Plopping and Placement Issues

[devdev142 0]

So I am trying to build a seaport, ferry, beach etc..but when checking along the coast it doesnt automatically change direction with the coast or snap.

 

Is there a way that I can change this to allow auto alignment? I have NAM installed if that counts

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Placing things on the coast line is tricky.  Things have to be at the right height and aligned to the grid, will you, nil you.  I've found that the best tool for this is the Mayor mode leveller usually while holding down the SHIFT key.

 

Don't forget that the radius of effect of tools is controlled by SHIFT+<n> where n is between 0 and 9.  While holding SHIFT, you can also use F1 through F9 to vary the strength of the brush.  God mode tools work the same way but with much larger effect.  So you can easily get things like this:

 

[APSMS 1,892]

Auto alignment often fails, in my experience, along coasts. The NAM really has nothing to do with it. Have you tried using the HOME and END keys to rotate the Lot?

 

These will often work, and if they don't then it means the terrain you're trying to place the port on is unsuitable and you'll need to do some groundwork like Nonny suggested first.

 

I've not used a seaport in a long time. My aversion to tedious plopping and dissatisfaction with the default Maxis seaport has led me to avoid them at all costs. However, this problem still shows itself in my marinas and boardwalks, and I'm led to believe that a similar failure to auto-align is happening with your port, particularly if the ground is flat and suitable otherwise.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

The default port is simply not good enough.  There are others around and I happen to have chosen the Pegasus CDK3 Series.  You can see how well this works.  Unlike my friend, above, I rather like doing sea-ports and other water related things.  Might have something to do with all the sailing I've done in my life for about 40 years.

 

BTW, if you choose to use the Pegasus lots, skip the buoyage package.  It is incomplete and very out of proportion.

[joshua43214 8]

I second the CDK lots from Pegasus, they are probably the best set of seaports out there. Be cautioned on his seaport controller though, it is not compatible with other seaport controllers and some airport controllers. So if you use the AC airports, make sure you carefully read the documentation about how to install the Pegasus controller if you chose to use it.

 

Now the good part. Your best friend for seaports, and dressed up water fronts is the setsealevel cheat. Hit cntrl-x, then type setsealevel 0. Now your water is gone away. water front plops are very picky about being level (the CDK ones especially), and many water edge plops are picky about the slope of the wall, and the depth of the water at the edge. With the water drained, you can get in there with street tiles to flatten and even up all the edges.

Save and exit to the region, then reload and your water is back.

 

You can use this for using things like grass lots, or highway walls as sea walls, not to mention it lets put roads under water if you so chose.