Drag Overpasses, Underpasses & Tunnels (without Parks)

[Pygma 24]

 

Edit: Use this awesome tool by trgs which allows you to change the values on the run:

Again thanks a lot to develop this further.

 

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Firstly, if you really want to use these options (i wouldnt call it a complete mod) you should read the whole post. Because you most certain need to adjust the files for your own needs.

 

What this does: It allows you to build Embarkments for Rail or Roads, Overpasses, Underpasses and Tunnels everywhere. The file that is changed is actually 0xa2e2df52.

 

These files are adjusted for the Region Viridian Woods specifically Matisse Plains. It works for every spot with the same ground height. If you want to use it on higher/lower terrain the values have to be adjustet. Ill explain you how at the end of the post.

 

How to use: Place one (1)! File into your SimCity Data folder. (most likely C:\Origin Games\SimCity\SimCityData)

•  Delete the file after you placed your Overpasse/Underpass to return to normal state. You need to quit the game, place the file, place the street, quit the game, delete the file and restart the game.

•  not all directions and radiuses are always possible. You will figure it out quick. (ie all shift-drag directions, or if you drag straight and stop you cant drag straight in that direction again, you will need an angle.
•  If you want to cross networks with curves it is advisable to build from top to bottom (highest overpass first). As its difficult to drag a curve over existing networks. Straight crossing is never a problem.
•  If your camera is frozen on the start of the game, once press one of the arrow keys on the keyboard, the camera works normally then.

 

 

1 Overpass - Lower street must be deleted, then drag the overpass. (if you set the Overpass higher manually, you can drag it over streets directly, i wanted to have it as low as possible.)If you drag the overpass to or from a street on the ground level you get a very smooth transition. But you can also do it the other way around and drag a normal ground-level street to the elevated overpass and get a short steep ramp.

2 Overpass 2 - Same as overpass but lower street dont need to be deleted. Its adjustet to cross the other overpass on a higher level.

3 ElevatedStreet - A slightly higher street which levels the terrain below. You can place buildings on that street which level the ground as well.

4 Underpass - Drag the street from Low- to High-ground in two directions. You will be able to drag any street over it without creating an intersection.

5 Tunnel - Drag from A to B. If you drag curves the tunnel somehow elevates in the curve and comes over ground. So its highly recommended to only drag straight tunnels or change the values to a much deeper level so the curve dont gets over the ground. (cool thing, if you place a tunnel over ground like a bridge you can even have buildings grow below it.)

6 Tunnel 2 - Deeper version of the Tunnel which allows to cross. (not on the Screenshot)

 

How to adjust the values:
You need SimCity Pak https://simcitypak.codeplex.com/

The original file has the ID 0xa2e2df52.

 

Create copies of each file i provided. Open the .package file you want to edit. You will find 2 Checkboxes (we dont care) and 3 Values. I refer them to A, B and C (top to bottom) The standard values for even networks are A -1024, B 2048 and C 1024

 

To cross another Network you need a difference of at least 96 at B.

 

Overpasses: A needs to be < -1024, B needs to be < 2048. (iE -1120, 1950) C doesnt matter.
Underpass: B > 2048, A = negative value of C. (iE -1024, 2176, 1024)
Tunnels: A > -1024, B > 2048, C = 50% of B (iE  -928, 2144, 1072)
Elevated Street: B < 2048, C = 50% of B, A = the negative Value of C. (iE -1015, 2030, 1015)

 

Im not exactly sure if we have 3 values for Upper Network level, lower Network level (bottom of pillars at bridges) and basic level. Or if we control the position/direction of the world geometry(terrain) in the world coordinates. But with overpasses i guess the geometry is askew in the world coordinates, thats why we have to adjust the values for higher terrains. Scissor effect.

 

-
May you can use this for the moment. But i guess we will have to find better ways. This cant be it.

Maybe someone can push this further, but i think its the wrong anchorpoint.

 

Use this awesome tool by trgs which allows you to change the values on the run:

Again thanks a lot to develop this further.

 

Download: Pygma_RoadMod.tar

Alternate Download: https://mega.co.nz/#!e1h3nCYT!PAze5hNRLOiUdNSSo6q72UmwwEBCGwcKyqoPlNC1MWQ

[Moofers 10]

Apart from the inconvenient having to quit every time to place different overpass/underpasses, it works really well.

I've had a lot of fun messing around with these tools =D

 

All we need now is to make a modded interface to allow these kind of things to be done without the quit, delete, replace and stuff =)

[oppie 488]

Fantastic! It works really well - hopefully you can work out a way to make this work without having to swap files all the time.

[Bipin 3,403]

I suppose this could allow for the creation of custom interchanges. I'd love to see someone create a cloverstack; use the curveable/multi-height roads to their fullest extent.

[Snores19 1]

Once again I am astonished at the brilliance and persistence of you guys!

Thank you very much for all your effort - all of you!

[bjl707 4]

How do the agents handle this?  Does traffic flow smoothly with this mod?

[Iznt 0]

this is awesome work!   no more excuses EA, make this a standard feature without the fileswapping/restarting game stuff!

 

this will fix a LOT of traffic flow problems!

[Viper61x23 0]

Great mod, just having a few issues with the tunnels, can you explain what the numbers mean, I have been trying to edit to work in other regions, road tunnels stick out the ground and while the rail tunnels are buried I cannot build a road over the top, although I can tunnel under an existing road with rail.

 

I am unsure what changing A & B does.

 

Thx

[PeterK 2]

Thanks a lot to Pygma for the mod.  Been playing with it for few days, and it's awesome.  Now I can build a bridge all the way to the city border to avoid all the other intersections. Great for depot trucks. Now I'm wondering if it's possible to have junction diverging tool (or whatever name it is) so that traffic that want to turn to the right won't have to stop at the lights at all the junctions. Maxis should have included such tools under the road menu...

