It never happended to me to take over 3 hours to import a HD figure. May be your system is swapping ram if 32G aren't enough. What's the ram usage in the task manager ?

Also if you need the HD mesh only for baking then you could disable "add multires" and "add armature" in the global settings.

I'm trying to figure out what the right way to go about doing this is.

I can export from Daz and import into blender, thhe the base mesh no problem. When exporting from using HD mesh, it takes around 660 seconds which is about 10 mins, so not so bad. Howevver, it's been over 3 hours and blender hasn't finished importing the file.

I have a 2080ti, intel 9700k, 32gb ram, in case those things are important here, which they probably are.

I have a static character that has already been posed in Daz. It's got a lot of shape morphs and HD morphs and geografts.

I tried to use Xin's HD addon, and if I'm not mistaken, after importing the base mesh, I need to load my favorite morphs. But I can't figure out how to save my favorite morphs in Daz.

I essentially need both, a low poly and a high poly version of  my character, including clothes.

I thought about sending my character to zbrush and then exporting as fbx from there, but want to try and stick to blender and diffeo if possible.

FenixPhoenix said:

Ok, open the log file and delete everything. Then close it, apply the LIE to a character and then post what the log file says here. Maybe we can figure out where the LIE is going wrong.

Good idea! I hadn't thought to check there - Log reads as such:

