Daz 3D is part of 
Connect
DAZ Productions, Inc.
7533 S Center View Ct #4664
West Jordan, UT 84084
Licensing Agreement | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | EULA
© 2024 Daz Productions Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Comments
Nope. Just take your entire library, move it, then change your content folders in DS to reflect the move.
i've got both daz 3 and 4.6 installed and looking to merge it all together. can i move the folders in the content folder into the runtime folder to merge them? and would it be possible to put all hair files under "Hair"? i know some of them are under figures and their textures under pose, rather have it all in one place so i can find it easier. been wanting to really organize my stuff for a long time.
If you start moving the Folders in the Content folders You Can/Will break items. The DAZ Studio Content NOT in a runtime already does NOT belong in a Runtime.
You CAN merge the DS3 Content into the My Library Folder and move it (that's MERGE all the folders inside the Content folder with the Folders inside the My Library Folder, not put it inside it) and then move it. Then just POINT DS3 and DS4 to that one folder.
just to clarify (it's late, so apologies for seeming slow), i can merge the folders in the content one with the ones in the runtime one once they are all merged with the my library folders?
NO!! If the files in the Content folder are NOT in the Runtime you will break them. DS expects them to NOT be in a Runtime folder. That is why they are not in it already.
IMO it's better to copy the new content into the old content's folder, as you risk overwriting newer files with older versions if you copy the old stuff into the newer stuff.
I'll give you a hopefully simple breakdown, lets say you have these two runtimes, Content being the old one, and My Library being the new one.
Content (iirc DS3 had this as the library name by default)
-data
-People
-Runtime
-Shaders
etc
My Library
-data
-People
-Runtime
-Shaders
etc
Notice how each of the runtime structures have the same folders? That's because Content and My Library are both runtimes with different names.
An easy way of merging them, copy both folders to where you want your library, and change both of the names to the same thing. Windows should auto-merge them together for you.
For instance:
D:\Content
D:\My Library
Change My Library to Content, and it should merge the newer stuff into the old. Now change the name of Content to whatever you want and then you can follow Szark's link to update the paths in DS.
Good point. But Merge gives the option of replacing the older files with the newer files. I forget not all users might know that.
Yes, but then you have to read every dialog and file dates. At least merging new into old you can hit yes to all and not worry about it.
I get a For All files of this type Check box from the start. That works for me.
still working on organizing everything. is the morphs folder in libraries necessary, or can i move all that under Poses?
Leave the morphs folders alone! If you move those [and yes I know, they exist all over the place], the inj/rem morphs you have will not work.
The general principle to work with here is: can you see the stuff you're about to move in the Content Library tab? If not, then it's almost definitely a file referenced by another file you can see somewhere in the Content Library tab — if you move it you will break whatever it's controlling, probably a morph attached to a figure. These folders are "invisible" for a reason, to make sure no-one's tempted to "tidy up" then wonder why nothing works any more.
Another gotcha to beware of is if you use Smart Content or a Categories view of your content. If you do, then moving files around will break your Content view so very, very much unless you know and understand exactly what you're doing. It can be done, but be aware there are a lot of easy ways to do it wrong.
It is amazing that after WEEKS of Power-Googling, I've finally found the nugget of info that is ***the runtime that most Daz users are really talking about is NOT the My Library/Runtime folder, NOT EVEN Poser runtime, but the generic runtime for older version of Daz.******
AMAZING. Isn't it. Will the geniuses ever be capable of looking at Daz from a Daz noob's POV? :blank:
Communication = $$$$$$$$$$$$$$, HELLO?????
Now why am I here again? That's right. I need to find out a very very entry level kind of nugget of info.
I've figured out Smart Content - Content Library - Categories relationship.
I just want to know if I will break things if I move files from within Content Library>My Library>Old Clothing folder into My Library>New Clothing folder.
Yep that's all I want to know.
And thanks again in advance, the truly zen users of Daz.
I really wish people would place the words content, library and runtime in quotes when they are referring to actual folders with those name. Studio and Poser use relative addressing in their files (most of the time). As long as the Studio is pointed to the location of your library it can be anywhere (again mostly) you want. The Content Library tab will always display the contents of your library (or libraries) as long as its setup right. The Smart Content tab is poorly named as it is not smart at all. Smart Content relies on CMS and its database and the database appears to record absolute addressed paths. So if content is moved stupid Smart Content will fail because it is still pointing to the old location until it is manually updated.
