Setting up Runtimes/Content
jzandreiatti
Posts: 0
So I have been spending a few weeks unzipping content getting them ready for library environments. I have over 3 tarabytes of accumilated content. (overlast 10-15 years) So my question here is this?
What is the ultimatly, the best way to set up runtimes?
- I would like it to be quick and efficient. Is setting up a single runtime for all of it best?
- Should I set up multiple runtimes and content libraries?
Realistically each item you purchase or have in libraries has its own runtime folder with content within. Thats a lot of runtimes. So is there a better way to customize this? Re-organize, what should I do here? And then there is the items or content that have different catagories within the same runtime, such as Character models, Clothes, props, textures, etc. How and what do you do here to further clean this up. Can I move and divide those runtimes up and place content iin to custom made folders that actually represent those items, such as eyes, faces, morphs, props, etc.???
The library aspect is a confusing place to work with. Just trying to setup and arrange it so I can have access to all without having to searcch to much.
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Comments
In my opinion DIM (DAZ Install Manager) is the best solution for content purchased at DAZ. It can also install to multiple libraries (personally I prefer only one).
With DazStudio, all forms of organization of 3D objects are possible.
I give you my method (one of many)
I make three directories on my hard drive:
in c:\studio\current I put all the objects I can need
in c:\studio\old, I put all the old objects that I only use on very rare occasions
in c:\studio\free, I put all the free objects that I downloaded, either to use them or to test them.
Then, in each of these three directories, I structure my data by themes.
In the directories c:\studio\current and c:\studio\old, I create the following subdirectories, where there is a Runtime:
as well as several thematic directories such as:
Then in DazStudio, I import the contents of these directories from the DAZ Studio Formats -> Add Base Directory
In order not to have too large a list in the Content Library tab, I remove the unused directories with the Remove All Base Directory option.
So, I have two types of organization of my 3D files:
To find a 3D file that I cannot locate, I run the search in windows in the c:\studio directory
So I can locate the file and know if it is already accessible directly in DazStudio (otherwise I integrate it in Base Directory)
For Poser objects, I use another method which I will not introduce, because I use this object type very rarely.
For the Poser objects that interest me, I convert them to the DazStudio format, which greatly simplifies my management.
To decompress my 3D files, I use 7-zip
With my method, I have as many Runtime as there are thematic sub-directories.
However, I think if a user doesn't have a lot of 3D objects, then a single Runtime is enough.
It isn't a good idea to put the Content Library on C drive for multitude of reasons.
Show in more detail the organization of your 3D files.
I would be curious to know how you do it.
You talk about a multitude of reasons, without citing them !
At work at the moment, so I cannot take any screenshots, but there is nothing difficult about setting up a Content Library.
Just choose a drive (not C) that has enough space an/or can be dedicated to DAZ content
My Content Library is in "E:\DazGen\" (as in DAZ Genesis)
Why you should not install your content (or any other personal/important files) on C-drive
- You will run out of space sooner than you think, what are you going to do then?
- When you do get into problems, where does the problems occur?... On the drive that holds the OS.
- Do you really want to track down your personal/important files amongst tens of thousands of non-descriptive, non organized remnants with a recovery program?
- As C drive is used by the OS, using the same drive for your own files means that you are going to wait for the OS to be finished with whatever it was doing
No drive is fully protected in the event of a failure.
If you read my post correctly, you will have noticed that I don't put my files in a directory managed by Windows, such as C:\users for example.
Also, my backup with Google Drive and 'Backup and Sync', works great for all my directories and protects me against data loss.
Moreover, here the subject isn't the location of the data, which remains a very personal choice.
The main subject is the mode of organization of the 3D files, and the choice between one or more Runtimes.
Unless i've gone barmy here, DIM can only install to one directory at a time.
You'd need to change the directory in DIM's settings to change the install directory.
Or am i missing something?
(wouldn't be the first time).
Yes, no drive is fully protected, but the C drive is the most vulnerable to problems, not the drive itself but the files and file system on that drive due to the OS being on that drive.
There are no real folders on any drive, the drive is just a big bucket where all the files on that drive are stored in small pieces (clusters) that can be spread where-ever on the disk, mixed with everything else that's stored on the disk and if the "Catalogue" of where the bits of a file are stored and how they should be presented to the user gets corrupted, one is looking for lot of fun trying to figure out, what is what and if they are still current or something that was overwritten ages ago.
