Lot Editor - Help

[Magneto 316]

Ok I just started to play with the lot editor a couple of days ago. I understand you can only have 1 bldg. in the lot. So here is my question. Can you import as a prop a bldg.? In my case The lot i'm trying to make has several bldg.'s on it. But when I go to add a prop I can't find the bldg. in the list. So is there something special I have to do to see all bldg.'s (bats) in the list for props?

 

To change a building into a prop, put the SC4Model file(s) in your plugins root and use PIM / PIM-X

Drag the model to the type of prop you wish to have (for your purpose you'll probably want building as prop)

 

 

Once you dropped model in desired category, PIM-X will create a prop exemplar that will allow you to select the building as a prop.

 

To be sure that your prop will show in the lot editor list, open a lot that is wide and deep enough so the building fully sits in the lot bounds.

[robdragon 167]

Hi Again

 

I'm pulling what I have left of my hair out!!!! I can't figure out were I'm messing up!

 

I'm using PIM-X and I'm trying to find how you replace a building. Like in the original LE there's a button to replace bldg. But nothing in PIM-X. There's nothing that I could find in the user manual about replacing a bldg. It seems all you can do in PIM-X is insert props.

 

Then I said ok I'll go into the Original LE. but when I hit replace bldg. almost nothing is in the window, maybe about 20 lots and not even any Maxis stuff well at least not much. Nothing from my plugins are in there.

 

I'm trying to go through a tutorial on the LE but can't do that because nothing shows up. I've gone back and tried to use the old PIM but no files show up in there either.

 

So at this point I figure I'm missing a step somewhere but for the likes of me can't figure out were.

 

Any help would be nice

 

Robdragon

[Cyclone Boom 16,875]

Personally, for ease of use, I'd recommend sticking to the original LE. The PIM-X one is quite different, and takes a while to get accustomed to all the keyboard commands.

 

Each building belongs to a developer type (either R, C or I). In the lot editor, although the wealth level ($$$) doesn't matter, you can only replace a building of the same type. For example, if the building you need is a commercial tower, first search and open any Maxis commercial lot. When you attempt to replace the building, the list should contain your required model. The only exception is if the lot size is smaller then the building's area. In which case, simply increase the lot's size, and it should then be available to select in the menu.

[robdragon 167]

Hey

 

Thanks CB that answered that! No wonder!! Oh well. Yea I think your right about PIM-X it is a bit?? to work with and I'm still learning all this lot stuff so I'll take your good advice and stick with the Old LE for now at least. It is a bit easier!!!

 

Thanks CB!!!

 

Robdragon

[elavery 1,013]

I am trying to place some offset CAL yacht on my lot so that they will appear in the sea, instead they are still appearing on land.

 

 

In LE they appear to be placed exactly where the sea is, yet in game they appear somewhere different.  Can someone explain this discrepancy, I have seen plenty of other lots with offset props placed in the sea, why is it not working in this instance?

[T Wrecks 10,209]

Have you simply tried a different rotation? Maybe the preview is 90° offset from the actual appearance. There are also some animated Maxis props that don't appear to rotate in the LE at all - all views look the same. However, when you check the lot in game, everything works fine.

[elavery 1,013]

Have you simply tried a different rotation? Maybe the preview is 90° offset from the actual appearance. There are also some animated Maxis props that don't appear to rotate in the LE at all - all views look the same. However, when you check the lot in game, everything works fine.

 

A different rotation of the props or of the Lot?

[elavery 1,013]

I have a LE picture here to help explain the situation better.

 

[T Wrecks 10,209]

A different rotation of the props. Apparently the LE preview shows the props offset ~2 tiles towards the front, whereas in game they're offset ~2 tiles towards the right. If you change the props' rotation, the offset should rotate as well. Play around with them a bit, and you should get an idea of what exactly is happening there.

 

Should there be no easy workaround, it should be possible to use cogeo's SC4 Model Tweaker to change the offset.

[JP Schriefer 5,590]

Anyone know what I do to fit my building just inside the tiles? I think the building is perfect for a 4x3 tiles, but look at this, I want to fit it exactly, but this is happening:

 

 

Anyone? Thanks.

