A Quick Guide on Missing Props on Lots

[RalphaelNinja 244]

It use to be so simple. Download Landmark and run the .exe and the Landmark shows up in your Landmark Menu.

Today, you can download Lots from the Lot Exchange, Modds from Simtropolis, Building Props from Maxis, More Building Props from Simtrop and to top it all off, not all lots seems to work; it is enough to drive you into a state of lotphobia.

Now the good news is that there are only two plugin folders and we can refer to them as MyDoc Plugin (\My Documents\Simcity 4\Plugins) and Pgm Plugin (\Program Files\Maxis\Simcity 4\Plugins). The difference between these two folders are the loading order. SC4 will load the data from Pgm Plugin first before loading the MyDoc Plugin directory.

The recommend usage of these plugin folders are

Store all downloaded landmarks, bldg prop plugin from maxis, simtrop landmark prop plugin and other mods in your Pgm Plugin folder. The props must be defined before the lots can use it.

Store all SC4Lots in MyDoc Plugin Folder.

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The Building and Props set from Maxis, which you can get from here:
http://simcity.ea.com/coolstuff/loteditor/loteditortool_01.php

Simtrop offers you the Landmark prop set which you can download from here:
https://www.simtropolis.com/modfiles/index.cfm

and finally, if you just downloaded the landmark prop set from simtrop, you will need all the landmarks from here:
http://simcity.ea.com/coolstuff/landmarks/index.php

edit: for RH
There are now two more prop set to contend with.

Rush Hour Building as Props

http://simcity.ea.com/coolstuff/loteditor/loteditortool_01.php

 

and Simtropolis version of Rush Hour Buildings as Props

https://www.simtropolis.com/lots/lots.cfm?Str=European%20Props

 

Prop definitions are not part of your normal Simcity/Rush Hour install; thus de-installing and re-installing SC4/RH will not resolve a blank lot. You will need to find the prop sets/landmarks that goes with the lot.

If the downloads do not self-install (the simtrop ones), simply unzip them and copy ONLY the .Dat file into the Pgm Plugin folder.

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Almost done.

Unfortunately the order of the above files in your directory are important too and in order to place them in the correct order you will need to move everything out of the Pgm Plugin Directory and move them back (one by one, drag and drop) in the following order.

1. BldgPropVol1.dat (no dependancies)
2. BldgPropVol2.dat (no dependancies)
3. Simtropolis European Props (no dependancies)
2. All Landmarks (no dependancies)
3. Plugin_Landmarks_and_other_missing_props.dat (from simtrop, dependant on landmarks)
4. Functional_Blank_lot_set and Functional_Prop_lot_set can be dropped in for lot development and deleted when done. (dependant on all the above).

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In most cases these are all you need to use the lots. However in the past, Simtrop has offered their own version of the building props; which was subsequently removed after the availability of the Maxis's ones. I would suggest private messaging (at Simtrop) or reporting (at Maxis) any lots that seems to be still missing props after the above installation of all plugins.

Good luck...
Ralphael

P.S. Builderman reminded me that if you are using XP/Win2K, make sure that you are login as the user of the MyDoc Plugin directory otherwise you won't see them. However the plugins in your Pgm Plugin will be available to all users of that computer.

[vil 3]

Is this for real - are you saying the order in which files are read by the game from the individual plugin folders is determined by the order in which you place the the files there?

OMG!!! If thats true i dont even want to say anything about that in public...

[RalphaelNinja 244]

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On 7/21/2003 8:30:48 AM vil wrote:Is this for real - are you saying the order in which files are read by the game from the individual plugin folders is determined by the order in which you place the the files there? 

OMG!!! If thats true i dont even want to say anything about that in public...

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Yes it is for real and you needn't to be so flummox.

Normally, everything in a dat is self contained. However with all the available knowledge and tools, it is inevitable that pieces of lots will be scattered about; buildings and landmarks must exists before you can define props, the props must exist before you can place them in Lots. However, once you set up your plugin directories, there is little need to change them afterwards; so think of it as a self install.

Ralphael

 

[HighRiser 6]

This could turn into a nightmare as I have about 150 zips,lots etc combined. No wonder everything seems a little out of sequence with my lots. I have the my docs plugin, but not a prgm plugin. Do I need to create a program plugin folder? To have to tanke everything out and to redo everything is going to be alot of work.

