I think that it is time for Side effect to make a new version of their gwavefront utility which Converts .obj files to/from Houdini format.
There is now enough programs in the market which are dealing with wavefront .obj and material .mtl.
Please join me to ask Side Effects to provide and .obj utility with .mtl IN/OUT.
Thank you.
I can see on Google that cg artists where already requesting this since 2008.
we are now in 2011:cry: