Installing 3rd party content
silicontrip
Posts: 0
Hi there,
I'm new to 3d so I'd like to practise a bit more before spending $ on content in the Daz Store. I've found a few sites like Renderosity that have free content available.
Apart from having difficulties installing the content correctly. Then attempting to find the content in the content library tab. Then realising that what I've downloaded is just a texture or something else that requires a paid for add on.
Is there a guide on installing content for new users?
What sort of things should I look out for when downloading content?
What should I expect to see in an archive so I know where I might find it in the content library and if it is self contained?
Daz has mentioned an error log when I've tried to add an object, but I can't find the log. Anyone know where this is?
It seems very confusing for myself being presented with a myriad of content and not recognising stand alone product from products with dependencies.
Thanks for helping out a new user!
Mark
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Comments
If you have DIM, you should have the options to install the Starter Essentials packages for the 7 Genesis figures (Genesis, Genesis 2 Female, Genesis 2 Male, Genesis 3 Female, Genesis 3 Male, Genesis 8 Female, Genesis 8 Male). They contain teh base figures, hair, clothing, and some props. You can install them with DIM until you get the hang of installing things manually.
There are more freebies here (some are textures that require other sets): https://www.daz3d.com/freebies
(they change every other week).
The error log can be reached from the top menubar in Daz Studio > Help > Troubleshooting > View Log File
A lot of freebies not directly from DAZ, are not set up for DIM... In fact most aren't, and need to be installed manually. Many older items are also designed for Poser, but work in DAZ...
None of this is really that hard... A pain if it's a lot of stuff, but fairly simple...
I'll walk you through a typical freebie manual install.**
For this example I'm gonna use the Millennium Falcon model by Vanishing Point available at ShareCG...
ShareCG is a good source for freebies, you'll need to make an account there (which is free) to be able to download stuff.
https://www.sharecg.com/v/89602/browse/21/DAZ-Studio/Millennium-Falcon-for-DAZ-Studio
After downloading, unzip the file using your preferred method.
Look in the main folder called "MillenniumFalconDS" and you'll see several other folders...
Navigate to your "My DAZ 3D Library" and open it up...
In the "MillenniumFalconDS" folder, open the "data" folder and find the "Vanishing Point" folder...
Now copy (or drag and drop) the "Vanishing Point" folder into the "data" folder in "My DAZ 3D Library"...
Open the "Props" folder in the "MillenniumFalconDS" folder and copy or drag "Star Wars" into the "Props" folder in "My DAZ 3D Library"
Now you'll have three items left... "Runtime" and two Readme files...
Lets tackle the "Runtime" first...
Open "Runtime" ... In this case you will only see a folder marked "Textures" and in it a two folders marked "Star Wars" and "VP"...
Now go to the "Runtime" folder in your "My DAZ 3D Library" open runtime and you should see a "Textures" folder in there... Copy or drag "Star Wars" and "VP" into that runtime folder...
The runtime folder structure was a system used (still) by Poser... When you are installing a model that is meant to be used in DAZ but you see a runtime folder it's usually because the model was probably created for Poser originally, but can be used in DAZ or has been optimized for DAZ... Most Poser models can be used in DAZ studio, but the textures usually need adjusting... Usually if you are using a model that says its for DAZ, it should be set up so the textures don't need to be adjusted...
A lot of freebies that are for DAZ will have a folder labeled "Content"... That is basically the same as the "My DAZ 3D library" so if you see a folder that says "Content" just copy the appropriate files from to their corresponding folders in "My DAZ 3D Library".
Anything found in a downloaded runtime folder, should be copied to the appropriate corresponding folders in the "runtime" folder found in you "My DAZ 3D Library"...
Now that you have place everything where it belongs, lets put the Readmes away...
Readmes are fairly important, they provide information on the license uses of the model, special notes you may need to know and in some cases, how to reach the artist who created the model... My Readmes (from my freebies) contain additional important information like how to identify if your cat is part of a drug smuggling gang and why you shouldn't throw large printers out your window if a drunk squirrel is sleeping underneath... Those are more like public service announcements... But in general Readmes should be saved in the "Readme" folder in your "My DAZ 3D Library"... You might want to make a separate folder for the model or artist because for some inexplicable reason a lot of people tend to title their Readmes as "Readme" and it's easier to find them if they are in a folder where you can find them... In this case though the Readmes are both informative and reasonably named, so if you want just delete any leftover empty folders except for the Readmes from "MillenniumFalconDS" and drop it into "Readmes"
Good luck and I hope this was helpful.
**Disclaimer... I've been out with friends and I've had a "few" beers... I believe this is at least 90% accurate, but in the event I left anything out I'm sorry... Hopefully someone else will fill that in... If it's acceptable, then you can credit the talking hamster I found in the alley on the way home.
I made this one a while ago: https://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/comment/927004/#Comment_927004
I just open my MyDaz3dLibrary folder and drag and drop the main files into. It will ask if I want to merge the data folder with the existing data folder and I just say yes. It puts all the files in the data folder into the right place inside the main data folder. Its one step less to do. Especially for the runtime folder. I don't have to open the poses folder, the figures folder, the materials folder or whatever. I drop the runtime folder in the mydaz3dlibrary folder and it sorts them to the right spot.
I agree. I just drag Data into Data, Runtime into Runtime, etc. and it sorts it all out for me. Finding it in the Content Pane is another story, lol!
Be aware that there's a slightly huge gotcha that can bite you in the anatomy. Be very careful you aren't dragging a folder into the destination folder — what you want to drag is the contents of the original folder, not the entire folder as a unit. Nesting one folder inside another means that the files will not be found.
Thank God I found this thread! I just did this and couldn’t find any of my stuff. I guess I’ll spend a little time and fix it. Thank you!
I have DAZ studio installed on my external drive (program files on c drive, all else on ext.) Now ... I have two files. One is "DAZ" the other is "DAZ 3D", now in DIM I have all installs directed to DAZ ... but I see some references ot "my library" and other forum refered files in DAZ 3D. When I manually install from a 3rd party vendor or freeby ... where in heck to I put the files?
By default DS uses the following content folders:
It's recommended to use different content directories for content installed manually and via DIM, so you don't risk DIM removing manual files by mistake.
So in your case I would create another base directory on your external drive (eg "DAZ manual") and register it as a content directory in DS preferences (go to Edit > Preferences > Content tab > Content Directory Manager, and add that folder under both "DS formats" and "Poser formats"), then install your non-DIM content there. When you install your content make sure that the main folders (Runtime, data, people, ..) are directly in that folder.
Leana, thank you what a direct answer!! I love this. So ... next ... what is the hierchies (nested folders) within these directories, because of the "bad" structure of some 3rd party creators. I do NOT use the word "documents" in any of my directories ... it wrecked havic with my OneDrive.
I looked inside a SickleYield product (was watching her tutorials) and saw the structure. All good. Again everyone, thank you!!