Keep setuped materials during multiple imports?

Hi,

I have a question regarding optimal use with multiple imports / how to keep your materials.

Is there a solution where after I set up materials for all my buildings but the buildings got some new updates and I need to reimport the datasmith?

I am trying out different solutions but what I can see as the only one (at this point) is to set up a user material library and color it when I reimport. Anything better then that?

I lost the direct link function at this point and I still have not figured how to bring it back.

I am then using datasmith just for the more stable connection, and so it is smaller in size as the project is gigantic, and then the presentation is not visible to clients.

Using MacOs Ventura, M1 Studio, Archicad 25, Twinmotion 2022.2.3.

Hi ,

When you use Datasmith to import and re-import, your materials applied in Twinmotion should be the preserved if the geometry was unmodified, while modified objects will lose their materials.

Using the User Library like you are doing right now is one way to re-apply materials more quickly when editing geometry. Another method is to open the Scene materials manager (select a material and click on the grid in the bottom-right of the material preview) which will show all of your current applied and previously used materials for your project. You can locate the previously applied material and select it to begin applying it to objects in the scene again. One thing to be aware of is that if you move your .tm file then not all previously used materials may be seen in the materials manager.

Another option is to use substitution tables, although this will be dependent on your workflow to determine whether it is suitable or not. For more details on this, review the Twinmotion Substitution Table Overview article.

Regarding issues you are having with the plugin, the Datasmith plugin is not natively supported on Apple M1 processors at this time, which can cause issues. I recommend attempting to uninstall and reinstall to see if this restores Direct Link functionality. An M1 processor compatible version of the plugin is expected to release soon.

I hope this helps.

Best,

Raghib