Simtropolis Mega FAQ

[SimRabbit 48]

I have looked on the OMNIbus and didn't find it, I also searched on the forums but I didn't find it.

My idea is basically to create a Mega FAQ that will cover almost every frequently asked question asked on this forum. I started writting a draft version of FAQ, so your input is welcome!!

[patfirefghtr 159]

SimRabbit that is cool... sorta like a faqs data base, i commend you on the effort... I think you should btw...

[Voar Tok 4]

Try looking here.

[SimRabbit 48]

Thanks for your comments.

Voar Tok: I just look into that but still didn't find it useful.

Here is the Draft.

FAQ

Basics

1. What's Simtropolis?

     A. ST is a fan-site for Simcity 4 game created by Maxis/EA.

2. What's the BAT, LE, Reader, SC4 Tool, PIM?

     A. These are tools essential for creating custom content for SC4. The BAT, LE and PIM are available at Simcity.com or Simcities.com. The SC4Tool can be found at SimcityKurier, search on Google.

3. How can I start Batting?

     A. Check out Phillipbo's tutorial at the Omnibus and other various tutorials.

4. I hate ST rules, they suck?

     A. If you don't like the rules do not bother to register or post.

5. Where do I look up first after register?

     A. The first place you should go is to the Omnibus, and take a look at these tutorials. You might also want to try out the New Members Forum.

6. Can I get a serial code for my game here at ST?

A. Absolutely No!

7. They are no longer offering Gmax at Discreet, so where do I get GMAX from?

A. http://turbosquid.com/gmax/ (You must be registered there in order to download!!)

Simcity 4

1. I downloaded a lot and plopped into my city but a big brown box showed up, what's wrong?

    A. You are missing a dependency!! You must read the Readme files of every plugin you download and check for dependencies. 

2. Why dependencies? I have no time to download every single one of them!

    A. Please read North Country Dude's Dependency Debate thread.

3. Why not include ALL dependency files within a lot?

    A. For many reasons: Every file on any exchange is copyrighted so they can't be included on a lot. Also, the more files you have on your plugin folder, the more time it takes to load. And that is a waste of space.

4. Do I have to download every single dependency for every lot I see?

A. No, once you download a dependency file, you no longer have to download it again.

5. So how do I know if I already have a dependency file, because, I downloaded a lot and it needs a dependency, that I think, I already have??

    A. Try Woug's awesome BSC Cleanitol Tool from Simcity4 Devotion.

6. I came across with a tiny lot that needs a whole bunch of dependencies, why?

    A. Don't donwload if you don't want. If you really need it, download it and re-lot it, simple!!

7. Where do I place BATs, Lots, Mods and props I download?

    A. Place them on My Documents/Simcity 4/Plugins. It is reccomened to keep them organized.

8. So I have placed a zip file, containing a lot I downloaded, into my Plugins folder but it doesn't show up, whats wrong?

     A. Three reasons, You forgot to unzip it, It is a growable lot, or it is a prop.

9. What's the NAM?

    A. The NAM (short for Network Add-on Mod). This Mod is a must have, it makes corrections to your game's transportation, adds more transit stuff and much more. Please for god's sake, unistall any previous NAM version you might have, it will conflict with the new NAM (June)

10. So where do I download that modd?

     A. Download at Modds and Download Section of ST.

11. Ok, I have the NAM but the Avenue Roundabouts, Draggable GRL, Diagonal Street, and Sunken Rail won't work, I need help?

     A. As written on # 9, Unistall any previous NAM version you might have on your plugins. The new NAM comes with a Cleanitol file that will do the work for you. Addtionaly, delete any RHW Modd (Rural Highway mod) before installing the new NAM.

12. What else is a must have?

     A. Well, there are tons and tons of other mods that will do a certain thing. And I have no time to name every single one of them.

13. How can I speed up my game, because my 100k city takes 10 minutes to load?

      A. As said above, the more plug ins you have the more it takes to load.

14. I can't open my city, I need help?

      A. Your city is probably corrupted. It is recommended to make backup copies of your region.

15. Im tired of terrain form my region tile by tile, is there a tool that will let me terrain form my region without opening any city tile?

      A. Yes there is!! It's called the SC4TF by Woug. It can be found on the Modds and Downloads section of ST.

16. How do I use maps from the STEX? Or how do I import them into SC4?

      A. If it is a SC4TF file it should tell you in the description or readme. If it is a greyscale check out this thread.

Simtropolis

1. I registered at ST but I haven't received my confirmation email?

     A. Check your SPAM folder, if it is not there, request another one,

2. Where do I find custom content for my game?

     A. SimTropolis Exchange, you might want to try other sites like SC4Devotion.com , SimPeg.com, Simcities.com, and other small sites.

