Unlocker mod for CXL

[kiwispanker 1]

the class files call on .tga for thumbs...but not always. s wyllman said, the thumbs seems to be generated from the .dds image - but who knows if the game actually uses the dds or converts it into tga.

Good news though!! i have successfully unlocked all of the buildings - well not all, some give me trouble. i've changed the attributes to some more favorable numbers and put them in the correct category/tag. my next task (for personal reasons) is to change the buildings from the vanilla version to be more realistic. there's so much stuff that MC just left untouched.

for those of you working on playing with the game (still), i find it extremely EASY to have visuals to work with - since (pre-GEM ski/beach) MC didn't label their files well - I use the ddstexture folder as my visual aid, found at data/interface/ddstexture/
the screenshot below shows that I just searched .dds files within the whole folder, but you get some junk:

      

now let's say that i really like that aircraft carrier, then just search your data folder for b_ldm_shipaircraftcarrier; now you have a visual dds images, the sgbins, the layouts, and the classes. i'm now making the aircraft carrier shoot out cars and not fighter jets. haha, maybe next i'll put jets on my road.

as for uploading any game mods, i'll have to wait for some ok from whatever higher authority there is here; which brings me to a posting earlier from Ilikeseattle:

Originally posted by: Ilikeseattle
GlobexCo said that he hacked files and that not a single .EXE was touched. Therefore, if the EULA is read so that only what was explicitly stated was disallowed (editing, backward engineering, or hacking the .EXE itself), then nothing wrong has occurred.quote>

If you read the evolution of how most of the un/re-packers were made, you'll find that the .exe and .dlls were manipulated. but MC knew about this and allowed it so long as it didn't interfere with online play. if you're curious at where this evolution took place, look at xentax.

also, Ilikeseattle, you mentioned that you would like to see some alley ways in the game, i think i could do that...although it may conflict with GlobexCo's road mods...meaning i'd have to use an already existing road file....or  maybe we could make our own. it would be the first uploaded building to the game! i say this cuz citiesxl treats roads like buildings.  hmm...forget the other stuff i just said i wanted to do...i'm going to make a road!

 

[jeremy12 0]

Originally posted by: kiwispanker

also, Ilikeseattle, you mentioned that you would like to see some alley ways in the game, i think i could do that...although it may conflict with GlobexCo's road mods...meaning i'd have to use an already existing road file....or  maybe we could make our own. it would be the first uploaded building to the game! i say this cuz citiesxl treats roads like buildings.  hmm...forget the other stuff i just said i wanted to do...i'm going to make a road!

 quote>

let me know where you get, i was looking into making the same thing tonight, ill hold back and let you look at it let us know what you find.

 

[mentarman 14]

Why are you waiting on Simtropolis then? You are putting a lot of work in, and just because Dirk at some point allows you to post doesn't mean you're in the clear, and if he says "no" it doesn't mean it is illegal and dangerous to post them on your own site. It will just be a reflection of what he wants to do with his own site. So just take it elsewhere, I guess the Google site?

[Hail91 0]

I agree with mentarmen, just put it on another site until you have the okay from simtrop.

[LivingInThePast 364]

I say keep going for the mod. This "new company" that bought Cities XL isn't really taking advantage of the existing CXL in any way and won't even give up its name.

[Stewy13 0]

I'm getting really excited now, looks like we have a new breakthrough almost everyday! Doing great guys, keep it up.

Think I might have to start prepping a list of custom content I want to either see in the game or maybe Cities XL is the game to learn about modeling, texturing and all that fun.

Do we have any word on adding custom buildings yet, or we still just looking into what we can find already in the game?

@kikwispanker

Let us know about your personal project and some of it's changes as I'm sure alot of us would like a more realistic simulator, even if it's just some value changes.

[jeremy12 0]

Originally posted by: Stewy13

Think I might have to start prepping a list of custom content I want to either see in the game or maybe Cities XL is the game to learn about modeling, texturing and all that fun.

Do we have any word on adding custom buildings yet, or we still just looking into what we can find already in the game?

quote>

Most of the work right now is looking into modifying whats here already, im sure someone is looking at adding but give that one time once we have the modifying and unlocking perfected creating will only come easier

[mr-tom 2]

I do think there's one distinction to make here. When MC spoke about modding and custom content creation, I suspect they were thinking of people adding their own work to the game rather than just making freely available MC's work which they had planned to sell at some point down the road.

Not trying to say it's wrong (difficult in the current situation), just that I'm sure this isn't what they had intended when they spoke about modding.

