Custom Regions (From step 1)

[jjh1784 0]

I just got SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition (for Mac of course) and I want to edit the size and city boundaries of my region. I would much appreciate it if someone could tell me how to do this from step 1. The size I intend to make my region is 8x8 (meaning 8 small city boundaries by 8 small city boundaries) with a large city boundary in the center and some small and mediums surrounding.

[callagrafx 3]

Hi JJ, you will need a copy of Photoshop or Elements (or another image editor).

The region size is dictated by two files, config.bmp and the greyscale. If you are not sure as to the size to make the config file, use the simple formula:

1 pixel = 1km

Large cities = 4km or 4 blue pixels. (R:0 G:0 B:255)

Medium cities = 2km or 2 green pixels. (R:0 G:255 B:0)

Small cities = 1km or 1 red pixel (R:255 G:0 B:0)

So, if you want a large city in the middle, surrounded by medium cites and those surrounded by small cities, your config.bmp needs to be: 1px + 2px + 4px + 2px + 1px = 10px (height and width) This is just an example. Save this as config.bmp (making sure format is set to 24 bit windows bmp) to your desktop.

The greyscale file follows a similar principle, in that 1km = 64 pixels. So, the matching greyscale file is 640 x 640 (arrived at by 10km x 64 pixels). However, for some reason, you need to add 1 extra pixel to the file size, so the final JPEG file should be 641 x 641. Save this file as a GREYSCALE jpeg file to your HARD DRIVE root. Note that different shades of grey are translated into height and depth. I have found a good sea depth is 32% black or R:81 G:81 B:81 and a good ground base level is 45% or R:114 G:114 B:114 This gives a fairly decent water/land interface.

If you are unsure as to what size to make your greyscale, plan you region size using the config.bmp file, then when you go to render the region, select any greyscale bitmap and it will tell you there is a size mismatch and it will then tell you the correct size required.

To add the region to SC4, go to your Documents folder (not app folder) and locate the Sim City folder. Under this there is a Regions folder. Open this and create a new folder. Name this folder you region name. Move the saved config.bmp file into this folder. Launch the game (making a cup of coffee whilst EA movie plays).

In the region view, click on the folder Icon at the top and select your new region. You will see a flat terrain with your city borders. To render the region, press SHIFT+APPLE+ALT+R. A menu opens. Locate the greyscale picture, it should be at the bottom of the list, so scroll down and load it. Depending on your computer and the size of the map this process may take some time.

Hope this helps.

[jjh1784 0]

That helped a great deal, but I'm still encountering a few problems. I followed all of your steps and my region is appearing in the game. But its still like one of the regions the game creates by default, a big region with randomly placed city boundaries. I made my config.bmp (8px x 8px) with my boundaries marked in 255R, 255G, and 255B. And then my greyscale I've made into a JPEG file with the dimensions 513px x 513px. Is there a certain thing I'm supposed to do to the greyscale (or greyscale.jpg which is the file name)? I've tried leaving it blank and I've tried coloring it in to red, green, and blue corresponding to the config.bmp. In addition to that, when I press cntrl+alt+shift and select my greyscale file, it does nothing. Am I overlooking something? I am aware of using the shades of gray for rivers and hills, but for now I just want a flat terrain.

[callagrafx 3]

Are you pressing ctrl+shift+alt+r (the R key) to render the region? In Photoshop, make sure the file is a greyscale image > mode > greyscale It could be the greyscale jpg file is still RGB.

Apart from that, sound's like everything you have done is OK.

[jjh1784 0]

Well, I got it to work, sort of... On the greyscale I just made one shade of gray to get a flat terrain, but the size and city boundaries are all messed up. I have an 8 x 8 pixel image that should dictate my city boundaries. I have my image as an attachment. After making my config.bmp, I made my greyscale 513px x 513px following your formula (or so I thought) and my game demanded a 961px x 961px greyscale. The result was the region was too big and the city boundaries were not where I wanted them. My guess is that my resolution is out of wack. Both my config.bmp and greyscale.jpg are at 72 pixels/inch. Should I use a different resolution?

[callagrafx 3]

Did you increase the size of this config.bmp, or is it the size you've posted? Is is saved as a Windows 24 bit bitmap

CONFIG.BMP: check IMAGE > IMAGE SIZE , the two top boxes labelled Pixel Dimensions should read 8 in both.

GREYSCALE.JPG: check IMAGE > IMAGE SIZE , the two top boxes labelled Pixel Dimensions should read 513 in both.

I Just tested it and they work fine...Here are the two test images..save them and test them on your machine.

CLICK FOR CONFIG FILEL:Right Click (ctrl+click on Mac) and select Save link to desktop

GREY FILE: