Export / Import DP's Preference Settings

[JSmith1234567]

Hi! I'm sure this has been answered before, but a search didn't turn anything up useful.

Is there a reliable way to export DP's main-preference settings?

You CAN export bundles, commands, and probably some other stuff I don't remember.

It's an easy way to go back and forth between my Mac Pro and my laptop when I need to.

I know I can find Motu / DP {references by going into Library/Preferences, Library/Audio, a DIFFERENT Library for certain other Motu preferences, etc. and find stuff, but with different computers, sometimes different operating systems, etc., is copying library preferences really a safe/good way to do things?

A crash-free way to do things?

I've taken to taking screenshots of every preference page in DP, and window mini-menu settings too, at various points, but doing that and referring to the screenshots to re-enter every single one of them on a new computer takes quite awhile.

There are in addition also important other things like custom-searches, custom-consoles, etc. that also do not have export/import functions like Bundles and Commands do?

On another note I wish there was a global way to do all pertinent personal setups, as going onto a new computer at a studio there are all of those pesky settings in windows from DP's Project menu like measure-resolution boxes, edge-edit-copy, etc. that I have to change each time when I'm scratching my head that something doesn't work the way I like it.

I've seen video editors walk in to work a zillion times with little thumbs-drives they carry around in their pockets when they work for a day or two here or there and can set their editing-software to come up the way they like it instantly, work for a day or few, then turn it back to the way the post-production house had it when they are done and leave it functional for the next person.

Again, is moving preferences like this safe and crash-free, especially with differing OS X versions, computers, even differing version of DP sometimes?

Thanks!

[bayswater]

Probably no way to do exactly what you ask. But there are a few things along these lines you can do.

I’ve dragged a copy of the preferences to a backup and then put them back in place after testing some settings. If there are changes in the DP version there will be instances where that causes other problems, but it has generally worked here. There is a tech note somewhere on the MOTU page on uninstalling DP and I think it lists all the preference files that would need to be copied.

For other settings, a set of templates might do most of what you want. There are also some settings, like Bundles that can be exported from their Mini menus. Others like colour palettes and theme show up in preferences where there is a button to locate the relevant files which can then be copied and later, put back in place. Same with templates.

Deeper in, you can go in the Contents of the DP application file and look for Resources > Lproj folders where you can find a zillion xml and image files that control how DP looks. I’ve sometimes copied these, made several versions, then put them back in place as needed. You can totally bugger up DP doing this so it is not a good place to blunder about if you aren’t sure what you’re doing.

[JSmith1234567]

Probably no way to do exactly what you ask. But there are a few things along these lines you can do.

I’ve dragged a copy of the preferences to a backup and then put them back in place after testing some settings. If there are changes in the DP version there will be instances where that causes other problems, but it has generally worked here. There is a tech note somewhere on the MOTU page on uninstalling DP and I think it lists all the preference files that would need to be copied.

For other settings, a set of templates might do most of what you want. There are also some settings, like Bundles that can be exported from their Mini menus. Others like colour palettes and theme show up in preferences where there is a button to locate the relevant files which can then be copied and later, put back in place. Same with templates.

Deeper in, you can go in the Contents of the DP application file and look for Resources > Lproj folders where you can find a zillion xml and image files that control how DP looks. I’ve sometimes copied these, made several versions, then put them back in place as needed. You can totally bugger up DP doing this so it is not a good place to blunder about if you aren’t sure what you’re doing.

Hi thanks for that!

I'm going to look for that tech-note.

That would pretty much do it for me as to stuff I don't want to recreate.

The other stuff isn't hard to recreate in a short time, but there are a few things and that list will make it really easy for me to zero in on those.

I should probably put together a check-list of that considering how many times I need to do this. I always forget things like my edge-edit copy pref. and stuff like that.

Thanks again!

[funkyfreddy]

I'm having trouble locating the DP 11 preference files in Mac OS
Monterey 12.7.1.

[JSmith1234567]

I don't know much about computers, but the DP preferences are in two different libraries, so you have to look at both.

Then some are under audio preferences, some under application support, and then some are under either Motu or Performer or whatever in both.

Also you need to check Audio Application Support in both libraries.

I had to look up how to get at either library every single time, so finally I "bookmarked" both library folders in the finder-sidebar.

Also the Plugin folders.

This has saved me (hours? lower blood-pressure)!

[mikehalloran]

DP stores settings and preferences in a number of places in the Users/(user name)/Library/...

I could give the list off the top of my head but I might miss one. Better to ask MOTU directly and post the locations when you hear back. We can then refer back to this.

[bayswater]

I've noticed there is a support article at MOTU.com that tells you how to completely uninstall DP. It lists all the locations of the various files DP uses, including the preferences.

[Jim]

I've noticed there is a support article at MOTU.com that tells you how to completely uninstall DP. It lists all the locations of the various files DP uses, including the preferences.

There's a freeware app that does this auto-magically for many apps.

https://freemacsoft.net/appcleaner/

[bayswater]

I've noticed there is a support article at MOTU.com that tells you how to completely uninstall DP. It lists all the locations of the various files DP uses, including the preferences.

