Asset Browser: Mark collection as asset!
Importing multiple objects as single asset via Asset Browser is required in most real-world projects. But marking multiple objects as a single asset in Asset Browser isn’t possible due to internal structure of blend files. This problem can be solved by developing and adding ‘mark Collection as asset’ feature for the Asset Browser, as it will allow for multiple objects in a collection to be appended / linked in other blend files at once via Asset Browser, which isn’t possible in 3.0. This feature, if implemented, will extend the functionality and usefulness of Asset Browser immensely.
Implementing this feature will require for developers to answer (and code for) these 3 questions:
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What should be the pivot of the ‘Collection marked as asset’ to be useful when importing it from Asset Browser in other blend files? I think, the center of the BASE RECTANGLE of the bounding-box of ALL visible objects in the collection taken collectively will be a useful one.
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How the thumbnail of a 'Collection marked as asset' should be generated in Asset Browser? Naturally, the thumbnail should have all the visible objects in the collection.
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What about sub-collections? Well, as sub-collections and their content get appended / linked with the regular append / link of a collection, so this behavior shall be the same for Asset Browser too.
6 Comments
In that case you'd use a Collection and mark it as asset (when it's supported).
Thanks Pablo. I'll be eagerly waiting for this feature to be developed for Asset Browser and added in Blender.
Blender needs clear separation between things meant for re-use and things meant for organization. Collections shouldn't pull double duty and node groups shouldn't pull double duty. blender.community/c/rightclickselect/w03w/ Has such separation ever been considered?
Collection support is more important than ANY other asset browser related task they might be working on. It makes no sense for them to have launched without it.
I agree. An asset with a single mesh is a huge limitation.
Hi Pablo, got the news through your weekly show Blender.Today LIVE #188, that Collections as assets will be supported in Asset Browser in Blender 3.2. Thanks Julian. Thanks all Blender developers. You’re awesome!