Map rendering problems

[ngarner 0]

I haven't play SC4 for a while,and i forgot every fix that i knew so......
My problem isn't how to load a map, but when i try to load https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/details.cfm?id=18634&v=1map this map nothing happens. I've searched EVERYWHERE, but i can't find anything related to my problem.

Here are my steps so far:
1. Create new map under C:/Program Files/Maxis/Regions named Yokio Bay
2. Download Greyscale to Yokio Bay folder
3. Download Config to Yokio Bay folder
4. Open up SC4 and create a new region called Yokio Bay
5. Do the Ctrl+Alt+Shift+R combo and get the popup window
6. Find Greyscale under the Yokio Bay folder
7. Click on the Greyscale
8. Window closes but nothing happens

And yes, I have loaded maps succesfully before.

[frosty 0]

Hey there,

Just took a look at the map in Photoshop. Looks like even though it only uses greyscale colours, the image isn't actually a greyscale image (its RGB). I think this might be the problem as I've had some issues before w/ loading maps that I've created but forgot to switch the colour mode to greyscale before saving it as a JPG.

[ngarner 0]

Ok, thanks I'll try that.

EDIT: How do i change the image to a greyscale?

[tungston 19]

Originally posted by: ngarner

I haven't play SC4 for a while, so i forgot every fix that i new so......

My problem isn't how to load a map, but when i try to load https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/details.cfm?id=18634&v=1map this map nothing happens. I've searched EVERYWHERE, but i can't find anything related to my problem.

Here are my steps so far:

1. Create new map under C:/Program Files/Maxis/Regions named Yokio Bay

2. Download Greyscale to Yokio Bay folder

3. Download Config to Yokio Bay folder

4. Open up SC4 and create a new region called Yokio Bay

5. Do the Ctrl+Alt+Shift+R combo and get the popup window

6. Find Greyscale under the Yokio Bay folder

7. Click on the Greyscale

8. Window closes but nothing happens

And yes, I have loaded maps succesfully before.quote>

 

You have the region folder in the wrong place.  It should be in the My Documents\Simcity 4\Regions folder.  Delete the folder in the Programs folder.

[ngarner 0]

Originally posted by: tungston

Originally posted by: ngarner

I haven't play SC4 for a while, so i forgot every fix that i new so......

My problem isn't how to load a map, but when i try to load https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/details.cfm?id=18634&v=1map this map nothing happens. I've searched EVERYWHERE, but i can't find anything related to my problem.

Here are my steps so far:

1. Create new map under C:/Program Files/Maxis/Regions named Yokio Bay

2. Download Greyscale to Yokio Bay folder

3. Download Config to Yokio Bay folder

4. Open up SC4 and create a new region called Yokio Bay

5. Do the Ctrl+Alt+Shift+R combo and get the popup window

6. Find Greyscale under the Yokio Bay folder

7. Click on the Greyscale

8. Window closes but nothing happens

And yes, I have loaded maps succesfully before.quote>

 

You have the region folder in the wrong place.  It should be in the My Documents\Simcity 4\Regions folder.  Delete the folder in the Programs folder.

quote>

 

No, that can't be the problem, because I've already seccesfully rendered a region from C:/Program Files/Maxis/Regions.....And all of the default regions are in that file.

[tungston 19]

My Documents\Simcity 4\Regions\ Yokio Bay is where the region folder should be. But you will also have to convert the image to a 8 bit 256 color grayscale jpg.

[ngarner 0]

Originally posted by: tungston That is where the region folder should be. But you will also have to convert the image to a 8 bit 256 color grayscale jpg.quote>

 

Ok, I'll move the folder, but how do i convert the file?

[tungston 19]

Originally posted by: ngarner

Originally posted by: tungston That is where the region folder should be. But you will also have to convert the image to a 8 bit 256 color grayscale jpg.quote>

 

Ok, I'll move the folder, but how do i convert the file?quote>

 

You can convert the image with any photo editor, or drawing program.  You should have MS Paint, that will do it.  Load it and change the color depth to 256,and to 8, or 16 bit grayscale, it may only do 16 bit, but when you save it the image will be saved in 8 bit.

