Better roads?

[AsheAnubis 0]

Can anyone point me in the right direction to a nice road mod. I have tried the Highway Restyling Mod but I can't get it to work. Any help would be great.

[Magneto 316]

There's 2 versions of the HRS, preferably pick For the roads you have the euro road retexture mod which is really good:

Read carefully the readme files, those mods have to load in a certain order. Ideally you want the NAM (latest version) to load first, and the highway/road mods after. Since the plugins folders are loaded alphabetically, it is usually recommended to put a z at the beginning of the name of a folder containing a mod to ensure it loads last and does the cosmetic override properly.

[AsheAnubis 0]

I'm sorry but what is the NAM? And if you could be so kind show what the file would look like after I have placed in the folder? Do I have to put the mod in the plugins folder or do I have to create a completely new folder and inside the plugins folder? Sorry I am so new at this modding.

[Ganaram Inukshuk 906]

It doesn't really matter whether you rename the file or folder with a Z at the end; Either way will work, but when you have multiple items related to the same mod, put them all in one folder (if they're not packaged in one folder already) and rename the folder with a Z at the end. Alternatively, there's texture mod, which makes all of the textures much smoother and retains the default (North American) look.

All information regarding the NAM and/or its development can be found here or within its documentation, and the actual download (if you so desire) can be found here.

Technically, the NAM isn't necessary when you want to have a texture mod, since the instances for the original network tiles are mostly unchanged between having the NAM and not having the NAM. The only time you need the NAM is when you have a texture mod that modifies the textures of the NAM itself or any of its related plugins, in which case, you'd need to have the NAM installed beforehand.

  Edited August 25, 2012 by Ganaram Inukshuk  

[Superbacon 380]

NAM is the Network Addon Mod: https://www.sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=851

And when you're ready to download and install the NAM, unzip the file and click on the application file for the installation. When it installs, it should automatically create a file directory in your SC4 Plugins folder to where it will install.

[AsheAnubis 0]

Is the NAM worth it? I am not only looking for a texture mod, that I can live without, I am just looking for better roads and highways because the ones in game are not that adequate.

[Ganaram Inukshuk 906]

Is the NAM worth it? I am not only looking for a texture mod, that I can live without, I am just looking for better roads and highways because the ones in game are not that adequate.

In that case, yes. Download not only the NAM, but also download the NWM, RHW, and Hotfix 301.

Be sure to refer to their respective development and support threads (RHW, NWM, NAM in general) for any additional information, and be sure to read all relevant documentation (The Readme and FAQs) so that not only you know what you're doing, but so that it will answer any questions you may have.

  Edited August 25, 2012 by Ganaram Inukshuk  

[Superbacon 380]

Is the NAM worth it? I am not only looking for a texture mod, that I can live without, I am just looking for better roads and highways because the ones in game are not that adequate.

In that case, yes. Download not only the NAM, but also download the NWM, RHW, and Hotfix 301.

[i'll edit the links soon.]

Should just go ahead and download the SAM as well.

[AsheAnubis 0]

Do you have links for all that, SAM, NWM, RHW, and Hotfix 301? I installed the NAM and I am about to give it a whirl. Thanks for the help so far. This should be interesting.

[Ganaram Inukshuk 906]

The recommended minimum is NAM, RHW, and NWM. You might not need the SAM early on, since all it does is add prettified versions of your streets (unless you want prettified streets, then ). Look in my above post; All the links are there already.

  Edited August 25, 2012 by Ganaram Inukshuk  

[AsheAnubis 0]

Is there a specific order I should install these NWM, RHW, and Hotfix 301?

  Edited August 25, 2012 by AsheAnubis  

[Ganaram Inukshuk 906]

There's no specific order, but to be on the safe side, install NAM first (if you haven't already) and the Hotfix last.

[AsheAnubis 0]

There's no specific order, but to be on the safe side, install NAM first (if you haven't already) and the Hotfix last.

Hey thanks, I installed the NAM and the Hotfix 301 and it seems to be working well. If I have any problems I will let you all know. Thanks for the help, this seems to be exactly what I was looking for.

  Edited August 25, 2012 by AsheAnubis  

[rjamesp 138]

"Is the NAM worth it?" - It is a must!!!

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Whoa! This can be a little overwhelming.

First of all, your game must be in a particular state to use any custom content. The build version must be at least 1,1,638 which means that you have applied EP1 which is the published update to fix bugs in the game. This can be found at SC4Devotion by scrolling down to the EA Support button, clicking it and accepting the agreement there. Choose the correct version of EP1 that matches the SKU of your game. Find the SKU on the Program Files ...\Maxis\SimCity 4 ...\ folder using windows explorer. The version given here must match the EP1 patch.

To see your build version number continue on to the \Apps folder and hover your mouse over the SimCity 4.exe file, when windows 7 (or vista) will report the version. If you are on an earlier version of windows right click the file choose properties and open the version tab.

A fully patched game with all updates is 1,1,640, and the digital download version is 1,1,641. Neither of these require further patching and can run any custom content.

All of the answers above are correct in so far as they go.

If you are completely new to custom content you should take a stroll through All those pinned threads at the top of this forum are there because they were deemed useful, and you should take a little time sometime to have a browse.

Start with the NAM. The links are above.

The NAM is a huge, free expansion pack that not only adds to the game, but completes it and fixes some serious bugs. Do not miss the hotfix package that came out to fix errors in the existing version (V30). You must spend a couple of hours reading the documentation for this package after you've installed it. This package is probably somewhat larger than the game itself.

After that, you can get excited about fixing your roadside décor. The rest are totally optional, some quite large and intimidating. Be sure to read all the documentation or you will have your foot in a hole for a long time.

I don't think anyone mentioned the Road Top Mass Transit mod. RTMT is also one for you to add to make the game more playable. Yet more reading.