Installing .Flowpak files
Flow Libraries can be now expanded or created directly by loading the .flowpak file in the Flow addon preferences.
Creating New Libraries
To create new library from the .flowpak file, first specify the filepath, where the library should be located. The .flowpak file will unpack to this directory.
Important!
The addon raises errors, when the library is located in the path, containing some non-unicode characters (e.g. accent letters of some languages), so it is highly recommended to use the path with only standard english characters.
Example of the WRONG path: D:\Usuรกrios\Username\Flow Library
If the filepath is correct, you will be notified right under the filepath box and Install .flowpak button will be enabled. Press this button to open the filebrowser and head to the directory with your .flowpak file downloaded. Select this file. You can also enter custom library name (optional), if the field remain blank, the Library will just use the .flowpak filename. Double-click on the .flowpak file or select it and press OK to start unpacking.
Important!
If there is a large .flowpak file (for example our Interior Essentials library), it may take a few minutes to unpack. Don't mind if Blender freezes for a while.
When installed, the library will appear on the libraries list below. You can also press the button to add this path to the Blender Asset Browser if desired.
Expanding Libraries
.flowpaks allow to expand existing libraries with the new files. In Flow preferences, switch to Expand Library tab and select the library to expand from the list below. When ready press Install .flowpak button and follow the steps as described above. You can also choose if you want to overwrite existing files or not!. When ready, double click on the .flowpak file or select it and press OK. The library will be automatically expanded with the files from the selected .flowpak.
Important!
Original blender_assets.cats file from the target library, which is the file responsible for Asset Browser categories, will be also expanded with the new lines from the installed .flowpak file, so all the new assets will also be available in the Asset Browser under their categories.
Handling multi-part .flowpaks
Due to many problems with installing multi-part zip files with our libraries (Interior Essentials and Natural Elements), multi-part .flowpak system has been simplified to make this process easier. Simply download both files (.001, .002) and put them in the same directory. When creating or expanding the library with .flowpaks, only part 1 file will be visible in the filebrowser, simply press on it and the other file will be automatically added to the process.