feat: fix scene loading that it loads from disk if not already loaded

destrum/CMakeLists.txt

@@ -58,6 +58,8 @@ set(SRC_FILES
         "src/FS/AssetFS.cpp"
         "src/FS/Manifest.cpp"
 
+        "src/Assets/AssetManager.cpp"
+
         "src/Serialization/SceneSerializer.cpp"
         "src/Serialization/ComponentRegistry.cpp"
 

destrum/include/destrum/Assets/AssetManager.h

@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+#ifndef DESTRUM_ASSETMANAGER_H
+#define DESTRUM_ASSETMANAGER_H
+
+#include <filesystem>
+#include <string_view>
+#include <vector>
+
+#include <destrum/Graphics/SkeletalAnimation.h>
+#include <destrum/Graphics/Skeleton.h>
+#include <destrum/Assets/AssetReference.h>
+#include <destrum/Singleton.h>
+#include <spdlog/spdlog.h>
+#include <destrum/Util/ModelDoc.h>
+
+class AssetManager final : public Singleton<AssetManager> {
+public:
+    friend class Singleton<AssetManager>;
+
+    [[nodiscard]] std::filesystem::path Resolve(std::string_view reference) const;
+
+    [[nodiscard]] ModelDoc::ModelAsset LoadModel(
+        std::string_view reference,
+        const ModelDoc::LoadOptions& options = {}) const;
+
+    [[nodiscard]] std::vector<SkeletalAnimation> LoadAnimationClips(
+        std::string_view reference,
+        const Skeleton& targetSkeleton) const;
+
+private:
+    AssetManager() = default;
+};
+
+#endif // DESTRUM_ASSETMANAGER_H

destrum/include/destrum/Assets/AssetReference.h

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+#ifndef DESTRUM_ASSETREFERENCE_H
+#define DESTRUM_ASSETREFERENCE_H
+
+#include <optional>
+#include <string>
+#include <string_view>
+
+struct AssetReference {
+    std::string path;
+    std::string subresource;
+
+    [[nodiscard]] bool empty() const { return path.empty(); }
+
+    [[nodiscard]] std::string cacheKey() const {
+        return path.empty() ? std::string{} : path + "#" + subresource;
+    }
+
+    [[nodiscard]] static std::optional<AssetReference> fromCacheKey(
+        std::string_view key)
+    {
+        const auto separator = key.rfind('#');
+        if (separator == std::string_view::npos ||
+            separator == 0 ||
+            separator + 1 >= key.size()) {
+            return std::nullopt;
+        }
+
+        return AssetReference{
+            .path = std::string{key.substr(0, separator)},
+            .subresource = std::string{key.substr(separator + 1)},
+        };
+    }
+};
+
+#endif // DESTRUM_ASSETREFERENCE_H

destrum/include/destrum/Components/Animator.h

@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ public:
     void Deserialize(const nlohmann::json& data) override;
     void ImGuiInspector() override;
 
+    // The source reference is carried by the AssetManager-loaded clip.
     void addClip(std::shared_ptr<SkeletalAnimation> clip);
     void play(const std::string& name, float blendTime = 0.f);
     void stop();
@@ -41,10 +42,15 @@ public:
         return &m_skeleton;
     }
 
+    // A source reference is required when this Animator is saved to a scene.
     void setSkeleton(Skeleton skeleton) {
+        m_skeletonAsset = skeleton.assetReference;
         m_skeleton = std::move(skeleton);
+        m_referencesResolved = true;
     }
 
+    void ResolveReferences(const ObjectMap& objects) override;
+
 private:
     struct PlaybackState {
         SkeletalAnimation* clip  = nullptr;
@@ -59,14 +65,22 @@ private:
     float         m_blendT        = 0.f;
     float         m_blendDuration = 0.f;
     std::string   m_currentClipName;
+    std::string   m_previousClipName;
 
     std::unordered_map<std::string, std::shared_ptr<SkeletalAnimation>> m_clips;
+    std::vector<std::string> m_clipOrder;
+    std::unordered_map<std::string, AssetReference> m_clipAssets;
+    AssetReference m_skeletonAsset;
+    bool m_referencesResolved{true};
 
     std::vector<glm::mat4> computeJointMatrices(const Skeleton& skeleton);
 
     glm::vec3 sampleTranslation(const SkeletalAnimation::Track& track, float t);
     glm::quat sampleRotation   (const SkeletalAnimation::Track& track, float t);
     glm::vec3 sampleScale      (const SkeletalAnimation::Track& track, float t);
+
+    void RestorePlaybackState(const nlohmann::json& data);
+    void LoadAssetReferences();
 };
 
 #endif // ANIMATOR_H

destrum/include/destrum/Graphics/Caches/MaterialCache.h

@@ -28,10 +28,16 @@ public:
     void cleanup(GfxDevice& gfxDevice);
 
     MaterialID addMaterial(Material material);
+    MaterialID addSimpleColorMaterial(
+        glm::vec3 color,
+        std::string name = {});
     MaterialID addSimpleTextureMaterial(ImageID textureID);
     [[nodiscard]] const Material& getMaterial(MaterialID id) const;
     [[nodiscard]] const std::string& getMaterialKey(MaterialID id) const;
     [[nodiscard]] std::optional<MaterialID> findMaterialByKey(std::string_view key) const;
+    [[nodiscard]] std::optional<MaterialID> findMaterialByName(
+        std::string_view name,
+        std::string_view sourceReference = {}) const;
 
     [[nodiscard]] MaterialID getFreeMaterialId() const;
     [[nodiscard]] MaterialID getPlaceholderMaterialId() const;

destrum/include/destrum/Graphics/Material.h

@@ -2,7 +2,9 @@
 #define MATERIAL_H
 
 #include <string>
+#include <utility>
 #include <glm/glm.hpp>
+#include <destrum/Assets/AssetReference.h>
 
 struct alignas(16) MaterialData {
     alignas(16) glm::vec4 baseColor;
@@ -22,6 +24,19 @@ enum class TextureFilteringMode : std::uint32_t {
 };
 
 struct Material {
+    [[nodiscard]] static Material SimpleColor(
+        glm::vec3 color,
+        std::string materialName = {})
+    {
+        Material material{};
+        material.baseColor = color;
+        material.metallicFactor = 0.0f;
+        material.roughnessFactor = 1.0f;
+        material.emissiveFactor = 0.0f;
+        material.name = std::move(materialName);
+        return material;
+    }
+
     glm::vec3 baseColor{1.f, 1.f, 1.f};
     float metallicFactor{0.f};
     float roughnessFactor{0.7f};
@@ -35,6 +50,7 @@ struct Material {
     // ImageId emissiveTexture{NULL_IMAGE_ID};
 
     std::string name;
+    AssetReference assetReference;
 };
 
 #endif //MATERIAL_H

destrum/include/destrum/Graphics/RenderResources.h

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 
 #include <filesystem>
 #include <memory>
+#include <string_view>
 
 class GfxDevice;
 
@@ -44,6 +45,10 @@ public:
 
     ImageID addImageToCache(GPUImage image);
 
+    // Imports a file-backed model and uploads its mesh/material resources.
+    // References are keyed as "source#subresource" in the resource caches.
+    void loadModelAsset(GfxDevice& gfxDevice, std::string_view sourceReference);
+
     [[nodiscard]] const GPUImage& getImage(ImageID id) const;
 
     [[nodiscard]] ImageID getWhiteTextureID() const { return whiteImageId; }
@@ -72,4 +77,4 @@ private:
     ImageID defaultNormalImageId{NULL_IMAGE_ID};
 };
 
-#endif
+#endif

destrum/include/destrum/Graphics/Resources/Mesh.h

@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
 #include <destrum/Graphics/Resources/Buffer.h>
 #include <destrum/Graphics/Frustum.h>
 #include <destrum/Graphics/Skeleton.h>
+#include <destrum/Assets/AssetReference.h>
 
 // ─── CPU Mesh ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 struct CPUMesh {
@@ -36,6 +37,7 @@ struct CPUMesh {
     std::vector<SkinningData>  skinningData; // empty if no skeleton
 
     std::string name;
+    AssetReference assetReference;
 
     glm::vec3 minPos;
     glm::vec3 maxPos;
@@ -115,4 +117,4 @@ inline std::vector<std::uint32_t> indices = {
 
 } // namespace CubeMesh
 
-#endif // MESH_H
+#endif // MESH_H

destrum/include/destrum/Graphics/SkeletalAnimation.h

@@ -7,8 +7,11 @@
 
 #include <glm/gtc/quaternion.hpp>
 #include <glm/vec3.hpp>
+#include <destrum/Assets/AssetReference.h>
 
 struct SkeletalAnimation {
+    AssetReference assetReference;
+
     struct Keyframe {
         float time;
         glm::vec3 translation;
@@ -32,4 +35,4 @@ struct SkeletalAnimation {
     const std::vector<std::string>& getEventsForFrame(int frame) const;
 };
 
-#endif // SKELETALANIMATION_H
+#endif // SKELETALANIMATION_H

destrum/include/destrum/Graphics/Skeleton.h

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 #include <glm/gtc/matrix_transform.hpp>
 
