Documentation Center artzone:pub:software

Check DAZ Content Management Service

2011-11-01T17:35:35+00:00

This page exists within the Old ArtZone Wiki section of this site. Read the information presented on the linked page to better understand the significance of this fact.

Check DAZ Content Management Service

In DAZ Studio 4, the Content Management Service enables the 'Smart Content' (MyStuff) Tab to work. The Smart Content Tab is a new feature in DAZ Studio 4 that helps you find content add-ons in an intuitive way just by selecting the item in the scene. If the DAZ Content Management Service is not running properly, then the Smart Content Tab will appear, but indexed content items will not appear in it.

Keep in mind that only indexed content (with meta-data) will appear in the Smart Content Tab. Content made prior to DAZ Studio 4, such as Victoria 4.2 base and most other content items, do not have meta-data and will not appear in the Smart Content Tab. For these pre-DAZ Studio 4 products, check in the 'Content Library,' based on the info given in the particular product's readme.

You can check to see whether the DAZ Content Management Service is running. If it is present, but not running, you can start it.

PC

On the PC, open the Windows Task Manager by pressing 'CTRL+ALT+DEL.' You may need to click 'Windows Task Manager' after you press CTRL+ALT+DEL.

In the Windows Task Manager, find the third tab, 'Services' and choose it. Click on the title of the third column, 'Description,' in order to alphabetize the list. Look through the list for 'DAZ Content Management Service.' If it is not present at all, then you need to uninstall and reinstall DAZ Studio 4, making sure to choose to install the DAZ Content Management Service when asked.

If the DCMS (DAZ Content Management Service) is present, then check the status. If the status is 'stopped,' then right-click on it and choose to start the service. Before you do this, exit DAZ Studio 4 so that it is not running. Then start the DCMS and launch DAZ Studio 4.

If the DCMS is present and running, then check again in DAZ Studio 4 to make sure you are using the MyStuff Tab correctly.

How to launch the DCMS on the PC

This is the default location for the DCMS on the PC (Windows 7):
C:\Program Files\DAZ 3D\Content Management Service

The name of the executable is:
ContentManagementServer.exe

Mac

On the Mac, quit DAZ Studio 4 so it is not running. You can check the status of services on your Mac, by browsing to and launching this:

MacHD\Applications\Utilities\Activity Monitor.app

Change the drop-down on the top to 'All Processes.' Check to see whether the DAZ Content Management Service is listed.

You can launch the DCMS (DAZ Content Management Service), by browsing to his location and double-clicking 'Start DAZ Content Management Service:'

MacHD/Library/DAZ 3D/Content Management Service/Utilities/Start DAZ Content Management Service.

Now launch DAZ Studio 4 and check to see that the Smart Content Tab (MyStuff Tab) is working.

Understanding Content Installation in DAZ Studio

2011-11-01T17:35:35+00:00

This page exists within the Old ArtZone Wiki section of this site. Read the information presented on the linked page to better understand the significance of this fact.

Understanding Content Installation in DAZ Studio

In order to organize and use content in DAZ Studio (2 and 3), you should understand some basic principles about content in DAZ Studio. Content is very important to DAZ Studio and the Content Tab is the most frequently used tab in DAZ Studio. Proper setup of content ensures that you will be able to use all of your content effectively. Improper setup of content results in lots of problems, like not being able to find content at all and content that doesn’t work right.

For new users, it’s best to use the default install path for content in DAZ Studio. Using multiple install paths and multiple runtimes is not a good idea for new users and can be a problem even for experienced users.

Keep in mind that these principles below are meant to help you understand the reasons why and how content works the way it does in DAZ Studio. They are not simple, step-by-step instructions, but principles behind why things work the way they do in DAZ Studio Content.

Please see this article for basic instructions on how to install and set up content in DAZ Studio:
http://artzone.daz3d.com/wiki/doku.php/pub/software/dazcontentconfiguration

Principle 1 : DAZ Studio uses two kinds of content

DAZ Studio uses Native DAZ Studio content and Poser-style content. This hybrid setup means that DAZ Studio can use both Poser content and its own DAZ Studio content. This is the reason that DAZ Studio 2 (in Folder View) has two folders in a standard setup, one for ‘content’ (POSER STYLE) and the other for DAZ Studio (or just Studio).

