Custom toolbar shader doesn't work.
AbnerK
Posts: 718
Hi,
I've got several custom toolbar buttons that I use all the time (eg. G8M, G8F, etc.). I wanted to put a reset shader in there too but it doesn't work in the toolbar yet works fine from Content Library. Daz tells me that it can't be found? Similarly other shaders that I bought from here also don't work from the scripts menu yet the Iray Uber Base does.
Anyone got any knowledge on this?
Thanks.
Jim
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Comments
mapped paths, relative vs absolute...
An absolute or full path points to the same location in a file system, regardless of the current working directory. To do that, it must include the root directory. By contrast, a relative path starts from some given working directory, avoiding the need to provide the full absolute path.
That sounds almost like you are channeling Rob. Are you recommending using absolute or relative file paths? This only describes the difference between them, but I don't see a direct recommendation to help the OP with his issue.
I couldn't have put it better myself, barbult. Why assume I don't know the difference? I've been running a website for 15 years. I should know the difference by now. :D
All that said, I wouldn't have a clue how to edit the path anyway since I put the shortcut in the scripts folder by right clicking on it.
Surely this is an absolute path anyway. I don't know about Daz Studio in HTML puttin an absolute path is always going to work as long as it's the absolute path on the server. If this is isn't 'Absolute' enough for Daz what else does it need? My house address? :D
By the way, if it isn't obvious this path is to a bought shader on an external drive. I deleted the custom shader that didn't work.
Just have a look at a recent post by me in Changing paths?
In short open the %AppData%\Roaming\DAZ 3D\Studio4\customactions.dsx config file in a text editor. If you've changed your content directory(s), or just reorganized your content folders manualy where those scripts where saved, you also need to change the absolute paths saved in the "customactions.dsx". This config file saves all the customizations and "Custom Actions" you've added to the Scripts main menu and Tool Bars (by right-click Add Custom Action in the Customize F3 dialog).
Unfortunately it saves all references as ablolute paths. I've fixed that issue in the customactions.dsx config file with search/replace by old/new absolut path in my text editor. And suddenly all my "Custom Actions" palced in various Scripts menus work again.
[Edit]: I've also read somewhere that beside of default Presets like shaders advanced scripts like Skin Builder, Scene Optimizer and others need to run from the Main Content Directory that is the first in the list mapped as Daz Native content in the Content Directory Manager.
Thanks for that, however I found the file you're talking about. I'm on a Mac so it's totally different but I guessed where it might be. But I don't know what I'm looking for, I don't know what to change never mind what to change it too. I can't say that I totally understand what you're talking about.
It would be more helpful if you could just ask me something rather than give me lots of choice that I don't know if they're relevant or not? The amount of times I've been sent on wild goose chases on this forum. No offence since I don't really know you.
If you go to Window>Workspace>Customise you should eb able to find the action under Custom on the left. Right-click on it and select Edit Custom Action..., then expand the dialogue box to show the full path and take a screen shot.
Actually No I wasn't chanelling Rob. He suggested it could be pathing issue. As a content provider I did have a need to know the difference between Absolute and Relative paths, ad the problems using the wrong one can cause when packing content for distribution.
I did actually edit my original post to add the explanation about path, as not everyone does know, so thought I would add to my oroiginal comment.
To the OP I couldn't offer any help as to how you would change them as I do not use DS. I use Bryce, with Poser as a plug-in
It's obvious that the drive letter may have changed since you last added the shader from the "external drive" to your custom actions. Finding and replacing the drive letter in the "customactions.dsx" will not help you fixing the issue.
I would suggest you to first clean up all "dead" links to Custom Actions (those without icons) in the Customize dialog. Next you need to copy the Presets like the shader you want to use manualy to the main Content Directory or at least to some directory that is currently mapped and will not change drive letter or path. Then use those copys of the shader in the main Content Directory to create a Custom Action for your toolbar.
I also use Content Directorys on external drives but I made an automation to "mount" the harddisk "volume" with a fixed drive letter. I had the ingenious idea to reserve the drive-letters X, Y, Z for those mountend harddisk volumes and now I have no issues anymore with suddenly changing drive letters and paths in my Content Directorys on those external drives.
thanks Richard, sorry, my notifications don't seem to be getting through, (unless I missed it)
The first one, the blood shader, ( I deleted the others, this is the first one I happened upon to create as it was in the main iray folder on its own) this does not work.
The second one Genesis 3 Male does work. In case you missed it. I'm on a mac and the shaders short cut in the scripts folder was created moments before testing.
Third one is, obviously my Preferences
Fourth one is edited version which also doesn't work.
I've "remapped" my content library in the preferences. I had symlinks previously which means as far as my computer goes nothing has been moved. The downside with those is that if the disk is accidentally ejected, which happens from time to time if the cable is knocked, the links break, usually it rights itself but very occasionally I have to remake them. Anways, I've now edited the preferences so Daz links directly to the External Drive (on a mac this has an 'real' name rather than a letter). The problem sitll persists. It makes no sense to me that a link you just created using Daz's own system should not work while others in the same location, do. By the way, until I deleted the symlinks Daz told me there were two versions of the ones that worked and I should make a choice. Anyway. I've given up. I've already found a reset shader that does work in the Tool Bar so the problem is kind of solved as far as that shader goes but should I want to make another shortcut that happens not to work I'd still like to be able to fix it.
Thanks
Why are you using these scripts to call the .duf files? You can make the .duf files themselves into custom actions, which may be simpler.
They''re so much easier to find when they're in your toolbar. I use them all the time for every project. The blood shader was simply an example of one I just created for demonstration purposes.
I'm taking meds that make focusing a serious challenge so having to remember where a shader, for example is in a huge list of gray files in a drop down list is extremely challenging and frustrating. I very easily get distracted and then have to stop and gather myself together and remember what it was I was looking for. If it's there in the menu bar I click on it and it's done. It's a fraction of second as opposed to anything up to 10 minutes or even a day or never depending how I'm distracted. Sometimes that's a good thing and I can make some great art I hadn't planned on but mostly it's really frustrating.
Anyway, I have solved the problem. I'm not entirely sure what fixed it. I'm assuming it was remapping the Content Directory Manager in the preferences and restarting Daz. It only fixed itself after I restarted the Daz which I did last night. I expected any changes I'd made in the preferences to take effect immediately after Applying, Accepting, and writing a letter to my MP. Oh, I then had to recreate the shortcuts in the Scripts Menu. How many hoops does Daz want you to jump through? :D
All done, even the Blood shader, that I don't use, works. So, I can delete that one now.
Thank you for the pointers. They all helped in their own way.
A .duf file made into a custom action can be added to a toolbar or another menu, by dragging from the list in Edit>Customise, just as your scripts can.
Yeah, that's what I'm doing. They also appear in your Scripts menu first and stay there even when you've added them to your tool bar. That's why I mentioned 'Scripts', and also why I added the Subject 'Custom Toolbar' :)
You can move them to another menu, or remove them entirely, in the Menus tab on the right of the Window>Workspace>Customise dialogue.