Materials Duplicating When Using "Edit As Maya Data"

[jimwatson-ta]

Describe the bug
After clicking "Edit As Maya Data" on a UsdMesh, it duplicates the materials in the scene if a material of the same name exists.

Steps to reproduce
Steps to reproduce the behavior:

1. Create a cube in Maya
2. Assign one lambert material to the top face and one material to the other faces of the cube.
3. Create a new USD layer.
4. Duplicate the Cube as USD data into the stage.
5. Edit the USD Cube as Maya Data.
6. See duplicate materials assigned on the mesh and new materials in the Hypershade.

Expected behavior
When hitting the button to "Edit As Maya Data," if the linked materials already exist in the scene, assign that material to the mesh.

Specs (if applicable):

• Windows 10
• Codeless Schemas
• Maya 2024.2
• MayaUSD 0.26.0

[wallworm]

Thank you for the input. What about the case where the material in the USD is actually more updated than the scene material? Do you have a proposal on handling which materials (Keep Scene Materials, Update Scene Materials or Make Duplicate)?

[jimwatson-ta]

Good call. I would prefer if the scene materials would be overridden, but I can also see that as a useful option on the Edit As Maya Data Options menu.