How would YOU go about installing two versions of DS side by side?

jimmulvaney

I have given up on using the "grouping and filtering" feature for installing and organizing my third party content in DS 4.10 (it takes way to long to get through and completely disrupts my work flow).

What I would like to do is continue using my DS 4.8 to install and categorize content, but use 4.10 for my work, while using just the content library and not smart content. I am trying to avoid the whole public v beta build solution, and want full versions of both DS 4.8 and 4.10. I have a stand alone installer for 4.8 backed up and was wondering if I could install it to [Program Files x86], since 4.10 would install to [Program Files]? I understand that MS wants to keep 64 bit and 32 bit software separate for compatability purposes, but really what kind of issues could I run into? The files and directories are all still pointing to the right locations upon installation of the software. Is that a viable option? Will the content library from DS 4.8 get picked up by 4.10? Any insight would be appreciated.

 

Richard Haseltine

Installing one 32 and one 64 bit version should be safe, as far as I know, though I'm not really following what the benefits would be.

jimmulvaney

Well, I am not going to go into the benefits, just suffice it to say that it has been addressed several times on the forums, with very unsatisfactory "solutions", since 4.8.

Unfortunately, the stand alone installer I have is 64 bit as well, which is why I was asking if I forced it to install in "Program Files x86" what kind of issues would I have? My main concern is organizing with 4.8 and having my categories still intact in 4.10. Then I could just do all my work in 4.10

MelanieL

I still run DS 4.6 (and do my categorising there) and installed the 4.10 Beta (download it now while it is identical to the "public" version, so not really a beta at all) for almost all my scene building and rendering. They share the CMS database and all the installed files and I've not had any problems at all. I've been doing this since 4.7 was released, because I don't want to lose 4.6.

ETA: The advantage of this is that you can install both as 64-bit, so you get to use Iray in 4.10 if you want to, plus you have more memory available to play with in your scenes.

jimmulvaney

Thank you for that. I tried that with 4.9+ and it was 'working' but my concern with using the beta solution is that it is beta. I mean, is it identical to 4.10 public as it stands right now? Then updating it with the DIM how will I know when to update the beta, and don't I run the risk of incurring bugs because it is a beta?? It just seems like a sloppy solution to me. I would like to keep my software stable if possible.

MelanieL

Today it is identical - DS4.10.0.123. This could change tomorrow if DAZ decide to release a new Beta version - that's why I suggest downloading right now. I save the installer for the Beta and for any plugins that are version dependant as a copy in a safe place so I can revert to the version I was happy with if I get problems in the future.

Do you let DIM install automatically? I do not: I have auto-download and auto-install switched off. I can then pick my times to download and install the Beta (when it seems to have stabilised, i.e. not too many negative reports in the forums or when it becomes the "official" version) and just leave it in my "Available to Download" list at any other time. So it works for me, but this solution is not necessarily to everyone's liking.

Richard Haseltine

The current beta is the same as the current release build, it will not be updated - once ythere is a beta newer than the release - unless you tell DIM to update it.

jimmulvaney

Alright, so I got it working with both public versions, side by side. Yes, I realize I am being very particular with my setup and that using an older version isn't exactly 100% "stable" but I digress.

I force installed DS 4.8 into Program Files x86 using the installer, pointed the content directory to the same "My Daz Library" that I have DIM installing to. Then it goes into an endless loop when attempting to install the CMS. I had to open C:\Program Files (x86)\DAZ 3D\DAZStudio4\cms and manually start the DAZPostgresqlCMS_9.3.4.exe Once it finished, the DS 4.8 installer finished. Then I popped open DIM, installed the official release of DS 4.10 to it's default location on Program Files and my plugins and some content! Viola!

I can open both of them side by side, use 4.8 to deal with organizing my third party content, then hop over to 4.10 (without having to do anything to the content library) when I want to do work and have all the latest features and plugins, which is great for my newly acquired NVidia GPU! The only caveat now, is that instead of having the folders with new content being marked in the old dark blue, they have that seafoam green color, from the "NEW" flag in DS 4.10 but there is a way to change that color too if I am not mistaken? I remember seeing a video on it somewhere.

Also, I am still using 4.10 and DIM so when I install a product via DIM, is there a way to have DS 4.10 mark all the files as new? Mine does not do that by default.