CPT Terrain Mod - Trees

[joerg 280]

For those having problems with the terrain paramters file just open it up and change sea level back to 250 import scale to 3 and max height to 2500.  You can do this by getting the ilive reader or datgen then opening the dat file and select the first exemplar.  All these settigns are in there.  They all can have an amazing impact on the game.  I for one would love to see a new standard import scale if cycle dogg would maybe like to team up on somethign like that.  With these settings you can render maps with mountains many times there normal height amoung many other things.

Anyways great work Cycledogg i love the mod it has gotten my back into sc4 for awhile.

 

May i ask though if there is a way that i could limit the mod to only evergreen type trees?  Another thing i would love to see is a stricter limit on the redwoods and maybe make them grow in large clumps.  Not sure on how possible that would be but im sure something could be done.  I love the redwoods but some of my sims have 200ft tall trees in there backyards now lol.

 

Oh and i cant wait for some snowy terrain.  Finnally any plans for a slightly more tropical version?

[JessiLaurn 183]

I don't generally post in congratulatory threads, but I'm making an exception this time.  Quite simply, this is the best mod I have ever seen for SimCity, of any sort.  If I had to scrap my entire Plugins folder but was able to keep only this mod, I could and would still play SimCity happily for years to come.

[MallowTheCloud 41]

Date: 5/5/2005 12:15:51 AM
Author: joerg

For those having problems with the terrain paramters file just open it up and change sea level back to 250 import scale to 3 and max height to 2500. You can do this by getting the ilive reader or datgen then opening the dat file and select the first exemplar. All these settigns are in there. They all can have an amazing impact on the game. I for one would love to see a new standard import scale if cycle dogg would maybe like to team up on somethign like that. With these settings you can render maps with mountains many times there normal height amoung many other things.

quote>

There is actually already a mod that does this. I have been using it on my maps for awhile.

It can be found here .

[Andreas Roth 607]

Date: 5/5/2005 12:15:51 AM Author: joerg

May i ask though if there is a way that i could limit the mod to only evergreen type trees?  Another thing i would love to see is a stricter limit on the redwoods and maybe make them grow in large clumps.  Not sure on how possible that would be but im sure something could be done.  I love the redwoods but some of my sims have 200ft tall trees in there backyards now lol.

quote>

 

I think you could delete the exemplar files that are related to deciduous trees in the generic tree controller, this will limit the tree brush to the conifers. This is something I'd like to see, too, but in contrast to your request, I'd like to loosen the height limit for certain trees.

 

@CycleDogg: Can you tell me what I have to change to get a mix of conifers in a generic tree controller that covers all heights and all directions (currently, some trees only cover the northward or southward slopes)?

[kassarc16 4]

Date: 5/5/2005 1:45:38 PM Author: MallowTheCloud

Date: 5/5/2005 12:15:51 AM Author: joerg

For those having problems with the terrain paramters file just open it up and change sea level back to 250 import scale to 3 and max height to 2500.  You can do this by getting the ilive reader or datgen then opening the dat file and select the first exemplar.  All these settigns are in there.  They all can have an amazing impact on the game.  I for one would love to see a new standard import scale if cycle dogg would maybe like to team up on somethign like that.  With these settings you can render maps with mountains many times there normal height amoung many other things.

quote> There is actually already a mod that does this. I have been using it on my maps for awhile. It can be found here .

quote>

 

I had quite the experience with that.... I did the aformentioned editing to the Columbus file, and used the import.dat.... needles to say my render of the Tri-Cities region turned to water...

[airmale007 3]

Hmm; how come when I use the tree tool in god mode it will only place one type of tree? It will only place the pine trees.

Did I install something wrong?

[CycleDogg 130]

airmale007: Check to make sure you only installed the Generic tree controller.  Also your city must have hills.

Andreas Roth: To do what you are asking, you have to edit the kSC4FloraPreferencesProperty for all 275+ exemplars in the tree controller.  (Was that a scream I heard?).  Set the deciduous trees to all 0's, then for the conifers, set some of the reps to 1's and others to 0's.  There are 256 reps for this property.  The first 16 reps control trees at the lowest elevation, from dryest to wettest, the next 16 reps controls the next lowest elevation, etc.  Put the 1's in different locations for different species of tree.  If you simply set all the reps to 1 for all species, one tree will override the others and you will only get one type of tree.  (Yep, it's a pain in the butt.)

Also, if you delete the exemplars for the non-conifers your game will eventually crash unless you bulldoze the existing non-conifers (if there are any) first.

I eventually plan on making more tree controllers for different situations, but it will be a long time before I will be able to get around to it (in the fall probably).

I attempted to attach an updated ColumbusPlayParameters but kept getting unspecified error message so will have to try again another time.

I've been busier than expected, but still hope to get something up on the STEX with the latest textures sometime next month.  (I will be offline for 2 months later in the summer, so I want to get it up before then.)