Content (figures, animals, clothes) is provided as files. DAZ Studio uses two kinds of content. It’s own native DAZ Studio content and Poser format content. Poser cannot read DAZ Studio formats, but DAZ Studio can read most Poser content formats. A bit of history is necessary to understand why. The Poser application was created many years before DAZ Studio. Poser established several file formats (file type and file extensions) for content. Then, DAZ 3D began development of our DAZ Studio application. We wanted the new DAZ Studio to load all the Poser content that was available. But we also wanted DAZ Studio to have its own format.

Now let’s look at the two different formats. DAZ Studio format content files have the following extensions:

.ds [“DAZ Studio”]
.dsa [“DAZ Studio Ascii”]
.dsb [“DAZ Studio Binary”
.dsx
.dss [“DAZ Studio Script”]
.daz [“DAZ Studio Scene”]

If you browse on your hard drive to a DAZ Studio format content file, you’ll see that it will have one of the above extensions. You can see that almost all of them have “.ds” in them—a pretty good give-away that it’s a DAZ Studio file. The last file, “.daz,” is a DAZ Studio Scene File. Most presets you see in the DAZ Studio portion of the Content Tab will be in .ds or .dsb format.

Now let’s look at the Poser formats:

.cr2, .hr2, .pp2, .pz2, .hd2, .fc2, .lt2, .mc6

Here’s the clincher. Poser format content is fairly restrictive for what each file can do. In Poser (and DAZ Studio which also reads most Poser format files), these files below just load geometry into the scene. With the uncommon exception of DForm or Magnet presets saved as props, these formats never modify geometry already in the scene:

FIGURE (.cr2) This will load a human figure, an animal, or an clothing outfit into the scene
HAIR (.hr2) This will load hair into the scene
PROP (.pp2) This will load a prop (weapon, hat, cane, house, to name a few)

The above Poser files load “geometry” into the scene. Geometry is any model. For DAZ Studio and Poser, the native geometry format is the .obj file.

But these Poser files never load a figure or prop (geometry) into the scene.

POSE (.pz2) This versatile file can be used for many different things: to pose a figure, to apply a texture, to inject a morph
HAND (.hd2) This file poses either the left or right hand
FACE (.fc2) This file poses the face

These files above only modify geometry that is already in the scene. These are the second kind of Poser format icons you can use in the Content Tab.

NOTE: The light preset (.lt2) is neither geometry nor something that modifies geometry. DAZ Studio can read this file format also. But most content tab icons in Poser format will be one of the six above files. Poser 6 and higher also supports a material preset file (.mc6). DAZ Studio doesn’t read these files, but rather uses its own format (.ds or .dsb) for texture presets, like shaders.

Principle 2 : Geometry and non-Geometry Stuff

Most content icons can be divided into two different types

The Content Tab can have all sorts of icons in it, both in Poser and DAZ Studio format. You can load a figure, change the figure, load a light, load a shader, run a script, and even more. But 90% of the stuff in the content tab can be divided into two different types:

a) icons that load geometry into the scene
b) icons that change geometry in the scene

FIGURES, PROPS, and HAIR load geometry into the scene. HAND, FACE, and POSE files modify geometry that is already in the scene.

Principle 3 : Most content is in Poser Format, not DAZ Studio Format

Most content you use in DAZ Studio will be in Poser format.

Even though DAZ Studio can use both Poser and DAZ Studio content formats, most of the time, your content in DAZ Studio will be in POSER-style format, especially for base items, like figure bases, hair (figures or props), and poses. A product will typically be provided in Poser format with DAZ Studio presets for optimized textures. This is true for Victoria 4.2 base. The base figure is loaded as a .cr2 file which is a Poser-style format file.

