DIM-Creator

A Windows desktop app for building DAZ Install Manager (DIM) packages.

DIM-Creator prepares DAZ Studio content for DAZ Install Manager. It stages your content, creates the required DIM metadata files, adds a cover image, and writes the final DIM-ready .zip.

Features

• Build one DIM package or manage several builds in the same session.
• Reuse metadata from Build001, with per-build overrides when needed.
• Package all builds with Package All or only checked builds with Package Selected.
• Import .zip, .rar, and .7z archives through Extract Archive.
• Drag and drop files, folders, archives, and cover images.
• Save sessions, stores, tags, and DAZ folder settings between launches.
• Reorder builds by dragging them; part numbers update automatically.
• Keep build status visible so incomplete or empty builds are easy to spot.

Requirements

• Windows 10 or 11 (x64)
• Python 3.11–3.14 when running from source
• 7-Zip or UnRAR in PATH for .rar and .7z extraction

Plain .zip archives work without an external extractor. For .rar and .7z, install 7-Zip or UnRAR and make sure the executable is available from your terminal.

Download

1. Download the latest release from GitHub Releases.
2. Extract the release archive.
3. Run DIM-Creator.exe.

Windows SmartScreen may warn about an unknown publisher. If you trust the download source, choose More info and then Run anyway.

Quick Start

1. Launch DIM-Creator. The first build is created at Documents/DIMCreator/Builds/Build001/Content.
2. Choose a store, enter the product name and SKU, and add a cover image if you have one.
3. Add DAZ content to the current build's Content folder by dragging files in or using Extract Archive.
4. Check the build status. A package needs content plus the required metadata fields.
5. Click Package All to build every package, or Package Selected to build only checked items.

The finished DIM package is a .zip containing the staged content, generated manifest files, support metadata, and cover image.

Common Workflows

Single Build

Use Build001 for one product or package part. Add the DAZ folders, fill in the product fields, and click Package All.

Multiple Builds

Use + Add Build to create Build002, Build003, and so on. New builds inherit shared fields from Build001, but you can override values such as SKU, product name, tags, or cover image on each build.

Use Sync to All Builds when you want Build001 to push shared metadata to the other builds. Use Sync from Build 1 on a child build when you want to discard its overrides and return to the inherited values.

Archive Imports

Use Extract Archive for .zip, .rar, or .7z files. The extraction dialog lets you separate template archives, content archives, and ignored files, then assign content archives to the correct build.

Data Locations

• Build workspaces: Documents/DIMCreator/Builds/Build001/Content, Build002/Content, etc.
• Session file: Documents/DIMCreator/Sessions/session.json
• Session backups: Documents/DIMCreator/Sessions/backups
• Logs: Documents/DIMCreator/Logs
• Config files: Documents/DIMCreator/Config
• Managed cover images: Documents/DIMCreator/Assets/Covers

Custom stores, tags, folder settings, and saved sessions are kept outside the application folder so they survive app updates.

Run from Source

git clone https://github.com/H1ghSyst3m/DIM-Creator.git
cd DIM-Creator
python -m venv .venv
.\.venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1
pip install -r requirements.txt
python app.py

To build the Windows executable locally:

pip install -r requirements-build.txt
pyinstaller -y DIM-Creator.spec

Release and CI environments install the fully resolved, hash-verified requirements-win.lock. Regenerate it for Windows/Python 3.11 after changing any direct requirement.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Main Window

• Ctrl+G - Generate GUID
• Ctrl+Enter - Generate a DIM package for the current build
• Ctrl+N - Clear fields and clean the current build folder

File Explorer

• Ctrl+E - Open the current folder in Windows Explorer
• Delete - Delete the selected file or folder
• Ctrl+C / Ctrl+X / Ctrl+V - Copy, cut, or paste files
• F2 - Rename the selected item
• F5 - Refresh the file tree

Troubleshooting

• .rar or .7z archives do not extract: Install 7-Zip or UnRAR and add it to PATH.
• The app reports no DAZ folders: The content should include folders such as data, People, or Runtime.
• SmartScreen blocks the executable: Use More info and Run anyway if you trust the release download.
• A build is incomplete: Check that it has content, store, product name, SKU, and a valid GUID.

Screenshot

Contributing

Bug reports and focused pull requests are welcome. Please use the issue tracker for bugs, questions, and feature ideas.

License

DIM-Creator is licensed under the GNU GPL v3. See LICENSE.

_{"DAZ" and "DAZ Install Manager" are trademarks of their respective owners. This project is not affiliated with or endorsed by DAZ 3D.}