How do i download regions off of simtropolis!?!?

[Zokadin 0]

How do I download a map from the ST Exchange?

[Vandy 110]

Hi, Zokadin.

One thing you might want to consider is a bit better explanation of what problems you're experiencing or just a simple restate (in this case) of your problem rather than your drawn out how...  Just a thought.

I'm assuming you are trying to download and install a standard map from the STEX rather than a map created with SC4Terraformer or SC4Mapper?  If you're tring to dowload and install a map created with one of those applications, these instructions won't help you.  If you're trying to download and install a normal map from the STEX, please follow the below steps:

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There is a definite set of steps which need to be following in order to successfully install a map downloaded from the STEX into SimCity 4.  Faithfully following the below steps will install a map in almost all instances.  At the end of these steps, there are a number of caveats and exceptions listed that could occur when installing a map as well as possible solutions for them.

 

Downloading the Map Files from the STEX

1)  Find a map to be downloaded by searching the STEX.  Note the name of the map.

2)  Navigate to the following path:  \\My Documents\Sim City4\Regions.  (Typically, this path is under the C:\ drive path.)

3)  Create a new folder naming it with the same name as the map to be downloaded.  Note the name of the folder created.

4)  Go back to the STEX, and click on the map link to open the Map Window.

5)  Once the Map Window is opened, there typically is a picture of the map image and a picture of the config.bmp file.

6)  To download the map image, click on the Download link to display the grayscale image for the map.

7)  Right-mouse click on the image and select the "Save picture as..." choice.

  Navigate to the region folder created in Step 3), above. 

9)  Save the grayscale map image in the region folder using the default name of the file.

10)  In the top right-hand corner of the Map Window, click on the "Back" link.

11)  If there is a Config.bmp link (not all map files have a config.bmp file), click on the link to open the File Download dialog box.

NOTE:  Concerning config.bmp Files.

If the map being dowloaded does not have a config.bmp file included, one must be created before installing the map.  Please consult the CONFIG.BMP: HowTo Make It, and How To Make It Yours article for instructions on creating a config.bmp file.

12)  In the FIle Download dialog box, click on the "Save" button.

13)  Navigate to the region folder created in Step 3), above.

14)  Ensure the file name is config.bmp then click on the "Save" button.

15)  The map has been downloaded and saved to the computer.

Installing the Map Files into SimCity 4

16)  Launch the SimCity 4 game.

17)  From the Main Menu of SimCity 4, Click on "Load Region" and open an EXISTING region.

18)  THEN click on "Load Region" and open the region created in Step 3), above.

19)  The configuration of the the config.bmp is displayed.

20)  On the keyboard, press and hold the following key combination:  Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R.

NOTE:  Wireless Keyboards

Typically, wireless keyboards do not support more than three simultaneous key combinations.  It will be necessary to use the appropriate key combination for the wireless keyboard being used to simulate the Ctrl+Alt+Shift+R combination.  The normal wireless keyboard combination to use is [Alt Gr] + Shift + R.

21  This open a dialog box from which the grayscale map image to be imported is selected.

22)  Browse to the folder created in Step 3), above.

23)  Select the grayscale map image JPG file and open it.

24)  SimCity 4 starts to render the region and a "Creating New City" screen appears.

BE PATIENT.  Depending upon the size of the region, the number of city tiles and the speed of the computer, rendering of the region takes anywhere from five (5) minutes up to a number of hours to complete.

Caveats and Exceptions to Installing a Region.

SimCity 4 won't recognize the grayscale JPG map image

If this problem occurs in Step 23) above, try typing in the name of the region in the File Name box of the grayscale JPG image to be imported dialog box.  It has been reported that doing this will cause the grayscale JPG map image to be recognized.

Ensure the map image being used is actually a true grayscale image of 256 colors.  Open the grayscale JPG map image in a graphics editor such as Irfanview, GIMP, Pait Shop Pro, PhotoShop, etc.  If it is not a 256 color grayscale, convert it and resave it.  Then, use the converted and saved image in Step 23), above.

There are holes in the rendered region or the region stops rendering.

Ensure that all screen savers and other minor background tasks are turned off before launching SimCity 4.  These type of interruptive applications interfer with the rendering of a SimCity 4 region.  It might be desired to turn off the monitor while rendering if there is concern about image burn-in on the monitor screen.  If this is done, be sure and periodically check on the status of the rendering by turning the monitor back on.

