BAT - Troubleshooting & General Discussion

[Fatjuice 253]

Same problem here, I have installed SimCity4 via Origin - the directory isn't .../Maxis/... rather its under .../OriginGames/SimCity4/...

I have installed gmax succesfully and ran it twice. Still getting the error message that I don't have SimCity4 Deluxe installed.

[KonstantinII 1,106]

This happens while rendering model in 3ds max, after exporting the LOD. Then it becomes invisible in Lot Editor.

[mntoes 271]

If you run 3ds max as an administrator it should work ok. (right-click your desktop icon and select "run as administrator")

[Droric 99]

Does anyone know why I consistently get UV map errors on my LODs when exporting from 3ds max?  I keep getting the error listed on Jasons BAT Mega FAQ under the section MY BAT IS DISTORTED.  Here is a screenshot of what my piece looks like in game.  I tried re-exporting, merging the scene to a new one and exporting as a new building, redoing the LODs and nothing seems to work.  Note the center median dividers I made.  I also have an issue with exporting other models so it's not just this.

 

[Jasoncw 11,933]

If it's happening a lot you might not have the texture id fix?

 

Unfortunately all I know is what I wrote in the FAQ...

[Huston 5,799]

Anyone else had this kind of rendering problem where your BAT when exported through BAT4Max (Using 3dsMax '12) would turn out extremely underscaled (in addition to being cut off or incomplete) in PIMX and then in Lot Editor? Observe: (and yes, that gray block on the grass patch is the BAT I recently exported)

 

 

The actual BAT SHOULD look something like this at Zoom 5:

 

 

Not sure why it's being radically underscaled after being exported and it's been happening to a lot of my recent models. In addition to that, the images of it being exported looked nothing like the one in Lot Editor. What am I doing wrong? -- (this time? XD)

[Droric 99]

Not sure why it's being radically underscaled after being exported and it's been happening to a lot of my recent models. In addition to that, the images of it being exported looked nothing like the one in Lot Editor. What am I doing wrong? -- (this time? XD)

 

Check to ensure your scale settings are set correctly and the object is 16x16M for a single tile space.  Right click on the snaps button in 3ds max and change the home grid to 1M with 16 lines ever nth.  Also the units should be set to meters in the system units config area under the customize menu.  After you change the scale check to make sure your model still fits properly.

If it's happening a lot you might not have the texture id fix?

 

Unfortunately all I know is what I wrote in the FAQ...

 

Yeah I checked that and it appears I have the new modelnames.ms file in my gmax folder.  Should I be putting a UVW map on my LODs?  I haven't tried that yet but figured it probably won't do what I think it should.  The best luck ive had so far was just adjusting the LODs over and over until I got a proper looking model but I think I may be doing something wrong.

[Huston 5,799]

Thanks for the tip, I'll try that out

[Huston 5,799]

I'm guessing it's because of it being in a subfolder in Origin. BAT probably isn't compatible or suitable to having SC4 in a subfolder in Origin, possibly due to an error in creating a directory to your downloads folder. Thus Origin is probably the problem

 

 

Great work EA/Origin. :|
 

[kloveday 0]

I am having the same issuses! I have the latest update and it says I don't have deluxe edition when I try to run the batinstaller.exe. I have the international edition does this have an issue with the bat? Is there an international bat?

I have the cd version of deluxe edition.

[Fatjuice 253]

I'm guessing it's because of it being in a subfolder in Origin. BAT probably isn't compatible or suitable to having SC4 in a subfolder in Origin, possibly due to an error in creating a directory to your downloads folder. Thus Origin is probably the problem

 

 

Great work EA/Origin. :|

 

That was my original thought. I'm pretty lazy to reinstall sc4. Where are the 90' when we need 'em.

[Huston 5,799]

 

I'm guessing it's because of it being in a subfolder in Origin. BAT probably isn't compatible or suitable to having SC4 in a subfolder in Origin, possibly due to an error in creating a directory to your downloads folder. Thus Origin is probably the problem

 

 

Great work EA/Origin. :|

 

That was my original thought. I'm pretty lazy to reinstall sc4. Where are the 90' when we need 'em.

