Hello all!

I want to embed an external obj file in Houdini digital asset. Tried a few methods including add file in Edit Operator Type Properties. However, the saved .hdalc file is still empty. Any idea why and how can I fix this? Thank you!

Hello - I was just doing exactly this today.
As you suggest you first add the file to the 'Type Properties' 'Extra Files' tab.
Then you need to go to your references on the import/file node and change from the folder or $HIP location to

So for example if it were a file node that linked to the obj model
you would change it to

https://www.sidefx.com/docs/houdini/assets/opdef.html [www.sidefx.com]

and if you have a whole load of these then you can do it automatically in the textport -
https://www.sidefx.com/forum/topic/84427/ [www.sidefx.com]
https://www.jamesrobinsonvfx.com/tips/workflow/2021/03/26/opchange/ [www.jamesrobinsonvfx.com]

Adding this just for the sake of visual clarity for future googlers about what Hatchery already said.

Hatchery & AnimGraphLab thank you very much, most impressive.

Thanks for all the info but it's not working on my side. Any clue why?

Youtube: "Houdini Foundations | Rig Fur Dude with KineFX 8 | Create Capture Rig Digital Asset"

Step by step instructions to embed geometry into your digital asset starts at 5:00 ish.

OOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! I was missing some important infos. This video fixed that, thank your very, very much!

For anybody doing this, when you add the geo files (Type Properties -> Extra Files -> Add File), it acctually copies the file to a Houdini folder. (installion folders, maybe, not sure...)

When you want to replace the file path in your HDA to the new copied file I just talked about, you should do it from the File sop browser by clicking on the opdef:/ shortcut (on the left side). If your HDA was created at SOP level, browse inside the Sop folder. You should find a folder with the exact name of your HDA. That's where you'll find the file!

EDIT: My method gives me this:opdef:/Sop/Oli_Roof_Tilling?TempleTiles.bgeo but I was told to use opdef:..?TempleTiles.bgeo instead.

You can follow the tutorial EZiniT talked about here. Its in the section 8 (Create Capture Rig Digital Asset) at the 5 minute mark.
https://www.sidefx.com/tutorials/foundations-rig-fur-dude-with-kinefx/
[www.sidefx.com]