This has to do with DAZ 3D content products. Some DAZ 3D customers use only Poser, some only use DAZ Studio, and some even have the nerve to use both. DAZ 3D Content products need to cater to all these different users. Since DAZ Studio reads Poser-style files, but Poser doesn’t read DAZ Studio content, the common denominator is the Poser format. For this reason, the most commonly used format is the Poser format.

NOTE: The Content Tab can be set to FOLDER VIEW or CATEGORY VIEW. For this article, we will be using DAZ Studio in FOLDER VIEW. FOLDER VIEW reflects the actual folder setup on your hard drive based on the how the product is setup. CATEGORY VIEW is user-specific and customizable. CATEGORY VIEW is *not* recommended for new users. You should understand how content works in FOLDER VIEW before using CATEGORY VIEW.

Principle 4

…content\runtime
The install path folder is always the folder holding the runtime folder, not the runtime folder itself.

The installer for a DAZ 3D content product is designed to write all the files and folders that are needed for a product within this folder. If you direct the installer to the correct folder, then it will do its job and put all the component files into the right place, for an easy install. This is true for DAZ Studio 2, DAZ Studio 3, and DAZ Studio 3 64-bit version. Despite the change of the default content path from the Program Files folder to the users folder, this principle is still correct. This is because the ‘runtime’ folder is always just inside of the ‘Content’ folder.

For example:

Default Content Path Mac
Users/[user account]/Documents/DAZ 3D/Studio3/Content

Default Content Path in Windows Vista
C:\users\[user]\Documents\DAZ 3D\Studio 3\Content

Default Content Path in Windows XP (DS3)
C:\Documents and Settings\[User Account]\My Documents\DAZ 3D\Studio3\content

Default Content Path in Windows for DAZ Studio 2.x
C:\Program Files\DAZ\Studio\Content

Default Install Path for DAZ 3D Content in Poser Pro on the Mac
Applications/Poser Pro

Default Install Path for DAZ 3D Content in Poser Pro on the PC
C:\Program Files\SmithMicro\Poser Pro

You may think it’s a bit confusing with all of the different above paths. In fact, you could even choose to have the content folder anywhere on your hard drive. These choices also work:

Mac
MacHD\Content

PC
C:\Content

In all of the above examples, the ‘runtime’ folder is inside of the last folder. So, for example, in DAZ Studio 3 in Vista, this is the default path:

C:\users\[user]\Documents\DAZ 3D\Studio 3\Content

The runtime folder for Poser-style content is tucked right inside here:

C:\users\[user]\Documents and Settings\DAZ 3D\Studio 3\Content\runtime

For the customized location suggested above, the runtimes would be here:

Mac
MacHD\Content\runtime

PC
C:\Content\runtime

So, it really doesn’t matter as far as the folder hierarchy is concerned where the content folder goes. It just needs to be the one containing the runtime folder.

…content\runtime

Think of it in the above terms, …content\runtime, and you will have the essential idea figured out.

CONTENT DIRECTORIES IN DAZ STUDIO 3

ILLUSTRATION of how Directory paths in DAZ Studio 3 correspond to the Content Tab. To see the Directories, go to EDIT (PC) / DAZStudio (Mac) –> Preferences –> Directories.

Content Configuration in DAZ Studio 4

2011-11-01T17:35:35+00:00

This page exists within the Old ArtZone Wiki section of this site. Read the information presented on the linked page to better understand the significance of this fact.

Content Configuration in DAZ Studio 4

This article shows how to install and use content in DAZ Studio 4. It focuses on the basic steps necessary to install and load content for new users in DAZ Studio. This article is designed for new users and users who may want to refresh their understanding of basic content configuration in DAZ Studio.

This article does not cover all the details of customization, such as the Content Manager feature (VIEW CATEGORIES). Customization and Content Manager are *not* recommended for new users until they have become familiar with the correct, basic way of installing and using content in DAZ Studio 3. The method for DAZ Studio 3.x is nearly identical, but this article is for DAZ Studio 4 users.

It's recommended that you read through this article first before beginning to follow its instructions.
Towards the end of this article is a note about the Smart Content Tab in DAZ Studio. In earlier versions of DAZ Studio, this tab was called 'MyStuff.' To jump to the section about the Smart Content Tab now, click here (opens a new window).
There are three basic parts of installing and using content in DAZ Studio:

Two of these steps usually only need to be set up right the first time and then they can be done over and over again with little or no effort. All three of these steps are important, including the readme which is unfortunately often skipped.

