pz3edit is a simple to use but none the less fully functioned utility for editing any text based Poser file.

If you own the Poser Tool Box you qualify for discount pricing and may puchase from here.

If you DO NOT own the Poser Tool Box you may purchase from here

A plug in and stand alone version is included. (See below for version and OS compatibility). Multiple instances of the stand alone version may be run simultaneously to allow you to copy/paste between files.

Will open any text based Poser file including the compressed versions.

The application comprises of three panels:- Top left is a navigation panel that will make it easy to find your way round these very large files. Options are provided to expand or collapse the navigation tree. The right hand side contains the text of the Poser file. Lower left is a "scratch pad" where you can make temporary notes, hold pasted text or load pre-formed "code snippets". These snippets may be added directly into the text via a right mouse click menu or by copy/paste.

Plug In Version PC & Mac
Installation & Operation

Stand alone PC
Installation & Operation

Stand alone Mac
Installation & Operation

Tools

You will have downloaded the file PoserPocketKnife_01.zip.
Extracting it to a temporary location reveals these files:-

pz3edit_plugin.zip
pz3edit_standalone.exe
readme.txt

Plug In Version PC & Mac
PC Poser 6 and later
Mac Poser 7 and later
pz3edit_plugin.zip

The plug in version of pz3edit is installed when you install the Poser Pocket Knife files. If you have already installed the Poser Pocket Knife there is nothing further to do except possibly register the application if you have not already done so.

Click the Poser Pocket Knife buttons More > pz3edit to load the application. Or in Poser 7 and later if you wish to use the pz3edit application without first starting the Poser Pocket Knife you may start it from the Script > PhilC menu. Poser 6 users alternative method will be by running the start_pz3edit.py script found in the PhilC\pz3edit folder.

It will initially start with a blank panel. If you wish it to start by loading in the current Poser scene you can set it to do so in the preferences. Upon completion close the pz3edit window, you will be reminded that you will need to use the Poser menu File > Reinitialize Python should you wish to restart the application within this session of Poser.

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PC Stand Alone Installation
Windows 2000 and later
Minimum screen resolution 1024 x 768
Installed folder size 10 MB
pz3edit_standalone.exe

In Windows Explorer double click the pz3edit_standalone.exe file and it will start the installer. The files may be extracted to anywhere EXCEPT any Poser installation. The default installation location is C:\Program Files\PhilC Designs\pz3edit. Then in Windows Explorer double click the pz3edit.exe icon found in C:\Program Files\PhilC Designs\pz3edit. or if you have selected the option to create shortcuts then click on those.

DO NOT extract, open, delete, move, or in any way molest the file "library.zip" found in the pz3edit folder. Tempting as it may be to extract it somewhere the result will not be anything good.

Note that you can open more than one instance of the program and therefore be able to copy/paste between pz3edit windows.

Mouse over each button for a tool tip. Most should be self explanatory.

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The stand alone version uses exactly the same file set as the plug in version, it is just started by a different method. If you have already installed the Poser Pocket Knife there is nothing further to do except possibly register the application if you have not already done so.

The Mac stand alone version of pz3edit requires Python to be installed to enable it to run.

Most current Macs already have Python installed. You can check by right clicking any PY file in Finder. (The default application is usually TextEdit which is not what you need). If the option to run the file using "Python Launcher" is available then you should be OK. If you find that yours does not you can download it for free from http://www.python.org. The current version is 2.5. pz3edit is compatible with Python versions 2.2, 2.4 and 2.5. Please note that I can not provide any customer support in respect to your existing Python installation or answer any questions relating to how to install Python. I will always be happy to answer questions relating to how to run pz3edit within an existing correctly configured Python environment.

If required please contact me for a small test Python application that you can run to see if your Mac will be capable of running the pz3edit application in stand alone mode.

To start the stand alone version use Finder to locate the file Applications:Poser 7:Runtime:Python:poserScripts:PhilC:Poser Pocket Knife:Mac_stand_alone_pz3edit.py and run it using the Python Launcher.

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Mouse over each button for a tool tip. Most should be self explanatory.

Delete Light,Cameras,Props,Actors,Materials
For example if you had a figure file containing materials that did not correspond to that figure you would be able to select them from a pop up list and delete them. Similarly if you were using a figure's CR2 file as the basis for clothing you would be able to select then delete surplus body parts. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure correct operation it is strongly advised that you save a backup copy of the file before executing these tools. An undo option is included.

Embedded Geometry Stripper
Edit a poser file containing embedded geometry to a file referencing a remote OBJ file. Control over the file's name and location is provided. Creates the new Poser file and OBJ file but does not create the library thumbnail.

{<-->}
Click in the text edit window to the right of an opening brace {bracket}. Click the Highlight Parenthesis button and all the text between the matching braces will be selected. Provides a very quick way of deleting whole sections of the file without having to scroll for miles and hope that you do not make a mistake.

Refresh the Navigation Panel.
The Navigation Panel does not auto update. To do so would seriously impede performance. If after deleting or adding text you find that clicking within the Navigation Panel takes you to the wrong place simply click the Refresh button.

Code Snippet
The Code Snippet button loads pre-written sections of code. They are stored in the Poser Pocket Knife\snippets directory. You can easily add your own code snippets to this directory and have them displayed when the Code Snippet button is clicked. Text displayed in the Code Snippet window may be edited and copied into the body of the main text. You may also use the Code Snippet window as a temporary scratch pad.

Load Current File into Poser
This is intended to provided a quick editing route between pz3edit and Poser. No check is made regarding the suitability of the file that you are loading back in.

Create Material and Material Collections files.
These are for use in the Poser Material Room. Clicking the tool will bring up a list of the available materials from which you can make your selection.

Although the future is not guaranteed it is my hope to be able to expand the tool set

The navigator, main edit and scratchpad panels have pop up menus available via a right mouse button click.

Help and About menu options are included. The About pop up will contain the version number and your registration details. Redistribution of any of the pz3edit application files is not permitted. The application requires registration before it can be used.

Redistribution of any of the pz3edit application files is not permitted.

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Registration

Full Version
This product requires registration before it may be used. Your registration details are used to generate your personal serial file, they will never be divulged to a third party. Serial files are not transferable. Fill in the details in the Registration.txt file found in your downloaded zip and email them to pcooke@philc.net Please ensure that your spam filer is set up to allow receipt of emails from this address.

Poser Tool Box upgrade.
If you have purchased this as an upgrade to the Poser Tool Box simply copy your serial.dat file from Poser 7\Runtime\Python\poserScripts\PhilC\Poser Tool Box to your stand alone pz3edit folder. The default location will be C:\Program Files\PhilC Designs\pz3edit

Registration.txt
Licence.txt

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