DUF format: Cannot load map, but what was it used for? So I can choose another?

Snuggins

I use Daz between a couple of machines and sometimes, not a bug I know the reason, a surface map file is in a different location pathwise on one machine than another. Usually it is a Face Map so it is obvious after load -- the face is white. So after I say "Stop asking" to the dialog so that I can work on it sometime today, I figure I will choose some replacements or build it up again using layer editor etc. 

But here's the question: what was it used for? The Base Color? The Translucency color? There's a "d2" and a "d3", say, and although I can guess and this is not the end of the world, how to know for sure? So I uncompressed the duf file and loaded up a text editor. Sure enough if I search for the missing file, I find an entry in the images library:

{

"id" : "<Name>",

"name" : "<Name>",

"map_gamma" : 0,

"map" : [

{

"url" : "<Path on Other Machine>",

"label" : "<Name>"

}

]

},

 

So I figure it has an id name that is referenced elsewhere in the file , maybe the materials section, so I can find out _where it goes_ ie who uses it, so I can choose the right surface section. Well, nope, it is not referenced. Is this because:

1) Not used: It was just one of those images I tried then rejected and didn't use in the final version but was saved in this images library anyway because daz holds onto it just in case or,

2) Used but reference is dropped when not found: If I looked at this same file on the other machine it would have the reference-- but wait, I haven't saved it yet on this machine, that can't be the case. Could it be saved automatically and then if I don't manually save it, it is reverted to the original state on disk? No this would be a tmp file in AppData etc so sorry for even mentioning this option.

3) Daz just knows, man. Don't sweat it. Its in the naming scheme or some other magic or I am clearly stupid for wasting this much time on this when I could be rendering, it looks fine, in face even better now that you had to replace it, and take a breather. There's other stuff to worry about.

Am I nuts? Could the dialog if it has privileged access to the secret binding formula let me in on it when it tells me it is missing? Like "I wanted to paint your face man but the tmp directory is totally different here. It the face man. ** the base color map on the face ** get it??"

ok sorry for the extra drivel just frustrated like we all get and not even that much any more. Love this tool when you get right down to it.

Richard Haseltine

The map will be used later in the file, where you should be able to see which surface it applies to. However, if you once browse to the location of a missing map any others with the same path should then be found automatically. If this keeps happening it does suggest an issue with installations or paths.

DrunkMonkeyProductions

Based on the D2, D3 references and that it's a face texture i'd say it's a LIE(layered Image Editor) setting.

One of the textures isn't available for LIE to recreate.

To find it in the file Look in the "Image Library" section.

There will be a section with a lot of information as opposed to just the texture reference.

I just added a texture via LIE for example.

Normal:

            "id" : "RyJeane_eyesB_1007.jpg-2",
            "name" : "RyJeane_eyesB_1007.jpg",
            "map_gamma" : 0,
            "map" : [
                {
                    "url" : "/Runtime/Textures/Raiya/Jeane/RyJeane_eyesB_1007.jpg",
                    "label" : "RyJeane_eyesB_1007.jpg"

 

LIE:

            "id" : "RyJeane_face_1001",
            "name" : "RyJeane_face_1001",
            "map_size" : [ 4096, 4096 ],
            "map_gamma" : 0,
            "map" : [
                {
                    "url" : "/Runtime/Textures/H%26C/2018%20School%20Uniforms%20For%20G8F%20Texture/0105-Loafers-01.jpg",
                    "label" : "shoe",
                    "color" : [ 0, 0, 0 ],
                    "transparency" : 1,
                    "invert" : false,
                    "rotation" : 0,
                    "xmirror" : false,
                    "ymirror" : false,
                    "xscale" : 1,
                    "yscale" : 1,
                    "xoffset" : 0,
                    "yoffset" : 0,
                    "operation" : "alpha_blend"
                },
                {
                    "url" : "/Runtime/Textures/Raiya/Jeane/RyJeane_face_1001.jpg",
                    "label" : "RyJeane_face_1001.jpg",
                    "color" : [ 0, 0, 0 ],
                    "transparency" : 1,
                    "invert" : false,
                    "rotation" : 0,
                    "xmirror" : false,
                    "ymirror" : false,
                    "xscale" : 1,
                    "yscale" : 1,
                    "xoffset" : 0,
                    "yoffset" : 0,
                    "operation" : "alpha_blend"

Snuggins

thanks