PzDB 1.2 Is Here

A few weeks ago I did a post introducing PzDB 1.1, following it up with some thoughts on my initial experience using it. Since then I've been waiting anxiously for the imminent release of version 1.2, which promised to add some key features, such as the ability to remove keywords as well as drag-and-drop integration with Poser. Happily, I didn't have to wait for long.

As promised, among the many significant new features are a set of new buttons which allow keywords to be added or removed at a stroke - and not only from single items, but from group folders and entire search results. This facilitates a much cleaner database, allowing you to fine tune your future searches more effectively. So, for example, you can remove the keyword "tree" from your Tree Frog model, so that a search for trees to populate your scene doesn't include the frog, which you would likely never use the search term "tree" to find. And while the default results are generally effective, and even impressive, with each new search and weeding the program's results and efficiency improve.

Equally impressive is the speed at which the whole process takes place. Out of curiosity, I uninstalled V1.1 and did a fresh install of 1.2, rather than importing my previous database, just to see if the claims of "more than doubling" its speed held true. After starting the scan process I let it run for a couple of hours before checking back, expecting to see maybe 25% progress completed, but to my surprise it had already finished. And not only did it perform much faster, but it did so while also including scenes, geometries and texture files in its indexing as well. Internal searches of the database are vastly faster, and cross-links so far seem more intuitive and accurate.

In addition, PzDB now works with many of the other major 3D render programs out there, including DAZ3D, Maya, Bryce, Lightwave, Vue, and Carrara, and incorporates drag-and-drop functionality on Windows systems. It will now also catalog DS and Python scripts, as well as 3D Object files and rendered images. New icons have been added to more readily discern the type of items being viewed, and there is now a browser history that allows you to return to previous search results without having to type in your keywords again.

To get a free, fully-functional 60-day trial, click on the image to the left and try it out for yourself. PzDB 1.2 is on sale now for just $29.95 for the single license version (regularly $39.95), or $54.95 for an upgradeable 1.x version (normally $69.95, and still well worth it). And if you don't need or want any of the new features, you can now get Version 1.1 for only fifteen bucks. But hurry, because the "introductory" sale ends soon. (By the way, I don't get paid to promote it, though I think I should.)

I have to say that the one thing I really dislike about the new, improved PzDB upgrade, is the all-new, totally lame-ass icon. I mean, honestly, what's with the hockey puck? Bring back the little mannequin dude.