No, that's correct.
+1
I always have a Data drive on my systems where I put all data that are not required to be on the system drive, and I only install programs to the system drive, to separate system/programs from data. This makes things a lot simpler, e.g. when restoring a broken system from an image, the data on the data drive will remain unaffected and up to date. If you have your data on the system drive, e.g. your DAZ Library, these will be reverted to the state they were in when the image was created, when you restore it. It also makes the system drive image much smaller and faster to restore. You just need to set up all references between the system and programs installed there, and the data drive, before creating the image, then it will work right out of the box when the system is restored. Has saved me a lot of time and work over the years.
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As far as organizing the content (the user facing files) I try to follow the original folder structure, but when any of the folders get too much in them (too many folders to browse through) I divide them into themes.
Attached three samples, one for characters, one for clothing and one for poses
You can set up multiple content directories in DIM. In the Ready To Install pane have the Show Details box checked and you will get a button that lets you switch between directories.
Thanks for sharing!
Question regarding duplication: I see a Clothing subfolder for G8M and another Clothing main directory with subfolders. Is the latter just for G8F?
In general I wonder what the others who separate G8F and G8M in separate directories do when there's a product that supports both (e.g. Poses or Accessories as common ones)?
The samples were from different base characters.
In general, all the G8F/M poses can be used for both, but if there are pose sets with multiple figures, I usually put those under ...\People\Genesis 8\Poses\
Personally, I custom organize all of my content. My method is neither easy nor fast. In fact it can be tedious and in all honesty, I still have 79 file, 8.25GB of content from December that I have not yet installed.
However, on the up side, my custom layout is in my opinion, organized and easy to follow. I download all Daz3D content via the DIM. I then take the zip files and decompress them, only so many at a time. I custom organized the folders into a structure that is not convoluted or messy, removing all vanity folders and files. Then I repack it into a compressed file, 7z now, and then use the new compressed file to unpack, install, the product into my content library and the newly compressed files are stored on my D Drive afterwards. Reorganizing and repacking content this way makes it very easy to reinstall if needed, especially to a new location and I can install without access to the internet. Lastly, I don't have to worry about some database issue causing me to loose my organization either. Just a personal note, I don't use smart content so I always delete the related files before repacking a product. If you need to reorganize and use smart content, you will have to redo the metadata manually.
Thanks for your reply - a general G8 folder makes sense here, fully agree. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for this detailed explanation of your workflow! Looks quite overwhelming to me, what I can grasp is the approach of repacking the DIM zips. But I only would do this automated, 8k+ products given (DAZ alone). As I love using smart content, I'm afraid the entire approach wouldn't be for me, but in general this looks like a rock robust way of organizing the assets.
Thank you.
I have been keeping all of my pre-Genesis 1 stuff set up like the old Poser Runtime enviornments as follows:
V4 - contains everything for V4 and her whole family, like Reby Sky, Aiko 4, Girl 4, etc., etc.,
M4 - same as above but for M4's family
Mil 3 - all Generation 3 stuff
Mil 12 - all pre-Mil 3 figures and support content
Predatron - this is only for his people and creatures (including droids, etc.,)
Animals - (again, pre- Genesis 1. Pre-DUF)
Dargons - (again, pre- Genesis 1. Pre-DUF)
Vehicles
Environs
Weapons and Props
============================
When Daz Studio 4 first came out along with Genesis 1, there were updates that required uninstall/install with the Genesis figure and add-ons due to the creation and tweaking of the DUF format.
I found it essential to install all DUF content in the default My Daz 3d Library directory, but that was just me. Many people who opted for manual installs had problems because they weren't deleting the old first.
Now days I think it's safe to arrange your folders however you like them.
I must say, having all of my DUF content in a single library makes it really easy on me. It's kinda cluttered at times, but I can always find what I'm looking for.
I also agree that DIM is the Best freaking thing for content management! Tick any items you want to move to a new location, and start the Uninstall queue. These items now magically appear in the Download tab (or Install tab if you don't have DIM delete the install packages).
It is also incredibly useful for finding items if we're not sure where they're located. Find the item in DIM, right-click > Show Installed Files
In my experience it is a good idea to separate figures from other content. I sometimes still use old architecture sets, but I hardly ever use Genesis 1 anymore. Being able to simply disconnect (or ditch altogether) the G1 library is very handy, especially if I should run out of hard drive space.