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.