New mod: Slope smoothing

[Bones1 96]

This kind of mod isn't new, but I thought I'd post my own version of it, which isn't as radical as the BRF slope mod.

This mod creates smoother roads and other transit networks. It smoothes the underlying terrain twice as much as the default Maxis values, and so eliminates the bumpy rails and highways when laying out your roads. It still allows for decent slopes for all transit lines, so you don't have to create nearly flat highways and rail systems. Gentle slopes are created, instead.

The network types affected are streets, roads, one-way roads, avenues, ground highways, elevated highways, rail, elevated rail, monorail, and the ANT network. Tunnel limits have been modified as well, to account for the more gentle slopes created by this mod. (Note that elevated rail, streets, and the ANT network do not permit tunnels, as per Maxis design intent.)

This mod was inspired by BRF's slope and tunnel mod. I found that BRF's mod limited the slope too much, especially with highways and rail. I didn't like the raised land created by that mod, when laying down rails and highways. I wanted to tone down the changes, so I created this mod with more moderate settings.

However, for those times when you do want a very flat slope, you can use the ANT network that comes with the Network Addon Mod (NAM). I set the slope for the ANT network very small, and so you can lay out an ANT path and then overlay it with the network of your choice (such as rail) to create a very flat route, similar to BRF's settings for rail and highway.

If you wish to use the ANT, then you must install the SlopeMod_v1.dat in a subdirectory under NAM, wherever you installed the NetworkAddonMod_ANT_Beta.dat file. This is because the NAM ANT plugin and the SlopeMod_v1 plugin both modify a common file. My modifications to the file do not alter NAM, except to modify the slope of the ANT network, and make its cost cheaper (since it's intended just to be used to lay out a flat path, and then be bulldozed or overlaid by rail or road or some other network).

For example, if NetworkAddonMod_ANT_Beta.dat is located under
My Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins\NAM\Ant_Plugin_File\NetworkAddonMod_ANT_Beta.dat
then install the slope mod in
My Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins\NAM\Ant_Plugin_File\SlopeMod\SlopeMod_v1.dat

See the readme for more details.

 

[scififan68 23]

Its a good Idea. woo I like this.

[+Guest]

i can't wait to try this one out, i've been having bother with the trains with the other mod, thanx!

[ftuowl 0]

Great. I'll try this one, cos i'm not totally satisfied with both Maxi's default neither with BRF slope mod.

Wouldn't you upload your mod to the STEX ?

[Vandy 110]

Hey, Bones.

 

This looks to be an interesting Mod.  I'll give it a try.  Thanks for sharing it.

 

Regards,

 

Vandy

 

[ScottFTL 29]

Just an FYI for all... There are already 2 other variants of the BRF mod. CSX created one which is posted to the STEX, and Jeronij created one which is posted in his excellent Sculpting Columbia River CJ.

Of these, the BRF mod is the most extreme and sometimes difficult to work with. But it is also the most realistic. You may want to play around until you find the one that best suits your style of play.

[Andreas Roth 607]

Date: 7/19/2005 12:19:17 PM Author: ScottFTL Just an FYI for all... There are already 2 other variants of the BRF mod.

quote>

Well, I made one for myself, too, but never released it, and later on the others were posted, so I felt my version was a bit redundant.

 

Nice idea with the ANT tool as flat slope tool, that could come in handy.

[zxqv8 0]

How does this one compare to the CSX version? I'm using it right now and find myself largely satisfied with the results, though it irks me to no end when I misplace a road tile and screw up whole slopes. I imagine thats not unique to any one version though.

[Andreas Roth 607]

Technically, these mods change some values in the Network Tuning Parameters exemplar files. There is one exemplar file for each network (street, road, rail, ...). I modified the Max Tunnel Slope property and if I remember correctly, I doubled the values that I found in BRF's original mod. Later, I did some finetuning, it works satisfying for me now. Obviously, you have to be more careful when dragging networks, and crossings with two different networks are more difficult to create in certain situations, but the slopes look much better, and the roads are less bumpy. I attached it to this posting, just go ahead and open the file with DatGen or the Reader and compare the values with the other mods.

[tf923 0]

Using ANT network is a great idea. I've been trying to think of a better way to do this. Seems that nearly everyone tries BRF's BRF_TunnelAndSlopeMod-b.dat first, finds that it's too realistic to work with, and ends up making their own slope mod to release. I even made my own slope mod, which is a modification of JCS_TunnelAndSlopeMod.dat (which I felt went too far the other way in Maxis' direction).

Still, I find too many situations where I wish I could modify the slope numerically while in the game instead of having to quit, open up iLive, modify values, blah blah blah.

I wonder if someone could make a city ordinance mod that could allow in-game modification of these values maybe with a slider, or possibly a multiple-choice selection. Hmm...

[tf923 0]

Unfortunately the ANT network isn't working for me on this. It was a great idea though.

When I place an ANT network, it just gives the same slope as if it were a street.

[Bones1 96]

It does work. Follow the readme exactly as described. If you want to use ANT for ultra-smooth slopes, then you have to place this mod in a subdirectory under NAM, specifically in a subdirectory under whereever you installed the NetworkAddonMod_ANT_Beta.dat file.

If it still doesn't work after that, then you have another mod somewhere in your plugin directory that is conflicting with the ANT settings that this mod (and NAM) use. Stick that mod in your plugins directory, not using any subdirectory and it should work (or remove it altogether).

[tf923 0]

Oh, ok this mod must load after the ANT loads. I gotcha. Sounds obvious now. heh.

I put it in the folder with NAM and since it starts with 'S' it's now loading after ANT, and it's now working!

[Craigsters 3]

I'm using Andreas roth's Tunnel And Slope Mod, I like it, the slope approach   is realistic!..

 

 

[jacqulina 162]

great work

[Wilfried Webber 22]

Mine is better.

It's based on BRF's Tunnel and Slope Mod, but with radically changed values. Roads, one-ways and avenues are all treated in the same way, streets have steeper grades, highways and the different railway types have slighter grades.

 

Check out the attachment.

[Huang He Lang 0]

Good idea

[TinySim 4]

Please, do not revive a thread that has been dead for almost a year.

[ANGRY BLACK MAN 0]

Where are the files for any of these mods? I've searched everywhere and can't seem to find them =(

[Bones1 96]

Hi, it's on the STEX, at this link:

https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/index.cfm?id=13302

[j.silva.soares 0]

it seems it doesnt work with diagonal roads? am I right?