In DAZ Studio 4, the content target folder is 'My Library.' This is analogous to the 'Content' folder in DAZ Studio 3.

Additionally, this article tells how to bring your existing content into DAZ Studio 4. This is useful for new users who already have a DAZ Studio 3 content setup and want to use the content in DAZ Studio 4 without re-installing content.

Install to the correct Path

DAZ 3D content is provided as one or more installers. These installers are basically self-extracting files with a license agreement and the ability to choose the target folder for installation. They contain all the files necessary to a specific product. File hierarchy can seem confusing, especially to new users. Installers make it easy to choose the same, correct target folder again and again without having to worry about whether the files are written to the correct sub-directories. Bit Rock installers will default to the same path over and over until you change it. So, choose the correct path the first time you install content and you shouldn't have to search or worry about it for future installers.

NOTE: Installers must be run as applications. Placing the installer file itself into the content or runtime folder does not install the content.

This article shows how to install into the recommended default paths. It's possible to choose a custom path, but this is not recommended for new users, until you understand how it works correctly. You'll notice that all the recommended install paths for content end in 'content.'

TIP:Many content products consist of several installers. As a rule of thumb, run all of the installers provided, regardless of whether they are designated for DS (_ds_) or for Poser (_dpc_). There are some exceptions, but more often than not, you'll need both the files from the DS installers and the DPC installers. Installers for Carrara (_ca_) are obviously not needed in DAZ Studio.

CHOOSE YOUR INSTALL PATH

Check for your Platform below to see what is the recommended install path for content in DAZ Studio 3:

MAC USERS
Users\[Your User account]\Documents\DAZ 3D\Studio\My Library

PC USERS (WINDOWS VISTA, WINDOWS 7)
C:\users\[your user account]\My Documents\DAZ 3D\Studio\My Library

PC USERS (WINDOWS XP)
C:\Documents and Settings\[your user account]\Application Data\DAZ 3D\Studio\My Library

The screen shot below shows the destination directory step in content installation. The path shown below is correct for the system on which the content is being installed. Your path as shown above may be different. You can use the 'browse' button to browse to the correct path. The next time you use the Bit Rock installer it will probably default to that path, so you won't have to browse to that same path each time.

TIP: Write down your install path or keep it in a text document until you are familiar with it. Most installers will default with it, but older installers and DS vs DPC content installers may keep the configuration information separate, until you establish the correct path for all of them. So, it's a good idea to keep the path easily available for your reference in the near future.

TIP: Use the same install path consistently. Avoid using lots of different paths. This can be very confusing, even for experienced users.

TIP: Make sure to see the readme at the end of the installation. The readme tells you the name of the folder to look for in the content library. If you don't look this up in the readme, you'll have to guess where the content is.

Configure Preferences in DAZ Studio

When done correctly, you only need to configure preferences once. You won't have to configure it or 'search' every time you install content. In fact, it is recommended that you not use the search function in FOLDER VIEW. More information will be given about this later on in this article.

Configuration tells DAZ Studio where to look for the content. You can potentially configure Studio to look at a dozen different places. However, for new users, we recommend keeping the configuration as simple as possible.

The key idea is that the install path and the configuration paths should match up exactly. So, if your content install path is C:\users\[your user account]\My Documents\DAZ 3D\DAZStudio3\content, then your configuration path in preferences –> Directories in Studio will also be exactly the same, that is, C:\users\[your user account]\My Documents\DAZ 3D\DAZStudio3\content. It's that simple.

Here's how to configure the paths for content in the Content Directory Manager.

On the PC, in DAZ Studio, go to EDIT –> Preferences –> Content Library –> Content Directory Manager.

On the Mac, Go to DAZStudio –> Preferences –> Content Library –> Content Directory Manager.

