FAQ: FileJuicer and .exe installers

[kbooms1w 1]

FAQ: FileJuicer and .exe installers

Been meaning to post this for a while, finally have time to get it up. This should answer most questions anyone would have re: FileJuicer. If you have other questions/issues, please post here. I know there are a couple other threads out there, as well as numerous posts in the BSC Mac Archive thread, but I think I have everything gathered together in here now, should make things a little easier.

What does FileJuicer do?

In relation to SimCity 4, FileJuicer does one thing, it extracts SimCity 4 game files from within PC .exe installers that Macs can not run.

Version 3.8 and above includes the capability to extract SC4 game files. (As of this date, the current version is 4.6.1)

Just for clarity, it DOES NOT convert SC4 files from PC formats to Mac formats, the reason being that there is NO SUCH THING as a PC SC4 file and a Mac SC4 file. The SC4 game files, ,dat, .sc4lot, .sc4model, and .sc4desc, work exactly the same on PCs and Macs.

What are the system requirements for FileJuicer 3.8 and up?

FileJuicer requires at least fully updated Panther (i.e. 10.3.9). If you are using Jaguar (10.2.X), File Juicer 3.8 and above will not work.

Will FileJuicer 2.9.3, which is compatible with Jaguar, extract SC game files?

Unfortunately no. I asked if the SimCity code could be added to the Jaguar version, but it couldn't for technical reasons (way over my head), not because Henrik didn't want to. This leaves some Mac users here in the cold. Again, I hope those in the Mac community who can use FileJuicer will help out those who can't.

Should I check or uncheck any file formats in the FileJuicer preferences?

There are only 3 file formats that need be checked when extracting SimCity game files from a BSC or Pegasus .exe:

    ZIP, CAB (which will get the SC4 game files),

and

    HTML and PDF (for "Read Me" files)

You MAY also check "JPG" to extract pictures (though I would recommend not doing so) and "ASCII" and "RTF" to extract text, which is the format CSX and some BLS "Read Me" files are in. The problem is File Juicer will extract all text it can find, and you may end up with numerous "TXT" files in the "TXT" folder. It's not difficult to find the "Read Me" file, it will be the only one that makes any sense when you open and look at it, the rest will look like code.

DO NOT check the "PNG" file format in the Preferences. PNG files are used for in game menu icons and are included within .dat files, which go into the game. If you check PNG in the preferences, File Juicer will extract "PNG" files from .dat files, and then those icons will not show up in the SC game menus.

Of course, File Juicer can be used to extract lots of other types of files besides SC game files, so if you use it on other .exe files, check the preferences you need, but be sure to reset them when extracting for SimCity.

There are a ton of files extracted, which ones do I need?

The files you need will be the same files you are used to seeing in Zip files;

.dat,

.sc4lot,

.sc4model, and

.sc4desc (rarely, if ever used by BSC);

and of course the "Read Me" files, which are in

HTML,

PDF, and

TXT file formats.

These files will come out with the proper names and file formats you are used to seeing (except the TXT "Read me" files, which may or may not, you will have to look for them).

The other files are not needed. IGNORE THEM, they are just leftovers from the process, and there is no need to put them in your plugins folder (and I would recommend you don't, but it's your computer).

Do I have to pay the $12 for FileJuicer?

There is a trial period with FileJuicer, so you can try it out before purchasing.

Please bear in mind, Henrik, the creator of FileJuicer, literally spent 3 days straight adding the code to allow FileJuicer to extract SC4 game files, and he didn't do it because I asked him nicely. I know it's frustrating to have to pay for things that PC users don't, but that's the "Mac Tax," the price we pay for using a better computer. So please show Henrik that you appreciate his efforts.

Will FileJuicer work on all .exe installers?

In relation to SC4, FileJuicer was specifically coded to extract SC4 game files from the Clickteam installer used by the BSC team and PEG of Pegasus Productions.

It's my understanding that some other BAT/Lot/Mod creators are using a different .exe installer on the STEX, FileJuicer MAY OR MAY NOT work on that installer. FileJuicer was not coded to work on other installer programs that other BAT/Lot makers may be using.

