DS 4 Auto Adapted

hjake

1. What are auto_adapted files?

2. Why are there auto_adapted files?

3. How does DS determine where to place auto_adapted files?

4. How can I change where it is placing them?

I converted some items for G1 and G2F/M from V4/M4, and these files are popping up
inside my content folders?!?

Is it too much to ask that those files be put inside their own content folder?

How can I consolidate off all these files in one main folder with a sub-folder containing the duf file with these dsf files?
It seems like really bad file management to stick everything all over the place. Plus I thought the duf files were supposed
to be self contained files so that it is possble to port just one file?

When I search DAZ doc wiki/zone I can not find info about these files except for a reference in a D3D pdf.

Please someone solve the mysteries of the universe for me.

mjc1016

hjake said:

Plus I thought the duf files were supposed
to be self contained files so that it is possble to port just one file?

Like that would ever actually happen...because of EULA/IP/Copyright and many other reasons there will NEVER be a completely self-contained file. The portability as a single file is only as good as the actual content being on the other machine. The duf is a 'one size fits all' SETTINGS file (as far as I can tell)..it will contain all the needed settings, poses, materials, etc, but not the actual geometry, texture maps, etc, those will still be in the 'usual' locations (data folder and Runtime/textures or other specified texture folder).

And...
42

hjake

Okay I can accept that fact, but it still does not explain why I find auto_adapted files among my clothing accessories folder for a top I keep in my everyday clothing folder AND AND I had saved the duf file in a custom conversion folder!

Richard Haseltine

Is there a Data folder holding the Auto Adapted folder, assuming you mean it's visible in the content Library pane? If you are seeing the folder that would probably indicate a problem with your content directory set up - most likely that you had one directory nested inside another.

hjake

Richard Haseltine said:

Is there a Data folder holding the Auto Adapted folder, assuming you mean it's visible in the content Library pane? If you are seeing the folder that would probably indicate a problem with your content directory set up - most likely that you had one directory nested inside another.

Okay let me clarify my problem.

My content structure uses external folders for everything.

As an example I want to convert Leisure by 3D-Age for V4 (http://www.renderosity.com/mod/bcs/leisure/78504/) for use with G2F.

So I have a folder for this converted item called "C:\CNT_DS_CNVRT\Content\C - Activewear\Leisure by 3D-Age".

The folder where the Leisure by 3D-Age for V4 is installed is "C:\CNT_PSDS\C - Activewear\Content\Runtime".

I used the DS 4.6 Auto-Fit and stored the file in "C:\CNT_DS_CNVRT\Content\C - Activewear\Leisure by 3D-Age"

The data files were stored in the folders (as I expected):

C:\CNT_DS_CNVRT\Content\data\3D-Age\Leisure by 3D-Age\Leisure by 3D-Age - Pants

C:\CNT_DS_CNVRT\Content\data\3D-Age\Leisure by 3D-Age\Leisure by 3D-Age - Pants\Morphs\

C:\CNT_DS_CNVRT\Content\data\3D-Age\Leisure by 3D-Age\Leisure by 3D-Age - Pants\UV Sets\

C:\CNT_DS_CNVRT\Content\data\3D-Age\Leisure by 3D-Age\Leisure by 3D-Age - Top

C:\CNT_DS_CNVRT\Content\data\3D-Age\Leisure by 3D-Age\Leisure by 3D-Age - Top\Morphs\

C:\CNT_DS_CNVRT\Content\data\3D-Age\Leisure by 3D-Age\Leisure by 3D-Age - Top\UV Sets

NOW HERE IS THE PROBLEM the auto_adapted geometry files were created in an unexpected place:

C:\CNT_PSDS\C - Accessories\Content\data\auto_adapted\Pants_Leisure_16953\geometry_dcc4a111_df44_00d5_9edc_2f93cfac9de3\ Pants_Leisure.dsf

C:\CNT_PSDS\C - Accessories\Content\data\auto_adapted\Top_Leisure_6576\geometry_8492386b_cb1d_fbcd_1af7_bebc9cc30fca\ Top_Leisure.dsf

1. This folder should not even be involved with this conversion. Why is this happening and how can I correct it?

2. Are there any other files created that I don't know about?

3. If I wanted to use my converted item on my other computer what additional files do I have to move over?

Richard Haseltine

Those are the files for the Poser rigged originals, not for the converted and saved as an asset files - did you save a scene with the items imported but not converted (because they weren't fitted, or because you were using them on a legacy-rigged figure)? Is C:\CNT_PSDS\C - Accessories\Content\ set as a DAZ Studio content directory? How about the other root folders (the path up to but not including the the Data and Runtime folders)?

hjake

Richard Haseltine said:

Those are the files for the Poser rigged originals, not for the converted and saved as an asset files - did you save a scene with the items imported but not converted (because they weren't fitted, or because you were using them on a legacy-rigged figure)? Is C:\CNT_PSDS\C - Accessories\Content\ set as a DAZ Studio content directory? How about the other root folders (the path up to but not including the the Data and Runtime folders)?

Richard, thanks for taking the time to help.

1. I have attached screenshots of part of my content library and upon consideration of your questions, I moved "C:/CNT_DS_CNVRT/Content" to the top of the DS list in case DS was just using the first folder in the list to dump the geometry files. Am I correct? Is DS just using the first folder in the list?

2. I brought the clothing into a blank scene un-fitted. Next, I brought in a G2F V6 figure and changed to the V4 UV in Surfaces Tab for her. Then I fitted the clothing onto G2F. After that I selected the clothing and saved it using "File \ Save As \ Support Asset \ Figure/Prop Assets..."

3. Is there a better way to do this?

4. Can I delete those geometry files if they are only for poser? Or better yet move them into the data folder where the modified Morphs and UV Sets are stored?

Example the folder C:\CNT_DS_CNVRT\Content\data\ where the sub-folder Leisure by 3D-Age is contained so that the folder auto_adapted (path: C:\CNT_PSDS\C - Accessories\Content\data\auto_adapted\) would now be adjacent to Leisure by 3D-Age.

fixmypcmike

Is that your first listed DS-format content folder?

ETA: Ah, I see the screencaps now. Yes, it put the Auto_Adapted files in the first DS-format content folder on the list.

hjake

fixmypcmike said:

Is that your first listed DS-format content folder?

ETA: Ah, I see the screencaps now. Yes, it put the Auto_Adapted files in the first DS-format content folder on the list.

Hi Mike,

Not sure I understand the question? Are you asking what was the first item in the list content folders list? If so, I suspect you asked just before I posted my screenshots.

UPDATE:

hehehe :-)

I see you saw my screen caps, thanks

Richard Haseltine

When you save an asset the geometry goes in folders named for the author and product you enter in the options dialogue, the AutoAdapted folders for the product are not needed for that but only for content that as been converted and saved as an asset.

hjake

Richard Haseltine said:

When you save an asset the geometry goes in folders named for the author and product you enter in the options dialogue, the AutoAdapted folders for the product are not needed for that but only for content that as been converted and saved as an asset.

Hi Richard,

Can you elaborate on the difference between an asset and a non-asset?

Is there a different/better way to save the converted pants than “File \ Save As \ Support Asset \ Figure/Prop Assets…”?

How would someone use these geometry (in dsf format) files? Why are they created?

Richard Haseltine

The .dsf files are the geometry, uv mapping, and morphs. They are created so that scenes don't have to contain them - which saves space and makes the scene files safe to share.