You can also open Content Directory Manager on both the Mac and the PC by going to the Content Library Tab (VIEW –> Tabs –> Content Library). Click on the 'Active Tab Options' button in the upper left to open the menu. In the menu, click Content Directory Manger.

Mac: How to Open Preferences –> Content Library in DAZ Studio

CONTENT DIRECTORY MANAGER

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There are three kinds of content that DAZ Studio can be configured to display in the content tab: DAZ Studio Format (Native), Poser Format (Import), and Other. The drop-down allows you to toggle between the three types. All three can be active in the content tab at the same time. Merely changing from one to the other in the Directories window is for your convenience when configuring and doesn't cause one to have priority over the other.

Make sure your install path is indicated for both DAZ Studio and POSER Formats. That's the most important thing. By default DAZ Studio will have some paths for the shader options. You should leave these if you do not want to use this feature at this time. You can always add the paths later.

NOTE: Adding or removing a path in directories does not actually add or remove it from your hard drive.

TIP: Each path you have in directories creates a new top-level folder in the content tab. If you have invalid paths, then you'll have invalid folders in the content tab. This clutter will make finding content much more difficult and frustrating. Remove invalid paths. Keep it simple.

TIP: Any path that ends in 'Runtime' is inherently invalid. Remove all paths that end in 'Runtime' as they will not work correctly. The correct target folder should always be one folder earlier than the 'runtime' folder.

When you're done configuring the directories, click on 'Accept' below. DAZ Studio will keep your settings and change the folders in the Content Tab in accordance with those changes.

Content Tab

The Content Tab is essential for loading and using content in DAZ Studio. If you're familiar with Poser, the Content Tab is analogous to the Library Panel.

By default, the content tab will be on the right side of DAZ Studio if you are using the default interface. If you don't see it, you can open it by going to WINDOW –> Tabs –> Content Library.

TIP: New users are strongly advised to have the content tab in VIEW FOLDERS as TREE. Use the Active Tab Options button to make the change as shown below:
}}}}

TIP: If you have the content tab set to FOLDER VIEW, Don't use the search for content feature. This function in practice adds many invalid paths and will cause much more trouble than help. This article explains how to configure your content correctly and makes the search for content feature unnecessary. This tip does not apply to the search function for the content tab when it is in CATEGORY VIEW which requires the search function.

Search for Content Feature: Just say no

How to Import Old Content Settings

It's very easy in DAZ Studio 4 to import your old content settings from DAZ Studio 3. To do this, go to the Content Tab. Click on the Active Tab Options Button. In the menu, click on Import Mapped Directories…

Use the Readme

New Users and some experienced users often forget this step. The readme is a very simple document that tells you where to find the content when your Tab is in FOLDER VIEW. Some readme's will have additional information on product use.

If you don't use the readme, you will have to hunt and peck for the content in the content tab. Users with a large content library will have a lot of work to do indeed without using the readme.
Here's a screen shot of the readme for Victoria 4.2 base. Notice the text underlined in red. These tell you where to find the components of the product. Instead of hunting and pecking through the folders, you can see that the first place to look is in the Poser half of the content tab in FIGURES –> DAZ People where you'll find the Victoria 4.2 base. That's a lot easier than looking in the People folder or searching through every folder in FIGURES.

FAQ

I see installers for the product labeled _ds_ and _dpc_. Which ones do I use?

You should run both the installers labeled _ds_ and the installers labeled _dpc_ when you are working in DAZ Studio. If you only run the the installers labeled _ds_, you will not get the whole product.

What is the difference between the Content Library and Smart Content (formerly My Stuff)?

The Content Library is based on the same system used in DAZ Studio 3 and in many ways the Content Library Tab is the same as the Content Tab in DAZ Studio 3. The Smart Content (My Stuff) Tab is the new content system now supported in DAZ Studio 4. The Smart Content (My Stuff) Tab enables an intuitive, easy access of content add-ons. However, in order for the My Stuff tab to work for a content item, it's necessary to create metadata which shows the relationships. This metadata feature is new and most products do not have metadata. Creating this meta data is an ongoing project. For this reason, most products cannot at this time be found in the My Stuff tab.

