I've read lots about how to organise your runtimes, but is there a programme that will install content into a runtime in your desired location, and perhaps with your desired name? I have hundereds of zip files that I really dont want to have to do manually.

Any help will be appreciated.

So you're looking for something that will unzip all your zips and extract them to a (multiple?) runtimes?

Hmm. I think you'd be looking for some kind of batch processing function...

Maybe something like this:
http://www.awitness.org/software/zip3/batch.html
Or this one:
http://www.download3k.com/System-Utilities/Compression-Utilities/Download-Batch-Unzip.html

I think batch unzipping is the best you're going to get. there's no utility to my knowledge that will unzip the files and know where to put them in a Poser installation.

Attached Link: PoserPorter Import Export Utility

I use and recommed Poser Porter. It is very easy. Drag the zip file onto the scare window that opens on your desk top and the files go were they are intended (as long as the zip contains a runtime folder - and most current model files do.) This is very easy.  I hated hand loading files - it was a total drag - this is very helpful - and FREE! Check the link (PS - I use it with Poser 7 and 6 - it is updated.)

Yeah, the trouble is that batch installing is by definition going to be a blind process which will be at odds with keeping a well-organised runtime. I generally set aside specific "installation times" to get those jobs done. And, although this is a terrible case of "do as I say, not as I do", don't let installation fall behind or you'll never catch up. ;)

If you use external runtimes, FP, you should be able to name them anything you want (except "Runtime") and install your content that way.

I have Runtimes for V3, V4, A3. SP3, M3, D3, Luke, Laura, Mil Kids, Mil Babie, Hair (sub folders for each character), Props (4 of those actually for PoserPros, DAZ, RDNA and 'Rosity), Lights ... well you get the idea.  I have sub-folders in my character runtimes for clothes (again divided by type) ... the list goes on.

Each of these runtimes lives out on my big SATA drive and when I install content I just point the zip or the installer to the appropriate runtime and let it go.

Thanks for such quick advice.

seattletim: I've downloaded that programme. It looks the sort of thing that will save me some time, I wont know till I get home.

EnglishBob: I think what your saying rings true,  coupled with Tim's advice though it may become a bit quicker.

Victoria_Lee: I still have'nt quite decided how I'm going to go about that yet. I currently use Poser on a Mac, but I'm buying a PC to do the hobby at home. On the Mac I have those type of catagories but all in one runtime. How better or worse it is to seperate them I'm not sure yet.

Thanks again
Chris

What I started doing with zip files is to organize them in folders mimicking my runtime folders (which resemble what Victoria Lee described)... for example... Srchitectural Props.
Sort them by date, grab the most recent ones, usung winrar I select "extract all to:" and create a folder - unzipped...
This usuall creates unzippedruntime...  A dummy runtime of sorts. in it, I do some cleanup work, till I have a clean runtime free of misnamed readmes or double zipped files and runtime folders in odd places. Doesn't take too long. Then I 'move' the entire runtime to it's proper place. When done, I delete the unzipped

With .exe files I tend to point the installer to it's appropriate runtime. On a rare ocasion I install into a dummy runtime firat, as I tend to buy things in batches, and sometimes not install till few months later, and forget what exactly the files were.

Hindsight... the biggest time saver is to start off with organized runtimes. Taking little extra time at the install time sure beats waiting for one bloated runtime to load when opening poser, or trying to manouver through it!

I'm in the process of redoing all of my Runtimes (again).  What I do is create the folders I'm going to be using out on one of my temp drives and then install the content to my new folders.  This way I still have access to all of my content but when the new file structure is complete I'll just move the new folders onto the runtime drive and everything will be where I want it to be.  

Not what you asked for, but one way to dodge the whole runtime sorting thing - or pass the buck, really - is to use something like Advanced Library for Poser and leave your libraries a mess within Poser.  In AL you sort each item as you want it.

Probably ends up being just as much work, except you have the advantage of knowing that the readmes will still help you find the content (typos aside) because AL never actually moves anything.

I've never tried this myself, but if I was reinstalling from scratch I'd consider it.  The really cool thing about this would be you wouldn't have to observe any caution about sorting, because you don't actually move anything.  For example, if you hate it when vendors put a character morph, and textures, and clothes, all together in one library folder, you can break them up and sort them as you like, and not have to worry about forgetting anything later.

^^^and I like Victoria's idea.  Nice and clean.