[Lightbearer2 2]

Not sure if this is the right place to ask this question, it has been a long time since I have used this site, but I have downloaded tons of lots and buildings and recently I had to get a new computer Windows system 8 and I am restoring the programs and data lost on my former computer and I do have SimCity4 working but am having a problem with the Lot Editor, it opens and the lists show up but when I select a lot to work on the lot opens but the display is very odd, it is like the image flashes and it is impossible to work on the lot. Is this a known problem or am I doing something wrong? Please help!

[T Wrecks 10,209]

@ Schriefer: Try re-fitting your LODs and make sure the building is correctly centered in them.

 

@ Lightbearer2: I'm sorry to say I've never encountered the problem myself, nor heard about it.

[Cyclone Boom 16,875]

Not sure if this is the right place to ask this question, it has been a long time since I have used this site, but I have downloaded tons of lots and buildings and recently I had to get a new computer Windows system 8 and I am restoring the programs and data lost on my former computer and I do have SimCity4 working but am having a problem with the Lot Editor, it opens and the lists show up but when I select a lot to work on the lot opens but the display is very odd, it is like the image flashes and it is impossible to work on the lot. Is this a known problem or am I doing something wrong? Please help!

 

It sounds like the Lot Editor might be having difficulty processing your plugins. This can happen when loading the LE with a large plugins folder. The program wasn't really designed for the vast amount of content that's been made -- Maxis probably never anticipated this would happen!

 

A way around this limitation is to only load the content you'd like to use / edit. This can be achieved by renaming your plugins folder to something else. Then creating a new folder named "Plugins" in its place. After this, move any items into this new folder (to be loaded by the Lot Editor). Not only should it become more stable, but it reduces loading times and makes the menus less cluttered. It also helps to find dependencies when creating custom lots. Only the prop / texture packs in the plugins folder can be used. So in this way, it gives much more control over dependencies.

[Lightbearer2 2]

Thanks for the help, however I tried using limited contents but the image still flashes so much I am unable to see to use the editor. SimCity4 works fine, but the Lot Editor is still like it is flashing various patterns so I cannot use it. I figure it must be a known bug with Windows 8.1. I have other programs that do not work although they open up as well but have functions that do not work. Does anyone know if Maxis or whoever is handling customer service has a patch or an update that will help? Thanks in advance!

[SimCoug 5,972]

Thanks for the help, however I tried using limited contents but the image still flashes so much I am unable to see to use the editor. SimCity4 works fine, but the Lot Editor is still like it is flashing various patterns so I cannot use it. I figure it must be a known bug with Windows 8.1. I have other programs that do not work although they open up as well but have functions that do not work. Does anyone know if Maxis or whoever is handling customer service has a patch or an update that will help? Thanks in advance!

 

No, The LE program is almost 10 years old, so do not expect a patch from maxis.  I'm guessing there is a way to run the program in compatibility mode - I'm not familiar with Windows 8, so you will have to look into that.  Either that, or you could try using the SC4-PIM (PIM-X) program, which also includes a Lot Editing fucntion (along with some other neat tools).  

[rsc204 21,808]

Thanks for the help, however I tried using limited contents but the image still flashes so much I am unable to see to use the editor. SimCity4 works fine, but the Lot Editor is still like it is flashing various patterns so I cannot use it. I figure it must be a known bug with Windows 8.1. I have other programs that do not work although they open up as well but have functions that do not work. Does anyone know if Maxis or whoever is handling customer service has a patch or an update that will help? Thanks in advance!

Worry not, almost certainly this is a hardware rendering issue rearing it's ugly head, and yes this can affect the LE but not SC4 iteself for whatever reason. You need to add the swtich "-d:soft" to the command line of the shortcut (to set it to software rendering) and everything should be fine .

 

I'd heartily recommend SC4-PIM too as it will make your life so much easier, just so many neat features that the Maxis LE can't do, it's worth the effort to learn if you are serious about modding, although every now and again you'll need the Maxis LE too.

[Lightbearer2 2]

Thanks for the help. I tried going to the link for SC4 PIM tool but I am having a hard time registering at the Devotion site, it does not send me the e-mail for activation. When I try to fill out another registration it says I am registered but not activated. I tried going to the forum it recommended but I cannot post because it says I need a registered account! Is this ran by the government? LOL. But seriously is there a way of getting this tool on this site? Thanks

[Compdude787 916]

Thanks for the help. I tried going to the link for SC4 PIM tool but I am having a hard time registering at the Devotion site, it does not send me the e-mail for activation. When I try to fill out another registration it says I am registered but not activated. I tried going to the forum it recommended but I cannot post because it says I need a registered account! Is this ran by the government? LOL. But seriously is there a way of getting this tool on this site? Thanks

Check your spam folder in your email. If you use Outlook to view your email, you need to access your email account through your web browser and check the Spam folder there, because it will often put stuff there before it even gets downloaded by Outlook. I have Gmail which has a really good spam filter (sometimes too good ) and it keeps out most of the crap that I don't want to see before Outlook will even download it.

