Migrated files, now have some weird bugs.
dragonreborn2k6
Posts: 79
I just got done move my Daz install off my Solid State drive and onto a different hard drive. Every step of the way, I'd have to go in and set up paths. Install Manager needed to have its paths changed, and once I got Daz installed, I had to go in and tell it to look somewhere other than the C drive as well.
I can load a scene that I previously put together. Now when try to add something from smart content, it says "Do you want to save changes before loading a new scene."
I went ahead and said yes to get further info (It shouldn't be asking me that when I add a necklace, fer cryin' out loud) and it then tells me "File Does Not Exist."
Now, if I drag it into the scene it loads into the scene. Which works okay for props, but I can't exactly apply a shader that way.
It's doing this for everything. I've been trying to figure it out on my own for quite some time now.
I have learned that uninstalling Daz, and zapping every file you can find doesn't seem to remove program settings. Am I going to have to go into the registry to fix this? Why does it do this in the first place? The lack of options when you install the program is appalling. Setting it up on a secondary hard drive has just been one headache after another. It shouldn't be this difficult. ALL these options should be a part of the installer. This has been my one gripe with Daz since I started using it.
I just spent a couple hours uninstalling, then reinstalling, with stops in the middle to change folder paths. I just want to work on this scene. Can't even work on a new scene.
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Comments
DS will respect the OS location for the Documents folder for the two diectories (My Library and My Daz Connect Library) that live there, so if you set the Documents folder to the mechnaical drive before isntalling DIM only the Public My Daz 3D Library folder would need moving.
The missing files that aren't, and the prompt to save, do seem to be related to CMS issues. Was all of the content installed through DIM or did some of it get isntalled through DS itself? It might help to post screen shots of your directory set up.
Previously it was installed through both, which caused files to be double-installed.
So I wiped everything.
and then reinstalled using only DIM.
I had to go in and manually set the content directories. It still wanted to point to C:
I noticed that uninstalling daz and removing all folders does not wipe settings, so I suspect I'm going to have to go fiddle with the registry to fix this.
You should be able to set all these options on install. Manual folder selection AFTER install doesn't make sense.
I don't see anyting wrong in the registry. I am curious though as to where exactly it is storing settings. Uninstalling a program should wipe login data. Especially if that login data is tied to how files are loaded. This is a rather annoying problem.
Going to try uninstalling a file inside Daz, and then reinstalling it inside daz to see if that makes a difference.
EDIT 1: That time it loaded without complaint. Now to try opening a scene and loading it in there.
EDIT 2: I guess the fix is to uninstall everything INSIDE Daz Studio, then REINSTALL INSIDE DAZ STUDIO. DIM is installing to the same cloud folder, so hopefully I won't have to do this for every new addtion. I'm betting whatever file holding onto program settings has a glitch in it. And for the life of me I haven't been able to find it anywhere. And yes, I looked in all the places - a bit of background that should be known is that I'm a licensed PC technician through COMPtia. I do know what I'm doing.
This sort of program issue is silly. I thought we eliminated this kind of thing in the Windows 3.11 for Workgroups days.
The saga continues...
Basically, I've learned that once you've installed something through Daz, it pretty much wrecks the usage of DIM. I'm now looking at a folder that is twice the size it should be, because Daz Studio installs files in a different folder Architecture than DIM.
So installing with DIM made Daz sort of see the files, but then tell me that they don't exist. An uninstall/reinstall fixed that. Only it doesn't uninstall anything. It leaves it there.
So next I'll be opening up DIM and clicking on uninstall on everything but the few things that won't show up in DAZ unless installed through DIM. Once it finishes reinstalling all 660 asset packages through the in-program installer.
I feel as if there should be an extra step when you uninstall DAZ that removes preferences and other program settings. It takes me very little time to enter in my login in, and not much more to get my panes set up the way I like 'em. Dealing with the problem of getting files to load correctly after moving them to a different hard drive has had me staring at progress bars all day when I REALLY would rather be creating art.
Uninstall the Connect files by right-click should remove the fiels, following a restart of DS if not immediately. If that isn't happening then soemthing - most likely security software - is interfering with the process. Uninstalling in DS won't touch DIM filse, however, only the files DS itself installed. DIM should not be isntalling to the Data folder, it should be pointed to the folder that holds the Data folder.
So I need to uninstall everything inside Daz before uninstalling daz before reinstalling with DIM?
I'm super frustrated right now, as I've got several assets that aren't loading. Daz Measure Metrics won't load. I've tried installing it in DIM. I uninstalled it through content libary, and it disappeared from content library so I can't reinstall using Daz.
