Questions about Daz 4?
valis_cf78772845
Posts: 48
So I'd like to get back into the Daz of things, and I have a new laptop with windows 8 installed.
I have a few questions about the new Daz due to the old one not really wanting to install on my new laptop.
Does Daz have any processes that remain running even when the program is closed down? Do any of them constantly access the internet?
Can the new Daz read all my old Daz files? I have my old database on an external drive when I dump it all into the new Daz will it work?
Thank you ^_^
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Your timing is excellent - the latest release of DS switches from using the Valentina database engine, for Smart Content and categories, which runs as a service all the time to using PostgreSQL, which doesn't. Valentina is still installed by the DAZ Install manager but if you don't need it (Carrara 8.5 does) then you can uninstall it. Nothing else runs as a service or continuously in the background, and nothing accesses the net without permission.
Old scenes will load as long as you have the \Data folder. Importing the old categories should work, though I'm not sure how well - it was not perfect at first and of course most people got past that before recent builds so I don't know how well the import works now; it's non-destructive in any event.
...so Win8 doesn't like Daz 3.1?
One "backdoor" solution would be to "downgrade" to Win7 which still does run some older software (Daz3.1 works fine on my Win7 workstation).
As to Daz4.6, there is the Content Management Service which runs in background but I believe it doesn't connect to the net. The only time you would need to connect is to re-register the software on the new system and using the Download/Install Manager (DIM) to DL and install content/plugins/software updates.
I experienced a fair amount of difficulty bringing older scene files from 3.1 into 4 mostly due to shader issues. As to installed content, that shouldn't be an issue, however 4.6 uses a separate "library" structure for Daz content as well as the usual Poser runtime. Not sure how an existing content database built for an older version of the programme would work with 4.6.. I ended up having to do a complete reinstall of everything (and most of that was before I had a stable enough connection to use the DIM). One advantage of installing content with the DIM is that it automatically posts updates to content/software in the "Ready to Download" tab (very helpful for update releases of the main programme itself).
This is great news! I can't wait to get back into rendering!
So the Valentina database I just uninstall directly after the new Daz is done loading? It's in add/remove programs?
Can I just block Valentina outright with my windows firewall?
Also aye I've tried to install Daz 3.1 pro 64 bit on my windows 8 and it just wont go. I can compatibility mode trouble shoot it but....I have a feeling it would be glitchy. >_<</p>
I may have to re-install everything o_O....eeep! I'm gonna try and coax it to read my old Database first..but I have a feeling it's going to take months to reload all the stuff I got from Daz and Rendo. O_O
I have....a lot of stuff.
Not in Add/Remove Programs, there is an uninstall program 'lurking' somewhere in or around where the CMS is installed (the program not the database). I'd check, but I uninstalled mine.... ;)
...over fifteen months later, I'm still finding things I forgot to re-install. I still have about 60% of my freebie archive to re-install as well (I have a boatload of freebies, many that are no longer available).
It took me a while to fully adopt Daz 4, but since I have been working with Genesis, I find it harder and harder to go back to Gen3 & 4 (unless I transfer their morphs/characters via Generation X). For one thing, I love the fact I don't need a third party clothing converter and then there's the ability to blend different characters together (including toons with the "real" ones).
Well this is exciting, and now I have some new questions.
Where will the uninstaller be for the Old Database program? If it's not in add/remove then where does it reside.
Do I need DIM? Can I install Daz 4 without it?
My Laptop uses a Geforce GT 635M Nvidia card for most games but can run off the Intel Core i7 as well (I can tell a program to use either one).
Will any of those cause a conflict with rendering...form what I remember, Daz uses the processor, and not the graphics card?
It's all so new, and scary! @_@
I'm not sure how to access the Start menu in Win8.1, but there should be an uninstaller link in Start > Programs > DAZ 3D > DAZ Content Management Service. The uninstaller itself is called "Remove-DAZContentManagementService.exe"
You can install DS4 without DIM, but currently the PostgreSQL CMS can only be installed with DIM, so you'd be stuck with the old CMS.
