I think I have just about frazzled the folks at Daz3D with my issue. None were able to offer a fix. Out of frustration, I'd given up for a month. I'm a long time Poser/Carrara/Vue user but the few times I'd previously tried Daz, it seemed buggy,awkward, and the interface wasn't user friendly. Still not a lot of improvement in that area, but I do like their lighting. It shows a lot of promise. Had I not by now invested several hundred dollars on content, I would probably just walk away. Hindsight is 20/20.

My issue is that ever since I accidentally clicked on a very (almost imperceptible) button in the Content Pane area and collapsed the same, (and with the help of an individual was told how to restore it,) 50% of my content disappeared from my Content Pane area. I have checked in my Daz Library folder on my hard drive,where I load all my content when purchased, and everything I purchased is present. Daz worked fine for six months as it was until I accidentally clicked on that button in the Content Pane section. Now, it seems (since I was told how to restore the Panes) that the 'list' half of the Content Pane has shrunken and I can read only portions of my items still left there. I have tried sliding over the 'image) section, but to no avail. I have uninstalled Daz and reinstalled it. the issue is still there. I have tried uninstalling the last purchase I made before 'my button' collapse. That had no effect. I am at my wits end and certainly don't have the technical skills to solve the problem myself.

Any help would be appreciated.

Please post a screenshot of what your looking at.

This is the only Genesis 8 character that shows up in 'Characters'. No others appear.

This is a screenshot of my Genesis 8 Character folder destination. If you need. I have more. Thanks for your time and help.

I had a similar problem some years back when most of my Poser formatted items disappeared along with some of my Daz stuff. I didn't do anything, it just 'happened' one day. My graphics computer doesn't go online so I know it wasn't a virus or some strange web glitch. I re-imported all my content folders and got everything back, although to this day Studio can't find some textures for a few Poser items even though they're obviously where they're supposed to be.

My suggestion is to....darn...My screen capture tool wont grab the drop down box so I can't show you. In your content pallet go to the far upper right corner and bring down the drop down box with selections for 'View as list', view as tree', and so on. There's numerous tools in there for 'scanning known directories for files', 'migrating old content', and the 'content directory manager'. Try any and everything there, this worked (sorta) for me. From all the constant complaints I see in the Daz forums and the Discord servers, this is a known problem with Studio. Let us know how it goes.

Thanks, SheikhalMaktoum. I was working with that section the other day with no results. So you re-imported all your content folders and more or less solved the problem? I uninstalled Daz and then downloaded it again and had the same results. However, I did leave the existing Library folder in place. I wonder if removing that folder and reinstalling a (hopefully) clean version of Daz 4.10. will install the basic formatted folder as it comes from the factory. At that point, I could begin reinstalling my existing content one by one through the Daz Installer.

If Daz is aware of this issue, it shows a lack of business savvy on their end. Because when their platform quits working, people stop buying their content (particularly their Genesis related stuff) and that results in a significant loss in revenue. It would seem it might pay them to have a team of techs working around the clock to cease the bleeding of revenue from them. It affects not only Daz, but the vendors who work so hard on their content as well as Renderosity and other similar sites.

SheikhalMaktoum, thanks so much for your insight and helpful suggestions.

The folder you are showing with your Genesis characters isn't actually included in the screenshot of your content directory manager?

It's C:/Users/Public/Public Documents/ My Daz 3D Library...

The three folders in your Content Directory Manager for Daz Studio content lead to:

C:/Users/Larry/Documents...

C:/Users/Public/Documents...

In the Content Library tab you are also looking in the Daz Connect Library which will only display content you have downloaded via the Daz Connect download system directly in DS, not content from other directories.

You need to add the correct directory to DS through the CDM and once that is done the required directory of content should be available in the Content Library pane.

Thanks, Razor42. It'll take me a little time to mentally digest your info. It's getting late here. In the morning I'll try to absorb and comprehend some of the terms. I'm a little Daz challenged, so I have to invest some thought into the processes. I'll be sure to let you know how well I managed. Thanks for your time and effort.

No luck Razor42. I did manage to add the library folder you mentioned, but it seems I've lost my content library pane now. My 'Smart Content' and other panes are still in their proper place, just no simple 'content pane'. Seems the more things I try, the deeper in trouble I get. I even tried to uninstall the current version and re-install a new one, but in my Uninstall Program Window, it doesn't even give me that option anymore. Daz is a very difficult platform to work with from my experience. Even the Library you said needed to be where it wasn't showing, worked fine for six months. I didn't remove it from that list (not intentionally at least). If I can figure out a way to uninstall Daz Studio in some sort of workaround of the uninstall window, I'll re-install and try loading everything I've purchased manually. Just re-installing the program results in it installing with the existing issues. I'm totally at loss for any other options. Thanks for your help. I'm sure the advice you gave me was correct, but I'm afraid there are other perhaps more complex issues. No one at Daz3d (which obviously makes the product) could seem to solve the problem.

