diff --git a/engine/src/core/com/jme3/scene/Mesh.java b/engine/src/core/com/jme3/scene/Mesh.java
index 46893614a..5f178ed8e 100644
--- a/engine/src/core/com/jme3/scene/Mesh.java
+++ b/engine/src/core/com/jme3/scene/Mesh.java
@@ -353,6 +353,27 @@ public class Mesh implements Savable, Cloneable {
      */
     public void prepareForAnim(boolean forSoftwareAnim){
         if (forSoftwareAnim) {
+            // convert indices to ubytes on the heap		
+            VertexBuffer indices = getBuffer(Type.BoneIndex);		
+            if (!indices.getData().hasArray()) {		
+                ByteBuffer originalIndex = (ByteBuffer) indices.getData();		
+                ByteBuffer arrayIndex = ByteBuffer.allocate(originalIndex.capacity());		
+                originalIndex.clear();		
+                arrayIndex.put(originalIndex);		
+                indices.updateData(arrayIndex);		
+            }		
+            indices.setUsage(Usage.CpuOnly);		
+
+            // convert weights on the heap		
+            VertexBuffer weights = getBuffer(Type.BoneWeight);		
+            if (!weights.getData().hasArray()) {		
+                FloatBuffer originalWeight = (FloatBuffer) weights.getData();		
+                FloatBuffer arrayWeight = FloatBuffer.allocate(originalWeight.capacity());		
+                originalWeight.clear();		
+                arrayWeight.put(originalWeight);		
+                weights.updateData(arrayWeight);		
+            }		
+            weights.setUsage(Usage.CpuOnly);
             // position, normal, and tanget buffers to be in "Stream" mode
             VertexBuffer positions = getBuffer(Type.Position);
             VertexBuffer normals = getBuffer(Type.Normal);
@@ -1305,18 +1326,32 @@ public class Mesh implements Savable, Cloneable {
         out.write(modeStart, "modeStart", null);
         out.write(pointSize, "pointSize", 1f);
         
-        if(isAnimated()){
-            VertexBuffer vb = getBuffer(Type.HWBoneIndex);
-            if(vb!=null){
+        //Removing HW skinning buffers to not save them
+        VertexBuffer hwBoneIndex = null;
+        VertexBuffer hwBoneWeight = null;
+        if (isAnimated()) {
+            hwBoneIndex = getBuffer(Type.HWBoneIndex);
+            if (hwBoneIndex != null) {
                 buffers.remove(Type.HWBoneIndex.ordinal());
             }
-            vb = getBuffer(Type.HWBoneWeight);
-            if(vb!=null){
+            hwBoneWeight = getBuffer(Type.HWBoneWeight);
+            if (hwBoneWeight != null) {
                 buffers.remove(Type.HWBoneWeight.ordinal());
             }
         }
-
+        
         out.writeIntSavableMap(buffers, "buffers", null);
+        
+        //restoring Hw skinning buffers.
+        if (isAnimated()) {
+            if (hwBoneIndex != null) {
+                buffers.put(hwBoneIndex.getBufferType().ordinal(), hwBoneIndex);               
+            }            
+            if (hwBoneWeight != null) {
+                buffers.put(hwBoneWeight.getBufferType().ordinal(), hwBoneWeight);                 
+            }
+        }
+        
         out.write(lodLevels, "lodLevels", null);
     }