When I uninstall a program, I should have the option to remove my settings, too. Including my login details. I suspect that's what is causing the problem. It holds on to settings. I've got to get started on my next book cover, and this is seriously hampering my efforts.
Ok. I uninstalled everything by first going into Daz Studio and uninstalling it there.
Then I uninstalled everything via DIM
Then I uninstalled DIM
Then I restarted the computer
Then I deleted all folders. Including Program Data
Then I deleted all registry keys.
Then I restarted the computer
Then I reinstalled DIM
And guess what? It still has my login data.
It remembers all my preferences.
And I bet if I go through a full reinstall (AGAIN) I will still have the same problems. Because if DIM is remembering, DAZ will, too.
WHERE ARE THE SETTINGS BEING STORED?!?!
And no. Security software isn't getting in the way.
Measure Metrics is a plug-in and cannot be isntalled through Daz Connect, Figure Metrics is content and can.
If the database shows a Connect install DS will try to use that even if there's also a DIM install.
You can reset the database, which will cause it to forget about all your installed content, and the Connect stuff will not be included if you re-import metadata: both reset and re-import metadata are in the Content DB Maintenance dialogue, launched from the Content Library option menu - the lined button in the top corner, or right-click the tab. This won't, however, reset the content directory paths.
Measure metrics wasn't the only problem. I had it installed before. I just wanted to move everything to a different hard drive. I wanted a fresh install to eliminate doubles, and I wanted to use only DIM to install things. Because I initially just installed DAZ (Back when I didn't own many assets) and installed through its interface, it created a whole host of problems. Seriously ridiculous.
Most programs allow you to uninstall it fully so you can start from scratch when you have an issue like this.
I just went and found several more hidden files throughout my C: drive. Nuked them.
NOW when I launch DIM, it is FINALLY asking for credentials again.
I love Daz Studio. Rather, I love making art with Daz Studio. This experience has soured things somewhat. This is the most common, basic thing that we've had in just about every single piece of software since DOS. So as much as I enjoy using DAZ, they REALLY need to work on their uninstall protocols. And folder placement. Optimization - I think we could ALL appreciate that. If it weren't searching so many places for setting files, I'm sure the program would launch faster, find assets faster, etc. Basic cleanup optimization is all I ask. You can't tell me they aren't making the money needed to hired some programmers who specialize in this.
Starting my latest reinstall. Crossing my fingers this is the last time.
I'll EDIT this post later to report whether or not it is all working correctly.
EDIT: AAARGH! *see below
I DO NOT want things installed to my C: drive.
I would like DIM to handle installation of assets.
I set DIM to install files to my mechanical drive.
I open DAZ. Go to Preferences, and change the path for the Content Library to the same folder that DIM installed it to.
DAZ SEES NOTHING INSTALLED.
I reset the Database, as suggested. NO CHANGE.
My hatred for install managers only grows. However, without DIM, I can't seem to install Victoria 4.2, Michael 4, Aiko 4, Freak 4. Sure, I don't use them as often. Sure, I'm mostly doing stuff with GEN8. But that's besides the point. I do use these models occasionally, and I've picked up quite a bit of content for them through freebies.
Sure, I have space on my Solid State Drive to fit everything. For now. I have a lot more space on the 3 TB mechanical drive. I load custom content from it just fine.
From what I can tell, DIM installs a vastly different folder structure than DAZ internal. Now, I have installed on a different computer, entirely through DIM, but that computer only has one drive. It also proved to be too slow to work on. I had hoped to set up a render-only machine with it, but that's besides the point. On that machine, I didn't change any paths.
I just want DAZ to see the damn content that DIM installed. Is that too much to ask? After searching forums, I see several posts on this subject. Hasn't anyone figured out the solution to this yet?
Please post screen shots of the directory option in DIM and in DS.
Gave up.
Deleted the DIM-installed content.
Just going to download through DAZ Connect
I followed all advice, and just couldn't get it to work. I suspect it's a DRM issue.
Now I got to go through and do manual downloads of the Generation 4 figures.
Also, I'm now getting issues loading some products. Even after nuking everything. I may just try again after my next full reinstall of Windows, but since I just did a fresh install not that long ago, that will be a while. Also can't get the Genesis 3 to Genesis 8 Clothing Converter to load, but I'm trying to figure that one out still before I go to the community. Got this great shirt that warps the buttons if I use auto-fit.
To note: I have this software installed on on old laptop. Recently, when i found out some of my content was hiding in DIM, I did an uninstall/resintall there. However, after installing everything through DIM, I opened the program to find nothing installed. So I used the install option of inside DAZ... I did not realize that it was redownloading everything. This particular computer has only one hard drive. I really think this issue is related to folder structure and DRM. Why the DAZ connect creates such a vastly different folder structure, I couldn't guess. That said, I've noticed that some of the older things tend to load into a similar folder structure as what DIM lays out, which is why I suspect the folder structure has something to do with it.
