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Backing up Daz directories to protect against HD failure?

Joe827Joe827 Posts: 229
in Technical Help (nuts n bolts)

Hi, I run automatic backups on my content and scenes to protect against a HD failure, and I just wanted a gut check with you all in order to ensure that I am monitoring everything that is needed in order to restore my files/scenes in the event of a HD failure.

1. Top-level Content Directory:

- Content Manager Database:  Is this all I need to save in order to preserve my meticulously categories products?

- Poser Content Files

- Daz Studio Content Files

- My saved scenes

 

2. C:\Users\Public\Documents\DAZ 3D\InstallManager

I back up this directory in order to preserve my install manager manifests.  A while back, I had to do a disk reformat, and DIM was left thinking that I needed to download/install everything for the first time.

 

3. F:\Users\Me\Documents\DAZ 3D

I am backing this on up because I see that it contains "My Daz Connect Library."  

 

So what do you think?  Does this look complete, or there other directories you'd reccommend adding to my backup?  Thanks folks.

Comments

  • Richard HaseltineRichard Haseltine Posts: 102,749

    That sounds right - make sure nothing that uses the CMS is active when you back it up, to make sure it doesn't chnage part way through the process.

  • Joe827Joe827 Posts: 229
    edited January 2019
    Richard Haseltine said:

    That sounds right - make sure nothing that uses the CMS is active when you back it up, to make sure it doesn't chnage part way through the process.

    My backups run automatically and can take 10+ hours.  So I don't have a good way to control this.  But what if I periodically "export user data" from Content Database Maintenance and back up that?  Even if I loose a little data, I'm not gonna cry about it.  Loosing all of it would be a disaster.

    Post edited by Joe827 on
  • Richard HaseltineRichard Haseltine Posts: 102,749

    Export user data will get all your categorisation, and you can reimport that and the product metadata from DIM-installed items. Connect-installed items will not be reimported, even if the files are there, and you will lose grouping (such as the New flags).

    One thing that's missing is the AppData folder, which has your UI layout and custom actions: on Windows that's C:/Users/You/AppData/Roaming/Daz 3D/Studio4, on the Mac it's the equivalent in the Application Support folder (either way, since you have found the database you should be able to find that).

  • Joe827Joe827 Posts: 229
    Richard Haseltine said:

    Export user data will get all your categorisation, and you can reimport that and the product metadata from DIM-installed items. Connect-installed items will not be reimported, even if the files are there, and you will lose grouping (such as the New flags).

    Thank you Richard.  You've been very helpful.  As for Connect-installed items, to be honest, I've never used connect.  I've been using DIM and categories for so long, that had no motivation to learn how connect works or if it would benefit me.

    Richard Haseltine said:

    One thing that's missing is the AppData folder, which has your UI layout and custom actions: on Windows that's C:/Users/You/AppData/Roaming/Daz 3D/Studio4, on the Mac it's the equivalent in the Application Support folder (either way, since you have found the database you should be able to find that).

    Yeah, I've come across that folder before and assumed it was containing UI stuff.  I suppoe it wouldn't hurt to include it in my backup plan as well.

  • Joe827Joe827 Posts: 229
    edited January 2019

    Oh shoot.  The folder that I thought contained the database files hasn't been updated since 2014. LOL. 

    Richard Haseltine said:

     (either way, since you have found the database you should be able to find that).

    Richard, should I take it from your comment about AppData that the content DB files are in there?

    -Joe

    Post edited by Joe827 on
  • Richard HaseltineRichard Haseltine Posts: 102,749

    Yes, by default - in cms/Content Cluster. You may have changed that in Edit>Prefrences>CMS Settings

  • Joe827Joe827 Posts: 229
    Richard Haseltine said:

    Yes, by default - in cms/Content Cluster. You may have changed that in Edit>Prefrences>CMS Settings

    The directory that hasn't been updated since 2014 contains ContentDB.blb, ContentDB.dat etc.  Maybe I had my db pointed there in an older version of Daz.  Regardless, I will point it at appData now

    Thanks.  You helped me find a potentially disasterous boo boo in my backup plan.

    -Joe

  • Richard HaseltineRichard Haseltine Posts: 102,749

    There's nothing wrong with using a diffrent location - indeed, if it's off the C: drive it's safe from a Windows reinstall.

  • Joe827Joe827 Posts: 229
    Richard Haseltine said:

     indeed, if it's off the C: drive it's safe from a Windows reinstall.

    Good point.  I should move it.

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