Using Daz Install Mgr - local files

bradassociates

Daz Install Manager automatically creates a download folder where purchased content is stored at

C:/users/public/public documents/Daz 3D/InstallManager/Downloads

It also creates a separate folder for installing the content, which is the path Daz Studio sources that content, here:

C:/users/public/public documents/My Daz 3D Library

Two Questions

My C: drive is on an SSD, which runs much faster then my internal secondary D: drive - a HDD drive (5 TB in size).   However, I'm maxing out on storage space on my SSD.   I would like to move the download files to the HDD, and, redirect the DIM to store downloaded Daz files there while installing the content on the SSD in the My Daz 3D Library.

1.  If I relocated *all* the downloaded files en masse to an archive on a mirror folder on the D: drive, will it affect the operations of Daz Studio, which is sourcing content from the library on the SDD?   Also, for future Daz downloads, is it as simple as redirecting the Package Archive path and possibly the Thumbnail Archive to the newly created folders on the D: drive?

2.  I have downloaded Daz .zip files for manual installation as well as 3rd party content files that follow the same folder format as Daz.  I would prefer using the DIM instead of manually installing them.  Is it possible to have the DIM install from a local .zip file, and if so, how does one set the settings in the DIM to reference the local folder with the .zips?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

NorthOf45

1. Once the content is installed (on your SSD), Studio never looks at the archive again, so where it is located is of little concern to Studio. Yes, it is that simple to just change the destination folders for the downloads and the thumbnails. The download package manifests do not contain any path-specific information, so they can be relocated, no problem.

2. If the files are DIM-ready, you can just drop them into the same folder as the rest of the downloads. DIM will see them (at the next refresh/restart) and you can install like any other. Third-party products are rarely in DIM format, though (specific filename syntax, folder structure, manifest file for installation), so that will most likely be a showstopper. You can make those archives DIM-compatible, either manually or with a product that can re-package them appropriately (i.e., Content Package Assist, very easy to use). Again, these new packages can go in the same folder as the other downloads. You could also make a dummy account in DIM to work offline-only from a different "download" folder. (Since there is no need to be on-line for those third-party products, you can keep them separate, just to stay organized.)

 

bradassociates

Thanks!  I was hoping for that answer - it will free up about 150 GB on my SSD for new content.    When you mention the dummy account in DIM to work off-line, which is my goal (I'll be in the mountains with no Internet), what are the steps?  Is it done through DIM, or are we talking about a new account altogether?

NorthOf45

You don't need a dummy account to work offline, you can still work on your DAZ content (install, uninstall, etc.), you just won't be able to get any updates or new content.

To make a dummy account, go to the DIM settings, Accounts tab. Click the plus sign (+) in the bottom left corner to add an account. It is just a local DIM account that isn't connected to your DAZ account, since you won't be using your real e-mail address. This is the name that will show as "Installed By: " in the popup you get when hovering over an installed product. Note that you can't see the contents or products from other accounts while using any one account.

Enter a fake e-mail address because DIM insists (all you need is the proper user@someplace.domain format, since you will never use it), and Accept, and Accept again to exit the settings. Change accounts in DIM (top right menu) and set up your folders for downloads and installation. You can install most content to a different library (again, just to stay organized) if there are no direct dependencies on the main library, like some products that have to be installed in the same folder or library as some other prerequisite.

bradassociates

Thanks!  This will help a lot...