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ZoneGFX Tribe...
If this has been covered, in detail, in another thread I apologize. I know that there are many folks like me who are trying to keep up-to-date with how to handle and install community content.
Daz has been part of my toolset since it's inception, Poser before that. I have always been able to stay on top of how to handle installation of content till now. With the advent of their DS 4.15 and DazCentral it's apparent that the individuals are trying to shut down the open nature of our community.
I am currently using DIM 1.4.0.46 with DS 4.15 but I've noticed quite a number of folks here and elsewhere preparing their content outside of a package/zip that DIM won't identify for installation.
Normally, with this new packaging, the structure is laid out this way:
- Content_Name.zip
>- (Folder)Content_Name
>-- (Folder)IMNumber_Content_Name
>--- (Folder) Content
>---- (Folders) Runtime, People, Data, ETC...
>---- Manifest.dsx
>---- Supplement.dsxExtracting and copying to a directory always seems to be error-prone. You don't see content listed clearly, elements don't load correctly or a number of other things.
Is this format able to be installed by DazCentral?
Is there a quick way to rename or re-zip the content I have that will allow DIM to install. I have tried this on my own. DIM recognizes the re-compressed/renamed package but errors on attempting to install.
Could someone shed some light on the newest solution for installing this content outside of extracting and copying the content manually. With all the automation that DS I assume there is a new process... I'm simply not aware and I know that some of you have far more expertise at explaining this.
Thanks for your help!
As far as I know, there isn't.
DAZ products will always be read by DazCentral and DIM because of the Manifest.dsx which is what the app reads to see what files to extract and/or execute.
Outside products from places like Renderosity, Renderotica, RenderHub, FoRender, etc. don't use the Manifest and don't copy the strict directory formatting of DAZ.
And unfortunately some people wrap the content in a .rar file with promo pictures and messes up DIM and DazCentral.
I guess my only advise would be, if someone uploaded an untouched zip (or rar) file straight from the DAZ Store, you can run it through DazCentral or DIM.
Manual install is the only way of guaranteeing content is installed in a consistently coherent manner.
There is a sticky I wrote covering why & how.
🙂
"Manual install is the only way of guaranteeing content is installed in a consistently coherent manner."
Agree 100%. Takes a bit longer but well worth it if you want to know where everything is.Exactly as @Zemlon has said -
Always upload items exactly as supplied by Daz etc.
Can confirm that [with a little patience to set up correctly] Content Package Assist is a marvel - especially if you want to install all content in a 'DIM' zip method, and not manually [easier to uninstall items].
And, apart from the double zip mentioned, some packages end up with the DIM zip name amended by removing the IM000***** from before the product name [open the zip, and if all of the content is as expected just rename the file to restore it to a working DIM zip
Structure follows the format:
IM000 + SKU [At present total is 10 digits -if SKU is 5 digits then 3x0 after IM. If SKU higher/lower, adjust 0's to suit total.
So, to finish zip name:
IM00012345-01_Product name.zip [NO spaces after underscore and up to .zip].
Look at a few that you have to get a clear idea of format.It has been a topic for a long time, yet people are still uploading their own bastardised install versions, and causing this kind of issue.
Really nice if they would stop doing what so many have complained about [at this stage it just seems they think it is amusing to post stuff they have messed up].
If in doubt - just keep on posting your questions.
You will, no doubt, help others that have had similar issues.
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