Missing textures when I open skp file on another computer

[ericssonpbr]

Hello guys, my name is Ericsson and I?ve been working with PBR materials on SketchUp 2017 + V-Ray 3.40.04 but I?ve been facing a problem - which is why I come here to ask your advice.

I apply the maps in the appropriate slots, such as Diffuse, Reflect, Reflection Glossiness, Fresnel IOR and Bump, and save the skp file. But every time I try to open this skp file on another computer, the skp file only shows a single texture I?ve applied (Diffuse). I did a test creating a folder with all the textures of that object in the same directory as the skp file and it worked but I was wondering: is it possible to do this without having to create this folder with the textures and have all those textures contained within the skp file??

I would greatly appreciate hearing your advice!

[Peter.Chaushev]

Hello, Ericsson,
When you've moved the project to another machine, it appears you have not copied all associated image files used in your textures.
The reason why each diffuse texture in your V-Ray materials renders properly is due to the fact it is synched with each SketchUp material texture and thus saved into the .skp file.
When moving projects between machines, it is advisable to use Extensions > V-Ray > Pack Project. It automatically gathers up both the .skp file and all used asset files into a single archive.
Additionally, you can use the File Path Editor to reconnect missing textures. See https://docs.chaosgroup.com/display/...le+Path+Editor for more info.

Kind regards,
Peter

[ericssonpbr]

Hello, Ericsson,
When you've moved the project to another machine, it appears you have not copied all associated image files used in your textures.
The reason why each diffuse texture in your V-Ray materials renders properly is due to the fact it is synched with each SketchUp material texture and thus saved into the .skp file.
When moving projects between machines, it is advisable to use Extensions > V-Ray > Pack Project. It automatically gathers up both the .skp file and all used asset files into a single archive.
Additionally, you can use the File Path Editor to reconnect missing textures. See https://docs.chaosgroup.com/display/...le+Path+Editor for more info.

Kind regards,
Peter

Thanks for the answer, Peter!
So that's no way I can save this .skp file containing all the textures into this single .skp file?

[Peter.Chaushev]

(...) So that's no way I can save this .skp file containing all the textures into this single .skp file?

Correct. Not all assets V-Ray uses ca be saved directly into the .skp project file.

Kind regards,
Peter

[Dan S]

Hi Peter

I am new to V-ray myself and am getting to grips with the trial version with the view of purchasing it at the end of my trial. So far I am really liking how it all works but last night I found i had the same issues as Ericsson. After searching on line and reading your post above I'm still not sure I understand how the File Path Editor works...... If I open a kitchen model I created with many skp component files from my OneDrive store of models in it I find that there are some materials that don't even show up in the File Path Editor. What I want to be able to do is open components from the OneDrive file and all the materials from V-Ray are still assigned to that component. this is proving a problem as the file path of my OneDrive is different on each machine I use because although it's cloud based models they are actually copies of that cloud model on my machine which in theory should be updated when changed on the cloud but their file path in each computer is different. for example one machine might be C:\User\dan\AppData....... and another might be F:\User\dan_000\AppData.........

I have read the link to File Path Editor above but not sure I understand how to change the file paths based on my info above. I'm not very tech orientated so maybe need some explanation in laymans terms.

My worry is that if I open from another machine a model that has been completely set up with textures and materials it will save over the original model with most of them missing and the when I open from the original computer they will be missing also and all the hard work is undone.

If I can understand how this works then I think I'll be well on the way to buying the full licensed version.

Thanks for your help in advance

Dan

[Peter.Chaushev]

Hello, Dan,

(...) I find that there are some materials that don't even show up in the File Path Editor.(...)

I assume these are materials with Bitmap textures(containing image files). In case they are, this should not be happening. Is it reproducible only with specific .skp files? Are there missing entries in the File Path Editor only when a component is imported or when opened independently?
As long as there are SketchUp materials (which are synched to V-Ray) in the project, their texture assets should be listed in the File Path Editor.

What I want to be able to do is open components from the OneDrive file and all the materials from V-Ray are still assigned to that component. this is proving a problem as the file path of my OneDrive is different on each machine I use because although it's cloud based models they are actually copies of that cloud model on my machine which in theory should be updated when changed on the cloud but their file path in each computer is different. for example one machine might be C:\User\dan\AppData....... and another might be F:\User\dan_000\AppData.........
I have read the link to File Path Editor above but not sure I understand how to change the file paths based on my info above. I'm not very tech orientated so maybe need some explanation in laymans terms.

Here's how asset management functions in V-Ray for SketchUp.
Each V-Ray scene may use a number of different external assets (files). Bitmap material textures can load image files such as .jpg or .png, VRscanned materials load .vrscan files, IES Lights load .ies files, Proxies use .vrmesh, .abc or .vrscene files, and so on.
When an asset is loaded in the V-Ray interface, its file path is saved as V-Ray data within the SketchUp project file so V-Ray can load the necessary file upon rendering. Asset files are not automatically added to your .skp file (Diffuse textures are an exception, see below).

What the File Path Editor does is list all external assets used in the scene - what is their name, their file path, and which V-Ray plugin uses them. Furthermore, the File Path Editor displays a status color for each asset.

