I am considering buying PzDB 1.1, does it work with Poser 8?  Do you think it makes things easier?  What are the main advantages?

Download the trial and see if it works. I installed the 1.0 trial  that I already had and it doesn't work.

Yes.

Yes you should try it.

Yes it works with Poser 8.

And we provide free tech support to free trial users too, so I have no idea what trouble LostInSpace had, but he should have contacted Tech Support.

hth
Ben
Rocketship Software

Thanks Ben, I think I will give it a try.  My runtime libraries are so extensive now it is sometimes difficult to find the content I want to use.

First off, I wasn't aware that trial users got "Free" tech support and as I said, I had installed Version 1.0. I haven't had time to patch my trial to 1.1 to see if it works better. 1.0 was not showing all of my content from 25 added runtimes though so it was a bit of a discouragement to bothering with 1.1.

Well I have a problem with this program and have done as suggested with it by the tech advice but it could be my own ignorance. I am not sure what exactly I need to do to allow the entry  and I quote "

If the script window does open, and doesn’t error, but PzDB still won’t launch content, then check to make sure “SND2SOCK.EXE” is allowed though your firewall. There’s more about that in the FAQ" . However, since the FAQ doesn't say anything other than to allow it maybe for those of us who are not familiar with this procedure a little more instruction could help?

I downloaded and tried the software, but I had several issues.  I tried to contact technical support and did not get a reply.  It seemed to find some items fine, others not well.  I was looking to create collections for Poser with it so that I could easily find the stuff I wanted to find.  Consequently I guess I will have to live without it.  I was very intriqued by it though.  Some of the problem might be that I tried to reorganize my libraries in the past; Poser always opened 99% of things with no problem; Daz Studio has issues with some of it though.  In the future I guess I will simply have to not change any of the paths for anything; all I did was rename folders in the Figure, Pose, Hair, etc. to names that I would recognize what the content was.  The Vendors name tells me nothing and I am often struggling to find stuff I knew I bought. 

I wish Vendors would give descriptive titles to their folders like Rugrats Gym For Freak, etc--instead I have to wade through scads of stuff to find items because I can't remember if Rugrat made the gym clothes or Vivian or whoever.  The new search feature in Poser seems to help a bit; that was never available before.  If I use Daz Studio I will have to go fishing for files at times.  Very annoying.

 It worked quite well for me during the trial period.  However, I found the 65 dollar price tag just too darn high.  I see that they dropped the price now to make it a little more palatable yet it is still the highest price utility for Poser listed here.

They did return my emails and it did take some doing but I did get it to launch properly.  It seemed to recognize keywords as well.

 I think the first user has the right idea.  Use the 30 day trial and see if it works for you and your setup.  So far, I've come across 100 different Poser users and 100 different setups.

I might give it another whirl if I hear back from their tech support; I did have to reinstall Microsoft Office though after I uninstalled Microsoft Access. 

I have used P3DO Explorer a lot, but the most recent version I'm running on Vista isn't working as prior versions.  It might have something to do with where Poser stores the runtime libraries now and it not finding the library xml file (which I can't seem to manually locate).

Not to be off topic but I had hoped that Poser 8 would deal with these issues.  My runtime is only about 25 gigs.  I've heard of runtimes with over 250 gigs.  That is a lot of searching that makes a decent databasing program a must.  My workflow was incredible while using PZDB as I had already separated most of my items into groups by keywords.

How P3DO stack up?  Can you search for an item and then launch from the search?  The Freeware version seems to be very limited which led me NOT to buy the item.  If someone really has a trial I feel it should be a full trial NOT a feature-limited version.

I wasn't aware that the features were limited on the trial; maybe that's why I had a problem.  It may be worth a 2nd look.

Attached Link: Check out the development of my comic

Your choice is to use PzDB and I have nothing against.
But please, don't disminish P3dO features. 

P3dO offers a generous free version for Poser users since more than 9 years.
This free version has been constantly updated, upgraded, distributed for free.
The free version has no time limit and is enough to do the basic organization you might need.
Plus it allow to open directly from Windows (P3dO) to Poser.

And also as the name suggests P3dO is an Explorer, then of course Copy Paste, Drag'n Drop works exactly the same as with the Explorer.
After a search you just double-click a file and it opens in Poser. The search is not as rich as PzDB and that's normal the 2 software have different purposes.

