Any way to "merge" products in the database?

echristopherclark

I used the RSSY Clothing Converter and Hair Converter to convert my huge library of Genesis 8 assets into Genesis 9-compatible objects. My problem is that this process created new products for all of the converted items, so I now have to click the Genesis 9 Converted product to add the hair and then find the original Genesis 8 product to apply the materials.

Is there any way to combine the two products together in the metadata/database? I'm not seeing an obvious way, but maybe it's staring me right in the face.

NorthOf45

There are a few thigs you can do without physically merging the assets, depending on your workflow.

If you use Smart Content, setting the Compatibility will create the proper dependencies. Right clickon the Materials folder, and select Edit Metadata. You can add another Compatibility to the one that exists.

If using Content Library, you can create Links to the original material presets and move them (yes, move them) where you want, like, to a Materials sub-folder for the converted G9 version. Select the Assets in the Materials folder, right-click on one of them and select "Create Links for Asset..."

You can do both, too, if you don't always use the same process.

echristopherclark

Thanks. I'll try that. I use Smart Content mostly, though I constantly wonder if that's the best method. I guess my real problem is I hate how cluttered it looks with two of essentially the same product.

crosswind

As per OP's request, just show you the standard way of making it, as below:
Example: Add a mirrored hair made with Mirror Geometry into its original product in Smart Content. The steps are all the same for your case of 'converted clothing'.

barbult

I find it easier to use drag and drop to add a new asset to an existing product. In the Content Library, find the asset (piece of clothing, hair, material preset, etc.) in the mapped folder section. Then scroll the Content Library window down to the products section and expand it until you see the name of the product you want to add to. Don't click on the product name to view the product. Instead, click on the asset that is still shown in the mapped folder view and just drag it onto the product name. You will see the cursor change to a little + sign. Then just release the mouse and your asset has been added to the product. It is a lot easier to do than to explain.

crosswind

barbult said:

I find it easier to use drag and drop to add a new asset to an existing product. In the Content Library, find the asset (piece of clothing, hair, material preset, etc.) in the mapped folder section. Then scroll the Content Library window down to the products section and expand it until you see the name of the product you want to add to. Don't click on the product name to view the product. Instead, click on the asset that is still shown in the mapped folder view and just drag it onto the product name. You will see the cursor change to a little + sign. Then just release the mouse and your asset has been added to the product. It is a lot easier to do than to explain.

This is the fastest and greatest way I've never tried before !

Richard Haseltine

Jusrt bear in mind that changes made to the original product's Vendor data will not survive a product update, and won't be exported as Userdata.

echristopherclark

Okay, good to know. Thanks, everyone.

crosswind

Richard Haseltine said:

Jusrt bear in mind that changes made to the original product's Vendor data will not survive a product update, and won't be exported as Userdata.

Yes, that's right.  So one has to add 'user's files' as Support Files (Assets) to the Product in Content DB Editor and Export User Data. Then no matter how the product is updated, always Re-import User Data + Product Metadata together after update.