downloads problems

[ncvegas 2]

hey guys, I'm new to the forum, I'm having some download problems, and I was hoping that someone can help me. 

(I'm new to downloading btw) I downloaded a few lots from the Sim City 4 Exchange on the official website and they're now in my plugins folder, but when i go to the game, I can't find them anywhere. someone told me I have to unzip the files, but i don't know how to do that. 

so what do I do?

[mightygoose 92]

do you have winzip. if not google winzip and download it. the open the files in qinzip and select extract/extract to folder, then find your plugins folder and do it.

do you have deluxe or rush hour if not, most stuff on stex and sim city.ea doesn't work without it

[sim1234 62]

You extract the download using Winzip,WinRAR etc. into your MyDocuments/SimCity4/Plugins folder or your Program Files/Maxis/SimCity4/Plugins folder and they should appear in game. If this doesn't work, the building you are trying to download must be a growable which means you have to zone some Residential, Commercial or Industrial zones and get to the required stage to make it grow or it could be a reward which means you have to meet some requirements before you can use it in your city. Some downloads have automatic installers in their zip file and if that's the case double click on it to open it and follow the instructions. If the building you downloaded comes with a ReadMe always read it as it contains useful information on how to get the building into the game. Hope this helps.

[Simcitytrainer 3]

Ussaly I just press download then open and when winzip opens a page I click and drag the file(s) to the plugins folder.Usslay I have the Simcity4 folder open before I start downloading.I have heard that you press the exstact all button on winzip when it opens a page may you should try that.Hope this helps oh and sorry about the large post.

[ncvegas 2]

ok, thanks for the help.

i unzipped the files, but for some reasons only two of them worked and one of the downloads showed up as a big brown box in the game? am i still doing something wrong?

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

A big brown box is usually a missing prop or texture.  Did you read the readme file that came with the program.

You should never unzip a lot or mod directly into your plugins folder, but somewhere else until you understand what this thing is that you got.  Then, use a structure in the plugins folder (more folders inside it) to keep track of where you got the plugins and what they do.

There are thousands of these things and if you don't keep some organization your will live to regret it.  There are sometimes some plugin conflicts that can kill your game.  None of this stuff is thoroughly tested because it is impossible due to the millions of configurations possible.

[DOXXP29 5]

Check the "read me" files for any dependencies that might be needed. Lacking the dependencies is the cause of almost all cases of brown boxes appearing. (Some of the BATters will provide a link to the dependencies on the download page)

Welcome to Simtropolis, ncvegas! This is a great place and fantastic source for all kinds of tips, tricks and other forms of enlightenment!

[ncvegas 2]

Thank you for all your help. I think I got the hang of downloading now. I really appreciate your help!