Plugin installation/update support could have been added to SmartContent. V4/M4 capability and content development is pretty much frozen wrt Daz store, so once installed via DIM/manual don't require further maintenance. Doesn't justify building an entire "parallel" product for it.

Yeah, I don't think ease-of-use is the point of this, but rather DRM.

ding ding ding...

exactly who asked for this? anyone?

I could see this as a good long-term strategy for DAZ and its future customers, but I honestly don't think the voices in these forums were asking for this 'feature' over other improvements  - e.g. clean DS shutdowns, animations that load the way they were saved, BVH loading/saving that works, etc...

Of course I understand that priorities are likely to differ and the future is not the past, even if for its own sake. The natural tension of the marketplace continues. Vote accordingly.

I would recommend to the mothership that manual downloads and DIM remain enabled over the long-term, else another 'connect'-like event is likely to be looming should that change.

Never did see an answer to the multiple questions about Daz Central and ... 'foreign' content. This continued silence is likely to become an answer in itself.

--ms

I am a bit confused with the overlapping funtionality of DazCentral with SmartContent. Is there anything, even a prospect, in DazCentral that is not already there/possible with SmartContent? Or, is this just an attempt to bring SmartContent functionality by replacing the underlying Connect? In the present state, I feel SmartContent to be more cohesive, intuitive, stable and feature rich than DazCentral, so what is the business direction and prospects with DazCentral in the light of SmartContent?

Same here, never understood what's the point of DIM ever since DazConnect was introduced inside DazStudio itself and now this...

And then I get:

"You don't have Daz Studio!" - YES I DO!!!!

Sorting options are extremely limited, I don't really see this helping me find anything any easier...

For some reason seeming random items are listed as Plugins - "3D Bridge for Photoshop" makes sense, but "Frosty Dress for Genesis 2 Female(s)" ??

Clicking almost anything in Daz Central just opens a web page in your browser - Did I just install a program to open links for me in a web browser?

I have almost 200GB and over 2000 products installed via DazConnect, this thing tells me there's nothing installed.

Wait it gets better: Just started DazStudio, it did some metadate update, but everything is marked as not installed. 200GB... HOW DO I FIX THIS?

Are there screenshots to see what this actually is? I really don't understand the improvement over DIM, unless it's faster. DIM takes over 15 minutes to populate with all the products I have. 

It's not so much an improvement over DIM as this is something different.

This is more of a product navigation outside DS. It looks and feels like a web UI of an online shop. It does not sell you inside yet, but is very likely that will be added in the future.

The one thing i do consider an improvement is the search engine compared to search inside daz. Granted i have a very small library, but its instant search filter. Partials and multiple words works fine. It's probably all done in RAM, if that is the case then its memory footprint may be high for bigger libraries if it does not scale well. My library is very small (< 600) and memory was only 176 MB. (DIM is 32MB).

Well i don't know if you are after feedback in general or only bugs. HEre is both just in case:

* Compared to DIM i kind of miss multi selection install.

Noted, I can't promise it will get in there but I like the idea. Thank you for the feedback.

* The fact that in dashboard only shows recent purchases to install may be a good thing. But what is exactly the criteria? If i did not open central in over a week and have purchased but not installed some products, will they not show in the dashboard?

The recent purchases just shows the last few products sorted by when you purchased them. If you make a bunch of purchases over the course of a week they would not be visible.

* What does "Update assets automatically actually mean?" Only models but not main software and plugins gets updated?

Just content is updated, no plug-ins or applications.

* What is the criteria for Asset/Pluging? I have "Look at Me II" in assets and Michael 4 base in plugins. Some things do not get shown at all? I'm not finding scene optimizer

I'll have someone look in to that, DazCentral attempts to sort things a little bit differently than DIM so some things may need a little updating on the store's database to get them to appear in their correct locations.

* Search so far seems really good. Search response is instant, partials and multiples words have no issues. I think it can still be improved by adding more info: specially thinking in artist and also "tags". If its just too many columns, maybe add  the ability to choose witch ones we want to see, but index all by default.

Once again, thank you for the feedback. This will probably have to wait for the refreshed store software in order to get the data in the right places at the right time to make this happen.

Possible bug: I get error when trying to open a base character from central. Daz do open, but i get this:

Are you running the latest version of Daz Studio? It had fixes in it to solve that bug (and also a newer version of Iray with a bunch of fixes and improvements in that as well).

