Baffled by Content Library

davidcaputokeene

I am totally confused as a new user by the multitude of opinions on how to download and extract content in DS 4.5. I cannot seem to figure out how to load a simple prop - eg. Optitext dynamic cloth - their how to extract is apparently a previous version of studio and the video almost illegible and without sound. I have read many threads here that come close to a step by step but . . . I think I have ended up with a mess of an installation. Attached is a copy of my content directory manager which seems to have multiple alternative libraries. Can someone point me to a newbie step by step how to set up downloaded/extract files to DS 4.5 please. I am ready to give up this attempt and go back to poser. Any help appreciated.

ledhead

I believe the first thing you need to do is move the "C:/Users/Public/Documents/My DAZ 3D Library" to the top of the list.
Highlight that directory then select move to the top. I think you need to do that for both DAZ Studio and Poser formats.

Lets see if that will help you seeing your content.

I copied your image and circled what I am talking about.

Herald of Fire

Okay, first and foremost the multiple directories won't harm your installation. The only thing it affects is where it will show installed files. By default, this will be the My Library folder (in your case C:\Users\Owner\Documents\DAZ 3D\Studio\My LIbrary).

Now, there are two types of installation. A Daz Studio installation, where the files are specific to Daz Studio itself, and a Poser installation where the files are designed to run from a Poser Runtime. Daz Studio creates its own copy of a Poser runtime within the Daz Studio folder which in your case should be C:\Users\...\My Library\Runtime.

For Optifex dynamic cloth, if you're using the ZIP file download it should have three folders in one of them. They are Data, People and Runtime. This means you need to extract those folders directly into the 'My Library' folder. Accept when it asks if you want to merge the folders.

Once that's done, you can find your content under "Daz Studio Formats" (not Poser, despite using Poser runtime). As an example, I have a Flared Dress which is found under People -> Victoria 4 -> Dynamic Clothing -> FlaredDress.

Much other content has its own metadata and will be shown in the Smart Content tab. It's contents will depend on what you have currently selected, as it narrows the search to list only items compatible with your current selection (or general figures if nothing is selected).

Hope this helps.

ledhead

HeraldOfFire said:

Okay, first and foremost the multiple directories won't harm your installation. The only thing it affects is where it will show installed files. By default, this will be the My Library folder (in your case C:\Users\Owner\Documents\DAZ 3D\Studio\My LIbrary).

Now, there are two types of installation. A Daz Studio installation, where the files are specific to Daz Studio itself, and a Poser installation where the files are designed to run from a Poser Runtime. Daz Studio creates its own copy of a Poser runtime within the Daz Studio folder which in your case should be C:\Users\...\My Library\Runtime.

For Optifex dynamic cloth, if you're using the ZIP file download it should have three folders in one of them. They are Data, People and Runtime. This means you need to extract those folders directly into the 'My Library' folder. Accept when it asks if you want to merge the folders.

Once that's done, you can find your content under "Daz Studio Formats" (not Poser, despite using Poser runtime). As an example, I have a Flared Dress which is found under People -> Victoria 4 -> Dynamic Clothing -> FlaredDress.

Much other content has its own metadata and will be shown in the Smart Content tab. It's contents will depend on what you have currently selected, as it narrows the search to list only items compatible with your current selection (or general figures if nothing is selected).

Hope this helps.

You are right as far as multiple directories, but I am pretty sure I read from one of the Admins that the directory created by DIM needs to be at the top of the list. If that is not the case, then I either read it wrong or the Admin was not fully informed.

davidcaputokeene

If I follow your instructions re flared skirt I get can't find texture and even if I locate it in temp file (because I have no idea where it really is) the error reoccurs. See screenshot

Image removed

Richard Haseltine

Please post a screenshot that doesn't show a nude figure.