this code swaps an existing reference file with another user defined file

maya_swapReferencedObjects.py

'''
Written by: Patrick Woo
[email protected]

Run this bit of code in a python tab in Maya

Description:
this code swaps an existing reference file with another user file defined in the replaceFileFullPath variable.
the user just needs to select an object belonging to the referenced file

usage:
- select object(s) that belongs to a referenced file (referenced into the scene)
- change the replaceFileFullPath to hold the full path to an existing maya file in your hard-drive

'''
from maya.cmds import file as mcfile

replaceFileFullPath = r'E:\jobs\vhq_pipeline\maya\lodSwap\resource\LODTest - from Chris Yao_20160906\Trees_LODTest_mod_lod100.ma'

for x in ls(sl=True):
    print mcfile(replaceFileFullPath, loadReference=x.referenceFile().refNode.name(), returnNewNodes=True)