Is there any way to compress a file from 54.2MB to under 20MB?

[WeBuiltThisCityOnSimCity 40]

I am uploading a region that takes up 54.2MB in a zip including a Readme. Unfortunately, the uploader only allows 20MB at the most.

[Hamish 1,369]

We don't allow people to upload regions which include city files because they can be so big, like yours is. Which is what I am assuming you are trying to do.

What we do allow people to upload are either greyscale maps or SC4 Mapper/Terraformer files.

The omnibus has a large selection of map related tutorials, so click this link for the mapping section of the omnibus.

If you choose to use the terraformer program, which is the easiest for new mappers, then you may want to read this tutorial.

You can find the Terraformer here.

Hope this helps.

[WeBuiltThisCityOnSimCity 40]

Are there any sites which allow regions with cities?

[MandelSoft 2,769]

Well, consider the following problems:

- SimCity 4 is a city building game. If there's already a city established, what's then the fun of the game?

- Likely you use some custom content. If someone tries to download your region, they also need to download ALL custom content. Imagine these enormous dependecy lists!

- Each SimCity player has his (or her) own style of city building. Different people, different cities. So if you upload a region with already established development, there would be not much interest.

- 54MB is huge. The STEX already has trouble with the NAM (about 25MB, one of the largest and most essential mods out there). Imagine how much trouble the STEX will have with huge files.

And that's why there are no developed regions on the STEX. The alternative (empty maps, which can be converted by SC4Terraformer or SC4Mapper) is much more popular and much smaller in file size, so I would stick to that option.

Best,

Maarten

[WeBuiltThisCityOnSimCity 40]

Actually, my region doesn't have any city established, only a lot of trees.

It's a region that is 100% covered with trees, and I want to give players an opportunity to start off with a forest, like Europe and pre-colonial America.

  Edited September 12, 2011 by randomuser2349  

[Hamish 1,369]

Im sorry, but thats our rules, and I don't know of a site that does things any differently.

I suggest your try the terraformer, it is the easiest option of map making, and is widley used by everyone here. You could recreate your region in this and it might come to around 500 kb, thats much smaller and easier for people to download.

[WeBuiltThisCityOnSimCity 40]

Im sorry, but thats our rules, and I don't know of a site that does things any differently.

I suggest your try the terraformer, it is the easiest option of map making, and is widley used by everyone here. You could recreate your region in this and it might come to around 500 kb, thats much smaller and easier for people to download.

Don't worry, I wasn't complaining or rebutting.

Anyways, does terraformer allow forestation?

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Forestation is the job of the gamer, not the map producer. I admire your charity, but I don't think it would be much appreciated.

I use the Landscape Designer to generate a random map and then edit its gray-scale .jpg to add features that cannot be generated. The Landscape Designer can then be used to read in the gray-scale for viewing in the false color mode for tuning. All of my maps are then resolved using the in-game features. No outside software is required.

This does require some skill at graphics, especially since the images are reversed.

The other tools are very useful, I suppose, if you want to create a real life map. I can't run them because of some kind of incompatibility with Python.

On the other hand, maps are never set in concrete after they have been rendered. The terraforming tools are always available.

[Hamish 1,369]

No, It doesn't. But due to the amounts of tree mods and the different styles of trees that we have available now, I think most would rather plant their own. I like to use a few styles when making my own regions, and I know that other people like to use styles vastly different to mine. It may not be the best thing to want to include pre existing trees in maps because other peoples playing style will be very different and won't suit the style of tree planting.

[WeBuiltThisCityOnSimCity 40]

Guess I'll use Webs.com for anyone who wants it.

[jacksunny 741]

Remember that the region mustn't have a lot of plugins. It would take far too long for a gamer to download them all. A few are fine. It can include things like the NAM though, most people have that.

  Edited September 12, 2011 by jacksunny  

[WeBuiltThisCityOnSimCity 40]

Remember that the region mustn't have a lot of plugins. It would take far too long for a gamer to download them all. A few are fine. It can include things like the NAM though, most people have that.

No plugins or dependencies. All was created with God mode and importing.

Also, does this site permit linking to external sites about your SC4 projects?

[Hamish 1,369]

Not on the STEX, no.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Let us remember that you are not allowed to publish anyone else's work without their permission. So no plugins can be included, only a list of dependencies.

[WeBuiltThisCityOnSimCity 40]

Not on the STEX, no.

Elsewhere?

[WeBuiltThisCityOnSimCity 40]

Uggh....I posted the region, and I accidentally saved the large tiles with a rotated camera.....

I hope people read the disclaimer...