 #include <destrum/Graphics/ids.h>
+#include <destrum/Assets/AssetReference.h>
 
 struct Joint {
     JointId   id{NULL_JOINT_ID};
@@ -19,6 +20,8 @@ struct Joint {
 };
 
 struct Skeleton {
+    AssetReference assetReference;
+
     struct JointNode {
         JointId id{NULL_JOINT_ID};
         std::vector<JointId> children;
@@ -55,4 +58,4 @@ inline void buildParentIndex(Skeleton& skeleton) {
     }
 }
 
-#endif // SKELETON_H
+#endif // SKELETON_H

destrum/include/destrum/Util/ModelDoc.h

@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@
 #include <glm/gtc/type_ptr.hpp>
 
 #include <destrum/Graphics/Resources/Mesh.h>
+#include <destrum/Assets/AssetReference.h>
 #include <destrum/Graphics/SkeletalAnimation.h>
 #include <destrum/Graphics/Skeleton.h>
 
@@ -91,6 +92,7 @@ struct TextureInfo {
 
 struct MaterialInfo {
     std::string name;
+    AssetReference assetReference;
 
     glm::vec4 baseColor{1.0f};
     glm::vec3 emissiveColor{0.0f};
@@ -1018,6 +1020,24 @@ static ModelAsset LoadModel(const std::string& path, const LoadOptions& options
         CollectMergedPerNodeMeshes(scene, model.skeleton, options, model.primitives);
     }
 
+    model.skeleton.assetReference.path = model.sourcePath;
+    for (std::size_t index = 0; index < model.primitives.size(); ++index) {
+        auto& primitive = model.primitives[index];
+        primitive.mesh.assetReference.path = model.sourcePath;
+        primitive.mesh.assetReference.subresource = primitive.sourceMeshIndex != InvalidIndex
+            ? "mesh:" + std::to_string(primitive.sourceMeshIndex)
+            : "primitive:" + std::to_string(index);
+    }
+    for (std::size_t index = 0; index < model.materials.size(); ++index) {
+        model.materials[index].assetReference.path = model.sourcePath;
+        model.materials[index].assetReference.subresource = "material:" + std::to_string(index);
+    }
+    for (std::size_t index = 0; index < model.animations.size(); ++index) {
+        auto& animation = model.animations[index];
+        animation.assetReference.path = model.sourcePath;
+        animation.assetReference.subresource = "animation:" + std::to_string(index);
+    }
+
     std::cout << "[ModelDoc] Loaded model: " << path
               << " | primitives: " << model.primitives.size()
               << " | materials: " << model.materials.size()
@@ -1121,7 +1141,13 @@ static const aiScene* LoadAnimationScene(
     Assimp::Importer importer;
     const aiScene* scene = LoadAnimationScene(importer, path);
 
-    return LoadAnimations(scene, targetSkeleton);
+    auto clips = LoadAnimations(scene, targetSkeleton);
+    for (std::size_t index = 0; index < clips.size(); ++index) {
+        auto& clip = clips[index];
+        clip.assetReference.path = path;
+        clip.assetReference.subresource = "animation:" + std::to_string(index);
+    }
+    return clips;
 }
 
 } // namespace ModelDoc

destrum/src/Assets/AssetManager.cpp

@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+#include <destrum/Assets/AssetManager.h>
+
+#include <stdexcept>
+
+#include <destrum/FS/AssetFS.h>
+
+namespace {
+    std::string ToReference(std::string_view reference) {
+        if (reference.empty()) {
+            throw std::invalid_argument("Asset reference cannot be empty");
+        }
+        return std::string{reference};
+    }
+}
+
+std::filesystem::path AssetManager::Resolve(std::string_view reference) const {
+    const std::string value = ToReference(reference);
+    if (value.find("://") != std::string::npos) {
+        return AssetFS::GetInstance().GetFullPath(value);
+    }
+
+    const std::filesystem::path path{value};
+    if (path.is_absolute()) {
+        return path;
+    }
+    throw std::invalid_argument(
+        "Non-virtual asset references must be absolute: " + value);
+}
+
+ModelDoc::ModelAsset AssetManager::LoadModel(
+    std::string_view reference,
+    const ModelDoc::LoadOptions& options) const
+{
+    const std::string sourceReference = ToReference(reference);
+    ModelDoc::ModelAsset model = ModelDoc::LoadModel(
+        Resolve(sourceReference).generic_string(),
+        options);
+
+    model.sourcePath = sourceReference;
+    model.skeleton.assetReference.path = sourceReference;
+    for (std::size_t index = 0; index < model.primitives.size(); ++index) {
+        auto& primitive = model.primitives[index];
+        primitive.mesh.assetReference.path = sourceReference;
+        primitive.mesh.assetReference.subresource = primitive.sourceMeshIndex != ModelDoc::InvalidIndex
+            ? "mesh:" + std::to_string(primitive.sourceMeshIndex)
+            : "primitive:" + std::to_string(index);
+    }
+    for (std::size_t index = 0; index < model.materials.size(); ++index) {
+        auto& material = model.materials[index];
+        material.assetReference.path = sourceReference;
+        material.assetReference.subresource = "material:" + std::to_string(index);
+    }
+    for (std::size_t index = 0; index < model.animations.size(); ++index) {
+        auto& animation = model.animations[index];
+        animation.assetReference.path = sourceReference;
+        animation.assetReference.subresource = "animation:" + std::to_string(index);
+    }
+
+    return model;
+}
+
+std::vector<SkeletalAnimation> AssetManager::LoadAnimationClips(
+    std::string_view reference,
+    const Skeleton& targetSkeleton) const
+{
+    const std::string sourceReference = ToReference(reference);
+    auto clips = ModelDoc::LoadAnimationClips(
+        Resolve(sourceReference).generic_string(),
+        targetSkeleton);
+    for (std::size_t index = 0; index < clips.size(); ++index) {
+        auto& clip = clips[index];
+        clip.assetReference.path = sourceReference;
+        clip.assetReference.subresource = "animation:" + std::to_string(index);
+    }
+    return clips;
+}

destrum/src/Components/Animator.cpp

@@ -1,56 +1,45 @@
 #include <destrum/Components/Animator.h>
+#include <destrum/Assets/AssetManager.h>
 #include <destrum/Graphics/Pipelines/SkinningPipeline.h>
 #include <destrum/ObjectModel/GameObject.h>
+#include "spdlog/spdlog.h"
 #include <destrum/Util/DeltaTime.h>
 
 #include <glm/gtc/matrix_transform.hpp>
 #include <glm/gtc/quaternion.hpp>
-
+#include <algorithm>
-#include "spdlog/spdlog.h"
+#include <optional>
+#include <sstream>
 
 namespace {
-    nlohmann::json Vec3Json(const glm::vec3& value) {
+    std::optional<std::size_t> ParseAnimationIndex(const AssetReference& asset)
-        return {value.x, value.y, value.z};
+    {
-    }
+        constexpr std::string_view prefix = "animation:";
-
+        if (asset.subresource.rfind(prefix, 0) != 0 ||
-    glm::vec3 ReadVec3(const nlohmann::json& value) {
+            asset.subresource.size() == prefix.size()) {
-        return {value.at(0).get<float>(), value.at(1).get<float>(), value.at(2).get<float>()};
+            return std::nullopt;
-    }
+        }
-
+
-    nlohmann::json QuatJson(const glm::quat& value) {
+        try {
-        return {value.x, value.y, value.z, value.w};
+            return std::stoull(asset.subresource.substr(prefix.size()));
-    }
+        } catch (const std::exception&) {
-
+            return std::nullopt;
-    glm::quat ReadQuat(const nlohmann::json& value) {
-        return {
-            value.at(3).get<float>(),
-            value.at(0).get<float>(),
-            value.at(1).get<float>(),
-            value.at(2).get<float>()
-        };
-    }
-
-    nlohmann::json Mat4Json(const glm::mat4& value) {
-        nlohmann::json result = nlohmann::json::array();
-        for (std::size_t column = 0; column < 4; ++column) {
-        for (std::size_t row = 0; row < 4; ++row) {
-            result.push_back(value[static_cast<glm::mat4::length_type>(column)]
-                                  [static_cast<glm::mat4::length_type>(row)]);
-            }
         }
-        return result;
     }
 
-    glm::mat4 ReadMat4(const nlohmann::json& value) {
+    std::string FormatAvailableClips(
-        glm::mat4 result{1.0f};
+        const std::vector<SkeletalAnimation>& clips)
-        for (std::size_t column = 0; column < 4; ++column) {
+    {
-            for (std::size_t row = 0; row < 4; ++row) {
+        std::ostringstream result;
-                result[static_cast<glm::mat4::length_type>(column)]
+        result << "[";
-                      [static_cast<glm::mat4::length_type>(row)] =
+        for (std::size_t index = 0; index < clips.size(); ++index) {
-                    value.at(column * 4 + row).get<float>();
+            if (index != 0) {
+                result << ", ";
             }
+            result << '\'' << clips[index].name << '\'';
         }
-        return result;
+        result << "]";
+        return result.str();
     }
 }
 