[mentarman 14]

Is there any thought toward unlocking the Limited Edition content? I wanted it but they didn't have it available when I finally got a computer that could run CXL. I even wrote MC support saying I would pay a premium for it but no dice.

[Ocram's Razr 964]

I am almost certain that the Limited Edition content is only installed onto the computer from Limited Edition (CD/Installer). Therefore it could not be unlocked because there would be nothing there to unlock.

[MMorelli 0]

io penso che visto che abbiamo pagato il gioco non c'

[ACEH 0]

Originally posted by: Ilikeseattle

I am almost certain that the Limited Edition content is only installed onto the computer from Limited Edition (CD/Installer). Therefore it could not be unlocked because there would be nothing there to unlock.quote>

That is not true. It only depend on the account you have. I have bought the standard edition of CItiesXL and with a mod posted on the first page of this topic I unlocked even Limited Edition content (maps and so on) You can try this mod, it unlocks almost everything

Edit: The link is posted by wyllman on the first page.

[mentarman 14]

Thanks for pointing that out, he has updated it since I last looked at that page. However the link is timing out right now.

[ACEH 0]

Yes, the link is timed out now. We can ask wyllman to upload it somewhere else.

[Skimbo 304]

also, Ilikeseattle, you mentioned that you would like to see some alley ways in the game, i think i could do that...although it may conflict with GlobexCo's road mods...meaning i'd have to use an already existing road file....or  maybe we could make our own. it would be the first uploaded building to the game! i say this cuz citiesxl treats roads like buildings.  hmm...forget the other stuff i just said i wanted to do...i'm going to make a road!

 quote>

No, you won't have a conflict with a road mod of Globex or one from me, all my roads (Sometimes up to 3) are based on one of the default roadtypes, you just have to know a littlebit of .lua for that and there is no problem

[wyllman 0]

Originally posted by: ACEH

Yes, the link is timed out now. We can ask wyllman to upload it somewhere else.quote>

I send the files updated to globexco and he will post the final version of his mod(both do the "same")

It have a lot of bug and i haven´t time to fix, but "google project" was awesome XDDDD

Test version there.

An interesting exercise to learn:

  - View the "mod" of the first page and its archives. And way to act ingame.

  - See the latest version of the mod and compare it to the last. And way to act ingame

[GlobexCo 33]

Update:

Guys, I think we need a good plan.

Releasing mods that do the same things is pointless.

Please, if someone wants to, I need help in unlocking gem content... (creating class files - adding them to gemcity menus). It's long to do, and there are lots of files... Answer please.

Replies:

Originally posted by: mentarman

Is there any thought toward unlocking the Limited Edition content? I wanted it but they didn't have it available when I finally got a computer that could run CXL. I even wrote MC support saying I would pay a premium for it but no dice.quote>

Limited edition content is already unlocked with my mod (I'll need a tester without LE to try if it works - since I bought the full game)

Originally posted by: Ilikeseattle

I am almost certain that the Limited Edition content is only installed onto the computer from Limited Edition (CD/Installer). Therefore it could not be unlocked because there would be nothing there to unlock.quote>

Wrong, game files are the same for everyone...

At the moment is also possible to transform the demo version to the limited edition (but I won't do it...)

Originally posted by: MMorelli

io penso che visto che abbiamo pagato il gioco non c'è niente di illegale a sfruttare al pieno le potenzialità di cities xl, non stiamo rubando è gia sul nostro pc e lo abbiamo pagato, MC non rilascerà più aggiornamenti, pacchetti ecc. ecc. e non è stata specifica su quello che intendeva per mods e adesso non lo sapremo mai, non dovremmo far morire così il gioco e dare la possibilità a chi non è in grado di creare i mods di potersi divertire ugualmente e farlo durare a lungo.

Sorry for my english (traslate whit google)

I think that since we paid for the game there is nothing illegal to exploit the full potential of Cities XL, we are not stealing is already on our computer and we paid, MC will not release more updates, etc. packages. etc. and was not specific about what he meant by mods and now we'll never know, so we should not kill the game and give chance to those who can not create mods to have fun too and make it last longer.

quote>

Il modding rimane l'unica speranza per far sopravvivere il gioco; il mio mod non è ancora una soluzione definitiva, poichè sblocca una serie di cose di cui prima o poi ci si stuferà. Spero però che presto si trovi il modo di aggiungere edifici personalizzati al gioco...