Huh? Which "content" view is being broken? Smart "Content" or "Content" Library content view?
You're concentrating too much on that one phrase, look at the rest of the sentence: "if you use Smart Content or a Categories view". That's the view that gets broken if you move stuff without knowing exactly what you're doing.
The problem is that the Content Library tab (in View As List or View As Tree mode only) shows exactly what files are in which folders physically present on your hard drive. Every other view option doesn't show your content, it shows a database of pointers to your content. If you move files without knowing how to update this database, stuff breaks. If you only use the Content Library tab, and never use Categories, then you aren't using the database, so it doesn't matter if you move files.
Thanks for clarifying, Spottedkitty. I do plan to use Categories as I have 3 content directories on 3 respective hard drives.
So far nothing is broken or missing yet. Then again I don't have that many files and products to deal with YET - thanks to the tedium of learning Daz content organization I restrain my shopping and creative activities.
This is my attitude now - and I will recommend it to all Daz noobs - until I understand the difference between the file saving formats, where they get saved to and why, and What Not To Do To Break Things, the HUNDREDS of variables, there is no point to start shopping or creating.
There are just too many horror stories of months of creative works being destroyed by misinfo and lack of documentation.
Jestmart thanks for hearing me. So if I move files within absolute paths I need to manually update by right-clicking on moved file to "categorize" as well as to "show in Smart Content files" to update relative pathing. Nothing more, right?
And by moved "files", it can be any type of files: prop/figure/morph assets or any type of Presets, correct?
I'm also itching to tidy up the shocking mess that Daz store bought products created in my "data" folder. See the pic. Pretty sure it's not a new problem. (Dear Daz, one more reason why noobs stop shopping)
Question: Can I create a data/ new"hnk" folder from Windows Explorer, and move all the hnk files into the new "hnk" folder? If not, how can I do it correctly?
Thanks for your patience.
Don't move files in the Data folder. The files that need them identify them by their location and will not work if they are moved. As a general rule, don't move files that are not visible inside DS/Poser.
By the way, to fix the paths in the CMS database if you want to change your content folders:
1) export user data. This records only the RELATIVE paths
2) move your content folders (and be sure to change the paths in Edit > Preferences > Content Library > Content Directory Manager so DS can find the new locations).
3) reset the content database (options menu > Content DB Maintenance)
4) re-import metadata (also in options menu > Content DB Maintenance)
The content "folders" being referred to is Daz content Directories, and not the data folder in my very specific question, just to be sure?
Otherwise, it means I can "change" as in create new /data/VendorProduct folders and "change" as in cut and paste files into newly create folders, but I need to go through those CMS databse updating steps stated.
The content "folders" being referred to is Daz content Directories, and not the data folder in my very specific question, just to be sure?
Otherwise, it means I can "change" as in create new /data/VendorProduct folders and "change" as in cut and paste files into newly create folders, but I need to go through those CMS databse updating steps stated.
By content folders I mean just the top-level folder.
Being somewhat OCD myself, I sympathize with the desire to organize everything; however, it's best to assume that anything which isn't visible inside the program needs to stay in the same relative path.
The /data/ folders are nothing to do with that — they're the actual mesh data that defines the shape of an object, how the UVmaps are set out, and how the morphs affect its shape. The folder names are taken from the internal names of the mesh subobjects in each part of your content. The files in the folders are vital to whatever content you have installed; they're third-rail territory, poke it with a stick and you kill your content.
Besides, they're invisible — "tidying up" in the /data/ folder will make absolutely no difference except none of your content will work again until you reinstall it.
The files that are safe to move are the ones you can see in the Content Library tab. They're the "master" files for each object/pose/material script/whatever and contain pointers to the must-not-be-moved files.
Unnecessary clutter adds confusion. Even vets are disoriented, nevermind noobs. The mess created by irresponsible vendors and ignored by lazy Daz may not cripple function but adds to existing info-overload and visual clutter. In my case the hnk and pCube vendors FAILED to properly place their products within their own Vendor Name folders. Why can't they do like Bobbie and Age of Armor, or Daz3D? This ADDS to existing clutter pollution from other presumptious vendors who place their own folders at the same level as /data. As if Daz Studio isn't bloated and SCHIZOID enough as is.
Daz Studio is a complex enough tool WITHOUT coherent instruction and consistent implementation, it doesn't need clutter on top of that.
Vendors who refuse to follow standard protocol should be ignored by customers in the future.
