Way to make content show up in Smart Content w/o library downloader?
Testing6790
Posts: 1,091
I've always avoided installers, and DAZ's new choice to make everything install with the library downloader is no different. Will there be any way to get stuff to show up in smart content without using the installer? I'll gladly download stuff with it, but I never let anything install stuff on my computer. Period.
On this topic, what is it-exactly- that makes stuff appear in the Smart Content folder?
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Comments
What shows up in smart content is controlled by the metadata of the content not by how you install it. If you want to add metadata to content that doesn't have it Herald of Fire did a tutorial for it (http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/20018/).
I don't usually allow things to just install stuff to my computer either but if you look at what the install manager is doing it's actually a time saver. Basically it downloads a zip file to the directory you specify and then unzips that file into another directory that you specify. The same tasks you'll have to do to install your content.
The only other thing it does is keep track of what its downloaded and installed and let you know when there has been a update.
Thanks for the smart content guide. As for the installer, yeah I'm sure DAZ makes a fine installer (hell I use their installer .exes ), but I still dont like download+install bundles, regardless of source. Call me paranoid.
Personally I'd be more paranoid about running an exe than allowing an installer to install a zip file for me. I can download the zip, open it up and see exactly what's in it. The exe installers I had no idea what all they were putting on my system.
You have the option of just downloading the files with the DIM and then unzipping them yourself. You can also download them but uncheck the install after downloading button then go to the ready to install tab and decide what gets installed. Overall it's a much more open process.
Still, to each his own as they say. I think the best part of the new DIM system is that it allows me to have my automated system setup to the directories I want and you can use the same files to handle everything manually.
Ok you're paranoid. Well you did say. And I am seriously only joking. I don't use it either. I think it is more down to control than being paarnoid for me and I have over 30 content folders split in to catagories so I find the ole manual way better. Yes a pain when we don't get notice of updated products without using DIM so we have to find out ourselves or reply on others posting threads on updates.
The DIM files include the metadata files for the product, but don't automatically register the metadata with Studio when you install by hand instead of using the install manager. To get Studio to load the metadata, go to content library, use the corner menu to select DB Maintenance (if I recall correctly, not at my Studio machine right now), and then select the Re-import Metadata option. This will then let you select which metadata files you want to import (it defaults to everything, which will take a while if you're only adding a handful of new items, so best to deselect all and then select only the new stuff).
Personally, I hate Dumb Content and only use the Content Library. Especially since even DAZ has zero consistency with how they configure metadata for their products. So I rarely bother with the re-import step after doing manual installs. (I'm like you, I will not use the installation manager.) The only time I re-import metadata is when the CMS database gets corrupted (which happens way more than it should, especially considering I'm not even updating it with anything myself under normal usage).
Personally, I hate Dumb Content and only use the Content Library. Especially since even DAZ has zero consistency with how they configure metadata for their products. So I rarely bother with the re-import step after doing manual installs. (I'm like you, I will not use the installation manager.) The only time I re-import metadata is when the CMS database gets corrupted (which happens way more than it should, especially considering I'm not even updating it with anything myself under normal usage).
Yeah, I have a younger sister so I keep my content locked using a free locking software (easy file locker) and if you open DS with the lock still on I have to reimport meta data, so I feel your pain.