BAT4Max v.5

[LordShadow 52]

Version of simcity 4.exe - 1.1.638.0.

 

I dont remember about nightlight of mods in game. I'll try to check

[Cool_Z 1,547]

1.1.638 you need to patch, your version should be 1.1.640

 

you can find the patch here : https://www.sc4devotion.com/maxis/SC4Update4BAT.zip

 

(you might need to register I'm not sure)

[LordShadow 52]

Thank you!

[Jasoncw 11,840]

Adding "night" to objects or anything in 3ds max does not do anything. You need to make the material a Self-Illuminated material, or you need to create actual lights, or something. Your night preview render is exactly how it will look in the game.

[Cool_Z 1,547]

Damn, missed that point...

[LordShadow 52]

I was not able to patch my exe.

error ept0036: Old File not found. However, a file of the same name was found. No update done since file contents do not match.

To Jasoncw, yes, i`am create self-illumination material, and its working in renders.

 

I think the reason the old version of my simcity 4.exe file.

[Cool_Z 1,547]

is your simcity... "official" ?

[LordShadow 52]

I think version of my simcity is not offitial, but i have offitial version in steam. 

I use the unofficial version, because to get the official version in a box in Russia is difficult, the game is old.

I dont use steam version, because I'm worried about operability mods and tools for modding, as another directory.

[Cool_Z 1,547]

Steam version should work flawlessly with all mods and all buildings that are made for simcity. You should switch to this version.

[LordShadow 52]

What about modding tool and patches in steam version? I`ll try to setup steam version.

[mayorgreener 37]

OK... a bit of Modelling done... Now time to install the Bat4Max.

 

As usual I am stuck though I have read the instructions and so here are few questions for now:

 

I have installed the Bat4Max.

 

1. Do I still need the SC4 Plug-in Manager & LotEditor ?

2. Do I need the SC4 B.A.T tool also? If yes then that means I also need GMax installed... Right?

 

these 3 Q's for now. 

 

Thank you.

[MTT9 187]

You still need gmax and the BAT tool. You might want to use the PIMX which is better than the plugin manager and the lot editor.

[mayorgreener 37]

You still need gmax and the BAT tool. You might want to use the PIMX which is better than the plugin manager and the lot editor.

 

Wow... Thank you Matty

[AndisArt 2,066]

What about modding tool and patches in steam version? I`ll try to setup steam version.

 

You shouldn't need any patches as the steam version is the latest version (1.1.641). To make sure you can check the SimCity 4 .exe file, depending on where you installed it should be somewhere like "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\SimCity 4 Deluxe\Apps". Right-click it and check the version number on the "Details" tab.

 

Installing the BAT gave me an error message about not being able to create shortcuts. So I had to create a shortcut to the BAT manually, you can find the .exe in the same folder as the above mentioned SimCity 4 .exe, also create a shortcut to the Plugin Manager if the installation hasnt done so. Then, even after having succesfully installed and registered gmax I got an error message when starting the BAT saying "GMAXLOC envrionment variable not found ". I fixed this using the tip in

 

Lastly, I had to manually download and install the Lot Editor. The BAT installation usually installs it, but it didnt for me.

 

I'm not sure if those issues I ran into are Steam version or Windows 7 related, as I neither tried running the modding tools on the Steam version nor on Windows 7 before.

But if they are Steam related you can try fixing them like this. Everything worked for me afterwards. Just remember to use the Texture Fix for the BAT (corrected ModelNames.ms file).

[LordShadow 52]

Thanks for the answer! I solved this problem easier, saving all functioning modding tools in the old directories are not removed, and play with steam version (v641).

[mayorgreener 37]

Stuck on how to use the Bat4Max 5

 

1. I opened 3dsMax 9 and then I clicked LetThereBeLight >> click on Day button.......................

2. Then I created my model.

3. Then I clicked on Automatic Lods.

4. Then I saved the model at C:\documents and settings\user\my documents\3dsmax\scenes\test1.max

5. Then I clicked on Export LODS

6. Then I opened the SC4 Gmax BAT tool and clicked File>>Import and using this Path: C:\gmax\gamepacks\BAT\test1.3DS imported my test1.3DS file.

7. I unchecked unit option and merged with existing scene.

 

 

Now I am stuck....

 

What to do next in GMax ? I dont find the option of SD/HD in Gmax. Also shall I click the Export button from the Hammer icon or from the File>>Export.

 

Also are my above steps from 1-7 correct? Is this the way to do it?

[Cool_Z 1,547]

Stuck on how to use the Bat4Max 5

 

1. I opened 3dsMax 9 and then I clicked LetThereBeLight >> click on Day button.......................

2. Then I created my model.

3. Then I clicked on Automatic Lods.

4. Then I saved the model at C:\documents and settings\user\my documents\3dsmax\scenes\test1.max

5. Then I clicked on Export LODS

6. Then I opened the SC4 Gmax BAT tool and clicked File>>Import and using this Path: C:\gmax\gamepacks\BAT\test1.3DS imported my test1.3DS file.

7. I unchecked unit option and merged with existing scene.

 

 

Now I am stuck....

 

What to do next in GMax ? I dont find the option of SD/HD in Gmax. Also shall I click the Export button from the Hammer icon or from the File>>Export.

 

Also are my above steps from 1-7 correct? Is this the way to do it?

 

Now you export from the bat part of Gmax (the hammer), yes your first steps are ok.