[Andreas Roth 607]

Date: 5/6/2005 1:14:53 AM Author: CycleDogg

(Was that a scream I heard?)

 

Uhhh, yes, did you hear it?  I don't have placed any of your trees yet (only in some test cities), so deleting exemplars isn't a problem. Maybe I can set up a matrix of 0's and 1's in Excel and select random blocks of 16 values to get the desired mixture. Anyway, thanks for your hints!

[palmgurl 1]

your trees look so nice can you make a palm tree?

[Andreas Roth 607]

Ok, I created a random matrix in Excel and put more or less random values into the exemplar files - and despite of having no control about dry and wet spots etc., it didn't turned out too bad. Some pics:

I'll see if I can do some more tuning about the trees that appear in different heights (the high elevations are a bit too crowded), but I guess for about two hours work this is the best I could get.

[newyorkrunaway1 110]

This mod is amazing, I am using it extensivley in my region, and it makes it so much more realistic!!! Keep it up!!!!

[Sim_Idiot 10]

This is quite simply one of the best mods EVER!

I love it.  Thank you so much.

 

---

 

I do have a question though...

 

Is it possible for these trees to be made into props for the lot editor?
After using them across my region and falling in love with them, when I see any of the maxis trees on a lot it annoys me.
I would be happy to do, or help with, the work to get them made into props... but I dont have the slightest idea where to start.

I dream of the day when my entire region can be covered in CycleDogg trees, lots and all.

 

 

[+Guest]

That loud crashing sound you just heard was my jaw hitting the floor.

If my computer were to crash right now, this would be the first thing I would get off the STEX.

Simply put, amazing!

[CycleDogg 130]

Thanks for the comments

Sim_Idiot: I've actually got prop versions of most of the trees started, but have no free time right now.  It will get done eventually, but it might be fall/winter.

For those asking about the Columbus terrain mod,  Here  is an update to the CP_ColumbusPlayTerrainParameters file.  Replace the old CP_ColumbusPlayTerrainParameters.dat with this file.  Despite the filename, it doesn't require that the new tree mods be installed.  It fixes some issues related to reconcile edges, import height, beach height, etc.

 

EDIT: by replace I mean delete the old CP_ColumbusPlayTerrainParameters.dat from your plugins folder when you install this new file.

[masher 3]

Holy Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!
Now i want to have time to play SC4 again!!
Man....you deserve an award or something....

[mrbisonm 1,620]

To me the update CP_ColumbusPlayTerrainParameters  link seems to be dead.....

[wbelac 0]

Date: 5/8/2005 11:20:52 PM
Author: mrbisonm
To me the update CP_ColumbusPlayTerrainParameters link seems to be dead.....

quote>

The link was typed improperly, here is the corect one (until cycledogg fixes it).

Great mod, cycledogg!! I can't wait until the new textures are released!

[The Big Z 103]

I posted this in another topic:

I've been having a small problem since I've downloaded the terrain modd.  I had the trees and everything was fine.  However, I downloaded the terrain modd, and recreated my region.  After which, I tried to import one of my old cities(that I had imported to another map so it would be safe) and when I load it up, in about 30 seconds, my game goes straight to my desktop.  I'm not quite sure what is going on either...

[Guinnessmonkey 0]

Date: 5/9/2005 12:00:58 PM
Author: The Big Z

I posted this in another topic:

I've been having a small problem since I've downloaded the terrain modd. I had the trees and everything was fine. However, I downloaded the terrain modd, and recreated my region. After which, I tried to import one of my old cities(that I had imported to another map so it would be safe) and when I load it up, in about 30 seconds, my game goes straight to my desktop. I'm not quite sure what is going on either...

quote>
I have that too, actually.

I wasn't sure exactly what was causing it, so I hadn't posted about it yet... In my entire huge region only one city was affected... When I load it, it looks for only a second as if there is no terrain at all, and no buildings, just areas where you can see through to the grid below. Then I CTD. *shrug* If all else fails I can redo that town. It was just a small rural community....

[CycleDogg 130]

The Big Z/Guinessmonkey: Which files do you have in your plugin folder?  (The ones that begin with CP)

[The Big Z 103]

I have:

CP_ColumbusPlayTerrainParameters.dat
CP_ColumbusPlayTerrainParametersForUseWithCPT_No7TreeController.dat

CP_ColumbusRockTextures.dat

CP_TerrainTextures_No1.dat

CP_TreeModels_No1.dat

 

Do you want just the ones that start with CP, or CPL and CPT as well?

[Guinnessmonkey 0]

I have:

CP_ColumbusBeachCliff
CP_ColumbusPlayTerrainParamaters (the newer one)
CP_ColumbusRockTextures
CP_TerrainTextures_no1
CP_TreeModels_no1
CPT_no7_TreeController_Generic_RequiresNo8andNo9
CPT_No8_treemodelspartone
CPT_No9_TreemodelsPartTwo


Who knows, though, if it was really your mod that killed that city or something else I did...