 

Again, thanks for the mod.

 

[Pygma 24]

Hey all. Thanks and sorry i didnt answer yet.

 

-> Agents handle this perfectly. They are the same networks.

 

-> You cannot build tunnels below a virtual 0. I dont exactly know where this is. If your Tunnel sticks out of the ground, you should alter the value at B. I didnt yet figure out what exactly the numbers stand for. I have some ideas though. A has something to do with the water level as well. C could be the lower network point (bottom of bridgepiles e.g.)

[TheSimsFreakx 2]

Why is a game restart needed?

[David S 3]

Is this possible with trains? It would be nice to run some of the track underground. Thanks.

[Pygma 24]

-> The restart is needed because the game only loads these values upon start. I didnt find/excessively search for a way to change them. Ill try this when i find time. But someone else might have better knowledge.

 

-> This works with all network types that offer bridges or tunnels. (not with pedestrian path or service roads)

 

(sorry not much time atm)

 

Regards

[dirtguru 24]

Your efforts are greatly appreciated. Mod worked flawlessly this morning however, now it does not work at all?

Upon returning to the game this evening it seems that all of the package files in the mod as well as the package files in user data have changed to something that can only be opened with vshost32.

Otherwise, game plays normally, no rollbacks. Completed mods remain. Have not attempted to change values as I am programing illiterate ( obviously).

I assume vshost32 is a file extension?? Tried restoring files to earlier version. Even relegated mod and downloaded again, unzip new download and PAC files are changed in it as well?

Any ideas? Is this possibly EA way of locking the files so they can,t be modded?

If so then sell it as DLC because it quite usful.

[dirtguru 24]

Got it figured out. Disregard previous post.

Having a little trouble with dragging roads over underpasses but still learning how to use the tool.

Excellent mod, opens up all kinds of new challenges. Game is fun again in spite of other issues.

Thanks Pygma!

[Jose_73 1]

may thereby make a video on how to make the tunnels? thanks

[Pygma 24]

@jose, I can if i find some time. Hard atm. They dont work on sealevel. Do you have problems adjusting them, or drag them in the game?

 

@dirtgure, thank you.! I will also try to look into the problem with dragging roads over underpasses (you mean underpasses, not tunnels?) -> if you adjust your underpasses, make sure you have a height difference of at least 128 (B)

[Jose_73 1]

I put some pictures

 

http://www.subeimagenes.com/img/spark-2013-04-25-20-14-59-621493.html

 

When you have the time could make a video, thanks for answering.

[comsasa 0]

Is it possible to create a road using the SHIFT key?

[TPMP 0]

I'd also appreciate if someone posted up a video as I'm computer illiterate!

[FourWinds 29]

I'd also appreciate if someone posted up a video as I'm computer illiterate!

Can't do vids. I don't want to make this thread look ugly with loads of pics but...

 

Read Pygma's post again, even if it's after reading mine.

 

You may not need to edit any values, and therefore I would suggest that the way to start is to only download Pygma's files and not SimCityPak. Unzip his tar (Tape ARchive file) and you will see the files he describes. As said in his post: QUIT THE GAME and put ONE of his files in your SimCityData folder; start with the higher level tunnel (Mod_Tunnel.package). Start the game and go to Norwich Hills in the little three city region (if your cam's stuck use the direction keys to free it like Pygma tells you) and with the road tool draw a straight tunnel like this...

 

 

Now quit the game, go back to your SimCityData folder and delete the Mod_Tunnel.package file. You can now restart the game as vanilla and draw roads from the ends of the tunnel you previously placed

 like this...

 

 

After the first time you'll be able to do this quickly, and as I said in another post someplace: I can use Overpass 2 at sea level a lot faster than all the digging roads down like we've been discussing in other posts. 

 

When you've played about with the different files at different regional heights you may decide you want to play with the numbers; that is when to go fetch SimCityPak and tweak things to your personal delight.

 

 

One final thing: I forgot to say thank you to Pygma for this game-changing mod. 

[Pygma 24]

Thank you FourWinds for your help.! Its actually a pretty perfect step by step guide. I might add some more variants of different heights. So you may never have to change any values by yourself.

 

Im really short on time atm and mostly cant bring up more than a few minutes between stuff. Sorry. I hope to get to some things by the weekend.

 

Dont hesitate to ask any questions or requests here. Ill read it.

[Wiimeiser 452]

EA should make this and all the new road stuff the first full expansion pack. Try to fix the simulation as well, if that can't be done first...

[David S 3]

Thank you Pygma for the hard work on the mod and thanks FourWinds for the step by step. Working great for me to help clear up my traffic.

[Jose_73 1]

Thanks for the info FourWinds , Pygma !!

[P1X3 0]

This would be really nice if values could be changed during the game in memory. I have spent couple hours, yet I was not able to get too far because of my lack of knowledge.

Perhaps someone with more experience can look into this?

[Sejo 0]

thx for this mod.. it work good..

how i can change values of A,B and C? i tryed change it with Simcitypak but it dont work... i thing that left some think.. Pygma, can you help me?

[Jethro Wu 0]

Nice works, but if you can make the overpasses and tunnels a kind of road , it will be wonderful.

I think you can make the briges and tunnels higher or lower than the ground by a few uints ( if all of these dont make sence, no need to mind.)

[Sejo 0]

what is the problem here?

 

 

http://www.subirimagenes.com/imagen-simcitypak-8450461.html

[Pygma 24]

-> its a known issue with SCP, use visual studio and make your own build out of the sourcecode /or use it in debug mode inside visual studio:

 

 

 

Edit: Use this awesome tool by trgs which allows you to change the values on the run:

Again thanks a lot to develop this further.

 

 

regards