SC4 Tools: New Toys..

[DocRorlach 25]

The MD/CJ Editor, Mark II..

Initial beta release.

This release constitutes a complete remake of the original MD/CJ Editor released in 2008. While it retains the same core feature, i.e., the editing of forum posts for particular SimCity 4 fan sites, its features have been greatly expanded, and made compatible with the four primary fan sites: Simtropolis, SimPeg, SC4 Devotion, and SimCity Central. Now available on the STEX, or from the SC4 Tools website.

Installation & Setup: Unlike its predecessor, this version of MD Edit requires a setup. Please be aware that, prior to the actual installation, the setup process may attempt to download a vital component, namely the .NET 3.5SP1 Redistributable, from the Microsoft website, if it is not already installed on the target machine. Failure to complete this step will prevent the editor from running.

While the editor can be installed anywhere on the target machine, we recommend to use the default of Program Files\eu-contractor as the destination folder. This folder is the default for all of our SC4 Tools, and will be targeted when upgrades or patches are required.

When the MD/CJ Editor is run for the first time, a brief setup dialog will be displayed (unless such other SC4 Tools as the Organizer or DIC are found on the target machine). For details about this setup, please see the accompanying read-me documentation.

Please note that, until further notice, this is a beta release. For further information, please visit our SC4 Tools website, or here, at the SC4 Tools support thread.

---

Some Features:

• Integerated online photo album browser;
• Full ST 6.0 Toolbar Support
• Toolbar Switch between ST, SC4D, SCC
• Live Preview
• Full Font & Colour Support
• Custom Tables & Custom Lists
• Flash & YouTube Support

DocRorlach (aka HandsOn)

Written with MD/CJ Editor, Mark II..

[mightygoose 92]

i assume that there is a post preview feature???

[d_j_p1 156]

Originally posted by: mightygoose

i assume that there is a post preview feature???quote>

although I haven't used this tool yet I would presume from the mention of a "live preview" and "offline preview" that this feature is available

Dave

[DocRorlach 25]

Originally posted by: mightygoose

i assume that there is a post preview feature???quote>

Indeed there is - 7th button from the left, top row; or from the editor menu. Seperate window, so as to not disturb the online album if in use.

[DocRorlach 25]

The DIC (Download & Installation Catalogue), final release 1.3.0, has arrived on the STEX. If ever you had to track down a doggy custom lot, the DIC is for you: it keeps full installation & de-installation history.

Some caveats apply to the STEX download:

The special STEX edition comes without the full handbook (size constraints). Click here to obtain the 35-page DIC User Guide.

The DIC has two must-have dependencies: .NET 3.5 Redistributable, and the MS .NET Report Viewer. Both will be downloaded automatically during the installation if they are not found on the target machine - if not, they can both be found on the Microsoft Developer site. Moreover, we advise the use of both BSC DATPacker^© and BSC Cleanitol^© for added functionality. Both are available here on the STEX, and on the LEX.

Users of previous versions of the DIC can simply download the last & final update from the ST Tools website. If you do go for the update, please be aware that the database also receives an automatic update. Therefore, all files in the update ZIP must go into the application folder.

There will be no further 64 bit releases: the DIC runs fine under 64-bit Windows as is.

We will shortly create a separate forum page, complete with tutorials, for the DIC.

[patfirefghtr 160]

Hey Peter wow wonderful tools lately here!!! I been having a problem trying to download from the stex the MD/CJ editor... Has anyone else reported a problem trying to download that?  Either way I am glad to see Workingman Productions going strong!!! 

[DocRorlach 25]

Originally posted by: patfirefghtr
Hey Peter wow wonderful tools lately here!!! I been having a problem trying to download from the stex the MD/CJ editor... Has anyone else reported a problem trying to download that?  Either way I am glad to see Workingman Productions going strong!!! quote>

Pat: alternate download sites are here, at SC4 Tools.

[Descent 1]

The possibilty to change the "Download" folder of the DIC to a place outside of "my documents" would be very appreciated.

[DocRorlach 25]

Originally posted by: Descent

The possibilty to change the "Download" folder of the DIC to a place outside of "my documents" would be very appreciated.quote>

Already a given: after the initial setup - and before you make use of the Download Manager - all you have to do is to go back to the Preferences and change the destination folder for Downloads. If you have SC4 Organizer installed, then you have to change it dirst in the Organizer. The DIC should pick up the new location automatically.