• Green status means the asset is present at the specified file path and will be loaded correctly.
• Yellow status means the asset is not located at the specified file path (or that file path is not accessible/invalid) but the asset file is stored within the SketchUp project (.skp file). This only applies for Diffuse Bitmap textures as SketchUp materials support only these ones and keep the image files automatically within the .skp project. As I already mentioned in my previous replies, V-Ray materials synch with their corresponding SketchUp materials so when opening an .skp project, V-Ray will read the stored texture image files from a temp folder where they are extracted while the .skp project is open.
• Red status means the asset is not located at the specified file path or that file path is not available.

If you have assets with Yellow status, simply select them, then use the File Path Editor's button "Archive & Repath" and they'll be lit in green. What "Archive" does is it grabs existing files (in that case extracts them from the .skp or their current folder) and saves them at a manually specified destination. "Repath" automatically updates the new file path in the V-Ray scene data for all selected assets.

My worry is that if I open from another machine a model that has been completely set up with textures and materials it will save over the original model with most of them missing and the when I open from the original computer they will be missing also and all the hard work is undone.

Loading your project correctly after moving them to another location on your hard drive can be easily amended using the File Path Editor. Also, keep in mind that if Bitmap texture image files used by V-Ray are located in the same folder (or a subfolder) as the SketchUp project file, V-Ray will load them automatically despite how their file path in the V-Ray UI is set. Other assets, such as .vrmesh or .ies files will need to be repath-ed.

Loading your projects directly from a mapped drive (or having V-Ray point to a mapped drive location for assets) will not cause any troubles. Everything will be loaded directly as long as you have access and connection to that drive.

Loading your project after transferring it from another machine (or downloading it from the Internet) will need to be accompanied by all associated asset files so you can use the File Path Editor to repath them using their new location on your hard drive. V-Ray for SketchUp comes with a single-click menu entry (Extensions > V-Ray > Pack Project) which creates an archived file of your .skp project file and all asset files V-Ray needs. This is the easiest way to transfer your scenes successfully without worrying about assets.

If you use a cloud-based service to store your projects and their assets, my suggestion is to use "Pack Project" before uploading them.
The potential problem with the workflow you described is the following - every time you open a SketchUp project you can use File Path Editor's "Repath" function to point V-Ray to its asset files located in a different temp folders depending on which machine you're on. This is fast as it only takes a few clicks.
But when you open a project, work on it and introduce new assets to V-Ray, these assets will need to be uploaded after you're done and have saved your SketchUp project again. Forgetting or failing to do so will mean you won't be able to access them on another machine.
Furthermore, depending on your connection, there is a possibility you may experience some lag while working on materials (Texture editor, more precisely).

Hope this explanation has cleared up any confusion!

Kind regards,
Peter

[Dan S]

Thank you so much Peter for your extremely detailed explanation. I think I'm pretty clear on how it all functions now. In principle this all sounds good and I will give this a go and see how I get on.

Really excited to see how my renders turn out. It's amazing how quickly you pick things up and after only a few days I've already produced a couple of renders that are far better than my previous render engine could.

one quick further question.

We have 3 machines all using SU17 pro. Occasionally all 3 machines are rendering at the same time but generally 2 need to run to cover or workflow as there are two of us working at the same time.

When purchasing V-Ray would I need to purchase 2/3 licenses for the package plus 3 render nodes or do I only need 1 license plus 3 render nodes. I'm not sure I understand how this side of things works.

much appreciated.

Dan

[Peter.Chaushev]

A V-Ray workstation license package contains a single render node license. It is always engaged while working in V-Ray. Based on your description, I assume 2 workstation license packages + 1 extra render node for Swarm distributed rendering on the third machine should be sufficient.
For more detailed info, please send an email at sales@chaosgroup.com .

Kind regards,
Peter

[Dan S]

Hi again Peter

I'm at my desk again and trying out how you suggested but for some reason it's not working.

I'm sure there's a simple explanation but whenever I load a model into a larger model all my applied finishes have disappeared. If I load in to an empty skp scene it seems fine.

I'm still not sure I fully understand what you are suggesting. I will try and explain what I thought needs to be done.......


I have a bunch of kitchen related models stored on my OneDrive in various files (accessories, sinks, taps and appliances and so on). All these models get used in larger models of clients kitchens.

I have run through each model in

the 'File Path Editor'

and turned all to status to Green. I have also saved a 'Pack Project' of each model from one file in that file.

I then open a client kitchen model and load another model in to that larger model and at this point I expected everything to work but it doesn't. I've even gone back to File Path Editor and pointed the larger kitchen file to the smaller appliance file and still nothing.

I'm now lost.

My brain can't seem to work out what to do even though I've now read you comments about 30 times......


Please can you help

thanks

Dan

[Dan S]

I think I've worked out why it wasn't working in my model. It's because the model already had info on all the materials used in that model in the larger skp file. therefore seemed to be reading them instead of the new ones with V-Ray attributes.

I suppose my test now is to see if it all works when transferring from one machine to another.

let me know if what I'm doing above is correct.

Thanks

[Peter.Chaushev]

Apologies for the late reply!
You pretty much found the answer. There are still a few discrepancies the dev team is working on.
Let me know if you require any further assistance!

Kind regards,
Peter