[ngarner 0]

I've never used paint before, but i do have CS2. I'll have to do it in the morning though.

[tungston 19]

Originally posted by: ngarner I've never used paint before, but i do have CS2. I'll have to do it in the morning though.quote>

 

My guess it will be easier with that program than Paint anyway.  Paint is a pretty basic program.

That is one huge region you picked, it has over 300 cities.

[ngarner 0]

Originally posted by: tungston That is one huge region you picked, it has over 300 cities.quote>

Yea, I noticed that it will take a long time .  But do you know how to change the pic to a greyscale? I've never needed to do that before.

[tungston 19]

I assume that CS2 that you have is the Adobe Photoshop. Open the image, and in the "Image" menu there should be a grayscale option. First you will need to use the color level to up the colors to 256. That menu might also have a selection for 16 bit grayscale. I don't have PhotoShop loaded now, so I can't give you specific's.

If you still haven't found the way to do it, check back and we will go from there.

Edit:  If all else fails, I rendered the region, so I can post a thumbnail of the grayscale from Image Shack you can copy.

[ngarner 0]

Ok, thanks. I'll try to convert the image then load it.

EDIT: I rendered the map and it worked fine, but some of the cities were just blue boxes with nothing in them. I also tried to open one of the working ones, and that was good too, but I had to Ctl+Alt+Del out because it froze when i tried to exit.

[cogeo 960]

I don't think it's necessary to convert the image in any way. Isn't it grayscale already? Isn't it in the correct format? In such a case the author should had not uploaded it and you must send him/her a PM to fix it. Please note that compression of jpegs is "lossy", which means that in each conversion some information is lost (literally "changed").

ngarner, the Yokio Bay folder must be directly under the Regions folder and initially it should contain nothing but the config.bmp. You start the game and in the main menu you "Open" the Yokio Bay region. If everything is correct, you will see a huge flat region (the city tiles will be setup according to the coloured squares in the config.bmp). As this is a huge region this may take some time. After you see this flat region then and only then press Alt+Ctrl+Shift+R to render the region (this will take MUCH time as this region is really huge). In many cases you have to install "Height Mods" for the region to render correctly, but as I can see in the description no such a mod is needed in this case. If you want to install Rock and/or Terrrain Mods, you should install them before rendering the region, for the region preview image to look OK. Otherwise you will have to open and save EACH city separately to draw the whole preview using the modded terrain textures.

Take a look at My Central and East Macedonia Map (on the STEX), it has a detailed readme, and most of what is said also applies to the other maps too.

[ngarner 0]

Originally posted by: cogeo I don't think it's necessary to convert the image in any way. Isn't it grayscale already? Isn't it in the correct format? In such a case the author should had not uploaded it and you must send him/her a PM to fix it. Please note that compression of jpegs is "lossy", which means that in each conversion some information is lost (literally "changed").

ngarner, the Yokio Bay folder must be directly under the Regions folder and initially it should contain nothing but the config.bmp. You start the game and in the main menu you "Open" the Yokio Bay region. If everything is correct, you will see a huge flat region (the city tiles will be setup according to the coloured squares in the config.bmp). As this is a huge region this may take some time. After you see this flat region then and only then press Alt+Ctrl+Shift+R to render the region (this will take MUCH time as this region is really huge). In many cases you have to install "Height Mods" for the region to render correctly, but as I can see in the description no such a mod is needed in this case. If you want to install Rock and/or Terrrain Mods, you should install them before rendering the region, for the region preview image to look OK. Otherwise you will have to open and save EACH city separately to draw the whole preview using the modded terrain textures.

Take a look at My Central and East Macedonia Map (on the STEX), it has a detailed readme, and most of what is said also applies to the other maps too.quote>

 

Yes, i know all this. But it works fine now, I think its because I put the file in the My Docs file and not the Program Files file. Whats even better is I didn't even have to render it; it just showed up.