Moving the "My DAZ 3D Library" to seperate drive...

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  • dbdigital2dbdigital2 Posts: 270
    edited December 1969

    One question I have but I didn't see it mentioned here, or in other threads: If I move the content to a different drive, rebuild the database by reimporting meta data and user data (by the looks this is needed most of the time), are the categories, notes, and tags preserved? Or are they lost since the move and the CMS doesn't understand that this note/tag/category goes with this file in the new path. I am guessing it is smart enough, but thought I would double check.

    When you Export User Data the categories, etc. are saved as relative paths. When you Re-Import Metadata it checks the new paths for the items, so the metadata gets associated with the file in the new path.

    Ahh I thought it would remap, thanks for the confirm Mike.

  • ZarconDeeGrissomZarconDeeGrissom Posts: 5,412
    edited December 1969

    I'll second that. Have yet to get that other 16GB of ram, and a third SSD specifically for my daz content. I was going to simply move "My Documents" to the new SSD, as I don't use it for anything else any more. That way I don't need to mess with DIM/Studio path stuff, just the windows 7 config for "My Documents".

    I had doubts, can I just copy the folders over? Or do I need to uninstall daz content, move the path in windows, then re-install everything? Thanks fixmypcmike.

    FYI.
    SSD 1, Win 7 and Daz3d content. SSD 2, SonarX1 samples exclusively (Garritan Ultimate Collection, ZDG percussion section, etc).
    HDD 1 threw HDD 8, my other pdf documents and stuff.

  • fixmypcmikefixmypcmike Posts: 19,613
    edited December 1969

    I'll second that. Have yet to get that other 16GB of ram, and a third SSD specifically for my daz content. I was going to simply move "My Documents" to the new SSD, as I don't use it for anything else any more. That way I don't need to mess with DIM/Studio path stuff, just the windows 7 config for "My Documents".

    I had doubts, can I just copy the folders over? Or do I need to uninstall daz content, move the path in windows, then re-install everything? Thanks fixmypcmike.

    FYI.
    SSD 1, Win 7 and Daz3d content. SSD 2, SonarX1 samples exclusively (Garritan Ultimate Collection, ZDG percussion section, etc).
    HDD 1 threw HDD 8, my other pdf documents and stuff.

    I suspect it wouldn't work to just move it -- I moved the Documents folder on my system, but Windows still sees it as 2 paths, and some applications put stuff in the old default path. Since DS and DIM show the full paths, rather than an environment variable, I think they'll still use the old path.

  • ZarconDeeGrissomZarconDeeGrissom Posts: 5,412
    edited September 2014

    That sounds about correct, and dim and studio can be told where the new path has been copied to. Agreed alot of stuff only alows that path to be decided on install.

    So I don't need to fuss with windows. Just copy the complete daz folder paths to the new drive, then tel daz studio and DIM where they are (Y:\ instead of C:\). Allot less painless then uninstalling ALL the daz3d content, and reinstalling it, lol.

    I have screen-caps of where the config windows are somewhere on my computer, from other forum posts on the topic. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it, thanks.

    As you can see from this screen-cap, "C" is filling up alarmingly quickly from all the epic PA sails. It has reached critical mass, lol. A 120GB drive, and I only have 24GB left, not good. lol.
    (edit)
    Spacemonger is a really cool tool. Daz looks almost like a tumor on that drive (top left), lol.

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    Post edited by ZarconDeeGrissom on
  • fixmypcmikefixmypcmike Posts: 19,613
    edited December 1969

    If you still have the downloads, uninstalling and reinstalling in the new location with DIM will allow DIM to handle future updates.

  • ZarconDeeGrissomZarconDeeGrissom Posts: 5,412
    edited December 1969

    O.K. So I completely missed something from my simplistic thinking of the DIM path settings. Stuff that had been installed before the setting was changed, DIM will insist on using the old path for updates, as that info is stored elsewhere for each installed product. (Thanks for the PM explaining that). An uninstall of ALL DIM stuff, and a complete reinstall of ALL content into the new path is necessary for DIM to continue updating properly.

    So what about stuff like scripts, and morphs in "My Library" that DIM did not install in the first place??? If I copy that folder over, and change the path in Daz Studio settings, will I end up with two copies of all the SickleYield's morphs and other stuff?

  • fixmypcmikefixmypcmike Posts: 19,613
    edited December 1969

    See this thread: http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/46629/

    I think that should work, but I don't know if there's some factor I'm unaware of.

