Real Highway (RHW) - Development and Support

[KING_4ALL 0]

ok i have a bit of delemia , in my sc4 game i have theedmonton alberta transit view modd installed and the rural highway the problem is very simple the rural hightways i have laid down do not show up on the trans map what can i do to fix this

[Haljackey 17,355]

Hey SamJam, I have something new to show you (as well as for everyone else)

With this new entrance/exit ramp, you can extend the accel/decel lane as far as you want (or so I have heard), and can also turn it into its own lane!  This will also work for a 2 lane ramp just like you were requesting.  See more on the project by clicking on the picture in my signature.  This is just a model, so this is subject to change as the release nears completion,

---

KING_4ALL:  It has nothing to do with the transport region view mod you are using, so the answer is simple.  The RHW network is based on the ANT (additional network tool) and was never implemented into SC4 upon its release.  Because it wasn't included in the game, the game cannot identify this network in the region transportation because there was no code ever designed for this network.

My best advice is not to use the transportation view.  We were without it before Rush Hour, and we will have to be without it while we have the RHW installed. 

However, having said that, there has been some progress made to put the RHW on the transport region view:

If you have the extracheats.dll file from Buggi, there's a DrawPaths cheat enabled.  Run that cheat in a city tile, then save the tile, and exit back to Region View.  All networks will be visible, with the coloration from the DrawPaths cheat.  The only drawback is that the DrawPaths coloration also effects the normal Region View.

(The green road is the RHW)

Currently, that is the only way around this problem.  I hope I answered your question.

-Haljackey

[WillG_75 19]

What is required for the RHW Mod to work? I downloaded the NAM from July 2007, ANT network, RHW Mod and texture updates and still can't get it to work! Is there a certain version of the ANT plugin that I need? I can't even find the ANT folder or files in my plug-in folder, so I don't even really know if I have it installed, and I can't find it for download anywhere.......

[star.torturer 0]

NAM essentials June 07

and please make sure you read the readme next time

Joe

[SamJam 9]

Originally posted by: haljackey

...Is that a photo of the 401?

...Hey SamJam, I have something new to show you (as well as for everyone else)quote>

Sure is the 401, at the McCowan Road exit in Toronto as far as I can remember. As I'm sure you're well aware (London, right?) the 400-series highways all use 2-lane exits and Parclo A4 interchanges wherever possible now, certainly with all newly built interchanges. It's not exactly that I want to see "hometown" stuff in the game, although that's great, but rather that the designs the MTO uses in our highways make sooooo much sense compared with many others, taking into account speed limits, distances, lane changes, etc etc. It makes my skin crawl sometimes when I see inferior (IMHO) interchanges. The 400-series just makes sense.

The offramp looks GREAT!! I see there's even a difference in lane paint -- shorter, thicker lines to highlight a lane which will end. Bud, I am drooling right now. Seriously. It looks perfect. In response to "being patient", I am, no problem there. I'd rather take my time with things and get it right than hurry and get an inferior result, but honestly when I'm capable of really utilizing the RHW/MIS I'm going to have an aneurysm.

On a side note, how do you feel about the freeway situation around London? Every time I'm there I feel like the city/county (or even the province) could be doing so much better with it. I read that the Hwy. 7 freeway portion is supposed to be extended from K-W around Stratford and eventually link with Airport Rd. to form a circumferential route around the city. I'm in Oshawa so I don't exactly hear a lot of news about that area.

(Edit: spelling & grammar)

[WillG_75 19]

Where should I install this mod at? I've installed it into the /Plugins folder, Plugins/Network Addon Mod folder, Plugins/Network Addon Mod/Plugins folder and Plugins/Network Addon Mod/Plugins/Rural Highway Mod folder, and I cannot get it to show up in the game. I have NAM June 2007 and July 2007 Essentials, ANT Plugin, and the RHW mod. I've read all the instructions, all the readme, and no matter what I do, I can't get it to work. A also can't get the ungerground RR tunnel to work, along with the Avenue roundabout and other stuff that came with the NAM June 2007 version.