The open DAZ from central directly from a product do works for me now that i updated to latest DS. But i'm not sure about it yet. I will describe for everyone who has not tried it what it does:

It Open DS (with a clean scene) and start a small step by step to point you to the product in Smart Content (product, no files). It's basically start a step by step tutorials, same looks. If you have context filter select, it will point to uncheck it, then to the product tab and then will show you the page where it is, highlight it and you have to say "i see it", then close the "tutorial".

So if there is that elusive product you know you have and inside daz search do not help but you find it with central; then it may help pointing you to it in DS

So, personal opinion, as an "Open DS from the product installer" is overkill. An small corner button to open DS would be the solution (Both Central and DIM need that). As a "point me to the product inside DS", seems useful. I do wonder why not just rework the search inside daz, that would be even better.

This thread is closed. By order of the Central authority you should not post to this thread. This means you!

Embrace DAZCentral and accept the will of DAZ.  :-)

DAZ Central worked fine for me but it's really in it's current form only another search, install, deinstall, update mechanism for DAZ products. You can "open" a product in DAZ Central and it sends a search string for the opened product in DAZ Studio but it only works of course for products you've bought from DAZ 3D and installable via DIM.

It is using QT 5 so maybe it's the 1st tenative steps of the migration of DAZ Studuo 4.5+ to DAZ Studio 5.

Ok, I gave it a try. Currently it's a good start but not really useful enough until it gets more features & flexibilities.

1) It took quite a bit of time for it to configure itself using my settings for DS & DIM. I'm guessing a new user would get a dialogue with which to download & install DS and DIM?

2) It updated a couple of products fine (eg installed the DAZ Studio 4.5+ SDK)

3) Needs more sort options.

4) Needs more choices for icon sizes

5) Needs tab for Smart Content (would be so nice if this tab also included to Product & Category Listing)

6) Needs tab for Content Library (including the Product & Category listing)

7) Needs tab for DAZ Connect

8) A nice editor to create Smart Content tags (hiearchical categories, nested categories, mutually exclusive categories and adding product presets to those Smart Content categories with warnning if trying to add the same preset to mutually erxclusive categories/tags) that would distinguish when we were looking at tags those created by DAZ 3D and those created by the user. Those created by the user would show the creation date & modify dates for those tags.

9) The 3DU Squirrel, Big Bad Wolf, & 3 Bears are installed but keeps saying they aren't installed. I can't hide products that I know I don't want to install.

10) I opened the Toonimal Hatching Pheonix & it open DAZ Studio Release with the DS search function having selected that product. I was more expecting that the toon hatching phoenix would be opened in a scene in DAZ Studio. In hindsight that wouldn't make sense though since most DAZ products have multple components.

I like that it's using QT5 so many this is the start of the initial migration from QT4 to QT5 in DAZ Studio? In that case I'd like DAZ Central's feature set to be updated to match DS's Smart Content, Content Library, and DAZ Connent feature sets. I think it would be nice one DAZ Central is out of beta to remove Smart Content, Content Library, and DAZ Connect from DS or really those features would be hosted in DAZ Central. DAZ Central needs a lot of feature expansion and testing before that happens though. I guess if the goal is to migrate to QT5 and cleanup old code migrating feature set by feature set from DAZ Studio and Hexagon to DAZ Central might work out well if all of it was kept better modularized. Add Cararra's feature set to the migration too.

This is more a DAZ Studio feature request but in the future I'd like to see multiple scenes able to be opened in seperate viewport tabs. It would probable overwhelm some computers though.

So I like it and if I was to ask for one feature set, absent any intent by DAZ 3D to migrate DAZ Studio piecemeal to DAZ Central, it would be to expand it enough to be a Smart Content tag editor, which I guess means giving it all the features of Smart Content & Content Library & DAZ Connect tabs.

 

Plugin installation/update support could have been added to SmartContent. V4/M4 capability and content development is pretty much frozen wrt Daz store, so once installed via DIM/manual don't require further maintenance. Doesn't justify building an entire "parallel" product for it.

Yeah, I don't think ease-of-use is the point of this, but rather DRM.

Smart Content works on metadata from the CMS which is managed by both the DIM and Connect installation process or if someone has manually added metadata for external items. So it is already decoupled from Connect to a large extent. But the de facto installation method with Smart Content is Connect and thats where the concerns are wrt to its reliance on DRM. If we can make it optional for Smart Content so that it could install using DIM paths then a lot of public perception around it could be improved and its barrier of adoption lowered. But a significant drawback with that option would be that it would no longer be able to do differential updates (a feature of Connect that saves bandwidth and time while downloading content updates of only updated files/metadata instead of the entire package all over again) and content installation in discrete directories. If we keep aside the concerns for DRM for a moment, Smart Content and Connect seemed a step in the right direction for content management.