The GPU won't matter for rendering, but it will for the viewport. I find the Intel GPU is fine unless the scene really pushes the computer's limits, then it really needs the NVidia GPU. Make sure your drivers are up-to-date -- there was a bug which was fixed last December which interfered with a lot of apps, including DIM's ability to update itself.
Will the next update include the new database in the installer? Should I just wait for that instead?
I'm getting really nervous about this. I mean Daz 3.1pro I understood....
...all this new stuff is so overwhelming. o_O
To get to the All programs list in Win8, go to the Start screen (with all the tiles) and drag it - I can't recall if it's up or to the left, but one should give you the full application list.
I ummm...I'm going to have to think on this for a little bit. I was ready to dive right in but....now I'm kind of nervous.
I might try and give DS3 another chance to work, I didn't run compatibility mode so it might coax it into installing.
I'll warm up to Daz4 eventually but it's going to take time, with DIM and installing and uninstalling database programs, it's overwhelming right now. I just want to plug in and render...like I use to.
I dunno...I'm just so confused....
DAZ Studio 4 works in much the same way as DS3 did.
I think you are confusing databases with content and runtimes folders. DAZ Studio 4 uses a database for Smart Content, which you do not need to use, it is entirely new to DS4, and you wont have a database if you only ever used DS3. You can still use the Content Library pane in exactly the same way as you did in DS3.
If you already have content installed, then you simply tell DAZ Studio 4 where the content is in the same way as you would in DS3.
I think you are confusing databases with content and runtimes folders. DAZ Studio 4 uses a database for Smart Content, which you do not need to use, it is entirely new to DS4, and you wont have a database if you only ever used DS3. You can still use the Content Library pane in exactly the same way as you did in DS3.
If you already have content installed, then you simply tell DAZ Studio 4 where the content is in the same way as you would in DS3.
Ohhhhhh! @_@
I think i get it now.
So if I install DS4, and uninstall the Valentina database thing, dump my content library from my external HD to my computer, and tell Daz 4 to read it....it should work?
Then again reading about this content manager thing...how much of DS4 will work. Will I be locked out of things like the auto-fit for clothing?
Then I'd only need DIM if I bought new things?
*rusty wheels in brain begin to turn*
Oh another question pops into my mind. I remember ages ago when I installed V4 and M4 that one of the files, I can't remember if it was morphs, or the figure, or both, required me to click a little Daz Logo shaped link that would 'unlock' the assets, or something. it was a little dos box...that popped up for a moment.
Would I need to do that again? Or is that a thing of the past now.
^_^
Ohhhhhh! @_@
I think i get it now.
So if I install DS4, and uninstall the Valentina database thing, dump my content library from my external HD to my computer, and tell Daz 4 to read it....it should work?
Then I'd only need DIM if I bought new things?
*rusty wheels in brain begin to turn*
Oh another question pops into my mind. I remember ages ago when I installed V4 and M4 that one of the files, I can't remember if it was morphs, or the figure, or both, required me to click a little Daz Logo shaped link that would 'unlock' the assets, or something. it was a little dos box...that popped up for a moment.
Would I need to do that again? Or is that a thing of the past now.
^_^
The 'unlock' should not need to be redone as the effect will have been done on your content already.
However ... unless the item(s) were installed via DIM (not just exist in your content) they will not be in the database used for Smart Content. You will still be able to find them the 'old' DS3 way via Content Library.
I don't mind using the old content library, that's what I remember and what I'm use to.
Ohh I just found this http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/5403_16/ is this still relevant? Valentina is an option via the installer?
I mean I'm sure these features are good and all but I'm nervous about them...if I can avoid it, for now, then I can get back into the Daz faster. ^_^
I will happily admit to not being quite sure just what the various bits and bobs will offer to install for you ... ultimately you will have Daz Studio installed, and you will have your content. That's the important thing. Beyond that you can have the DAZ Install Manager, which will handle a lot of the load for you - keeping you in touch with product updates, etc. Between DS and DIM is the Content Management System (CMS), which is 'the database'. It started off being a database product called Valentina, but it has recently been, optionally, changed to PostgreSQL. Both do the exact same thing so you only need one of them - I'd recommend the PostgreSQL one.