[Haljackey 17,355]

SamJam: I totally agree with you there!  This will change SC4!

As for the 401 thing, although its kinda off topic, the answer is simple. Regarding the highway/freeway situation in London... what highway?  Seriously, all we have are the 401/402 that completely bypass the city, although the 401 has seen more commuter traffic these days, and the highway is currently under a massive widening/reconstruction project.  London is currently the largest city in North America that does not have a urban/suburban highway for local use, and there are no plans to ever implement one.  Because of this, traffic sucks in the city and having the worst public transit system in Canada doesn't help one bit.  Most traffic on the 401 is long distance, and since it never actually enters the city itself, most people think the city is a tiny village and thus tourism suffers.  Pretty bad for a city of 350,000 (and another 100-150k in the so called "metro" depending on how far you go) people, eh?

Anyways, I am getting way too off topic.  For more info, consult these Wikipedia articles:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highway_401

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London%2C_Ontario

But I guess this is why I like the RHW so much.  Its a Rural Highway! (not like the urban highway Maxis included in the game)!  Thats what they look like around here, and so, thats how I would like them to look in my city!

---

WillG_75:  It looks like you have a conflicting plugin that is compatible for the previous NAM but "obsolete " for the current version (this happened to me EEK!).  Before tearing your plugins folder apart to look for the conflicting file, make sure you have deleted EVERYTHING from the last NAM, including RHW 13A. 

If you know you have gotten rid of ALL the NAM files, then you do have a conflicting plugin.  Happy hunting!

Once you have found the little bugger, I would re-install the NAM if I were you (with the additional ANT network too!!!) , then the NAM: Essentials, finally with the RHW (Version 13B).  Make sure the RHW folder is IN THE NAM FOLDER and everything should work okay.

I hope this answers your question,

-Haljackey.

[azninoverdrive 9]

<img src="http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/2259/rhwsignalnp1.th.jpg" border="0"/></img>

Take a look at this

Well, since the RHW has no traffic lights, I thought of this. What you see here, is a non-altered picture of a new RHW intersection. Notice the light actually works, and is not 100% game material, those turning arrows are not default.

[toxicpiano 125]

Originally posted by: azninoverdrive <img src="http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/2259/rhwsignalnp1.th.jpg" border="0"/></img>

<img src="http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/9220/thevalleyjan23051192590of9.png" border="0"/></img>

Take a look at this

Well, since the RHW has no traffic lights, I thought of this. What you see here, is a non-altered picture of a new RHW intersection. Notice the light actually works, and is not 100% game material, those turning arrows are not default.quote>

RHW is supposed to be high speed and rural. That is the complete opposites

[azninoverdrive 9]

Thats what is suppose to be for this game, but some real RHW aren't always Interstates. They can be Routes as well. I noticed they'll put a stop sign on it instead with intersections that size. When in reality they could have put up a light, so I tried to make a modification allowing me to do so. I did notice the lack of intersection texture for the RHW, so I tried doing a gray one with a stopline. Yes its a little off in the middle, but it was weird having no traffic control device for this thing.

[warrior 169]

Are you saying that it isn't actually functional anyway?

You can TE for ANT it's slightly harder, and I don't have time to explain, and just some feedback:

1)I'm sure a certain person has pointed out that TEd lots for making networks (or intersections for that matter) is not the way to do it.

2) The textures could be improved

Besides the MIS is coming out in the next version of RHW, and what Toxicpiano said is true.

Have a look at the RHW thread at SC4Devotion for updates that will inform you about what is happening. If you took time to learn how to make puzzle pieces, you work would be much better.

[Psycho_Teddy 25]

RHW is supposed to be high speed and rural. That is the complete oppositesquote>

You should come visit Ohio, then, my friend. St. Rt. 35 is a rural highway and it does this in many spots, as do many other RHWs in my area.  I find it to be a great idea! Good job!