I am a bit confused with the overlapping funtionality of DazCentral with SmartContent. Is there anything, even a prospect, in DazCentral that is not already there/possible with SmartContent? Or, is this just an attempt to bring SmartContent functionality by replacing the underlying Connect? In the present state, I feel SmartContent to be more cohesive, intuitive, stable and feature rich than DazCentral, so what is the business direction and prospects with DazCentral in the light of SmartContent?

In my initial queries, which still beg official answers, I did not intend to make any forward looking statements towards Connect. Daz has not released any Connect exclusive content for a while now and I would prefer it remains that way. Since Daz Central uses DIM paths instead of Connect path (which are clearly distinct in how and where the content is mapped), I would assume that this is going to be a replacement/upgrade over the existing DIM once the missing functionalities get ported either as core features or plugins. Plugins support being the carrot on the stick for existing DIM users.

No, they're in the release queue, just waiting for a date...

Great news.  I'm an immediate buy.  Looking forward to more add-ons.

Add my vote to the following suggestion.  Variety of options for the central glade without foliage to place structures on.

I tried the standard Window uninstall, but it is not listed. I looked in the program and its uninstaller gave me a weird message about not able to be used or something. I used DIM to uninstall it, but the files are still in C:/Program Files/DAZ 3D/DAZCentral. Oh that message I got was 'This app can't run on your PC' when I clicked on the .exe file to remove DAZ Central. This is like a sticky spider putting tentacles into my system.

I went and deleted the folder, found the warning by security this time. Then deleted the desktop icon. 

My Windows 10 update was able to run now.
Feedback to the DAZ Team. Please, take into consideration that many of us have our content on drives other than C: and allow us to easily adjust this product to read our DIM setups initially before it decides it is going with a default mode. Or at least ask questions, and allow us to direct the program to our desired paths.
I hate Wednesdays that start this way.

Found my install paths for downloads were reverted to my C: drive. And only because of a major Windows 10 update today. My drive was maxed out. Thanks. It took a bit, and finally found a slew of 'Custom' paths added to my DIM that were not there yesterday. Deleted them, uninstalled today's downloads, and reinstalled to my F: drive.

Now, how the heck do you uninstall DAZ Central? I don't want a program that is going to override my paths and preferences behind my back.

Mary

Yeah, my DIM download and install paths were changed as well (disclaimer: I don't use DIM to install, just to download updates)

That's not good. What else did it mess up that I haven't found yet?

I'll be deleting the DAZ Central folder and using Ccleaner to remove any remains.

Found my install paths for downloads were reverted to my C: drive. And only because of a major Windows 10 update today. My drive was maxed out. Thanks. It took a bit, and finally found a slew of 'Custom' paths added to my DIM that were not there yesterday. Deleted them, uninstalled today's downloads, and reinstalled to my F: drive.

Now, how the heck do you uninstall DAZ Central? I don't want a program that is going to override my paths and preferences behind my back.

Mary

Someone has already mentioned using the 'standard' windows add/remove program mechanism to do this.

Found my install paths for downloads were reverted to my C: drive. And only because of a major Windows 10 update today. My drive was maxed out. Thanks. It took a bit, and finally found a slew of 'Custom' paths added to my DIM that were not there yesterday. Deleted them, uninstalled today's downloads, and reinstalled to my F: drive.

Now, how the heck do you uninstall DAZ Central? I don't want a program that is going to override my paths and preferences behind my back.

Mary

 

Plugin installation/update support could have been added to SmartContent. V4/M4 capability and content development is pretty much frozen wrt Daz store, so once installed via DIM/manual don't require further maintenance. Doesn't justify building an entire "parallel" product for it.

Yeah, I don't think ease-of-use is the point of this, but rather DRM.

If that is the case, haven't we been here before and said NO already?

Also: DIM, Central, Connect - no wonder people think it's complicated.

But as long as I can install and organise by hand according to my own system...

@evacyn

Thanks, you just saved my sanity. I went in and adjusted the correct thing like your instructions said, let it whirl, then closed it and when DIM reopend, I had content loaded, 12560 loaded and 2121 that I haven't installed. (Poser files that I have in reserve if those really old DAZ files act up again.) The last time I downloaded my library, I had to do it in bits over 5 months, so I wouldn't exceed our limit, and still leave room for my flatmate who has to maintain his three websites.
I think I will keep DAZ Central off for now.