I don't use the install manager, CMS or smart content and all works fine for me.
Since you used Categories in DS3 you're already used to using a database. DS4 can import your DS3 database and you can use Categories the same way.
This is great! While I'm sure the smart content is a fun feature, the fact that it is an option is great news.
The installer will give me that option right? If I choose custom install?
If so, then I'm almost ready to rock!
...cool.
Nothing to choose, the CMS powers both Smart Content and Categories, you can just close the Smart Content pane and never look at it if you don't want to.
I'm going to have a good long think, and do some heavy system backups....I really wanna get back to Daz.....
I'd also like to thank everyone who has helped me in this thread. I'm sorry if i seem extremely over-paranoid about all this, but the CMS is a hard sell to myself, and something I'm going to have to think about. I guess I'm so use to my old Daz 3.1 pro that Daz 4 is alien, and overwhelming to me.
I'll get there....and thank you all again.
CMS is a very small process, which runs as a process in Windows. It takes up very little room, and loads when you start up your computer. It does not 'phone home' or gather any information about you or your PC, but it does allow Smart Content to work, as well as the search function in the Content Library pane, plus, it is needed for the Products and Categories sections in the Content Library as well.
If you install the latest version of DS, you can elect to use the new PostgrSQL database, which has been found to be much more stable than the previous (Valentina) one. I changed to it without any problems, and I no longer need CMS to be running at all. PostgreSQL rund it all now, and I have everything that I had before.
There is an option now to 'Export User Data', and this means that you can save any Categories that you have created, and if the DB does every break down, you can reinstall your Categories from that, so no work will be lost.
Take your time, there is no rush, we'll all be here to help as well when you do make a decision.
The only thing "different" about CMS is that it's a separate process from DS4, as opposed to DS3 in which the database functions are "under the hood".
Thank you once again everyone. I have quite a bit to take in and allot to prepare for.
I'm itching to get back into Daz, but it's going to take time.
I have DS3 installed in Win 8.1, and it works A-OK. In fact, I have both the 32 bit and 64 bit versions installed. If you have all your content installed on an external drive, you can leave it there and tell DS4 where to find it. If you move the entire thing to an internal drive, make sure you get the data folder. I moved everything from an old machine to a new one, and my old scenes load just fine.
Uninstalling programs in Win 8.1 can always be done from the Control Panel. The full "Start Menu" is now called "Apps by name" and is accessed by a down arrow at the bottom of the Win 8.1 main "Start" page. Apps by name (or whatever) is where I see all the Daz uninstallers. Daz Studio and all the other Daz programs run in Desktop mode.
How did you get DS3 to install on windows 8.1? I have windows 8 (waiting for HP to make updated 8.1 drivers) and when I click the installer I just get a blank box that does nothing. The 32 and 64 bit versions (no content) do the same thing.
How did you get DS3 to install on windows 8.1? I have windows 8 (waiting for HP to make updated 8.1 drivers) and when I click the installer I just get a blank box that does nothing. The 32 and 64 bit versions (no content) do the same thing.
W8 is different from 8.1. 8.1 has the full "Start" menu. I think it should work in W8, tho. Try this: right click on the installer, select Compatibility, and choose Windows 7 compatibility mode. I also selected Run in Administrator mode for the installer. Once installed, go the the desktop, which should have the icon for DAZ Studio. Right click on that and choose Win 7 compatibility, but NOT Administrator mode.
8.1 doesn't have the full Start menu - it has a button in the lower left that takes you to the tiled start-screen, and which can be right-clicked for access to some of the functions on the old Start menu.
It doesn't have the OLD Start menu. It has a list of all your programs that scrolls sideways. I wish it had collapsible folders like the old one. It does solve the old start menu issue of running out of screen space on small displays. The new start menu is where I saw all the DAZ software uninstallers, which of course, I never use. :lol: Thank you DAZ, for getting rid of content installers!!! :-)
*smacks own forehead* Compatibility mode! I keep forgetting that exists in windows 8. I'm defiantly going to try that out.
Thank you very much! I love 3.1 and I can't wait to use it again. :)