d_st.gvk_tex_levels[t] = 0;  render3d_st.gvk_tex_layers[t] = 0;  render3d_st.gvk_tex_vkfmt[t] = 0
+    render3d_st.gvk_tex_dims_w[t] = 0;  render3d_st.gvk_tex_dims_h[t] = 0;  render3d_st.gvk_tex_glfmt[t] = 0;  render3d_st.gvk_tex_array[t] = 0
+    render3d_st.gvk_tex_smp_sig[t] = 0;  render3d_st.gvk_tex_smp[t] = zero;  render3d_st.gvk_tex_samples[t] = 0
+    return t
+  }
   push(render3d_st.gvk_tex_image, zero);  push(render3d_st.gvk_tex_view, zero);  push(render3d_st.gvk_tex_mem, zero)
   push(render3d_st.gvk_tex_levels, 0);  push(render3d_st.gvk_tex_layers, 0);  push(render3d_st.gvk_tex_vkfmt, 0)
   push(render3d_st.gvk_tex_dims_w, 0);  push(render3d_st.gvk_tex_dims_h, 0)
@@ -605,10 +625,29 @@ function gvk_buf_new(render3d_st: mut Render3dState) -> int {
     # handle 0 is "no buffer", as it is on OpenGL
     push(render3d_st.gvk_buf, zero);  push(render3d_st.gvk_buf_mem, zero);  push(render3d_st.gvk_buf_size, 0);  push(render3d_st.gvk_buf_map, null);  push(render3d_st.gvk_buf_used, 0)
   }
+  # a handle a deleted buffer gave back first (gvk_buf_delete)
+  if render3d_st.gvk_buf_spare != null and len(render3d_st.gvk_buf_spare) > 0 {
+    let sp = render3d_st.gvk_buf_spare
+    let b = sp[len(sp) - 1]
+    List.pop(sp)
+    return b
+  }
   push(render3d_st.gvk_buf, zero);  push(render3d_st.gvk_buf_mem, zero);  push(render3d_st.gvk_buf_size, 0);  push(render3d_st.gvk_buf_map, null);  push(render3d_st.gvk_buf_used, 0)
   return len(render3d_st.gvk_buf) - 1
 }
 
+# a buffer done with for good (a mesh freed): its storage goes, and its handle is handed out again
+# by gvk_buf_new. gvk_buf_release alone keeps the handle, for a caller that fills it again.
+function gvk_buf_delete(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, b: int) -> void {
+  if b <= 0 or b >= len(render3d_st.gvk_buf) { return }
+  gvk_buf_release(render3d_st, b)
+  if render3d_st.gvk_buf_gpu != null and b < len(render3d_st.gvk_buf_gpu) { render3d_st.gvk_buf_gpu[b] = 0 }
+  if render3d_st.gvk_buf_spare == null { render3d_st.gvk_buf_spare = new []int }
+  let sp = render3d_st.gvk_buf_spare
+  for i in 0 .. len(sp) { if sp[i] == b { return } }
+  push(sp, b)
+}
+
 function gvk_buf_release(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, b: int) -> void {
   if render3d_st.gvk_buf[b] == 0 { return }
   let zero: long = 0
diff --git a/packages/ludic.render3d/skin.ludic b/packages/ludic.render3d/skin.ludic
index 11ffc569..bbfb3aa1 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.render3d/skin.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.render3d/skin.ludic
@@ -227,3 +227,21 @@ function skin_clone(src: Skin) -> Skin {
   skin_pose(sk)
   return sk
 }
+
+# A skin loaded with a model, let go with it (model_release): every array it owns, its joints' names
+# and itself. The views into gmat, inv_bind and bones are slices of those, and freeing a view would
+# free its owner's data again, so only the lists that hold them go (a few bytes a joint stay).
+function skin_free(sk: Skin) -> void {
+  if sk == null { return }
+  if sk.names != null {
+    for i in 0 .. len(sk.names) { if sk.names[i] != null and len(sk.names[i]) > 0 { free(sk.names[i]) } }
+    free(sk.names)
+  }
+  free(sk.par);  free(sk.walk);  free(sk.rest_t);  free(sk.rest_r);  free(sk.rest_s);  free(sk.rest_g)
+  free(sk.pose_r);  free(sk.pose_t);  free(sk.gmat);  free(sk.joints);  free(sk.inv_bind);  free(sk.bones)
+  free(sk.tmp_l);  free(sk.tmp_q);  free(sk.tmp_a);  free(sk.tmp_b);  free(sk.tmp_c);  free(sk.tmp_v)
+  if sk.gmat_v != null { free(sk.gmat_v) }
+  if sk.inv_v != null { free(sk.inv_v) }
+  if sk.bones_v != null { free(sk.bones_v) }
+  free(sk)
+}
diff --git a/packages/ludic.render3d/texture.ludic b/packages/ludic.render3d/texture.ludic
index 34275088..90bdaab6 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.render3d/texture.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.render3d/texture.ludic
@@ -284,22 +284,23 @@ function tex_load_ex(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, path: pointer, srgb: bool,
   return id
 }
 # the size each loaded texture was, by id: a nine-slice or a UI image asks
+# a texture's size, by its id: a slot per id (ids are reused), not a list that grows by every load
 function tex_note_size(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, id: int) -> void {
-  push(render3d_st.tex_size_ids, id)
-  push(render3d_st.tex_size_ws, render3d_st.tex_w)
-  push(render3d_st.tex_size_hs, render3d_st.tex_h)
+  if id <= 0 { return }
+  while len(render3d_st.tex_size_ws) <= id { push(render3d_st.tex_size_ws, 0);  push(render3d_st.tex_size_hs, 0) }
+  render3d_st.tex_size_ws[id] = render3d_st.tex_w
+  render3d_st.tex_size_hs[id] = render3d_st.tex_h
+}
+function tex_note_forget(render3d_st: mut Render3dState, id: int) -> void {
+  if id > 0 and id < len(render3d_st.tex_size_ws) { render3d_st.tex_size_ws[id] = 0;  render3d_st.tex_size_hs[id] = 0 }
 }
 function tex_width(render3d_st: Render3dState, id: int) -> int {
-  for i in 0 .. len(render3d_st.tex_size_ids) {
-    if render3d_st.tex_size_ids[i] == id { return render3d_st.tex_size_ws[i] }
-  }
-  return 0
+  if id <= 0 or id >= len(render3d_st.tex_size_ws) { return 0 }
+  return render3d_st.tex_size_ws[id]
 }
 function tex_height(render3d_st: Render3dState, id: int) -> int {
-  for i in 0 .. len(render3d_st.tex_size_ids) {
-    if render3d_st.tex_size_ids[i] == id { return render3d_st.tex_size_hs[i] }
-  }
-  return 0
+  if id <= 0 or id >= len(render3d_st.tex_size_hs) { return 0 }
+  return render3d_st.tex_size_hs[id]
 }
 
 # A small solid-colour fallback texture (linear rgb 0..255), for missing maps.