SC4Tool - Reference and Visual Editor for BATs and Lots

[Dexter 41]

I have downloaded this, and it looks good, but the transit enabler doe's not work.

When I click open, It just says "Error opening file!, and nothing happens (the buttons don't do anything). This happens with all the files.

Thanks you.

Sorry, I fixed it.

It was the "Enhanced File Dialog" Program in Object Desktop. I set it to exclude SC4 Tool and it worked.

[NetPCDoc 1]

If there is a better place for SC4Tool development info - could someone please direct me to it?

In the meanwhile,

When one knows what values to plug into the Lot Tab of your TE-Editor

- Diagonal TE works for me;

Knowing how this interacts with the Transit-Switch-Properties does help!

(I'm still experimenting / attempting to get Rail Switching to work on lots?)

While in many ways the SC4Tool is very good -

even an extreme improvement over the official tools!

There are a few inconsistancies that I feel need to be addressed.

You gave us a mile - may I have another inch, please?

---

I am very tired of being told that my Uint32's can't start with 0x8 - 0xF!

Table Look-Ups and Validating Range Limits are one thing -

BUT Data-Type Limits are something else again:

Value Check "Type" issue with signed and unsigned types (Sint vs Uint).

Int - without the S or U prefix - is usually considered to be Sint.

Sint indicates sign IS PRESENT in most-significant-digit (MSD).

Uint indicates NO SIGN anywhere in value.

Examples:

Sint8 can have valid values ranging from -128 to +127

(0x80 to 0x7F -- 0x80 < 0xFF < 0x00 < 0x01 < 0x7F),

Uint8 can have valid values ranging from    0 to  255

(0x00 to 0xFF -- 0x00 < 0x7F < 0x80 < 0xFF).

Please remove  the "-128 to +127" check on the Uint8 fields

(and so on for the other Unsigned-integer fields).

This should also apply to Traffic / TE Flags (reps 14&15) - where a value of 0xFF is valid. 

The Problem here appears to be an attempt to display a decimal  FF as  0x?? on mini-graphic.

---

On the LotConfigPropertyLotObject / aka TileDef Properties - Traffic (in Exemplar Editor)

The Transit Type Description (at Rep 13) seems to be stuck on Type: El-Train

regardless of what the actual Value of the Rep may be.

If you all need it - I can provide a Value - Description list for this -

but I'm not certain of where to implement it at.

---

Edit-2

While attempting to work on a Stage Limits mod - I discovered that you-all have "protected" the

"population values" on the "Stage n vs Size" properties (0x87CD6361 : 0x87CD636F);  As these

"population values" aren't set in stone - Maxis changed them once already - would it be possible

for them to be unprotected (edit-enabled) in the next release/update to the SC4Tool?

Please, try to retain the good job you have done, and keep the "percentage values" edit-enabled too.

End-Edit-2

---

Edit-1

As I don't really know where I'm going with this next - I may tend to ramble a little -

my apologies to those who don't like rambling.

Textures - in the game tend to be rotated 180 degrees in the Lot Editor - 

and it seems that the SC4Tool's TE Editor followed the LE example.

Un-rotated In Game Appearance:                   As Seen in Lot Editor:

                                 

                                                                (without manual rotation)

What I am trying to say is that what the Game (SimCity4) and therefore the RUL & Path files see as North,

The Lot Editor (and now the TE-Editor) See as South.

The "In Game" RUL for this piece (un-rotated and NOT mirrored)

is "21,72,23,2" <== Not sure if decimal or Hexidecimal?

Which translates to "West = 21, North = 72, East = 23, South = 02"

this agrees with the "un-rotated In Game" images.

In the RUL files - this is in a displayable ( Text / INI ) format -

but when placed onto a "Traffic" TileDef it is stored as a double-word in hexidecimal,

and thus following the 0xSSEENNWW pattern - packing (without conversion) - gives: 0x02237221

Which the Transit Guru's have been translating as:

"North = 02, West = 23, South = 72, East = 21"

As this agrees with the rotated Lot Editor (and TE-Editor) images,

the programs aren't really having any problems keeping things straight -

Thus THIS is mainly a labeling issue that tends to confuse some Humans.

