Installing Additional buildings in SimCity 4

[Citymaster13 0]

Hi, I'm new here, and have been using Simcity 4 for about a month.<img src="/forum/i/expressions/1.gif" alt="" /> I've downloaded a few mods and buildings, but how do you install buildings? Do you just put them in the "plugins" folder like with mods?

[Constantina 5]

Hi,

just pop them in the folder. It's simple.

[A Nonny Moose 8,263]

Well, it is not that simple.  Buildings (and mods) have installation instructions, and some of them have installers.  You should read the download page very carefully.  There could easily be dependencies on buildings.

The default dependencies for most buildings on the STEX are:

1. Must be running Rush Hour or Deluxe
2. Must have the correct area's Update 1 from Simcity.com\
3. Must have the fix for BAT night lights from the BAT page at Simcity.com
4. Must have the two buildings as props DAT files from the Lot Editor page at SimCity.com
5. Items 2, 3, and 4 required that you be product registered at Simcity.com

You should create a structure of folders inside your plugins to help you organize your plugins.  Most people do it by author or authoring group.  This way, you know who to talk to when things go wrong.

None of the downloads on the STEX or the Mods section have been fully tested with all possible configurations and combinations as this is impossible.  The best strategy here is to create a new sandbox region, and test each plugin, one at a time, as you install them.  Time consuming, but saves crashes, and other things.  A sandbox is a good crying towel.

Good luck.

Welcome to Simtropolis.  Have fun paying SC4.

[Mystrelia 57]

I'm recently new to downloading stuff for my SC4 game, too, and let me tell you (and I'm saying this after downloading and installing gigs of custom content for my sims games) this is a lesson in patience and thorough reading.

It won't matter how good you are at organizing your Plug-ins folder because if you download self-installing files they'll go wherever they're programmed. In some cases this is good. In some cases it's not. You will want to, however, make sure you create an organizational structure for the ones that you have to hand-drop into your game.

If you download buildings with dependencies you're going to need to track down every file you need (and most of them are in Mega Packs) for that lot to show properly in your game and this can mean downloading 20 or 30 megs of worth of files just for that one lot. Of course this also means likely as not you'll already have the files for a good 10 or 20 other lots.

Make sure you read all the included read-me files (many are in HTML format), and be very patient. I can guarantee you that it is all worth it in the end, especially if you like building farming communities like I do. The farm lots and corresponding reward objects on this site are absolutely AWESOME!!!

[Citymaster13 0]

Thanks for the help. I appreciate your advice