SC4 Extra Cheats DLL

[Buggi 684]

I know the drawpaths cheat would be VERY useful to the transit modders out there.

[Buggi 684]

Maxis is keeping an eye on these forums! I'd like to post a response to the support from Paul, who's heading up all this awesome support!

-----Start Paste ----

Ha. I wrote some of those cheats. In particular I recall implementing the PlopAllLots, PlopAllBuildings, ShowTime, CreateException (yep, intentional crash), Flora, ForceIdle, GOL, HeapCheck, HelloMyNameIs, LotPlop, RP, Recorder, WeaknessPays, WhatTimeIzIt, WhereRUFrom. If you can't figure out what some cheat does, ask me and I will find out. I don't remember many of them, so I'd have to browse the code. I wonder if users having troubles have some kind of machine account limitations. Feel free to post anything I write here. [Doing that ]>>

> >    >>  now do one for hotkeys! >>

> >What does he want in particular?>>

> >    >> So, I'm curious... were these cheats created by you or just weren't implemented 

    >> in the game? And, possibly more importantly, can we make our own cheats now? >>

>>

What kind of cheats to people want to make? If I can get a list then I can decide how to best approach it.>>

>>

>>

   >> Folks, these are not cheats!  They are back doors to allow the developers to test the program.

   >> After all, why would you want to dump the program?  (raise exception causes a dump).>>

>>

This is true for some of them but not all of them. It is simply all the cheats that existed at ship time which we didn't want to enable. Some are for developer testing, some are cheats that the designers/producers nixed. This is odd, because they were the ones that picked the unusual names like "WhereRUFrom". >>

>>

>>

In addition to the game being able to load DLL plugins, it also allows for DLLs to contain PackedFiles at the end so a code DLL can reference its own data. I think we used that technique with some of the official plugins. I wrote the SC4 plugin system, so I'm pretty familiar with it.>>

>>

Paul

--- End Paste ---

I'm hoping we can branch off and handle the UI soon.

[IdeaWorld 4]

How do you acsess the list? By the way, this is pertty cool!

[jj88 23]

Looks very cool Buggi! I am trying going to try this!

[tommiej 0]

Nice Buggi!! i will try it! it makes thing a bit more easy....

[qurlix 20]

Very awesome job! Please tell me this means we know what "effect" and "WatchMeMove" do...? I don't know how you managed to do it all, most notably "fixing" cheats that didn't seem to work, like "DrawPaths" and "PlopAllLots". Simply incredible.

(Of course there are a lot more out there*, some of which are actually somewhat useful...what are you going to do once the menu is full? )

-qurlix

* = If anyone is curious...these all work...

SetSeaLevel [number] - Changes the sea level to height of "number", from 0-200

ViewWebBrowser [web address] - Opens your preferred browser and navigates to address

PlaceNetwork [type] [x1,y1] [x2,y2] - Draws network of specified type (type is an integer) from tile x1, y1 to tile x2, y2

PlaceZone [type] [x1,y1] [x2,y2] - Draws zone of specified type (type is an integer) from tile x1, y1 to tile x2, y2

SetMayorName [name] - Same as "hellomynameis"

SetCityName [name] - Same as "whereRUfrom"

SimSpeed[speed] - Sets speed where "speed" is "Slow", "Medium", "Fast", or "Pause"

Zoom[x] - Sets zoom to x (0-5)

ExecuteScript [script name] - Executes a LUA script by name

GZWinMessageBox [text] [title] [options 0-5] - Creates a custom message box

The rest of them all do exactly what they sound like...

DemolishSignsAndLabels

ToggleSignsAndLabels

LabelTool

SignTool

OpenObliterateCityDialog

ToggleTerrainContourDisplay

OpenCheatCodeDialog

ToggleUIVisibility

QuitCity

SaveCityQuick

SaveCity

OpenSnapshotDialog

OpenPhotoAlbumDialog

OpenAudioOptionsDialog

OpenGraphicOptionsDialog

OpenPlayOptionsDialog

EnableDayAndNight

EnableNightOnly

EnableDayOnly

PlaceFerryTerminalTool

PlaceCollegeTool

PlaceHighSchoolTool

PlaceElementarySchoolTool

PlaceHospitalTool

PlaceClinicTool

PlaceLargeFireStationTool

PlaceSmallFireStationTool

PlaceJailTool

PlacePoliceKioskTool

PlaceLargePoliceStationTool

PlaceSmallPoliceStationTool

PipesTool

PowerLinesTool

PlaceSubwayStationTool

SubwayTool

PlaceLightRailStationTool

PlaceFreightDepotTool

PlacePassengerDepotTool

LightRailTool

RailTool

PlaceBusStopTool

AvenueTool

HighwayTool

StreetTool

RoadTool

DispatchPoliceTool

DispatchFireTool

DemolishTool

DeZoneTool

ZoneLandfillTool

ZoneHighIndustrialTool

ZoneMediumIndustrialTool

ZoneAgriculturalTool

ZoneHighCommercialTool

ZoneMediumCommercialTool

ZoneLowCommercialTool

ZoneHighResidentialTool

ZoneMediumResidentialTool

ZoneLowResidentialTool

TrafficQueryTool

QueryTool

ToggleGridVisibility

CenterOnCursor

ScrollDownOnce

ScrollRightOnce

ScrollUpOnce

ScrollLeftOnce

RotateLotCCW

RotateLotCW

RotateCCW

RotateCW

ToggleOptionsPanel

ToggleMySimPanel

ToggleMayorPanel

ToggleGodPanel

ScrollUp

ScrollUpStop

ScrollDown

ScrollDownStop

ScrollRight

ScrollRightStop

ScrollLeft

ScrollLeftStop

...except for these, which I don't know how to get to work...