3. I'm looking for an specific lot, where do I look?

     A. First search on the STEX, try keywords like "Tower or more specific "Chicago Tower"

If you still can find it, search here. 3

4. What is a CJ?

     A. Short for City Journal; Basically a thread to tell a story of your cities.

5. I want to upload my lot, what do I do?

    A. A simple question for a complex answer. First read the ST rules. Secondly, at ST spam, garbage, plagarism is not accepted, your file will get locked.

To upload go to the ST Exchange AKA STEX and on the left hand panel scroll down until you see the link "Upload to the ST Exchange". Next thing you will do, read the text and choose your file's category. (If it is a file made with BAT Tool select BAT, if made with LE (Lot Editor) select LOT, if it is a MOD select Mod and if it is a map made with the SC4TF select Prop. Next thing you will do should be self explanatory. Just remember, if you use someone else's props, textures or building, please do not include it within your files, post link(s) in your description or readme.

6. Why are some files locked?

     A. For many reasons, the first thing you should do is to read the description of the file, if it doesn't tell, look at the comments. BSC crew moved their files to Simcity 4 Devotion, so make sure to search there.

For more help on locked topics, PM STEX moderators.

7. What if I see spam on STEX? Do I just bash him or what?

    A. No, don't even bother to post, use the Report to Moderator feature at the bottom of the window. Or PM a STEX Moderator.

8. So I downloaded a SketchUp model or a mesh from another site, can I post it on the STEX?

    A. Yes, you can if you give credit to the original creator or have a written permission from the creator.

9. Can I upload cities to the STEX?

     A. No!! Simple.

10. What can I do if someone is bashing me? Or picking on me?

      A. PM a moderator!

11. Can I upload my 1st BAT?

       A. Yes, but make sure it is functional and please provide some basic or complex information. Please for Dirk's sake, do not upload a big black box to the exchange!!! Chances are that you will get negative comments.

12. So I have my 1st BAT on the exchange and people are posting negative comments, what do I do?

      A. First start a BAT thread at BAT Open Discussion forum. Secondly, read these comments and learn from your errors.

13. Is there a limit for avatars or signature picture sizes?

     A. Yes there are limits. For an avatar it should be exactly 80x80 pixels or less. For signature pictures, you should only have one and it should be 300x50 or less.

14. Ok, I want to make BAT request, where do I post?

A. Please post at the New Official Request Thread.

15. I found a dead thread, can I post on it or do I make a new topic?

      A. If it is a BAT thread or Cj, do not revive it. If it is a tutorial or some sort of "ask any question you may have" thread please post there, only if you have a question.

16. I want to start Batting, where can I get constructive comments?

     A. BAT Open Discussion Forum is the place!!

Misc.

1. Where can I play some forum games?

     A. Check out Forum Games sub forum at the Off-Topic Forum

2. How do I join a team or union?

    A. Pm the leader or administrator of the team you are interested.

3. Can I talk about politics here on ST or religion?

    A. Yes you can but make sure not to say too much or flame on other members.

4. Some people are bothering me at the chat, what do I do?

     A. Pm a moderator.

For Additional Info Check Out ST FAQ

[Mikeaut1 261]

Nice work, these seem good. Maybe we can try and update the ST FAQ with some of these questions. I think for some of the questions though, you need to supply more information and be more specific. Like this one for example:

10. What can I do if someone is bashing me? Or picking on me?

      A. PM a moderator!

I am sure there is a sticked thread somewhere on Simtropolis that gives more information about abuse via PM or forums. You might want to include a hyperlink to the thread and provide some instruction on reporting abuse. There is also a "report to moderator" button on each post on the site that comes in handy.

This is very good though, thanks for taking the time to do this!

[Meg 368]

I'm all for updating the ST FAQ.  Looks like you have some good info here.  

As Mike said, a few do need some more information but I'm sure we can find some Help Squad people to help with that.

[ilikehotdogsalot 307]

The FAQ is good, but maybe some links should be given:

ie: link to the official bat request thread

[patriots_1228 51]

nice work SR, im sure this will be useful to newer members like hotdogs (jk)

[ilikehotdogsalot 307]

what!? i can never seem to remember where the official bat request is

[SimRabbit 48]

hehe I will post links on this faq so new members like you don't get lost.

[Kevin 101]

Originally posted by: SimRabbit hehe I will post links on this faq so new members like you don't get lost. quote>

Just so you know, there is character limit for posts. The limit is pretty big, but  things that constantly grow (like an FAQ) can run into problems once they get big enough. If you are going to keep adding to this FAQ, I would suggest that you start a new thread and reserve the first couple of posts in that thread for your FAQ (3 should be more than enough). By reserve I mean create the thread, and then triple post so that you can edit the first three posts any time you like.