2022-07-04 22:41:50.429 [INFO] :: Loaded image: aprhele_txblack.jpg
2022-07-04 22:41:50.622 [INFO] :: Loaded image: aprhele_trans.jpg
2022-07-04 22:41:50.810 [INFO] :: Loaded image: CBSYPH_Sleeve_Opacity_01.png
2022-07-04 22:42:37.316 [INFO] :: Loaded image: Coral8_1_Face1D_1001.jpg
2022-07-04 22:42:37.725 [INFO] :: Loaded image: mua_blush01.png
2022-07-04 22:42:38.185 [INFO] :: Loaded image: mua_contour02.png
2022-07-04 22:42:38.721 [INFO] :: Loaded image: Coral8_1_Face1SSS_1001.jpg
2022-07-04 22:42:39.125 [INFO] :: Loaded image: mua_blush01.png
2022-07-04 22:42:39.582 [INFO] :: Loaded image: mua_contour02.png
2022-07-04 22:42:40.108 [INFO] :: Loaded image: Coral8_1_FaceR_1001.jpg
2022-07-04 22:42:42.181 [INFO] :: Prepare asset load (merge): /People/Genesis 8 Female/Materials/MUA/07 Highlight/!Apply First Highlight Shader.duf
2022-07-04 22:42:42.181 [INFO] :: Locking viewport redraw...
2022-07-04 22:42:42.181 [INFO] :: Viewport redraw locked.
2022-07-04 22:42:42.301 [INFO] :: Native format content directories: 3
2022-07-04 22:42:42.301 [INFO] :: Poser format content directories: 3
2022-07-04 22:42:42.301 [INFO] :: Other import format content directories: 0
2022-07-04 22:42:42.301 [INFO] :: Begin asset load (merge): /People/Genesis 8 Female/Materials/MUA/07 Highlight/!Apply First Highlight Shader.duf
2022-07-04 22:42:42.302 [INFO] :: Determining missing assets...
2022-07-04 22:42:42.361 [INFO] :: Setting textures...
2022-07-04 22:42:42.361 [INFO] :: Creating materials...
2022-07-04 22:42:42.362 [INFO] :: Applying animations...
2022-07-04 22:42:42.364 [INFO] :: Finished asset load (merge): 0m 0.63s - /People/Genesis 8 Female/Materials/MUA/07 Highlight/!Apply First Highlight Shader.duf
2022-07-04 22:42:42.501 [INFO] :: Unlocking viewport redraw...
2022-07-04 22:42:42.502 [INFO] :: Viewport redraw unlocked.
2022-07-04 22:42:44.856 [INFO] :: Prepare asset load (merge): /People/Genesis 8 Female/Materials/MUA/08 Cut Crease/!Apply First Shader.duf
2022-07-04 22:42:44.856 [INFO] :: Locking viewport redraw...
2022-07-04 22:42:44.856 [INFO] :: Viewport redraw locked.
2022-07-04 22:42:45.023 [INFO] :: Native format content directories: 3
2022-07-04 22:42:45.023 [INFO] :: Poser format content directories: 3
2022-07-04 22:42:45.023 [INFO] :: Other import format content directories: 0
2022-07-04 22:42:45.023 [INFO] :: Begin asset load (merge): /People/Genesis 8 Female/Materials/MUA/08 Cut Crease/!Apply First Shader.duf
2022-07-04 22:42:45.024 [INFO] :: Determining missing assets...
2022-07-04 22:42:45.080 [INFO] :: Setting textures...
2022-07-04 22:42:45.080 [INFO] :: Creating materials...
2022-07-04 22:42:45.081 [INFO] :: Applying animations...
2022-07-04 22:42:45.083 [INFO] :: Finished asset load (merge): 0m 0.60s - /People/Genesis 8 Female/Materials/MUA/08 Cut Crease/!Apply First Shader.duf
2022-07-04 22:42:45.217 [INFO] :: Unlocking viewport redraw...
2022-07-04 22:42:45.217 [INFO] :: Viewport redraw unlocked.
2022-07-04 22:42:45.890 [INFO] :: Prepare asset load (merge): /People/Genesis 8 Female/Materials/MUA/07 Highlight/!Apply First Highlight Shader.duf
2022-07-04 22:42:45.890 [INFO] :: Locking viewport redraw...
2022-07-04 22:42:45.890 [INFO] :: Viewport redraw locked.
2022-07-04 22:42:46.052 [INFO] :: Native format content directories: 3
2022-07-04 22:42:46.052 [INFO] :: Poser format content directories: 3
2022-07-04 22:42:46.052 [INFO] :: Other import format content directories: 0
2022-07-04 22:42:46.052 [INFO] :: Begin asset load (merge): /People/Genesis 8 Female/Materials/MUA/07 Highlight/!Apply First Highlight Shader.duf
2022-07-04 22:42:46.053 [INFO] :: Determining missing assets...
2022-07-04 22:42:46.115 [INFO] :: Setting textures...
2022-07-04 22:42:46.115 [INFO] :: Creating materials...
2022-07-04 22:42:46.116 [INFO] :: Applying animations...
2022-07-04 22:42:46.117 [INFO] :: Finished asset load (merge): 0m 0.65s - /People/Genesis 8 Female/Materials/MUA/07 Highlight/!Apply First Highlight Shader.duf
2022-07-04 22:42:46.222 [INFO] :: Unlocking viewport redraw...
2022-07-04 22:42:46.222 [INFO] :: Viewport redraw unlocked.
2022-07-04 22:42:48.813 [INFO] :: Prepare asset load (merge): /People/Genesis 8 Female/Materials/MUA/02 Smokey Eyeshadow/Black.duf
2022-07-04 22:42:48.813 [INFO] :: Locking viewport redraw...
2022-07-04 22:42:48.813 [INFO] :: Viewport redraw locked.
2022-07-04 22:42:49.142 [INFO] :: Loaded image: Coral8_1_Face1D_1001.jpg
2022-07-04 22:42:49.683 [INFO] :: Loaded image: mua_blush01.png
2022-07-04 22:42:50.139 [INFO] :: Loaded image: mua_contour02.png
2022-07-04 22:42:50.663 [INFO] :: Loaded image: Coral8_1_Face1SSS_1001.jpg
2022-07-04 22:42:51.071 [INFO] :: Loaded image: mua_blush01.png
2022-07-04 22:42:51.532 [INFO] :: Loaded image: mua_contour02.png
2022-07-04 22:42:52.104 [INFO] :: Loaded image: Coral8_1_FaceR_1001.jpg
2022-07-04 22:42:52.194 [INFO] :: Native format content directories: 3
2022-07-04 22:42:52.194 [INFO] :: Poser format content directories: 3
2022-07-04 22:42:52.194 [INFO] :: Other import format content directories: 0
2022-07-04 22:42:52.194 [INFO] :: Begin asset load (merge): /People/Genesis 8 Female/Materials/MUA/02 Smokey Eyeshadow/Black.duf

At a glance, it doesn't look like anything was missing like I thought there would be? But it does look like it tries to merge an asset but it doesn't work quite right? I was expecting it to try and load something like black.png and then layer that on top. Maybe there's something wrong with the figure asset it's loading? But if so then IDK how to fix that, since I already re-installed the files. Is there something here I am missing?