Thanks for elaborating.
I'll gladly admit being OCD - however I'm usually the self-service DIY sort with high mess tolerance. My digital music background means I can deal with pointer/relative path and delta and jargons. I learned Photoshop CS and Zbrush without manual, jump in and create by trial and error, youtube and google only if and when need arises.
Being OCD with Daz Content Organization AND Saving Formats is not a choice, but an absolute must. And a painful phase all noobs need to account for.
Daz Studio is the most baggage-ladden, mis-named, and wasted piece of POTENTIAL-PACKED creative tool I've encounter in my prosumer artist life. It is like trying to brew a beer in a well-equiped but 99% dark garage. One wrong step, your days of hard work is burnt, or full un-installation+reinstallations.
The only people who can live with Daz are the very patient, long-attention span sort (VERY RARE THESE DAYS) or those who have invested years and $$$$. If Daz wants to retain new customers, they have to revamp from the core.
Thanks again for the help.
If you did actually read my last 2 posts above, you would've noted
1. I've stated UPFRONT I've figured out Smart Content > Content Library > Cateogories relationship. Yet it seems only jestmart is capable of noting that. I stated my level of uunderstanding upfront precisely to reduce IRRELEVANT responses. Obviously misreading is a plague here. Do take note.
2. I've actually TAKEN THE FREAKING TIME to learn DAZ. TAKE NOTE I explained why I wish to use Categories to Spottedkitty. CLEARLY I did my homework. CLEARLY I am the rare masochist who hasn't dump Daz by now.
3. I'm a long attention span, organized, UNASSUMING user who would care to ASK and RESEARCH first instead of MAKING ASSUMPTIONS. Listening skill is dead or what.
4. To charge a new user as 100% wrong about something is very strong. And you don't even care to state EXACTLY what I'm 100% wrong about, and go on about general stuff that Spottedkitty has already double-stressed.
Lecturing diligent noobs like me who have tried to learn Daz EARNESTLY POLITELY CAREFULLY SYSTEMATICALLY and PATIENTLY to "SPEND TIME TO LEARN" is the biggest joke ever. Not to mention RUBBING SALT INTO WOUND.
Do I need to talk about how many hours I spend to get a tiny nugget of info out of the Daz Mess AGAIN?
It's OK mate, I understand, it's easy to generalize all noobs as dumb and distracted and light-weight.
The consensus on this forum and elsewhere is Daz content organization is schizophrenic even for professional programmers. People lose work from lack of information. What's there to defend?
My response was only to what I quoted. If the program presents issues to you beyond what a new user needs please address your issues in a Forum more suited for that. Nuts & Bolts or DAZ Studio Discussion are better choices. The New User Help Forum is for Basic information for those that need it. You will get more help for advanced issues in the forums that the other more advanced users visit the most.
Further to that please note this, from the Sticky post above titled "New User Forum Guide"
Especially this part
Please help us to help New Users by keeping this forum Friendly and Helpful. Thankyou :coolsmile:
LOL stop acting like this is about noobs posting in the wrong area of the forum. This is about shooting a messenger and silencing a complaining new customer.
Some perspective, folks.
The topic here = Moving Directories.
My issue? Moving Files in Directories.
Does it fit the topic? 10000% YES.
So is it GOOD FORM of me to post my question in a relevant topic instead of spamming the forum with yet more new posts?
Another mega YES.
Did I get the answer I sought in this topic? YES. From one out of three responses. Still, I'm grateful. And I say thank you EVEN for the irrelevant responses. That is what I do. That is who I am.
Oh yes, I complain too. And I complain very specifically, and I give contexts to what is wrong with things as they are.
Is it wrong for Daz users to complain about Daz content organization chronic disorder - in a topic about content organization issue?
10000% NO.
If customers don't feedback on specifics and just walk away, vendors will never know how to improve product and services.
Look around here, Daz users complaining as they make suggestions for improvement is what 90% of this forum is about.
Be grateful that this customer don't just give up and walk away, but actually specify WHY and HOW to make it right for other new users.
On the other hand...
Is it good form for an admin to charge new users of being "100% wrong" for giving feedback on Why Vendors Should Observe Standard Filing Protocol?
So what is going on here?
Yep. Shooting the messenger (and a paying customer).
Hope that is clear.
And the end of the day, reality is, Daz cannot survive on existing customer base. So bully and alienate the noobs at the vendor's own demise.