External runtime folders under DS4.5 Pro 64-bit

cecilia.robinson

Hello all,

I would like to ask for your opinions about creating externals runtime folders for Daz Studio 4.5 Pro (64-bit version). The point is, up to now, I've been installing brand DAZ content only. It makes sense that I can use alphabetical sorting system, which I find most useful. Here's where my question lies... Establishing a new runtime for packaged content, let's say, from ShareCG. This type of content is widely found, but also easy to screw up, so to say. In addition, the folder names are not easy to recognize, as they usually bear the creator's name, for instance "XYZ" instead of "policeman uniform". It makes shuffling through very tiring. I'd like to avoid mixing the products I get from DAZ with ShareCG stuff. My computer has two separate hard drives. DAZ automatically throws its data into Documents folder on C:\ (most programmes do so). The problem is, C:\ in Lenovo Y580 is used by operating system files too, overall it's 100GB. We all know DAZ eats this up easily.

My question is, can I create another runtime on D:\, then somehow show DAZ a path to it? That would give me approximately 800GB for content. And I could install DAZ products into C:\. This way, if something happened, I could start checking things from D:\. I admit I cannot install each file by each - simply not enough time, it's still easier to make batches.

What do you think about it? Is it possible and worth doing? I searched for some information about it and in theory there may be a way to do so, but I still don't know DAZ well enough to fiddle with this. If it's possible, can I do the same with Content folder? I assume it's where DAZ-only files go. Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

Szark

This may be of some help http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/11176/#160909

Jaderail

I have four Different Content folders that hold DS type content and 5 different Runtime (poser only format) folders all mapped to my DS4.5. I will warn you about this. If you expect to see different sections for the different folders you are very mistaken. DS loads all of the Mapped folders as one LARGE collection of content. All mixed together by name of the Content folder. So if the folder is Named XYZ with Uniform Inside it, the item will still list as XYZ.

sfaa69

Of course, if you don't like the name of a folder or file, you can always change it to whatever makes it easier on you. As long as you don't change the names or paths of where the items look for files to load, i.e., the geometries or textures paths, everything will work fine.

I would also suggest that if you are going to build a freebie content you should be able to go in and modify files to ensure they follow usable paths, since there are a lot of really good items out there that don't work because the originators forget to change the paths from what is on their personal computer to something we all have.

Jaderail

sfaa69 said:

Of course, if you don't like the name of a folder or file, you can always change it to whatever makes it easier on you. As long as you don't change the names or paths of where the items look for files to load, i.e., the geometries or textures paths, everything will work fine.

The Bold part is not true in DS. A Poser PP2 or CR2 file has the Folder names and paths in the file. Changing the names UNDER the Runtime folder will break the load scripts. But what you said is true. As long as the Path from Runtime on down does not change all is good.

Szark

Jaderail said:

I have four Different Content folders that hold DS type content and 5 different Runtime (poser only format) folders all mapped to my DS4.5. I will warn you about this. If you expect to see different sections for the different folders you are very mistaken. DS loads all of the Mapped folders as one LARGE collection of content. All mixed together by name of the Content folder. So if the folder is Named XYZ with Uniform Inside it, the item will still list as XYZ.

Exactly hence way I have uniquie names for all of my 30 content folders, Amimals, Buildings etc etc.

Richard Haseltine

Jaderail said:

sfaa69 said:

Of course, if you don't like the name of a folder or file, you can always change it to whatever makes it easier on you. As long as you don't change the names or paths of where the items look for files to load, i.e., the geometries or textures paths, everything will work fine.

The Bold part is not true in DS. A Poser PP2 or CR2 file has the Folder names and paths in the file. Changing the names UNDER the Runtime folder will break the load scripts. But what you said is true. As long as the Path from Runtime on down does not change all is good.

I'm not quite sure what you mean here - Smart Content does rely on the files being in their original location, but that's because of the information it stores not befcause of anything in the CR2 etc. If you don't use Smart Content then files can be moved and renamed, as long as that's within the library folders - you can't change the names of the Runtime folder, the Libraries folder or the foldrs within the Libraries, nor the files and folders within the Geometries or Textures folders, nor any folders in Libraries that aren't actual library categories (such as the !DAZ or Morphs folders).

Jaderail

That is what I meant Richard. Example: Runtime>Textures>Xyz>item.jpg can not be changed to Runtime:Textures>Zyx>item.jpg without causing a load error. The path in the Load script could be edited to fix this error. I just do not encourage a New User to go that far at the start of using content.

cecilia.robinson

Thank you everyone for helpful instructions. Yes, I am aware that products from each folder I include will show together, that sounds logical. The point is to be able to easily remove some folders (in my situation: the ones I'm going to make for all the content that is provided as packages, like ShareCG stuff) in case I want to get back to official content DAZ provides only. It looks like this tutorial Szark shared will be helpful. I want to try this as soon as I have some free time to use DAZ Studio.

I also decide not to engage in changing any files for now, I'm set with rendering pictures and at the moment need nothing more. It's PowerPoint I combine stock images I make in DS after all :). I'm thankful for all the help!

Regards,
Cecilia