If multiple accounts are being used on the computer, ensure that the logged on account is not exited while rendering.

Pressing Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R does not bring up the Import Grayscale JPG Image dialog box.

Before pressing the key combination, try pressing the "Esc" key on the keyboard a few times.

If pressing "Esc" does not work, try creating a different region folder with a slightly different name.  Copy the map files into the new folder and follow the installation steps above again.

After rendering, the land is at different heights but it is all under water.

It is possible there is something installed in the SimCity 4 plug-in folder that alters height.  Ensure there isn't a heigh altering file in the plug-in folder.

It is possible the downloaded map requires a height mod.  Ensure the description has been thoroughly read to determine if a height mod is necessary for the map to render properly.

 

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I hope these instructions will be useful to you.

Regards,

Vandy

 

[perozzo 0]

what is a grey scale map

[Vandy 110]

Hi, Perozzo.

Originally posted by: perozzo what is a grey scale mapquote>

 

When a image is created that has 256 shades of gray, it is referred to as a grayscale image.

A black and white image only has 2 colors -- black and white.

A grayscale image has 256 colors ranging from the decimal value of 0 thorugh the decimal value of 255.  Each value represents a different shade of gray.

SimCit 4 uses these grayscale values to represent different heights used to render the image to a region for use in SimCity 4.

I hope this explanation was helpful to you.

Regards,

Vandy

[Brney1000 0]

Thank you for these instructions, Vandy. Now I am downloading some pretty cool regions off of the STEX.

[Vandy 110]

Hi, Brney1000.

Originally posted by: Brney1000 Thank you for these instructions, Vandy. Now I am downloading some pretty cool regions off of the STEX.quote>

 

You're more than welcome.  Stay tuned.  There will be quite a bit more instructions similar to this in the near future.

Details to be announced...

Regards,

Vandy

[Hiigara 0]

"7) Right-mouse click on the image and select the "Save picture as..." choice."

I've never been able to get past this step. When I right click to save the image, it doesn't save an image file. It just saves a "details.cfm" file instead. This has happened for every region I've ever tried downloading off of STEX. Any ideas what's going on?

[tungston 19]

Originally posted by: Hiigara

"7) Right-mouse click on the image and select the "Save picture as..." choice."

I've never been able to get past this step. When I right click to save the image, it doesn't save an image file. It just saves a "details.cfm" file instead. This has happened for every region I've ever tried downloading off of STEX. Any ideas what's going on?quote>

Some maps require the SC4 Terraformer, or the SC4 Mapper to render them.  I believe that is the case with a cfm file.

Moving to the Mapping Community Board Room.

[slbm 0]

"20) On the keyboard, press and hold the following key combination: Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R."

.... and this is where i get stuck. After the dialogue box comes up i can't go anywhere bar up and down. double clicking on a folder does not open it. is this idiosyncratic to macs? i'm on a mac: ctrl/alt/shift/r works, ie the dialogue box comes up and is at my root directory. i can scroll up and down, but i can not single or double click to navigate into the folders. am i missing something? or is this a mac thing?

[tiukengleng1994 0]

wat is the height altering file called?

[CaptCity 4,893]

Originally posted by: tiukengleng1994

wat is the height altering file called?quote>

Do you mean a plugin? Could be "import" or one with a number such as "1000m"

[tiukengleng1994 0]

Originally posted by: CaptCity

Originally posted by: tiukengleng1994

wat is the height altering file called?quote>

Do you mean a plugin? Could be "import" or one with a number such as "1000m"

quote>

Yes, sort of

[HardCandy 0]

Hey Vandy,

your instructions are awsome! Thank you for that.

But everytime i get this message:

'Region generation error Region bitmap size is incorrect -- 1025x1025, should be 1x1

I think that would be much to small for a good city

[lgbrave4life 1]

Wait a minute. Vandy, im stuck on numbers 10 and 11. What "back" link are you talking about in the map window. Could someone please show me an example or something? Also on 11, I tried to click on the Config.bmp link under the note on how to make a .bmp link b/c I didn't see that link in the map window either but that link didn't work. I'm in a little bit of a rut here lol and i need some help.

Thanks in advance, lgbrave4life.

