Improve import method selection for assets #104686

New Issue

Julian Eisel · 2023-02-13T11:49:42+01:00

Julian Eisel commented

2023-02-13 11:49:42 +01:00

As more parts of Blender use assets, and as more different kinds of asset libraries are introduced, the current import type (Append (Reuse Data), Append, Link) option in the Asset Browser is becoming too limited. Problems:

The option is not available for the node add & search menus, which include assets now.
The essentials library that is being introduced (#103620) only allows appending, never linking. The option in the Asset Browser may still read Link, which is misleading.
The option is not stored per asset library.
Name Import Type is odd since it determines a behavior, not a type. Should at least be Import Method

Changes to be done

Checked the items that are done at least in a branch/PR, not necessarily in the main branch.

Required changes:

Introduce a Default Import Method for each asset library in the Preferences. Append (Reuse Data) by default. (ae84a2956e)
Introduce a Follow Preferences option for the asset browser. (ae84a2956e)
Use this as default for new asset browsers and asset browsers set to Append (Reuse Data). (ae84a2956e)
Draw some hint when dragging assets on what's going to happen.
Rename option to Import Method (not Import Type). (972f58c482)

UI improvements:

Use a UI list for the Asset Library settings in the Preferences. Otherwise the UI will look ugly. (done in #104710)
Add Import Options popover in the Asset Browser header and move the Import Method option into it. Makes the option less prominent, and other options can be added (e.g. a collection instancing toggle). (done in #104733)

Open Questions

How can Reuse Data be toggled for the essentials asset library?

As more parts of Blender use assets, and as more different kinds of asset libraries are introduced, the current import type (*Append (Reuse Data)*, *Append*, *Link*) option in the Asset Browser is becoming too limited. Problems: * The option is not available for the node add & search menus, which include assets now. * The essentials library that is being introduced (#103620) only allows appending, never linking. The option in the Asset Browser may still read *Link*, which is misleading. * The option is not stored per asset library. * Name *Import Type* is odd since it determines a behavior, not a type. Should at least be *Import Method* ## Changes to be done *Checked the items that are done at least in a branch/PR, not necessarily in the main branch.* Required changes: - [x] Introduce a *Default Import Method* for each asset library in the Preferences. *Append (Reuse Data)* by default. (ae84a2956e) - [x] Introduce a *Follow Preferences* option for the asset browser. (ae84a2956e) <img src="https://projects.blender.org/attachments/30fbc4f6-6a96-4779-9b13-d55b625cf139" width="400px"> - [x] Use this as default for new asset browsers and asset browsers set to *Append (Reuse Data)*. (ae84a2956e) - [ ] Draw some hint when dragging assets on what's going to happen. - [x] Rename option to *Import Method* (not *Import Type*). (972f58c482) UI improvements: - [x] Use a UI list for the Asset Library settings in the Preferences. Otherwise the UI will look ugly. **(done in #104710)** <img src="https://projects.blender.org/attachments/bb881947-eac8-4f11-a42d-74f2f5c7f07a" width="400px"> - [x] Add *Import Options* popover in the Asset Browser header and move the *Import Method* option into it. Makes the option less prominent, and other options can be added (e.g. a collection instancing toggle). **(done in #104733)** <img src="https://projects.blender.org/attachments/7c957493-37b9-4499-b130-0b9e4991453c" width="400px"> ## Open Questions - How can *Reuse Data* be toggled for the essentials asset library?

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Julian Eisel added the