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Moving to a new PC: what's needed to keep all the Daz settings & content

joannajoanna Posts: 2,205
in Technical Help (nuts n bolts)

My brand new and shiny PC arrived, and I'm trying to make the transition as smooth as possible (half a day into reinstalling all the software, changing settings, etc.). DIM and Daz Studio are already installed, but I'm wondering how much I can transfer from my old PC (and search here and in the search engine seem unhelpful in that specific matter).

All my content library is on an external hard drive, so it could be easily plugged in, but I'm struggling how to tell Daz where to look for it: I set the install directory in DIM, and I added a path in DS as well, but it doesn't appear in the smart content, and DIM still considers this content as "uninstalled," so am I clearly missing something. Will the plugins work? Or am I just better off re-downloading everything?

Also, is it possible to transfer a saved workspace somehow?

Comments

  • felisfelis Posts: 5,744

    Is the drive letter the same on the external disk when you move it?

    Else you need to update installation path in DIM, and content paths in Daz Studio.

    In order to get DIM to recognise what is installed, you must check that the path to the manifest files are correct.

    And if the path to your content has changed, you should batch update the manifest files to have the right path.

  • felisfelis Posts: 5,744

    I forgot to mention the database (CMS).

    If you have custome settings, you could export the database, and reimport in the new.

    If no custom settings you can reimport metadata, when the rest of the setup is fine.

  • joannajoanna Posts: 2,205

    felis said:

    Is the drive letter the same on the external disk when you move it?

    Else you need to update installation path in DIM, and content paths in Daz Studio.

    I had to update them anyway, because it's a new installation that defaulted to the C: drive paths.

    In order to get DIM to recognise what is installed, you must check that the path to the manifest files are correct.

    Seems like this is what I'm missing. I'll have to find them on the old PC and see if copying them over will work.

    And if the path to your content has changed, you should batch update the manifest files to have the right path.

    Now sure how to do it.

    I forgot to mention the database (CMS).

    If you have custome settings, you could export the database, and reimport in the new.

    If no custom settings you can reimport metadata, when the rest of the setup is fine.

    I don't think I have that many custom settings (just the workspace), but I suppose exporting it and reimporting it might make more sense.

     

    Thank you for your help. I appreciate it, even though my reaction is "UGH". This has nothing to do with your help, but with DS itself. I have transferred and installed everything else (a page long list of software and applications) in half a day, and it felt quick and easy, but it seems that Daz is going to be anything but.

  • felisfelis Posts: 5,744

    Notepad++ can do batch edits.

    Open one manifest file and see what you need to change, and find a unique searchstring you can use in Notepad++, and replace it with the new (content) path.

    Probably do a few to test that it looks ok, before you do them all.

  • crosswindcrosswind Posts: 9,544
    edited April 9

    joanna said:

    My brand new and shiny PC arrived, and I'm trying to make the transition as smooth as possible (half a day into reinstalling all the software, changing settings, etc.). DIM and Daz Studio are already installed, but I'm wondering how much I can transfer from my old PC (and search here and in the search engine seem unhelpful in that specific matter).

    All my content library is on an external hard drive, so it could be easily plugged in, but I'm struggling how to tell Daz where to look for it: I set the install directory in DIM, and I added a path in DS as well, but it doesn't appear in the smart content, and DIM still considers this content as "uninstalled," so am I clearly missing something. Will the plugins work? Or am I just better off re-downloading everything?

    Also, is it possible to transfer a saved workspace somehow?

    You can almost 100% migrate everything / settings from old PC to the new one. You don't have to re-install any product with DIM at all. Here're the steps:

    Preparation:
    0) Install DIM, postgreSQL and Daz Studio in new PC.

    With your old PC, fully close DS and DIM, then:
    1) Copy the application folders of Daz Studio: C:\Program Files\DAZ 3D to the SSD / Hard Drive where your Daz Library locates. (All plugins are included...)
    2) Copy %appdata%\DAZ 3D\ to SSD  (cms cluster folder with all metadata in Smart Content, as well as all workspace settings / layout, DIM settings are included...)
    3) Copy C:\Users\Public\Documents\DAZ 3D to SSD (Daz Connect folder as well as all Manifest files of installed products are included...)
    4) Open Windows Registry, locate Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DAZ, select the node DAZ, right-click to export registries to *.reg file, name it as... let's say: myDSReg.reg (All application settings of DS, as well as Content Directories, etc. are included... )
    5) Copy C:\Users\your Win Account\Documents\DAZ 3D to SSD (settings related to Bridges / plugins, as well as your Render Library...)
    6) Also, copy Download Archive folder if you need it. (optional)

    Migration:
    0) DO NOT launch DS and/or DIM in your new PC !
    1) Plug SSD to you new PC. Keep the same drive letter. If it's not, assign the same letter in Computer Management > Disk Management.
    2) Copy application folders of DS from SSD to C:\Program Files\
    3) Copy %appdata%\DAZ 3D\ from SSD to the very same path of C drive of your new PC.
    4) Copy C:\Users\Public\Documents\DAZ 3D from SSD to the very same path of C drive of your new PC
    5) Import (dbl-click to merge...) myDSReg.reg
    6) Copy C:\Users\your Win Account\Documents\DAZ 3D to the very same path of C drive of your new PC.
    7) Copy / set up Download Archive folder as needed....

    If there's any warning / confirmation to overwrite when copying / pasting, YES, overwrite !

    The preparation / migration can be easily done within 15 mins. ( half an hour at most ). Then you should get everything migrated from your old PC on you new PC. Open DS and DIM to check them up.

    Edit: just in case:
    0) You get no Daz Library path(s) configured,  set them in Content Directory Manager, or use this script to migrate the paths of Libraries from old PC to new PC: http://docs.daz3d.com/doku.php/public/software/dazstudio/4/referenceguide/scripting/api_reference/samples/file_io/save_mapped_paths/start
    1) Plugins not registered, then register them via Help > About Installed Plugins... by using serial numbers.

    Post edited by crosswind on
  • joannajoanna Posts: 2,205

    Thanks a lot, crosswind! This was a really comprehensive (and easy to follow) guide and I appreciate you taking your time to write it all.

  • crosswindcrosswind Posts: 9,544

    joanna said:

    Thanks a lot, crosswind! This was a really comprehensive (and easy to follow) guide and I appreciate you taking your time to write it all.

    You're welcome and good luck ! smiley

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