Cheri Lasota said:

So I'm wondering if this is the issue (screenshot below). I've got two Product Assets Scripts folders, both on my external drive. That seems problematic. Which is supposed to be the correct location? And how can I ensure that Smart Collections is pointing to that folder?

Yeah, there should only be one.  Smart Collections is designed to take the FIRST directory under Daz Studio Formats as the parent for the product scripts folder, though you can change that in the data/RiverSoft Art/Common/RSSmartCollectionsConstants.dsa file.

Also it may be useful to note that I had a recent snafu with the DIM on this new computer. I downloaded/installed all fresh new assets from DIM onto the computer's hard drive. Then I transferred all those files from the hard drive to the external drive. But the DIM glitched out and would only recognize the C: drive locations (even after resetting the database, pointing to the external HD in the Content Directory Manager, etc. So I just went ahead and uninstalled and reinstalled all the files again (so fun!). That fixed that. But I just tried refreshing the metadata in Daz Studio and it brought back previous smart collections that I had deleted (by going into "Show Product in Content Library." Ugh, what a mess. I was hoping that by starting fresh with everything, I'd avoid any weird glitches. Clearly I was wrong. ;)

Also attached is how my assets look when I add products inside a collection. I'm thinking that's what you meant by your last question. 

OMG, I just figured something out! So I clicked on one of the items in a Smart Collection that wasn't showing as a product script under products (the product is Woodland Nymph Makeup 01. It was showing up as an "Accessory." So I right-clicked on it, clicked categorize, and checked Product | Script in there. It shows up as a product under the Product twizzle now. That said, the full product isn't showing. Just the geoshell accessory file. So it doesn't fix the actual problem but made me wonder if the issue is categorization problem.

That is really strange.  It should not be a categorization problem.  (BTW, you do have the Delete Empty Products option unchecked?)

kerry said:

This was the tool that managed to pry open my wallet after months of not spending!

Love it, feeling super organized it's already making the creation process feel way smoother, more fun, and less of a chore of wading through irrelevant items. You can see how I'm using the product in the attached pic. 

The one thing I'm not sure about is how to delete any products created that I don't want anymore, as I got used to using this tool I started to develop a naming convention and a system for organising myself. Actually, now I have a better idea of what I want from my library if I could I would just delete the whole lot and start over. sure it's possible to override stuff but some tool created products i just plain don't want anymore. 

Now I have a bunch of stuff cluttering up my smart content that I wish I could delete but don't know how. 

Exactly the same thing is happening with content wizard too. Had a few fails as I figured it out and now I can't get rid of them in my smart content. 

My, these icons you use look gorgeous! I was about to stop bothering with metadata altogether, but this is so neat and organized and just plain lovely. Where can I get those? Please don't tell me you've created them yourself! 
 

Edit: Just realized that pics are not included in the reply post anymore. But I hope, @kerry, you'll know which icons I mean anyways.

I'm trying to import a clothing object into Daz, use transfer utility to match it to a Daz figure, set a specific pose, export just the clothing as an OBJ, reimport then OBJ, then save it as a Duf, to import into another system.
It almost works.

I've tried selecting everything but the clothing item, setting everything else to Not Visible, and then exporting as an OBJ, with the "Ignore Invisible Nodes" checked - but when I load the OBJ back up, it has a figure wearing the clothing. Everything I've read says it should just be exporting the visible item, but its including the invisible figure for some reason.

So I need to either figure out what I'm doing wrong in trying to just export the clothes, or alternatively, find a way to save a Duf of just a clothing item (posed) without the character.

