Assemble nodes into logical groupings using assets in the Hypershade

You can arrange your Work Area in the Hypershade in a more efficient manner by assembling nodes into logical node groupings using assets. For example, if you have a complex shading network that appears multiple times within your scene, you can group each network into an asset to obtain a simpler Work Area.

An asset is a special type of node that lets you simplify the display of nodes related to a particular item in the scene or lets you assemble multiple nodes for a special purpose.

An asset is differentiated from other nodes in the Hypershade by its thick, round-cornered border outline.

Assets do not change the hierarchical (parent/child) relationships between nodes. You add and modify attributes and make attribute connections on assets just like you would other nodes in Maya. For more information see Create, edit, or delete custom attributes and Connect input and output attributes of the Basics Guide.

You select nodes within assets in exactly the same way you select other nodes in the Hypershade.

Creating and modifying assets

Assets can be created and removed using the Hypershade’s Edit menu or by using the icons on the Hypershade Toolbar.

You can expand or collapse the display of assets by double-clicking on the asset’s border or by using the icons in the Hypershade Toolbar. Expanding an asset lets you view the nodes contained within it. Collapsing an asset reduces the display of its contents so they appear as a single node in the graph display. Collapsing and expanding an asset does not affect its contents, nor does it affect the connections and attributes of the nodes inside the asset.

The background of an expanded asset is semi-transparent so you can see nodes that are behind it. Attribute connections in and out of assets are also visible.

To create an asset in the Hypershade

Select the nodes you want to place in the asset and then do one of the following:
- From the Hypershade menu, select Edit > Create Asset.
- Select the icon in the Hypershade toolbar.
- Right-click one of the selected nodes and choose Create asset from selected on the marking menu.
An asset is created in the Work Area of the Hypershade, and the selected nodes appear within it.

To remove an asset from the Hypershade

Select the asset you want to remove and then do one of the following:
- From the Hypershade menu, select Edit > Remove Asset.
- Select the icon in the Hypershade toolbar.
The selected asset is removed from the Work Area of the Hypershade. Any connections that existed for the removed asset are deleted in the process.

Note
Removing an asset does not remove any of its contents or change the internal connections among nodes.

To collapse the display of the contents of an asset

Select an expanded asset the display of which you want to minimize and then do one of the following:
- From the Hypershade menu, select Edit > Collapse Asset.
- Select the icon in the Hypershade toolbar.
- Double-click the border on the expanded asset.
The selected asset is minimized. It is approximately the size of a regular node.

To expand an asset to display its contents

Select an asset the contents of which you want to view and then do one of the following:
- From the Hypershade menu, select Edit > Expand Asset.
- Select the icon in the Hypershade toolbar.
- Double-click the border on the collapsed asset.
The selected asset is expanded in size to display the nodes contained within it. The asset automatically resizes to contain its nodes.

To add or remove nodes from an asset

Press Alt + Shift and drag the node into or out of the asset. The node is added or removed from the asset.
Tip
You can also remove a node from an existing asset by right-clicking the node and selecting Remove selected nodes from asset on the marking menu.

To modify the size of your asset

You can increase the size of your asset by moving its contents. The asset stretches as its contents is moved. If you collapse this node and expand it again, the last node position is restored.