I see different kinds of content, installers, and add-ons for DAZ Studio. Don't I need to use a different install path for each one?

The beauty of the install path is that it is the same for all types of content to be used in DAZ Studio. In fact, if you choose to have multiple install paths, you will make the organization and use of your content much more complicated than it needs to be.
I can't find the product in the Smart Content Tab. Where is it?

Most content sold in the DAZ 3D website was made before the creation and release of DAZ Studio 4. For this reason, most content will be found in the 'Content Library' Tab. Only content that has been made with meta-data will appear in the Smart Content Tab.

If the content you cannot find is specifically for Genesis or was specifically made with meta-data which includes many products made since summer of 2011, but you still cannot find it in the Smart Content Tab, you may either be looking in the wrong place in the tab or there may be an issue with your DAZ Content Mananement Service or how you have installed the content. In this case, you can contact DAZ Tech Support through our Zendesk page: https://helpdaz.zendesk.com/home

How do I uninstall Content Products?

When you install content, you can choose to let the installer additionally create an uninstaller. This uninstaller can be used to remove the files for the specific content product. This is a lot easier than removing the files manually. If you do not choose to have the installer create an uninstaller, it will not be created.

The uninstaller can be found on the hard drive in one of these locations:

Mac
On the Mac, content uninstallers are located in a folder called 'Uninstallers' in your content target folder. So, for example, if you install content here:
MacHD\users\[your user account]\My Documents\DAZ 3D\Studio\My Library
then your uninstallers folder is here:
MacHD\users\[your user account]\My Documents\DAZ 3D\Studio\My Library\Uninstallers

PC
32-bit system
Older Installers
c:\Programs Files\Common Files\DAZ

Newer Installers
C:\users\[your user account]\My Documents\DAZ 3D\Studio\My Library\Uninstallers

64-bit
Older Installers
c:\Programs Files (x86)\Common Files\DAZ

Newer Installers
C:\users\[your user account]\My Documents\DAZ 3D\Studio\My Library\Uninstallers

Note about 'Smart Content' Tab in DAZ Studio 4

Often new users will struggle looking for newly installed content in the Smart Content Tab (formerly called 'MyStuff'), but not find it, even though they've followed all the steps correctly.

The Smart Content Tab is a new feature in DAZ Studio 4. Content must be specially made to show up in the Smart Content Tab. With the aid of metadata, content will show up in the Smart Content Tab. Only products that have metadata installers will show up in Smart Content.

Since most products, including Victoria 4.2 base, Michael 4 base, and their add-ons, were made before DAZ Studio 4, they have no metadata and will not show up in the Smart Content Tab. To find these content products, look in the Content Library as directed in the readme for the particular product.

Keep in mind that not all new content will show up in the Smart Content Tab, only content that has metadata installers. Morphs for the Genesis figure will show up in the 'Shaping' Tab or in the 'Posing' Tab, depending on the kind of morph. You can find these and other tabs by going to WINDOW –> Tabs –> [Particular Tab].

Additional Resources

The following legacy resources deal with DAZ Studio 3 content configuration:

Installing Content in DAZ Studio
YouTube Video

DAZ Studio: Organizing Content
YouTube Video

Jakiblue's Tutorial on Organizing Content

Adam's Tutorial
Forum Tutorial

Dave Fromader’s video tutorials at Cellar Studio

Understanding Content Installation in DAZ Studio
This article explains in more detail for curious users and includes information for the hybrid nature of content in DAZ Studio.

Content Configuration in DAZ Studio

2012-06-13T20:04:18+00:00

This page exists within the Old ArtZone Wiki section of this site. Read the information presented on the linked page to better understand the significance of this fact.

Content Configuration in DAZ Studio

This article shows how to install and use content in DAZ Studio. It focuses on the basic steps necessary to install and load content for new users in DAZ Studio. This article is designed for new users and users who may want to refresh their understanding of basic content configuration in DAZ Studio.

