Switching Old Content Installs to the DIM Install Path
Mage 13X13
Posts: 452
I'm looking to uninstall all my old DAZ Content files, and re-installing them through the DAZ 3D Install Manager. I have already done this with the Genesis Starter Essentials, and I was able to set the path for the start up auto-load of the Genesis figure. Still all the related files won't work from the Smart Content Directory, as DAZ Studio tells me the Files do not exist; however if I go to My DAZ 3D Library and navigate to the same files, they load with no problems.
Now I know there must be a way to fix this without having to reset the path for each individual item. As I have never done anything of this nature before now, I would appreciate some knowledge telling me how to set the path for all of the files that have Meta Data all at the same time. The path I am using is C;/Users/Public/Public Documents/My DAZ 3D Library. For the old files that have Meta Data to show in the Smart Content after re-installing them to the new path through the DIM, DAZ Studio needs to be told where to look for them. There must be a way to do this so that all subsequent installations will automatically be in the Smart Content Directory.
The reason I want to do this is because the new way the Smart Content works is a lot better than it used to be, and the recent release of a user's guide has made clear how to use it.
Please understand that I do not want advice telling me another way to do this, or advisement not to use the Smart Content Directory. I just want simple and accurate instruction on how to get DAZ Studio to recognize the Meta Data and show the files in that Directory. You may post your views if you wish, but I reserve the right to follow the advice I deem useful for what I wish to do.
Thank you,
Stay Awesome!
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It seems that you have not mapped all of your allowed locations for content. You do this by selecting the Content Library tab and then from the little box in the upper right hand corner go to Content Directory Manager. There you add and delete the directories you want DAZ to be aware of. Once you do that then the content library will have items such as DAZ Studio Formats, Poser Formats, Other Import Formats, Products and Categories. Your smart content will also show up on the smart content tab. You will probably need to run the option of scan known directories for files which is under the same box as the content directory manager was located in. This will allow DAZ to update its database with the current info. While you are in the Content Library you can go to your content through the options I just mentions. They mimic the actual directory structure of your content. So under DAZ Studio Formats you will see the People or Vehicle directories that you see with your browser. If you do a search of the forums you will find tutorials on how to set up content inside the Smart content tab and under the product directory in the content Library. Hope this helps. You might look in the New User portion of the forum as well. This kind of question may be asked and answered there as well.
I can access all of my content in the Content Library through the different directories that are there, The header folders are DAZ Studio Formats, Poser Formats, Other Import Formats (?), Products, and Categories. The first two are where most of my content is located, but some of it is located in the other three - example: the International Beauties for S3 & V3 files are located in the Products Directory.
I'll look into what you suggested concerning the Content Directory Manager, but will that help with how the DIM re-installs the older files?
So when you go to the letter G in the products directory you do not see Genesis Starter Essentials?
Other Import Formats is a place to put products that are only obj , bvh, dae, or fbx, format. Setting this directory up is like having access to all of the items you would have to access through File -> Import. You can create thumb images for the items and DAZ will display the image so all you do is click on it and DAZ starts the import process.
So when you go to the letter G in the products directory you do not see Genesis Starter Essentials?
Other Import Formats is a place to put products that are only obj , bvh, dae, or fbx, format. Setting this directory up is like having access to all of the items you would have to access through File -> Import. You can create thumb images for the items and DAZ will display the image so all you do is click on it and DAZ starts the import process.
When I go to the Products Directory and click on G, all content that begins with Genesis does appear in the list, as well as any other content that begins with G. That is how it has been since my first version of DAZ Studio; and I like that because if I am looking for specified products, the alphabetized arrangement makes it easy to find. The Smart Content Directory is almost as good, because it too is alphabetized, and with the new drop down menu structure, it has gotten even easier to find what I want using it.
I would still like an answer to this question:
I'll look into what you suggested concerning the Content Directory Manager, but will that help with how the DIM re-installs the older files?
Okay I would suggest you re-import your metadata. To do this click on the small box in the upper right hand side when you have Content Library tab selected. Go to Content Database Maintenance click on the box that says Re-Import Metadata..... A window will open listing all of the products DAZ has data on. If you have created your own metadata then you want to make sure the User data box is checked and that you have User Data Overrides Product Data box checked. your smart content should then be reloaded. Make sure that you do not have anything selected in the scene tab or you will only see what is related to that product in your smart content tab.