Quirks, Bugs and Glitches:

There does seem to be the occasional problem with certain files when using FileJuicer. Don't know why, not sure they can be fixed, but I'll list the known problems here:

Strange file names:

I have noticed with some files, particularly BSC Mega Prop packs, that the names don't always "juice" properly, for example, when juicing

    BSC MEGA Props MBEAR Vol02,

the file comes out named:

    "Install BSC MEGA Props MBEAR Vol02 [197643]-5.dat"

which isn't correct, but the file is fine. If you want it to have the proper name, just rename it, taking out "Install" and "[######]-#" (they seem to come out with different numbers), the proper name being the underlined section (be sure to keep the ".dat"), leaving you with:

"BSC MEGA Props MBEAR Vol02.dat"

Mods won't extract:

For some reason, certain mods from Jeronij and Cycledogg aren't juicing at all. I have no idea why, mods are usually .dat files, and are no different than other game files. If you juice a mod and nothing comes out at all, post here (be specific, if I don't know which package you're talking about, no one can help).

IF I CAN NOT get it to work either, I'll post a Zip file of the mod at the BSC Mac Archive, but as Zelgadis mentioned in another thread (and as I explained months ago in the BSC Mac Archive thread), neither of us are going to use our .Mac sites to post every BAT/Lot/mod out there.

PLEASE USE THIS FORUM FOR POSTING QUESTIONS/ISSUES RE: FILEJUICER

[Zelgadis 638]

Thanks for that, kbooms1w.  I'm pinning it.

It should also be noted that if you manage to find the Maxis landmarks on some other site, they won't juice either.  I don't know why, but I provided the ones on my site in non-exe format so that you would have a place to go get them.

ISF

[greenbelt 2]

thanks zelgadis. i had to reinstall OS X and (of course) i didn't back up. now i have to re install EVERYTHING. thanks again for the help re doing my plugins folder (which has disappeared by the way - both of them). PS I can't find the forum thread that discusses what to do with SC4_RH&Deluxe_Pre2PostUpdate1_..... the link took me to a file error. that happens to me A LOT when i use the forums. ( i'm using Safari and Earthlink with a Cable modem)

[Zelgadis 638]

The link is still functional.  But I don't recommend using Safari.  Simtropolis doesn't like it.  Personally, I think Safari is a dark spot on Apple's otherwise superb software.  Try Firefox.

ISF

[kbooms1w 1]

Yeah, I have to second Zelgadis on the "Firefox at ST" thing, Safari is very glitchy here.

[LivingInThePast 364]

I'm having a problem with the "Highway Bridge Kit" (which oddly produced 5 SimCity 4 buttons) and "cycledogg's Tree Mod" (which produced .txt.flv and a .txt full of gibberish)

[kbooms1w 1]

"Highway Bridge Kit" doesn't turn up anything at the STEX, and there are numerous "Tree Mods" by Cycledogg, you have to be more specific.

[LivingInThePast 364]

SFBT Highway Bridge Construction Set By Spocky

https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/index.cfm?id=14359

As for the trees, I found some trees all nicely wrapped up in ZIP files. No problems there.

[iDavid 2]

I can't get the Theme Park pack to extract properly.

[kbooms1w 1]

They aren't in the right type of installer, so FJ won't work on them, and they're not BSC, so you'll have to contact the creator.

Sorry.

[TM 0]

I've used the Juicer to juice the BSC Texture Mega Pack, but I can't find them in my game. Am I missing something or are they not recognizable.

Also, when my trial version of Juicer expires, will the Juiced files still be recognized?

[Kelton 0]

TM I do know the answer to your second question. Yes once the files have been juiced they will stay that way.

[TM 0]

Well the juicer has been very helpful, as I've already downloaded some juiced modds and my Sim City was able to recognize them.

I still don't know about the BSC Texture Mega Pack though.

And it's a sigh of relief, that after my trial period expires, the files are still recognizable. I better get busy at downloading then haha.

[kbooms1w 1]

Kelton is correct, and if you can afford it, please pay the shareware fee for FileJuicer, the creator (not me) spent quite a bit of time on it and deserves a few bucks.