On that machine, I installed DAZ 3d MONTHS before I ever tried DIM. Not sure if that makes a difference, but it seems having DAZ installed BEFORE DIM creates problems. When you Open DAZ, it's looking for the default folder. I would think that if you installed it through DIM, it should set to whatever folder you told DIM to install content into. Since this whole thing is tied to authorization to combat piracy, I'm betting there's a line of code somewhere that's causing this headache.
ALSO on the above-mentioned laptop, ALL settings are set to default. ALL folder paths are set to default. I only have one hard drive.
Is is possible that having an existing My Library folder is causing some of this mess? I could try renaming it, then reinstalling through DIM to see if DAZ behaves. I would try it on my laptop because I don't want to mess up my files on my desktop. Since it looks like a repeatable error, I'll looking figuring out the best way to solve it.
As it is right now, the Gen3-Gen8 Female Clothing Converter script is working on my Laptop, so I'll just convert it on there and pop it over. Assuming CMS doesn't get pissy.
What DRM?
Connect uses a separate folder for each product, which avoids issues where multiple products isntall the same file (e.g. a common texture, such as a concrete map, used by a PA on all their environments) - especially if the file is also used in content from another store or freebies that do not get installed via DIM or Connect.
If your DIM installs don't show at all, even in the DAZ Studio Formats/Poser Formats lists, then that suggests a pathing issue - that DS doesn't know where to find them - or security software interfering with the addition to the database.
Which doesn't make sense in the case of my laptop, since it is set to default and there is no security software in place to block anything and all program options are left at their default values. Yet if I install something new through DIM, it says it isn't installed when I open DAZ.
In the case of my main computer, I'm learning that this software really doesn't like being installed into non-default folders. Currently have an issue getting a clothing converter to work, and for the life of me I can't figure it out. I'll be loading the item in question on my laptop to see if I can get it there.
I just assume DAZ uses some form of Digital Rights Management (DRM) to fight piracy. I see when I download something to install through Offline Install, it requires you to download an authorization file, which I assume is linked directly to the users account. I don't imagine, for instance, I could email my authorization file and have it work on someone else's install. After many years doing computer work, the behavior is suspiciously like DRM issues I've run into in the past, hence my theory. I can't blame Windows 10 (the popular thing to do) because I've seen the exact same issue occuring on my Windows 7 machine.
The very (broken) uninstall method doesn't help either. I still wonder if I missed some files tucked away somewhere, and if I destroyed that file, it would magically do what I want it to do. I think if I set a content directory inside DIM, I shouldn't have to set it again inside Daz Studio itself. I THINK that forms part of the issue in terms of folder authorization. It's frustrating to test because I have to go hunting for wayward ini files and registry keys every time I uninstall. So now I'm in full workaround mode. I'm not using DIM, and I'm trying to figure out how to fix the various issues I've been having since I woke up with the crazy idea to reinstall to a different hard drive.
Anyway, it may SUGGEST a pathing issue, but the problem occured when everything was set to default values on my main computer, my laptop, and the Surface Pro 3 I run the software on. The only machine in the house that sees assets installed by DIM was a clean first-time install handled entirely through DIM with no changes to any folder paths. Sadly that PC is gutless. : (
I've worked every angle I could think of in terms of pathing. Trust me on this. I exhausted that line of thinking first. I did notice that when I opened DAZ after the reinstall, with all my content installed through DIM, DAZ was still looking on the C: drive for the Connect folder. Changing it to where the folder was actually located didn't make the DIM-installed content pop up, even after a full system reboot. At least DAZ will install things there, so there's that. I just had to go and uninstall it through DIM so I didn't end up with double the disk space consumed.
Anyway, not trying to be hostile. Just trying to detail my experience as much as possible. Daz is a part of my regular therapy now. Spending days trying to sort this issue has been the opposite of relaxing. For now, I've got my workaround and so I will content myself with that. Until the OCD kicks in again, anyway! I'm about at the point where I'm tempted to do a system refresh. Rename my custom content folder, reinstall DAZ through DIM, and hope for the best. Problem is, I'm convinced it would still be unhappy with the use of an alternate install path.
I am considering a ground-up system build JUST for DAZ so my main system isn't tied up for days on the big jobs. Of course, I imagine having an nVidia video card will speed it up anyway. Still, if I do that, I'm thinking a big 500GB SSD coupled with a 1 Terabyte mechanical drive for backup/to hold custom content/save renders to.
