Content Creation

Ryselle-Ryssa

Hello out there!

I'm trying to create props with the intend to share them (Freebies). But, I'm kinda stuck...

I have a *.obj file, created in hexagon, given UV-Maps there, configured the surfaces in DAZ and rigged it. All worked fine. Problem is: How to share?

I stumbled upon these Documentation: http://docs.daz3d.com/doku.php/public/software/dazstudio/4/userguide/creating_content/packaging/tutorials/adding_metadata/start#product_tab, but here it says "Before beginning to add metadata to content, be sure all files are arranged in an appropriate Content/Runtime folder structure".

My question: What IS the appropriate Content/Runtime folder structure, i.e. where does the obj go, where the textures... Or doens't this really matter as long it resides somewhere "in the library"?

Thank you in advance!

 

Lyoness

Props go into the Props folder.
Runtime> Props

Ryselle-Ryssa

And I put everything there, from normalmaps, over obj-files to textures?

Leana

Let's say you have a "product" containing several "items" in DS format. You would do the following:

Put all the maps under /Runtime/Textures/YourName/ProductName/ (with YourName beign the Author Name you set in DS).

Obj files would go under /Runtime/Geometries/YourName/ProductName/ You don't actually have to include the obj in the dowload if you save the content in DS format, but they could be useful for other formats.

Modify the surfaces to point to the maps in Textures folder, then save each of your items as a figure/prop asset in DS: You will have to specify the Product Name (=> name of folder) and Item Name (=> name of .duf file) for each item. The .duf files for the various items should be saved under something like /Props/YourName/ProductName/

DS will create corresponding DS-format geometry files when you save each item, under /data/YourName/ProductName/ItemName/

 

In your package you wiill need to include the following folders and their content and subfolder:

• /Runtime/Textures/YourName/ProductName/
• /data/YourName/ProductName/
• /Props/YourName/ProductName/
• /Runtime/Geometries/YourName/ProductName/ if you want to include the obj files

 

Syrus_Dante

Lyoness said:

Props go into the Props folder.
Runtime> Props

This is true for poser compatible content.

If you want to prepare the OBJ prop to get DazStudio compatible content for to share it I would do it like the following.

 

my advice create an independent Content Directory for your prop

1. with the file browser of your operating system aka windows explorer create a new Content Directory folder on your harddrive for example on a windows operating system the path could be like "C:\Users\Username\Documents\MyPropContentDirectory\Props\MyPropFolder" or "D:\MyPropContentDirectory\Props\MyPropFolder" it dosn't matter because it will be an empty folder

2. open DS press F2 for the Preferences window or go to the main menu Edit > Preferences and on the 5th page named Content press the Content Directory Manager button at the bottom

3. now in the Content Directory Manager dialog select DAZ Studio Formats from the Content Sets list and press the Add button on the left and choose the "MyPropContentDirectory" from before without the Props\MyPropFolder because DAz Studio will need the root folder as a new Content Directory

 

import your OBJ file and setup the shader and textures

4. to have the textures saved in the right place to share you would copy all textures here ...\MyPropContentDirectory\Runtime\Textures\YourPropNameOrWhatever - its important to have them inside a Runtime\Textures folder you can have subdirectories as you like

5. then in DS main menu File > Import the OBJ prop - it will propably show up with the diffuse textures but the shader is set to DzDefault there will be no additional textures like normalmaps - check the surfaces pane

6. you have to setup the shader for 3DL or iRay and load the additional shader maps like normal map manualy in the surfaces pane - I would load them from the path ...MyPropContentDirectory\Runtime\Textures... if you just have a few surfaces and you make shure the path is right you can skip step 7 and 8 but otherwise those steps can be a time saver

 

my method of making shure all texture references point to the right directory is to save a Material Preset edit it manualy in a text editor and apply it again

7. then go to the content directory and save a Material Preset somewhere but better uncheck "Compress File" in the save dialog (this Material Preset will get used to get the texture references right)

8. open the Material Preset DUF file in a Text Editor and search for ".jpg" or whatever image file format you are using - check every line with a texture reference and see if the path points to the ...Runtime\Texture\YourPropNameOrWhatever\ImageTextureName.jpg - if not good text editors provide a "search and replace" function where you search for the old path and replace it with the new without altering the ImageTextureName.jpg while search and replace keep an eye on the slashes or backslashes (not shure what DS uses in paths) then save the duf file in the text editor and load it again in DS - check the surfaces pane again and all the textures should now get loded from the path ...MyPropContentDirectory\Runtime\Textures...

 

Save the imported prop as a Support Asset > Figure/Prop Asset (DazStudio native format) advantage it will include all shader settings

9. select the prop in the scene and from the main menu choose File > Save As > Support Asset > Figure/Prop Asset - navigate to the MyPropContentDirectory\Props\MyPropFolder enter a file name and press Save

10. next you will see the Figure/Prop Assets Save Options dialog - choose the Asset Directory: MyPropContentDirectory then enter Vendor, Product and Item Name hit Accept - done it will save a Daz Studio native format DUF file to the Content Directory - it will also create a "data" folder with all necessary files in it - except the textures

11. with the file browser of your operating system aka windows explorer select all folder inside MyPropContentDirectory right-click and zip up those files to share

 

PS:

- much instructions to read actualy its not that complicated as it sounds I just tend to go into detail I hope it helps - good luck

- BTW there is also a product in the store but I don't know if it will help you with texture references and such https://www.daz3d.com/content-package-assist

Ryselle-Ryssa

Thank you so much Leana and Syrus_Dante.

Your infos helped a lot