Editing User Data

Tiffanie Gray - IDLM

I need to do a lot of work still on my "Categories" section of the Library (Not the smart content). So, I was wondering if there is a way to take the exported user data and open it in an editor of some sort, so that I can move things around easier and then re-import.

For example, this PC+Sale killed my previous organization, as most stuff I just shoved in general relevant categories!

So, instead of having Characters in folders under Characters under Genesis, etc, They are scattered, in places. And I have duplicates in places, and I have changed my mind about where I want to place some things. Yes, I can move them folder by folder or Re-categorize, but the font is so small that I make mistakes as I drag and drop. It would be far more convenient if I could just cut and paste instead, delete, as needed, etc.

So, is there any way to open the user data, so as to make those changes?

Thanks

 

kitakoredaz

User Data is simply XML , so that if you have some txt editor, (it can show xml) , then go to runtime/support , and serch "user",

then open "UserData.dsx" (which may change name by your export setting),  it should work.

But One main reason, why I do not like UserData, but tend to set it as original product data, is the userdata file often too big,  to serch each ID or category in this file.  actually managing user data take more time , than keep all assets as each product data ,then manage each product data.dsx.

but DAZ never recommend user to make original product data then manage contents, in spite of user data, I think . and can not get full suport about User Oirginal "product data",  only daz vendor may get full support about "product data" .  then  I do not recommend user to make original "product data" anymore. (though  i still  use original product data to manage my contents and category, then keep small user data.dsx)

Chohole

kitakoredaz said:

User Data is simply XML , so that if you have some txt editor, (it can show xml) , then go to runtime/support , and serch "user",

then open "UserData.dsx" (which may change name by your export setting),  it should work.

But One main reason, why I do not like UserData, but tend to set it as original product data, is the userdata file often too big,  to serch each ID or category in this file.  actually managing user data take more time , than keep all assets as each product data ,then manage each product data.dsx.

but DAZ never recommend user to make original product data then manage contents, in spite of user data, I think . and can not get full suport about User Oirginal "product data",  only daz vendor may get full support about "product data" .  then  I do not recommend user to make original "product data" anymore. (though  i still  use original product data to manage my contents and category, then keep small user data.dsx)

Relaying

Right click on a product and choose Export Metadata... The default for this action is to export UserData for THAT product only; rather than the Content DB Maintenance : Export UserData option which collects UserData for EVERY product. Hold Ctrl/Cmd for options.
 

kitakoredaz

I do not think Chohole really understand that means. It never means, DAZ recommend User make  original product .

it show  when User modify DAZ product, which already gathered each assets,  and change category,  User can export it

but it only show the contents User modified. not show all contents of the prodcut , then why we can use it to manage content by One dsx?

it need to  work with Actuall product data.

 

 Make new product, with as I like, (set category, and set compatiboity, set type) then export it as new product data, it should show all content as one.dsx

then  export the modified product meta-data,  from Content DB editor.  then save it as different name as new product.

 Then,, when DAZ said,, we support User make new product data?   have you acctually used it?

kitakoredaz

 just think answer of OP,,

If I were you, I  serch  the daz prodcut.dsx which I  hope to  (and need to modify). from  your library (the top of libraries)  runtime /support,

then copy those.dsx  (to protect daz original), 

afer that open by text editor (xml) then tweak categories as I like.  and save it.

next I un-install current daz offer  "meta-data" from daz studio data base.  (in content library > product section, r-ckick the prodcut name, then delete)  

it only delete current meta-data from Data base. (then there is still all files of the product)

Because when I  tested before,, even though I re-import modified  meta-data,, I often see, not up-dated , I tried  reflesh not work  about my user made category.

then Once delete current meta-data,, after that  import new modified meta-data ( it change only about categories of the product),   by content management mentenance..

 

but if DAZ up-date the product, it will be overwritten. then I usually keep my modifed product meta-data as different name too.  

I do not test every option , but tweaking daz offer product meta-data. dsx seems only  way to answer your question I think. (not recommend, but it work for your purpose)

both User data, (individually or gahtered as one)  never show you all contents of the product. , so that  it not useful to modify category as you like.

though  it work after you modified  category , and keep change. 

Tiffanie Gray - IDLM

Thank you for the answers, I'm going to give it a try and see what happens.

kitakoredaz

Ah I remember important thing,,  If you  use DAZ connect to install the prodcut,,(not use DIM)  you may not find meta-data in runtime/support. about those product.

(I do not remember these detail,, but I think so.. I never use DAZ connect to install product,, without it is offered as Free item (but daz connetct only) 

 

those meta-data files (and daz up-dated meta-data after daz push daz cloud things) are installed in  your DAZ connect directory/data/cloud/meta as JSON .

though I can easy open and edit them by text editor,,,, But I do not know, is there way to  re-import  it by daz studio then overwrite current meta-data in database.

and it never be recommended to modify them,  maybe it is  used to compare with meta-data of DAZ cloud, then auto-up date, when  log in DAZ connect. 

after all,   I only use DIM offered meta-data (data/runtime/support) to modify and re-import it .  (so that,,  I  need to delete product meta-data (DAZ connect auto-up dated) once, then re-import  my modified meta-data from content management mentenance.  if you can not find some product.dsx in your runtime/support,, you can  export it by Content DB editor. then ds generate the product.dsx. in runtiime/support I think.

Tiffanie Gray - IDLM

I only use DIM or Self installed, so that is not a problem.

kitakoredaz

After modify "prodcut" , If I do not" log in" daz connect, it can keep those modified and imported meta-data. but If I  log in DAZ connect,, DS seems check  JSON (in daz connect/data/meta) then overwrite my modified meta-data. then I needed to modify JSON of the product too.  it may work, untill daz up-date the product. 

Or I make new original product from DAZ product, by copy and paste in daz studio.

but when I copy those Assets to my new product, it remove all category about those assets. then I need to make "new prodcut"from scratch.

(that means,, I need to  re- assgin all category of all assets , to show it as each category)

 

after all, DAZ limit User to modify daz product  meta-data as we like,  after DAZ release daz cloud, all assets  are  managed as each "product"  base.

And  DAZ treat each prodcut  "meta-data" as part of their product.  then if user  hope to modify daz product  meta-data,  ,user force  to  use  user_data with daz offered product data.