@@ -58,60 +47,40 @@ Animator::Animator(GameObject& parent)
     : Component(parent, "Animator") {}
 
 nlohmann::json Animator::Serialize() const {
-    nlohmann::json skeleton;
+    if (!m_skeleton.joints.empty() && m_skeletonAsset.empty()) {
-    skeleton["hierarchy"] = nlohmann::json::array();
+        throw std::runtime_error(
-    for (const auto& node : m_skeleton.hierarchy) {
+            "Animator cannot be saved without a skeleton asset reference");
-        skeleton["hierarchy"].push_back({
-            {"id", node.id},
-            {"children", node.children}
-        });
     }
-    skeleton["inverseBindMatrices"] = nlohmann::json::array();
-    for (const auto& matrix : m_skeleton.inverseBindMatrices) {
-        skeleton["inverseBindMatrices"].push_back(Mat4Json(matrix));
-    }
-    skeleton["joints"] = nlohmann::json::array();
-    for (const auto& joint : m_skeleton.joints) {
-        skeleton["joints"].push_back({
-            {"id", joint.id},
-            {"translation", Vec3Json(joint.localTranslation)},
-            {"rotation", QuatJson(joint.localRotation)},
-            {"scale", Vec3Json(joint.localScale)}
-        });
-    }
-    skeleton["jointNames"] = m_skeleton.jointNames;
-    skeleton["parentIndex"] = m_skeleton.parentIndex;
-    skeleton["rootPreTransform"] = Mat4Json(m_skeleton.rootPreTransform);
 
-    nlohmann::json clips = nlohmann::json::array();
+    nlohmann::json animations = nlohmann::json::array();
+    const auto appendAnimation = [&animations, this](const std::string& name) {
+        const auto clipIt = m_clips.find(name);
+        if (clipIt == m_clips.end()) {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        const auto& clip = clipIt->second;
+        if (clip->assetReference.empty()) {
+            throw std::runtime_error(
+                "Animator clip has no asset reference: " + name);
+        }
+        animations.push_back({
+            {"clip", name},
+            {"asset", {
+                {"path", clip->assetReference.path},
+                {"subresource", clip->assetReference.subresource}
+            }}
+        });
+    };
+
+    for (const auto& name : m_clipOrder) {
+        appendAnimation(name);
+    }
     for (const auto& [name, clip] : m_clips) {
-        nlohmann::json clipJson{
+        (void)clip;
-            {"name", name},
+        if (std::find(m_clipOrder.begin(), m_clipOrder.end(), name) == m_clipOrder.end()) {
-            {"duration", clip->duration},
+            appendAnimation(name);
-            {"looped", clip->looped},
-            {"startFrame", clip->startFrame},
-            {"tracks", nlohmann::json::array()},
-            {"events", nlohmann::json::object()}
-        };
-        for (const auto& track : clip->tracks) {
-            nlohmann::json trackJson{
-                {"jointIndex", track.jointIndex},
-                {"keyframes", nlohmann::json::array()}
-            };
-            for (const auto& keyframe : track.keyframes) {
-                trackJson["keyframes"].push_back({
-                    {"time", keyframe.time},
-                    {"translation", Vec3Json(keyframe.translation)},
-                    {"rotation", QuatJson(keyframe.rotation)},
-                    {"scale", Vec3Json(keyframe.scale)}
-                });
-            }
-            clipJson["tracks"].push_back(std::move(trackJson));
         }
-        for (const auto& [frame, events] : clip->events) {
-            clipJson["events"][std::to_string(frame)] = events;
-        }
-        clips.push_back(std::move(clipJson));
     }
 
     const auto playback = [](const PlaybackState& state, const std::string& name) {
@@ -123,10 +92,15 @@ nlohmann::json Animator::Serialize() const {
     };
 
     return {
-        {"skeleton", std::move(skeleton)},
+        {"assetReferences", {
-        {"clips", std::move(clips)},
+            {"skeleton", {
+                {"path", m_skeletonAsset.path},
+                {"subresource", m_skeletonAsset.subresource}
+            }},
+            {"animations", std::move(animations)}
+        }},
         {"current", playback(m_current, m_currentClipName)},
-        {"previous", playback(m_previous, m_previous.clip ? m_previous.clip->name : std::string{})},
+        {"previous", playback(m_previous, m_previousClipName)},
         {"blendT", m_blendT},
         {"blendDuration", m_blendDuration}
     };
@@ -135,94 +109,196 @@ nlohmann::json Animator::Serialize() const {
 void Animator::Deserialize(const nlohmann::json& data) {
     m_skeleton = {};
     m_clips.clear();
+    m_clipOrder.clear();
+    m_clipAssets.clear();
+    m_skeletonAsset = {};
     m_current = {};
     m_previous = {};
     m_currentClipName.clear();
+    m_previousClipName.clear();
+    m_referencesResolved = true;
 
-    if (data.contains("skeleton")) {
+    if (!data.contains("assetReferences") || !data.at("assetReferences").is_object()) {
-        const auto& skeleton = data.at("skeleton");
+        throw std::runtime_error("Animator data must contain assetReferences");
-        for (const auto& node : skeleton.value("hierarchy", nlohmann::json::array())) {
+    }
-            m_skeleton.hierarchy.push_back({
+    const auto& references = data.at("assetReferences");
-                node.at("id").get<JointId>(),
+    const auto& skeleton = references.at("skeleton");
-                node.value("children", std::vector<JointId>{})
+    m_skeletonAsset.path = skeleton.value("path", std::string{});
+    m_skeletonAsset.subresource = skeleton.value("subresource", std::string{});
+    for (const auto& animation : references.value("animations", nlohmann::json::array())) {
+        const std::string name = animation.at("clip").get<std::string>();
+        const auto& asset = animation.at("asset");
+        m_clipAssets.insert_or_assign(
+            name,
+            AssetReference{
+                asset.at("path").get<std::string>(),
+                asset.value("subresource", std::string{})
             });
-        }
+        if (std::find(m_clipOrder.begin(), m_clipOrder.end(), name) == m_clipOrder.end()) {
-        for (const auto& matrix : skeleton.value("inverseBindMatrices", nlohmann::json::array())) {
+            m_clipOrder.push_back(name);
-            m_skeleton.inverseBindMatrices.push_back(ReadMat4(matrix));
-        }
-        for (const auto& joint : skeleton.value("joints", nlohmann::json::array())) {
-            m_skeleton.joints.push_back({
-                joint.at("id").get<JointId>(),
-                ReadVec3(joint.at("translation")),
-                ReadQuat(joint.at("rotation")),
-                ReadVec3(joint.at("scale"))
-            });
-        }
-        m_skeleton.jointNames = skeleton.value("jointNames", std::vector<std::string>{});
-        m_skeleton.parentIndex = skeleton.value("parentIndex", std::vector<int>{});
-        if (skeleton.contains("rootPreTransform")) {
-            m_skeleton.rootPreTransform = ReadMat4(skeleton.at("rootPreTransform"));
-        }
-        if (m_skeleton.parentIndex.size() != m_skeleton.joints.size()) {
-            buildParentIndex(m_skeleton);
         }
     }
+    m_referencesResolved = m_skeletonAsset.empty() && m_clipAssets.empty();
+    RestorePlaybackState(data);
+}
 
-    for (const auto& clipJson : data.value("clips", nlohmann::json::array())) {
+void Animator::RestorePlaybackState(const nlohmann::json& data) {
-        auto clip = std::make_shared<SkeletalAnimation>();
-        clip->name = clipJson.at("name").get<std::string>();
-        clip->duration = clipJson.value("duration", 0.0f);
-        clip->looped = clipJson.value("looped", true);
-        clip->startFrame = clipJson.value("startFrame", 0);
-        for (const auto& trackJson : clipJson.value("tracks", nlohmann::json::array())) {
-            SkeletalAnimation::Track track;
-            track.jointIndex = trackJson.at("jointIndex").get<std::uint32_t>();
-            for (const auto& keyframeJson : trackJson.value("keyframes", nlohmann::json::array())) {
-                track.keyframes.push_back({
-                    keyframeJson.at("time").get<float>(),
-                    ReadVec3(keyframeJson.at("translation")),
-                    ReadQuat(keyframeJson.at("rotation")),
-                    ReadVec3(keyframeJson.at("scale"))
-                });
-            }
-            clip->tracks.push_back(std::move(track));
-        }
-        if (clipJson.contains("events")) {
-            for (auto it = clipJson.at("events").begin(); it != clipJson.at("events").end(); ++it) {
-                clip->events[std::stoi(it.key())] = it.value().get<std::vector<std::string>>();
-            }
-        }
-        m_clips[clip->name] = std::move(clip);
-    }
-
     const auto restorePlayback = [this](const nlohmann::json& playback, PlaybackState& state,
-                                         std::string* clipName) {
+                                         std::string& clipName) {
         const std::string name = playback.value("clip", std::string{});
         state.time = playback.value("time", 0.0f);
         state.speed = playback.value("speed", 1.0f);
         state.clip = nullptr;
-        if (!name.empty()) {
+        if (!name.empty() && m_referencesResolved) {
             const auto it = m_clips.find(name);
             if (it == m_clips.end()) {
                 throw std::runtime_error("Animator clip not found: " + name);
             }
             state.clip = it->second.get();
         }
-        if (clipName != nullptr) {
+        clipName = name;
-            *clipName = name;
-        }
     };
 
     if (data.contains("current")) {
-        restorePlayback(data.at("current"), m_current, &m_currentClipName);
+        restorePlayback(data.at("current"), m_current, m_currentClipName);
     }
     if (data.contains("previous")) {
-        restorePlayback(data.at("previous"), m_previous, nullptr);
+        restorePlayback(data.at("previous"), m_previous, m_previousClipName);
     }
     m_blendT = data.value("blendT", 0.0f);
     m_blendDuration = data.value("blendDuration", 0.0f);
 }
 