[Descent 1]

I wouldn't complain if i could change this folder, believe me

Here a screenshot where you can see i cant get out of "my documents" if i try to change the folder (here called in german "eigene Dateien") and no i havent tweaked anything at common dialogs, they work fine everywhere else

[DocRorlach 25]

Aplogies, Descent - you are indeed correct; currently the setup fields th selection starting with "My Documents" - or in your case the German equivalent.

There is a work-around, but it involves RegEdit and is thus not for the faint of heart:

1. Install & setup as usual;
2. Exit DIC
3. From the Start Menu select "Run" (Ausfuehren?) and enter regedit into the text box. Hit Enter
4. Expand he HKEY CurrentUser, then expand Software & find VB and VBA Program Settings
5. Below that, expand eu-contractor and then DLCatalogue.
6. In the right-hand pane double-click "Download Folder" and change the path to the one desired. Do not change the keyname.
7. Close regedit and start DIC.

Voila - jetzt gehts.

The reson for the tight reign on the folder structure is that all our SC4 Tools use the same structure. I know it may seem an arrogant imposition, but consider it as "tough love".

[Descent 1]

Thanks for the workaround

And many thanks for the great program.

[DocRorlach 25]

Apologies o everyone for the recent site interruptions; we were overhauling the site and things got a bit messy.

Those who have bookmarked specific pages will need to go back and look at things: page & file names have changed and the site has become somewhat leaner in the process. Better, too, we hope..

We will - in the next few days, update all links in this forum. For those looking for documentation or downloads: go to the new download page found right here..

[Phenix621 0]

Uh, Doc, i don't seem to have a download & installation Manager under my organize menu options. I have put several downloads in my "downloads" folder. Am I doing something wrong?

[DocRorlach 25]

Originally posted by: Phenix621

Uh, Doc, i don't seem to have a download & installation Manager under my organize menu options. I have put several downloads in my "downloads" folder. Am I doing something wrong?quote>

Not per se: if your View Menu differs from the one on the left (i.e., "Downloads" is not visible), then you do not have the database installed. You can then do several things: use "Options - View Settings to check if the Organizer uses the database. You will see a screen similar to the one below. If the DB is not used, here it will tell you so.

If the sc4_organizer.db exists in your \Program Files\eu-contractor folder it may have become unusable; if it does not, you may have ommitted it during the installation. In which case you can download a ZIP file containing an empty database and extract it to the eu-contractor folder.

If the database is not recognized the next time you start the Organizer, you can either re-install (not to worry, all defaults will be kept), or you can do a bit of work-around (I really need to build this into the Organizer!): close the Organizer, then..

1) Open REGEDIT

2) expand HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software until you find VB and VBA Program Settings

3) below that you will find eu-contractor\DEPSeek\Defaults

4) double-click (in the right pane) on "DontRunDB" and change value of "1" to "0"

5) make sure that "Database" points to the correct application folder and file name (usually "C:\Program Files\eu-Contractor\sc4_organizer.mdb")

6) close REGEDIT and start the Organizer - your database should now work. You might get the start-up population panel since the DB is empty.

If you still have problems, email me your logfile (found in [My] Documents\SC4 Stuff). My email address is in my profile.

DocRorlach

[Phenix621 0]

Hey Doc,

I followed your instructions like they said, but I still don't see a download section. I will send you an email.

Thanks for the help.

[DocRorlach 25]

Notice to everyone who recently downloaded & installed the DIC (Download & Installation Catalogue), Version 1.3:

A bug appeared in the Swap Options if, after the initial setup run, you modified the preferences: swapping would then fail with a fatal error.

This has been fixed. Rather than re-download & re-install, you can get an update from our SC4 Tools site. Simply extract the contents of the ZIP file into the eu-Contractor folder (usually C:\Program Files\eu-Contractor). This replaces the EXE with the updated version. No changes are made to settings or preferences.

The currently available download on the STEX has already been fixed.

Apologies for the inconvinience.

[papatim681 0]

I have been trying to get this to work and any help would be greatly appreciated. In the SC4 Organizer "Defaults" setup under SC4 Plugin Folder I am unable to either browse to the location or type in the location. When I browse to the location and click it on nothing happens and when I try to type in the location I am unable to type.

Thanks much

Papatim681

[d_j_p1 156]

Hi Papatim & Welcome to ST

Doc is away until Friday and I'm in the process of re-installing my system, so I don't have any programs running yet......

Are you encountering these problems during the initial set-up, or do you already have SC4O installed?

Some of the file locations are predetermined by SC4O during set-up to match the SC4 file system.

