It's been too long to remember, but I recall that there were a number of runtime directory management applications. I'm looking for recommendations as to which one is best (pay, free, don't care, but free is better :) ).

To boil it down, I have a humongoid runtime directory (basically, everything from 2001-2005) that I'd like to collect parts from and move to separate runtimes (e.g. take all the Milkids stuff out and move it to a separate runtime, all the SP3/Aiko 1 stuff, etc). I figured it would be faster to do it this way than to comb through zillions of backup DVD's, website purchase records, and sundry (not to mention the gobs of freebies that can never be located or downloaded again).

So let me have it - which one do you recommend, where can it be had, and if it ain't free, how much will it cost? 

 hm

I swear to PBooost, but that is mainly because I've had it ever since Poser 4, where I split my already then humongous runtime into banks. Then came Poser 5 and the option to have several runtimes.. but by then I'd grown accustomed to it and continue to install most new stuff into my old, trusted, and totally bloated Poser 4 Runtime ^_^

Other than that, P3DO (pro or basic) is also great. It, like PBoost, allows direct loading of things into Poser (at least the Pro version do)

Both programs are failry inexpensive. P3DO (as I 'm sure you already know) comes in a free version, too.

I've heard a lot of people enjoy Dimension3D's library program, which name atm eludes me, but it's here in the Market Place. I've bought other things from D3D and if it wasn't because I already enjoyed PBooost so much, I would probably get that.

I vote for P3DO - it also includes an .rsr to .png converter (Poser 8 will no longer do it ) and you can batch rename files, change extensions, move them around, etc.   Plus opening the files in Poser now is so easy, you don't even need to initialize the python from within Poser, just browse and open what you like across runtimes with this handy utility.

http://www.senosoft.com/

I use a spreadsheet, colored markers and tape.... No wait never mind

I use a utility called easy catalog to scan my runtimes.

Quote -
I use a utility called easy catalog to scan my runtimes.

Out of curiosity - how do you use it (and where can it be had?)

There was an Access database being offered in Freestuff at one time.

Basics of the program is it scans a directory you select and creates a text file. It then uses that text file as a database. The site that I downloaded it from is no longer

I use P3dO too - I paid up for the Pro version - but a lot of the time (i.e. when I know what I have, where it is and roughly what it's called) I use Windows Explorer, with Dimension 3D's Poser eXplorer add-on.

When I don't know what I have or where it is, then I'm in the same boat with everyone else, I think. Still waiting for the magic application that will catalogue not only my entire runtimes, but all the stuff I haven't installed yet...

Quote - When I don't know what I have or where it is, then I'm in the same boat with everyone else, I think. Still waiting for the magic application that will catalogue not only my entire runtimes, ** but all the stuff I haven't installed yet**...

You just described where the P8 Library is going. We're only on the first step towards that goal.

I have a good idea of what I have (I make it a habit to sort and install stuff and categorize it, even in the old runtime) - problem is, I'm looking to break up the big runtime into a bunch of little ones, which makes it Not Fun, considering that I sort by figure, then use, instead of by vendor or somesuch.

I know full well that I can write a batch file (bash - Apple) within a day or so that will suss all of it out one package at a time, but I was looking for something that already exists to save myself the time.

I tried the free version of P3dO, and will likely grab the pro version, since it fetches files and does all that as well (the free version only shows you where everything is through their "AWK" utility, but the feature description on the pro version promises movement as well). For $14 (IIRC?), it's a fair price.

I wrote myself a catalog application that will record the volume name , a comment and the content of any drive, all in a searchable access database. I mainly cataloged the backup cd and dvd that I have (about 50) but it would also catalog hard drives , usb sticks and any memory cards.

It doesnt let you move stuff though.

