Backing up Categories

Gator_2236745

Studio 4.9.2 is out, and I have spent many hours categorizing my Library (darn you Daz and your sales!  ). 

In some thread, forgot where, someone said to do this:

Right-click Content Library -> Content DB Maintenance -> Export User Data

 

This seems to be out of date.  Went there, no Content file:

http://docs.daz3d.com/doku.php/artzone/pub/software/content_manager/cm_backingup

 

Hiro Protagonist

Yes, that looks very out of date.

Try this page instead.

The relevant bit is at the bottom:

Export User Data
If you have made your own metadata for content so that it will show up in the Smart Content Pane, you can back it up.  Check the box for 'Export User Data' and press 'Accept.'  This will save a file on your hard drive with these settings.  This is good if you need to change to a different computer setup or if you need to reset and re-import your database.  The information will be written here: ...My Library\runtime\Support\UserData_1.dsx. 

 

Richard Haseltine

You want your first Daz Studio content directory, and in that the \Runtime\Support folder.

vonHobo

After you use the Export User Data option to save custom content to the file My Library\runtime\Support\UserData_1.dsx, what is the procedure for restoring it?

The instructions say that re-importing metadata will not re-read custom information. But does not go on to explain how to restore custom information. Is it one of the choices that you need to check on the Import Content Metadata dialogue shown below, specifically UserData 1 at the top of the list? Or is there a separate step involved in restoring user-created custom data, such as custom categories?

Re-Import Metadata...
This option tells DAZ Studio to re-read all the metadata for installed content.  It does not re-read custom information for content.  That should be backed up using the Export User Data.  
After you choose 'Re-Import Metadata' and press 'Accept,' you will see a new window that shows all the content with metadata that DAZ Studio detects.  Leave these checked and click 'Accept' again.  You will now see a progress bar move as DAZ Studio re-imports the content.  

NorthOf45

Restore it just like you have set it up. Restoring metadata means that which came with the product (installed content) in all those .dsx files in the Support folder. Your User Data is also a .dsx file or five, and it is metadata, just not from the products. Just note that, unless something has changed since the last time I tried it (admittedly a few years ago), the restored custom categories will be read-only. The good news is that you can copy it all to a new branch, which can be edited, and delete the read-only branch after.

vonHobo

NorthOf45 said:

Restore it just like you have set it up. Restoring metadata means that which came with the product (installed content) in all those .dsx files in the Support folder. Your User Data is also a .dsx file or five, and it is metadata, just not from the products. Just note that, unless something has changed since the last time I tried it (admittedly a few years ago), the restored custom categories will be read-only. The good news is that you can copy it all to a new branch, which can be edited, and delete the read-only branch after.

Thank you NorthOf45! 

Now I feel confident I can restore my custom categories if when I get a new PC. I've spent a lot of hours creating my favorite categories, so knowing how to back them up and restore is good information. Much appreciated!

Just curious too, when I upgrade to a brand new PC, do I just use Install Manager to re-install all the DAZ products I have purchased? There are over 1,000 of them in my product libary. 

 

 

 

vonHobo

NorthOf45 said:

Restore it just like you have set it up. Restoring metadata means that which came with the product (installed content) in all those .dsx files in the Support folder. Your User Data is also a .dsx file or five, and it is metadata, just not from the products. Just note that, unless something has changed since the last time I tried it (admittedly a few years ago), the restored custom categories will be read-only. The good news is that you can copy it all to a new branch, which can be edited, and delete the read-only branch after.

Thank you NorthOf45! 

Now I feel confident I can restore my custom categories when I get a new PC. I've spent a lot of hours creating my favorite categories, so knowing how to back them up and restore is good information. Much appreciated!

Just curious too, when I upgrade to a brand new PC, do I just use Install Manager to re-install all the DAZ products I have purchased? There are over 1,000 of them in my product libary. 

 

 

 

NorthOf45

You can copy the whole library, including the Manifest Archive folder and the Thumbnail Archive folder to the new computer. If you are intending to use the same paths for everything, you just need to set it up in DIM and Studio and restart them (just to make sure the new info is used) and you're good to go.

To get a little confidence in restoring your custom categories, rename the existing Custom Category branch you have now (so it won't get overwritten) and try the Import Metadata to see for yourself what happens. Then you can compare the two side-by-side to see if it's all there. I'd try it myself, but I have 15K+ products, so it would take forever. If you are still unsure, back up your CMS Cluster folder in case of disaster.

vonHobo

Thanks for the handy information. Good to know!

I tried backing up the DAZ archive folders to a USB once and it took like half a day. So I'm thinking I will just back up my user data file only, and just re-install all the products through DIM. Less chance of making a mistake that way.