+void Animator::ResolveReferences(const ObjectMap&) {
+    LoadAssetReferences();
+}
+
+void Animator::LoadAssetReferences() {
+    if (m_referencesResolved) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    if (m_skeletonAsset.empty()) {
+        throw std::runtime_error("Animator asset references have no skeleton source");
+    }
+
+    ModelDoc::LoadOptions options{};
+    options.meshImportMode = ModelDoc::MeshImportMode::MergedPerNode;
+    options.loadMaterials = false;
+    options.loadSkeleton = true;
+    options.loadAnimations = false;
+
+    auto skeletonAsset = AssetManager::GetInstance().LoadModel(m_skeletonAsset.path, options);
+    if (skeletonAsset.skeleton.joints.empty()) {
+        throw std::runtime_error("Animator skeleton source has no joints: " + m_skeletonAsset.path);
+    }
+    m_skeleton = std::move(skeletonAsset.skeleton);
+    m_skeleton.assetReference = m_skeletonAsset;
+
+    std::unordered_map<std::string, std::vector<std::string>> requestedBySource;
+    for (const auto& name : m_clipOrder) {
+        const auto assetIt = m_clipAssets.find(name);
+        if (assetIt != m_clipAssets.end()) {
+            requestedBySource[assetIt->second.path].push_back(name);
+        }
+    }
+    for (const auto& [name, asset] : m_clipAssets) {
+        if (std::find(m_clipOrder.begin(), m_clipOrder.end(), name) == m_clipOrder.end()) {
+            requestedBySource[asset.path].push_back(name);
+        }
+    }
+
+    m_clips.clear();
+    for (const auto& [source, requestedNames] : requestedBySource) {
+        auto clips = AssetManager::GetInstance().LoadAnimationClips(source, m_skeleton);
+        std::unordered_map<std::string, std::size_t> clipIndicesByName;
+        for (std::size_t index = 0; index < clips.size(); ++index) {
+            clipIndicesByName.emplace(clips[index].name, index);
+        }
+
+        for (const std::string& requestedName : requestedNames) {
+            const auto sourceIt = m_clipAssets.find(requestedName);
+            if (sourceIt == m_clipAssets.end()) {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            std::optional<std::size_t> clipIndex =
+                ParseAnimationIndex(sourceIt->second);
+
+            if (clipIndex && *clipIndex >= clips.size()) {
+                clipIndex = std::nullopt;
+            }
+
+            if (!clipIndex) {
+                const auto nameIt = clipIndicesByName.find(requestedName);
+                if (nameIt != clipIndicesByName.end()) {
+                    clipIndex = nameIt->second;
+                }
+            }
+
+            // Older scene files did not store animation subresources. If the
+            // source contains exactly one clip, it is unambiguous even when
+            // the imported name changed between loader versions.
+            if (!clipIndex && clips.size() == 1 && requestedNames.size() == 1) {
+                clipIndex = 0;
+            }
+
+            if (!clipIndex && clips.size() == requestedNames.size()) {
+                const auto requestedIt = std::find(
+                    requestedNames.begin(),
+                    requestedNames.end(),
+                    requestedName);
+                if (requestedIt != requestedNames.end()) {
+                    clipIndex = static_cast<std::size_t>(
+                        std::distance(requestedNames.begin(), requestedIt));
+                }
+            }
+
+            if (!clipIndex) {
+                throw std::runtime_error(
+                    "Animator clip was not found in its source: " + requestedName +
+                    ". Available clips: " + FormatAvailableClips(clips));
+            }
+
+            auto clip = std::move(clips[*clipIndex]);
+            AssetReference resolvedReference = sourceIt->second;
+            if (resolvedReference.subresource.empty()) {
+                resolvedReference.subresource = clip.assetReference.subresource;
+            }
+
+            // The serialized name is the stable scene-facing name. Keep it
+            // even when the importer supplied a different display name.
+            clip.name = requestedName;
+            clip.assetReference = std::move(resolvedReference);
+            m_clips[requestedName] =
+                std::make_shared<SkeletalAnimation>(std::move(clip));
+        }
+    }
+
+    for (const auto& [name, asset] : m_clipAssets) {
+        (void)asset;
+        if (!m_clips.contains(name)) {
+            throw std::runtime_error("Animator clip was not found in its source: " + name);
+        }
+    }
+
+    m_referencesResolved = true;
+    RestorePlaybackState({
+        {"current", {
+            {"clip", m_currentClipName},
+            {"time", m_current.time},
+            {"speed", m_current.speed}
+        }},
+        {"previous", {
+            {"clip", m_previousClipName},
+            {"time", m_previous.time},
+            {"speed", m_previous.speed}
+        }},
+        {"blendT", m_blendT},
+        {"blendDuration", m_blendDuration}
+    });
+}
+
 void Animator::Update(float dt) {
     if (!m_current.clip) return;
 
@@ -245,6 +321,7 @@ void Animator::Update(float dt) {
         if (m_blendT >= 1.f) {
             m_blendT   = 1.f;
             m_previous = {};
+            m_previousClipName.clear();
         }
     }
 }
@@ -271,7 +348,17 @@ void Animator::ImGuiInspector() {
 }
 
 void Animator::addClip(std::shared_ptr<SkeletalAnimation> clip) {
-    m_clips[clip->name] = std::move(clip);
+    if (!clip) {
+        return;
+    }
+    const std::string name = clip->name;
+    if (!m_clips.contains(name)) {
+        m_clipOrder.push_back(name);
+    }
+    if (!clip->assetReference.empty()) {
+        m_clipAssets[name] = clip->assetReference;
+    }
+    m_clips[name] = std::move(clip);
 }
 
 void Animator::play(const std::string& name, float blendTime) {
@@ -290,10 +377,12 @@ void Animator::play(const std::string& name, float blendTime) {
 
     if (m_current.clip && blendTime > 0.f) {
         m_previous      = m_current;
+        m_previousClipName = m_currentClipName;
         m_blendT        = 0.f;
         m_blendDuration = blendTime;
     } else {
         m_previous = {};
+        m_previousClipName.clear();
         m_blendT   = 1.f;
     }
 
@@ -305,6 +394,7 @@ void Animator::stop() {
     m_current         = {};
     m_previous        = {};
     m_currentClipName = {};
+    m_previousClipName = {};
 }
 
 std::size_t Animator::uploadJointMatrices(const RenderContext& ctx, const Skeleton& skeleton, std::size_t frameIndex) {

destrum/src/Components/MeshRendererComponent.cpp

@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
 #include <destrum/Components/MeshRendererComponent.h>
+#include <destrum/Assets/AssetReference.h>
+#include <destrum/Graphics/GfxDevice.h>
+#include <destrum/Graphics/Renderer.h>
 #include <destrum/ObjectModel/Transform.h>
 
 #include "destrum/Components/Animator.h"
@@ -79,19 +82,53 @@ void MeshRendererComponent::ResolveReferences(const ObjectMap&) {
         return;
     }
 
+    const auto loadAssetForKey = [&](const std::string& key) {
+        const auto asset = AssetReference::fromCacheKey(key);
+        if (!asset) {
+            return;
+        }
+        if (!GameState::GetInstance().HasGfxDevice()) {
+            throw std::runtime_error(
+                "Cannot load mesh asset without a graphics device: " + asset->path);
+        }
+
+        resources->loadModelAsset(GameState::GetInstance().Gfx(), asset->path);
+    };
+
     if (!meshKey.empty()) {
-        const auto resolved = resources->meshes().findMeshByKey(meshKey);
+        auto resolved = resources->meshes().findMeshByKey(meshKey);
+        if (!resolved) {
+            loadAssetForKey(meshKey);
+            resolved = resources->meshes().findMeshByKey(meshKey);
+        }
         if (!resolved) {
             throw std::runtime_error("Mesh resource not found: " + meshKey);
         }
         meshID = *resolved;
     }
     if (!materialKey.empty()) {
-        const auto resolved = resources->materials().findMaterialByKey(materialKey);
+        auto resolved = resources->materials().findMaterialByKey(materialKey);
+        if (!resolved) {
+            loadAssetForKey(materialKey);
+            resolved = resources->materials().findMaterialByKey(materialKey);
+        }
+
+        if (!resolved) {
+            const auto meshAsset = AssetReference::fromCacheKey(meshKey);
+            resolved = resources->materials().findMaterialByName(
+                materialKey,
+                meshAsset ? meshAsset->path : std::string_view{});
+        }
+
+        if (!resolved) {
+            resolved = resources->materials().findMaterialByName(materialKey);
+        }
+
         if (!resolved) {
             throw std::runtime_error("Material resource not found: " + materialKey);
         }
         materialID = *resolved;
+        materialKey = resources->materials().getMaterialKey(*resolved);
     }
 
     if (meshID != NULL_MESH_ID && meshKey.empty()) {

destrum/src/Graphics/Caches/MaterialCache.cpp

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 #include <algorithm>
 #include <string>
 #include <stdexcept>
+#include <utility>
 
 void MaterialCache::init(
     GfxDevice& gfxDevice,
@@ -26,9 +27,9 @@ void MaterialCache::init(
             materialDataBuffer.buffer,
             "material data");
 