ListCommands

PauseAnimation

StepAnimation

PlaceLotTool

SetDebugLevel

SetCityEstablished

GamePause

GameDelay

SetCellAltitude

SetAltitude

PlaceFlora

PlaceBuilding

[BattleField-2142 9]

How do I install this? I downloaded it but all I get is an un-openable file. How does this do something? Do I drag it into my plugins ( I'm guessing this, it's just that I've never put a file like that in there. ) Nope, that does nothing.

[freedo50 1]

this news is so cool buggi, if this conatct creaqted the SC4 plugins system, can he tell us if there are ways of creating new draggaebl networks etc, without opening up the EXE? beacuse for all we know this could be possible seen as how we didnt know that it was possible to run DLLs in the plugins folder.

[DioAngel 1]

To all you people crazy about this mod... Do NOT use plopalllots and plopallbuildings! Your game will freeze up! LOL It happen to me last night.

[S_C_mbody 0]

Can't say anything but...I'm gettin' it!

Hopin' over to that stex right now!

Regards,

Zane

[bri3d 4]

DioAngel, you can use PlopAllLots and PlopAllBuildings, its just that it will take a very long time to do, as it plops all in game buildings and all plugins, too. The latter (PlopAllBuildings) actually plops the buildings without lots. This will take much longer for some reason, too. (512 mb RAM and 20 minutes, PlopAllLots 2 minutes.) Try it on like a mountain city with unbuildable terrain. Can have some very interesting effects.

Oh, and thanks Buggi! (now I need to figure out what half of these actually do).

[hjanfield 0]

Some of my largest questions (some of these were already mentioned): (Perhaps this belongs in the "source code requests" thread... although this is about us doing things ourselves)

- Theoretically, can DLL code be used to implement new draggable networks, such as rural highways, the GLR, and the many other requests? If not, could the primary game source be modified in such a way as to allow this?

- Can DLL code modify the menu system?

Preferably allowing us to implement entirely new menus. Personally I would like a DLL which will allow me to hide most or all of the standard menus and allow me to design my own menu system. Not everyone likes the same setup.

I would be happy to do this myself if provided with the DLL interface code. I also know LUA, should some scripting be involved (or need to be injected into the SC4 engine). My idea would involve a plugin DLL and a setup program. The program would make a list of all plugins (basically everything that is in the menus now), and allow the user to reposition, rename, and re-icon every item to whatever menu setup they prefer. Want all your residential ploppables in your residential zoning menu? Highway walls on a submenu of the highway menu (if we can go that deep)? Done. The program would then leave a data file in the plugins folder, which the menu DLL plugin would load, and setup. Mmmm...no more scouring the 5,000 item long landmarks and parks menus...no more walls under power menus... yeah.

- What about other things that have proven hard or impossible, like creating new ordinances, game events, disasters? Even implementing a new, smarter Edge Reconciliation tool (which even on matching cliffs from one city to the next, always insists on cutting my cliffs down to gentle slopes)

- New terrain tools would be nice as well, especially if we can make use of dialog boxes. I would like to see things like selecting a strip or block of tiles, and telling it to slope up exactly 5 meters on each tile, starting from the level of the bottom tile. Also SC2000-like terrain tools, being able to select a whole tile and perform actions on it (like drop tile 16m). No more being restricted to rail/road slopes, or whatever people have created lots to do. I figure this would be fairly easy with Lua code, the only difficult part being a way to select a section of tiles (maybe a zoning tool can be tapped into for that). Or perhaps simply having the tool operate on zones that people don't usually use, like landfills. (Come on, who really uses landfills anymore with the assortment of waste-using facilities, nevermind PEG's Abyss garbage dump...)

I'm sure I could think of more if I wanted.

[DioAngel 1]

Originally posted by: bri3d

DioAngel, you can use PlopAllLots and PlopAllBuildings, its just that it will take a very long time to do, as it plops all in game buildings and all plugins, too. The latter (PlopAllBuildings) actually plops the buildings without lots. This will take much longer for some reason, too. (512 mb RAM and 20 minutes, PlopAllLots 2 minutes.) Try it on like a mountain city with unbuildable terrain. Can have some very interesting effects.quote>

 

It does take a loong time.... I'm to try adding it on moutains pretty soon.

[IdeaWorld 4]

No ones awsering my ? . How do you get that list like in pg 2?!?!

[BarbyW 40]

Press Ctrl + x and a box will appear in the top left of the screen. Right click on it to get that list.