[azninoverdrive 9]

At Phsycho_Teddy, thanx for pointing Hwy 35 out, Ohio is not alone with RHW having signals. At Warrior, I didn't want to publicly mess the Exemplar 21's on the RHW that might interfere with the MIS, so I released this as a lot. Puzzle pieces are great, but they take longer, and you objected to the texture, you may not be alone, but that can always be changed. I was hesitant to make this a puzzle piece, for that reason. How many people have Shadow Assasins texture, versus the grey texture. As for functioning, the regular red, yellow, green sequence will function, but unless some one makes a modification that the arrows can come on, then, its just eyecandy for now. The other lights do function. As for a puzzle piece, I think that would be great, but if it came with the nam, I'd consider having someone else do it, but don't forget the arrows. For now though, lets just see how this works for people downloading this first version.

[jplumbley 5]

Aznoverdrive... 

How in the world can you call this RHW?  This has not been endorsed by the RHW team nor has it added anything to the Mod itself.  If you would listen you could learn how to do it properly or make a decent texture that fits within the same universe as RHW and send it to the RHW team for integration into the project.  

TE LOTS ARE A BAD MODDING PRACTICE FOR NETWORK TILES.

How many times do I have to tell you?  This type of Lot is HIGHLY discouraged by the entire NAM team and is not in any way shape or form considered to be suitable for anyone's game.

Please for the sake of the community stop releasing these Badly Modded Lots and find someone willing to help you.  I would suggest to the STEX Staff that these lots be Locked as they are VERY bad for the Pathfinding Engine and could mess with the Commute Times, Pathfinding, etc.

[Filasimo 1]

I could not have said that better myself Jplumbey To players who have downloaded or have these lots in their city, take it out right now due to the fact that using TE lots will skew up the traffic data. Thank you.

[mystic_horizon 1]

There are traffic lights on rural highways. Austin is a good example since my relatives lives there.

[Psycho_Teddy 25]

Aznoverdrive... 

How in the world can you call this RHW?  This has not been endorsed by the RHW team nor has it added anything to the Mod itself.  If you would listen you could learn how to do it properly or make a decent texture that fits within the same universe as RHW and send it to the RHW team for integration into the project.  

TE LOTS ARE A BAD MODDING PRACTICE FOR NETWORK TILES.

How many times do I have to tell you?  This type of Lot is HIGHLY discouraged by the entire NAM team and is not in any way shape or form considered to be suitable for anyone's game.

Please for the sake of the community stop releasing these Badly Modded Lots and find someone willing to help you.  I would suggest to the STEX Staff that these lots be Locked as they are VERY bad for the Pathfinding Engine and could mess with the Commute Times, Pathfinding, etc.quote>

No flaming, please. Your post is attacking him.  He can call this a RHW peice because, oh, say, this: http://maps.google.com/maps/mm?ie=UTF8&hl=en&ll=39.706382,-84.019146&spn=0.001779,0.004935&t=k&z=18&om=0

Maybe they don't have these types of intersections where you live, but they do in other places around the world (that intersection happens to be only a few miles from me).

[jplumbley 5]

Originally posted by: Psycho_Teddy

Aznoverdrive... 

How in the world can you call this RHW?  This has not been endorsed by the RHW team nor has it added anything to the Mod itself.  If you would listen you could learn how to do it properly or make a decent texture that fits within the same universe as RHW and send it to the RHW team for integration into the project.  

TE LOTS ARE A BAD MODDING PRACTICE FOR NETWORK TILES.

How many times do I have to tell you?  This type of Lot is HIGHLY discouraged by the entire NAM team and is not in any way shape or form considered to be suitable for anyone's game.

Please for the sake of the community stop releasing these Badly Modded Lots and find someone willing to help you.  I would suggest to the STEX Staff that these lots be Locked as they are VERY bad for the Pathfinding Engine and could mess with the Commute Times, Pathfinding, etc.quote>

No flaming, please. Your post is attacking him.  He can call this a RHW peice because, oh, say, this:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=Wright+State+University+Dayton,+Ohio&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=30.048013,80.859375&ie=UTF8&ll=39.706324,-84.01906&spn=0.001779,0.004935&t=k&z=18&om=1

I would say that is a RHW intersection, wouldn't you?

