SC4Tool - Reference and Visual Editor for BATs and Lots

[scoobsuk 44]

That's genius - thank you so much. Now I can finally edit my menus to something approaching a sensible order )

[KiraDarkRose 0]

Need Help... I have a problem with database coming up in Analyser/Importer. I have deleted netframe and sc4tool. Reloaded netframe, installed the newest sc4tool with the update. Everything starts fine, reads the plugin folder ok. Checked the log file and it says everything is ok. When I click on Load from Database nothing happens. The Order by Name icon comes on but no database loads. Waited 30 minutes and still nothing. If I go to dependencies scanner and click scan nothing happens unless I pick the path from its menu. I checked the path settings and there right on. Is there something I have to do first to make the Analyser/Importer read the path to my plugins first before I click on load from database icon? I thought I looked at every post here and in the help/tut files but didn't see (or maybe missed it) anything.

 

Kira

 

Add - I do have SP2 on XP and did have net frame 2.0 deleted net frame 2 and reistalled 1.1

[artforce1 5]

Hey everyone,

 

Ok, I changed the lot to 2x2 and some of the values but still get this:

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//4.JPG align=baseline>

 

Here are its values:

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//5.JPG width=794 align=baseline>

Any ideas?

[Andreas Roth 607]

@Kira: The Load from database button is intended to load custom buildings that you've scanned with the Analyser/Importer and saved to the database. Actually, only the paths to the files and the screenshots (in case you added some) are stored, as well as a description and author and BAT team information (the rest is read directly from the lot file). When you do a fresh install of SC4Tool, the database for the custom buildings is empty, of course, and therefore, nothing happens.

 

You can add custom buildings by opening them in the Analyser/Importer, add some user-defined information, if desired, and then save it to the database by clicking on the floppy icon on the Common information tab. If you want to view the database for the in-game buildings by Maxis, go to Analysis/Building Database (growables) or /Building Reference (ploppables).

 

In the Dependencies Scanner, you can either click on one of the predefined paths, or you have to open a path or a file manually. Clicking on Scan just opens the menu (it's the same like the grey menu bar in every program window), nothing more. That's why it has three dots (...) after scan. These tree dots always indicate that you need to open the menu/a dialogue first before something happens.

 

@artforce1: I have no idea at the moment. Could you please send me the lot to andreas@simszone.de , so I can have a look?

[ehatch2279 0]

I think I may have found a bug with SC4Tool.  For the Query Exemplar GUID value (and others) the type is listed as a UInt32, but the listed min and max range values correspond with a regular Int32, and the range check that is performed when editing the field also corresponds with a regular Int32.  However, I've noticed that a lot of BATs use the value 0xca56783a for their Query Exemplar GUID, which can only be of type UInt32.  So it seems to me the listed min and max range values are incorrect (should be 0 to 4,294,967,295) and the range check when editing the field is checking for the incorrect bounds (i.e. the value 0xca56783a should be valid but the program says it isn't).  Is this a bug, or am I missing something?

 

Here's a screenshot of the issue:

[Jarmst4571 0]

Has anyone been able to download the new SC4 tool update yet?

[Andreas Roth 607]

@ehatch: Thanks for the note, hopefully simrolle can check if something is wrong.

@Jarmst: The download works fine for me.

[simrolle 18]

@ehatch2279: You can change the Type and the min/max bounds for a Property by editing

the new_properties.xml located in the system-subfolder of the tool.

But all the values in this file are taken from Ingred.ini (this file is sc4-Standard);

so please be carefull if you edit those values.

 

 

[bixel 1,223]

This topic is so a-buzz with news and new improvements! You guys have taken this game far beyond its expected use and function. Cheers!!!! We should retitle this forum as Simtroplis: Simcity4.5!!!!!

[simrolle 18]

@All : Because i've made a lot of internal changes to the tool, it is time for a new release (V2_2_7). The new version will be available hopefully today; please watch this thread for an announcement by Andreas.

@artforce1:THX for reporting, the new version should fix this.

[artforce1 5]

Hey everyone,

Thank you for the help.  I did get the lot transit enabled:

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//7.JPG align=baseline>

 

As you can see I also changed its size and found out that avenues do NOT have to be 2x2.  Does traffic really go through it you asked?

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//8.JPG align=baseline>

 

Yes, traffic will flow through it.  I am now expirimenting with other tiles but one quick question.  How would I do this for a freeway piece?  I mean, the overlay textures for the avenue is there but I dont see any for highways.  And how would I make a piece that you could plop on an elevated highway or elevated road?

[Andreas Roth 607]

@artforce1: I'm glad you managed to fix the lot! About the highways, there are some props floating around somewhere that will allow you to put a highway piece on your lot. At least a ground highway version is included in smoncrie's hole digger lots. Open the ground highway lot in LE and look how they are used and to find out the name.

As simrolle said, I will post an updated version of SC4Tool later; currently, I'm sorting out the files and update some stuff in the readme files and tutorials, so they should be ready later this day.

[Andreas Roth 607]

SC4Tool v2.2.7 released!

Today, simrolle released a new version of SC4Tool, which is mainly intended as a service release to fix the existing bugs that were reported so far. There is one new feature called FileMerger, which can be used to merge separate files to a single DAT file, i. e. for creating prop and texture files. Unlike similar tools, you can also merge whole folder trees in one step, and the FileMerger is capable of checking for doubled files and other inconsistencies. If you want, you can also remove all files that are not necessary for the game, this will keep the filesize of the DATs as small as possible.