[RalphaelNinja 244]

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On 7/21/2003 9:47:21 AM HighRiser wrote:This could turn into a nightmare as I have about 150 zips,lots etc combined. No wonder everything seems a little out of sequence with my lots. I have the my docs plugin, but not a prgm plugin. Do I need to create a program plugin folder? To have to tanke everything out and to redo everything is going to be alot of work.

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No, neither of these folder need to be created. Assuming that you are not on a Mac,

1. double click on "my computer"

2. select drive c:

3. double click on "Program files"

4. double click on "Maxis"

5. double click on "Simcity 4"

6. double click on "Plugins" (here is where all your landmarks should be...)

Ralphael

[MOVIESOLDIER 2]

hi ralph..... i am going to try this but........
i am missing buildings not props...
i see all the props, there is no problem with that. what i am missing is the buildings. i can see clothes line 10 stories up as a prop but there is no building with it.
like i said i will try it but i think every 1 assumes i mean props. thats not the case its the building.
i hope this clears up the confussion.
thanks for all your help and hard work on these buildings, props, lots of code work, ect... i know you arent told that enough .......THANKS

[RalphaelNinja 244]

Okay, I guess we need to clear up why a building is now a prop.

 

Not too long ago, one of the limitations of the Lot editor was that we couldn't place 2 or more buildings per lot.

 

This limitation was soon removed by the introduction of Building Props by both Simtropolis and Maxis over a week period. We removed ours soon after Maxis introduce theirs as it became the official Building Prop Release; thus you have one of the problem is that some lots still persist in using the Simtrop Building Prop Set.

 

Second Problem, Simtrop introduces the Blank Lot set which basically removed the Building altogether. Thus you have a blank lot in which you can place any building props that you wish. This is most likely what you are seeing at this point in time, a missing building prop that has a clothesline hanging 10 stories up.

 

Now, if you have done all of the instructions above and you are still missing the Building, then it is most likely that the designer is using the original Simtrop Building Prop Set. We are encouraging you to write to the designer either by PM or leaving a post on their lot to convert their lot to use the Maxis Building Prop set instead of ours.

 

However, as mentioned, with the availability of so many tools and the widespread of knowledge, it is hard to repress the problems; all we can do is to minimize them.

 

Ralphael

[WiccanCharms 0]

Ok well i did everything that you said and it still doesn't work for me! is there anything else that i could do?? thanks for your help!

[RalphaelNinja 244]

"Now, if you have done all of the instructions above and you are still missing the Building, then it is most likely that the designer is using the original Simtrop Building Prop Set. We are encouraging you to write to the designer either by PM or leaving a post on their lot to convert their lot to use the Maxis Building Prop set instead of ours."

 

[WiccanCharms 0]

ok great thanks for all your help!

[WiccanCharms 0]

wait i have one more question... i was looking over everything and following it step by step and i was wondering what are Function_Blank_lot_set and Functional_prop_lot_set ??
I think maybe thats why its not working....what are those and how do i find them?? thanks again for all your help!!

[RalphaelNinja 244]

Those are only used during the design phase (creates a blank lot for you add your buildings) and are available for download here https://www.simtropolis.com/modfiles/index.cfm.

 

Ralphael

[WiccanCharms 0]

ok got ya thanks again for all your help!!!

[Mouse_Nightshirt 0]

*cries* Poor me. I have to download ALL the landmarks? On my 56k? *cries some more* I never bothered to in the past because they were too big for all they did in the game. Woe betide!

[Victory 125]

Hi...can anyone tell me the name of the original prop file that is no longer in use? I would like to remove it from my system.

Thank you

[GrampaAl 76]

1. Plugin_B90_residentialbuildings_prop_modd.dat
2. Plugin_B91_commercialbuildings_prop_modd.dat
3. Plugin_A80_PlugModd_functional.dat
4. Plugin_020_PlopLandmarks.dat

I believe these are the recalled files.

There are more recent releases of some files from Simtropolis (Ralphael) that are intended to make available to all users the few landmarks which the official site does not include in their bldgprops_vol1.dat file. I think there are two files. One with some missing landmarks and one with a few missing commercial buildings. I may be wrong here.

