NAM General Discussion Thread

[jdeutsch 0]

I have the newest version of the NAM, and the ground light rail, both installed, however, I can't find the on-slope puzzle pieces in any of the menu buttons. I've scrolled through the different options for each piece a dozen times, but there's nothing.

Is there something I'm missing, or is there a way to manually install the on-slope pieces?

[GoaSkin 2]

The onslope pieces should appear at the ends of the puzzle piece menus. They're part of the latest GLR version. Possibly, you installed an old GLR version. The latest version can be found on the website in my signature.

By the way, you can scroll through the puzzle pieces backward by pressing SHIFT+TAB.

[Ryan B 35]

GoaSkin:  I didn't know that.  That's a good tip!

[adambrown14ADAM14 2]

im sorry for posting this stupid of a post, but i simply cannot get the latest version of NAM to work, nor the light rail mod. I have done everything that is said in the read me files and im lost now.

Here's an example of what's happening:

1) first of all, the 11.15.05 version of NAM worked fine for me. i got rid of everything that i could think of that went with that version of NAM before installing this one, but still, none of the custom interchanges, nor the light rail shows up in the game. Just the usual invisible thing that everyone else has complained of. ANY HELP?

 

sorry for taking up this forums space with this post, but the new NAM looks pretty cool.

[BackRoads 0]

The categories for my NAM seem to show up (I have the newest version) but I am having the invisible problem, and not only that but it wont let me place to puzzle pieces, I can select them but the curser turns red when I select them and wont let me place them or scroll through them. What is wrong?

[adambrown14ADAM14 2]

The problem that i have is the same as BackRoads. I know this problem has been discussed numerous times, but will some patient soul please help.

[adambrown14ADAM14 2]

sorry, douple post.

[Andreas Roth 607]

Guys, I only can stress again and again: Please remove all old files from the NAM and any other traffic mod before installing new stuff. Download the current version of the NAM from the GLR homepage (see GoaSkin's signature). Make sure to read the readme files and the hints on the GLR homepage and in the support thread(s) that can be found in this forum. If you see certain menu buttons, but can't place anything, there is a file conflict (most probably an old NAM or GLR mod or any add-on files for them), so remove them. Make sure to check both plugins folders including their subfolders. If you are using the GLR mod, make sure the ZGLR.dat is placed in the same folder (or a subfolder) where the NetworkAddonMod.dat is located!

[GoaSkin 2]

The administrator of the Modding Files section on ST has not much time to take care on it. Isn't it better if someone else may overtake the administration of this part of ST?

[vadvaro 2]

is the on slope piece only a part of the GLR mod?  not part of the NAM anymore?  i only have the NAM installed and i don't see the on slope piece.

 

in reply to the post below:

 

thanks for clearing that up.

[Andreas Roth 607]

Date: 5/12/2005 4:51:42 PM Author: vadvaro is the on slope piece only a part of the GLR mod?  not part of the NAM anymore?  i only have the NAM installed and i don't see the on slope piece.

quote>

The on-slope pieces have never been part of the NAM. Since smoncrie created them, he rather put them into the GLR mod than in the NAM, since no-one except Tropod maintains the NAM files, but as you might know, Tropod is rarely around here anymore. Since the GLR modifies the same RUL file the NAM uses, it's easier to incorporate further add-ons into the GLR RUL file. There can only be one RUL file, so ultimately all GLR and on-slope puzzle pieces will have to be included into the NAM.

[garfiedude 2]

Might i make a tiny request for a (hopefully) future NAM update? That the El-Rail over roal piece be given an item order of 0x00000001?