 

 

You don't happen to have a physical copy of SimCity 4 DE without it needing to run on the-much-problematic-and-extremely-horrible-software-EA-designates-as-Origin do you?

 

No doubt that GMax/BAT won't be willing to adapt to a new directory to SC4

 

I am having the same issuses! I have the latest update and it says I don't have deluxe edition when I try to run the batinstaller.exe. I have the international edition does this have an issue with the bat? Is there an international bat?

I have the cd version of deluxe edition.

 

It could have a problem may be? But as far as I know, it should install so long as you have SC4 DE, otherwise, answering those kinds of problems there are beyond me. Always well worth looking at making sure your directory is how it's suggested by BAT

[Fatjuice 253]

 

 

You don't happen to have a physical copy of SimCity 4 DE without it needing to run on the-much-problematic-and-extremely-horrible-software-EA-designates-as-Origin do you?

 

No doubt that GMax/BAT won't be willing to adapt to a new directory to SC4

 

No, I  don't happen to have.

 

When I finish work and college, today, I will reinstall.

[tjg 0]

Question:  After reducing plugin directory file size the Lot Editor finally opens - then as others have reported - the image flickers in constant rotation.  Seems to be the same lot cycling - not the one I'm loading - and each launch results in the same - but with a different file cycling/flicking.

 

I am a simple guy with just a bit more money than time -  Is there an appliation I can purchase that will do the same?  Likely more powerful but also relatively simple to use?  I'm just trying to modify some files - pedestrian enabled tiles - and eventually create a few jewish themed lots.  I just need to get passed the why isn't this darn thing not working now stage.

 

I don't mind spending time and bucks on a product that will actually produce results - or if not for me - then to pass on to my nephew - and then make him create my files! - oh an idea there!

 

A work around in the meantime would be great.  I think this type of project will keep me out of trouble and away from the ponies!  - regards all.

[Jasoncw 11,933]

I don't have a link handy, but at SC4Devotion.com there's a download for a tool which is basically an advanced plugin manager and lot editor combined into one.  I forget what the official name ended up being but it's called PIMX or XTool or maybe SC4 Plugin Manager (different from the Maxis Plugin Manager).

 

When you find it be sure to find the documentation pdf download because it explains how to use it.  Once you know what to do it's easy to use but it's not very intuitive.

[Ro-Bo 183]

 

 

I see that your 'prefab' model is off-center. Before exporting, make sure the center off your structure is at (0,0,z). One way to do this is to group everything and set x=0 & y=0. Then, redo LODs.

[Huston 5,799]

Is that how it is? I never really knew that. I was always wondering how to make my objects centered rather than overhanging. Thanks for the tip.

[IL. 1,043]

Hi,

 

I'm back after a while, but I'm having a problem, when I use photometric lights, they don't show up in the rendering, but I do see them in the scene! :/ 

 

Thanks

[EKOSLIK 0]

Hey everyone.. hoping someone can shed some light on an issue I've run into. When I export this model, it is choppy and distorted in the N & S view. This only happens in the closest 2 zoom levels. If I zoom out to Z4 I do no see the distortion and the model displays properly. I ran into this once a few years back and figured out a solution but I can't remeber what it was for the life of me (something about grouping the model before I create LODs I think). At any rate, this is something I seem to be running into with some models, others seem to export perfectly fine...

 

I have tried the following steps:

 

Open new scene in MAX and import the model only (No lights or LODs)

Group model, re-set lights and LODs

Save scene

Export LODs and answer no the the save prompt

 

Open new scene in GMAX/BAT

Import model file, replace scene and I do not convert units

Save scene in BAT and select export

 

Open new scene in MAX and merge file without LODs or Lights

Set LODs and Lights

Select model file

Export

 

* When I export in Max the 2 "good" views seem to fill the preview render window, the 2 problem views seem to have an elongated preview render window where the model does not fill the whole window. A screen print from the LE of the bad view is below. If I rotaded this prop it would display as it should. Thanks in advance!