Personally, I only use the bldgprops_vol1.dat file, and the Parthenon landmark file. Why, well the landmark file is the only one I know of that has various types of rocks and boulders, and a number of folks include these in their lots, and may not even know where they come from.

Other landmarks, may also contain interesting props, but I don't know yet, which they are or what they contain.

BTW Victory, keep up the good work on your lots. They are very creative, and good looking. If you need a bit of help with certain functions or menu items you know where to get it.

There were good reasons to recall these, but I do still use some of them since they were really nice.

Someone has recently released a set of .sc4lot files which they claim make the subject landmarks have jobs.

But they don't have a suitable query to show that.

IMHO, these therefore are incomplete.

That does not mean I give them a low rating. I try to learn something from anything of interest. These may have some educational value, but I doubt that I will place them in my city.

[drdoe 0]

Umm.........I did everything right, but now the original buildings are screwed up...? Need Help

[Mouse_Nightshirt 0]

Ignore this post: I was asking something, but found the answer.

[daniel0809 0]

I need the following props, but I can

[Teobald 0]

I have installed the Lot Editor from Maxis but I can't find the BldgPropVol1.dat? Some parts of the downloaded buildings are missing. And when I put functional blank/prop lot set dat-files in the pgm\sc4\plugins I can't see some of the buildings who comes with the game froim start (e.g. fire stations). I am really confused...

[GrampaAl 76]

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On 8/11/2003 5:51:31 PM Teobald wrote:

I have installed the Lot Editor from Maxis but I can't find the BldgPropVol1.dat? Some parts of the downloaded buildings are missing. And when I put functional blank/prop lot set dat-files in the pgmsc4plugins I can't see some of the buildings who comes with the game froim start (e.g. fire stations). I am really confused...

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You can find the BldgProp_Vol1.dat file at the official Maxis/EA site where you got the lot editor.

Any blank lot plugin files, are only supposed to be in plugins folder while using the lot editor. They should be removed before running the game.

Good luck.

[+Guest]

Stupid question: I have not downloaded any props or lots yet. Would I still need to do the above? I am so confused, sorry.

[tsboon 0]

Ok, I have been diligently download all good lots for use, (thanks for all lot creators, it has really make my city better!)

Of cos I am excited, but just when I was to place my normal playfround or community plaza or some park green ( those given in the default game settings) I could only see a green patch of grass for playground...

 

I have oslo tried to re-install the game, and than follow the sequnce od placing my lots and .kbi/.dat prog.

 

Thanks in advance for helping!

[ed_diaz 10]

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On 8/9/2003 12:09:56 PM daniel0809 wrote:I need the following props, but I can

[Equinox 1,209]

Well, that's annoying, we should make designers who use the old SimTropolis lot file revoke their lot until they revise it to be compatible with the new ones!

[ed_diaz 10]

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On 8/22/2003 8:41:23 PM Equinox wrote:

Well, that's annoying, we should make designers who use the old SimTropolis lot file revoke their lot until they revise it to be compatible with the new ones!

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yes exactly.. OR!  at least ask the designers that when they create a lot, make sure to include any "unofficial" plugins that they may have used.. this helps out alot.

[RalphaelNinja 244]

Pay close attention..... because contrary to my better instinct..... here is the non-existent file that has been causing so much trouble...

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files/allrciprops.zip

 

Warning!! use this to help you resolve the problem that it is in fact the missing building props. If it is, contact the designer ASAP to have him/her update the lot using the Maxs Building Prop.

 

If you are designing lots, do not leave this in your plugin folder as you may inadvertantly use the wrong props.

 

Best of luck to all....

Ralphael

[ThisMagicMullet 0]

Does the installation of Rush Hour aliviate any of this crap?

[RalphaelNinja 244]

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On 10/9/2003 4:16:32 PM ThisMagicMullet wrote:Does the installation of Rush Hour aliviate any of this crap?

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No, it will probably compound it as the next set BldgProp volume 2 for RH buildings will soon come out.

At minimum at this time, you will need the building prop set vol 1 from Maxis and the landmarks as many lot designers are using the props from the landmarks.

Once you have all the files sorted out (you only need to do it once), most lots should work as advertised.

Ralphael

 

[ThisMagicMullet 0]

"Functional_Blank_lot_set and Functional_Prop_lot_set"

Where do I get these? I dont think they were available with any of the links you posted in the first thread... Or, im just stupid...