[scififan68 23]

Date: 4/24/2004 1:15:00 PM Author:Tropod LOTS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS THREAD AT ALL WHATSOEVER. Thank you. --------------------------------------------- The Network Addon Mod (NAM) can be obtained here : NAM --------------------------------------------- Requests are no longer taken in this thread. Requests relevant to this mod are now taken in the following thread: NAM Requests --------------------------------------------- NAM Development is now handled in the following thread: NAM Development --------------------------------------------- This thread is now just a general discussion thread for the Network Addon Mod. Any *general* feedback/comments/discussions etc should be made in this thread, & this thread only.

quote>

I clicked on the first NAM and it gave me over 50 windows.Can you get rid of that link and it does not work.

[fitchy 3]

Stupid question time , sorry in advance:

 

I have the NAM installed.  I have NAM folder in Prog. Files in My Computer.  When you go to the folder it has a Mod files folder with the read me's.  Click on Mod Files folder to go to the four subfolders with the NAM .dat file. 

 

My question is:  Do I have to take the files I want out of the subfolder Traffic Plugins and place them in the folder with the NAM .dat?  Then I leave all the other unused files where they are or do I put them out of the Plugins directory?

 

Currently, they are all in the same folder.

 

Thanks

 

 

[Tropod 144]

Date: 5/26/2005 12:57:49 AM
Author: fitchy

Stupid question time , sorry in advance:

I have the NAM installed. I have NAM folder in Prog. Files in My Computer. When you go to the folder it has a Mod files folder with the read me's. Click on Mod Files folder to go to the four subfolders with the NAM .dat file.

My question is: Do I have to take the files I want out of the subfolder Traffic Plugins and place them in the folder with the NAM .dat? Then I leave all the other unused files where they are or do I put them out of the Plugins directory?

Currently, they are all in the same folder.

Thanks

quote>

The InstallationInstructions covers this quite well (least I would think so). For any folders (or subfolders) that contain more than one .dat file; you should only use one file from that particular folder.
The NAM.dat is the main file & is the only .dat file in its folder, so basically you use this file. The Traffic folder contains multiple .dat files, so basically you only use one of the files contained in that folder. This is in conjunction with the main NAM.dat file. And so on for each folder that exists (where applicable).

[GoaSkin 2]

There is a NAM policy that the integration of LOTs is not allowed into the NAM. I understand that the NAM MOD file is a wrong place for lots but there are now a few GLR stations, two GLR transitions and an elevated-rail-over-street station.

I think the STEX is the wrong place to distribute the NAM-dependant LOTs because the newer NAM versions are not availlable through the ModdingFiles section here.

What about distributing the LOTs with the NAM but as separate files? The modified NDEX subway transition and the 1x2 station by Morifari are somehow used as GLR-essentials.

[Tropod 144]

The 'No-Lot' policy has been discussed before (within this thread if my memory serves me correct). It's a policy that has existed for quite some time, & for very good reason, since the NAM was born.
One of the main reasons the policy exists is because the NAM is not Lot-Orientated, never has been, but rather 'Network' orientated. This may sound silly since Lots are involved in Networks' utilisation, but the underlying aspects of how the two different items are implemented and the differences with the files involved between Lots & Networks doesn't really make them suitable to include together into a single mod. This is regardless of whether the Lots are in their own folder or not. It's kind of like mixing apples with avocado.
Granted times do change though, & this is why the inclusion of Lots, for the purposes of the GRL related items, was actually considered. Feedback from people would probably be the best thing though really. Having it included though would require an additional folder & additional explanation(s) for the files involved.

Personally though I think the inclusion of Lots with something like the NAM would be setting a bad precedent. For a long time I have often contemplated including Lots but for technical reasons, like the one mentioned above, I've decided against it. All one has to do is look at one of the Essentials Mod that includes Lots; the Lots were effectively called 'mods', despite technically being Lots. And it is this sort of thing ultimately leads to confusion for a lot of people.

[fitchy 3]

Thanks for replying Tropod, appreciate it.

 

So if Ive picked the .dat files I want from the subfolders I put them with the NAM.dat under the Mods Files folder?   The reason Im asking is that it would seem to me that all of these files would be releveant in gameplay if they are in the Plugins folder at all.  Shouold the files Im not using be placed out of the Plugins folder. 