BUT - this DOES put the Rotation Flags on the Traffic TileDefs out of step with the Rotation Flags on the Texture TileDefs!

All of this does explain why an un-rotated Traffic TileDef Rep15 works with a Rotate=2 Texture TileDef!

(The values have been placed directly into "rotated" positions -

 instead of using the "Rotate Flag" to place them there.

 As long as the Human "User" can keep things straight - either way appears to work! )

And, this particular labeling issue, confuses the heck out of a detail oriented person - such as myself.

---

More if (or when) Transit  Experimentation produces results worthy of mention.

End-Edit-1

-NetPCDoc

No detail is too small to be micromanaged.

EDIT-2 Added

[freedo50 1]

hi people, i have contacted geoffhaw recently about getting a personal IID range to allow me to make textures, howvere after assigning me one, he hasnt told me how to use it. I have PMd him, but he hasnt responded yet so i was wondering if some of the others with personal IIDs can help me get started, i hear this is confidential info so just PM me if you need.

[Andreas Roth 614]

@freedo50: Geoffhaw isn't always here, but you can also PM BarbyW for the necessary information.

@NetPCDoc: Thanks for the detailed posting; hopefully, simrolle can apply the suggestions, once he finds time to update SC4Tool again.

[warrior 169]

I got a texture range but I don't know how to put it into SC4Tool, Can some one help me here?

[Andreas Roth 614]

You should have gotten a message how to use it in SC4Tool. IIRC, geoffhaw posted this in the BSC Texture Index thread a while ago as well.

[Midcamp21 0]

Im havin trouble with SC4Tool, every time i try to click a toolbar option i recieve this error message. can anyone help?

See the end of this message for details on invoking

just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.

************** Exception Text **************

System.ArgumentException: '0' is not a valid value for Interval. Interval must be greater than 0.

at System.Windows.Forms.Timer.set_Interval(Int32 value)

at TD.SandBar.b..ctor(PopupMenu A_0, i A_1, Screen A_2)

at TD.SandBar.PopupMenu.a(i A_0, Screen A_1)

at TD.SandBar.i.a(TopLevelMenuItemBase A_0, Boolean A_1, Boolean A_2, Point A_3)

at TD.SandBar.i.b(TopLevelMenuItemBase A_0, Boolean A_1, Boolean A_2, Point A_3)

at TD.SandBar.TopLevelMenuItemBase.Show(Boolean select)

at TD.SandBar.TopLevelMenuItemBase.Show()

at TD.SandBar.ToolBar.OnItemPush(ToolbarItemBase item, Point position)

at TD.SandBar.ToolBar.OnMouseDown(MouseEventArgs e)

at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmMouseDown(Message& m, MouseButtons button, Int32 clicks)

at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)

at TD.SandBar.ToolBar.WndProc(Message& m)

at System.Windows.Forms.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)

at System.Windows.Forms.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)

at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)

************** Loaded Assemblies **************

mscorlib

Assembly Version: 1.0.5000.0

Win32 Version: 1.1.4322.2032

CodeBase: file:///d:/windows/microsoft.net/framework/v1.1.4322/mscorlib.dll

----------------------------------------

SC4Tool

Assembly Version: 2.2.7.0

Win32 Version: 2.2.7.0

CodeBase: file:///D:/Program%20Files/SC4Tool/SC4Tool.exe

----------------------------------------

System.Windows.Forms

Assembly Version: 1.0.5000.0

Win32 Version: 1.1.4322.2032

CodeBase: file:///d:/windows/assembly/gac/system.windows.forms/1.0.5000.0__b77a5c561934e089/system.windows.forms.dll

----------------------------------------

System

Assembly Version: 1.0.5000.0

Win32 Version: 1.1.4322.2032

CodeBase: file:///d:/windows/assembly/gac/system/1.0.5000.0__b77a5c561934e089/system.dll

