Grid Problem

[wks2003x 0]

I recently switched to a Mac and so far I still think I made the right decision. I just installed SimCity 4 Rush Hour and it runs pretty well (possibly even slightly faster than on my trusty Dell Inspiron 5100), but there's one problem: GRIDS. Whether I turn grids on or off, there's this horrible grid that shows up on my developed areas and I don't know how to fix it. Does anyone else have this problem or know of a solution?

I'm running an Apple PowerBook G4 12, 1.5 GHz, 512 MB RAM, nVidia GeForce FX Go5200, 64 MB Video RAM

Thanks for your help!

[wks2003x 0]

After doing a little more research (and waiting for some kind of response from Aspyr support), I've figured out that SC4 just doesn't belong on a mac.  The grid issue combined with nightlighting issues is too big of a problem to ignore.  I switched to a Mac (and i still enjoy it), but it looks like I can't give up Windows just yet for SimCity compatibility.  I'm throwing in the towel, haha.  It's back to the dreaded PC for me. 

[Superchan 23]

well, maybe you should buy a better computer, becuase Dells are Junk, and slow, custom builts are way better.

[wks2003x 0]

I have a better computer...my PowerBook. Aside from its SimCity issues, it's the best computer I've ever owned. As for the Dell, it's a fine performer. It runs SimCity without any problems (which is the one thing my Mac can't do right now). I just had problems lugging a 9-pound laptop across campus, which is why I bought the lightweight PowerBook.

[Zelgadis 638]

Howdy and welcome to Mac!

I was wondering what this grid problem is that you describe. I'm not quite sure I get it. Could you explain further or post a picture?

Since you already have a Windows SC4 license (I assume), you might be able to fix the nightlighting problem by applying the same patch to your Mac. I'd be interested to know if that works.

I do have to disagree with you on one point. SimCity 4 does belong on Mac. Just not the way Aspyr does it. Ported properly, it would have been a lot better.

ISF

[wks2003x 0]

I guess the best way to explain the problem is to post the pictures...




notice the lines in the screenshots? They're only on areas of the map where I've built things. Also notice that on undeveloped land (where I can control the grid), it isn't there. For some strange reason, I cannot remove the grid on the developed areas. Does anyone else have this problem on their Mac?

Also, I finally got a response from Aspyr:
The grid will always be there. There is no way to get rid of it. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Has anyone else found a way to remove the grids since Aspyr obviously doesn't care about its customers? As for trying the Windows patch, I'll give it a shot. I'd appreciate any help I can get as I really want to be able to play SimCity on my Mac. Thanks!

[Zelgadis 638]

Well shut my mouth and paint me red...

I always accepted that as normal. I suppose it isn't.

SimCity on Mac will always look that way. Nothing you can do about it. And essentially, Aspyr only cares long enough to get a rudimentary port of the game on the market.

Such is the sole disadvantage of Macintosh. Almost every kind of software you could need is available on Mac, but not so much with games. Our punishment for nonconformity is crummy ports, it seems. Still, when I switched to Mac in 1998, a crummy port was often more than I could hope for. Steve Jobs tried to encourage Mac gaming a few years ago but there were no takers.

You'll get used to the grids. But probably not so with the nightlighting. I hope you have good luck with that.

ISF

[peani 0]

I had a night lighting problem that I fixed by downloading a patch from the Aspyr website. The problem was that some buildings appeared light yellow. Is this the problem you mean?

I don't have Rush Hour, so if your problem is related to that, I don't know if the patch will take care of it...

[Superchan 23]

its probably the base texture that would be shown that way in lot editor, i is probably easier for them to port it like that

and companys make games for windows becuase it is probably cheapier and easier, and thats the OS most people use, i hate macs, they are proprietary, expensive, and you can not build a computer that will run there OS.

 

P.S. if you whant security then get WineX for linux it can run windows games, i think it can run SimCity 4 original but not rush hour.

[wks2003x 0]

I don't want to start another Mac vs. PC war, but I do want to say that I switched to a Mac more for Apple's better hardware than for the Mac OS itself.  You can't find a Windows laptop with the same features as my PowerBook that's also as light and compact as my PowerBook.  There's not a laptop out there (running Windows) that can pack in a serious video processor and an optical drive that weighs the same or is lighter than my PowerBook.  Apple wins hands down when it comes to laptop features and portability.  BTW, the superb Mac OS is just the icing on the cake.

Macs may be expensive, proprietary, and impossible for custom builds, but so are the cars built by BMW and Lexus...and we both know that nobody would dare to blast these cars.  It really depends on what you want out of a computer.  A wintel PC may work for you if you're into custom building your machines.  As for me, I need my mac most for school (using it for image editing, 3D models, design, etc.) and the PowerBook shines in that field.  I'll stick to my PC for SimCity (afterall, it is just a game).  My Mac can handle the rest.

 

Besides, I like rooting for the underdogs.  Don't you?

[Zelgadis 638]

Well said.

I agree totally. In the end, it all depends on what you plan on doing with your machine. Though I wouldn't buy a BMW or a Lexus to save my life. I'm an RX-8 kinda guy.

Anyway, if you ever get around to seeing if you can transfer your BAT nightlighting patch to Mac, I'd love to know the results. Might be worth trying just to see if it works.

ISF

[wks2003x 0]

Ok so I tried the Windows patch for nightlighting and there was no such luck.  I re-installed SC4 Rush Hour on my mac and I then uploaded the SimCity 4 folder (from my applications folder) to my PC.  I then replaced my PC's 'SimCity 4' folder (from Program Files > Maxis) with the Mac SimCity folder.  I moved all the files from the 'SimCity 4 Data' folder up to the parent folder so that the patch could find the files.  I then opened the patch.  For about 5 seconds, the patch attempted to update the game but it quickly had an error, saying that it couldn't find the old files and that SimCity_1.dat was not compatible with the patch.    Oh well.  It was worth a try.

[Zelgadis 638]

Thanks for giving it a shot. Would have been groovy if it worked.

ISF

[Compromise 1]

I have never seen that before. That must be really annoying.

[wks2003x 0]

Compromise: So I'm guessing you don't have that problem...does it just plague certain Macs? It sure does suck to be one the unlucky ones, lol. Oh well, I have a feeling once fall semester gets going I won't be able to play SC4 much anyway.

[Compromise 1]

Date: 6/13/2005 3:04:39 AM Author: wks2003x Compromise: So I'm guessing you don't have that problem...does it just plague certain Macs?  It sure does suck to be one the unlucky ones, lol.  Oh well, I have a feeling once fall semester gets going I won't be able to play SC4 much anyway.

quote>

I don't have a mac, I have a PC but I still like to look at the mac forum. So it could still plague all macs but as far as I know you don't get it on PC's.