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Where do I install a downloaded model?

martingreen403martingreen403 Posts: 0
in Daz Studio Discussion

I have the latest DAZ 3D installed (4.21) and have downloaded a few models from internet, each are in ZIP files and contain a data, props and runtime folders, as I am new to DAZ 3D, can anybody explain where I need to place these models?

Comments

  • Richard HaseltineRichard Haseltine Posts: 100,785

    You need to merge thjose folders with the matching folders in your content directory (on Windows the default would be /Documents/Daz 3d/Studio/My Library/). On Windows you can just drag the Data, props, and Runtime folders into My Library and agree when asked if you want to merge. Mac users need to be more careful as by default the Mac will replace the old folder with the new, which certainly isn't what you want.

  • ShelLuserShelLuser Posts: 749
    edited December 2022

    With all due respect to Richard (sorry) but I strongly suggest that you do not unzip those files in your current libary folders. Simple reasoning: things can turn into a big mess, what are you going to do when you want to remove these products later for whatever reason?  Also... if you add this to "My library" you're basically adding "static" contents to your own work. Are you sure you want to include all that stuff in your backups (assuming you make those)?

    Instead...  create a new dedicated folder for 3rd party contents somewhere, and put the files in there. Be careful that you keep the general structure in mind. Poser contents relies on a "runtime" folder whereas Daz Studio contents can often be recognized by subfolders like: "people", "data", "figures", "props", etc. Make sure you unpack the right folder(s) into the right location; basically what Richard also mentioned above.

    Then...   when you have Daz Studio open press F2, select the "Content" tab and then click the bottom option: "Content directory manager":

    • Determine the format you're using, when in doubt add the new folder to both the "DAZ Studio Formats" section as well as the "Poser Formats" section.
    • Select on of those two "formats categories" and click the "Add" button which will now become available to click on.
    • Point your file manager to the new folder.
    • Optionally repeat these steps for the other category as well.

    After you did all this you'll find your new folder entry in the "content library" pane, add this pane if it's not already visible (see "Window => Panes").

    It's a litlte more work, but at the same time you keep a clear separation between your "official" Daz contents (the packages) and the stuff you added yourself.

    Of course.. just to be fully clear here: obviously Richard's suggestion will also work like a charm, and may be easier to set up. Even so.. I think a dedicated folder is a much better approach.

    Post edited by ShelLuser on
  • lilweeplilweep Posts: 2,487
    Just watch a video on it imo
  • JD_MortalJD_Mortal Posts: 760

    I make my OWN folder, which matches the Daz3D "My Library".

    Unzip the files and figure-out what you actually need from them. They may have extra "stuff" that is not needed. Normally, they wrap-up the files back into similar paths as those found in Daz's "My Library".

    Then, all you need to do is go into Daz3D settings and add that path to YOUR custom folder, which has the same setup as the "My Library" folder. You may also have to update the database too, so it can "find" the items in there. It should treat the folder contents the same, as if they WERE inside "My Library". (Maybe not entirely the "same", but for the majority, it should work fine. There may be strangeness if you have the same item in BOTH locations, and the files are NOT the same. You might see two of the same item and ONE may not work right. Not a real big issue.)

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