[Hotwheeler 409]

Okay guys,not sure where to put this,but because this is somewhat  Lot Editr related i will try it.

Because i need this for my SC 4 Manhattan,i wanted to lot a 3x3 Plaza with nothing else on it but some Asphalt Texture and a Concorde as an exhibition piece.

So i searched for some Concorde props and found them at the LEX.

I choosed tabi`s Concorde props for this task.The weird thing is that i just can`t find them in LE.The LE search function doesn`t really help.I also downloaded a few other plane props by tabi and they are easily to find because the prop names are beginning with "tabi-F 18" or any other jet.

So,does someone know how tabi`s Concorde Props are called in LE so i can find them?

[zimmie 521]

Maybe you're not making the lot you are starting with large enough so that the props will show up in the list. Make it extra large just to test...8 x 8 or something... then type in tabi and see if the props show up

[Hotwheeler 409]

Uhmm,really does the LE Prop List depend on how big the Lot is?Now this would explain a few things,but honestly this was the first time i ever heard about that (okay,i have to admit,i`m playing SC 4 since 2008 or so and barely used the LE since then )

[Belfastsocrates 1,753]

Uhmm,really does the LE Prop List depend on how big the Lot is?Now this would explain a few things,but honestly this was the first time i ever heard about that (okay,i have to admit,i`m playing SC 4 since 2008 or so and barely used the LE since then )

 

 

Yeah, I've found this as well. If the lot is too small some props don't appear in the list to allow you to use them.

[Hotwheeler 409]

Ha,you guys are right.I enlarged my Lot from 3x3 to 10x10,opened my Props List and when searching for the Concord the LE immediatly found it.The blue Box that represents the Prop in the right LE Window was large enough to fill a 3x4 Lot.Incredible how an old Game and those old tools still can surprise one in 2014.

Thanks guys.

[9gruntsand1hammer 3,195]

I installed the lot editor, followed all the steps at SC4 Devotion and I can't get it to work. I load it up and it's just a grey screen.

It says GDriver Window--Direct X (Not Responding).

Does this work on Windows 8, or am I missing something.

[NCGAIO 562]

try to run it in compatibility mode and read page 19

[9gruntsand1hammer 3,195]

Thanks for the help. I followed the steps and it eventually worked.

The problem was that it was taking a while to load because of the plugins folder but I gave it ten minutes and the program is now responding.

[T Wrecks 10,209]

My advice: avoid using the LE with your full plugins folder at all cost.

 

Apart from insane loading times, using your full plugins makes it a lot harder to use dependencies efficiently, keeps you from getting an idea what's actually inside each prop or texture pack, makes it easier to add undesired files to your playing plugins accidentally, will result in confusion as to which dependencies you actually used, and since you have such an intransparent baseline situation, testing for the actual dependencies used will be extremely difficult.

 

Better make one plugins folder for playing and at least one for your lot editing/modding endeavours. I'm using quite a handful of plugins folders myself, depending on what I'm working on.

[JP Schriefer 5,590]

I installed everything I need to BAT ok on my new laptop, but in Lot Editor I'm having a big problem here as you can see in this video I made just to show you. I'm using Windows 8. Already tried to run as administrator and in compatibility view. Anybody knows what to do? Thanks in advance.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBAXm-BZFGg

 

 

Ps.: sorry about the sound, was the TV.

[Cyclone Boom 16,875]

Thanks for the video.

 

Maybe the Lot Editor has similar issues to SC4 with Windows 8.

 

Try adding -d:soft to the Lot Editor's target shortcut. This forces software rendering like the -d:software command does for the game.

[JP Schriefer 5,590]

Yuuuhuuuuu thank you really much  worked perfectly!!

 

Now I'm having another problem, but I think people already had this before, I'll look for it:

Only in zoom 5 it occurs.

 

Editing: going to try with this tips Jason gave here: 

 

 

 

 

Editing again: it worked!!!