I insist that the free version is enough to open files in Poser and manage them with the Explorer. There's absolutely no limit there.
The pro version has more features, and they are not free. This is not a limit, this is just another software and the message is: if you want more, then pay for it. Exaclty like PzDB but again in a different way.

I just can't believe what is written above.

Yarp
www.senosoft.com

pzDB is primarily focused on searching the library/libraries and does a very good job of that.
P3dO is a runtime browser and file viewer with a large set of integrated tools for Poser and other 3D applications.
I use both of them plus the P8 library because they each can do things the others cannot. And nothing prevents you from using them all at the same time.

I am a long time user of P3DO and have found it very useful; my problems have mainly been that D/S does not always like the way I've reorganized my files (Poser seems to  have no issue with it and can 99% of the time find everything just fine) so that I can identify different content folders more readily.  There is also a problem with some vendors not setting up their zip files correctly; that is mainly things don't always go where they are supposed when you unzip their folders into a Poser directory.  In this case P3DO has helped me find where stray files have been placed incorrectly and to restore them to the properly directory.  It is an invaluable tool that I have used many years.

That having been said P3DO has made it easier for me to track down items I've been looking for when I've not know exactly where to look.  Their support is excellent and they have always worked very hard to resolve any issues that I might have had with the program as it's gone through it's various upgrades.  I highly reccomend P3DO Pro; it offers extra functionality that free version doesn't have--but the free version is also a help as well.

Daz Studio 3's new database search engine also has problems with my various runtimes (as expected)  because I have not always stuck to the default names for content folders; so it is possible that PzDB won't work for me well for the same reason.

Thank you wimvdb and Tomsde.
I'm really sorry I had spoil that PzDB dedicated thread but I had to make this clear.
I intend not to interefere anymore.

Well, I tried 3 times to use pzDB with the same results following the minimal advice I received from the free version support person. I sent him the information that he asked for after my first request for a solution as perhaps I didn't explain it properly in my first email to them since he asked for more clarification on what was occuring. The first email was replied to in less than a day. The second has now been 3 days and counting. Maybe it got lost??:) Now,  I know its a trial version but if I am having a problem and not getting a solution for the free version trial then in my humble and definitely not influential opinion this may not be the time for me to even think about buying the program. I already have enough updates and hotpatches for the programs I am fairly familiar with.

I guess the old saying is true, "Wishing doesn't make it so."  I wish that I'd had no problems with the trial, but unless I can be certain that it will work for me as described I can't take the chance of spending that much money.

I've included your entire reply.

Let me start off saying that you are right in that it IS very generous of p3do to offer a free version of it's software.  It has NO time limit which is more than I can say for Rocketship Technologies offering. They are honest in their 30 Day trial and I had no problems with it and was sorry to remove it after the trial.  It was just that price tag that made me go away.  It might be right and proper to charge 65 bucks for the licenses but it was just too much for me at that time.

I also made sure I didn't say your software was crippled which my initial thought.  I'm sure there are extra features that one gets when they pay for a full version.  However, my initial bout with the software made me have reservations.

I think I'm like a lot of users who open up the package and see what they can do.  The first thing I wanted to was reorganize my runtimes.  When I tried to do a multiple cut and paste, the program just flat out refused.  I opened up regular explore, got it to the same point and had no problem doing multiple cut and pastes.

At that point, I sighed disappointment and mainly have used it as a search engine.

I will also say that I could be in serious error regarding your software, if it does work the way you said below.  Even if it doesn't, it might be the my organization of my runtimes.  As I stated, 100 different users will most likely have their runtimes organized 100 different ways.  No software can anticipate any one user's preference and idiosyncracies.

However, what I did deal with was my quick experience with P3dO.  Those are just MY facts from MY particular experience.  When I couldn't do a multiple cut and paste, it rather broke my heart.

From this post I can see that there a lot of people who use your software expertly and have no problems.  The fact that you have responded has already shown better support than the original poster has been apparently receiving.  That speaks volumes.

