Install Manager Questions

ajb47

After some checking, I couldn't find the answer to these questions so I thought I'd try here.

I've been keeping my content on an external hard drive since several years ago when I had an internal hard drive fail. Also been using DIM probably since it came out. Never had any problems with it, I'm just wanting to see if there is a way to change a couple behaviors. A few years ago I switched from a Mac back to a Windows laptop (Didn't like Catalina at all) and I think it confused DIM. I now have a long list of products in DIM that it thinks are not installed but  in reality are all in my content. Is there a way to tell DIM, "Hey, I installed this already"? I've mostly been ignoring them because I don't want to go through the list and hide 2238 items from G2 and earlier (plus PS brushes, see below).

Also, is there a way to not see Photoshop brushes and Tutorial movie files in DIM? I don't install those into my content library because I don't want to put things on the drive that aren't content for Daz. I tried unchecking Photoshop in the settings, but still have the many entries for Ron's brushes in Ready to Download. Alternatively, is there a way to get those files to install to different directories going forward?

Richard Haseltine

DIM tracks installs via the Manifests folder, which sits alongside the default Downloads folder. If those didn't come over from the mac then DIM won't know it installed the products - I don't think there is a way to correct that, other than to reinstall.

Photoshop brushes will install to the approriate sub-folder (which I can't recall off-hand) of the location set for Photoshop in the Applciations tab of the Advanced settings dialogue - they are not content and will not go to your content directory. I can't recall how things like tutorial videos are stored, though, and DIM takes rather a long time to open for me so I can't really check.

namffuak

First - the installed files not showiing as installed; do you still have the Mac? DIM tracks the files installed by combining the contents of the .dsx file that downloads with the zip, the .dsx file in the zip, and your username, the install date, time, size, and directory installed to. The resulting .dsx is stored (on windows) in C:/Users/Public/Public Documents/DAZ 3D/InstallManager/ManifestFiles. If you still have the Mac and the equivalent directory still exists you can copy the files to the Windows system. You probably should edit the files to change the UserInstallPath to point to the correct directory. Otherwise, hiding is about it.

For the brushes - set up a directory you want to install them to in DIM (gear cog -> advanced  settings -> Installation; '+' bottom left; create a label ('PSD' sounds good) and add the path. This directory does NOT get defined to Studio but should be deffined to your paint program. At install time with DIM make sure 'Show Details' is checked (bottom right). This makes the Content Path Shortcuts a drop-down list of installation directories; change to your PSD directory, select the brush products, and hit 'Start Queue'. Don't forget to change the install directory back when you finish.

I do this for tutorials on my system (not into brushes )

ajb47

I *do* still have my MacBook Pro, even though it's been a little over 2 years. I didn't remember until you both said it that it uses the manifest files to keep track. I will try to find them on my old MBP and copy them over. Should make the list a bunch shorter at least. If it gets short enough, I may just reinstall what's left.

And I thought that maybe adding another install directory was the way to go for non-Daz stuff. I was just hoping there was a way where I wouldn't have to remember to switch folders on my own. I know I am going to screw that up at some point.

Thank you both for the answers.

ETA: Oops. Turns out the cord for the MBP must have been run over by the office chair a few times. Have to see if I can find an 85W MagSafe 2 on the cheap somewhere. Or just set up big installs over night.

Richard Haseltine

ajb47 said:

I *do* still have my MacBook Pro, even though it's been a little over 2 years. I didn't remember until you both said it that it uses the manifest files to keep track. I will try to find them on my old MBP and copy them over. Should make the list a bunch shorter at least. If it gets short enough, I may just reinstall what's left.

And I thought that maybe adding another install directory was the way to go for non-Daz stuff. I was just hoping there was a way where I wouldn't have to remember to switch folders on my own. I know I am going to screw that up at some point.

You don't set up a new content directory for brushes, they go to the designated application path - that is separate from the content locations (you can't use brushes in DS).

Thank you both for the answers.

ETA: Oops. Turns out the cord for the MBP must have been run over by the office chair a few times. Have to see if I can find an 85W MagSafe 2 on the cheap somewhere. Or just set up big installs over night.