SC4 Tools: New Toys..

[DocRorlach 25]

You did download the "special" version I linked in my previous response? That on does not run an administrator check thus the same error cannot occur. If you are getting a different error that we need to know the specifics.

BTW: during the setup, were you prompted to download .NET 3.5? Or is that already on your machine? 

[TheGTAGod 9]

Originally posted by: DocRorlach

You did download the "special" version I linked in my previous response? That on does not run an administrator check thus the same error cannot occur. If you are getting a different error that we need to know the specifics.

BTW: during the setup, were you prompted to download .NET 3.5? Or is that already on your machine? quote>

I downloaded the special version and I still get the same error and I wasn't prompted to download .NET 3.5. BTW It comes with .Net 3.5 SP1

[DocRorlach 25]

This gets more and more puzzeling: I suggest a complet uninstall. Wipe the Program Files/eu-contractor off the drive, then download not the Organizer, but the DIC and install it: whether or not it will run will tell us something about the actual problem.

DO you know if you have .NET 3.5 installed on your PC?

[TheGTAGod 9]

Originally posted by: DocRorlach

DO you know if you have .NET 3.5 installed on your PC?

quote>

[DocRorlach 25]

I must admit, you have me stumped. I am the more puzzled because you are the only one reporting that problem. I thus presume that you have a situation, PC/OS-wise that I have not anticipated. Therefore I wonder if DIC works on your machine: the installation, initial setup, and standard routines such as swapping, are identical to that of the Organizer.

Is there anything special, out of the ordinary in the Windows setup or game setup on your machine?

[TheGTAGod 9]

Hmm Trend Micro Internet Security thinks its a suspicious file.

[Leodido 0]

I'm having a lot of unhandled expection when trying to use your application.

I've installed the .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 maybe its because of the .NET report viewer I do not have it installe I Think.

[DocRorlach 25]

You do need the .NET Reportviewer, it is absolutely essential. To figure out what the problems are, we will need your .LOG file - you find it in the \(My) Documents\SC4 Stuff folder.

Screenshots might help as well.

[SerMSYSx2 0]

SC4 Organizer kept crashing on my PC. After further debugging I've found it was missing the Segoe UI (regular) font. Might as well include it in the installation as other people may experience the same problem.

At the startup screen I don't have any option to confirm my settings:

I've also  got this error when trying to change the default SimCity 4 Apps path:

System.InvalidCastException: Conversion from string "C:\Documents and Settings\SerMSY" to type 'Integer' is not valid. ---> System.FormatException

Perhaps rewrite it in C++?

@TheGTAGod: Try this: www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx

and also check this directory for DAO libraries: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\DAO

[DocRorlach 25]

In fact, the font should be in the installation. However, I'll check again - I do know it is included in the original at the ST4 Tools site.

The "SC4 Install Folder" path is still in DO format and needs to be corrected to (drive)\Program Files\Maxis\Apps. All other path notations will fall into place if that is corrected. I'll check the integer error and get back to you tomorrow.

Peter

[DeanChavez 0]

I have the same problem.After launching SC4 Organizer any attempt to click one of browse buttons the box from untitled28.jpg appears...I attached also the text file with the error...I am mentioning that I have both .Net 3.5 and .Net Report Viewer installed...in SC4 Stuff from MyDocuments I didn't find any log file.

error.txt

[johnsonooijunsheng 0]

Originally posted by: DeanChavez

I have the same problem.After launching SC4 Organizer any attempt to click one of browse buttons the box from untitled28.jpg appears...I attached also the text file with the error...I am mentioning that I have both .Net 3.5 and .Net Report Viewer installed...in SC4 Stuff from MyDocuments I didn't find any log file.

quote>

Hi Doc,

Thanks for the excellent work on this organiser. I do have the same problem when I click on the "browse" button. I am running Vista SP2 32-bit, .NET FW 3.5 SP1 and Report Viewer Redistributable 2008 SP1 

[quantumgardener 0]

Originally posted by: DocRorlach

In fact, the font should be in the installation. However, I'll check again - I do know it is included in the original at the ST4 Tools site.

Peterquote>

When I ran the software I had a mostly blank dialog. It turned out my Segoe UI font was corrupt. I can't tell if it was install related or not. When opened in the font viewer it displayed nothing. Grabbed a backup copy and was fine.

[DocRorlach 25]

I've updated the release of the Organizer found on the STEX & the SC4 Tools site. I believe to have found the error some folks experienced during the initial run: especially under Vista, whenever the Organizer tries to collect information on folders under \Users\\Documents and encounters the Vista folder substitutes (like My Music, My Pictures) a fatal error occured.

I've also reloaded the font - it is however important to use the Setup.exe, not the MSI.