If possible post a picture of when the problem is occuring or PM me and I will try and help you more via email

Dave

[papatim681 0]

When clicking on the Icon for SC4 Organizer “DEPSeek” appears and the message is: “No default values for exist. On the following dialog please fill in all necessary details; or click Cancel now to exit”. The options are OK or Cancel. When I click on OK it opens a screen called “SC4 Organizer Defaults”. The first option asks for “Your OS User Name”, which I am able to type in. The second option is “SC4 Install Folder”, which I am able to browse for. The third option “Your Plugin Folder”, which I am able to browse for. The last option “SC4 Plugin Folder” and that option will not accept anything I try. I could attach a snapshot of the screen if I knew how?

Thanks, Papatim

[d_j_p1 156]

Papatim,

Are you getting this

Followed by

Does the "Folder" icon next to SC4 Plugin folder not open a file system for you to browse?

to show images use "screen print" button on your keyboard and then open "paint", paste and then edit the area you want to show, save as JPG and use the "imageshack" button to show your picture.

Dave

[shtyrayum 0]

Hello all! I've downloaded and installed DIC but have a problem when trying to run the program for the first time. I get the following messages:

"We cannot locate your plugins folder. You need to install DMI folders first."

then the preferences dialog box opens and I get this message:

"missing SC4 installation folder"

Any help is appreciated.

[papatim681 0]

Dave,

The image is correct.

In the SC$ Orgaziner defaults the first four, (in red) are what I am trying to fill out.

The fourth "SC4 Plugin Folder" will browse to the location, but when I click the folder nothing happens.

I also tried to hand type, the cursor is there but I am unable to type anything.

I have the image changed to jpeg but where is the "imageshack" button?

Thanks for the help,

Papatim

[DocRorlach 25]

Originally posted by: papatim681

Dave,

The image is correct.

In the SC$ Orgaziner defaults the first four, (in red) are what I am trying to fill out.

The fourth "SC4 Plugin Folder" will browse to the location, but when I click the folder nothing happens.

I also tried to hand type, the cursor is there but I am unable to type anything.

I have the image changed to jpeg but where is the "imageshack" button?

Thanks for the help,

Papatimquote>

The "ImageShack" button is in the ST forum editor: an icon that looks like a gecko, next to the "Insert Image" icon.

As for your problem, I hazard a guess: the path shown below your user name either came up empty or came up with several ~ in the pathname (old DOS system). If your first four fields in the default setup arrive empty, then you either have a non-standard installation or you do not have full admin rights on the machine. In either case we need a screenshot (there is yet no log file). Also: SimCity 4 is installed and found under Program Files\Maxis\SimCity 4 Deluxe\Apps?

DocRorlach (butting in)

[DocRorlach 25]

Papatim:

You should be getting the following images:

No click the "Folder Browse Button" next to SC4 Install Folder to get the following dialog:

Browse until you find SimCity 4 (Deluxe?) Apps & click OK. The rest of the setup should fill in automatically.

IF it does not do this automatically, then you may have indeed found a bug. As I am on a brief holiday I will not be able to do anything until I get back on Saturday morning.

Let us know.

DocRorlach

P.S: If you use DATPacker, don't forget to tick the respective checkbox. Then click OK - everything else ought to be filled automatically.

[shtyrayum 0]

Hi again.  I got the path figured out and now when I run a summary report I get this message:

"unhandled exception has occurred in your application"

[DocRorlach 25]

shtyrayum:

I thought I had fixed that, appears that I did not: meanwhile some questions.

Have you used the DIC for any installations yet? Or is the download folder still empty? Could you provide us with a print screen (ALT-PRTSCR, then paste it into Paint or some other paint-like program and save it as a JPG, then you can use the ImageShack icon in the ST editor to upload it); prefereably with either the Download Manager loaded or the main DIC screen with the statistics visible?

[shtyrayum 0]

Hi Doc.  No, I haven't used DIC for any installations yet, I've just downloaded it and am in the learning stage with it.  Do you want me to download something first then post the image of the DM?

Is this what you mean by the main DIC screen?

[papatim681 0]

All systems up and running.

Had an OHS as I had the "SC4 Install Folder" listed as under ~\My Documents\SimCity 4.

It must have stopped me from going any farther?

Thanks for the excellent support.

Now to find the time to play with it!

Thanks again,

Tim

[papatim681 0]

Thanks to all for the support. I had an OHS and instead of the correct path for "SC4 Install Folder" I had it to~\My Docuuments\SimCity4. All system go and will start playing with "Orgaziner". Once again, thanks for the Excellent support. Tim