Asset Browser usability/organisation

Support Basics & Interface
1

Hey there,

I know, this is topic Nr. 23781348571345 on that matter, but I just can’t (easily) find recent data/info. Which I need, because my AB is on the verge of chaos and I can’t seem to find any info that wouldn’t require me to

  1. possibly break something
  2. copy around unintelligible code from some files found somewhere with some name

So maybe in the meanwhile there are tools available.

I’ve successfully been using True Assets by TrueVFX (mainly because of the impossible preview rendering of original AB), which I dearly love and recomment, but it only lets me move assets around within their own AB system, not the general AB. I could, of course move everything to their system, but I already saved lots of doubles to MY system with proper materials etc. applied and left the raw versions in theirs, so I’d prefer to stick with mine.

I can’t for the life of me imagine this can only be done by opening every file and then moving the asset. Meaning, everytime I add a new category or sub-category in a massively growing and thus developing AB system required me to do that - that can’t be it. I can’t be expected to pre-plan an entire system like this. I firmly believe I’m misunderstanding a lot about it.

I have inquired and I got answers, but those were answers clear and understandable to devs, not me. “Just copy the files from A to be, the edit the txt”. OK. Edit what? how? Copy what parts over? Paste them where?

I expected a drag & drop system, instead I get empty copies of catalogues (I figured out you have to recreate the catalogue within the new one, then all the sub catalogues, then you can move you stuff from sub to sub) and something that - in my eyes - massively lacks usability.

Please tell me I’m an idi0t. You are hereby fully permitted to do so without any consequences whatsoever, as long as someone heaven sent (there are plenty of good people around here) can explain this to me - idi0t proof. I’m going crazy. I hope a massive facepalm will wake me from this nightmare :sweat_smile:

2

Sorry - its not you that is the idiot.
The Blender Foundation needs someone with, … I am not sure, GUI or usability design…
The GN first attempt is a classic example. All Attribute based and awful, until it got its rebuild.
Finally, with the new hair system, they have accepted the need for good and obvious presets. Many people totally miss the cloth presets.
Whats the bet, that when all the simulations get turned into nodes, they dont bother to supply a node group that replicates the present simulations… It seems to be just to obvious a need for it to happen… :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:
I now have a ‘cool, I will wait two years until it works well, then look at it’ attitude toward anything new.
I have added about 5 materials to the Asset Browser. I will give it another year…

Have only ever used Blender (apart from Wings and PovRay back in the dark ages). Its interesting to see all the ‘I want to transfer over from X, BUT WTF’ comments.

3

OK… it seems to me, the AB was implemented because it was demanded, not because the devs wanted it - that what I’ve understood reading about it so far, and that’s what it feels like, somewhat. Like they wanted to get it out of the way quickly. But even the oldest version of Adobe Bridge I have works well and as expected.

Why even release a tool when it’s that hard to use, or better, maintain? I have to find a way to MAINTAIN this!