Broken Material Links Management

A number of different external modifications can have a significant impact on the material resources and their applications in an experience.

The most common of these are as follows:

• The material resource is inserted in the experience.
  • When the related material asset is deleted from the database.
  • When the related material asset type is modified (for example, applying a 3DS PBR material).
  • When the access to related material asset is restricted (for example, you cannot access the Collaborative Space.)
• The material application is exposed from a product actor.
  • When the related material connection or its supports are deleted on the product asset.
  • When the related material asset type is modified (for example, applying a 3DS PBR material.)
  Recommendation: To ensure visual consistency in your experience, use the 3DS PBR (physically based rendering) material.

Below is an example of a broken material resource.

Example	Description
The material resource is inserted in the experience and applied to a 3D actor. The related material asset is deleted from the database.	In this case, the material resource link is broken () and it also affects the material application (). In the Manage Assets Links panel, only the broken material resource needs to be repaired. When you repair the material resource, it automatically repairs the material application that remains valid.

Below is an example of a broken material application.

Example	Description
A physical product is inserted in the experience. A material applied to the structure is exposed, which creates a material resource. The material application is exposed. The related material connection is removed from the product structure in another app.	In this case, the material application is broken () and the modified parent actors are displayed. (). In the Manage Assets Links panel, only the material application is available for repair. The material resource remains valid.

When a material is broken, the following happens:

• A placeholder image appears in the preview thumbnail of the Properties panel.
• Only the general properties (such as Asset, Name, or Appearance Type) appear in the Properties panel.
• The overwritten properties only are still displayed.

If you use broken materials when you play an experience, inconsistent behaviors may occur.

You can still use broken materials in Natural Language scenarios. However, it can affect the sensors and capacities when you play the experience.