Reusing layers and materials

[Nyx Xaos]

This is a feature request that is about reusing parts (layers and materials) of a project file in various ways.

First off, layers within an SSA file: I'd like to be able to duplicate a layer such that I can easily create layers with variations. Also, if I have multiple materials in a project file, I want to be able to copy one or more layers to a different existing material or to a new one.

In addition to the above, I'd like to be able to copy materials and their layers via exporting a Material as a SSA file to a SSA file of its own, and then be able to import it back in to a new file. Or better yet, be able to import via selecting an existing SSA file and then get a dropdown (or with tick boxes) of materials in it that I can choose to import. Both ways can be useful, especially when a SSA file is getting huge. Other export options means losing the layer properties.

[Marion3D]

Hi @Nyx Xaos , thanks a lot for your ideas!

Would you be able to explain with an example the second case? So I am sure to understand it correctly.

[Nyx Xaos]

Hello Marion!

When here I speak of Materials, I mean those listed in the top left corner, which you can have one or more of in a project file (*.SSA).

As you keep making more of these in one project file the project file grows huge quickly, with for example the consequence that the file gets ever more impractical to share with partners.

For this and also other reasons, being able to extract a Material while retaining its layers and their properties is an important feature. Even more helpful is it if you implement the other feature request I posted for previewing materials side by side. 

One could have it work in one or both ways of exporting a single or multiple materials as a SSA file, and / or in a target (receiving) project, choose to select an SSA file to import from and then selecting materials to import from it.

The effect of an export can today be achieved in the roundabout way of making a copy of a SSA file and then remove the unwanted materials from the file copy. But there is no way to import materials with the layers intact.

I hope this is clearer now, otherwise I'll try again 😃

Thank you!

[Nyx Xaos]

@Marion3D just adding a reference to the other post I mentioned: https://community.adobe.com/t5/substance-3d-sampler-ideas/previewing-several-materials-in-a-ssa-file...

[Nyx Xaos]

Any updates on this post please, @Marion3D? I also have yet to get any feedback on my other post that I linked from my last reply here, regarding preview of multiple materials. Thank you very much!