  • Mattkire75Mattkire75 Posts: 77
    edited December 1969

    Okay bumping this one as I just want to ensure no issues. If I just Cut and Paste My Library from one drive to the other and change the location in Contents Editor, I should be okay correct? Sorry just always like to be 100% sure before moving things.

  • fixmypcmikefixmypcmike Posts: 19,613
    edited December 1969

    poetman75 said:
    Okay bumping this one as I just want to ensure no issues. If I just Cut and Paste My Library from one drive to the other and change the location in Contents Editor, I should be okay correct? Sorry just always like to be 100% sure before moving things.

    Did you install with DIM?
    Do you create your own categories, tags, or metadata?

  • Mattkire75Mattkire75 Posts: 77
    edited December 1969

    poetman75 said:
    Okay bumping this one as I just want to ensure no issues. If I just Cut and Paste My Library from one drive to the other and change the location in Contents Editor, I should be okay correct? Sorry just always like to be 100% sure before moving things.

    Did you install with DIM?
    Do you create your own categories, tags, or metadata?

    Yes I Installed via DIM

    Yes I create my own Categories and Metadata

  • fixmypcmikefixmypcmike Posts: 19,613
    edited December 1969

    poetman75 said:
    poetman75 said:
    Okay bumping this one as I just want to ensure no issues. If I just Cut and Paste My Library from one drive to the other and change the location in Contents Editor, I should be okay correct? Sorry just always like to be 100% sure before moving things.

    Did you install with DIM?
    Do you create your own categories, tags, or metadata?

    Yes I Installed via DIM

    Yes I create my own Categories and Metadata

    Make sure you Export User Data before moving the content folder. After you've moved then and changed the locations in Content Directory Manager (both DS-formats and Poser formats), reset the database and re-import metadata to get your user data back.

    If you aren't uninstalling/reinstalling with DIM, you'll need to edit the ManifestFiles to make DIM think they were installed in the new location.

  • Mattkire75Mattkire75 Posts: 77
    edited December 1969

    Yeah it didn't work so trying the Uninstall and Re-Install through DIM. Good thing is that all my personal files were already on this drive!

  • ZarconDeeGrissomZarconDeeGrissom Posts: 5,412
    edited January 2015

    fixmypcmike, you've changed your avatar, again, lol. :coolsmile:

    My experience was some what scary at first before I started the attempt. The paths will need to be updated in Studio, and DIM. I also didn't know about that export option, so I had to recreate some metadata after the migration (A worthwhile learning experience for me).

    I don't know how much DIM had changed since then, I ended up needing to remove the old path entirely from the settings window, and then adding the new one, for DIM to stop putting stuff in the old path.
    http://www.daz3d.com/forums/viewreply/690863/
    Starting about there in my thread. (Screen-caps of the old 4.6 Studio, not the newer 4.7 interface). I hope that can help y'all out a bit.

    Post edited by ZarconDeeGrissom on
  • fixmypcmikefixmypcmike Posts: 19,613
    edited December 1969

    fixmypcmike, you've changed your avatar, again, lol. :coolsmile:

    Bonus points to the first person who can explain the reason why.

    I don't know how much DIM had changed since then, I ended up needing to remove the old path entirely from the settings window, and then adding the new one, for DIM to stop putting stuff in the old path.

    When you add a new path you need to make sure you switch the current path, I always keep the "Show Details" box checked on the "Ready to Install" tab so I can always see that it's using the right path.

  • ChromaDrakeChromaDrake Posts: 288
    edited December 1969


    When you add a new path you need to make sure you switch the current path, I always keep the "Show Details" box checked on the "Ready to Install" tab so I can always see that it's using the right path.
    Useful hint I never knew about, thanks!
  • bleetiebleetie Posts: 1
    edited December 1969

    udgang99 said:

    Very damaged, Zathras can never have anything nice.

    ROFLMAO!!!!!!!
    Been waaaay too long since I saw/heard a B5 quote!
    Made my day... even tho I'm also in the midst of tearing my hair out over this...

  • So ... uh ... I read through all of this stuff on both pages ... how do we actually move the content? Could I maybe get a break down version? I'm pretty good with folder structures, but the part with editing seetings in Daz threw me out a little.

