What Exactly Does It Mean To Merge Files?
Whenever that merge option comes up for the Runtime, and the copy/replace option, what exactly does each of those do? For merge it's yes, to put the two runtimes together- is that like making all parts work together? In other words, the mechanics of it? I've never seen it explained exactly what Runtime is, which may also help other new users. The "don't copy" means the file won't be changed, and I select that (at least I hope I do, been a long time since I've had to do this manually, used Taozen's downloader!)
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If you are on a PC, merging one Runtime folder with another means that the files from the merged runtime folder will be added to the original one. Apple Mac used to replace the original one with the new one, but I believe that it can now be merged using Mountain Lion.
If you want to add content on a PC, and that content is supplied inside a Runtime folder, simply drop the new folder into the folder which 'holds' the original runtime folder, and the two will merge, creating a single folder with the new stuff added. Does that help?
Poser and DAZ Studio files need to work on multiple machines, with things installed in different places, but they also need to find multiple component files, the actual geometry and the textures to wrap around it. The solution is to have a known, fixed, structure of folders for organising the content while allowing the user to place that fixed structure where desired, and to have the library files just list locations within the structure with the user telling the application where to find the first folder in the relative path. For Poser content, and for textures in DS in order to avoid duplications, that first folder is the Runtime folder.
Yes, it does, thanks. That is my "ball of wax" thought- the two needed to come together for the mechanics of it, so to speak.
And I'm right about the copy, copy/replace etc? I did this way back in September but with Taozen's downloader, I got out of practice. (not using DIM at the moment.)
I am not sure I know what you mean here. When you drop a runtime folder into a folder which already has a runtime folder, windows will ask if you want to merge them. It will give a warning that any files (not folders) with EXACTLY the same name in the same folder, will be overwritten, but that should never happen, so it is safe to say yes.
That is why, for example, in the Runtime > Textures folder, there are a load of seperate folders with the PA's name on them.like '3DUniverse' or 'Calida' or 'AntFarm' etc etc. So even if any of these PA's (vendors) were to all name a file, say, 'Black.JPG', they would be in seperate folders, and Windows would not replace them. They will even have sub-folders inside them as well, like in the case of Runtime > Textures > AntFarm, there are folders called NeverClean, NeverGrind etc which are his product names. That is why it is safe to merge Runtime folders in Windows at least.
Thanks :)
This is a separate question- but for the new DAZ zips coming May 15th, will there be any difference for us doing the downloading manually? I believe I read somewhere that it will be the same process as we just talked about? (I'm PC user)
The only difference will be that for the Daz Files you will merge to the My Library folder or your Content folder if it is not named My Library.
I hope this helps you some.
No change, they'll be the same as the DIM downloads you can get now, just the .exe versions will be going away (and their MAC counterparts).
fixmypcmike and Jaderail- thank you :)
I hope this means the projected date for finishing all the zip conversions is before the 15th...
(Where's a good coyote+anvil emoticon when you need one?)
I hope this means the projected date for finishing all the zip conversions is before the 15th...
(Where's a good coyote+anvil emoticon when you need one?)
You'll note they carefully say "start phasing out the installers"
I am still waiting on several items to be available through DIM..I haven't had any new downloads of converted items in a week. Does this have anything to do with the changes set for May 15? Is DIM still going to work the same way as it has since it came out? I don't really understand what this merge feature is for if DIM still installs as it did prior.
The Merge is for people who prefer to do things by hand, and it is good to know if you shop from other sites.