This article does not cover all the details of customization, such as the Content Manager feature (VIEW CATEGORIES). Customization and Content Manager are *not* recommended for new users until they have become familiar with the correct, basic way of installing and using content in DAZ Studio 3. The method for DAZ Studio 2.x is nearly identical, but this article is for DAZ Studio 3 users.
There are three basic parts of installing and using content in DAZ Studio:

Install to the correct Path

CHOOSE YOUR INSTALL PATH

Check for your Platform below to see what is the recommended install path for content in DAZ Studio 3:

MAC USERS
Users\[Your User account]\Documents\DAZ 3D\Studio3\Content

PC USERS (WINDOWS VISTA, WINDOWS 7)
C:\users\[your user account]\My Documents\DAZ 3D\DAZStudio3\content

PC USERS (WINDOWS XP)
C:\Documents and Settings\[your user account]\My Documents\DAZ3D\Studio3\Content

The screen shot below shows the destination directory step in content installation. The path shown below is correct for the system on which the content is being installed. Your path as shown above may be different. You can use the 'browse' button to browse to the correct path. The next time you use the Bit Rock installer it will probably default to that path, so you won't have to browse to that same path each time.

TIP: Write down your install path or keep it in a text document until you are familiar with it. Most installers will default with it, but older installers and DS vs DPC content installers may keep the configuration information separate, until you establish the correct path for all of them. So, it's a good idea to keep the path easily available for your reference in the near future.

TIP: Use the same install path consistently. Avoid using lots of different paths. This can be very confusing, even for experienced users.

Configure Preferences in DAZ Studio

When done correctly, you only need to configure preferences once. You won't have to configure it or 'search' every time you install content. In fact, it is recommended that you not use the search function in FOLDER VIEW. More information will be given about this later on in this article.

Configuration tells DAZ Studio where to look for the content. You can potentially configure Studio to look at a dozen different places. However, for new users, we recommend keeping the configuration as simple as possible.

The key idea is that the install path and the configuration paths should match up exactly. So, if your content install path is C:\users\[your user account]\My Documents\DAZ 3D\DAZStudio3\content, then your configuration path in preferences –> Directories in Studio will also be exactly the same, that is, C:\users\[your user account]\My Documents\DAZ 3D\DAZStudio3\content. It's that simple.

Here's how to configure the paths for content. In DAZ Studio, go to EDIT –> Preferences –> Directories. On the Mac, Go to DAZSTudio –> Preferences –> Directories.

PC: How to Open Preferences –> Directories in DAZ Studio

Mac: How to Open Preferences –> Directories in DAZ Studio

Now you should be able to see preferences. Choose the second tab for Directories.

There are three kinds of content that DAZ Studio can be configured to display in the content tab: DAZ Studio Format (Native), Poser Format (Import), and Other. The drop-down allows you to toggle between the three types. All three can be active in the content tab at the same time. Merely changing from one to the other in the Directories window is for your convenience when configuring and doesn't cause one to have priority over the other.

Make sure your install path is indicated for both DAZ Studio and POSER Formats. That's the most important thing. By default DAZ Studio will have some paths for the shader options. You should leave these if you do not want to use this feature at this time. You can always add the paths later.

NOTE: Adding or removing a path in directories does not actually add or remove it from your hard drive.

TIP: Each path you have in directories creates a new top-level folder in the content tab. If you have invalid paths, then you'll have invalid folders in the content tab. This clutter will make finding content much more difficult and frustrating. Remove invalid paths. Keep it simple.

TIP: Any path that ends in 'Runtime' is inherently invalid. Remove all paths that end in 'Runtime' as they will not work correctly.

When you're done configuring the directories, click on 'Accept' below. DAZ Studio will keep your settings and change the folders in the Content Tab in accordance with those changes.

Content Tab

The Content Tab is essential for loading and using content in DAZ Studio. If you're familiar with Poser, the Content Tab is analogous to the Library Panel.

By default, the content tab will be on the left side of DAZ Studio. If you don't see it, you can open it by going to VIEW –> Tabs –> Content.

