A　novel　scheme　for　rate-distortion　(R-D)　optimized　progressive　geometry　compression　is　proposed.　According　to　the　non-uniform　distribution　of　the　model　details,　the　model　details　are　grouped　into　blocks,　and　each　block　is　encoded　independently.　The　encoded　bit-streams　of　the　blocks　are　assembled　into　a　code　stream　based　on　R-D　optimization,　which　ensures　allocating　bitrates　to　the　blocks　with　richer　details　preferentially.　Experimental　results　show　that　the　proposed　algorithm,　compared　with　the　well-known　PGC,　provides　PSNR　improvements　by　about　2.25　dB　at　low　bitrate.　Moreover,　the　scheme　provides　a　new　approach　to　realize　region　of　interest　(ROI)　coding　of　3D　meshes　efficiently.