DocRorlach

[toxicpiano 125]

Sorry to be a pain, but is there somewhere where it explains what all the shortcut options do?

[d_j_p1 156]

Originally posted by: toxicpiano

Sorry to be a pain, but is there somewhere where it explains what all the shortcut options do?quote>

The Handbooks are available only from SC4Tools website in docs signature above.

Here is a direct link to the downlod page

http://sc4tools.co.uk/sc4t_bookshelf.html#topofpage

If you need anything specific or help with any of the features please let me know

Dave

[DocRorlach 25]

Originally posted by: toxicpiano

Sorry to be a pain, but is there somewhere where it explains what all the shortcut options do?quote>

Since you are featuring SC4D in your signature, you should know: there's an excellent tutorial (Other Tutorials) on SC4D, made by JoeST - which was the basis for the Shortcut Editor of the Organizer.

[DocRorlach 25]

Release Notes: Region & City Viewer, Release: Build 1.2.0, Friday, July 24, 2009

Changes in this release:

The RCV now includes support for Daeley’s Census Mod (BSC Regional Tracking Mod – available from the LEX & STEX). In order to make use of this new functionality, the mod must be installed, as advised by its designer, in the APPS folder of SimCity 4 (Deluxe or Rush Hour version). The respective census button will only be available if the mod is installed. Example: C:\Program Files\Maxis\SimCity 4 Deluxe\Apps

The installation of the mod leaves a file called POPFILE.DAT in that folder which will be initially empty. As you open each region’s city tile, the message window of

the game will prompt you to view the population report. In order to produce a relatively accurate census, each city must be visited.

Clicking on a region in the RCV’s region list will enable Daeley’s Census button. If the region is found in the POPFILE.DAT a table will appear, listing all visited cities and their population summary will be shown. If the region is not found in the file, nothing will be shown.

 

Although Daeley’s mod differentiates between the different population categories (low, medium, and high wealth, for example), the RCV summarizes residential, commercial, and industrial data for each city. This might change in future if demand for more detail comes up.

If you also have used sawtooth’s Region Census (available from SimCity Central & STEX), you can switch between the two census data displays.

Please not that these two polls do not agree with each other in terms of poll data; nor do they tally with RJ’s Census Repository. The reason for this is that each uses a slightly different approach to collecting data. The game’s inherent (and unfortunately immutable) workings prevent an accurate poll. In my opinion, Daeley’s mod is the most accurate.

---

DocRorlach

[MTA3479 0]

How'd you do that???

[d_j_p1 156]

Originally posted by: MTA3479

How'd you do that???quote>

Can you be a bit more specific - not sure what you are refering to

[Rady 94]

Hi Doc, today I encountered a minor problem with the DIC: I installed the update some days ago and now finally had the time to go through the manual in detail. Thus I discovered the "SWAP" menu and it's functionality. However, the menu entry is missing from my "options" menu in the start screen. THe "About" box tells me I have version 1.6.0.5, and I'm absolutely sure that I had a version higher than 1.1.5 prior to the upgrade.

Should I re-install the whole DIC? If so, how should I proceed in order to keep the database alive (e.g. not deleting it by mistake)?

Thanks for your advice!

[d_j_p1 156]

Rady,

Do you have datapacker installed - some functions of SC4O & DIC require it to work.

The SWAP option manages which folders datapacker needs to update/repack - If it's not installed then it wont be available.

If you do have it installed can you include a screen shot of your problem and I will have a more detailed look for you.

Dave

[Rady 94]

Dave,

here are my screenshots from the DIC and my plugins directory. I'm using wounagain's dat packer ...

Plugins directory

Plugins_compressed directory

[d_j_p1 156]

Rady - does DIC have the correct location for datapacker, can you check in the preferences if it is similar to this

If DIC has the location wrong it will asume datapacker is not installed & wont give you the swap option.

Make sure you have the full path including the .exe part

let me know how things look, I can then advise you further if needed

Dave

[Rady 94]

Dave, that was the problem, thanks, again I managed to miss the obvious ...

[d_j_p1 156]

Rady, Thats fine - It's obvious once it's fixed!!!

If you need any more help/guidance let me know

[d_j_p1 156]

I'm In the process of putting together some tutorials for the use of various functions of the SC4 Tools, If you are interested in making more use of their functions please ensure you have all of the following installed:

All 4 applications can be found on the STEX here - SC4 Tools

Also needed for some of the functions to work, these are from the LEX (please ensure you are logged in) - Datapacker, Cleanitol

Also handy, but not necessary - Downloader

All SC4 Tools reply on Sim City having it's original file system intact - if you have changed any of the folders you may encounter problems. Please also ensure that the file system created by the SC4 Tools is left unchanged.

