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Open Asset in Current Blender

Opens the source .blend file that backs the active asset, linked object, or collection instance in the running Blender session via wm.open_mainfile. Resolves the path from the Asset Browser context, an object's library, its data's library, an EMPTY collection instance, or a locally marked asset.

bl_idname: iops.open_asset_in_current_blender Mode: any Context: VIEW_3D / FILE_BROWSER (Asset Browser) Modal: no HUD: no

Overview

Jumps from an asset reference back to its authoring file without spawning a second Blender process. Useful when you want to edit the original asset source after spotting it in the Asset Browser, in a linked outliner entry, or as a collection instance dropped into the scene.

The path resolver checks, in order: the Asset Browser context.asset, the active object's library, the object data's library, an EMPTY of instance_type == 'COLLECTION' (collection library, then asset-marked collection in the current file), and finally an asset-marked active object in the current file. Files whose name ends in .asset.blend (Blender's asset-system managed files) are refused.

Usage

  • Hover the Asset Browser over an external (non-local) asset, or select an object/collection-instance whose source is a linked .blend, or select an object/collection marked as an asset in the saved current file.
  • Invoke via menu or operator search (F3). No default keymap binding.
  • The operator replaces the current session with the resolved .blend via wm.open_mainfile — unsaved changes will follow Blender's normal save prompt behaviour.

Poll messages

The poll fails with one of these reasons (also reported on execute if state changes):

Reason Message
browser_local Selected asset is contained in the current file
missing_file Asset library file not found
asset_blend_guard This file is managed by the asset system; manual edits should be avoided
no_active No active object
unsaved_blend Save the blend file to open it
no_external_asset Not a linked asset, collection instance, or marked asset

Notes

  • No properties; behaviour is fully driven by context.
  • Files ending in .asset.blend are intentionally blocked to discourage hand-editing asset-system-managed bundles.
  • For an asset marked in the current (unsaved) file, you must save first — the operator needs a real filepath to reopen.
  • wm.open_mainfile is not undoable; this is a session swap, not an edit.