Maybe they don't have these types of intersections where you live, but they do in other places around the world (that intersection happens to be only a few miles from me).

quote>

 

You obviously did NOT read my post.

My post was saying how what he uploaded was a BAD MODDING PRACTICE.

Go here and read why, then come back and tell me I am wrong.

https://www.simtropolis.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=37&threadid=92583&highlight_key=y

[Psycho_Teddy 25]

Originally posted by: jplumbley

Originally posted by: Psycho_Teddy

Aznoverdrive... 

How in the world can you call this RHW?  This has not been endorsed by the RHW team nor has it added anything to the Mod itself.  If you would listen you could learn how to do it properly or make a decent texture that fits within the same universe as RHW and send it to the RHW team for integration into the project.  

TE LOTS ARE A BAD MODDING PRACTICE FOR NETWORK TILES.

How many times do I have to tell you?  This type of Lot is HIGHLY discouraged by the entire NAM team and is not in any way shape or form considered to be suitable for anyone's game.

Please for the sake of the community stop releasing these Badly Modded Lots and find someone willing to help you.  I would suggest to the STEX Staff that these lots be Locked as they are VERY bad for the Pathfinding Engine and could mess with the Commute Times, Pathfinding, etc.quote>

No flaming, please. Your post is attacking him.  He can call this a RHW peice because, oh, say, this:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=Wright+State+University+Dayton,+Ohio&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=30.048013,80.859375&ie=UTF8&ll=39.706324,-84.01906&spn=0.001779,0.004935&t=k&z=18&om=1

I would say that is a RHW intersection, wouldn't you?

Maybe they don't have these types of intersections where you live, but they do in other places around the world (that intersection happens to be only a few miles from me).

quote>

 

You obviously did NOT read my post.

My post was saying how what he uploaded was a BAD MODDING PRACTICE.

Go here and read why, then come back and tell me I am wrong.

https://www.simtropolis.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=37&threadid=92583&highlight_key=yquote>

I understand that he may have used the wrong technique, but you need to cool your jets.  I have half of a mind to report your post to a mod.

[jplumbley 5]

Go for it. 

This upload is not endorsed by the RHW team nor does it use our textures...  It is a badly modded lots and has caused offence to the RHW team as a result.  If you have a problem with that, then by all means.  But Azn has no basis to yse the RHW tags if he does not use the same quality of modding on the item.

[Tarkus 6,932]

mystic_horizon, the issue at hand here is not whether or not RHWs have traffic signals in RL.  Some of them do, point taken. 

The fact of the matter is, the new upload by azninoverdrive which consists of a TE Lot.  I couldn't agree more with my NAM colleagues jplumbley and Filasimo.  Not only do the textures look nothing like the RHW, using TE Lots for such purposes is simply a bad idea, and it will only cause issues with the Traffic Simulator and the entire commute cycle, as jplumbley pointed out.  I should also point out that this upload is not an official RHW upload, nor is it endorsed (or condoned) by the NAM or RHW Teams. 

Originally posted by: azninoverdrive Warrior, I didn't want to publicly mess the Exemplar 21's on the RHW that might interfere with the MIS, so I released this as a lot. quote>

If you knew anything about Type 21 Exemplars (including the correct name) you'd know that adding a Type 21 only effects instances of one particular texture or model with a given Instance ID.  There is no way you could mess up the MIS with a Type 21 Exemplar when you don't even know the Instance IDs the MIS pieces are going to be using. 

This is a poor excuse for poor modding. 

Originally posted by: azninoverdrive . Puzzle pieces are great, but they take longer, and you objected to the texture, you may not be alone, but that can always be changed. I was hesitant to make this a puzzle piece, for that reason. quote>

That's a poor excuse for not making a puzzle piece.  Doing this stuff properly takes longer, but it's done properly.  Even with "objectionable" textures, it would be a far, far better effort.  It's quite easy to change the textures on a puzzle piece in the Reader, too.