[BarbulaM1 38]

Oh my, this seems like one of the greatest things to happen in SC4 since 2005 ... Congrats!

[DioAngel 1]

IdeaWorld - yes press CTRL + X ...the cheat box will show up. To get the cheats right click on the mouse button and you'll see a good list. hehe

[Chimpanzee 0]

Good work buggi!

Any chance of being able to add one to let you build an unlimited number of rewards?

(Or if this plugin exists already please let me know)

[LivingInThePast 364]

Is this compatible with the Mac? It is a DLL, although it does show up as Unix Executable File (as opposed to say generic docs or TXT)...it works with control x, but rightclicking it doesn't work.

[Buggi 684]

Glad you guys are enjoying it! I just spoke with someone from EA about moving ahead with other ideas and dedicating a little effort into the process. Keep up the support. Only through the community can we have a voice!

[DioAngel 1]

You spoke with someone from EA??? :-O WOW sweet!! *high fives buggi*

[Livin in Sim 83]

A Sim-mobile is driving down the street--suddenly the ground turns white...

Passenger Sim:  (riding shotgun) Whoa, what's that white stuff--it's all over!!

Driver Sim:  (fighting to keep control of the wheel)  Holy ___--it looks like...snow!  It hasn't snowed down here since...lemme see...was it ...2000?

PS:  That was freaky how it just appeared all of a sudden like that.

DS:  Yeah, and after the mayor told us there would be no more snow.  Whose stinkin' idea was it to bring back snow?!  (Almost slides into ditch.)

Snowboarder Sim:  (waking up from nap in back seat)  Swe-e-et!!  

Seriously, thanks, Buggi, I think snow is sweet, too.
--Liv

[LivingInThePast 364]

This is almost as good as an expansion pack! Boy oh boy...

BUT MINE DOESN'T WORK!

IS IT BECAUSE I HAVE A MAC?

WHAAAAA!

[SC4Noobie 5]

Wow buggi, great work. I STILL haven't dl them yet, but their on at this moment. Great work, I can't wait for future disscutions!!!!

[Tarkus 6,932]

Wow!  Thanks Buggi--this is great!  I'm patiently looking forward to your next release.

Honestly, I usually stay away from this "cheating" stuff, but some of these are very cool.  Anyone try DollyLlama yet?  I'd post a pic of what it does, but that would spoil the fun . . . let's just say it does something very appropriate to a very annoying feature in the game . . .

[LivingInThePast 364]

Originally posted by: Tarkus Wow!  Thanks Buggi--this is great!  I'm patiently looking forward to your next release.

Honestly, I usually stay away from this "cheating" stuff, but some of these are very cool.  Anyone try DollyLlama yet?  I'd post a pic of what it does, but that would spoil the fun . . . let's just say it does something very appropriate to a very annoying feature in the game . . .quote>

Heeheehee...the first time I got to play SC4 Vanilla, we tried that. We couldn't stop laughing.

[Buggi 684]

Keep up the feedback!

[ScottFTL 29]

Originally posted by: LivingInThePast This is almost as good as an expansion pack! Boy oh boy...

BUT MINE DOESN'T WORK!

IS IT BECAUSE I HAVE A MAC?

WHAAAAA!quote>

LITP, this will not work on a Mac.  This is executable code for Windows, so it cannot be loaded by the Mac version of SC4.

[LivingInThePast 364]

Originally posted by: ScottFTL

Originally posted by: LivingInThePast This is almost as good as an expansion pack! Boy oh boy...

BUT MINE DOESN'T WORK!

IS IT BECAUSE I HAVE A MAC?

WHAAAAA!quote>

LITP, this will not work on a Mac.  This is executable code for Windows, so it cannot be loaded by the Mac version of SC4.quote>

But it did appear as a Unix Executable File (not as a .kbi generic document), and I pressed CONTROL-X and it worked....

(sobs uncontrollably)

[NetPCDoc 1]

LivingInThePast: But it did appear as a Unix Executable File (not as a .kbi generic document), and I pressed CONTROL-X and it worked.... quote>

ctrl-x (or CONTROL-X) brings up the already enabled "cheat code entry box". The DLL Cheats - when and where it does work - enables one to right-click (with a standard mouse setup) on said "cheat code entry box" - and thereby (by right clicking on "cheat code entry box") get a list of all available (and enables the previously disabled?) cheat codes.

For the DLL cheat to work it needs to run on a system that can process DLL (Dynamic Link Library - a Microsoft / Windows file) Code. I would presume (as I don't actually own a Mac and therefore can not personally test this) that if one were running Microsoft Windows on a Mac - and running SimCity 4 Deluxe (a.k.a. Rush Hour) under Microsoft Windows - that this DLL Cheat would still work; but if one has SimCity 4 Deluxe (a.k.a. Rush Hour) running natively / directly on a Mac that the DLL Cheat, being in a Windows' Dynamic Link Library, would NOT work.

Anyone - that knows how to make a Windows' Dynamic Link Library work without Windows - please feel free to post a correction to the above.

-NetPCDoc

No detail is too small to be micromanaged.