A Few Quick Questions and a Hello

[PatternRec 1]

 Hi everyone.

I just started playing SC4 again after years of the Cds collecting dust on a shelf. recently I installed the NAM recommended here, including the July 2009 Update. Two quick questions:

1. In the documentation, when they refer to the plugins folder they mean the one within the NAM folder itself, not the plugins folder in the SC4 that NAM resides in, right?

2. I started a new region from scratch so as not to have the old layouts affected by the new pathfinding stuff. I have two small cities that seem to be getting abandoned buildings and long commute times in even small cities with only low density, whereas before NAM I didn't get that until I had fairly large cities. According to what I read here, NAM's supposed to help that but it seems a little worse or more extreme right now. Also, demand seems less stable and fluctuates more. 

I installed NAM with the default settings, not adding anything that wasn't already checked in the installer. I'm assuming that my old play style doesn't gel with the new plugin. Any suggestions on what I may be doing wrong or how play is affected? I've heard great things about NAM and wanna keep it in there.

3. I've been experimenting with the new road and rail types. Looking forward to learning what they do besides looking cool and adding variety. I figure they all heap with traffic (ie. roundabout doesn't slow things as much as two avenues intersecting). I figure this is all earnid in game via trial and error, but wondering if there's a link to some info I missed about the specifics. 

Cheers. 

edit: Just did a clean install od SC4 and the NAM. This time I chose the Better Pathfinding option. I'll see what happens. Still would like a few pointers. I've read the documentation and browsed the forum for a few days and still have a couple issues. 

[Mikeaut1 261]

Hey there, welcome back to the game!

Check out my thread here. It's Useful Information for Newcomers. I know you aren't a newcomer, but there is some vital information there about NAM downloads.

To answer your questions:

1. Yes, the NAM has its own plugins folder (where automata and extra items belong). Put the whole NAM folder in your SC4 Plugins folder. But yes, the readme refers to the Plugins folder within the NAM folder.

2. You mentioned that you installed all the default settings of the NAM. If you want perfect pathfinding (or at least modified pathfinding), your going to have to go back and reinstall the NAM with appropriate automata/pathfinding settings. Read my post I gave you the link for. It goes more into pathfinding and what the best plugins for automata and pathfinding are. It is odd that you are getting abandoned buildings with the NAM in place. You may have a duplicated file or a conflict in your plugins folder. Like I said, try and reinstall the NAM with better pathfinding plugins.

3. The readme and NAM forums should address all of your situations. Yes, all of the changes NAM brings are traffic changes. Better routes for your Sims to take to work, better and smoother traffic and volume flow. Specifically what issues are you having though?

EDIT - Just noticed your edit!  Let me know how it goes. Also address specific issues you might have so we can help you in those areas!

Hope this helps 

[PatternRec 1]

Thanks for the quick response. I'd already read your post - very informative. I'll let you know how things progress as I have the whole day to game today.

The only other issue/question I have right now is some clarification of technical terms. What is a BAT file? Seems like those are what add extra buildings and such to the game? Would definitely like to add some variety to the looks of the game. How do I install those? I used the installer for the NAM and wanna make sure I put any BATs I get in the right place.

[Larks2242 251]

Originally posted by: Sandman2012

Thanks for the quick response. I'd already read your post - very informative. I'll let you know how things progress as I have the whole day to game today.

The only other issue/question I have right now is some clarification of technical terms. What is a BAT file? Seems like those are what add extra buildings and such to the game? Would definitely like to add some variety to the looks of the game. How do I install those? I used the installer for the NAM and wanna make sure I put any BATs I get in the right place.quote>

A BAT stands for Building architect tool a bat file is made using the program of the same name that can be found here http://simcity.ea.com/coolstuff/bat/index.php . You can install it by adding the files in My documets simcity 4 plugins or if it is a self installer just run install. Good luck with your city and hope to see a CJ soon

                                                     Larks