Sure, why not dive back into a 10-year old game?

[daviskessler 0]

Hi all:

 

First I apologize if this information can be found in the forum already; I'm sure it can be. If you could kindly point me in the right direction, that would be just fine. I also am probably going to ask too many questions for one forum post, but oh well. 

 

I played all of the SimCity games growing up, including 4 for a while a number of years back. I was starting to get into modding the game the last time around, just before stopping altogether for real life reasons XYZ. Now, for whatever reason, I have this incredible urge to start it up again. I want to use modds to try my hand at making beautiful cities like those in the CJ (accepting I probably will never reach the level many of you have). I also want to do it the "right" way from the get go. Meaning, some planning before the mod folder is just a complete hodgepodge uncontrollable mess. So here are a few questions I have.

 

1.There is SO MUCH content available! What is the best way to manage it? Is just a matter of going through the STEX (and other websites) to d/l it all one at a time? What about dependencies? Is there a better way than looking through the readme files and downloading the same outdated dependency over and over again?

 

2. I remember reading something about file organization during my past SimCity life. As in organizing a set of folders to quickly sub in and out different building sets for different cities you happen to working on. Any guidance here? Any programs that help?

 

3. I would like to grow my cities organically. In a perfect world, I would also love to build cities starting in the 19th century and move forward from there. Can I accomplish these two things while still making an aesthetically-pleasing city that functions?

 

Alright, I guess those are the big questions, with #1 probably being the biggest. Any help is greatly appreciated!!

[IRE505 109]

Hope you're having fun with SC4!! 

1) This depends on how you make your cities. If you would want to grow your cities, in a precise and realistic way, I would think to have multiple files labelled in the type, look or size of buildings that you can mix and match between cities. Inside those folders you can have sub folders (which is what I have) that separate the mods further, such as "Mid-rises" or "Commercial High Rises". Or if you make your by plopping each individual lot, you can just separate it like I've said above, by having various sub folders in your plugins folder labelled "Residential Mid Rises" or "Transport - Rail". I personally prefer plopping my CBDs, industrial or any areas where close ups are shown in my CJ. Many cities are grown to a large extent (Asgard), and still look amazing, 

 

2)  in Alpha)

   

   

 

Some links to what I think you are looking for

 

3) I don't think that is really possible, but it would be able through plopping...

 

Hope this helped! 

[APSMS 1,892]

1. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to do this, although some forum posts do have large lists of certain types of hard-to-find downloads (like train skins, Japanese BATs, etc.). Unfortunately many lists are outdated, and links no longer work. Patience is a virtue, especially since a number of plugins won't play nice with others. Time needs to be taken for any download, and readme's need to be read, though certain creators can generally be counted on the produce a superior product with little issue (like Mattb325, Simgoober, etc.). One cannot stress (having seen and answered a number of bug reports posted on the forums) the need to read readmes, download dependencies, and self-regulate your plugins. Also, dependencies aren't outdated unless they contain bad or unused data, and most ones that have this have been superseded by proper filework. Simgoober's SG1 props is pushing 4 (5?) years now, and it still remains the #1 downloaded file both on the STEX and the LEX (at sc4devotion.com).

 

2. http://kurier.simcityplaza.de/details.php?file=311 The StartUp Manager (SC4 SUM). A must for any player who wants to create multiple different regions at the  same time. It takes time to set up, to the point that I haven't finished my plugins organization to utilize the tool, but I have seen others use it to great effectiveness, and it's relatively simple to use. It can also parse region-wide images for those whole region screenshots, minus the UI (and without the stitching needed for in-game equivalents).

 

3. Port St.Claire

Aerden

New Sorgun

 

I rest my case. There are other examples. These happen to be fully functional examples, as well.

[daviskessler 0]

Thanks for the help so far. I'm already caught up in reading those 3 CJs...they're amazing!