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Locked and unlocked assets
When you create an asset, you create a new type of node, for example a new type of geometry node (SOP). You will also have an instance of that node in the network.
When you first create an asset, the instance is unlocked for editing. You can also unlock an asset for editing by right-clicking the node and choosing Allow editing of contents.
The names of unlocked assets appear in the network editor in red. (The names of locked assets appear in teal.)
You can edit the parameters of nodes inside an unlocked asset, and change the asset’s options in the type properties window.
When you edit the nodes inside an asset, you're editing the definition of the asset in memory. Other instances of the same asset will get the same changes, but the original definition of the asset still exists on disk.
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When you're done editing an asset’s contents, you can right-click the node and choose Save node type to save your changes to the library on disk. The node will still be unlocked, so right-click again and choose Match current definition to lock it.
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Clicking Apply or Accept in the type properties window will also save the asset definition to disk.
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To discard any changes to an unlocked asset since the last save, right-click the node and choose Match current definition.
Tip
Houdini will allow you to edit a locked asset in the type properties window, but when you click Apply or Accept, it will prompt you to unlock the asset first.
How to
| To... | Do this |
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Unlock an asset to allow editing |
Right-click an instance of the asset and choose Allow editing of contents. The names of unlocked assets appear in red in the network editor. |
Save changes to an unlocked asset to disk |
Right-click the unlocked node and choose Save node type. |
Lock a digital asset |
Right-click the unlocked node and choose Allow editing of contents. This will discard any changes since the last save. The names of locked assets appear in teal in the network editor. |
Edit an asset’s options and parameters |
Right-click an instance of the asset and choose Type properties to open the type properties window. The controls in this window let you edit the basic options of the node type and its user interface. |
Save changes in the type properties window to the asset definition |
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Prevent users from editing asset definitions |
See the help for the operator type manager window for more information. |
Editing assets in a take
Normally, you will only want the creator/maintainer of an asset to make edit the asset, and lock the asset for normal use. However, if artists really need to make one-off changes to an asset, you can enable editing of assets in takes.
When this option and auto-take mode are on, Houdini will allow anyone to edit any asset, even locked assets. However, changes to locked assets will actually take place in a take overlaying the real defition of the asset. See the help for takes for more information.
| To... | Do this |
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Enable editing of assets in takes |
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