----------------------------------------

System.Drawing

Assembly Version: 1.0.5000.0

Win32 Version: 1.1.4322.2032

CodeBase: file:///d:/windows/assembly/gac/system.drawing/1.0.5000.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/system.drawing.dll

----------------------------------------

SandBar

Assembly Version: 1.1.0.0

Win32 Version: 1.1.0.0

CodeBase: file:///D:/Program%20Files/SC4Tool/SandBar.DLL

----------------------------------------

SandDock

Assembly Version: 1.0.6.1

Win32 Version: 1.0.6.1

CodeBase: file:///D:/Program%20Files/SC4Tool/SandDock.DLL

----------------------------------------

sr_SC4Lib

Assembly Version: 2.1.3.0

Win32 Version: 2.1.3.0

CodeBase: file:///D:/Program%20Files/SC4Tool/sr_SC4Lib.DLL

----------------------------------------

System.Data

Assembly Version: 1.0.5000.0

Win32 Version: 1.1.4322.2032

CodeBase: file:///d:/windows/assembly/gac/system.data/1.0.5000.0__b77a5c561934e089/system.data.dll

----------------------------------------

System.Xml

Assembly Version: 1.0.5000.0

Win32 Version: 1.1.4322.2032

CodeBase: file:///d:/windows/assembly/gac/system.xml/1.0.5000.0__b77a5c561934e089/system.xml.dll

----------------------------------------

Microsoft.VisualBasic

Assembly Version: 7.0.5000.0

Win32 Version: 7.10.6001.4

CodeBase: file:///d:/windows/assembly/gac/microsoft.visualbasic/7.0.5000.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/microsoft.visualbasic.dll

----------------------------------------

sr_Resources

Assembly Version: 1.0.2205.21686

Win32 Version: 1.0.2205.21686

CodeBase: file:///D:/Program%20Files/SC4Tool/sr_Resources.DLL

----------------------------------------

Eyefinder

Assembly Version: 1.0.4.2

Win32 Version: 1.0.4.2

CodeBase: file:///D:/Program%20Files/SC4Tool/Eyefinder.DLL

----------------------------------------

C1.Win.C1FlexGrid

Assembly Version: 2.5.20052.212

Win32 Version: 2.5.20052.213

CodeBase: file:///D:/Program%20Files/SC4Tool/C1.Win.C1FlexGrid.DLL

----------------------------------------

C1.Common

Assembly Version: 1.0.20031.116

Win32 Version: 1.0.20042.118

CodeBase: file:///D:/Program%20Files/SC4Tool/C1.Common.DLL

----------------------------------------

Accessibility

Assembly Version: 1.0.5000.0

Win32 Version: 1.1.4322.573

CodeBase: file:///d:/windows/assembly/gac/accessibility/1.0.5000.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/accessibility.dll

----------------------------------------

************** JIT Debugging **************

To enable just in time (JIT) debugging, the config file for this

application or machine (machine.config) must have the

jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section.

The application must also be compiled with debugging

enabled.

For example:

When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception

will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the machine

rather than being handled by this dialog.

[bortras 0]

Hi folks

I´m trying to solve a problem related with some rewards that cause the commercial office desirability to fall. I saw in the thread:

https://www.simtropolis.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=41&threadid=61160&highlight_key=y&keyword1=desirability%20bug

 that all I have to do is to remove one of the properties of these buildings. I downloaded sc4tool, and I don´t have any experience with it. It seems that I can´t remove or modify any property of any building. I´m using the exemplar editor, and when I do Delete Exemplar nothing happens... I can´t edit anything! Am I doing something wrong?

Thank you

[pierreluc 3]

Hi everyone,

thanks for the tool.  Now i had trouble running the tool under Vista, as anytime I would try to open a submenu the tool would hang and start running duplicates of itself and run out of memory.  By disabling the "aero" type of window menu displays (basically reverting to the old WinXP way of displaying windows) the tool ran fine.  Hope that helps others who ran into a similar problem.