TIP: New users are strongly advised to have the content tab in VIEW FOLDERS as TREE. Use the Active Tab Options button to make the change as shown below:

TIP: If you have the content tab set to FOLDER VIEW, Don't use the search for content feature. This function in practice adds many invalid paths and will cause much more trouble than help. This article explains how to configure your content correctly and makes the search for content feature unnecessary. This tip does not apply to the search function for the content tab when it is in CATEGORY VIEW which requires the search function.

Search for Content Feature: Just say no

Use the Readme

Additional Resources

If you would like to learn more about content in DAZ Studio, please see these resources below:

Installing Content in DAZ Studio
YouTube Video

DAZ Studio: Organizing Content
YouTube Video

Jakiblue's Tutorial on Organizing Content

Adam's Tutorial
Forum Tutorial

Dave Fromader’s video tutorials at Cellar Studio

Understanding Content Installation in DAZ Studio
This article explains in more detail for curious users and includes information for the hybrid nature of content in DAZ Studio.

Bug Tracker

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This page exists within the Old ArtZone Wiki section of this site. Read the information presented on the linked page to better understand the significance of this fact.

Bug Tracker

Experiencing a problem with a DAZ software product? The DAZ 3D bug tracker (or issue tracker) is where you can report your problem to DAZ and interact directly with Software QA staff to help you in resolving your issue. We value our user community and we recognize the reality that software will have defects. The issue tracker is where you can help us identify the problems that affect you most so that we can deliver the most important fixes to you in subsequent updates.

Tracker Accounts

The issue tracker requires a distinct login from your DAZ store and forum login. You can create an account on the issue tracker from the bug tracker's main page. The issue tracker associates your account with an email address. It is important that this be a functioning email address that you will read. The issue tracker will send notifications of changes to your issues to that address. If the DAZ Software QA staff need additional information about your issue in order to reproduce or resolve it, you will receive notifications by email.

Tracker Workflow

The following diagram illustrates the general process DAZ Software QA follows for issues in the bug tracker. Not every single possible transition of states is shown on this diagram in order to keep the main workflow clear.

Generally, issues transition through the states new, confirmed, assigned, resolved and closed. When a bug is resolved, information will be given about the release that will contain the fix for the problem.

Issue Privacy

By default, issues are open to the public. Other users on the tracker can read your issues but they cannot edit them. You can always edit your own issues. If you wish your issues to be kept hidden from other users, you can select that the issue be made private when you file the bug report. DAZ Software QA staff can see all issues, both public and private.

You may also add a private note to one of your open issues, whether the issue is public or private.

Monitoring Issues

Another user may have reported an issue that is of interest to you. You can monitor another user's issue so that you receive an email notification when the issue is changed in the tracker. If an issue you reported was a duplicate of another issue in our tracker, your issue may be closed and marked as a duplicate. To know when the underlying problem is corrected, you can monitor the original issue. Issues closed as duplicates show the original issue number when they are closed.

Beta Teams

From time to time, DAZ 3D may organize one or more beta teams for its products that are under development. Select users are invited to join the beta teams under a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). In return, beta team members are granted access to advance product information and early builds of the products. DAZ 3D works to improve our products by partnering directly with our user community throughout a development cycle.

Software Guides

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This page exists within the Old ArtZone Wiki section of this site. Read the information presented on the linked page to better understand the significance of this fact.

Software Guides

Provides access to all software user guides for DAZ software products. Includes official DAZ documentation (non-editable) and user-maintained documentation.

User-maintained documentation is based on the official DAZ documentation but can be updated and added to by the user community. Updated and new content will be reviewed periodically by DAZ for content.

These guides are currently in the process of being added to the wiki. Please be patient as this is being accomplished.

The main pages for each software product will have links to the online HTML help, a zipped version of the HTML help files, and a PDF version; plus links to the tutorials section and wiki pages for that software. Current version numbers will also be provided as well as the dates documentation was updated.

Quicklist for Application PDFs -- Get PDFs for Software!

Product Manuals (WIP)

Report a Bug

You can use the DAZ 3D bug tracker to report bugs or submit feature requests. You will need to take a few minutes first to create a bug tracker account. The bug tracker does *not* use your existing DAZ 3D account.

DAZ Bug Tracker

DAZ Software QA

Software QA Home