People have tried to help you, and you quite simply haven't heeded their advice.  Seriously, why do you keep uploading these TE Lots to the STEX?   Honestly, I fail to see the point.  This one particularly.  If someone really wanted a traffic signal at an RHW-RHW intersection, they'd convert the RHWs to Avenues.  They'd have working traffic signals, plus NAM Turn Lanes, without the wackiness of a TE Lot.  It would simply look more realistic, quite frankly.  That's what I actually what I've done whenever I've had to cross two RHW-4s at-grade.

azninoverdrive, if I were you, I would lock all of your TE Lots, and please don't release any new ones.  (This goes for everyone else, too.)  Put this behind you, and learn how to do it properly. 

-Tarkus

[Jasoncw 11,933]

There aren't any rules that force members to do a good job on their projects.  There are rules about being nice though.  I understand the frustration, but that's how things need to be.

The staff is talking about the STEX uploads.

Everyone please keep talking, but try to be more civil. 

[rickmastfan67 0]

I'll back up what Tarkus, jplumbley, and Filasimo say. This especially insults me because I'm part of the RHW team and have been working on official textures for the RHW system. And to have my textures even in the same picture as that annoys the heck out of me. Especially when I worked hard on the overhaul of the complete system for Tarkus.

-- One angry graphics guy.

[riponite 0]

Regarding SamJam's comments about the 2-lane RHW-4 on/off ramp...  

While the picture is rather small and hard for me to see, it looks quite a bit like the westbound I-90/94 split at Tomah, WI.  The only major difference that I see is that I-90 exits to the left.  I usually travel in the "Passing" lane until the right-hand lane of the 2-lane left-hand exit materializes.  This is a 65 MPH exit so there are no deceleration lanes.  So, RHW 2-lane exit example would actually be fairly realistic for some Wisconsin rural freeway interchanges - however rare they may be.

Riponite.

[Filasimo 1]

@ Psycho Teddy: i am failing to comprehend how Jplumbey was flaming azn he was saying that it is a BAD MODDING PRACTICE where in your right mind do you get that he is flaming him? I should report you myself for bad negligence of not understanding that TE lots designed this way affects the pathfinding engine greatly disrupting the city development. We understand there are intersections like that but as my fellow colleagues have explained its not that hard to replicate that intersection with the available setup we have developed. In my opinion if someone slapped a project tag that you have spent countless hours developing and that lot they made screws up your project, I would believe that you will be pissed off too! So in my opinion I would suggest that you do not go further in this bc in sense what you are doing is leading this into an unnecessary flame war. We are clearly trying to explain that lots like this are not compatible with the mod period. We are here to let everyone know that what people are doing creating TE lots are going to mess up and skew our projects. I expect this issue resolved and we can move on with other more important things. Good day to you sir.

ISSUE CLOSED!

[Tropod 144]

Originally posted by: azninoverdrive .....I didn't want to publicly mess the Exemplar 21's on the RHW that might interfere with the MIS, so I released this as a lot. Puzzle pieces are great, but they take longer, and you objected to the texture, you may not be alone, but that can always be changed. I was hesitant to make this a puzzle piece, for that reason. How many people have Shadow Assasins texture, versus the grey texture. As for functioning, the regular red, yellow, green sequence will function, but unless some one makes a modification that the arrows can come on, then, its just eyecandy for now. The other lights do function. As for a puzzle piece, I think that would be great, but if it came with the nam, I'd consider having someone else do it, but don't forget the arrows. For now though, lets just see how this works for people downloading this first version.quote>

I have been here & modding this game long enough to know that many people come along with ideas etc wanting & trying to do something without fully appreciating or taking into account all information at hand or realise the ramifications modifying something can have on the game (& there's nothing wrong with that). I have seen many members come along & request this or request that, have a lot of enthusiasm & drive to do what they have requested but usually fall short unfortunately (I myself have even done the same thing with BAT, I suck at it so I don't bother with it much anymore).

