NAM Crashing Issues

[DITRO 15]

I just got the NAM and I figured I should read those readme's to make sure I know everything about its usage.  I'm in the Technical Notes section and I come across this:

1.4.1 Placement & Zones

A bug exists that can potentially prevent the removal of a zones’ Building/Lot. This same bug also has the potential to cause the game to crash. The exact precise cause of the issue is not known. The following outlines the general-case scenario in which these issues may arise & possible solution:

Items related to known issue:

• Zones of any type (excluding Landfill) & the associated Buildings/Lots that spur from &/or sit on these zones. This can include residential, commercial, industrial zones, of all density levels, & their related Buildings &/or Lots. These related Buildings/Lots can include both Maxis originals & any custom made Buildings/Lots related to zones.
• Interchange Related Item(s) (IRI); this can include both Maxis originals & any custom made items that are interchange-base related, such as; Highway Overpasses; Ramps; Cloverleafs; PuzzlePieces; & other similar item(s).
• Route Query Tool &/or Normal Query Tool (in the case of the game crashing).

Point of Issue Arising &/or Crashing:

If an IRI is built on already existing zones’ Buildings/Lots, the removal of these buildings where the IRI is &/or was built may potentially no longer be possible to properly remove. Using either the Route Query Tool &/or Normal Query Tool on these affected Buildings/Lots, including even just hovering the Query Tool over any affected Lots, may also potentially cause the game to instantly crash to the desktop.

I'm not exactly sure what this means - do the buildings just stay there when you plop an interchange down?

And I also read something else in the readme that said to avoid hovering over any buildings built on zones, which can also cause the game to crash.

In general, it sounds like I have to be on constant watch to make sure that my cursor doesn't hover over anything dangerous, whether I'm using the query or a puzzle piece.  I'm not complaining, but it seems like there are a lot of things to take into consideration when using this modd that can make it difficult to use.

Can some who are experienced with the NAM share some advice?

Thanks.

[CaptCity 4,694]

Originally posted by: DITROI'm not exactly sure what this means - do the buildings just stay there when you plop an interchange down?quote>

This issue is probably referring to the possibility of plopping transportation items in such a way as to cover lots without having the buildings be demolished. It is possible, and if it happens, the buildings may become impossible to demolish later and the game could crash when the lot is queried. I will say, though, that I have never experienced this issue (only read about it), so I can't say that this seems to be  that common. Also, I don't know if the effect is immediate or if the game needs to be save and re-opened for it to occur (the way other issues do). Sounds like the best way to be safe is to work at close range and be aware where pieces are being placed.

And I also read something else in the readme that said to avoid hovering over any buildings built on zones, which can also cause the game to crash.quote>

This is probably related to the NAM piece crash bug, and it is more common. With some of the NAM pieces, if you have them selected with the cursor and then move it or hover over certain transit-enabled lots (such as stations), the game will crash. Again, the best way to avoid this issue is to work carefully at close up zooms. Also, whenever possible, it is usually a good idea to lay out the network pieces in question before placing stations as the bug only happens while pieces touch stations, not when stations touch pieces. And it is also a good idea to save your cities frequently while using the pieces.

In general, it sounds like I have to be on constant watch to make sure that my cursor doesn't hover over anything dangerous, whether I'm using the query or a puzzle piece.  I'm not complaining, but it seems like there are a lot of things to take into consideration when using this modd that can make it difficult to use.quote>

Yes, working carefully and being aware of what is around the area being worked on is important when using certain aspects of the NAM, but, to most, the benefits far out-weigh the inconveniences. Remembering to work at close-up zoom levels and save often will reduce many of these inconveniences. And believe it or not, you'll get used to it quicker than you think.

Hope this is explained clearly and provides some insight...

CaptCity

[warrior 169]

Try to plop the puzzle pieces first and then TE Lots, If you hover a puzzle piece over a TE (Transit Enabled, so like a station or toll booth lot that can be plopped on top of a network[or a network dragged through the lot]) then it is likely to be crash, but only if they are the same network.

So if you hover a GLR puzzle piece over a TE lot enabled for One way road then there will not be a crash.

However hovering a TE Lot over a puzzle piece is not a problem and the game will not crash.

In the next NAM release most of the GLR pieces were modded to avoid this problem and the chances of a CTD have gone down considerably. And all the draggable networks added by the NAM such as draggable GLR, RHW, SAM, HSRP and STR will not cause CTD.

Some puzzle pieces (not all) if you plop them on top of a lot(zoned or plopped)(that isn't TE necessarily) then the floor textures will disappear, and try to bulldoze that lot and all that will happen is the props will be destroyed, and you will see the animation of the main building being destroyed but afterwards you can still see the building.

To get rid of this zone some residential over the undestroyable building (holding down the shift key so you don't draw street network) and *then* bulldoze the building and unzone the residential.

This wont happen very often at all, though and if it does is completly reversible.

So the positive points of the NAM really do outwiegh the negative points. There are improved traffic simulators and many many custom content, which you can find a list of in the readme, such as Elevated Road networks (for overpasses) new Highway interchanges, raised heavy rail, and the addons, usch as bridges and SAM, RHW HSRP RAM etc.

Jonathan

[DITRO 15]

Thanks guys, this really clears things up. I kind put of downloading it for a while because of these issues but I'm glad I finally decided to use it. It really is an amazing tool.

[FreewayofFlight 41]

I built a T-RAM Route with RTMT Interim Stations. Within a few minutes of completion, the game crashes and goes back to the desktop without warning. This has happened twice.

[CaptCity 4,694]

Do you happen to know if you have a track piece selected by the cursor when the crashes occur? It is possible that you do and might be moving it over a transit-enable lot, such as a station. This could cause a crash and is a known issue with some pieces. Being careful while using pieces is tha best way to avoid it. Just a thought...