Hello,
I am new user of CTA3. I have quite a few content packs. Is there any limitations when organizing the contents of C:\Users\Public\Documents\Reallusion\Template? For example consolidating .ctProp and .ctBMotion files withing their respective directory structure.

thank you,
Jeff

Hi Jeff

It is strongly advised not to change the folder structure or move files between folders under Template. If files are not where CTA expects to find them it can lead to crashes or other problems.


                                                                

Peter
Forum Administrator

www.reallusion.com

Hi Peter,

Thank you for the response, much appreciated. I would like to better understand any relationships between files used by CTA - and restructure the contents if possible.

Its not that I don't believe you or unwilling to take advice, its just that I would like to know when, where, etc,... CTA expects to find content from a technical perspective. After all, its software not some mysterious animal.

At the moment my Props folder has 3063 files and 232 folders. Many folders have just a couple props. Trying to locate props is very tedious and there is little rhyme or reason in the folder naming convention. It would be very difficult to memorize the content structure or having to search through hundreds of folders to find a prop.

So, from a technical point of view, what are their relationships between CTA folders/files? How would moving an actor / prop file effect CTA usage.

thank you,
Jeff

Hi Jeff

Generally, if you just rearrange the subfolders under say Prop or Actor and don't mix different file types then you won't run into many problems.

However, an example of where problems can occur by restructuring the folders is with the Action Menu. For example, when you load one of the default characters from Content Manager, they will load with a preset Action Menu made up of different motion files. If you restructure the folders where these motions are stored, then attempting to play a motion from the Action menu you will give an error because CTA can't find the file where it expects it to be. The same applies to custom Action Menu's you may create yourself. There are other areas where this would be an issue also.

Another thing to consider is that when you install content into CTA you don't choose where the content goes. The Download Manager will place the files in the correct folders automatically. So obviously if you need to reinstall a pack and have already moved some of the files previously, then you will end up recreating the original folders leaving you with duplicate files which may cause problems as your library grows.


                                                                

Peter
Forum Administrator

www.reallusion.com

Hi Peter,

thanks again for sharing your knowledge, very much appreciated. I found your response insightful.

One thing you mentioned "when you install content into CTA you don't choose where the content goes. The Download Manager will place the files in the correct folders automatically", I think this is one of the root causes of my discontentment with asset file structure. From what I observe it appears that the asset creators choose the path and naming of assets respectively. I just started with CTA and with thousands of assets in hundreds of folders its already overwhelming.

With respect to reinstalling content and breaking relationships, are all assets and stuff located in the following?
C:\Users\Public\Documents\Reallusion\Template\CrazyTalk Animator 3 Template
C:\Users\Public\Documents\Reallusion\Custom\CrazyTalk Animator 3 Custom
C:\Users\Public\Documents\Reallusion\Shared Templates

It would be great to be able to back up / restore everything from third party assets, custom stuff, and asset paths, etc.

thanks again,
Jeff