Need help dling maps from stex?

[minussin 1]

I'm trying to download maps from the STEX

- > https://www.simtropolis.com/forum/files/category/6-map/page__dosort__1__sort_key__file_downloads__sort_order__desc

Only info I can find on how to do it has been super confusing to follow... >_<

Can anyone help me out a little more on how to download one of these maps.. for example the Buffalo New York map or Toronto map?

I was told to check this guide out..

I downloaded the buffalo one, put the config.bmp into the region folder. I named a folder Buffalo New York that I put it into

I was told to download Terraformer, and to open up that region in it? But nothing shows up?

Maybe this is the wrong information I been told..

What steps do I need to follow to download these maps from ST EXchange? Anyone got a map for idiots book? lol

Thanks for any help

[Yarahi 1,823]

Try this guide instead.

Scroll down to Installing a Map Created by SC4Terraformer if you have a map that needs it

[CaptCity 4,915]

There are a couple methods to makie a map for SC4. One uses the game's regular rendering process and the other requires SC4Terraformer or SC4Mapper.

For maps that have the config and jpg download buttons, the download procedures have changed since the site upgrade. It's actually a bit easier. Skip the Downloading the Map Files from the STEX steps listed in the post that Yarahi linked to. Instead, just download the two images and place them in a folder with the name of the region. Place that folder into the SimCity 4/Regions folder. From there, follow the Installing the Map Files into SimCity 4 procedures in the first section of the post given by Yarahi.

If the map has a single download button, it will be a Terraformer map and you will need to follow the procedures for either SC4Mapper or SC4Terraformer given in the same post above. These maps use an .SC4M file rather than a greyscale image.

Edit: Minussin, is this the Buffalo map you're trying? If so, it the regular variety. You do not need Terraformer. As mentioned, just download the two files and place them in a new folder named "Buffalo" and put that folder into the Regions folder. From there, run the game, enter the new region, and use the ctrl+alt+shift+R command to render the map.

[minussin 1]

I dunno if I'm doing something wrong.. but I downloaded the Buffalo New York map, put those 2 files into the region, started the game, loaded an existing region, then tried to find the one I made.... but it's not showing?

Sorry yes, just say your edit as I responded.

Yes that is the map.

So I do that ctrl alt shift R and find that file then?

[Yarahi 1,823]

How to render:

1. On the Region Screen, click the Open Region icon. Select your new region folder. The screen will change to a large flat area - this is normal.

2. Hold Shift+Alt+Ctrl+R and navigate to the jpeg file you just saved. Select this and hit okay

3. Sim City 4 now converts this .jpeg file to a new region; it takes approximately 5 to 15 minutes depending on the size of the region and the speed of your computer.

EDIT: This was taken from the Map Installing Instructions

  Edited August 8, 2011 by yarahi  

[CaptCity 4,915]

I dunno if I'm doing something wrong.. but I downloaded the Buffalo New York map, put those 2 files into the region, started the game, loaded an existing region, then tried to find the one I made.... but it's not showing?

Do you mean you can't find the region or the greyscale map file? If you can't find the region, check to be sure you put the new region folder in the C:\Documents and Settings\*User Name*\My Documents\SimCity 4\Regions folder and not the C:\Program Files\Maxis\SimCity 4 Deluxe\Regions folder?

[minussin 1]

Okay.. I did put it in the maxis one.. I put it in my document one now

But I tried that ctrl alt shift R thingy and found the buffalo.jpg and tried to render but it must be the wrong size? says

Region Generation error

Region bitmap size is incorrect ~~

2049x2049. should be 1025x1025

how do I change the size?

Also.. whats the diffrence between the SC4 in my documents, or in the maxis file? Like when I download stuff for plug-in's where is it supposed to go?

[CaptCity 4,915]

For plugins, they can go into either location, but it is recommended to use the one in My Documents since it is loaded last by the game. For regions, they must go into the one in My Documents. The other region folder is not read by the game. It is more of a backup location for the game to use if something happens to the My Documents regions.

Will check out the size issue with the map... Sounds like the game didn't recognize one of the files. Will post...

[minussin 1]

Ok.. sounds good

I downloaded a Toronto map and its rendering now

Thanks for the info, and hope to hear back

EDIT: Also.. is there a way to change umm.. not sure what they call them... how big a city is? like when you first load a region.. all those white lines? like tiles or something.. is there a way to change how many.. or how big or where they go?

  Edited August 8, 2011 by minussin  

[CaptCity 4,915]

Okay, tried the Bufallo map, and it seems to be rendering correctly. I checked the sizes of the two images and they seem to be properly matched. Are you sure you selected the correct jpg file when using the ctrl+alt+shift+R command? Also, are you sure you were in the Buffalo region when you started? Don't know what else could have happened.

EDIT: Also.. is there a way to change umm.. not sure what they call them... how big a city is? like when you first load a region.. all those white lines? like tiles or something.. is there a way to change how many.. or how big or where they go?

Yes, you can change the layout of the cities by modifying the config image.

If you open the config in a graphics program of some type (MS Paint works fine) you will note that it might consist of areas of red, green, and blue pixel squares. I say "might" because not all regions use all three sizes. Changing the pixel pattern of these squares will change the city layout.

You must use these specific areas: a 1x1 pixel red square will produce a small city, a 2X2 pixel green area will produce a medium, and a 4X4 pixel blue area a large. These patterns need to fit within the total area or the map may not render as expected.

Also, it is best to do this before any rendering is done since changing the city sizes will delete everything from the changed cities, including the terrain. And be aware that these three sizes are the only ones the game will recognize.

As always, before doing this, it is a good idea to make a backup copy of the original in case things don't turn out as expected.

[minussin 1]

Thanks CaptCity and Yarahi for all the help!

I like having maps that are actual place's where I live.. like Toronto, as being I'm Canadian lol

Thanks again!