The game can survive only with mods... since it's only an expansion, my mod isn't the "miracle" for the game: I really hope that we'll find a way to create custom content.

Originally posted by: Skimbo

also, Ilikeseattle, you mentioned that you would like to see some alley ways in the game, i think i could do that...although it may conflict with GlobexCo's road mods...meaning i'd have to use an already existing road file....or  maybe we could make our own. it would be the first uploaded building to the game! i say this cuz citiesxl treats roads like buildings.  hmm...forget the other stuff i just said i wanted to do...i'm going to make a road!

 quote>

No, you won't have a conflict with a road mod of Globex or one from me, all my roads (Sometimes up to 3) are based on one of the default roadtypes, you just have to know a littlebit of .lua for that and there is no problem

quote>

My mod only unlocks four new roads (I didn't mod the other ones)... So there shouldn't be conflicts.

Originally posted by: wyllman

Originally posted by: ACEH

Yes, the link is timed out now. We can ask wyllman to upload it somewhere else.quote>

I send the files updated to globexco and he will post the final version of his mod(both do the "same")

It have a lot of bug and i haven´t time to fix, but "google project" was awesome XDDDD

Test version there.

quote>

The original version has lots of bugs and conflicts...

I've fixed all the files and included some of the most useful functions in my package.

[MMorelli 0]

io ho il tempo per poter aiutare, il problema

[GlobexCo 33]

Paris map finally unlocked!

Table of the unlocked things (fully working and compatible with everything), so please don't create new mods on this:

- New York, Paris, Rio maps (with working coordinates)

- Blueprints as blueprints (as they were in PO)

- Avatar mode

- All the landmarks in the right menu

- All the special buildings

- GemBeach hospital (as preview)

- GemSki and GemBeach roads

- GemSki tutorials

- in-game Gem mode (with bugs)

- Medieval pack in its own menu

- Compatibility with moaku sandbox mod (same menu)

(probably I forgot something )

Originally posted by: MMorelli

io ho il tempo per poter aiutare, il problema è che non so come si fa e il mio inglese è veramente cattivo!

Traslate

I have the time to help, the problem is that I do not know how to do it and my English is really bad!quote>

Il progetto include anche dei tutorial (in inglese)... se davvero vuoi aiutare, magari posso inviarti qualche messaggio in Italiano...

There are tutorials in my plans... if you really want, I can send you some pms in Italian

[kiwispanker 1]

Originally posted by: GlobexCo

Update:

Guys, I think we need a good plan.

Releasing mods that do the same things is pointless.

Please, if someone wants to, I need help in unlocking gem content... (creating class files - adding them to gemcity menus). It's long to do, and there are lots of files... Answer please.

quote>

i agree that we need to focus on a good strategy to organize and examine cxl's content. i could help with creating class files...although it's going to be very tedious work.

i tried creating some ultra narrow alley ways; i got pretty far but got stuck on those dang sgbins; my packer keeps locking up my computer...really weird.

so i gave up on that for a while until Arcadoli at GC releases is re-packer this Saturday!! which is suppose to support sgbin files and a whole bunch of other things.

i did manage to play around with the furniture and actor files within layout, here's what i came up with:

hahahaha, Nothing can sink this Titanic!!!

[GlobexCo 33]

Originally posted by: kiwispanker

Originally posted by: GlobexCo

Update:

Guys, I think we need a good plan.

Releasing mods that do the same things is pointless.

Please, if someone wants to, I need help in unlocking gem content... (creating class files - adding them to gemcity menus). It's long to do, and there are lots of files... Answer please.

quote>

i agree that we need to focus on a good strategy to organize and examine cxl's content. i could help with creating class files...although it's going to be very tedious work.

i tried creating some ultra narrow alley ways; i got pretty far but got stuck on those dang sgbins; my packer keeps locking up my computer...really weird.

so i gave up on that for a while until Arcadoli at GC releases is re-packer this Saturday!! which is suppose to support sgbin files and a whole bunch of other things.

quote>

Fantastic! Really fantastic.

Yes, creating class files will be the next step...

Looking into sgbins can be really helpful... GemBeach has some really strange (and interesting) models and networks.

For example "pilotis" and waterways... (and other things like bungalows on water)

I think that there's something missing somewhere in layout or sgbin file, and understanding what's inside can be helpful.

Also, if that tools fully supports sgbin, we can try to start understanding the export format used in 3dsMax by MC to create models...

So let me release this "little" mod (as base) - then let's make a plan (maybe a chat room can be useful...) for gems.