As has already been pointed out, unfortunately Transit Enabling an intersection is not recommended & is strongly discouraged. There are technical reasons for this. Taking short cuts with modding is not always a good idea: Puzzle Pieces may take longer & require a bit more technical knowhow, but there is a reason for that (once you get into them though they get easier). Some people may like what's been done, some may not. Not everyone is going to agree on it, but take it from those with the technical knowhow who have been here much longer dealing with this sort of stuff,  learn from them & try work with them.

[Psycho_Teddy 25]

@ Psycho Teddy: i am failing to comprehend how Jplumbey was flaming azn he was saying that it is a BAD MODDING PRACTICE where in your right mind do you get that he is flaming him? I should report you myself for bad negligence of not understanding that TE lots designed this way affects the pathfinding engine greatly disrupting the city development. We understand there are intersections like that but as my fellow colleagues have explained its not that hard to replicate that intersection with the available setup we have developed. In my opinion if someone slapped a project tag that you have spent countless hours developing and that lot they made screws up your project, I would believe that you will be pissed off too! So in my opinion I would suggest that you do not go further in this bc in sense what you are doing is leading this into an unnecessary flame war. We are clearly trying to explain that lots like this are not compatible with the mod period. We are here to let everyone know that what people are doing creating TE lots are going to mess up and skew our projects. I expect this issue resolved and we can move on with other more important things. Good day to you sir.quote>

Here: "How in the world can you call this RHW?"

and here: "Please for the sake of the community stop releasing these Badly Modded Lots."

You guys need to give him a break...  He is just trying to help with the development process and you guys are putting him down by insulting his work, rather than giving him some advice to better his abilities.  If you want to talk about "for the sake of the community", then don't discourage others to mod because it doesn't meet your standards.  ST is a widely known community that is renowned for its helpfulness and lack of nonsense flaming and name calling.  It is a source for gaining knowledge to learn how and what to modify to make SC4 a more enjoyable game to play for all of us.  If you discourage these new guys for their low-quality of work (unless they upload something like a spam post), then god-knows what you've taken away from the STEX (as these new guys can learn to make some great stuff, eventually).  We all have to start somewhere.  And that is what I'm saying.

A post such as Tropod's (the one right above this post) would have been appropriate, here.  CONSTRUCTIVE criticism, please!

[J-Dub 6]

INNAPROPRIATE GUYS!

Listen guys, if thats your attitude, I can see why people leave this place. This is offensive attitude displayed by the RHW team, for continuously flaming, as if you own the place. Explain How this messes up your project. Again, Phsyo Teddy makes, good points. Azn did say this was an experiment, and said something about if the ID's could get shared so there was no interfering exemplar 21. The ANT is not the same as the NAM's configuration. Azn also did suggest he would do a puzzle piece, but instead of discussing this, you guys all just get pissed for no good reason, and don't listen. Yes this is hard work to be done, but you guys have been so secretive on this site about it. My RHW works FINE. I don't know about the MIS, but this is a temporary set up for now, again he did offer doing it the right way, but no one replied on to how this should be set up as a puzzle piece. Which is different than the other network puzzle pieces. Besides the fact, yes your textures are in the picture, but he didn't lot those!  

I wouldn't be supprised if he never comes back here now, because jeeze louise. You guys on the RHW team or NAM team turn out to be really are dissapointing. You guys also didn't patent the title  RHW.

And the other thing, the game makers were the ones that first did te lots. If yous are so concerned about your so called systems supposebly getting screwed by te lots, then U fix it! If other users are okay with this, why can't you guys be?  He offered us something new, we could actually use Now! He wasn't the only one, someone made RHW Electronic Toll Gantry! Theres your textures taken!   

[warrior 169]

Deleted - Please read my last post.

[warrior 169]

Deleted - Please read my last post.