This is the first tutorials I have created, if you have any advise or would like things shown different please let me know - this is for everybody's benefit, so the more people that can follow it the better. If there is a particular function you are struggling with please let me know & I will add it to my tutorials.

Backups using SC4O

A very important function - but rarely done, is backing up all your plugins, regions, cities etc. SC4O provides this function automatically from the "File" menu.

There are various options - should be self explanatory, but I'll list them for you

Backup Plugins\Originals - backs up everything you have in any folders under SimCity 4\Plugins - Game state must be unpacked (as shown) for this options to be available

Backup Plugins\Root Plugins - backs up everything not in folders under SimCity 4\Plugins

Backup Plugins\Copy Compressed - backs up everything in the "Plugins Compressed" folder - Game state must be packed for this option to be available

Backup Regions - backs up your regions

All backups are stored in the SC4 Stuff folder system created during installation - please leave them there as there is a function to restore backups, but they need to be in the correct folder for this to work

 

Restoring Backups Using SC4O

To view your backups select the "organize" option, then click on "manage Backups" - This will open a list of all the backups you have made using SC4O and also has an option to restore any of them. Beware that the restore function will overwrite the original folders with your backup copies, only restore if you need to as you will loose any data more recent than your backup files.

The Backup Manager enables you to restore the entire backup you have made, or just an individual file or folder if needed

I hope you find the above useful, I will be adding further tutorials for other functions from the SC4O tools

Dave

[d_j_p1 156]

Datapacking with SC4O

For todays lesson I will be showing you the benefits of using SC4O with Datapacker - thank you Wouanagaine for developing this program.

Firstly I'm assuming you are familiar with Datapacking - if not please familiarize yourself with this tool at SC4D, the link to the actual download is in my first tutorial above.

If you are using datapacker (DP) please move your "Plugins_Compressed" folder to "my documents\SC4 Stuff\Has been compressed". All your original folders should remain in "my documents\Sim City 4\Plugins

If you have not datapacked before please do so and follow the above instructions

For Future Reference

Game State: unpacked - SimCity is reading original plugins, ie - not packed

Game State: packed - Simcity is reading datapacked files, ie packed

Swap - is swapping from unpacked to packed or vice-versa 

Ok, you can see from the picture below that the Game State is unpacked. From the "organize" menu select "swap Plugins" - This will give you the options on the right

Compressed to Archive - swaps the game from data"packed" to "unpacked, ie removes the "Plugins_Compressed" folder & replaces the original folders

Plugins to Archive - swaps the game from "unpacked" to data"packed, ie removes the original folders & replaces the "Plugins_Compressed" folder

Mark Exceptions - gives you option to specify folders not to be datapacked - ie NAM, see next picture for more details

Reset & Recompress - When you have installed new plugins using the "Download Manager" select this option & SC4O will analise your plugins and tell you which folders need repacking, it will run datapacker for you then return the game to a "packed" state afterwards. More details on the use of the "Download Manager" will follow

Mark Exceptions - allows you to choose folders that will be excluded from Datapacking

The above will become more useful & meaningful when I go through the "Download Manager" functions

Please, please, please take a back up of your files first using my first tutorial - although everything has been tested, there is always the chance that something could go wrong and we don't want any loss of files or data. If you are unsure please ask here first.

If there is anything else you need help with from this tools please ask

Dave

[City Planner 121]

Could the author of these collection of fine tools please mirror them somewhere else. When I try to download them from your site I get lucky to get 12.2KB/sec download speeds, often times after downloading only 3MB the download quits showing that it's finished even though it's only downloaded 3MB total.

I've tried in both I.E. 8.0 and FireFox browsers and my guess is that because I'm on the wrong side of the Atlantic I get stuck with this. Perhaps if you did a temporary upload to one of the larger big upload sites I would be able to get your tools and turn my SC4 Nightmare back into a Dream again. I know my Internet is capable of 2.2MB/sec so getting the 12.2KB is less than dialup and then sometimes I just get an error message half way through the download that quits it and when tryint to load back up your site I get a "network path not found", 10 minutes later and it's cleared up again.

I looked in the STEX but didn't find the tools in the tools section like I thought I would, if it's stored somewhere else on my fav site (simtropolis) please advise and I'll gladly download from here as I get good fast speeds downloading from simtropolis.

Thanks, Looking forward to using your tools and making my dreams a reality again.

[d_j_p1 156]

City Planner - Welcome to SC4 Tools

If you have a look at the top of my first tutorial (posted 23/08/09) there is a link to all the tools available on the STEX, most things are available here. The SC4 Tools site varies depending on when you access it - maybe try a different time of day if there is anything you need that is not on the STEX

If there is anything else I can help you with please ask.

Dave