Reference/Release Notes/3.1/Pipeline Assets IO

= Blender 3.1: Pipeline, Assets & IO =

Alembic

 * Animated vertex colors can now be exported to Alembic.
 * Reading override layers is now supported . Override layers allow to override data (attributes, animations, topology, etc.) from Alembic caches as long the hierarchies inside of the original file and the layer(s) match.



Asset Browser

 * Asset libraries are indexed for faster browsing.
 * Node groups can be added to asset libraries, and support drag & drop into the node editor.

Image I/O

 * Enabled support for OpenEXR DWAB compression

Obj I/O

 * A new C++ version of the .obj exporter is provided as a replacement for the Python addon

Some speed comparisons:


 * For updates regarding the python add-on, please check the Add-ons page.

Exporter

 * Export USD Preview Surface shaders from simple Principled BSDF node networks and allow exporting textures referenced by materials to a textures directory next to the USD file

Importer

 * Implement a user extension system
 * Performance enhancement when images are packed
 * Use relative path when possible
 * Set empty display size, based on distance parent/children
 * Fix invalid index mesh name

Exporter

 * Manage tweak mode in NLA when needed
 * Better texture image management
 * Fix regression when exporting armature object animation with only 1 key
 * Fix back compatibility for use_selection
 * Avoid issue with setting frame with python v >= 3.10
 * Use custom range on action
 * Remove proxy management
 * Manage factors for Clearcoat extension
 * Workaround for image size copy not stored
 * Option to not export texture images
 * New animation hooks
 * Optimized anims can now be disabled