Like I tell my father, Dare to Compare.  I might've simply been a victim of my own organization (which I have redone since then) or perhaps I just didn't install properly it.  What I wish to do is continually organize my runtimes, search and find items and launch the items once they are found.  I'll read your documention and try again.  I could become your best customer.

To Yarp, I'm sorry too, though the last line of your post I feel is from frustration, rather than anger, I can't unring that bell nor should I.  It was my honest experience.

I will say this in ending, I DO find it hard to believe that anyone would offer software for FREE, give out FREE updates, stand behind that offering for 9, count em NINE years if they weren't honest and passionate and caring and generous.  As I said, nothing wrong with wanting cash for extra features for your software.  That's the american way and I'm an american.  I hope you are succeeding and I want you to continue to succeed and grow.

I invite everyone to try out your very generous offer and go by their own results and post it in the forums.  I know I will.

I'm sorry to the Original Poster and hope you find your answers.  This was supposed to be a PZDB thread, not a P3DO thread.

Robin aka Not so quietrob
Southern California.

Quote - Your choice is to use PzDB and I have nothing against.
But please, don't disminish P3dO features. 

P3dO offers a generous free version for Poser users since more than 9 years.
This free version has been constantly updated, upgraded, distributed for free.
The free version has no time limit and is enough to do the basic organization you might need.
Plus it allow to open directly from Windows (P3dO) to Poser.

And also as the name suggests P3dO is an Explorer, then of course Copy Paste, Drag'n Drop works exactly the same as with the Explorer.
After a search you just double-click a file and it opens in Poser. The search is not as rich as PzDB and that's normal the 2 software have different purposes.

I insist that the free version is enough to open files in Poser and manage them with the Explorer. There's absolutely no limit there.
The pro version has more features, and they are not free. This is not a limit, this is just another software and the message is: if you want more, then pay for it. Exaclty like PzDB but again in a different way.

I just can't believe what is written above.

Yarp
www.senosoft.com

Hi Quietrob,
as I said my intention was not to interfere with this PzDB thread again but I have to reply to your kind answer I think.
I didn't wanted to flame but just to correct what you had said, otherwise I have no problem with you or your other statements.

My intention with the free version of P3dO is to offer a basic tool for Poser users. In essence it is the minimal you need for Poser. Following this idea Windows Explorer like features are reproduced and what I consider like being essential for Poser usage is given for free.
There are also bugs and you were probably victim of one of them.

Appart from this I understand you may prefer PzDB. That's the game, I really don't mind. The search engine in this software is really great. I can't talk about other PzDB features but as a Poser user and a programmer the advantage of the database alone is obvious.

Yarp

Hi all, I am just beginning to use Poser again after about 4 yrs - i miss it, however.... the long process of organizing and then being able to find my files - are so daunting - i'm actually dreading the idea to the point where i havent even installed a single file of the 1000s i collected.  I used to have a utility by hogsoft called pboost - i don't even know if thats still available.  I'd love to hear frm those here - what their idea of the best organizational tool is - this is not to put anyone down,  - or anything else - its an open forum and i'd just like to hear what everyone thinks before i lay down MORE money to deal with this library organization issue???? so pls - can i kindly get some input?  if you do write with your ideas - suggestions, also tell me where to ck these utilities out - where to read/research about them and buy.  thank you so much for all of your help
Suzi/sprryte (here at renderosity)

Well I am pretty sure I won't bother purchasing PzDB since I am still waiting for a reply from the "free version'  Tech support. I won't purchase it because of that reason since if they are trying to get me to buy the program I don't think they are showing real good incentive to do so by this attitude. I am however trying out a few others that offer a free version and one in particular seems to do what it says. Will give it another few days before making up my mind on which one I will buy however just to see if something occurs on the PzDB front:) .

 Sprryte, Thanks to this thread, I gave P3DO another try and I found it to be light, fast and very helpful when it comes to searching.  I always say Dare to compare...Download the latest version which is chock full of goodies and give that a try. 

In this thread, we haven't heard from Rocketship that makes PZDB.
I have heard and had favorable feedback from www.Senosoft.com (P3DO).  I love great support.
Has anyone tried Pboost?  I would like to hear from them.

Don't feel bad Beelze, I've not heard back from Rocket Software either.  I was very excited about the software, but if I can't get it to run properly then I guess I'll just have to stick with what I've already got.