I was hoping to make use of a NAS, keeping everything nice an tidy on my machine, and allowing me to access the content from anywhere on my network. Except I suspect that will end up with far more headaches than it's worth, if the current experience is anything to go by.
You aren't the first person to have issues like this, though they are not common. One thing to check is that you are not closing DS and immediately opening DIM (or vice versa), which can result in PostgreSQL being closed for the second application (either run both together or make sure one, and its PostgreSQL session, have finished closing before starting the other). However, I would expect that to be inconsistent rather than to affect every instalaltion.
Custom paths should not be an issue in general - DS and DIM are intended to support customisation, and I have non-default paths. Moving files within a content diectory may cause issues, however.
Yes, Connect uses encrypted files keyed against your account for delivery, but theya re decrypted on arrival - it does support having content (in native format) encrypted on disc but currently that is not used, and unless you have older isntallations of the few items that were released in that form you should not have any (look for .enc files). DIM is not encrypted - the zips it downloads are plain, as you can confirm by opening with ana rchive manager.
There is set of scripts to help with synching the directories http://docs.daz3d.com/doku.php/public/software/dazstudio/4/referenceguide/scripting/api_reference/samples/start#directory_mapping
Yes, Connect-installed content needs "reisntalling" if the CMS database is lost - though it should see that the fiels are there as it does so, and not actually download them.
People have used NAS, and even remote, locations for their content (even sahred between Mac and Windows systems) but it's not something I can offer any specific advice on.
@dragonreborn2k6 "Problem is, I'm convinced it would still be unhappy with the use of an alternate install path."
If you get the paths correct in Studio AND DIM there shouldn't be a problem.
My Sutdio install is on my D: drive and all my content is on an external (H:\) drive.
BTW, if you're going to build a new dedicated machine, you're not thinking big enough. 1TB SSDs are available for ~$120 USD and 4TB hard drives are about the same. Don't forget at least 32GB system RAM and at least a 1070 level GPU.
When I system build, I tend to start with a minimum, and then see how much over my budget can afford. : )
I do think if you set a content path in DIM, it should AUTOMATICALLY set the correct path in Daz Studio as well. Since settings are held in ini files/registry, it shouldn't be too difficult for the program to do this.
For now, I'll keep using it as I've got it. I am miffed that my converter isn't working, but as I said, I can open it on my laptop to do a clothing conversion.
Since it takes a lot of work to get it fully uninstalled so I can attempt to get the paths correct, I'm just going to hold off for a bit. It bugs me, so I know I'll eventually be revisiting this issue. I'll go through this thread for any tips that may help. Is is possible you could show exactly what the path looks like in both DIM and DS? I was sure I placed it correctly, but maybe not. I keep getting asked for MY paths, but I think it would be more helpful to me to see what the correct path should look like.
@Richard Haseltine
I bookmarked the link. I know I'm new to this, but I don't think that's any excuse for the problems I've been having because I'm certainly not new to computers. I've dealt with software issues of all kinds during my IT career, and Daz takes the cake, hands down. I imagine it comes from many many years of updates to the program, without ever really seeing a ground-up rebuild of the whole thing. I bet there's all sorts of things lurking in the software that don't serve a function. At some point, I'd like to see them optimize the software. Clean it up. I'm sure we'd all love to see that!
Would it help to install DIM, Install DS through DIM, close DIM, restart computer, then open DAZ to set folder path, close DAZ, restart again, and then start installing items through DIM?
I don't think that would be necessary - but I don't think it would do any harm either.
I have gone through the same process as you. It is a pain. I tried to cheat the system as well, and it failed. Here is how I finally had to get things done, and I still have a single issue.....
1. Wiped everything.
2. When I went to install stuff with the My Daz 3d Library on my external drive, everything appeared to install, but nothing showed up in DAZ.
Fix for that was to uninstall everything in DIM, then go into settings. For some reason DIM hard locks the default folder. Even if you add a new destination for files, the hard lock is still there. Had to ensure that the new destination was the default. Once I did that, I started re-installing and everything showed up in both places.
3. Old installers, like Measure Metrics, appear to be impossible to install if you do not have the default directory set-up. I ran measure metrics, and there is no option to point to new install directory. Instead, it just fails saying it cannot find the path.
The Dim Settings are key.
Once you add a new install path in DIM you can delete the old default one. Have Show Details box checked on the Ready To Install pane so you get the button that lets you easily select a different library to install to. Any library added to DIM must also be added to Studio in the Content Directory Manager.
Here's hoping they'll address this problem when they get around to a Daz Studio 5
Which problem? I haven't reread the whole thread, but the initial issuse sound local rather than soemthing Daz could fix.