Cheers

[star.torturer 0]

im just wondering... does it not work on x64 windows XP??? it just doesnt work

The app failed to initialise properly (0xc0000135)

Joe

[lonedog 0]

I really like using the SC4 Tool for checking on dependencies. Recently I had to rebuild my computer after losing my main hard drive. I upgraded my motherboard, processor and memory at the same time. I got everything reinstalled and the new system works great and am enjoying SC4 even more now that I have lots of speed.

I've run into a problem with the SC4 Tool though and i see others have the same problem. I can get the tool to start, but whenever I click on any of the menus or try to use the Scan option I get an Unhandled Exception Error. I'm using the latest available version of the tool (v2.2.7_english) and have Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 installed. My OS is Win XP Pro with all the service packs and patches applied, my processor is an Intel 2140 @1.6GHz (dual core) and I have 2GB RAM. I've unistalled and reinstalled, and have even tried using a different language version to no avail. I had this problem on my old system but managed to fix it (on the old system) when I found out that it might be related to menu speed settings. I've confirmed that doesn't appear to be the problem this time. Here's the error message I get:

Error Message:

An unhandled exception has occurred in a component in your application. Click continue

and application will ignore this error and attempt to continue.

'0' is not a valid value for Interval. Interval must be greater than 0.

Details:

See the end of this message for details on invoking

just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.

************** Exception Text **************

System.ArgumentException: '0' is not a valid value for Interval. Interval must be greater than 0.

at System.Windows.Forms.Timer.set_Interval(Int32 value)

at TD.SandBar.b..ctor(PopupMenu A_0, i A_1, Screen A_2)

at TD.SandBar.PopupMenu.a(i A_0, Screen A_1)

at TD.SandBar.i.a(TopLevelMenuItemBase A_0, Boolean A_1, Boolean A_2, Point A_3)

at TD.SandBar.i.b(TopLevelMenuItemBase A_0, Boolean A_1, Boolean A_2, Point A_3)

at TD.SandBar.TopLevelMenuItemBase.Show(Boolean select)

at TD.SandBar.TopLevelMenuItemBase.Show()

at TD.SandBar.ToolBar.OnItemPush(ToolbarItemBase item, Point position)

at TD.SandBar.ToolBar.OnMouseDown(MouseEventArgs e)

at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmMouseDown(Message& m, MouseButtons button, Int32 clicks)

at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)

at TD.SandBar.ToolBar.WndProc(Message& m)

at System.Windows.Forms.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)

at System.Windows.Forms.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)

at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)

************** Loaded Assemblies **************

mscorlib

Assembly Version: 1.0.5000.0

Win32 Version: 1.1.4322.2407

CodeBase: file:///c:/windows/microsoft.net/framework/v1.1.4322/mscorlib.dll

----------------------------------------

SC4Tool

Assembly Version: 2.2.7.0

Win32 Version: 2.2.7.0

CodeBase: file:///D:/Program%20Files/Maxis/SimCity%204%20Deluxe/Tools/SC4Tool/SC4Tool.exe

----------------------------------------

System.Windows.Forms

Assembly Version: 1.0.5000.0

Win32 Version: 1.1.4322.2032

CodeBase: file:///c:/windows/assembly/gac/system.windows.forms/1.0.5000.0__b77a5c561934e089/system.windows.forms.dll

----------------------------------------

System

Assembly Version: 1.0.5000.0

Win32 Version: 1.1.4322.2407

CodeBase: file:///c:/windows/assembly/gac/system/1.0.5000.0__b77a5c561934e089/system.dll

----------------------------------------

System.Drawing

Assembly Version: 1.0.5000.0

Win32 Version: 1.1.4322.2032

CodeBase: file:///c:/windows/assembly/gac/system.drawing/1.0.5000.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/system.drawing.dll

----------------------------------------

SandBar

Assembly Version: 1.1.0.0

Win32 Version: 1.1.0.0

CodeBase: file:///D:/Program%20Files/Maxis/SimCity%204%20Deluxe/Tools/SC4Tool/SandBar.DLL

----------------------------------------

SandDock

Assembly Version: 1.0.6.1

Win32 Version: 1.0.6.1

CodeBase: file:///c:/windows/assembly/gac/sanddock/1.0.6.1__75b7ec17dd7c14c3/sanddock.dll