-        Material placeholderMaterial{};
+        Material placeholderMaterial = Material::SimpleColor(
-        placeholderMaterial.name = "PLACEHOLDER_MATERIAL";
+            glm::vec3{1.0f},
-        placeholderMaterial.diffuseTexture = defaultTextures.white;
+            "PLACEHOLDER_MATERIAL");
 
         placeholderMaterialId = addMaterial(placeholderMaterial);
         gfxDevice.getMemoryManager().flushAllocation(materialDataBuffer);
@@ -104,9 +105,14 @@ MaterialID MaterialCache::addMaterial(Material material)
     // exact range after batching updates.
 
     const auto materialId = static_cast<MaterialID>(materials.size());
-    std::string key = material.name.empty()
+    std::string key;
-        ? "material:" + std::to_string(materialId)
+    if (!material.assetReference.empty()) {
-        : material.name;
+        key = material.assetReference.cacheKey();
+    } else {
+        key = material.name.empty()
+            ? "material:" + std::to_string(materialId)
+            : material.name;
+    }
     const std::string baseKey = key;
     std::size_t suffix = 1;
     while (std::find(materialKeys.begin(), materialKeys.end(), key) != materialKeys.end()) {
@@ -121,13 +127,17 @@ MaterialID MaterialCache::addMaterial(Material material)
 
 MaterialID MaterialCache::addSimpleTextureMaterial(ImageID textureID)
 {
-    Material material{};
+    Material material = Material::SimpleColor(
-    material.name = "simple texture material";
+        glm::vec3{1.0f},
+        "simple texture material");
     material.diffuseTexture = textureID;
-    material.metallicFactor = 0.0f;
-    material.roughnessFactor = 1.0f;
 
-    return addMaterial(material);
+    return addMaterial(std::move(material));
+}
+
+MaterialID MaterialCache::addSimpleColorMaterial(glm::vec3 color, std::string name)
+{
+    return addMaterial(Material::SimpleColor(std::move(color), std::move(name)));
 }
 
 const Material& MaterialCache::getMaterial(MaterialID id) const
@@ -149,6 +159,37 @@ std::optional<MaterialID> MaterialCache::findMaterialByKey(std::string_view key)
     return static_cast<MaterialID>(std::distance(materialKeys.begin(), it));
 }
 
+std::optional<MaterialID> MaterialCache::findMaterialByName(
+    std::string_view name,
+    std::string_view sourceReference) const
+{
+    std::optional<MaterialID> fallback;
+    for (MaterialID id = 0; id < materials.size(); ++id) {
+        const auto& material = materials[id];
+        if (material.name != name) {
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        if (sourceReference.empty()) {
+            return id;
+        }
+
+        if (!material.assetReference.empty() &&
+            material.assetReference.path == sourceReference) {
+            return id;
+        }
+
+        // A manually-created material may have the same name but no source
+        // reference. Keep it as a fallback for scenes saved before canonical
+        // file-backed material keys were introduced.
+        if (!fallback.has_value() && material.assetReference.empty()) {
+            fallback = id;
+        }
+    }
+
+    return fallback;
+}
+
 MaterialID MaterialCache::getFreeMaterialId() const
 {
     return static_cast<MaterialID>(materials.size());

destrum/src/Graphics/MeshCache.cpp

@@ -32,9 +32,14 @@ MeshID MeshCache::addMesh(GfxDevice& gfxDevice, const CPUMesh& cpuMesh)
     const auto id = meshes.size();
     meshes.push_back(std::move(gpuMesh));
     cpuMeshes.push_back(cpuMesh);        // store a copy of the CPU mesh
-    std::string key = cpuMesh.name.empty()
+    std::string key;
-        ? "mesh:" + std::to_string(id)
+    if (!cpuMesh.assetReference.empty()) {
-        : cpuMesh.name;
+        key = cpuMesh.assetReference.cacheKey();
+    } else {
+        key = cpuMesh.name.empty()
+            ? "mesh:" + std::to_string(id)
+            : cpuMesh.name;
+    }
     const std::string baseKey = key;
     std::size_t suffix = 1;
     while (std::find(meshKeys.begin(), meshKeys.end(), key) != meshKeys.end()) {

destrum/src/Graphics/RenderResources.cpp

@@ -1,11 +1,35 @@
 #include <destrum/Graphics/RenderResources.h>
 
+#include <destrum/Assets/AssetManager.h>
 #include <destrum/Graphics/GfxDevice.h>
 #include <destrum/Graphics/Util.h>
 
 #include "volk.h"
 #include "spdlog/spdlog.h"
 
+#include <algorithm>
+#include <array>
+#include <utility>
+
+namespace {
+    const ModelDoc::TextureInfo* FindDiffuseTexture(
+        const ModelDoc::MaterialInfo& material)
+    {
+        for (const auto semantic : std::array{
+            ModelDoc::TextureSemantic::BaseColor,
+            ModelDoc::TextureSemantic::Diffuse,
+        }) {
+            for (const auto& texture : material.textures) {
+                if (texture.semantic == semantic) {
+                    return &texture;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        return nullptr;
+    }
+}
+
 RenderResources::RenderResources() = default;
 
 void RenderResources::init(GfxDevice& gfxDevice)
@@ -175,6 +199,61 @@ ImageID RenderResources::addImageToCache(GPUImage image) {
     return imageCache->addImage(std::move(image));
 }
 
+void RenderResources::loadModelAsset(
+    GfxDevice& gfxDevice,
+    std::string_view sourceReference)
+{
+    ModelDoc::LoadOptions options{};
+    options.meshImportMode = ModelDoc::MeshImportMode::MergedPerNode;
+    options.loadMaterials = true;
+    options.loadSkeleton = true;
+    options.loadAnimations = false;
+
+    const auto model = AssetManager::GetInstance().LoadModel(
+        sourceReference,
+        options);
+
+    for (const auto& primitive : model.primitives) {
+        const std::string key = primitive.mesh.assetReference.cacheKey();
+        if (!key.empty() && meshes().findMeshByKey(key).has_value()) {
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        meshes().addMesh(gfxDevice, primitive.mesh);
+    }
+
+    for (const auto& sourceMaterial : model.materials) {
+        const std::string key = sourceMaterial.assetReference.cacheKey();
+        if (!key.empty() && materials().findMaterialByKey(key).has_value()) {
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        Material material = Material::SimpleColor(
+            glm::vec3{sourceMaterial.baseColor},
+            sourceMaterial.name);
+        material.assetReference = sourceMaterial.assetReference;
+        material.metallicFactor = sourceMaterial.metallicFactor;
+        material.roughnessFactor = sourceMaterial.roughnessFactor;
+        material.emissiveFactor = std::max({
+            sourceMaterial.emissiveColor.x,
+            sourceMaterial.emissiveColor.y,
+            sourceMaterial.emissiveColor.z,
+        });
+
+        if (const auto* texture = FindDiffuseTexture(sourceMaterial);
+            texture != nullptr && !texture->embedded && !texture->path.empty()) {
+            material.diffuseTexture = loadImageFromFile(
+                gfxDevice,
+                std::filesystem::path{texture->path},
+                VK_IMAGE_USAGE_SAMPLED_BIT,
+                false,
+                TextureIntent::ColorSrgb);
+        }
+
+        materials().addMaterial(std::move(material));
+    }
+}
+
 BindlessSetManager& RenderResources::getBindlessSetManager() {
     return imageCache->bindlessSetManager;
 }

lightkeeper/include/Lightkeeper.h

@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ private:
 
     GameObject* capybara = nullptr;
 
-    char scenePath[512]{"game://scenes/debug_scene.json"};
+    char scenePath[512]{"scenes/debug_scene.json"};
     char newSceneName[128]{"EmptyScene"};
     std::string sceneStatus;
 };

lightkeeper/src/Lightkeeper.cpp

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #include "Lightkeeper.h"
 
 #include <destrum/FS/AssetFS.h>
+#include <destrum/Assets/AssetManager.h>
 #include "glm/gtx/transform.hpp"
 #include "spdlog/spdlog.h"
 #include <destrum/Components/Physics/Rigidbody.h>
@@ -27,7 +28,9 @@
 #include "destrum/Util/ModelDocUtils.h"
 
 namespace {
-    std::filesystem::path ResolveScenePath(std::string_view value) {
+    std::filesystem::path ResolveScenePath(
+        std::string_view value,
+        const std::filesystem::path& exeDir) {
         if (value.empty()) {
             throw std::invalid_argument("Scene path cannot be empty");
         }
@@ -36,7 +39,8 @@ namespace {
             return AssetFS::GetInstance().GetFullPath(value);
         }
 
-        return std::filesystem::path{value};
+        const std::filesystem::path path{value};
+        return path.is_absolute() ? path : exeDir / path;
     }
 }
 
@@ -68,37 +72,6 @@ void LightKeeper::customInit()
     staticModelOptions.loadSkeleton = false;
     staticModelOptions.loadAnimations = false;
 
