File Conversion

[parthious 0]

Hey, how would you take a downloaded sc4 file and convert it so i could crop it down to a smaller size? Say preview if possible.

[Indiana Joe 1,750]

You can always compress your plugins.

[chimeran 208]

Hey, how would you take a downloaded sc4 file and convert it so i could crop it down to a smaller size? Say preview if possible.

are you talking about the regions SC4 city file or an SC4M file ?

[parthious 0]

I am trying to convert a sc4m file to say a jpg or other image file in order to crop it down to size, then to load it back into the game.

[Hamish 1,369]

You can't do that. Files have to remain the same file type, or else they just wont work. Once you use and load a sc4m file, you can remove it and delete it, its just a file that tells the game how to use a map. But for other files, they must remain in your plugins the whole time, in their original file type.

[chimeran 208]

I am trying to convert a sc4m file to say a jpg or other image file in order to crop it down to size, then to load it back into the game.

You can't do that. Files have to remain the same file type, or else they just wont work. Once you use and load a sc4m file, you can remove it and delete it, its just a file that tells the game how to use a map. But for other files, they must remain in your plugins the whole time, in their original file type.

Hamish is correct, SC4M files are pretty much set in stone as far as the region size and city sizes are concerned. try and contact the map maker and ask for the base files used (original color jpeg, 8bit greyscale, config.bmp) in order to cut the map down to size and alter the city sizes

  Edited August 12, 2012 by chimeran  

[parthious 0]

Ohh ok that helps. So I would have to either get them to change it, or do it through the usgs and sc4 terraformer my self?

[chimeran 208]

Ohh ok that helps. So I would have to either get them to change it, or do it through the usgs and sc4 terraformer my self?

a quick lesson in map-making. there are different methods to start off. some use a color map or satellite photo to start off with or you can use terrain generator (separate program). next you have to convert your file into an 8bit greyscale (black and white) in order for SC4 to render the image into a map it will recognize. the config.bmp is used to set the map size and city sizes. that's what you need to crop first and then crop the 8bit greyscale to match it or it won't render the image into a map.

SC4 will give you the dimensions you need for the 8bit greyscale to match the config.bmp when you try to render the image into a map.

depending on how big or how small your map is, the detail involved in the greyscale and the tech specs of your computer your new map can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 6 hours or more.

after you have rendered the map you need to use SC4 Terraformer to open the new map (Region) and then edit it the way you want it (landscaping), once completed it's a good idea to export (save) your new map in SC4M format so that way you have a back-up of your rendered map and won't have to wait however long it took to render through SC4

  Edited August 13, 2012 by chimeran  

[parthious 0]

Yea its just hard cause the terraformer and mapper arent mac supported. Ive had the games awhile and have only really been somewhat successful with one map I took from the USGS data. Successful as in actually starting from scratch to loading it and playing it in SC4. The actual rendering in the game doesnt take all that long, just depends on how big the map is.

It is also bothersome rebooting between the mac and the pc environments.

[Magneto 316]

Apparently it is possible, have a look

What you could do is load the SC4M file with terraformer, then export it as png

Crop the png with a good image editor (MS Paint won't work)

Adapt the config.bmp accordingly* and place it in your new region folder

Save the cropped png as a greyscale jpg

Load region and render manually the greyscale with Ctrl+Alt+Del+R

*Be sure that both height and width of your greyscale jpg are at good size. If your config.bmp is 8x12 pixels, your greyscale should be (8x64+1)x(12x64+1) pixels, better explanation here

Good luck

[chimeran 208]

Yea its just hard cause the terraformer and mapper arent mac supported. Ive had the games awhile and have only really been somewhat successful with one map I took from the USGS data. Successful as in actually starting from scratch to loading it and playing it in SC4. The actual rendering in the game doesnt take all that long, just depends on how big the map is.

It is also bothersome rebooting between the mac and the pc environments.

don't have a MAC so not really sure of the mechanics involved and the STEX tends to frown upon SC4 files in general b/c they are huge but should be MAC compatible.

[Hamish 1,369]

Parthious, if you want mac compatible maps, here's a tip. Go to the STEX, on the left underneath SimCity 4 click Map, then go to the very last page. There will be pages upon pages before this one that will only have greyscale maps, which are perfect for macs. They should be fairly small in file size too.

Here's a link to that page.

[parthious 0]

Apparently it is possible, have a look

What you could do is load the SC4M file with terraformer, then export it as png

Crop the png with a good image editor (MS Paint won't work)

Adapt the config.bmp accordingly* and place it in your new region folder

Save the cropped png as a greyscale jpg

Load region and render manually the greyscale with Ctrl+Alt+Del+R

*Be sure that both height and width of your greyscale jpg are at good size. If your config.bmp is 8x12 pixels, your greyscale should be (8x64+1)x(12x64+1) pixels, better explanation here

Good luck

Yea that was what i was looking for. ok it seems simple enough. I already have the config.bmp to the new dimensions and colors, just need to crop that picture right.

Oh so they are already done? Greyscale all i have to do is download open sc4 and then shift opt con r or something like that. . ..

Yea and most stuff is mac compatible, you just have to get to it. if it is an .exe plug i can just wine it back to mac. . . .

I really need to post some of the stuff ive done