Thank you for that info. It will help me a lot knowing how to do this. I plan to Copy an Save all you have posted here to a Word File and then Save that to PDF format.
Would you mind if I create a short tutorial with screenshots crediting you with the info? I would be uploading it to multiple site that I visit on a regular basis. My name would be on it only as the tutorial creator and editor, while you would get credit as the author.
Thank you for that info. It will help me a lot knowing how to do this. I plan to Copy an Save all you have posted here to a Word File and then Save that to PDF format.
Would you mind if I create a short tutorial with screenshots crediting you with the info? I would be uploading it to multiple site that I visit on a regular basis. My name would be on it only as the tutorial creator and editor, while you would get credit as the author.
Mage, you not need to credit me. You can use the exact wording. No credit is necessary. The information is freely available here at the site. I just hope it helps you. I don't really use smart content cause my brain does not think the way most people think so smart content makes me crazy and I am to lazy to go in and edit the records to my idea of a category. So write your tut and claim it as yours. Thank you very much for considering my wishes. You are most kind in that respect.
So can I infer that you have gotten your smart content to see your metadata?
Mage, you not need to credit me. You can use the exact wording. No credit is necessary. The information is freely available here at the site. I just hope it helps you. I don't really use smart content cause my brain does not think the way most people think so smart content makes me crazy and I am to lazy to go in and edit the records to my idea of a category. So write your tut and claim it as yours. Thank you very much for considering my wishes. You are most kind in that respect.
So can I infer that you have gotten your smart content to see your metadata?
I always give credit where it is due; however, I ask permission to do so before doing anything. It is the right way to do things. If you do not wish me to give credit to you as the author, I will respect that. I will however reword the instructional data into a step by step format, and refrain from quoting you verbatim where possible, and I will make the claim that a very nice friend imparted the info to me.
I certainly understand about they way your mind works. I have a similar way of thinking myself, and have been labeled as odd or weird because of it. I proudly bear that distinction.
In answer to your question:
"So can I infer that you have gotten your smart content to see your metadata?"
I have not yet had time to try it yet, as I have a lot of extra work this week due to the upcoming U.S. holiday.
I will keep this thread open for a bit longer, in case I have more questions to ask. Thus far, you have been most informative. Thank you.
Sounds good to me
Dollygirl, your info is spot on! I followed your instructions and now the items I have already re-installed appear in the Smart Content Directory. As I have a lot of products to do this with I will be working at it a little along, in order to avoid burn out. I figure doing five to fifteen product packs a day until I have it all done.
One question I have, but I must set it up so you will understand what I am asking about. I noticed that the DAZ Install Manager is showing content made for Bryce. I have Bryce 7.1 Pro. I know that a path for installation must be set in the DIM's settings. So here is the question: Where can I find the info that tells what that path is?
Thanks for all your help thus far! You have made a friend of me!
Oh good glad it is working for you.
As to your Bryce content. If I remember right you had to tell Bryce where you wanted to have content. I created a "D:\Bryce\" content library and then in Bryce I had to go find the content when in the libraries. So you might poke around to see if you find any Bryce directory outside the one that will be in your programs directory. Bryce does not have the content library that DAZ Studio does so you will have to manually load your content into the libraries after you install it.
Oh good glad it is working for you.
As to your Bryce content. If I remember right you had to tell Bryce where you wanted to have content. I created a "D:\Bryce\" content library and then in Bryce I had to go find the content when in the libraries. So you might poke around to see if you find any Bryce directory outside the one that will be in your programs directory. Bryce does not have the content library that DAZ Studio does so you will have to manually load your content into the libraries after you install it.
Actually Bryce had content installers for the extra content that did not come with it. I already know how to get the content installed to the different libraries in Bryce. The DIM has some files for Bryce I want to install but they have not installed successfully for me yet the old way. I suspect that Bryce 7.1 Pro has a hard time accepting content made for the older Bryce 5 and 5.5 versions. I don't know why because they are in the same formats as that made for versions of 7.
Bryce is an app that I know fairly well because of the documentation on how to use it, and because of David Brinnen's tutorials on YouTube and other sites. The DIM however is a game changer concerning Bryce Content. I figure if I can get the correct DIM to Bryce install path info, I can finally get a successful install for the 5 and 5.5 content packs I have.