I wonder if it's a database problem? I think Daz uses PostgresSQL database to keep track of content. I'm not very deep into Daz's internal configuration, but a database problem could cause a lot of trouble. Also, when doing any sort of uninstall to reinstall, you want to delete all the extra temp and app data files. Otherwise you're not getting a fully clean reinstall. On Windows, you might even take a stroll through your registry to get rid of leftover keys. It's a hassle!

Could you please take a screenshot of the full DS screen (To see where content pane is gone), your Content Directory Manager pane and location of your library on your HD.

As far as the Content Library, did you minimise it or close it by accident? What happens when you go to the top menu and select Window/Panes (Tabs)/Content Library?

I don't really think reinstalling DS would help with the issue, you need to make sure that DS is directed within the CDM to the hard drive location that you would like to access content from.

The fact that other content is visible within DS shows that the program is functioning normally. If you cannot see additional content you will need to make sure the location is mapped within DS to give access to these files through the content library. Basically these files are not correctly installed for use with DS at this point, as DS has no idea where to find them. Daz Studio however appears to be functioning normally from what I can tell.

"Daz uses PostgresSQL" I believe this is mainly for Smart Content and shouldn't effect local libraries in the Content Library tab.

Thanks, Torquinox. I'm fairly new to Daz. I really like their lighting. The UI? Not so much. I've found it to be a very buggy platform replete with hidden little 'landmines' that can just wreck your experience as well as any ability to use the product. I am currently trying to manually download Daz 4.10 since the DIM now refuses to recognize my account. Daz seems to have really shot themselves in the foot with this one. I've seen countless cases of people with problems (seemingly unsolvable) to mine. When it works, it's great. Problem is in keeping it working. I've used Poser, Vue, Carrara, and Reality for years. (2004) with very little trouble from any of them. Daz just can't seem to grasp the stability trophy. ☹

Toomuchtime, I've ran DS over numerous Mac and PC platforms for years and found it to be extremely stable when setup correctly. Daz 3D is also well known for providing a pretty high level of general and technical support for both DS and the content they sell. So tbh, I am not really sure where you are seeing all these complaints over unsolvable stability issues with the platform?

At this point the only issue I can actually diagnose to your own described "stability" problems, is a run time directory that isn't correctly mapped within DS's CDM... Or am I missing something else? This issue would cause similar problems with almost any software on the market.

Tbh,I think you may be slightly overworking this problem.

@Toomuchtime: It sounds like you've had a bad experience with Daz, and it's not getting better. I've found it to be a good and stable program. I like it. There is one crash bug that plagues me, but I can usually avoid it. When I have Iray materials applied to my models and I press the 3Delight render tab, crash! Same if I have 3Delight selected and attempt to load a file with iray textures in it. But that's the only ongoing problem. I did end up reloading Daz when I wanted to go from 4.8 and 4.10 installed to just 4.10. I also ended up reloading my content. Not because Content Manager couldn't find it, because I accidentally deleted the JSON files that the Download Manager uses to know what's installed and what's not. Didn't expect that! It was for the best because Daz has been upgrading the bundled content packages. I hope you can solve your problems therre. The program can be a lot of fun.

@razor42: You're probably be right about the database. IIRC, it's an optional install.

razorback? I worked with the folks at Daz for over a week without resolve for my problem. I just flat gave up for a month. When my level of frustration had reduced, I decided to try Renderosity's forum. So far, no workable fix. To subtly intimate I had ulterior motives by implying I am 'overworking this problem' is bordering on being disingenuous. I know of no one who would put themselves through hours and hours of headaches because of inexplicable instances in a 3d program. I came here for help and not accusations. Most people have been more than helpful in their intent. My problem is not with anyone offering help, but with a faulty platform. I am happy you have had good luck with Daz. My experience has been otherwise. I am sorry if I stepped on the toes of your 'baby'. Rest assured, I would have been every bit as vocal had it been a competing program with similar issues. You seem oblivious with the Daz Platform having issues. I'm not sure about here, but if you will check the DAZ3d Daz forums, you will find hundreds of pages of issues regarding the Daz platform. If I seem as if I've been unduly unfair to you, please be aware it is borne out of weeks of frustration.

I happy to help solve your issues, if you do want the help.

To solve the issue, first we need to establish exactly what the issue is.

In my understanding, from what you have posted here, you are having trouble accessing content that is not located within a mapped folder in DS?

The solution would be to correct the file paths within the CDM to locate these files.

When I asked you to look at that, you brought up a new problem the Content library tab is missing. Generally when this is missing it has either been collapsed or closed generally by accident.