Though, which paramaters would I have to edit to make the generic brush a bit more like the wet brush. I love the selection of trees in the generic brush, but I don't like how it covers so much more of the landscape than the wet one did. I loved having all those dry areas....

[CycleDogg 130]

The Big Z: List all of the files you mentioned.  Also, Delete CP_ColumbusPlayTerrainParameters.dat as that conflicts with CP_ColumbusPlayTerrainParametersForUseWithCPT_No7TreeController.dat.

Guinnessmonkey: Delete CP_TreemodelsNo1.  It is replaced by CPT_No8 and CPT_No9.  Not sure if that would have cause your game to crash for that one city, but it might have.

To make the generic controller more like the wet brush, you have to edit the kSC4FloraPreferencesProperty for all 275+ exemplars.  The kSC4FloraPreferencesProperty itself contains 256 numbers arranged by elevation and moisture (see my reply to Andreas Roth above.)   So it's not a small task you are talking about.

[Guinnessmonkey 0]

Thanks... I'll post if deleting that file fixes it.

Also, yhea... I saw your post to Andreas, I was just hopin' I had misread it and you weren't talkin' about my problem. Doh.

[kaboomcy 0]

I seem to be missing a file.. where can I find it?

[The Big Z 103]

Apart from the ones I have listed above, I have these:

CPL_Columbus_FloraBrush_Wet.dat

CPL_FloraBrush_Cottonwood.dat
CPL_FloraBrush_DougFir.dat
CPL_FloraBrush_MaxisOak.dat

CPL_FloraBrush_MaxisPine.dat

CPL_FloraBrush_MaxisScrub.dat
CPL_FloraBrush_Null_RestoresDefaultFloraBrush.dat
CPL_FloraBrush_Ponderosa.dat

CPT_No7_TreeController_Aspen_RequiresNo8andNo9.dat

CPT_No7_TreeController_Burnt_RequiresNo8andNo9.dat

CPT_No7_TreeController_Cottonwood_RequiresNo8andNo9.dat

CPT_No7_TreeController_DefaultMaxis_RequiresNo8andNo9.dat

CPT_No7_TreeController_DouglasFir_RequiresNo8andNo9.dat

CPT_No7_TreeController_Elm_RequiresNo8andNo9.dat

CPT_No7_TreeController_Generic_RequiresNo8andNo9.dat

CPT_No7_TreeController_Juniper_RequiresNo8andNo9.dat

CPT_No7_TreeController_Larch_RequiresNo8andNo9.dat

CPT_No7_TreeController_LodgepolePine_RequiresNo8andNo9.dat

CPT_No7_TreeController_PinyonJuniper_RequiresNo8andNo9.dat

CPT_No7_TreeController_Ponderosa_RequiresNo8andNo9.dat

CPT_No7_TreeController_Redwood_RequiresNo8andNo9.dat

CPT_No7_TreeController_ShorePine_RequiresNo8andNo9.dat

CPT_No7_TreeController_SubalpineFir_RequiresNo8andNo9.dat

CPT_No7_TreeController_WesternRedcedar_RequiresNo8andNo9.dat

CPT_No8_TreeModelsPartOne.dat

CPT_No9_TreeModelsPartTwo.dat

 

I have deleted:

CP_ColumbusPlayTerrainParameters.dat
CP_ColumbusRockTextures.dat(mostly because I am using a PEG Rock Modd)

CP_TreeModels_No1.dat

 

[CycleDogg 130]

kaboomcy: You might be missing CPT_No8_TreeModelsPartOne.dat or CPT_No9_TreeModelsPartTwo.dat.  They are both on the STEX

 

The Biz Z: delete all the files beginning with CPL.  Remove all CPT_No7 files from your plugins folder except CPT_No7_TreeController_Generic_RequiresNo8andNo9.dat (assuming that is the one you want to use.)  You can only use one of these tree controllers at a time.

[Teirusu 38]

I'd just like to drop in for a moment and say...

Fricken sweeeeet!

*hops away*

[The Big Z 103]

Thanks CycleDogg for your help.  I moved all the CPT_7 files into another section(out of SimCity), just in case I want to use them in the future.  Anywho, I really love this modd.  I can't wait until the update comes out!

[Teirusu 38]

CycleDogg, now that I think about it, I have a request. I haven't been in the SC4 loop for over a year and an half so I don't know if these are out there somewhere but...

Could you make some snow-covered versions of your trees? I remember back in 03' when I was making my arctic terrain modds and so forth I tried to edit the in-game trees to put snow on 'em, but there was just sooo many FSH's and sooo little time to edit them all... and the one set of trees I DID make looked very fugly ;

So yeah, some snow-covered trees would be totally awesome!