 

After the export you close the bat and back to 3ds, you chose the model name you gave in the bat, then you export the day scene and then the night scene.

[mayorgreener 37]

 

Stuck on how to use the Bat4Max 5

 

1. I opened 3dsMax 9 and then I clicked LetThereBeLight >> click on Day button.......................

2. Then I created my model.

3. Then I clicked on Automatic Lods.

4. Then I saved the model at C:\documents and settings\user\my documents\3dsmax\scenes\test1.max

5. Then I clicked on Export LODS

6. Then I opened the SC4 Gmax BAT tool and clicked File>>Import and using this Path: C:\gmax\gamepacks\BAT\test1.3DS imported my test1.3DS file.

7. I unchecked unit option and merged with existing scene.

 

 

Now I am stuck....

 

What to do next in GMax ? I dont find the option of SD/HD in Gmax. Also shall I click the Export button from the Hammer icon or from the File>>Export.

 

Also are my above steps from 1-7 correct? Is this the way to do it?

 

Now you export from the bat part of Gmax (the hammer), yes your first steps are ok.

 

After the export you close the bat and back to 3ds, you chose the model name you gave in the bat, then you export the day scene and then the night scene.

 

 

OK, after the day scene and then the night scene are exported, where can I see the FSH file? I mean in which Path of my Computer?

[LordShadow 52]

I have a problem with night export in new BAT.  Day export created good, but when you switch to night, when rendering - the texture is not darkened, as if they lighted. I checked - the materials are properly configured. What to do?

[AndisArt 2,066]

 

OK, after the day scene and then the night scene are exported, where can I see the FSH file? I mean in which Path of my Computer?

 

 

The latest Bat4Max inserts the FSH files automatically into the .model file, but if you want to see the FSH files on your computer you can find them in the 3DS Max installation folders, that is in the gamepacks/BAT folder. Depending on where you installed Max it should look something like this:

C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2011\gamepacks\BAT\Outputfiles

 

About your earlier post: Not sure why the instructions on the first page of this thread mention to select SD or HD during the gmax sequence. This option is found only in 3DS Max. The instructions should be corrected by a mod.

[Ro-Bo 183]

If you installed BAT4Max, there will be a SD/HD option under Utilities (the hammer)> B.A.T > Preview in gmax.

[AeonProjects 20]

I have exported before but seldom having an issue where BAT4MAX won't allow to export. I follow the steps 1-3 but when trying to select my target model it won't allow and just makes a noise. 

 

 

 

*Never mind, I fixed it. 

[ExtraNoise 18]

I ask that because I'm having a problem. Every time I set the scene to daylight.

 

It always look like these

Both scene and preview.

 

Was there any resolution here? I am using 3DS Max 2013 and also having this issue come up. It didn't appear to be any response from this post on Page 12?

[art128 4,618]

Got a problem when trying to export a building.

 

I export the LOD, render them in Gmax BAT, then In 3dsmax export sequence I click on select target model and select the rendered LODs.

It then tells me this:

 

 

I checked in the INI file and the path is correct.

 

Any idea? I can't render anything with this problem.

[mntoes 270]

Are you sure it exports them to the plugins folder?. The only reason I ask is that mine are exported to:- c/gmax/gamepacks/Bat (I don't remember selecting the path when I installed it so it could be the default path?)

[scotty222 549]

Art - I just did a test and I get the same message when I try to select a target model that's not in the Plugins folder itself, if it's not in there already put the model file there and you should be sorted. If not I have no idea sorry. Also you can't have spaces in the name of the model, you'll get that message when you get past the one you currently have

 

Good Luck 

[Jasoncw 11,840]

The file it's looking for needs to actually be in the plugins folder where it's looking. That's the first thing to check.

 

And the .SC4Model files needs to have all the numbers at the end. The absence of those numbers might cause the invalid path message.

 

 

To add the numbers back in, open the .SC4Model file in the reader and find the xml file. The numbers should still be in the xml file and you can copy and paste them back to the end of the filename.

[art128 4,618]

Ok, I managed to make it work..

 

..However the rendered building was bad, gave me that:

 

 

I tried to redo the LODs, more simple ( a single line instead of using booleans) .... Still gave me that.

 

Any idea?
I'm kind of lost.

[art128 4,618]

BUMP

 

Tried another render with even simpler LODs ( simple box), still failed and gave me the same thing.

 

Ok, just found out about what is said on page 1. Of course the last time I read it, this wasn't there and nobody is able to point me out to this...

 

 

EDIT

 

So i tried to apply the hotfix1. Gave me an error 1920. Googled it, tried everything they said ( disable virus scanner, reinstall NET framework ....)  but nothing helped.

 

Can someone please help? I'm seriously lost now and I can't render anything.

[Nique 291]

I have 3D Max 2014 and can't even get past the first step.. exporting the LOD's:

First, when i click on export LOD's, Everything seems to be fine. I get the message that the LOD's are explorted. But... i can't find them. There are no files created in the gmax/bat folder (nor are they in sub folders). 
Is there something i forgot?

 

EDIT: Wow.. it toke me a couple of days before i post this message.. because i just want to figure things out my self before bothering other people but this is just crazy: After i posted this reply, i just went to my C drive and.. why is there a gmax folder? Well it appears the script doesn't actually export the LOD to the gmax folder where you installed it but it will be exported to the standard folder (the path you see when you install the bat tool). C:\gmax\gamepacks\BAT there it is. So if anyone else ever installs gmax to another folder: don't.