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Feature Request Why are Asset Store Assets not proper packages (yet)?

Discussion in 'Package Manager' started by peaj_metric, Jun 16, 2023.

  1. peaj_metric

    peaj_metric

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2014
    Posts:
    145
    When Asset Store assets started to be listed in the Package Manager window I was under the impression that Unity was working towords Asset Store assets as packages.
    I thought it would just require some time for the asset developers to update to the new format.

    As I have not encountered a single Asset Store "package" yet I am starting to think there is no plan to merge this functionality at all.

    Is there any reason Asset Store Assets are not package manger packages?
    Managing Asset Store Assets is a pain.
    I usually look for package alternatives to avoid the Asset Store as much as possible.

    The updating process for many Assets still seems to be: Delete the whole folder and download the new version.
    For some of them its impossible to know which version is currently being used.
    With Asset dependencies this gets even worse.
    There are also way too many assets using absolute paths which splatters them all around your project structure with now option to move them.

    Having Asset Store Assets as packages would:
    - Streamline updating
    - Manage dependencies
    - Deduplicate asset data
    - Allow proper license management
    - Make me use the Asset Store again

    Thanks,
    Pascal
     
    peaj_metric, Jun 16, 2023
    #1

  2. maximeb_unity

    maximeb_unity

    Unity Technologies

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2018
    Posts:
    481
    Hi Pascal!

    Thanks for reaching out and sharing this feedback. While I'm not at liberty to give you specifics about features that may or may not be in the works, I can assure you that we are aware of the pain points with the current Asset Store package format. The benefits you listed are pretty much on target.

    For now, I'd like to share news you'll hopefully find positive, even if not quite what you're looking for. Asset Store support improvements are included in the 2023.1 Beta, addressing some of your frustrations. For instance, the Package Manager can list which assets from a given Asset Store package is currently imported in the project and offers a way to easily and quickly remove them assets, which would be particularly useful for packages that do not follow good practices for file structure. The assets also include the version of the package from which they were imported, so you have more info to decide whether or not you want to keep or upgrade those assets and spend less time managing Asset Store assets imported all over your project.
     
    maximeb_unity, Jun 16, 2023
    #2