----------------------------------------

sr_SC4Lib

Assembly Version: 2.1.3.0

Win32 Version: 2.1.3.0

CodeBase: file:///D:/Program%20Files/Maxis/SimCity%204%20Deluxe/Tools/SC4Tool/sr_SC4Lib.DLL

----------------------------------------

System.Data

Assembly Version: 1.0.5000.0

Win32 Version: 1.1.4322.2032

CodeBase: file:///c:/windows/assembly/gac/system.data/1.0.5000.0__b77a5c561934e089/system.data.dll

----------------------------------------

System.Xml

Assembly Version: 1.0.5000.0

Win32 Version: 1.1.4322.2032

CodeBase: file:///c:/windows/assembly/gac/system.xml/1.0.5000.0__b77a5c561934e089/system.xml.dll

----------------------------------------

Microsoft.VisualBasic

Assembly Version: 7.0.5000.0

Win32 Version: 7.10.6001.4

CodeBase: file:///c:/windows/assembly/gac/microsoft.visualbasic/7.0.5000.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/microsoft.visualbasic.dll

----------------------------------------

sr_Resources

Assembly Version: 1.0.2205.21686

Win32 Version: 1.0.2205.21686

CodeBase: file:///D:/Program%20Files/Maxis/SimCity%204%20Deluxe/Tools/SC4Tool/sr_Resources.DLL

----------------------------------------

Eyefinder

Assembly Version: 1.0.4.2

Win32 Version: 1.0.4.2

CodeBase: file:///D:/Program%20Files/Maxis/SimCity%204%20Deluxe/Tools/SC4Tool/Eyefinder.DLL

----------------------------------------

C1.Win.C1FlexGrid

Assembly Version: 2.5.20052.212

Win32 Version: 2.5.20052.213

CodeBase: file:///D:/Program%20Files/Maxis/SimCity%204%20Deluxe/Tools/SC4Tool/C1.Win.C1FlexGrid.DLL

----------------------------------------

C1.Common

Assembly Version: 1.0.20031.116

Win32 Version: 1.0.20042.118

CodeBase: file:///c:/windows/assembly/gac/c1.common/1.0.20031.116__e272bb32d11b1948/c1.common.dll

----------------------------------------

FSHLib

Assembly Version: 0.3.2.41616

Win32 Version: 0.3.2.41616

CodeBase: file:///D:/Program%20Files/Maxis/SimCity%204%20Deluxe/Tools/SC4Tool/FSHLib.DLL

----------------------------------------

************** JIT Debugging **************

To enable just in time (JIT) debugging, the config file for this

application or machine (machine.config) must have the

jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section.

The application must also be compiled with debugging

enabled.

For example:

When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception

will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the machine

rather than being handled by this dialog.

Anyone know how I can fix this?

[bwavin 0]

I'm finding SC4Tool very useful but it seems to have some quirks. Two problems I have come across.

The first is the Exemplar Editor, if I change the Transit Switch(s) and then save, the tool then cannot read this new versions transit switches, it crashes. However I can change them in the TE Editor.

The Second problem is editing the Item Name and Item Description in the Exemplar Editor. As soon as I click on the field to edit it reverts to a Hex number

Many thanks tho, Barry

[squidi 4]

hi all

inspired from "bad sim

[Andreas Roth 614]

@all: As I explained earlier, simrolle has some serious RLS, so at the moment, it's unlikely that the bugs are going to be fixed soon. But thanks anyway for the reports, they are very useful.

@squidi: Unfortunately, I can't help you with the first problem. And to answer your second question: No, it's not possible to convert a growable into a ploppable. There are some tutorials out there that explain the process, though.

[Spanky357 0]

Hey de ho all. I just downloaded SC4 tool last night and had a go at it. Looks to be a great tool, my prob is that when I go to save any thing that I have edited the program locks up and I have to use task manager to shut it down. The tool I am using is the Exemplar Editor and I am trying to edit the SimCity_1.dat  file.  It is a compressed file and I think that is the problem and if so is there a way to edit the those files?