Get the update on the official site .

[Buggi 684]

Sweet!!

No way of adding properties yet?

[Andreas Roth 607]

Date: 1/16/2006 7:41:22 PM Author: Buggi

No way of adding properties yet?

quote>

No, not yet. simrolle told me that he's concentrating on bugfixing and optimizing the code at the moment, since all the new features are likely to trigger new bugs, even at places where you don't expect them (because several functions share the same code etc.). Once the code is stabilized and rewritten, we can think of adding new features. SC4Tool grew to so much more than we expected a few months ago, so it's time for consolidating the existing functionality first before adding new stuff - you rather want a tool with reliable functions than a bug-ridden one, don't you?

[subzero121800 0]

i get an failed to inizialize error upon trying to run sc4tool v2.0 ?  any thoughts.            NM wound up being s .net FW problem sll good 2 go now though.       

[faizy999 0]

i was unable to download this new tool from the site can check that ...

[Andreas Roth 607]

Date: 1/20/2006 1:11:53 AM Author: faizy999 i was unable to download this new tool from the site can check that ...

quote>

The download works fine for me at the moment. Maybe our fileserver was down when you attempted to download it, so please try it again.

[Tolomar 5]

Dirk been working on things to help speed up the board...board has been having in and out of late...specially during peak times...

 

I tied the download...it's seems to be working ATM...maybe it was just off-line for a bit during the matinace

 

ps...if i haven't yet saved my buildings to the my own database...would it be easier to re-install the update completely...or just run it without uninstalling the older version  ?

 

 

yea i know...silly question, but it is me...I have a natural ability to even mess up a 1 click installer...

[Andreas Roth 607]

If you didn't use the tool so far, it might be better to uninstall the old version and use the full installer to avoid any unexpected hassle. But updating any 2.x.x version should work fine as well.

[SUICO 129]

First of all : GREAT TOOL!!!

Second: I am ashamed but I have not red all the thread

 

Third: Maybe a bug report on the latest version: Editing the radius of mayor radius effect can t use more than 100. Can u please take a look?

 

Again , thanks for this great tool.

[Andreas Roth 607]

Date: 1/20/2006 10:01:19 PM Author: SUICO

Third: Maybe a bug report on the latest version: Editing the radius of mayor radius effect can t use more than 100. Can u please take a look?

quote>

It's not a bug, but a feature. The min/max values are defined in the new_properties.xml file in the \System subfolder. They should reflect the min/max values that were set up by Maxis. It might be possible that some values are wrong, but they came directly from a Maxis file. If you still want to change them, open the file in notepad and search for Mayor Rating Effect. Now edit the MinValue and MaxValue values as desired.

[SUICO 129]

Andreas , are you sure about this? I mean what I thought is that maybe the -100 100 is the limit for the magnitude and not for the radius and it is used for both ....  I did change it in ilive so that is not a problem , just was testing the sc4tool which i have liked very much. I ll try some translations for the tutorials etc soon i hope...

[simrolle 18]

I took the min/max values directly from Maxi's SC4Exemplar.xml and Ingred.ini which came both

with SC4/RH but i noticed as well that even Maxis don't take care of their own given ranges.

I don't know what will happen in the game if you go beyond this values, that's why i limited

sc4tool's edit functions to them.

 

In the Reader, you can edit the values of a Property without limitations, but this increases the

probability for non-valid values.

 

As Andreas said, editing the new_properties.xml allows you to go outside the given limitation -

but in this case there is no guarantee for valid values anymore. So please be careful.

 

simrolle

 

[simrolle 18]

Because i'm asked for the display-style of UInt32 values very often , here's a short
and non- scientifical describtion:

An UInt32 value has a range between 0 and 2 ^ 32.

If a value of this type is between 2 ^ 31 and 2 ^ 32, it's correct value is (value - (2 ^ 32)),
because it is unsigned.

Therefore, the displayed range in the ExemplarEditor is set to (2 ^ 31)*-1 and 2 ^ 31.
This is for the users who don't know anything about Types.

If you edit such are Property and you give it a value < 0, the tool will calculate it to
the correct value between 2 ^ 31 and 2 ^ 32.

[jeronij 13]

Hello to all,

I hope somebody can give me a hand with this:

 

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Ayuda%20TE%2030010601.jpg align=baseline>

 

 

 

I want to make this lot a functional cul de sac. Exactly the same as a standard in game cul de sac. I know I

[Andreas Roth 607]

@jeronij: I answered your question in the other thread.

[chapo16 14]

since I don't have enough time to look thru this pages I ask you the following

Might sound stupid but

Is it possible to make a landmark to Plopable with jobs?

 

If this question is already answered Let me know

 

[Andreas Roth 607]

Date: 1/30/2006 9:59:32 PM Author: chapo16

since I don't have enough time to look thru this pages I ask you the following

Might sound stupid but

Is it possible to make a landmark to Plopable with jobs?

If this question is already answered Let me know

quote>

Yes, it is possible, but you have to do it manually by adding the appropriate properties. A feature for auto-converting ploppables and growables will most likely be added in a later version. For now, I recommend the tutorials out there (there's a good one by SimGoober, and Equinox has written some stuff about that issue as well).

[joeynymets 19]

hi i recently downloaded the update, now when ever i start the tool i get a Error creating directories message. Any idea why?