There's a freeware app that does this auto-magically for many apps.

https://freemacsoft.net/appcleaner/

Yes, but I think the point of the question was to get a file list of places preferences are stored, rather than do a bulk delete.

[Jim]

I've noticed there is a support article at MOTU.com that tells you how to completely uninstall DP. It lists all the locations of the various files DP uses, including the preferences.

There's a freeware app that does this auto-magically for many apps.

https://freemacsoft.net/appcleaner/

Yes, but I think the point of the question was to get a file list of places preferences are stored, rather than do a bulk delete.

Yes, the OP was about that. You posted about "how to completely uninstall DP." That's what makes AppCleaner useful.

Another useful free app is EasyFind. With that you can search the boot disk for "digitalperformer," and it will list all the files and locations for prefs and other files. I like it a lot better than Spotlight.

[bayswater]

There's a freeware app that does this auto-magically for many apps.

https://freemacsoft.net/appcleaner/

Yes, but I think the point of the question was to get a file list of places preferences are stored, rather than do a bulk delete.

Because the referenced article lists the locations of all the preference files.

[mikehalloran]

Yes, the OP was about that. You posted about "how to completely uninstall DP." That's what makes AppCleaner useful.

Another useful free app is EasyFind. With that you can search the boot disk for "digitalperformer," and it will list all the files and locations for prefs and other files. I like it a lot better than Spotlight.

Nothing makes App Cleaner useful.

Spotlight sucks, pure and simple. I use it about once a year just to see if that has changed. Nope, not yet.

EasyFind is ok but I find that Find Any File is much more useful. I'll be posting about installing MIDI and Audio Drivers over Sequoia soon and will show a few tricks when I do. FaF is Shareware so, while you can use it for free, paying $6 to the developer or $8 through the App Store gets you notified about updates as they happen.
https://findanyfile.app/

Either is infinitely better than Finder/Find or Spotlight

That said,

search the boot disk for "digitalperformer,"

does not find all of the files needed to uninstall DP completely.

[Jim]

Nothing makes App Cleaner useful.

False.

For one thing (which is more than "nothing"), it's free. And, it does what it's advertised to do. That's two things.

https://freemacsoft.net/appcleaner/

[mikehalloran]

Nothing makes App Cleaner useful.

False.

For one thing (which is more than "nothing"), it's free. And, it does what it's advertised to do. That's two things.

https://freemacsoft.net/appcleaner/

I agree with Apple on this one.

Apple does not recommend AppCleaner or other so-called cleaner applications for Macs. Apple suggests that the standard method for uninstalling apps is to simply drag them to the Trash. While AppCleaner and similar tools may offer a more thorough removal of app-related files, Apple's official stance is that such tools can sometimes remove valid system components, potentially leading to issues.

Potential for removing valid system components:
AppCleaner and similar tools can sometimes mistakenly identify and remove files that are essential for the operating system or other applications, leading to instability or errors.

While Apple doesn't recommend third-party cleaners, some users find alternative tools like AppZapper or AppDelete to be safer and more accurate for uninstalling apps. However, it's still important to be cautious and understand the risks associated with using any third-party tools.
In conclusion, while AppCleaner and other cleaners may offer more thorough app removal, Apple's official recommendation is to avoid them due to potential risks and the simplicity of the built-in uninstallation method.

My rate is $120hr for undoing damage caused by cleaner apps and Onyx.

[Jim]

I've had zero issues so far using AppCleaner, which I used with abandon after migrating to ARM, which made my Intel only apps and video plug-ins obsolete. I used Migration Assistant to move my apps, files, extensions, plug-ins, and settings from my Intel MacPro. I used AppCleaner to get rid of around 20 pre-ARM Adobe apps, and others incompatible with ARM that show in the Finder with a "no" (circle and strike-through) icon.

Many experts recommend a clean install of all apps and plug-ins on new computers, but I've never wanted to devote a whole day to that. I take my chances and live with the risks. So far, so good. I've made my living from computers for the past 40 years since video and audio post have moved from tape to computers. I can't afford down-time, and have never missed a deadline due to software issues. I am an expert who some people still call on to help with their issues. For free.

System components can be fixed by reinstalling the OS, which I've found to be the fix for OS related issues for the past few versions of the Mac OS. I learned that after Disk Warrior became obsolete.

Reinstalling the OS is not the hours-long operation it used to be. I have fiber internet. A reinstall of Sequoia on my M4 takes about 15 minutes. On my MBP M3, reinstalling Ventura takes about twenty minutes.

I've been using Macs since Mac Plus (System 6, I think - ca. 1984), and have never needed to call the Cavalry to fix anything software related. I have relied on forums like this one, though, which have been invaluable.

AppCleaner shows you a list of the files it intends to delete. You can bail without deleting if you have concerns.

I think I mentioned in another thread that I was having several issues with DP. The usual routines and reinstalling DP didn't fix them. What did fix them was using AppCleaner to remove the DP components, followed by a reinstall of DP. You can poo-poo that if you want, but it worked for me. That info may help others who are now duly warned of the potential risk or reward of listening to either one of us.