 Thanks to anyone that replies

[Andreas Roth 614]

You shouldn't try to edit the SimCity_1.dat file, but make a copy of the relevant files and create a new DAT - this is how all mods are created. The SimCity_1.dat is 137 MB large, and the internal files are compressed, so the memory usage is excessive, and most likely, SC4Tool (or other modding tools) will lock up.

[Spanky357 0]

Thank you for the response. I kinda thought that was the issue but I am new to all this and wasn't sure that I was sure that I thought what I thought was right, did that come out clear lol. To make a new Dat do I need any special tools, and yes I am a ***** just like everyone else when they first started

Ty you for your time and response.

[Andreas Roth 614]

No, you simply copy the original exemplar files (or whatever you want to mod) by right-click -> copy and then create a new, empty DAT file and paste them. It's probably easier to do this in the Reader, since SC4Tool was more intended for modding existing lot files, rather than creating new mods.

[Spanky357 0]

Is it possible to edit the streets and roads so that the traffic isn't so high. That is one of the things I would like to edit. And is there a tutorial on how to edit existing lots etc. Making an empty dat file and such.

Ty

[Andreas Roth 614]

For this purpose, you will have to edit the NAM Traffic Controller (a.k.a. NAM Traffic Plugin), in case you use the NAM. There's a tool called "Traffic Cop" in the "Modds & Downloads" section. If you don't use the NAM, there's a separate traffic plugin for SC4 Rush Hour available as well.

[SWEET-Monkey 0]

I'm currently having problem seeing the stats/values in the building reference section. The template shows up but there is no value like the ones I saw in the screen shot. However the building database works perfectly fine for me, so I am not sure whats the cause.

The startup log shows nothing wrong except under both SC4Path and SC4LocalPath is completely blank. Under the option I tried to set a path for them but they don't seems to work even I tell it to save. The path bracket is blacked out so I can't type the path manually or seeing whats inside.

Please help, I really want to use this program.

Thanks in advance!

[Andreas Roth 614]

This is rather weird, but try to do the following: Open the "Settings.dat" in the "\System" subfolder of your SC4Tool installation with Notepad and look for the SC4Path and SC4LocalPath lines. They should look like this (without the spaces between < and the tags, of course):

  < data>

    < name>SC4Path</name>

    < value>C:\Programme\Maxis\SimCity 4</value>

  </data>

  < data>

    < name>SC4LocalPath</name>

    < value>E:\Eigene Dateien\SimCity 4\Plugins</value>

  </data>

Also, make sure that the "sc4Ref.dat" is placed in the "\System" subfolder, this is the source for the Building Reference data.

[djlee1999 3]

Is there a compatibility fix for windows vista? I can only seem to get it to run flawlessly on my xp pro machine

[Andreas Roth 614]

Did you try Vista's own compatibility mode? I don't have Vista, but you should be able to right-click the EXE file, select "Properties" and then go to the compatibility tab where you can set "Windows XP" or something similar as compatibility mode. Also, if possible, disable the visual styles for SC4Tool, they might conflict with the skins that come with SC4Tool.

[djlee1999 3]

Changing the default color to "luna" and these settings in the attached image work just fine in vista

[0rion79 1]

Hi all,

I'm trying to edit Oppie Canal set for personal use, just to give the canal icons a better order in my menu. The only problem is that they miss the "item order" option: how may I add it? I'm using SC4tool and I need step-by-step instructions. Thank you!

[Zwabberaar 18]

You can not add properties with simcity4tool. You would need ilive's Reader to do that.

[0rion79 1]

Instead I can, and I did it: it has been just luck, but under the Comparer option, I've found the blank slot where to write each canal position. Ta-dah! it is working. Thanks anyway.

PS/OT: does anybody of you know where I can find Peg pond kit 1? I can't see water in any rural reservoir downloaded from st-exchange.

[Andreas Roth 614]

You can not add properties with SC4Tool, but you can copy them from another lot.

[The Big Z 103]

How do I change the number of sims in a lot? Lot Editor didn't create a .desc or .model file when I created the lot. Is this a problem?