Any help would be appreciated.

Richard Haseltine said:

Clearing the database and not reimporting metadata will also block those features which rely on the metadata provided by the CMS.

I have metadata installed only for the Default Resources, all Genesis Starter Essentials and the dForce Essentials. This stuff has its own content directory where nothing else will be installed.

Anything else has different content directories, the products are installed solely manually - no DIM, no Daz Central and no Daz Connect. And the /Runtime/Support folders of my content directories are empty, I don't have any use for all this rather stupid than 'smart' content that only breaks things and causes a terrible mess in the content organization. I even delete references for my saved files and support assets, I organize my content otherwise, and since .djl links were introduced, I use those and put them in a (for me) senseful structure inside an own 'link library', so I find what I am looking for.

Well, I do this since more than 8 years and never had any problems that things didn't work - unless things I have ruined myself lol.

Heya, I'm new, so I'm sorry I don't know all the technical formats and languaging, 

I have been following a tutorial on creating concept art, my main goal is to import a Daz file into Blender so I can change and pose in Blender. and I have gotten to the stage of first using Daz-3D, I have downloaded everything relevant,  Daz Studio, Daz Central and made a scene, exported them to .duf files and also.dbz

so far I have error messages saying that I am:

1: Missing C:/Program Files/Daz 3D/DAZStudio4/shaders/iray

(I do have iray, it manages to work in Daz Studios, I'm guessing it is just not in the correct file path, but I could be wrong)

2: Missing Assets, read the error text saved in daz_importer_errors.txt 

(This was after I tried to open a .duf.png files)