 

Again, sorry to ask.  When I originally installed the2nd NAM i had it figured out.  After the update, I forgot to pick which adjustment files I needed.

 

Thanks again for your help.  BTW, welcome back!

[Tropod 144]

Shouold the files Im not using be placed out of the Plugins folder.

quote>

That's right. Any (other) files not used should not be placed anywhere in the Plugins folder. They should be moved elsewhere.

All of the *_Traffic_*.dat files (in the Traffic folder) contain the exact same file within them; they have the same File/Memory Address. So if you have more than one of these in the plugins folder the game can only use one of them (which ever is loaded last).

[Teirusu 38]

Date: 5/27/2005 3:25:22 PM Author: Tropod The 'No-Lot' policy has been discussed before (within this thread if my memory serves me correct). It's a policy that has existed for quite some time, & for very good reason, since the NAM was born. One of the main reasons the policy exists is because the NAM is not Lot-Orientated, never has been, but rather 'Network' orientated. This may sound silly since Lots are involved in Networks' utilisation, but the underlying aspects of how the two different items are implemented and the differences with the files involved between Lots & Networks doesn't really make them suitable to include together into a single mod. This is regardless of whether the Lots are in their own folder or not. It's kind of like mixing apples with avocado. Granted times do change though, & this is why the inclusion of Lots, for the purposes of the GRL related items, was actually considered. Feedback from people would probably be the best thing though really. Having it included though would require an additional folder & additional explanation(s) for the files involved. Personally though I think the inclusion of Lots with something like the NAM would be setting a bad precedent. For a long time I have often contemplated including Lots but for technical reasons, like the one mentioned above, I've decided against it. All one has to do is look at one of the Essentials Mod that includes Lots; the Lots were effectively called 'mods', despite technically being Lots. And it is this sort of thing ultimately leads to confusion for a lot of people.

quote>

 

I tend to agree.  Lots tend to cause problems and headaches and, just as Tropod said, aren't technically modds at all and thus shouldn't be called as such.

 

Yet, at the sametime, including lots into the NAM wouldn't suddenly make it not a modd.  Nor would the NAM become lot-orientated if one or two lots were added for the GLR.  Rather any lot added to it, if they were, would just be considered part of it.  A small faction of the Network Add-on Modd package, and seeing as how networks are created in SC4 using a select few files, thee network add-on package.  Thus, being thee package anything included in it should be as complete as possible.  Without at least a station for the GLR it is not complete and since seeing as GLR is now being included in NAM, it won't be either.

 

It's like not getting a link cable for the PSP, sold seperately, even though you purchased a 'Starter Kit'.  It's annoying.  But you pretty much have to get one if you want to put your own stuff on it.  Or, not getting air-bags in your car.  You don't need them to get the car to work, but you want them.  And, if someone provided a way to install air-bags into the car, you'd probably go for it.

 

Everything that's needed to get NAM working should be all in one package.  Not doing so annoys people because it forces them to download something else, and people are going to need them to make the GLR completely functional so most will probably download them anyhow.  Or, at least try to, then do something wrong and screw something up and possibly become more annoyed by it?

 

I'm not saying that lots should start to be included into the NAM.  The game already has all the stations that we need to service the current networks.  However, GLR, even though it is based on the EL network, is really it's own network now in a way, and it needs at least a station to service it.   A station is part of a network as an apple is to it's core.  You don't eat the core, of course, but it's still part of an apple.  The difference being is that you can safely throw away the core after you ate the apple, but you always need a station to service a network.  True, lots have no place in NAM, but stations for semi-independent networks that we add to NAM, do.  Even if GLR lot(s) are added to NAM I think we can still have a 'No lot' policy for NAM.  Just revise it to a 'No redundant lot' policy.  Redundant being mostly silent so it reads 'No lot' policy.  It'll be like a fine print at the bottom or something. 