...the script would be easy enough, at least in bash on OSX:

(usage: moveMe <some cr2, pp2, hr2 filename> )

• get the absolute path to the file you named up there
• open that file, and parse for the word "runtime" in it (make a loop with "cat $1 | grep "{Rr}untime" " in it, and yes I know the brackets are wrong) , packing each result into an array.
• take each of those lines, and convert it to a relative path (replace ":" with "/"in the variable if that hasn't been done yet - sed works perfectly for this).
• Ditch the dupe paths (don't have a cr2 handy, but IIRC there can be many), and tack on the absolute path (you grabbed that when you launched the thing).
• hunt down each of the array members, and copy (don't move!) to the destination, using the pathing you tacked on (to preserve the dir. structure - use "mkdir -p" for that bit o' love).
• move the original file and its .png and/or .rsr to the detination (so you don't see it again in the original spot... then again, you can also throw a switch in there to make move or copy optional).

...done. Usual error handling says don't move squat, tack on something that says "success!" or such, maybe some messages that mention progress, etc. Can also tack on something quick and easy  that lists a directory and you can move/copy the whole thing and its contents if you like, etc...)

Heh - I may build one after all - just ahve to throw an AppleScript GUI on it to make things pretty for the non-CLI adept, and we're good to go :) ).

Quote - - open that file, and parse for the word "runtime" in it (make a loop with "cat $1 | grep "{Rr}untime" " in it, and yes I know the brackets are wrong) , packing each result into an array.

Hmm .... nice plan ... I did the same with some VB-code and a Access-Database ...

But ... huh ... people, especially free content providers, but not only these, are mostly genius in finding all possiblities to have false or "not so" correct references. EF/SM theirself did a absolute lousy archetype while pushing real CR2 stuff as PP2 in the props folder or mixing obj files into the library paths instead the geometries folders making rearranging stuff a worse play.

In the end I found it was more work to get things straight this way and decided not to invent the wheel again.
So after long search I opted for D3D's program's for correcting all that issues in the runtimes. You will find them here in marketplace. A bigger one for all purpose but intended for people knowing the backgrounds and a smaller one for "push button users".
These program are not only correcting all problems in library files but can also rearrange/create new runtimes with moving or copying content to new places.
So I think this is best program for runtime maintainance and such also with look to the cost-benefit relation.

For using the content I normally took the poser internal pallet but may be I have to go to P3DO or D3D's new XL cause the new flex library is to tiny with the icons. And I'm not amused for several reasons to have flash working and eating ressources in the background ... the old windows desaster, wasting ressources with no need and using network stuff internal on pc for better fulnerability also without no real need.
But for a final decision on this I wait for the SR1 until jumping on P8.
This is not new I did so since P5 and found it a good solution. As software developer I'm in no need to develop green bananas I've bought for fun until they are a bit yellow. I have enough own green bananas around ... :-))

For the searching of stuff you should look also to D3D's website. He has build a small utility (only windows, but freeware) for searching files and/or folders in given paths. Also maintaining search words in the files. It's in the manner of the original windows searcher but lot's better and quicker and much more handsome.
As far as I have read until now the new poser search function will only rely on file and/or folder names. So this utility will be needed further on for a good search job with the ability to have also a look into the files.
This will also work for Zip-files but cause not unpacking it's limited to search patterns that could be found in binaries. But most pathwork in zip's can be found this way.

Today I had to use Poser 8's search to help me determine if I already had certain content installed. It worked well for me. I didn't have any problems finding the content because I knew the name of the content.

Frederick
Poser By Design

Hello there, I was looking for specific info about content managers and I found this thread.

I'm currently looking for a way to uninstall content from my runtime. This includes removing the library items, geometries and associated textures. Does p3DO do that? I haven't checked their website yet, btw.

Poser File Organizer from D3D http://www.renderosity.com/mod/bcs/index.php?ViewProduct=62459&vendor=288865 can do this completely.

With P3DO I didn't try this up to now. So I'm not sure if it is dereferencing fully to delete content.

But in each case you have to be very careful in doing deletion by program's. They normally are not informed about other content using the same ressources, e.g. texture maps. I would suggest better to use a move operation and to have the no longer needed content for a time in a "quarantine" befor deleting at all. So if you miss some resource you can rearrange them. Better than searching in zip's for new installation.

 Yeah, that thing about shared resources has happened to me already... 

Quote - I would suggest better to use a move operation

"Copy", not "move" :)