MISSING ASSETS:
  /data/daz%203d/dforce%20starter%20essentials/bardot%20top/bardottop_10570.dsf
  /data/daz%203d/dforce%20starter%20essentials/bardot%20skirt/bardotskirt_8467.dsf
  /data/daz%203d/genesis%208/female/genesis8female.dsf
  /data/daz%203d/genesis%208/female%20eyelashes/genesis8femaleeyelashes.dsf
  /data/3dcelebrity/lauren%20hair/lauren%20hair%20gen%208/lauren%20hair.dsf
  /data/fwdesign/shaded%20haven/pergola/pergola_33589.dsf
  /data/fwdesign/shaded%20haven/planters/planters_1816.dsf
  /data/fwdesign/shaded%20haven/insideivy/insideivy_162783.dsf
  /data/daz%203d/genesis%208/female/uv%20sets/daz%203d/base/base%20female.dsf
  /data/daz%203d/genesis%208/female%20eyelashes/uv%20sets/daz%203d/base/basic%20female.dsf
  /data/daz%203d/dforce%20starter%20essentials/bardot%20top/uv%20sets/mada/base/default.dsf
  /data/daz%203d/dforce%20starter%20essentials/bardot%20skirt/uv%20sets/mada/base/default.dsf
  /data/3dcelebrity/lauren%20hair/lauren%20hair%20gen%208/uv%20sets/3dcelebrity/base/default.dsf
  /data/fwdesign/shaded%20haven/pergola/uv%20sets/fwdesign/base/default.dsf
  /data/fwdesign/shaded%20haven/planters/uv%20sets/fwdesign/base/default.dsf
  /data/fwdesign/shaded%20haven/insideivy/uv%20sets/fwdesign/base/default.dsf
  /data/daz%203d/genesis%208/female/morphs/dark%20elf/binah/binah%20body.dsf
  /data/daz%203d/genesis%208/female/morphs/daz%203d/head/phmeyelasheslengthupper.dsf
  /data/daz%203d/genesis%208/female/morphs/daz%203d/head/phmeyelasheslengthlower.dsf
  /data/daz%203d/genesis%208/female/morphs/daz%203d/head/phmeyelashescurl.dsf
  /data/daz%203d/genesis%208/female/morphs/daz%203d/body/ctrlbodybuilder.dsf
  /data/daz%203d/genesis%208/female/morphs/daz%203d/expressions/ectrlshock_hd.dsf
  /data/daz%203d/genesis%208/female/morphs/daz%203d/expressions/ectrlflirting_hd.dsf
  /data/daz%203d/genesis%208/female/morphs/daz%203d/base%20pose%20head/ectrlmouthcornerup-down.dsf
  /data/daz%203d/genesis%208/female/morphs/daz%203d/base%20pose%20head/ectrleyesupdown.dsf
  /data/daz%203d/genesis%208/female/morphs/daz%203d/base%20pose%20head/ectrleyessideside.dsf
  /data/daz%203d/genesis%208/female/morphs/daz%203d/base%20pose%20head/ectrleyelidslowerupdownr.dsf
  /data/daz%203d/genesis%208/female/morphs/daz%203d/base%20pose%20head/ectrleyelidslowerupdown.dsf
  /data/daz%203d/genesis%208/female/morphs/daz%203d/base%20pose%20head/ectrlbrowup-down.dsf
  /data/daz%203d/genesis%208/female/morphs/daz%203d/base%20pose%20head/ectrlbrowsqueezel.dsf
  /data/daz%203d/genesis%208/female/morphs/daz%203d/base%20pose%20head/ectrlbrowsqueeze.dsf
  /data/daz%203d/genesis%208/female/morphs/daz%203d/base%20pose%20head/ectrlbrowouterup-downl.dsf
  /data/daz%203d/genesis%208/female/morphs/daz%203d/base%20pose%20head/ectrlbrowouterup-down.dsf
  /data/daz%203d/genesis%208/female/morphs/daz%203d/base%20pose%20head/ectrlbrowinnerup-downr.dsf
  /data/daz%203d/genesis%208/female/morphs/daz%203d/base%20pose/pctrlneckheadtwist.dsf
  /data/daz%203d/genesis%208/female/morphs/daz%203d/base%20pose/pctrlneckheadside-side.dsf
  /data/daz%203d/genesis%208/female/morphs/daz%203d/base%20pose/pctrlneckheadbend.dsf
  /data/3dcelebrity/lauren%20hair/lauren%20hair%20gen%208/morphs/3dcelebrity/base/ear%20adj.dsf
  /data/3dcelebrity/lauren%20hair/lauren%20hair%20gen%208/morphs/3dcelebrity/base/base%20adj.dsf
  /Runtime/Textures/DAZ/Characters/Genesis8/FemaleBase/G8FBaseTorsoMapB_1002.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/DAZ/Characters/Genesis8/FemaleBase/G8FBaseTorsoMapD_1002.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/DAZ/Characters/Genesis8/FemaleBase/G8FBaseTorsoMapSSS_1002.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/DAZ/Characters/Genesis8/FemaleBase/G8FBaseTorsoMapS_1002.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/DAZ/Characters/Genesis8/FemaleBase/G8FBaseFaceMapB_1001.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/DAZ/Characters/Genesis8/FemaleBase/G8FBaseFaceMapD_1001.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/DAZ/Characters/Genesis8/FemaleBase/G8FBaseFaceMapSSS_1001.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/DAZ/Characters/Genesis8/FemaleBase/G8FBaseFaceMapS_1001.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/DAZ/Characters/Genesis8/FemaleBase/G8FBaseMouthMapB_1005.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/DAZ/Characters/Genesis8/FemaleBase/G8FBaseMouthMapD_1005.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/DAZ/Characters/Genesis8/FemaleBase/G8FBaseLegsMapB_1003.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/DAZ/Characters/Genesis8/FemaleBase/G8FBaseLegsMapD_1003.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/DAZ/Characters/Genesis8/FemaleBase/G8FBaseLegsMapSSS_1003.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/DAZ/Characters/Genesis8/FemaleBase/G8FBaseLegsMapS_1003.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/DAZ/Characters/Genesis8/FemaleBase/G8FBaseArmsMapB_1004.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/DAZ/Characters/Genesis8/FemaleBase/G8FBaseArmsMapD_1004.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/DAZ/Characters/Genesis8/FemaleBase/G8FBaseArmsMapSSS_1004.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/DAZ/Characters/Genesis8/FemaleBase/G8FBaseArmsMapS_1004.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/DAZ/Characters/Genesis8/FemaleBase/G8FBaseEyesB_1007.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/DAZ/Characters/Genesis8/FemaleBase/G8FBaseEyes01_1007.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/DAZ/Characters/Genesis8/FemaleBase/G8FBaseEyelashes_1006.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/Mada/Bardot/FlowerTop_NM.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/Mada/Bardot/FlowerTop2.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/Mada/Bardot/FlowerTop_Roughness.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/Mada/Bardot/FlowerTop_Glossiness.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/Mada/Bardot/FlowerTop2_T.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/Mada/Bardot/FlowerSkirt_NM.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/Mada/Bardot/FlowerSkirt.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/Mada/Bardot/FlowerSkirt_Roughness.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/Mada/Bardot/FlowerSkirt_Glossiness.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/3DCelebrity/Lauren%20Hair/LaurenHair_Grey.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/3DCelebrity/Lauren%20Hair/LaurenHair_Brown_01.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/3DCelebrity/Lauren%20Hair/Lauren_Hair_Gloss.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/3DCelebrity/Lauren%20Hair/Lauren_Hair_Trans.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPWoodMRBUMP.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPWoodMR.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPWoodMRSSS.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPWoodMMBUMP.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPWoodMM.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPWoodMMSSS.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPWoodMLBUMP.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPWoodML.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPWoodMLSSS.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWWoodRTopBUMP.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWWoodRTop.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWWoodRTopSSS.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPWoodLTopBUMP.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPWoodLTop.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPWoodLTopSSS.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPWoodSupportsBUMP.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPWoodSupports.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPWoodSupportsSSS.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPFountainBUMP.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPFountain.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPFountainSSS.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPFountainTRANS.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPWallPillarTopsBUMP.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPWallPillarTops.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPWallPillarTopsSSS.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPRecessWallBUMP.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPRecessWall.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPRecessWallSSS.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPillarsAOBUMP.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPillarsAO.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPillarsAOSSS.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPFloorBUMP.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPFloor.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPFloorSSS.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPPlanters01BUMP.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPPlanters01.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPPlanters01SSS.jpg
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPFlower01.png
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPFlowerTrans.png
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPLeafAdult.png
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWPLeafAdultT.png
  /Runtime/Textures/FWDesign/SGPergola/FWBranchBrown.png
  /resources/DTHDR-RuinsB-500.hdr

