SC4Tool - Reference and Visual Editor for BATs and Lots

[Andreas Roth 616]

It's been a while since I posted last time, but don't worry, the database is still under development. Numerous things were and still are included. The interface is much more customizable, there are several tabs for the values, screenshots and a notes input field, and those tabs can be arranged freely to meet your wishes. simrolle is creating a tool that can open and read BAT and lot files, so you can easily add the values  to the database. Dependencies are checked and displayed, too.

 

I also created a nice welcome screen where you can choose what you want to do (opening the Maxis building database, analysing downloaded BATs etc.). The program supports multiple languages, and you will be able to add more language files with an integrated editor. Another cool feature will be the automated creation of readme files - just open your lot in the analyzer, add your personal comments and some screenshots and press the create readme file button!

 

The program will include a plugin interface API, so other developers can create their own tools, too. It will be possible to include tools that can modify files directly, such as changing the displayed values, creating transit-enabled lots with a few clicks and much more.

 

Some screenshots:

 

Multi-windowed program interface:

 

  http://img130.echo.cx/img130/8592/sc4dbnew3tq.th.gif>

 

Database interface with tabs that can be arranged to your desire:

 

  http://img70.echo.cx/img70/1628/sc4dbnew19yr.th.gif>

 

 User-friendly welcome screen:

 

http://img70.echo.cx/img70/7213/sc4dbnew27kc.th.gif>

[greyveil 37]

great work so far, looking forward to using this extensively!

[dzi 0]

OMG this is great!

When can we expect the .NET version?

[Andreas Roth 616]

Hopefully, a public beta version will be available soon. simrolle is still working on the importer/analyser routines, but he made some good progress so far. The database interface is done, as well as the language editor.

[Equinox 1,212]

I can't wait; this is just what I need...!

[sc4frk 0]

This is amazing!!! I cant wait for this one. I will beta test if you need beta testers for this

[fightcancer 0]

Date: 4/28/2005 9:27:24 AM Author: Andreas Roth

EDIT: Ok, I uploaded a preliminary version of the database. As I said before, it's in Microsoft Access 2000 format, so make sure you have a program that can read these files. I didn't include the screenshots, since they are not complete yet and would blow up the package to about 8 MB. The database should work fine without them. Download

WOW!  THIS FILE IS SO BEAUTIFUL!  DANKE SCHOENE!  Where can I download the newest version with the welcome screen, etc?  Also, please include the building lot sizes in the future (e.g. 4x3, 4x4, 2x2, etc.).  Thanks again.

 

 

Date: 5/17/2005 3:21:12 PM Author: Guinnessmonkey Great stuff!  Now I won't have to open up simcity_1.dat just to check out a couple of standard building stats while I'm tweaking.

 

How can I open up that DAT file?  what program please?

 

EDIT: from this thread I see that ilive and DatGen both do.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=64501

 

Unfortunately, the ilive programs don't list the name of the building in decimal, or they don't show the lot size. 

[Andreas Roth 616]

As I said above, a public beta will hopefully available soon. In the current alpha, some things are switched off for testing purposes, so I guess it's better to wait a bit in order to avoid confusion.

I thought about the lot size, too, but at least with the Maxis buildings, it's not feasible at the moment. One specific building can be part of dozens of different lots, since Maxis arranged the buildings in families. I'll see if there's a possibility to add this information later.

[fightcancer 0]

wow!  thank you so much for the fast response.  I cant' tell you how long I've been looking for a complete listing of RH buildings.

 

I'm sure you already thought of this too, but I should mention that some of us would also like to see the building densities (e.g. Low, Medium, High) if it's not too much trouble.

 

Thanks again for the Access file.  Thanks to Simrolle, the programmer, too.

[Andreas Roth 616]

Zone densities... yes, that's something I haven't thought of yet. Again, with the multiple lots and the building families this is a bit more complicated, at least for the Maxis lots. Maybe I'll find an easier solution to extract this information with the analyzer tool. BTW, simrolle just sent me an e-mail that I will receive another test version tomorrow, so unless there aren't any mayor bugs, the public release should be available soon.

[Andreas Roth 616]

Ok, folks, the mayor coding has been done, and I'm about to release a first beta of the program. The program will include the following features:

- database containing all Maxis buildings for reference purposes
- language file editor for creating different language plugins (German and English already included)
- importer/analyzer tool that can read SC4 files and extract the values
- startup screen and sidebar for easy access to all modules
- HTML export feature for automated creation of readme files
- fully customizable database interface (draggable tabs for data, screenshot and notes); editable language and property description files (stored in XML); ID placeholders for HTML readme files (property IDs in [brackets] are replaced automatically with the values that have been read from the SC4 files, i. e. [0x27812854] for energy consumption)

http://img31.echo.cx/img31/8871/sc4dbnew59nb.th.gif>   http://img31.echo.cx/img31/8169/sc4dbnew64wk.th.gif>   http://img153.echo.cx/img153/1921/sc4dbnew44ui.th.gif>

[redan 0]

This is wonderful

Now if only we could edit the properties with your program.

[simrolle 18]

This will be the next step after beta-testing and bugfixing. The following features are still under construction

and will be released in V2:

 

- property-Editor

- transit-enabling Lot-Tiles by clicking on them

- changing lot-textures by drag&drop

- ......

 

A lot of ideas in my head, but takes time....

