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Are dsx files necessary?

teechurz_7c41d96282teechurz_7c41d96282 Posts: 100
in Daz Studio Discussion

I'm looking to clean up a lot of space in my computer and found a treasure trove of all the Zip files it looks like install manager put on my computer.  Each one is accompanied by a dsx file.

Before I delete all these zip files (since I can always reinstall from IM), I wanted to make sure these corresponding dsx files weren't necessary.

What are they for anyway?  Thanks!

Comments

  • felisfelis Posts: 4,336

    If it is files starting with IM00xxxx it is the manifest files that tells DIM which items is installed and where.

    If you delete them DIM doesn't know what is installed.

  • Richard HaseltineRichard Haseltine Posts: 100,941

    If you dletre the .dsx files you won't get update notifications - the zips are not needed, however.

  • nemesis10nemesis10 Posts: 3,421

    teechurz_7c41d96282 said:

    I'm looking to clean up a lot of space in my computer and found a treasure trove of all the Zip files it looks like install manager put on my computer.  Each one is accompanied by a dsx file.

    Before I delete all these zip files (since I can always reinstall from IM), I wanted to make sure these corresponding dsx files weren't necessary.

    What are they for anyway?  Thanks!

    They are how the database knows what files and products are in your library including Smart Content, compatibility, access to updates etc... intentionally they are very small files so having lots of them save you very little space but will seriously upset your installation.  Do not delete them. It is the equivalent of running a library and deciding to throw out all those funny cards that have the books' names, category, and location.

  • teechurz_7c41d96282teechurz_7c41d96282 Posts: 100

    Thanks for all the info, folks!

    Dsx's stay, zip files go!  Got it!

  • Richard HaseltineRichard Haseltine Posts: 100,941

    nemesis10 said:

    teechurz_7c41d96282 said:

    I'm looking to clean up a lot of space in my computer and found a treasure trove of all the Zip files it looks like install manager put on my computer.  Each one is accompanied by a dsx file.

    Before I delete all these zip files (since I can always reinstall from IM), I wanted to make sure these corresponding dsx files weren't necessary.

    What are they for anyway?  Thanks!

    They are how the database knows what files and products are in your library including Smart Content, compatibility, access to updates etc... intentionally they are very small files so having lots of them save you very little space but will seriously upset your installation.  Do not delete them. It is the equivalent of running a library and deciding to throw out all those funny cards that have the books' names, category, and location.

    The .dsx files mentioned are used by DIM, the .dsx files in /Runtime/Support are the metadata for the Content Management System but they are not used live, they are needed only to reimport metadata.

  • jbowlerjbowler Posts: 794

    teechurz_7c41d96282 said:

    I'm looking to clean up a lot of space in my computer and found a treasure trove of all the Zip files it looks like install manager put on my computer.  Each one is accompanied by a dsx file.

    There are **TWO** .dsx files associated with each .zip.  One is the one in the *same* directory as the .zip.  It is auto-generated.  The directory containing these is traditionally called "Downloads".  The other has an identical name but is in the directory at the same level as "Downloads" called "ManifestFiles".  An amusing name but despite the name it does, in fact, contain useful information.  In particular *that* file says that DIM did, in fact, install the stuff and also (for those of us who use multiple CMS directories) where it put it.

    So, since you should never believe me...  Shut down the DIM application and **move** one (just one) of the .dsx files from the "Downloads" directory to somewhere else (so you don't loose it.)  Now start DIM *and log in*; it is the logingggg in stuff that recreates the .dsx files.  You should have a recreated .dsx in the Downloads directory (but remember because I told you to be careful you have the original, right?)

    This is particularly important with Context Wizard; it makes DIMs (.zips) but it does not make the DIM .dsx files.  So I just run the DIM, wait for the file to appear, and archive it just-to-be-safe.

    Iff you delete the .zips do not delete the .dsxese too; it is the .dsxexes that stop the DIM from saying that there is a new product.  I don't delete the .zips (I turn them into symbolic links) so that's not a problem.

    If you do delete the .dsxese be aware that they will just come back (if the .zips are there) next time you log in to the DIM.  So there is not a lot of point, unless your approach to a termite infestation is in the manner of whack-a-mole.  This I doubt.

    jbowler

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