If anybody could help that would be great

Is there any way to import video into DAZ Studio (as a frame sequence spread across the animation timeline)?

I'm looking for a down-and-dirty way to match-move video reference in creating low-cost mocap animation sequences.

So I'm wondering if this is the issue (screenshot below). I've got two Product Assets Scripts folders, both on my external drive. That seems problematic. Which is supposed to be the correct location? And how can I ensure that Smart Collections is pointing to that folder?

Also it may be useful to note that I had a recent snafu with the DIM on this new computer. I downloaded/installed all fresh new assets from DIM onto the computer's hard drive. Then I transferred all those files from the hard drive to the external drive. But the DIM glitched out and would only recognize the C: drive locations (even after resetting the database, pointing to the external HD in the Content Directory Manager, etc. So I just went ahead and uninstalled and reinstalled all the files again (so fun!). That fixed that. But I just tried refreshing the metadata in Daz Studio and it brought back previous smart collections that I had deleted (by going into "Show Product in Content Library." Ugh, what a mess. I was hoping that by starting fresh with everything, I'd avoid any weird glitches. Clearly I was wrong. ;)

Also attached is how my assets look when I add products inside a collection. I'm thinking that's what you meant by your last question. 

OMG, I just figured something out! So I clicked on one of the items in a Smart Collection that wasn't showing as a product script under products (the product is Woodland Nymph Makeup 01. It was showing up as an "Accessory." So I right-clicked on it, clicked categorize, and checked Product | Script in there. It shows up as a product under the Product twizzle now. That said, the full product isn't showing. Just the geoshell accessory file. So it doesn't fix the actual problem but made me wonder if the issue is categorization problem.