 

In the end, I'll go with whatever is decided upon, but I just think its silly to include all these GLR pieces into NAM... yet no station to use them properly. 

[abcd 5]

A little bit Off-Topic: There is a thread about Oneway highway puzzlepieces with a download for that!

Can someone post a link to this Thread because i can't find it anymore!  THANKS!!

[jleung 0]

I'm a little bit confused with the Traffic Plugins folder included in the NAM. The instructions state you should use only one file from this folder but one of what? I see over a dozen different DATs in there and I should choose one of them? Or choose between the Better and Perfect sets?

[Andreas Roth 607]

Date: 5/28/2005 1:14:17 PM Author: jleung I'm a little bit confused with the Traffic Plugins folder included in the NAM. The instructions state you should use only one file from this folder but one of what? I see over a dozen different DATs in there and I should choose one of them? Or choose between the Better and Perfect sets?

quote>

Yes, you got it right: You can use only one file. Basically, there are two sets of traffic plugins, one with better pathfinding routines, and one with perfect routines. The readme explains the differences; depending on your computer power, choose either one of the better or one of the perfect files.

 

---

 

Regarding the question lots into the NAM: I'd vote for keeping GLR stations separate from the mod, just as every other BATted station for the game. Of course you will need a GLR station for the GLR, but the user should have the choice between all available ones. We could keep GoaSkin's site as official NAM site or create a new one (or try to re-activate the currently abandoned modding files section on ST), so why not offering some basic traffic-related mod files and various plugins and extensions (such as the diagonal streets mod or the euro road texture mod) and the related lot files?

 

One big package might be easier to install, but there are still lots of people who don't use the NAM because it's rather large and has a notable impact on the game (such as numerous new icons in various menues). With some elements, this cannot be avoided (because of the main RUL file), but esp. lots for stations and such are totally independent and therefore should be kept separated.

[jleung 0]

EDIT: Actually nevermind. I'm guessing the end result is there should only be ONE dat file in the traffic Plugin files folder.

 

 

 

 

Thanks so much for your help. I have another Q though that doesn't have either a Perfect or Better tags on them. What do I do with the following files?

NetworkAddonMod_Traffic_Plugin_10xCommute

NetworkAddonMod_Traffic_Plugin_10xSpeeds

NetworkAddonMod_Traffic_Plugin_2xCapacity

NetworkAddonMod_Traffic_Plugin_5xCapacity

NetworkAddonMod_Traffic_Plugin_Radical_Custom_special

NetworkAddonMod_Traffic_Plugin_Standard

 

I imagine I should choose between the Capacity values of 2x and 5x but what about the others? They should be left there?

[Andreas Roth 607]

Pick one file out of all those traffic plugins, and only one, not more and not less! The readme explains what file does what in detail.

[SHADD0W09 2]

Date: 5/22/2004 1:39:28 AM Author: ardecila Here's my refinished avenue intersection (ramps smoother, supports added, reconfigured according to RedLotus' 'avoid tile vertices' doctrine)

quote> any way of making it like this

 

aa   aa   aa

 aa  aa  aa

   aaaaaa

     aaaa

       aa

       aa

 

A = Avenue

 

please

 

love the mod 

[Ryan B 35]

SHADDOW09:  That interchange is already in the NAM.  Look under the Custom Interchanges button under the Transportation > Highways menu.

[6459978. 106]

Um, ryanb_sc4,  I believe he was asking for a new type of interchange, not the one he showed the picture of. Anyways, to create a new type of interchange is in general a very difficult task (from what I hear)... so I doubt that your request will gather any momentum.

[mr.v 40]

sorry again , i can't find a link to download last version of NAM (official link please)

[frimi2 0]

Date: 5/30/2005 11:33:17 AM Author: mr.v sorry again , i can't find a link to download last version of NAM (official link please)

http://www.progressive-anarchists.org/glr.html