P.S. I don't know if it will help but just to let yall know, I am trying to download a map of Boston under the name of Boston USGS Scale.

[MadBrahms 0]

A quick question about config.bmp files: did they disappear off of the exchange? I distinctly remember downloading a number of maps in the past that had the configs pre-made, but now when I've gone back to get them (the Montreal, QC map comes to mind) the configs have disappeared and only the JPG is available. Where'd they go?

I'm going to go back into Landscape Designer and do it by hand for now; I'm just curious, mostly.

[CaptCity 4,893]

Originally posted by: MadBrahms

A quick question about config.bmp files: did they disappear off of the exchange? I distinctly remember downloading a number of maps in the past that had the configs pre-made, but now when I've gone back to get them (the Montreal, QC map comes to mind) the configs have disappeared and only the JPG is available. Where'd they go?quote>

Things changed a little when the site upgraded. On the map's download window there should be an image with the three game colors (blue, green, red). Right click on the image and use "Save As..." to save the file. That should be the config file. Of course, this is only true for standard maps. Those made with SC4 Terraformer do not use this method. Hope this is helpful...

[Indiana Joe 1,751]

When I save the .config file, it saves it as an image. What's going wrong? BTW, this image only has 2 colors: blue and green. Did the author mess up or is it me?

[tungston 19]

Originally posted by: Indiana Joe

When I save the .config file, it saves it as an image. What's going wrong? BTW, this image only has 2 colors: blue and green. Did the author mess up or is it me?quote>

The author only made the region with large, and medium sized cities.  That the reason there is no red in the config file.

[wildroot86 0]

Sorry if this isnt the right thread, but its the closest one i could find. I downloaded the Charlotte North Carolina map file by cw528080 of the STEX following the exact directions above, Ive downloaded other maps before and the have worked, so I somewhat know the download/import process for this. The problem im having is once the map is rendered by the game and comes up there is no water where it should, the depth of land is there just no water, and the land has sort of a brownish tint to it. Im hoping its something simple Im doing wrong and one of you guys can help me out. Thanks, any assistance will be greatly appreciated.

[tungston 19]

Check you plugins folder for a height mod, the more common one is "import.dat". They will render the map at a higher elevation than without a mod.

[wildroot86 0]

Ok thanks Ill look for that, only problem is I have about a hundred files in that plugins folder LOL. - I searched for the import.dat in that folder and nothing was found, could it be that its in with one of the lots Ive downloaded ?

[tungston 19]

I suppose it could be included with a terrain mod, but since I don't use them I don't know. There are quite a few height mods, some are simply named with a number, such as 1000.dat, etc.

[wildroot86 0]

Thanks for the help, I can seem to find any terrain mods in my plugins folder tho, to my knowledge Ive never used them either, everything I have are lots, restaurants, hotels, seaports, etc. Ill keep pluging away at it, if you can think of anything else please let me know.

[TheGovernor 5]

Originally posted by: Vandy

Hi, Zokadin.

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10)  In the top right-hand corner of the Map Window, click on the "Back" link.

11)  If there is a Config.bmp link (not all map files have a config.bmp file), click on the link to open the File Download dialog box.

NOTE:  Concerning config.bmp Files.

If the map being dowloaded does not have a config.bmp file included, one must be created before installing the map.  Please consult the CONFIG.BMP: HowTo Make It, and How To Make It Yours article for instructions on creating a config.bmp file.

 quote>

10.  There is no Back link.  Another person mentioned this and was overlooked.  Can anyone assist?

11.  The link is broken.

 

[TheGovernor 5]

[TheGovernor 5]

[TheGovernor 5]

[bbucsis 0]

Hi there. Whenever I download a map from this website the grayscale image is a details.cfm file. I read earlier that rendering this file requires the sc4 mapper but I have no idea what that is or how to use it. Any help?

[tungston 19]

Originally posted by: bbucsis

Hi there. Whenever I download a map from this website the grayscale image is a details.cfm file. I read earlier that rendering this file requires the sc4 mapper but I have no idea what that is or how to use it. Any help?quote>

Check out the Omnibus Omnimapps, there is lots of good information there.

[J-RoD73 0]

im confused there is no back link on the map page. so i cant go back and download it.. what should i do. i pressed backspace to see if that worked and it brought me back to the detail page and i pressed download but it brought me back to the greyscale.