Since Bryce content needs to be installed to particular subfolders of the Bryce application folder, you don't need to specify where to install it -- as long as the path to the Bryce application is listed in Settings > Applications, the Bryce content will be installed to the correct subfolder of that path..
I personally install Bryce content manually.
Nice little PDF here by Horo, which gives you the correct places to put stuff.
http://www.horo.ch/docs/mine/pdf/BryceContent_v4.pdf
I run things to a dummy folder and drag and drop. It is not a good idea to have too much stuff installed into one Bryce content folder. better to personalise them and have several folders going. I can't remember offhand what the top limit for a Bryce preset library is but, particularly with the object presets library, some folders can get quite large so category folders is the way to go.
Bryce 5 and Bryce 6 insltallers do tend to try finding a Bryce 5 or 6 path sometimes, but doing it manually is no problem.
Thanks you moderators for the responses. Bryce is way out of my league.
And the shame of this is that two of us have added response to the thread and neither of us noticed that it was in the wrong forum.
So belatedly I now say moved to the Commons because it is not an offer of a freebie :red:
LOL I was wondering
So if I download the .zip files for those two content packs, extract them to a folder outside of Bryce, I can navigate to the locations where the 7.1 content is held, and create special folders for the new content and drag and drop the new content into the ones they are for?
I know about the limit for each folder, as content I create my self goes into folders I create within Bryce. I cannot recall the limit, but the info is available as you say. I correspond with David Brinnen and Horo regularly, because they are definitely the ones to talk to about Bryce. I have learned quite a lot from them; especially David.
Thanks for this suggestion.
This has been an extremely helpful thread for me. Thanks to everyone who has contributed. I recently did exactly the same thing in reinstalling my old content via the Installer. Now if we can get DAZ to allow us to add our own tags to the installer database and to search it with Boolean logic, I will be very happy. :smirk:
Ooo! Sorry about that! I don't get into the DAZ Forums much, is my only excuse, as I don't really know much about the structure. Even so thanks for all your help and advice, as well as the move to the Commons.
As this thread seems to be of help to more that just me, I shall leave it open indefinitely, in case anyone else would like to have the info. It has of course been a great help to me thus far as well.
Much appreciation goes to all who have contributed! :D
I'm posting this, in case there are some folks that do not know about recent changes concerning DAZ 3D. The most recent version of DAZ Studio is 4.9 and its most recent upgrade. The new DAZ Connect feature has been added, which allows a user to access the Store and make purchases directly from within DAZ Studio, and you can access your DAZ 3D Product Library and download products from it, and it automatically installs the content. I many ways this system is pretty awesome, in my humble opinion. There are several other features of this system that helps with many aspects of DAZ Connect; not the least of which is the new way a product gets upgrades and fixes. Basically that is that only the new things for the product need be downloaded, instead of downloading the entire package over again. With some product packages having a large footprint on the hard drive, I'm sure you can see the benefit of this!
How does this affect how things are done concerning Content Installation? Well the old .exe installers are practically all phased out at DAZ 3D now; so that way of installing content will no longer be offered by DAZ 3D. Now if like myself, you have stored old .exe installers for products you purchased in the past from DAZ 3D, you can still use them to install to the newest version of DAZ Studio. I recommend using the older path structure that you used for earlier versions of the application, rather than installing to the new directory of 4.9. Multiple directories can coexist in 4.9; you just need to tell 4.9 where to find them, same as you did for the older versions.
Some folks have reported that when 4.9 was installed over the previous versions, their existing content disappeared from the Content Library. I have not suffered from this however, as I installed 4.9 on a recently purchased computer that has never had DAZ Studio on it. So I am building my content on that machine from the beginning. I also am using the DIM to install several products on that machine, and it has worked pretty well. Yes the DAZ Connect system has the encrypted content thing, but really it is not so bad! It allows things that benefit the user as well as things that benefit DAZ 3D. In my opinion it is a fair way to do business. Yes such things can be used to spy on folks, but at least the feature in DAZ Studio can be switched on or off whenever the user wishes it. Plus, if you are like me, you will often disconnect from the internet to avoid being interrupted during a session of creativity. Who can see what you are doing at those times?
Anyway, I just thought this might be a bit more help concerning this subject. I invite others to contribute knowledge concerning DS 4.9 and later. If this thread can stay up to date, I'm sure folks will find it helpful.
Stay Awesome!