The solution would be to reopen the missing tab and possibly re-dock it to the required location.

The third problem is that you cannot login to DIM, the potential solutions to that would be to check the password and account information you are using are what you know to be correct.

If all of these solutions have been tried, then we would need to dig a little further to diagnose the issues. Which I am also happy to do.

From everything you have posted here I cannot actually see anywhere here that the actual platform is faulty. If I did see that my recommendation would be to raise a ticket with Daz 3D so the bug could be addressed in future releases. My reference to overworking the problem is that re-installing is unlikely to solve the first issue you raised here.

Thanks, Razor42. Yes. Agreed. Re-installing only returns you to your original problem. I have managed to locate my content library, but it appears in my viewport. I can drag it around, but dragging it to its position won't 'dock' it. Can we work on one issue at a time? With my questionable skills at Daz, I could process more that way.

Of course, apologies if I came across a little caustic, I know how frustrating it can be when things just don't seem to work when it feels like you are doing everything right.

To dock the panel, you need to drag from the top file looking part of the panel, to dark the grey bar besides the other 3 tab/panels on the left.

I'm always undocking/closing panes by an accidental mis-click. Re-docking them involves dragging it over another pane in the place you want (I have my scene and content panes docked to the left, so if I undock one, I drag it over the other), or dragging it to the correct line at the top (like when I undock my viewport - but that's more fiddly and harder to explain) (Edit: unless you use a screenshot like Razor42 above ;) ) (Edit 2: Though you don't need to hit the dark bar, you can drag it full over another pane too)

Once you have everything in place it's also not a bad practice to save a layout. A saved layout can be reloaded at anytime to put everything back into place as at the time you saved it. You can even create different layouts for different tasks, such as scene composition, animation or asset building.

It really is optional, but it is a great option when you spend a lot of time moving panes around to your own liking and find you have later accidentally moved some things around or just messed it up a little. You can just reload your pre-saved layout it in an instant. The option is available under Windows - Workspace - Save Layout as

It is also possible to lock in the tabs through the option Windows-Workspace-Lock Docking/Undocking.

If you are having any issues re-docking the window make sure this is unchecked until you have docked it.

How's it going?

OK. Now I'm convinced I'm brain dead. I tried every method graciously provided by all of you. None seemed to work. It seems so clear and easy, yet all proved to be unworkable. This is what I mean when I say it seems that almost nothing presented seems to work. Either I am visually challenged (and my eye doc must be lying. He says I have 20/20) or my downloaded version was somehow corrupted. (sigh)

Did you check that the option checkbox is not activated to lock undocking docking option as above?

If this is getting you stuck we can always change to an existing layout if that would skirt the issue.

To reload the default City limits layout, that it looks like you are using from your pics.

Just go to Windows-Workspace-Select Layout and then when the popup appears change layout to - City limits and that will put everything back to the default tab layout for City limits. Warning if you have customised anything on this UI it will be lost when resetting to defaults.

Okay Razor42. You're a wizard. Although I was in City Limits, When I clicked 'accept', the content library returned to its proper location. Thanks so much. I still seem to have my original issue. Almost all my characters in Genesis were missing. With the exception of Edie 8. (IF I could have saved any other character.....) However, that's my situation. I have screenshots of my library files and others. I made no change to my Library files. However, my predicament occurred when I accidentally clicked on that almost hidden icon in the content pane area that basically collapsed the area. A kind person told me how to find it again and de-collapse the area. That's when my issues started. As I attempted to continue, I realized most of my characters were gone. It's been a wreck ever since.

Okay lets just start here with a little info on what you are seeing in the content library tab. Some of this maybe a little obvious but it is probably better not to skip over it at this stage. On the left side of the panel is the directory controller section. On the right is the icons of each product file located within the selected folder from the left.

The left side is the most important for this. Each Directory displayed directly relates to what is shown in the Content Directory Manager and in turn the actual folder on your computer.

The first directory you will see is the Daz Studio Format Library - Daz Connect This library will display the content that you have downloaded directly within Daz Studio use the Daz Connect method of downloading. You will not see any manually installed local content here.

If you collapse the Daz Connect library you should see something similar to the pic below on the left hand side. You can see in my pic that each library on the right relates to the Content Directory Manager and to my Hard drive.

What we need to do is make sure that the directory that you have on your harddrive is correctly entered into the Content Directory Manager and it should then display as a library within Daz Studio where you can access your missing content.

Now you have a few choices. 1 Move the content on your harddrive to one of the already mapped folders. This may be the best option as adding another new library may just complicate things further for you. To do this just merge the missing folder into the existing one if it exists, or can just rename the existing folder and folder path to match the path as you have already directed Daz to in the Directory Manager. In your case the currently mapped folders from your pic above are:

*Be careful not to copy over existing folders with this process or you may lose content already downloaded to your Harddrive.

