Best approach for storing, installing and using 3rd party content items?
rampart_1576840087
Posts: 504
I have acquired a number of 3rd party content items (not in the Daz3d shop) over the past few months.
So far, I have left them in zipped format and not installed them.
I would appreciate to read of some ideas for best working and managing these content files.
It is my understanding that content acquired outside Daz3d shop doesn't display as content installed via the DIM.
Reading and looking around, I found several ways people manage this content.
Looking for a best way is the purpose of this posting.
Doing things over and over isn't appealing
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Comments
Storring.. I have an organized drive where I store backups of everything I have...(well kind of organized).
For non DIM stuff, I have several libraries for different catagories.. people, clothing, props, etc.. that I install them into.
For some 3rd party stuff that I feel would be better to keep in the main (dim based) library, I'll install manually, or make my own dim files and use that.
I won't say this is the best approach, but one possible approach that I use is to simply create one runtime/content folder per product, named after the product. Because multiple products' files are not mixed together, there's no danger of overlapping filenames, I can always figure out what files go with what product in seconds, and if I need to delete a product I literally just delete folder and I'm done, and if I mis-mouse something or unzip to the wrong folder and screw up the runtime, I can just delete/reinstall it with zero pain. This works out well for me. Downsides are there is/was a plugin that won't work with a large number of runtimes, and you have to manually add each new runtime to DAZ Studio's list (and back up that list for your next reinstall) which slows down the install process for new content a bit, and possibly this might be slowing down the startup time, although I've not taken the time to verify that theory.
Another approach is of course just to dump everything into a single runtime; faster and easier to install and back up, but you'll never know for sure what files belong to what product and I have no idea how you avoid files from one product accidentally stepping on another, just cross your fingers and hope everything is named uniquely I guess, which must work for most people. Uninstalling or updating select products could get extremely difficult and labor intensive though, maybe even impossible in some cases (although you could always blow away the whole thing and reinstall a few thousand products for a fresh start if absolutely needed.)
I extract all the content into a temp runtime that DS knows nothing about. I look at how the content creators sorted things. I re-arrange stuff I dont like. Then I put the new stuff in my real runtime/content folders.
As for installing...
The last time I had to go through that pain, I made up a script in PHP which you point to a folder containing ZIPs, Runtime folders and even EXEs, then you point it to your DAZ content folder and it will install/copy all of it. EXEs might require interaction, depending on the version of the installer, but most run without interaction.
I always thought that it's a shame that this is rotting on my disk, so if there's interest in it, I can put it on pastebin or something like that, when I'm at home. As said, you need a PHP commandline version, but that's only 1 download for the single binary you actually need. Despite my habits, the source is quite nice looking and even documentened, so you can figure out what it's doing and how, even if you're not into code. In the end, all you need is to change are the installer options at the end of the code, where providing the source and destination folder is enough in most cases.
If that's the best approach, I can't tell, but it's fast for sure if you have tons of zips, exes and folders. You want to have that stuff pre-organized though, or install to a temp folder first and clean up / re-arrange things first, before copying it all over to your DAZ content directory.
I agree with this piece a ton. It's actually one of the reasons I stopped buying content for several months, got tired of organizing. And even now, I tend to buy stuff, and wait till I get enough to bother sorting and installing. (unless I need it asap) But if you don't sort it first, chance I will never find it.
i found this a few days ago its a install manager package creator. i haven't tested it but the files in the archive seem legit maybe it can help you. http://1drv.ms/1UtjJDo
Yes this is the best idea. I, too will download into a temp folder and then install, after which I delete the zip files. Since I'm getting a new computer, I want to start over and reorganize the content the way I like. It's weird the way the Poser content is split up. The hair object will go under figures, with the textures under poses. ...???!!... Putting hair under hair and textures under textures must be too hard for them I guess.
I also take copies of the promo pix and store them in a separate folder by category. That way I can visually look at pix of all my clothing. It helps me find what I want especially if I can't remember the name of an outfit. D/S also splits things up in Smart Content, so that I can't tell which pants go with what shirt. This is especially helpful for hair, as I will use any hair file on any character. I can look at all the hair and choose which one fits the character I'm working on, then fight with it later (V4 on G2) and when I'm victorious I save it as a wearable preset.
I have two external drives and a secondary drive on my computer where I also keep purchases. I figure at least if one goes, then I have two other backups. =-) I periodically back up my entire DAZ folder which takes all day too.... This helps me if I should lose something.
On my backups I keep the zips organized by content type and now I'm trying to take screenshots of receipts and putting them with the installer. This way if I have to prove ownership, or need to contact the original store, I have the receipt to tell me when/where I bought it.
As far as installing, there is no good way I've found. If I get overly enthusiastic and try to do too many at once, sometimes a directory gets lost or can't be found or something gets in the wrong place. Some venders do not have their installers set up correctly or do not work with the DAZ file structure. So, Usually I extract individually to folder on the desktop, then extract the rest of the files from there.
One time, I did this for all my external files and kept it as a backup. This way If I ever needed to reinstall the whole kit and kaboodle, I have it already expanded, but I haven't kept up with that.
But I actually find it better to do a few at a time. Some of the vendors do odd things with their files, and it is easier for me to locate 2 or 3 at a time, than 200.
After it is installed, I go through and hunt down the files and make products from them and file them in their right categories.
How is it?
Nothing to do with "too hard" or "just to confuse us", you have to look at the history of Poser. The hair in Figures isn't there because it's hair, it's there because there are two kinds of hair, figure hair and prop hair. The textures are where they are because originally Poser characters and props could not have their colours or textures changed except by doing it manually, one bit at a time. Then someone realised the Pose files could be hacked to create a file that was capable of changing the textures and colours of an object. That was many, many years ago, and the capability to use that ancient hack is still there, although the Material Room in Poser now gives an "official" way of applying textures. Yes, the entire thing is annoying and confusing, but it wasn't deliberate, it Just Happened™.