Also, just to clarify: all assets purchased from the Daz store can and should have a product aset script icon that's clickable when placed/installed in a Smart Collection, correct? For example, even if an asset is simply a jewelry collection and the files in there show as Accessories file type along with material presets or whatnot, there still should be a product script icon that shows when viewing a smart collection?

stefan.hums said:

tsroemi said:

I guess I will have to turn off metadata completely because it really keeps messing up the way I want to organize my things in Studio. It's so persistent, also with uninstalled or deleted items. Makes me having to hunt down every single reference to, say, a bunch 3dl textures and delete them by hand. But would I still have the thumbnails in the content library if I did away with all metadata?

If you want to get rid off the metadata all at once and completely: right-click on the Content Library tab, from the context menu choose Content DB Maintenance, in the dialogue select Reset Database. This will delete everything in Smart Content and your CMS database is then completely empty. But bear in mind: with that, also all references in Products and Categories are gone, also your own categorizitions if you made those.

But do NOT switch off the CMS itself! There are functions in Daz Studio which require the CMS running in background. Otherwise it may slow down things drastically or may lead to unforseeable behaviour and things do no longer work like expected or do no longer work at all.

Emptying the CMS database will not affect your thumbnails in the content library, these are loaded from the location where the physical files for the assets are.

Clearing the database and not reimporting metadata will also block those features which rely on the metadata provided by the CMS.

Ron Knights said:

You might be right about general requirements. But this is a specific prompt within a DAZ install process, The "prompt" screen bears a DAZ "stamp." Hopefully someone out there has more specific information about how DIM works, and what it wants.

I have this every once in a while. Sometimes, the Postgres database engine seems to shut down for no obvious reason. On startup, DIM kind-of pings the database for a response, and the database is not responding fast enough. Usually, I it should not be necessary to follow that install of basics. Just quit DIM, wait a few seconds and start it again. You might have to try that two or three times in a row. I suppose the system needs some time to re-start the database, and as long as DIM is not getting any feedback on its initial "ping", it assumes the database engine is not installed - and the assumption is extended to the other base files as well.

If you experience that password prompt, it is the DAZ install helper that is required for non-content installs (e.g. DS itself). As that installer needs to write to protected areas, it requests the macOS password of the user that has admin privileges on the DS appliaction folders  - usually the macOS user that has initially installed DS.

Note: if you DO install the postgres db again, it wipes out all your previous smart content data, and you end up with an empty smart content panel in DS. In that case, try Content DB maintenance -> re-import metadata

barbult said:

tsroemi said:

Does Ultrascenery rely on metadata in any way? I know we have to install everything into its correct folders, with DIM at best, but once it's in there, can I turn off CMS? Thanks and cheers!

I don't think you need CMS for UltraScenery. I never access it from Smart Content. All of the ecologies and features are accessed only from inside the UltraSceneCreator script, so it doesn't seem like metadata plays any role. I've never turned CMS off, though, so I can't say for sure.

Thank you for the quick response. I don't really see any reason either. I guess I'll just try with resetting the database to be on the safe side, this way I can reimport the metadata if I need to. Cheers!

stefan.hums said:

tsroemi said:

I guess I will have to turn off metadata completely because it really keeps messing up the way I want to organize my things in Studio. It's so persistent, also with uninstalled or deleted items. Makes me having to hunt down every single reference to, say, a bunch 3dl textures and delete them by hand. But would I still have the thumbnails in the content library if I did away with all metadata?

If you want to get rid off the metadata all at once and completely: right-click on the Content Library tab, from the context menu choose Content DB Maintenance, in the dialogue select Reset Database. This will delete everything in Smart Content and your CMS database is then completely empty. But bear in mind: with that, also all references in Products and Categories are gone, also your own categorizitions if you made those.

But do NOT switch off the CMS itself! There are functions in Daz Studio which require the CMS running in background. Otherwise it may slow down things drastically or may lead to unforseeable behaviour and things do no longer work like expected or do no longer work at all.