[kiwispanker 1]

here's what it may include - French, then English given per bullet.
taken from generation city; author: Arcadoli

Decompress (Unpack) a file or a folder of files (e.g., Pak Patch, Lvl, Floor, Sgbin)

Compress (Repack) data into a patch file.

Unpack SGBIN files while automatically converting them into MC-DDS DDS standard, which are editable.

Duplicate objects through recompressing SGBIN files that were converted into DDS and DDS-TM and gives a new name for the object. You can duplicate an object, change its texture and its properties.

An Explorer that shows all the uncompressed data in the game; graphics and text with the possibility of configuring with external editors to edit text and graphics more easily and with a simple right click.

Export / backup your cities by creating a text file that contains the list of your mods installed to make it easier to share your cities online. (If a mod has been used in a city, it will need another machine to open the city)

Import: up to 10 cities can be imported into the slots added and will not replace the official maps. "Plat Pays" have been added for this purpose: two per region for the first 5 regions. It is on these cards that the cities will be imported cities.

A help file which will be expanded gradually with tutorials.

A link to "Check for updates"

Further improvements will follow: (Easy addition of new cards (maximum 9) in the region "Generation Cities" ...

[Aspire 3]

Guys, This Is Getting Better Everyday!! but there is one key to unlocking truly custom content. During CitiesXL development i saw a video that showed , "How Easy it was to create custom content" since then, I have not been able to find that video (or its still there). That program that they used can be key to creating what i call, "The Next Child of SimCity"

[MMorelli 0]

se mi spiegate passo passo cosa devo fare e con che cosa sono lieto di aiutarvi!

Traslate

if I explain step by step what to do and what they are happy to help

[GlobexCo 33]

Originally posted by: Aspire

Guys, This Is Getting Better Everyday!! but there is one key to unlocking truly custom content. During CitiesXL development i saw a video that showed , "How Easy it was to create custom content" since then, I have not been able to find that video (or its still there). That program that they used can be key to creating what i call, "The Next Child of SimCity"quote>

You mean this?

In this video: Photoshop and 3dsMax (on windows xp).

We already know that MC used 3dsMax 2008 to create all the models, but unfortunately they exported the moddel in an unknown format (should be a strange kind of xml)...

That exporter is the key to cc creation.

I know how to contact one of the artists that created models for MC (so he's got all the tools we need), but I don't really think he'll share them with us

[wyllman 0]

Originally posted by: GlobexCo

I know how to contact one of the artists that created models for MC (so he's got all the tools we need), but I don't really think he'll share them with us

quote>

Good Luck!!!

[mentarman 14]

Originally posted by: GlobexCo

Limited edition content is already unlocked with my mod (I'll need a tester without LE to try if it works - since I bought the full game)

quote>

*Raises hand*

I don't know anything about modding but I'm on here a lot, don't have LE and have a pretty logical mind for testing I think.

[GlobexCo 33]

Originally posted by: mentarman

Originally posted by: GlobexCo

Limited edition content is already unlocked with my mod (I'll need a tester without LE to try if it works - since I bought the full game)

quote>

*Raises hand*

I don't know anything about modding but I'm on here a lot, don't have LE and have a pretty logical mind for testing I think.

quote>

Well... thank you.

We're near the testing phase of my mod (few things are stil in developement) - you're included in the list

[pcwhiz24 1,187]

Me too, Can I test too? I know a lot about modding and computers! (I even released a mod for SC4 and I was in the CXL Beta testing, and  I have a super fast laptop capable of running CXL at high with 4X AA)

[mr-tom 2]

Originally posted by: kiwispanker

Originally posted by: GlobexCo

Update:

Guys, I think we need a good plan.

Releasing mods that do the same things is pointless.

Please, if someone wants to, I need help in unlocking gem content... (creating class files - adding them to gemcity menus). It's long to do, and there are lots of files... Answer please.

quote>

i agree that we need to focus on a good strategy to organize and examine cxl's content. i could help with creating class files...although it's going to be very tedious work.

i tried creating some ultra narrow alley ways; i got pretty far but got stuck on those dang sgbins; my packer keeps locking up my computer...really weird.

so i gave up on that for a while until Arcadoli at GC releases is re-packer this Saturday!! which is suppose to support sgbin files and a whole bunch of other things.

i did manage to play around with the furniture and actor files within layout, here's what i came up with:

hahahaha, Nothing can sink this Titanic!!!

quote>

Um...  Why is the Titanic sporting a gigantic pair... of gattling guns?