-    auto kittyModel = ModelDoc::LoadModel(
-        AssetFS::GetInstance().GetFullPath("game://kitty.glb").generic_string(),
-        staticModelOptions
-    );
-    ModelDocUtils::LogModelDocSummary(kittyModel, "kitty.glb");
-
-    const auto& kittyPrimitive = ModelDocUtils::GetFirstPrimitiveOrThrow(kittyModel, "game://kitty.glb");
-    auto testMesh = kittyPrimitive.mesh;
-    testMesh.name = "Test Mesh";
-
-    auto testMeshID = resources.meshes().addMesh(gfxDevice, testMesh);
-    spdlog::info("TestMesh uploaded with id: {}", testMeshID);
-
-    const auto testTexturePath = ModelDocUtils::PickTexturePath(
-        kittyModel,
-        kittyPrimitive,
-        AssetFS::GetInstance().GetFullPath("game://kitty.png")
-    );
-
-    const auto testimgID = resources.loadImageFromFile(gfxDevice, testTexturePath);
-    spdlog::info("Test image loaded from '{}' with id: {}", testTexturePath.generic_string(), testimgID);
-
-    auto testMaterialID = resources.materials().addMaterial({
-                                                        .baseColor = ModelDocUtils::GetImportedBaseColor(
-                                                            kittyModel, kittyPrimitive),
-                                                        .diffuseTexture = testimgID,
-                                                        .name = ModelDocUtils::GetImportedMaterialName(
-                                                            kittyModel, kittyPrimitive, "TestMaterial"),
-                                                    });
-    spdlog::info("Test material created with id: {}", testMaterialID);
-
     camera.SetRotation(glm::radians(glm::vec2(90.f, 0.f)));
 
     auto& scene = SceneManager::GetInstance().CreateScene("Main");
@@ -168,64 +141,64 @@ void LightKeeper::customInit()
     characterModelOptions.loadSkeleton = true;
     characterModelOptions.loadAnimations = true;
 
-    auto charModel = ModelDoc::LoadModel(
+    // auto charModel = ModelDoc::LoadModel(
-        AssetFS::GetInstance().GetFullPath("engine://cotw-capybara-male/source/capybara.fbx").generic_string(),
+    //     AssetFS::GetInstance().GetFullPath("engine://cotw-capybara-male/source/capybara.fbx").generic_string(),
-        characterModelOptions
+    //     characterModelOptions
-    );
+    // );
-    ModelDocUtils::LogModelDocSummary(charModel, "capybara.fbx");
+    // ModelDocUtils::LogModelDocSummary(charModel, "capybara.fbx");
-
+    //
-    const auto& charPrimitive = ModelDocUtils::GetFirstSkinnedPrimitiveOrFirstOrThrow(
+    // const auto& charPrimitive = ModelDocUtils::GetFirstSkinnedPrimitiveOrFirstOrThrow(
-        charModel,
+    //     charModel,
-        "engine://cotw-capybara-male/source/capybara.fbx"
+    //     "engine://cotw-capybara-male/source/capybara.fbx"
-    );
+    // );
-
+    //
-    const auto charMeshID = resources.meshes().addMesh(gfxDevice, charPrimitive.mesh);
+    // const auto charMeshID = resources.meshes().addMesh(gfxDevice, charPrimitive.mesh);
-
+    //
-    const auto charTexturePath = ModelDocUtils::PickTexturePath(
+    // const auto charTexturePath = ModelDocUtils::PickTexturePath(
-        charModel,
+    //     charModel,
-        charPrimitive,
+    //     charPrimitive,
-        AssetFS::GetInstance().GetFullPath(
+    //     AssetFS::GetInstance().GetFullPath(
-            "engine://cotw-capybara-male/textures/capybara_male_light_brown_dif.ddsc.DECA.RE.pngballs")
+    //         "engine://cotw-capybara-male/textures/capybara_male_light_brown_dif.ddsc.DECA.RE.pngballs")
-    );
+    // );
-
+    //
-    const auto charTextureID = resources.loadImageFromFile(gfxDevice, charTexturePath);
+    // const auto charTextureID = resources.loadImageFromFile(gfxDevice, charTexturePath);
-    // const auto charTextureID = gfxDevice.loadImageFromFile(AssetFS::GetInstance().GetFullPath("engine://char.jpg"));
+    // // const auto charTextureID = gfxDevice.loadImageFromFile(AssetFS::GetInstance().GetFullPath("engine://char.jpg"));
-    const auto charMaterialID = resources.materials().addMaterial({
+    // const auto charMaterialID = resources.materials().addMaterial({
-                                                              .baseColor = ModelDocUtils::GetImportedBaseColor(
+    //                                                           .baseColor = ModelDocUtils::GetImportedBaseColor(
-                                                                  charModel, charPrimitive),
+    //                                                               charModel, charPrimitive),
-                                                              .diffuseTexture = charTextureID,
+    //                                                           .diffuseTexture = charTextureID,
-                                                              .name = ModelDocUtils::GetImportedMaterialName(
+    //                                                           .name = ModelDocUtils::GetImportedMaterialName(
-                                                                  charModel, charPrimitive, "CharacterMaterial"),
+    //                                                               charModel, charPrimitive, "CharacterMaterial"),
-                                                          });
+    //                                                       });
-
+    //
-    const auto charMeshComp = CharObj->AddComponent<MeshRendererComponent>();
+    // const auto charMeshComp = CharObj->AddComponent<MeshRendererComponent>();
-    charMeshComp->SetMeshID(charMeshID);
+    // charMeshComp->SetMeshID(charMeshID);
-    charMeshComp->SetMaterialID(charMaterialID);
+    // charMeshComp->SetMaterialID(charMaterialID);
-
+    //
-    const auto animator = CharObj->AddComponent<Animator>();
+    // const auto animator = CharObj->AddComponent<Animator>();
-    animator->setSkeleton(std::move(charModel.skeleton));
+    // animator->setSkeleton(std::move(charModel.skeleton));
-
+    //
-    std::string firstAnimationName;
+    // std::string firstAnimationName;
-
+    //
-    for (auto& clip : charModel.animations)
+    // for (auto& clip : charModel.animations)
-    {
+    // {
-        spdlog::info("Loaded animation: '{}' ({:.2f}s)", clip.name, clip.duration);
+    //     spdlog::info("Loaded animation: '{}' ({:.2f}s)", clip.name, clip.duration);
-
+    //
-        if (firstAnimationName.empty())
+    //     if (firstAnimationName.empty())
-            firstAnimationName = clip.name;
+    //         firstAnimationName = clip.name;
-
+    //
-        animator->addClip(std::make_shared<SkeletalAnimation>(std::move(clip)));
+    //     animator->addClip(std::make_shared<SkeletalAnimation>(std::move(clip)));
-    }
+    // }
-
+    //
-    if (!firstAnimationName.empty())
+    // if (!firstAnimationName.empty())
-    {
+    // {
-        spdlog::info("Playing animation: '{}'", firstAnimationName);
+    //     spdlog::info("Playing animation: '{}'", firstAnimationName);
-        animator->play(firstAnimationName);
+    //     animator->play(firstAnimationName);
-    }
+    // }
-
+    //
-    animator->play("capybara_canter_fwd_01|capybara_canter_fwd_01|run");
+    // animator->play("capybara_canter_fwd_01|capybara_canter_fwd_01|run");
-
+    //
-    CharObj->GetTransform().SetWorldPosition(glm::vec3(0.f, 0.f, 0.f));
+    // CharObj->GetTransform().SetWorldPosition(glm::vec3(0.f, 0.f, 0.f));
     // CharObj->GetTransform().SetWorldScale(0.01f, 0.01f, 0.01f);
 
     // ModelDoc::LoadOptions options{};
@@ -282,184 +255,177 @@ void LightKeeper::customInit()
     // }
 