 

[Droric 99]

Hey everyone.. hoping someone can shed some light on an issue I've run into. When I export this model, it is choppy and distorted in the N & S view. This only happens in the closest 2 zoom levels. If I zoom out to Z4 I do no see the distortion and the model displays properly. I ran into this once a few years back and figured out a solution but I can't remeber what it was for the life of me (something about grouping the model before I create LODs I think). At any rate, this is something I seem to be running into with some models, others seem to export perfectly fine...

 

 

 

Have you downloaded the updated modelnames.ms from SC4D?  https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?page=14

 

If that doesn't work it might be helpful to send a link of the file if you don't mind so I could give the render a shot and see if it works for me.  The best option for this if your using max is to save the scene using save as and selecting archive.

[Ferrt 102]

Hi!

 

Does anyone know why are these gray lines showing in my BAT? I'm using 3ds max 2014.

[Ro-Bo 183]

Might be the same problem with the one in

 

Solution:

change the background color to darker grey color.

[Thin White Duke 4,072]

Does anyone have any tips for making a fixed ladder to a rooftop in google sketchup 8?

[Ferrt 102]

 

Might be the same problem with the one in

 

Solution:

change the background color to darker grey color.

 

 

 

Thank you Ro-Bo! That solution works!

[Memph5 0]

I'm considering starting BATing. I'm mostly interested in low rise and midrise housing of North American cities (mainly East Coast and Great Lakes), starting with some of the row plexes of Montreal. How much time should I expect to take to learn the basics (very roughly) and then create buildings?

 

There are the sorts of Montreal row plexus I'd be interested in making:

 

http://goo.gl/maps/sZH0N

http://goo.gl/maps/TkO8M

http://goo.gl/maps/xErLd

http://goo.gl/maps/Z8ySt

 

Also would it be realistic to accomplish with only free software, especially with the brick textures and occasional ornamentation? (although I'm a Canadian university student so I might be able to get some things free?)

[Jasoncw 11,933]

Great! 

 

Yes you can definitely make good BATs without spending money. Gmax (the program used to make BATs) is free, and 3ds Max (a professional-grade 3d program that's much better and easier) is free to you because you're a student. For image editing there's a program called Gimp which is like Adobe Photoshop but free.

 

For learning how to make BATs, it depends. Some people catch on right away, and some people it takes a little longer (for me it took a little longer). But I think for most people, it will take a few months to learn enough to be able to make a decent BAT, and then from then on it will take about a month per BAT. But it depends on how fast you are and how complicated the buildings are. But to get an idea, go onto the STEX and find your favorite BATers and check how frequently they upload and you'll get a sense of how fast BATs tend to be made.

[Memph5 0]

Great! 

 

Yes you can definitely make good BATs without spending money. Gmax (the program used to make BATs) is free, and 3ds Max (a professional-grade 3d program that's much better and easier) is free to you because you're a student. For image editing there's a program called Gimp which is like Adobe Photoshop but free.

 

For learning how to make BATs, it depends. Some people catch on right away, and some people it takes a little longer (for me it took a little longer). But I think for most people, it will take a few months to learn enough to be able to make a decent BAT, and then from then on it will take about a month per BAT. But it depends on how fast you are and how complicated the buildings are. But to get an idea, go onto the STEX and find your favorite BATers and check how frequently they upload and you'll get a sense of how fast BATs tend to be made.

Thanks!

 

Do I still need the BAT Tool if I can get 3ds Max?

[Ro-Bo 183]

Yes. You still needs BAT Tool (gmax) to import LODs. You'll also need if you use 3dsmax.

[KevinPaul06 57]

FIXED

 

What causes this!!?

 

 

That is the Maxis Nite. Fortunately, the Dark Nite is fine.

[Cool_Z 1,547]

Question : 

 

Are they batters here using something else than Gmax or 3dsmax for batting and importing their work just for the render phase ??