what are some of the issues you had with Datasmith? I’m having a materials editing issue that I haven’t been able to solve, yet. When exported from SketchUp to UE (using Datasmith), I try to edit materials and the entire “group” changes to the material rather than the intended surface only. Would I have better results if I “exploded” the groups prior to exporting them? Or would my results improve if I changed “groups” to “components” in SketchUp prior to exporting?? There are always solutions…it’s just a matter of finding someone else who’s had similar issues and who’s pioneered ahead for us all and found the fixes to problems. Thanks
Hello out there - I love that all yall know more than me in these programs…I need help on a subject of materials editing.
I’m having a materials editing issue that I haven’t been able to solve, yet. When exported from SketchUp to UE (using Datasmith), I try to edit materials and the entire “group” changes to the material rather than the intended surface only. Would I have better results if I “exploded” the groups prior to exporting them? Or would my results improve if I changed “groups” to “components” in SketchUp prior to exporting?? There are always solutions…it’s just a matter of finding someone else who’s had similar issues and who’s pioneered ahead for us all and found the fixes to problems. Thanks
To be honest, I have not used Datasmith for a couple of years, so I cannot tell you exactly what is best. While there may be users here who have advice, it is always a good idea to try reaching out to the developer directly with questions about workflow.
For real time applications you really want the groups to be maintained as the engine will stream them in and out as needed.
So you want to keep things as instanced groups and components where you can.
Wow!! Thank you for such a prompt response…I didn’t expect that! Is it morning where you are or evening? In any case, have a great a great and blessed day. I will reach out to their team.
No problem! First thing in the morning, right now, so i am having my tea and going through the forum. Kind of like morning news, but it does not suck!
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Adam, Thank you. This instance you are referring is for “direct link” between running files, correct?? I’ve been doing that some, but mostly I am exporting .udatasmith and importing them in UE5 and there’s where my issues arise with the “groups”. Granted, though, it is not all the time this problem occurs.
Yall are great for helping me…I didn’t expect “real-time” forum help…I’m ecstatic = I’d hug yall if I could. Tell you what, get someone near and dear to you to administer that hug for me. 
I’ve just tried importing a file which is made up of groups -
in the outliner you can navigate through the group, just as you would in SketchUp - you can isolate the geometry and you can see what materials are applied in the details area.
Make sure to replace specific materials applied to an object - you can see the materials applied right at the bottom there - in this case, the ball_2 geometry/mesh has that globe texture. I would replace that texture only.
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Dude, You are an amazing help. May the blessings of the Lord our God be with you and may they multiply ten fold.
Alan1
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As long as you apply materials to the faces in the objects in SU (groups/components) and not on the groups or component ‘containers’ themselves all Datasmith imports will be fine. Don’t explode objects nor change anything to your hierarchy is necessary.
When changing materials in UE its as expected that all faces with the same material on them will change.You can’t just paint individual faces in UE, you have to assign a different material to those faces in SU first.
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