1. The second option will not require moving any files on your hard drive which may be best if this is where DIM is setup to download new product too already. To do this Open the content Directory manager and select the Daz Studio formats section and this will open up the ADD button which you should select. Then navigate to the required folder and add it to the Content Directory Manager as a new library path.

1. You can just ask the Director Manager to scan your entire harddrive for existing content which I can go into if neither of these options work for you.

Just rereading your last comments yes the arrows will collapse and expand all of the libraries listed on the Left. Thinking of them as different libraries will help. From your pics above you are looking in the Daz Connect library. If you scroll the far left side to the very top and click the little arrow next to the Daz Connect library which will be facing down it will collapse the Daz Connect library. You should then be able to expand either of the other two libraries below it (My Library and My Daz 3D library which relate directly to the CDM and to the files on your hard drive). If your missing content isn't in these two you will need to follow one of the options above.

Thanks Razor42. Again, let me have a little time to absorb all of it. I don't wanna make any wrong moves and make it worse. Try again tomorrow? Thanks for all your effort again.

No problem, try not to let it frustrate you too much as it really isn't as bad or as complex as it seems.

Sometimes I can be prone to over complicate things a little, when all you really need to know is what to click to get you back on track. But anyway hope it's of help.

Let me know how you get on tomorrow.

Thanks Razor42 for the help you're giving Toomuchtime. I'm learning some new stuff too.

Razor, you're among the most helpful of the helpful. Cheers to that!

The simplest and last option, (which I naturally tried first, being a firm believer in Occam's Razor, and okay, I admit it, a little lazy.) worked like a charm. I believe I always had all open including THAT damned directory, in the past. But I'm not complaining. From now on it remains closed. A lot of this could be saved if we all rendered the manual and videos to memory. But in reality, who does that? I think my problem was a matter of simple glitches compounded by layering one atop the other. Without the help of actual human interaction, I'd still be wandering in the wilderness. Thanks to you all and to Razor42 in particular for being so patient with my DAZ ineptitude. Without you all, I'd probably have closed Daz for the last time by now.

That's great! Razor did the heavy lifting, but I think we're all glad you found a fix for the problem. Now you can get on with the fun stuff!

Close the Shader Builder and Shader Mixe tabs as they are both locked to very large size that messes up the Viewport and prevents it from being resized.

ThanksTorqiono! And thanks, Jestmart. I'm sure I have all kinds of boo-boos. I'll probably just have to learn the hard way. I'll close the builder and mixer tabs, (whatever they do) as soon as I find them. Many thanks for bringing it to my attention.

That's why I like using a second monitor for all the tabs. It drives me nuts to have them around the rendering viewport.

I'll echo diogenese19348's comment. I keep my good (ie: expensive) monitor for just the working window in whatever program I'm working in and have a second (ie:cheap) monitor for all the pallets. I arrange pallets in sorta, kinda the same arrangement so that similar tools are always in the same place. It's easy with Adobe stuff, and even Blender and Studio can be beat into submission. This gives me a nice, big and uncluttered window to work in.

Good advice, though my second monitor is usually busy :/

Food for thought. I have several monitors. My main a 32" which also serves as a TV. I have a few ex-computers as well. I am currently using an Intel NUC computer, which has served me well. So many roads, so few directions. As soon as one becomes comfortable with a certain technology, it becomes obsolete. (i.e. floppy discs, cd drives, and who knows how long before thumb drives are obsolete? Technology struts and frets upon the eternal stage which most of us will never comprehend. We can only be grateful for the ride. I myself stand forever in unconsummated and frustrated ignorance. And thankful for the courage to admit it.

chuckle A bit philosophical this morning? Sometimes I get that way about life in general.
By the way, what's a 'NUC'?

Intel's answer to Raspberry Pi?

I suppose I was waxing a little Phi, but I'm always amazed at the rapid pace of technological breakthroughs and changes. We've come further in knowledge in the past 20 years than the previous 500 or more. A Nuc is a very small computer 2"X4"X4". Great speed and memory. Built to have as few fryable parts as possible.

I cobbled together a distributor-less ignition system for my 50 year old vintage car a couple of years ago out of commonly available components. I plug a tablet in under the dash to fiddle with the ignition curve if I want too, but it's perfectly reliable and I never have to fiddle with points. My next project (coming along nicely) is electronic fuel injection. I'll be able to heave the ancient (and fussy) carburetors and enjoy increased performance, reliability and mileage. I look around at the tech we take for granted and am amazed but not surprised. Have a read through https://hackaday.com/blog/ to see the kind of stuff folks are doing. I get my best hacks from there.

Thanks Shiek!