GLTF/OBJ Texture Loss: Renamed Folders Cause File Deletion on Project Reopen

[Bruno Quintin]

I've encountered a bug related to importing 3D files (GLTF and OBJ formats) into After Effects projects. Here's a detailed explanation of the issue:

1. When importing 3D files (GLTF or OBJ), After Effects automatically creates a "Textures" folder.

2. If the user renames this "Textures" folder, a problem occurs upon reopening the project.

3. After reopening the project, After Effects deletes all the texture files from the renamed folder.

4. The 3D objects in the project still retain their textures visually.

5. However, when using the "Collect Files" function, the texture files are not included in the collection.

Steps to reproduce:
1. Create a new After Effects project.
2. Import a 3D file (GLTF or OBJ format) with textures.
3. Locate the automatically created "Textures" folder.
4. Rename the "Textures" folder to something else (e.g., "Textures A").
5. Save and close the project.
6. Reopen the project.
7. Check the renamed folder - texture files should be missing.
8. Attempt to use "Collect Files" function.

Expected behavior:
- Texture files should remain intact when the "Textures" folder is renamed.
- "Collect Files" function should include all texture files, regardless of folder name changes.

Actual behavior:
- Texture files are deleted when the project is reopened after renaming the "Textures" folder.
- "Collect Files" function fails to include the texture files.

Impact:
This bug can lead to loss of important texture files and difficulties in project portability, especially when working collaboratively or transferring projects between workstations.

Additional information:
- After Effects version: 24.5.0 (Build 52) & Beta 24.6.0 (Build 65)
- Operating System: Windows 11
- 3D file formats tested: GLTF, OBJ

I hope this helps address the issue.

[Bruno Quintin]

Even without renaming the Textures folder, but simply removing it from its folder, the files are deleted when reopening the project.

In fact, we need to have a "Textures" folder at the same level as the OBJ or GLTF file. If we delete the folder that contained the textures (before Ae deleted them), the "Textures" folder reappears with its files.

[DaciaSaenz]

Hi Bruno, 

This is a great catch! One workaround that I found: if you dirty and save the project after re-opening it the first time, and then re-open it again, then the Textures will re-generate in a new default "Textures" folder -- not the custom-named folder, unfortunately. 
But at least they're back and can be collected as dependencies! 

We're working on a new Model Import paradigm to declutter the Project Panel and not have to burden y'all with managing all of these extra files. I'll update this thread as soon as it's in Beta. 

Thanks for reporting this issue, 

Dacia