Installing Michael 4/Victoria 4 et al in D|S 4.21.0.5 in Windows 11
I haven't used the generation 4 products for some time, but I have a new computer, and I'm installing ALL of my content using DAZ Connect (right clicking on the thumbnail in the SMART CONTENT tab and choosing INSTALL from the options). I remember there being something unique about how the Victioria 4/Michael 4 products (and all of their spinoffs) were installed -- I recall there was a batch file that had to be run at some point in the installation in order for some component of the product to function properly. Is that still the case with this later version of D|S and the DAZ Connect method of installation?
1. What are the proper steps to install the G4 range of products so that they function properly?
2. Along a similar line, how would you install non-DAZ products (like from Renderosity) so that they show up in the SMART CONTENT and CONTENT LIBRARY tabs?
Thank you, in advance, for your assistance!
Comments
You can't install G4 figures and morphs with Connect, the way their morphs work is not compatible with the fact that Connect installs each product in its separate folder.
Clothes and most other types of add-ons for them can be installed with Connect, but base figures, morph packs and characters using custom morphs can't. You have to use DIM, DazCentral or manual install for those, and install them all in the same poser content directory so that all the morph data are in the same folder. And yes, the batch file still exist, and you will still need to run it after installing morph packs and custom morphs (IIRC it's not really needed anymore for packs which include "power loader" files, but running it anyway doesn't hurt).
As for content from other sites, if you want them to show up in Smart Content you'll usually need to categorize them yourself after install, as most of them don't include metadata to appear in Smart Content.
This product might be worth the investment if you have lots of content from other sites, it helps with install and adding metadata: Content Wizard | Daz 3D
1. If you bought M4/V4 Base product or bundles, the better way is to install them via DIM. You could find the IM packages under Ready to Download tab;
2. As for non-Daz.com products, suggest use Content Wizard to install them. The script will analyze and generate metadata for you, in most cases the metadata are correct.
In addition to what has been said, there are also other products which do not work if installed with Connect, for example scripts and products that expect to find stuff in the traditional locations.
Products that are based on ExP cannot (currently) be installed via Daz Connect - neither the standalone batch utility, nor PowerLoader, know how to deal with the way Daz Connect installs assets... they both pre-date Daz Connect by quite a bit
I've just set up a new PC and decided to install my pre genesis stuff via DIM, I'd imagine it would be painfull to do through connect.
Previously it was installed through a legacy poser runtime on an old drive.
It mostly worked except for a couple of unlabelled V4 powerloader items and the subdragon which just refuses to load.
I played with it for a couple of days then deleted it all again. I'll install individual items if I need them but mostly the quality isn't there compared to G3 and later items.
There were some really nice bus stops back in the day though.