  • ZarconDeeGrissomZarconDeeGrissom Posts: 5,412
    edited September 2015

    My biggest mistake, was doing this with Daz Studio running. I was looking in the "Content Library" in the program, and the Folder manager thing on the OS ("My Computer" in Windows). That resulted in the Daz 'CMS' data-base thing getting all messed up. It should have been done quite differently then my first fussing around (Deleting things with Daz Studio running).

    For the "My Library" stuff, it can be kind of simple, the DIM folder also needs DIM configured to the new path as well. In general, the steps are something like the following (Tho I've already done this months ago as can be seen in one screen-cap).

    You must uninstall all stuff installed using DIM, copy the "My DAZ 3D Library" folder over (for stuff not put in by DIM), change the path in DIM and Studio settings to the new path, and then have DIM install all your stuff again in the new path. This will keep the DIM Updates thing working properly for DIM installed content on the new drive. Remember to tic DazStudio in the installed stuff list to NOT uninstall it after ticking the 'All' thing in DIM (I made that mistake as well).

    Ugh, my brain was on moving the simpler "My Library" folder. OOPS.

     

    1. Make sure Daz Studio is NOT running. It may take a second (or a few), for daz Studio to stop running after the window goes away. I can see it on a CPU load monitor, as it takes a second (or a few) for the CPU load to drop after closing daz Studio.

    2. Copy the entire "My Library" folder mess from "My Documents" over to the new drive (Not move, just copy it, and do not delete the original path yet), using the OS file manager. It may take some time for the files to copy over, just wait for the copy to finish.

    * Do this with the "My Library" folder. The "Render Library" is a config elsewhere, I'm moving them both.

    * I created the 'User..." folders on the 'Y' drive beforehand, just to keep life simple for me.

    Again, just let it copy over befor starting up Studio.

    3. Now start up Daz Studio, and set the Paths in the config window thing to the new location. (I've only moved the "My DAZ 3D Library" path to drive 'Y' on my computer. I'm moving the "My Library" folder now from 'C' to 'Y')

    * Yes, the path is in there twice, one for Poser stuff and one for Daz stuff.

    For the "Render Library" Path Setting.

    4. Exit Daz Studio, Make sure Daz Studio is NOT running.

    5. Rename the old (original) "My Library" folder to "My Library Old" in the OS file manager. (Don't delete it yet)

    6. Start up Daz Studio just to make sure it is using the new path and everything copied over to the new drive properly. If it is working, your stuff should still apear in the 'Content Library' under "My Library" (for example)

    If not, check the paths in the Path Config window.

    7. Exit Daz Studio, Make sure Daz Studio is NOT running.

    8. Now, if all is working properly with Studio, Now you can do whatever with the "My Library Old" folder.

     

    For moving the DIM installed stuff... What was I thinking. I will fix this mess tonight when I get home.

    You must uninstall all stuff installed using DIM, copy the "My DAZ 3D Library" folder over (for stuff not put in by DIM), change the path in DIM and Studio settings to the new path, and then have DIM install all your stuff again in the new path. This will keep the DIM Updates thing working properly for DIM installed content on the new drive. Remember to tic DazStudio in the installed stuff list to NOT uninstall it after ticking the 'All' thing in DIM (I made that mistake as well).

    You will need to remove the old path listed in the config window before DIM will use the new path.

    Daz Studio will also need to be told where the new content path is...

    * This screen-cap was made befor I moved "My Library" over (steps listed above). Again, the "My DAZ 3D Library" path is in there twice (one for Poser stuff, and one for Daz Stuff).

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    Post edited by ZarconDeeGrissom on
  • I just want to say, thank you to everyone for this thread. My Daz drive crapped out on me and had to be replaced and your info saved me lots of heartache. THANKS!!!!

  • Copy the My DAZ 3D Library from the C drive to whatever drive you want to use. If you installed using the DIM, and you kept the downloaded zip files, then it may be easier to uninstall using DIM, and reinstall to the correct drive. It should be fairly quick to do.

    The other thing that you will need to do, is to tell DAZ Studio where the library is now or it wont find the content.

    Go to Edit > Preferences > Content Library > Content Directory Manager and list the new path for BOTH DAZ Studio Formats and Poser Formats. Remember to remove the old paths if they are no longer used.

    This came in very handy for me recently when I needed to move My Daz 3D Library to my D:/ drive (the Data drive on my Windows 10) because I was running out of room on my C:/ drive. Thanks much for that. smiley

  • Thanks for this thread. I was wondering the same thing as I have a new computer with 3 drives and did not want to keep it on the C drive. Thanks everyone. Despite this is years old it still came in handy.

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