 
-    {
-        const auto CharObj = scene.CreateGameObject("Character");
-
-        ModelDoc::LoadOptions characterOptions{};
-        characterOptions.meshImportMode = ModelDoc::MeshImportMode::MergedPerNode;
-        characterOptions.loadMaterials = true;
-        characterOptions.loadSkeleton = true;
-        characterOptions.loadAnimations = false;
-
-        auto charModel = ModelDoc::LoadModel(
-            AssetFS::GetInstance()
-            .GetFullPath("engine://characterMedium.fbx")
-            .generic_string(),
-            characterOptions
-        );
-
-        const auto& charPrimitive =
-            ModelDocUtils::GetFirstSkinnedPrimitiveOrFirstOrThrow(
-                charModel,
-                "engine://characterMedium.fbx"
-            );
-
-        const auto charMeshID = resources.meshes().addMesh(gfxDevice, charPrimitive.mesh);
-
-        const auto charTextureID = resources.loadImageFromFile(gfxDevice,
-            AssetFS::GetInstance().GetFullPath("engine://textures/criminalMaleA.png")
-        );
-
-        const auto charMaterialID = resources.materials().addMaterial({
-                                                                  .baseColor = ModelDocUtils::GetImportedBaseColor(
-                                                                      charModel, charPrimitive),
-                                                                  .diffuseTexture = charTextureID,
-                                                                  .name = ModelDocUtils::GetImportedMaterialName(
-                                                                      charModel,
-                                                                      charPrimitive,
-                                                                      "CharacterMaterial"
-                                                                  ),
-                                                              });
-
-        const auto charMeshComp = CharObj->AddComponent<MeshRendererComponent>();
-        charMeshComp->SetMeshID(charMeshID);
-        charMeshComp->SetMaterialID(charMaterialID);
-
-        const auto animator = CharObj->AddComponent<Animator>();
-        animator->setSkeleton(charModel.skeleton);
-
-        auto runClips = ModelDoc::LoadAnimationClips(
-            AssetFS::GetInstance()
-            .GetFullPath("engine://run.fbx")
-            .generic_string(),
-            charModel.skeleton
-        );
-
-        for (auto& clip : runClips)
-        {
-            spdlog::info("Loaded animation: '{}' ({:.2f}s)", clip.name, clip.duration);
-            animator->addClip(std::make_shared<SkeletalAnimation>(std::move(clip)));
-        }
-
-        if (!runClips.empty())
-        {
-            animator->play("Root|Run");
-        }
-
-        CharObj->GetTransform().SetWorldPosition(glm::vec3(0.f));
-        CharObj->GetTransform().SetWorldPosition(glm::vec3(5, 0, 0));
-    }
-
-    auto cubeModel = ModelDoc::LoadModel(
-        AssetFS::GetInstance()
-        .GetFullPath("engine://cube.fbx")
-        .generic_string(),
-        staticModelOptions
-    );
-    ModelDocUtils::LogModelDocSummary(cubeModel, "cube.fbx");
-
-    const auto& cubePrimitive = ModelDocUtils::GetFirstPrimitiveOrThrow(cubeModel, "game://cube.fbx");
-
-
-    const auto eliasTextuerPath = ModelDocUtils::PickTexturePath(
-        cubeModel,
-        cubePrimitive,
-        AssetFS::GetInstance().GetFullPath("game://grass.png")
-    );
-
-    const auto eliasTextueID = resources.loadImageFromFile(gfxDevice, eliasTextuerPath);
-    const auto eliasMaterialID = resources.materials().addMaterial({
-                                                               .baseColor = ModelDocUtils::GetImportedBaseColor(
-                                                                   planeModel, planePrimitive),
-                                                               .textureFilteringMode =
-                                                               TextureFilteringMode::Anisotropic,
-                                                               .diffuseTexture = eliasTextueID,
-                                                               .name = ModelDocUtils::GetImportedMaterialName(
-                                                                   planeModel, planePrimitive, "GroundPlaneMaterial"),
-                                                           });
-
-    const auto cubeMeshID = resources.meshes().addMesh(gfxDevice, cubePrimitive.mesh);
-    //
-    // for (int i{0}; i < 100; i++)
     // {
-    //     auto cube = std::make_shared<GameObject>("Cube");
+    //     const auto CharObj = scene.CreateGameObject("Character");
     //
-    //     cube->AddComponent<BoxCollider>(glm::vec3{0.5f});
+    //     ModelDoc::LoadOptions characterOptions{};
-    //     cube->AddComponent<Rigidbody>();
+    //     characterOptions.meshImportMode = ModelDoc::MeshImportMode::MergedPerNode;
+    //     characterOptions.loadMaterials = true;
+    //     characterOptions.loadSkeleton = true;
+    //     characterOptions.loadAnimations = false;
     //
-    //     auto meshComp = cube->AddComponent<MeshRendererComponent>();
+    //     auto charModel = AssetManager::GetInstance().LoadModel("engine://characterMedium.fbx", characterOptions);
-    //     meshComp->SetMeshID(cubeMeshID);
-    //     meshComp->SetMaterialID(eliasMaterialID);
     //
-    //     cube->GetTransform().SetWorldPosition(glm::vec3(0.0f, i, 0.0f));
+    //     const auto& charPrimitive =
-    //     cube->GetTransform().SetWorldScale(glm::vec3(0.005f));
+    //         ModelDocUtils::GetFirstSkinnedPrimitiveOrFirstOrThrow(
+    //             charModel,
+    //             "engine://characterMedium.fbx"
+    //         );
     //
-    //     scene.Add(cube);
+    //     const auto charMeshID = resources.meshes().addMesh(gfxDevice, charPrimitive.mesh);
-    //     scene.GetPhysics().RegisterGameObject(*cube);
-    // }
-
-    // const int cubeCount = 10;
-    // const float spacing = 1.0f;
     //
-    // for (int x = 0; x < cubeCount; x++)
+    //     const auto charTextureID = resources.loadImageFromFile(gfxDevice,
-    // {
+    //         AssetFS::GetInstance().GetFullPath("engine://textures/criminalMaleA.png")
-    //     for (int y = 0; y < 3; y++)
+    //     );
+    //
+    //     const auto charMaterialID = resources.materials().addMaterial({
+    //                                                               .baseColor = ModelDocUtils::GetImportedBaseColor(
+    //                                                                   charModel, charPrimitive),
+    //                                                               .diffuseTexture = charTextureID,
+    //                                                               .name = ModelDocUtils::GetImportedMaterialName(
+    //                                                                   charModel,
+    //                                                                   charPrimitive,
+    //                                                                   "CharacterMaterial"
+    //                                                               ),
+    //                                                           });
+    //
+    //     const auto charMeshComp = CharObj->AddComponent<MeshRendererComponent>();
+    //     charMeshComp->SetMeshID(charMeshID);
+    //     charMeshComp->SetMaterialID(charMaterialID);
+    //
+    //     const auto animator = CharObj->AddComponent<Animator>();
+    //     animator->setSkeleton(charModel.skeleton);
+    //
+    //     auto runClips = AssetManager::GetInstance().LoadAnimationClips(
+    //         "engine://run.fbx",
+    //         charModel.skeleton
+    //     );
+    //
+    //     for (auto& clip : runClips)
     //     {
-    //         for (int z = 0; z < cubeCount; z++)
+    //         spdlog::info("Loaded animation: '{}' ({:.2f}s)", clip.name, clip.duration);
-    //         {
+    //         animator->addClip(std::make_shared<SkeletalAnimation>(std::move(clip)));
-    //             auto cube = std::make_shared<GameObject>("Cube");
-    //
-    //             cube->AddComponent<BoxCollider>(glm::vec3{0.5f});
-    //             cube->AddComponent<Rigidbody>();
-    //
-    //             auto meshComp = cube->AddComponent<MeshRendererComponent>();
-    //             meshComp->SetMeshID(cubeMeshID);
-    //             meshComp->SetMaterialID(eliasMaterialID);
-    //
-    //             cube->GetTransform().SetWorldPosition(glm::vec3(
-    //                 (x - cubeCount / 2.0f) * spacing,
-    //                 y * spacing + 0,
-    //                 (z - cubeCount / 2.0f) * spacing
-    //             ));
-    //
-    //             cube->GetTransform().SetWorldScale(glm::vec3(0.005f));
-    //
-    //             scene.Add(cube);
-    //             scene.GetPhysics().RegisterGameObject(*cube);
-    //         }
     //     }
+    //
+    //     if (!runClips.empty())
+    //     {
+    //         animator->play("Root|Run");
+    //     }
+    //
+    //     CharObj->GetTransform().SetWorldPosition(glm::vec3(0.f));
+    //     CharObj->GetTransform().SetWorldPosition(glm::vec3(5, 0, 0));
+    // }
+    //
+    // auto cubeModel = ModelDoc::LoadModel(
+    //     AssetFS::GetInstance()
+    //     .GetFullPath("engine://cube.fbx")
+    //     .generic_string(),
+    //     staticModelOptions
+    // );
+    // ModelDocUtils::LogModelDocSummary(cubeModel, "cube.fbx");
+    //
+    // const auto& cubePrimitive = ModelDocUtils::GetFirstPrimitiveOrThrow(cubeModel, "game://cube.fbx");
+    //
+    //
+    // const auto eliasTextuerPath = ModelDocUtils::PickTexturePath(
+    //     cubeModel,
+    //     cubePrimitive,
+    //     AssetFS::GetInstance().GetFullPath("game://grass.png")
+    // );
+    //
+    // const auto eliasTextueID = resources.loadImageFromFile(gfxDevice, eliasTextuerPath);
+    // const auto eliasMaterialID = resources.materials().addMaterial({
+    //                                                            .baseColor = ModelDocUtils::GetImportedBaseColor(
+    //                                                                planeModel, planePrimitive),
+    //                                                            .textureFilteringMode =
+    //                                                            TextureFilteringMode::Anisotropic,
+    //                                                            .diffuseTexture = eliasTextueID,
+    //                                                            .name = ModelDocUtils::GetImportedMaterialName(
+    //                                                                planeModel, planePrimitive, "GroundPlaneMaterial"),
+    //                                                        });
+    //
+    // const auto cubeMeshID = resources.meshes().addMesh(gfxDevice, cubePrimitive.mesh);
+    // //
+    // // for (int i{0}; i < 100; i++)
+    // // {
+    // //     auto cube = std::make_shared<GameObject>("Cube");
+    // //
+    // //     cube->AddComponent<BoxCollider>(glm::vec3{0.5f});
+    // //     cube->AddComponent<Rigidbody>();
+    // //
+    // //     auto meshComp = cube->AddComponent<MeshRendererComponent>();
+    // //     meshComp->SetMeshID(cubeMeshID);
+    // //     meshComp->SetMaterialID(eliasMaterialID);
+    // //
+    // //     cube->GetTransform().SetWorldPosition(glm::vec3(0.0f, i, 0.0f));
+    // //     cube->GetTransform().SetWorldScale(glm::vec3(0.005f));
+    // //
+    // //     scene.Add(cube);
+    // //     scene.GetPhysics().RegisterGameObject(*cube);
+    // // }
+    //
+    // // const int cubeCount = 10;
+    // // const float spacing = 1.0f;
+    // //
+    // // for (int x = 0; x < cubeCount; x++)
+    // // {
+    // //     for (int y = 0; y < 3; y++)
+    // //     {
+    // //         for (int z = 0; z < cubeCount; z++)
+    // //         {
+    // //             auto cube = std::make_shared<GameObject>("Cube");
+    // //
+    // //             cube->AddComponent<BoxCollider>(glm::vec3{0.5f});
+    // //             cube->AddComponent<Rigidbody>();
+    // //
+    // //             auto meshComp = cube->AddComponent<MeshRendererComponent>();
+    // //             meshComp->SetMeshID(cubeMeshID);
+    // //             meshComp->SetMaterialID(eliasMaterialID);
+    // //
+    // //             cube->GetTransform().SetWorldPosition(glm::vec3(
+    // //                 (x - cubeCount / 2.0f) * spacing,
+    // //                 y * spacing + 0,
+    // //                 (z - cubeCount / 2.0f) * spacing
+    // //             ));
+    // //
+    // //             cube->GetTransform().SetWorldScale(glm::vec3(0.005f));
+    // //
+    // //             scene.Add(cube);
+    // //             scene.GetPhysics().RegisterGameObject(*cube);
+    // //         }
+    // //     }
+    // // }
+
+
+    // {
+    auto sphereModel = AssetManager::GetInstance().LoadModel("engine://sphere.fbx", staticModelOptions);
+    ModelDocUtils::LogModelDocSummary(sphereModel, "sphere.fbx");
+    //
+    const auto& spherePrimitive = ModelDocUtils::GetFirstPrimitiveOrThrow(sphereModel, "game://sphere.fbx");
+    //
+    //
+    //     const auto sphereTexturePath = ModelDocUtils::PickTexturePath(
+    //         sphereModel,
+    //         spherePrimitive,
+    //         AssetFS::GetInstance().GetFullPath("game://238882.png")
+    //     );
+    //
+    //     const auto sphereTextureID = resources.loadImageFromFile(gfxDevice, sphereTexturePath);
+    //     sphereMaterial = resources.materials().addMaterial({
+    //                                                                .baseColor = ModelDocUtils::GetImportedBaseColor(planeModel, planePrimitive),
+    //                                                                .textureFilteringMode =TextureFilteringMode::Anisotropic,
+    //                                                                .diffuseTexture = sphereTextureID,
+    //                                                                .name = ModelDocUtils::GetImportedMaterialName(
+    //                                                                    planeModel, planePrimitive,
+    //                                                                    "GroundPlaneMaterial"),
+    //                                                            });
+    //
+    sphereMesh = resources.meshes().addMesh(gfxDevice, spherePrimitive.mesh);
+    //
     // }
 