Mary

Awesome - glad you're back in business too :) 

@evacyn

Thanks, you just saved my sanity. I went in and adjusted the correct thing like your instructions said, let it whirl, then closed it and when DIM reopend, I had content loaded, 12560 loaded and 2121 that I haven't installed. (Poser files that I have in reserve if those really old DAZ files act up again.) The last time I downloaded my library, I had to do it in bits over 5 months, so I wouldn't exceed our limit, and still leave room for my flatmate who has to maintain his three websites.
I think I will keep DAZ Central off for now.

Mary

I redownloaded the DIM, and when I tried to open it, got a message that DIM and DAZ Central can't be open at the same time. Closed DAZ Central. Opened DIM and found all my content is under 'Ready to Download' some 14636 products, not 'Installed'. I only have 7 items under 'installed' now. Well. Just. Well. Yeah.

Yeah - I ran into the same issue. Not sure if it'll work for you, but in DIM:

1. Click on the Settings icon.
2. Click Basic Settings.
3. For Base Directory, choose 'Default' from the drop-down menu:

I redownloaded the DIM, and when I tried to open it, got a message that DIM and DAZ Central can't be open at the same time. Closed DAZ Central. Opened DIM and found all my content is under 'Ready to Download' some 14636 products, not 'Installed'. I only have 7 items under 'installed' now. Well. Just. Well. Yeah.

I tried it and it decided I did not have Daz Studio installed! I had both the regular one and the Beta. Next thing I knew DAZ Central is downloading and installing a new copy of DS. I saw a glimpse of a message of fixing an error or something. Hard to read when moving fast. I checked both Content Directory Managers and found some new entries on the new DS. I am attaching images of both Content Directory Manager (CDM) for the new DS and the Beta. I am at a loss. I have my content on my 8TB F: drive. 

It took me and Customer Service to get my directories to work correctly. So please let me know if the C:/ProgramData/DAZ 3D/Applications/Data/DAZ 3D/My DAZ 3D Library is not going to mess me up, or do I need to move the directory to F:?

Thanks,

Mary

I tried it and it decided I did not have Daz Studio installed! I had both the regular one and the Beta. Next thing I knew DAZ Central is downloading and installing a new copy of DS. I saw a glimpse of a message of fixing an error or something. Hard to read when moving fast. I checked both Content Directory Managers and found some new entries on the new DS. I am attaching images of both Content Directory Manager (CDM) for the new DS and the Beta. I am at a loss. I have my content on my 8TB F: drive. 

It took me and Customer Service to get my directories to work correctly. So please let me know if the C:/ProgramData/DAZ 3D/Applications/Data/DAZ 3D/My DAZ 3D Library is not going to mess me up, or do I need to move the directory to F:?

Thanks,

Mary

Well i don't know if you are after feedback in general or only bugs. HEre is both just in case:

* Compared to DIM i kind of miss multi selection install.

Noted, I can't promise it will get in there but I like the idea. Thank you for the feedback.

* The fact that in dashboard only shows recent purchases to install may be a good thing. But what is exactly the criteria? If i did not open central in over a week and have purchased but not installed some products, will they not show in the dashboard?

The recent purchases just shows the last few products sorted by when you purchased them. If you make a bunch of purchases over the course of a week they would not be visible.

* What does "Update assets automatically actually mean?" Only models but not main software and plugins gets updated?

Just content is updated, no plug-ins or applications.

* What is the criteria for Asset/Pluging? I have "Look at Me II" in assets and Michael 4 base in plugins. Some things do not get shown at all? I'm not finding scene optimizer

I'll have someone look in to that, DazCentral attempts to sort things a little bit differently than DIM so some things may need a little updating on the store's database to get them to appear in their correct locations.

* Search so far seems really good. Search response is instant, partials and multiples words have no issues. I think it can still be improved by adding more info: specially thinking in artist and also "tags". If its just too many columns, maybe add  the ability to choose witch ones we want to see, but index all by default.

Once again, thank you for the feedback. This will probably have to wait for the refreshed store software in order to get the data in the right places at the right time to make this happen.

Possible bug: I get error when trying to open a base character from central. Daz do open, but i get this:

Are you running the latest version of Daz Studio? It had fixes in it to solve that bug (and also a newer version of Iray with a bunch of fixes and improvements in that as well).