Thanks

[blee0309 0]

How do you extract the .sitx and .sit files from the .exe installers? I checked only those but when I tried to install the Lot Editor it didn't work, nothing came out of the FileJuicer. Answers plwase

[kbooms1w 1]

FileJuicer won't work on the LotEditor .exe (see the FAQs above), nor will LotEditor work on a Mac.

And aren't .sit file just StuffIt packages, which can be opened with StuffIt, or most other Zip files extractors.

[blee0309 0]

D'OH!

[iDavid 2]

Version 4.8 crashes on my computer before it finishes extracting the files.

[expatjasonusa 0]

Hi all,

In trying to help myself (!), I am trying to juice the Church pack from SimGoober. I get nothing out of the Juicer. Any advice?

Dankesch

[nino71 0]

Filejuicer is great ,most 95% of files extract i will post the ones that don't but over all work , as for the ea landmarks its on the apple site

[nino71 0]

Hello Expatjasonusa , itried both sim goober church packs no problem , make sure you have filejuicer 4.8 version P.s let me know how you go !!

[Simmguy 1]

Do you know if the file juicer would allow you to use the SC4 TerraFormer Download? I really need to edit a whole region at once and the SC4 TerraFormer Download is perfect, but it's for Windows only.

[Zelgadis 638]

Though I don't know the details of SC4T, I highly doubt it would work. Somebody's just gotta make a Mac version, that's all there is to it.

ISF

[Simmguy 1]

Darn.

[rshohara 0]

Hi everyone,

Anyone having problems with FileJuicer? It was working fine up until recently. My OS version is 10.4.11 and my FileJuicer is version 4.9.3. It used to work fine when extracting files from exe files. I'd get the files I needed from the extraction, like dat files for mods and lot and model files for buildings. However, I've been extracting exe files recently that give me files that look like this even though i'm expecting lot or model files:

Install_Mattb325_Bond_St[306637]-9.dat

I no longer have nice simcity files that I'm used to. I made sure png wasn't selected in my FileJuicer preferences. Anyone else experiencing this problem? Any suggestions?

Thanks for any help.

[Zelgadis 638]

I can't seem to locate the BAT to which you are referring. Could you link up the download file?

I'll test it. It is true that sometimes FileJuicer doesn't work. I've experienced that a couple of times.

ISF

[Hamish 1,370]

I think it stops working after 30 days so you just need to download another one

[rshohara 0]

Thanks, zelgadis. It happens with many files. For example, most recently, it failed with the St. Regis Hotel recently posted on ST-Exchange just today. I downloaded the zip file, got the Install LBT St. Regis Hotel.exe file. I juiced it and got the following names for the dat files:

Install LBT St. Regis Hotel[171055]-5.dat

Install LBT St. Regis Hotel[181591]-6.dat

Install LBT St. Regis Hotel[183052]-8.dat

Install LBT St. Regis Hotel[198674]-10.dat

I'm not sure if you get 4 files when FileJuicer works normally and that they are just misnamed for some reason. I'm worried that whatever program that is used to put the files into an exe file was recently updated and now FileJuicer can no longer remove the files appropriately on my end. I was successful in juicing an exe file that was older, which is why I'm worried that this is going to be a problem for newer exe files. Any thoughts?

Thanks for your help. I love this game but us poor Mac users sure get worked. I spend more time extracting and manually moving files than I do playing the game!!

[Zelgadis 638]

Yeah, I basically got the same thing. Best thing I can suggest is to go to the creator's BAT thread that's linked in the readme and ask for a non-exe version for Mac users. Sometimes, files just don't juice correctly, and age doesn't seem to have much to do with it. I couldn't Juice the Maxis landmarks either, and they predate FileJuicer. I had to get someone to send them to me...

ISF

[shahrinsam 0]

hi guys...

im a newbie here in simtropolis...

may i know exactly what is the file juicer for?

why do we need it...for extraction of what?

i have never downloaded any of the Simtrop files yet.so doesntreally know

thanks guys.