@Aris_Nikolopoulos (Aris Nikolopoulos) posted a new topic, subject "Plugin for re-importing .obj while keeping edited materials". It read:

   Hi all,  
    I am asking this just in case there is something out there:  
    Is there any plugin that allows you to reference an .obj file and update its geometry while keeping the materials you have already worked with?  
    In case I didn't make it clear:
    
      * import an .obj with its default materials
      * edit/replace those materials with your own shaders within blender
      * update the model (re-import it)
      * the new faces of the model acquire the materials you created that correspond to the initial materials of the model
    
    
    
    this is a feature that exists in lumion and I was just thinking that there might be someting similar in blender.

So @LazyVirus (LazyVirus) replied

    Why not just apply your custom material after re-import?

@Aris_Nikolopoulos (Aris Nikolopoulos) replied

    In my work, I get a lot of sketchup models and sometimes, there are last minute alterations/ corrections.  
    Of course, you can just remove the part of the model that has changed and replace just that. but at times you might make a total redo and that could mean dozens of materials that need to be changed again.
    
    In lumion there is a button that just updates the original file (a few seconds) and the materials stay as you edited them. (you only have to edit any new material that might come with the updated model)
    
    I doubt something like this exists as I bet the shader system in blender is much more sophisticated than the rudimentary one of Lumion but I was just asking (you never know!)

So @stephen_leger (stephen_leger) replied

    better update mesh only based on obj mesh names assuming they are unique.

After which, @Aris_Nikolopoulos (Aris Nikolopoulos) added

    ??? Sorry, I didn't understand any of that. Can you explain more pls?

To which @stephen_leger (stephen_leger) replied

    Will probably do things like this using python.  
    import into a new file in background blender session, then merge into current file and replace only object mesh, keeping materials and modifiers, based on objects names.

To which @riyadist (Y.) replied

    Could you help more please. I need also same workflow. Is there a way like Lumion just update mesh and keep materials?


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