I have Too Much Content! How to sort and organise it?

susibiker

Hi Folks.

I'm sure this is one of those Really Dumb Questions you probably get asked on here from time to time, but I could not find a satisfactory answer to. So here goes -

Over the past year or so, I've bought stuff from DAZ. And I mean *LOTS* of stuff. By 'stuff' I mean 3D models, scenes, filters, applications. Basically all sorts of content.
The trouble is, I've now lost track of it all after a major PC rebuild.
Since DIM has come to the fore things have been easier in a lot of respects, but masses of content that I bought before DIM has not been updated to run with DIM, and some may never be updated.

As I said, I recently had to rebuild my computer from scratch and took the opportunity to start afresh. The problem I have now is that although some content helpfully requires DIM to install it, a lot of it still requires manual installation.
The manual install files have all kinds of cryptic codes and descriptions as file-names so I often don't know whether DIM has already installed a later version of them, or not at all.
I have probably going on for well over 1500 pieces of content (DIM currently manages 815 on its own!).

1. Is there an easy way to look up a product code or file name on the site?
(I know I can search within DIM for a code, but that does not always provide a useful answer)

2. Is there an easy way to keep track of, install, or at least organise all this stuff not managed by DIM?

I'm slowly going crazy and wasting too much time trying to sort this stuff out.
I don't know what to install any more. I don't want to mess up my shiny new DAZ install.
Any ideas...?

Thanks,
Susi xx

Jaderail

LOL!! First off there is no such thing as too much content.

But this depends on how much you understand content. There are almost as many different ways to sort content as there are users.
I myself use the DAZ Studio Category feature, that allows me to put my items where I want without touching the real files at all. That prevents a accident of moving a file and have it suddenly stop working.

EDIT: If you set DIM to only see the ONE version of DAZ studio you use it will install all the DIM content ready content and updated files. You can get a DATABASE file from DIM that will list all the Files and File numbers it is a Built in option. I will be back to explain how that is done as soon as I update my list. That will refresh the steps in my mind, I'm still on my first cup of coffee.

frank0314

If you install a product with DIM it is always the current version. Once installed if there are any updates they will show up in DIM as an update. For the products that haven't been converted yet, sadly there is no easy way to know what isn't installed. The best you can do is go by memory and reset those packs in your product library. They are converting packs daily so who knows when they will get to some of yours. Also, If you install them manually, DON'T install them to the My DAZ 3D Library. Use the old My Library. The My DAZ 3D Library is only for DIM installed content. If you manually install packs into that folder they will work fine, but once the DIM version comes out you may run into problems and it will have to be uninstalled before you can install the DIM version

susibiker

Hey Jaderail.
Thanks for the super-fast reply!

I get what you mean about lots of content ;)

So, if I'm understanding what you said -
You mean you have set up your own folder structure, away from that managed by DIM, so that they don't cause issues with each other? You then use the Category Feature to bring all the content together?
If so, and that works, that sounds like a great solution!

EDIT 1:
Thanks too Frank.
I just saw your reply after posting.

EDIT 2:
Now, I've just got to try and work out what content works with what program... ;)

Jaderail

Actually I just let DIM install to ONE folder all default. I then use the Category feature to place the new files into a category structure I designed myself, I know for example all my V4 clothing is in my V4 clothing folder I created in the Category View. It leaves the files 100% where DAZ Studio put them (DIM) and uses pointers to my Categories. That prevents me from breaking things by moving the real files. To me it's a good practice. The Benefit is all NONE DIM content I install can also go into my category and I never need the SMART stuff it does not come with.

EDIT: The Category view is in the Content Library Tab content pane.

susibiker

OK.
I think I've worked out what I need to do - it's a bit of a mixture of both answers. How does this sound -

I am going to leave the DIM-installed content well alone.
I'm going to install the older non-DIM content in a separate directory path: "G:\DAZManual\My Library\" then add that to the directories that the DAZ programs scan for content.
I can then categorise content much as Jaderail suggested. If dupes then appear, I know that the older non-DIM content has been installed by DIM as well, and so can remove the non-DIM content.

I'm hoping this will stop DIM and related programs/applications having a fit, and give me the best of both worlds.

Jaderail

That sounds very do able.

susibiker

Many thanks for the ideas guys.
I've been putting this off for weeks. I've got no excuses now. Rats! :)

Cheers,
Susi xx

Jaderail

And if your having CMS and Database issues we know most of the ways to fix those as well. Just post the problems here and we should be able to fix that as well.

susibiker

Jaderail said:

And if your having CMS and Database issues we know most of the ways to fix those as well. Just post the problems here and we should be able to fix that as well.

Thanks. Much appreciated! :)