+    sphereMaterial = resources.materials().addSimpleColorMaterial({0.5f, 0.3f, 0.8f}, "Blue");
 
-    {
-        auto sphereModel = ModelDoc::LoadModel(
-            AssetFS::GetInstance().GetFullPath("engine://sphere.fbx").generic_string(),
-            staticModelOptions
-        );
-        ModelDocUtils::LogModelDocSummary(sphereModel, "sphere.fbx");
-
-        const auto& spherePrimitive = ModelDocUtils::GetFirstPrimitiveOrThrow(sphereModel, "game://sphere.fbx");
-
-
-        const auto sphereTexturePath = ModelDocUtils::PickTexturePath(
-            sphereModel,
-            spherePrimitive,
-            AssetFS::GetInstance().GetFullPath("game://238882.png")
-        );
-
-        const auto sphereTextureID = resources.loadImageFromFile(gfxDevice, sphereTexturePath);
-        sphereMaterial = resources.materials().addMaterial({
-                                                                   .baseColor = ModelDocUtils::GetImportedBaseColor(planeModel, planePrimitive),
-                                                                   .textureFilteringMode =TextureFilteringMode::Anisotropic,
-                                                                   .diffuseTexture = sphereTextureID,
-                                                                   .name = ModelDocUtils::GetImportedMaterialName(
-                                                                       planeModel, planePrimitive,
-                                                                       "GroundPlaneMaterial"),
-                                                               });
-
-        sphereMesh = resources.meshes().addMesh(gfxDevice, spherePrimitive.mesh);
-
-    }
 }
 
 void LightKeeper::customUpdate(float dt)
@@ -501,7 +467,7 @@ void LightKeeper::customUpdate(float dt)
 
     if (ImGui::Button("Save Current Scene")) {
         try {
-            const auto path = ResolveScenePath(scenePath);
+            const auto path = ResolveScenePath(scenePath, m_params.exeDir);
             const auto parent = path.parent_path();
             if (!parent.empty()) {
                 std::filesystem::create_directories(parent);
@@ -522,7 +488,7 @@ void LightKeeper::customUpdate(float dt)
     ImGui::SameLine();
     if (ImGui::Button("Load Scene")) {
         try {
-            const auto path = ResolveScenePath(scenePath);
+            const auto path = ResolveScenePath(scenePath, m_params.exeDir);
             if (SceneSerializer::Load(
                     SceneManager::GetInstance().GetCurrentScene(),
                     path)) {

tests/destrum_tests.cpp

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 #include <string>
 
 #include <destrum/Event.h>
+#include <destrum/Assets/AssetReference.h>
 #include <destrum/FS/AssetFS.h>
 #include <destrum/ObjectModel/Component.h>
 #include <destrum/ObjectModel/GameObject.h>
@@ -17,7 +18,9 @@
 #include <destrum/Physics/JoltPhysicsWorld.h>
 #include <destrum/Components/Physics/SphereCollider.h>
 #include <destrum/Components/Physics/BoxCollider.h>
+#include <destrum/Components/Animator.h>
 #include <destrum/Components/Physics/Rigidbody.h>
+#include <destrum/Graphics/Material.h>
 
 namespace {
     class TestComponent final : public Component {
@@ -343,6 +346,91 @@ namespace {
 
         SceneManager::GetInstance().Destroy();
     }
+
+    void testAnimatorAssetReferences()
+    {
+        GameObject object{"animated"};
+        auto* animator = object.AddComponent<Animator>();
+
+        Skeleton skeleton;
+        Joint joint;
+        joint.id = 0;
+        joint.localTranslation = glm::vec3{0.0f};
+        joint.localRotation = glm::identity<glm::quat>();
+        joint.localScale = glm::vec3{1.0f};
+        skeleton.joints.push_back(joint);
+        skeleton.inverseBindMatrices.push_back(glm::mat4{1.0f});
+        skeleton.jointNames.push_back("root");
+        skeleton.assetReference.path = "engine://character.fbx";
+        buildParentIndex(skeleton);
+        animator->setSkeleton(std::move(skeleton));
+
+        auto clip = std::make_shared<SkeletalAnimation>();
+        clip->name = "walk";
+        clip->assetReference.path = "engine://walk.fbx";
+        clip->assetReference.subresource = "animation:0";
+        clip->duration = 1.0f;
+        SkeletalAnimation::Keyframe keyframe;
+        keyframe.time = 0.0f;
+        keyframe.translation = glm::vec3{0.0f};
+        keyframe.rotation = glm::identity<glm::quat>();
+        keyframe.scale = glm::vec3{1.0f};
+        SkeletalAnimation::Track track;
+        track.jointIndex = 0;
+        track.keyframes.push_back(keyframe);
+        clip->tracks.push_back(std::move(track));
+        animator->addClip(std::move(clip));
+        animator->play("walk");
+
+        const auto data = animator->Serialize();
+        check(data.contains("assetReferences"),
+              "Animator scenes must store asset references");
+        check(data.at("assetReferences").at("skeleton").at("path") == "engine://character.fbx",
+              "Animator serialization must store the skeleton source");
+        check(data.at("assetReferences").at("animations").at(0).at("asset").at("subresource") ==
+                  "animation:0",
+              "Animator serialization must store the animation subresource");
+        check(data.dump().find("keyframes") == std::string::npos,
+              "Animator scene data must not embed animation keyframes");
+    }
+
+    void testSimpleColorMaterial()
+    {
+        const auto material = Material::SimpleColor(
+            glm::vec3{0.2f, 0.4f, 0.8f},
+            "blue material");
+
+        check(material.baseColor == glm::vec3{0.2f, 0.4f, 0.8f},
+              "simple materials must preserve their color");
+        check(material.metallicFactor == 0.0f &&
+              material.roughnessFactor == 1.0f &&
+              material.emissiveFactor == 0.0f,
+              "simple materials must use non-metallic default factors");
+        check(material.diffuseTexture == NULL_IMAGE_ID,
+              "simple materials must not require a diffuse image");
+        check(material.name == "blue material",
+              "simple materials must preserve their optional name");
+    }
+
+    void testAssetReferenceCacheKeys()
+    {
+        const AssetReference reference{
+            .path = "game://CharacterMedium.fbx",
+            .subresource = "mesh:0",
+        };
+
+        const auto key = reference.cacheKey();
+        check(key == "game://CharacterMedium.fbx#mesh:0",
+              "asset references must produce stable cache keys");
+
+        const auto parsed = AssetReference::fromCacheKey(key);
+        check(parsed.has_value() &&
+              parsed->path == reference.path &&
+              parsed->subresource == reference.subresource,
+              "asset cache keys must recover their source reference");
+        check(!AssetReference::fromCacheKey("CharacterMedium.fbx").has_value(),
+              "plain cache names must not be treated as file-backed assets");
+    }
 }
 
 int main()
@@ -358,6 +446,9 @@ int main()
     testPhysicsWorldUnits();
     testJoltSphereCollisions();
     testSceneJoltSphereCollisions();
+    testAnimatorAssetReferences();
+    testSimpleColorMaterial();
+    testAssetReferenceCacheKeys();
     std::cout << "destrum tests passed\n";
     return EXIT_SUCCESS;
 }