If you are a 3D artist using Blender and DAZ Studio, chances are you’ve likely encountered the JSON error at least once. It can be frustrating, especially when you are in the creative flow and hit a technical road block. But don’t worry—errors like these are common, and with the right understanding, they can be fixed easily.
In this post, you will learn what the Blender DAZ JSON error is, why it happens, and how to fix it.
What is the Blender DAZ JSON Error?
The process of importing DAZ Studio assets like characters, animations, or rigs into Blender involves a JSON file. This file provides a blueprint for how the asset should appear, move, and interact. When Blender cannot read this file properly, it throws a JSON error. The error usually says something like:
“Error: Cannot parse JSON or Invalid JSON structure.”
This problem is usually caused by a mismatch between the data Blender expects and what the JSON file contains. Corrupted files or compatibility problems between Blender versions and the DAZ add-on could be the root cause.
Why Does the Error happen?
Some common reasons for the Blender DAZ JSON error include:
Version Mismatch
DAZ Studio and Blender are frequently updated, and the tools used to bridge them (such as the DAZ to Blender Bridge) may lag. An outdated add-on or version incompatibility can produce JSON errors.
File Corruption
If the JSON file becomes corrupted during export or transfer, Blender won’t be able to parse it. This can come up due to incomplete downloads or disk problems.
Incorrect Export Settings
Errors often result from incorrect export settings in DAZ Studio. When critical data is wrongly formatted or missing, the file won’t be recognized by Blender.
Add-on Configuration Issues
The DAZ to Blender Bridge add-on may not be configured correctly, leading to problems interpreting JSON files.
How to Fix Blender DAZ JSON Error
Here is a guide on how to troubleshoot and fix the issue:
Check Compatibility
Make sure you have the latest versions of Blender, DAZ Studio, and the DAZ to Blender Bridge add-on.
Version requirements are listed in documentation. Updates to latest stable releases often fix compatibility problems.
Verify Export Settings in DAZ Studio
Choose the right Export type when exporting, such as FBX or DAZ Script.
Make sure the “Include JSON Data” option is enabled, if applicable.
Reinstall the DAZ to Blender Bridge
Uninstall and reinstall the latest version of DAZ to Blender bridge add-on to ensure you have the latest version and it’s installed correctly.
Inspect the JSON File
Open the JSON file in a text editor like Notepad++ or VS Code to check for obvious errors like missing brackets or corrupted text.
Tools such as JSONLint can validate the file structure and highlight issues.
Test with a Fresh Export
Create a new project in DAZ Studio and export a simple asset to see if the issue is file-specific.
Enable Blender Debug Logs
These logs may give more context about the error. Read the logs of Blender from the command line for additional clues.