Emptying the CMS database will not affect your thumbnails in the content library, these are loaded from the location where the physical files for the assets are.

Thanks again, I'll rather just reset, then. I felt a bit cautious about switching the whole thing off myself ... 

tsroemi said:

I guess I will have to turn off metadata completely because it really keeps messing up the way I want to organize my things in Studio. It's so persistent, also with uninstalled or deleted items. Makes me having to hunt down every single reference to, say, a bunch 3dl textures and delete them by hand. But would I still have the thumbnails in the content library if I did away with all metadata?

If you want to get rid off the metadata all at once and completely: right-click on the Content Library tab, from the context menu choose Content DB Maintenance, in the dialogue select Reset Database. This will delete everything in Smart Content and your CMS database is then completely empty. But bear in mind: with that, also all references in Products and Categories are gone, also your own categorizitions if you made those.

But do NOT switch off the CMS itself! There are functions in Daz Studio which require the CMS running in background. Otherwise it may slow down things drastically or may lead to unforseeable behaviour and things do no longer work like expected or do no longer work at all.

Emptying the CMS database will not affect your thumbnails in the content library, these are loaded from the location where the physical files for the assets are.

tsroemi said:

Does Ultrascenery rely on metadata in any way? I know we have to install everything into its correct folders, with DIM at best, but once it's in there, can I turn off CMS? Thanks and cheers!

Does Ultrascenery rely on metadata in any way? I know we have to install everything into its correct folders, with DIM at best, but once it's in there, can I turn off CMS? Thanks and cheers!

stefan.hums said:

tsroemi said:

I know I need to set which libraries to use in the Content Directory Manager, but even if I disconnect the external libraries there, Studio still remembers those files were installed. So, can I not make Studio forget those installs as long as they're not really present?

Smart Content is your 'problem'. As soon as the support files with their metadata are installed for a product, it has its entries in the Smart Content database. If the content library is not available because disconnected, Studio will always show the 'Missing File' icon for these assets in the Smart Content tab. If you delete this content library (temporary) in Content Directory Manager, it will no longer be shown in the Content Library itself, but the Smart Content data are still there and you get the 'Missing File' icon for those assets. There is only one Smart Content database where all products will get their entries.

You would have to delete metadata by removing all references from the Products group in your Content Library for all of these products installed in those disconnected libraries. But then you would have to load the assets manually from your Content Library, they will no longer be available in Smart Content until you re-install their support files. Pretty cumbersome, but I guess there is no other solution. You will have to live with the 'Missing File' icons as long as those libraries are disconnected.

Thanks very much for the explanation! I guess I will have to turn off metadata completely because it really keeps messing up the way I want to organize my things in Studio. It's so persistent, also with uninstalled or deleted items. Makes me having to hunt down every single reference to, say, a bunch 3dl textures and delete them by hand. But would I still have the thumbnails in the content library if I did away with all metadata?

NorthOf45 said:

If you install with DIM or Central, products will be processed with the metadata. If no categories are set, it goes into Lost and Found by default, and that's the way it is.

The flash (Material(s), Actor, Scene, etc.) is set by the Content Type, also part of the metadata, which must be set to <None> in the editor.

The only way for it to be completely ignored by CMS is to turn it off, then none of the database tools will be available, no metadata will be used (no content type, no compatibilities, no categories -> no Smart Content).

Or, reset the database. Clean slate.

Sorry for reviving this thread, but I just found it and I'm myself battling with the metadata right now. How would I actually turn off the CMS completely, where can I find that option? And if I did that, could I still use the content library pane, without the Product lists of course? Thanks very much! 

The image below shows my geometry in Blender (left) and the same geometry after beind imported in Daz (right). I've used "Collada" to export/import, but if I use "OBJ" the same problem happens (in a smaller scale, but happens). Is there a way to avoid this, or is it a limitation in Daz? These changes in geometry cause all sorts of problems when applying textures in Daz. Yes, I could UV the geometry in Blender, but I don't see a reason for it to behave like this, even with simple cubes. Apparently Daz loves its triangles...