 

[Lord_Bertrum 3]

Simrolle you're doing a great job here

[redan 0]

Thanks simrolle, this is great.

[fightcancer 0]

It looks awesome!  has the beta been released yet?  I can hardly wait!

[simrolle 18]

Yes, there is a beta out now. The BSC-Team makes a few tests to find out bugs. I hope that a first

release will come out this week.

 

 

[redan 0]

Great, Super, wunderbar!

Im useless at helping out, but i can cheer you guys on

[redan 0]

OK OK, i know i'm pushy, but is there any developement

[Andreas Roth 616]

Yes, there is definitely a development, mostly behind the scenes. The BSC is testing everything at the moment, and we fixed numerous bugs and oddities so far. Yesterday, we were about to release the first public version, but unfortunately, another annoying bug was discovered that occurs only under certain circumstances.

To the features mentioned above, we added a texture scanner, so it will be possible not only to detect prop dependencies, but also texture pack dependencies (something that neither the Reader or DatGen is able to do at the moment). Unfortunately, we cannot prevent some false reports (i. e. when someone modifies an exemplar file of a prop and includes it into his lot, the file may show up in the dependencies list), but all in all it works quite nicely. The readme generator also supports images now, so you can create readme files similar to the SFBT readme (download a SFBT lot to see how it looks) with a single click, once the template is present.

[redan 0]

The more i read this the more i get impatient, this is going to be one of those not to be missed downloads.

Question: is the transit enabling feature going to be in the upcoming release or a later addon.

 

In any case its great and you guys deserve 10,000

[Andreas Roth 616]

Transit enabling and editing/saving properties is in the works, but not implemented in this first version yet. As I said, we're fine-tuning and debugging the current features at the moment, but new mayor features will come in Version 2 most likely. Anyway, this tool has made a long way from a simple Access file to a full-blown informational and helping utility for interested gamers and creators of custom content in particular, and of course there's still a lot of potential for additional stuff. BTW, the bug mentioned above seems to be fixed, so if there aren't any major issues anymore, we will finally release this baby for the public.

[vadvaro 2]

amazing! i have been using the earlier version and enjoy it a great deal.  after reading this thread and seeing what is in store, i am all the more excited.  should i watch this thread or the peg thread or the simszone site?  I don't know the link on the german site. 

[Andreas Roth 616]

Don't worry, once the public version is available, I will post it here (and in the other forums as well).

[redan 0]

Don't want to be bad mannered, but wasn't it supposed to be released this weekend

I know, i know, bad person.

[Andreas Roth 616]

Well, weekend is not over yet, is it?. simrolle is working on the final touches, so hopefully we can release it this evening. Let's keep our fingers crossed he doesn't encounter more serious bugs.

[redan 0]

Fingers crossed then.

[Kryten 0]

Just found this thread - great idea. I look forward to getting a copy of this!

[Andreas Roth 616]

Ok folks, the moment you've been waiting for is here - finally, the first public beta of our tool is available. Hopefully, the major bugs have been ironed out so far.

SC4Tool features a collection of useful tools both for developers and end users. It was started as a database for all Maxis growables by me, and since then grew to its current shape, which is still under development. Currently, the tool consists of the following modules:

SimCity 4 Building Database

A database of all 553 RCI buildings by Maxis, featuring building names, tile set, growth stage, pollution values and much more. For each building, an in-game screenshot is included (the screenshots are provided in a separate download). You can use this module for informational and educational purposes. This is esp. usefully for developers who want to assign reasonable values to their BATs and lots, since the values the Plugin Manager suggests are often way off from the values the original Maxis buildings have.

SimCity 4 Building Reference

Similar to the building database, this module provides information for all in-game civic buildings, such as police stations, schools, power plants etc. Screenshots are not included yet.

Analyser/Importer

Use this tool to read any information from your custom BATs and lots, including textures and dependencies. The Analyser also features a HTML ReadMe export that can use custom HTML templates. Placeholders can be used for any values, which are automatically replaced by the actual values of the lot. You can also include screenshots of your work and add a custom description, as well as selecting names of BAT teams and authors.

Texture Scanner

This module is used automatically by the Analyser for searching texture pack dependencies. You can also use it as a stand-alone tool for managing and evaluating the installed textures/texture packs.

Language Editor

Use this tool to translate all captions to your own language. English and German language files are already included. Please send us your custom language file, so we can include it into later versions of the program.

Currently, there is no extensive documentation or help file available. Most features should be self-explanatory. We added a tutorial with some screenshots and further explanations in the Tutorial subfolder. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask here.

 

Download and Installation

 

The download is splitted into two parts, the main program file and the screenshots for the Maxis buildings, which have been splitted from the program due the size. They are not essential, and the tool will work without them, but I still suggest to install them, since they enhance the database quite a bit. You will also need the .NET Framework 1.1 by Microsoft, available here . If you're using other modding tools, such as DatGen, most probably, you will have it already.

 

Download SC4Tool here .

 

The program uses the same installer as the BATs by Pegasus and the BSC, so you shouldn't have any problems with it. Please read the readme file for further information, and read the included tutorial on how to use the program.

 

Attention: If the program shows an error message during startup (Error reading settings), open the System.dat with notepad, look for SC4Local Path and change it to your Plugins folder in My Documents.

[scififan68 23]

Hey Andreas! you beta does not load up right.[When i try to load it and it stops loading]Why? can you please help me.