Tutorial on the use and organization of the Plugins folders

[FireFenix00 0]

Actually nevermind that post, I figured out what was wrong and fixed it, quite simple really, the resolution settings were set for to low that nothing poped up...now all the stuff I dl is working, well it's showing but I don't know if it's working.

[Guinnessmonkey 0]

Ok... One question I had that MIGHT have already been definitively answered but maybe not...:


Plenty of modders/editors/whatnot claim in their readme's that their work has to go in the Program Files directory. I tend to believe them, but are they actually correct? Wouldn't putting it in that directory run the risk that someone else overwrites their work with something lesser? Also, if they ARE right, and such files (whether UI's*, Trolca trains, or whatever) do indeed have to go in Program Files, can they be orgainized into subfolders? Or does this only really work for Program Files-only stuff if its in the actual folder and not a subfolder.


Mainly because my My Docs is now wonderfully orgainized, but it can be hard to keep track of all the crap that I keep dumping (under the assumption that I had to) into Program Files...


*I remember reading back when I first started this process reading someone saying that UI's work best in program files, as putting them in mydocs can lead to crashes. Is this even vaguely true, or have I been creating a lot of work for myself over nothing?

[GrampaAl 76]

I recommend that MODS be placed into the ProgramFiles directory chain, and all lot files or other custom content that is not actual mods but new stuff, be placed into the MyDocs directory path.

[Guinnessmonkey 0]

Danke. That's essentially what I have now, with the exception that all my Trolca trains and UI's are in program files.

Frankly I partly just got paranoid about it when I started cleaning out props after all those nice prop-paks were uploaded a couple days ago. Apparently I had been overwriting newer farm props with old, crappy ones all along... Doh.

[Equinox 1,218]

The UI-causing-crashing-based-on-placement thing was so illogical, I'd have to say it probably wasn't even really correlated to the actual crashes people were experiencing (this was on early NDEX lots).  I figured I'd note it, anyways, though, because since it seemed to fix it for the reporter, maybe it could fix it for a couple other people as well.

In short, it does not matter where you place query files within one of the two plugins folders.  Which one you choose doesn't have an impact, either.  I wrote that in the readmes in the thoughts that it might help somebody, but not really believing it myself (but I couldn't test, unfortunately; I have never experienced one of those crashes).

[Guinnessmonkey 0]

Excellent...

The suggestion that the UI's could do so was one of the main reasons I was worried about which folder to put things in. I mean, if the program was so testy as to load UI files from one folder and not the other, than one had to be very careful.

Anyway, great. I can gather up all those UI files and put them back with the lots they belong to, which will clean up my Program Files folder a good deal.

Thanks both of y'all.

[wewak 0]

OK. Newbie making my first post.

Fair to say: I'm Confused 

 

I've just starting downloading lots of mods/lots/bats/bits/pieces/whatever.  I cannot believe how confusing it is to use them

 

Anyway, I'm just going to install everything into \my docs\ folder except the NAM and other MODS and stuff that installs itself and keep them within separate subfolders.

 

Keep up the good work you regulars, this is a great spot

[Chaitin 0]

Tell Me Why Skyscrapers is a mail box.

[Indiana 0]

OK I am a newbie here.  I have been playing MMOs for the past 6 years really and just came back to SimCity.  I have SimCity 4 installed but not Rush Hour...not yet, will likely have it tomorrow.

Question....

All of the plug-ins I have downloaded with the exception of a few tree plops always show up as these Brown Wrapped Packages.  I thought I put everything where it was suppose to go and they do show up in the menus.

 

My first attempt was putting everything in the Plug-ins folders (were the installers which have installers put them) or unzipped there.  Nope!...that doesnt work.  Then I read more and saw that some said to put DAT files in the Maxis/Plugins folder and all others in the MyDocs/Plugins folder...Nope...no better there.

I have all the dependent files for the ones that need them.

 

Obviously I am doing something wrong or is it that I just need Rush Hour installed for these to work?

 

any help would be great!

[tungston 19]

Date: 12/8/2005 9:33:54 PM Author: Indiana .......My first attempt was putting everything in the Plug-ins folders (were the installers which have installers put them) or unzipped there.  Nope!...that doesnt work.  Then I read more and saw that some said to put DAT files in the Maxis/Plugins folder and all others in the MyDocs/Plugins folder...Nope...no better there.

I have all the dependent files for the ones that need them.

Obviously I am doing something wrong or is it that I just need Rush Hour installed for these to work?

any help would be great!

quote>

Most downloads here on ST require Rush Hour/Deluxe version, all most all lots, and mods go into the My Documents\Simcity4 folder.

[Indiana 0]

Date: 12/8/2005 9:42:33 PM Author: tungston

Date: 12/8/2005 9:33:54 PM Author: Indiana .......My first attempt was putting everything in the Plug-ins folders (were the installers which have installers put them) or unzipped there.  Nope!...that doesnt work.  Then I read more and saw that some said to put DAT files in the Maxis/Plugins folder and all others in the MyDocs/Plugins folder...Nope...no better there.

I have all the dependent files for the ones that need them.

Obviously I am doing something wrong or is it that I just need Rush Hour installed for these to work?

any help would be great!

quote>

Most downloads here on ST require Rush Hour/Deluxe version, all most all lots, and mods go into the My DocumentsSimcity4 folder.

quote>

ok thanks!  That is what I figured.  I only ran across one file that said it required Rush Hour in the description/read me file so I wasnt sure.  I will just have to wait until it (Rush Hour) gets here and try again

[tungston 19]

Indiana:  You are certainly welcome, and welcome to the forums.  I think once you get RH you will find lots to fantastic lots, and mods.  Maybe the most important is the NAM.  It can be found on the Home page, Updated Network Addon Mod Oct 2005.

[Indiana 0]

Thanks for the welcome and the info! 

 

One more question....Do I need to download and install the other Essentials if I install the NAM?  If the NAM doesnt cover all the rest of those do I need or should I get the others, once I get Rush Hour installed?

[tungston 19]

Date: 12/8/2005 10:23:15 PM Author: Indiana

Thanks for the welcome and the info! 

One more question....Do I need to download and install the other 'Essentials' if I install the NAM?  If the NAM doesnt cover all the rest of those do I need or should I get the others, once I get Rush Hour installed?

quote>

The NAM covers all of the transit mods to date, including Better Pathfinding.  I am not sure you would want all of the Essentials.  The Landmark Props may be useful, and I think all the rest is included in the Oct. 2005 version.

[MinGraphics 1]

Thank you so much, maybe now I can get all my stuff to work right...I hope, it will take me days to get it all stright but here goes!!  Thanks again for all the hard work that went into this.