Maxis Files at Screwpile

[Grayham 2]

https://screwpile.wordpress.com/screw-pile-exchange-spex/maxis-files/

Can someone tell what these ones are? What are "Dependencies"? At the bottom of the Lots list is "Living Mall" but I thought that came with the original game anyway?

Tools / Updates

SC4 Lot Editor

SC4 BAT Installer

SC4 BAT Update

Texture Problem Fix

Plugin Manager with Unicode Fix

Transportation Update

Dependencies

Building Prop Vol 1

Building Prop Vol 2

Day of Peace – Flag Prop

American Flag

Canadian Flag

[Cyclone Boom 17,016]

https://screwpile.wordpress.com/screw-pile-exchange-spex/maxis-files/

 

Can someone tell what these ones are?

 

Sure, here's a quick summary:

 

Tools / Updates

SC4 Lot Editor

The Maxis program used to create and edit lots for the game.

 

SC4 BAT Installer

Installs the Building Architect Tool (BAT) gamepack for Gmax, used to create custom rendered buildings.

SC4 BAT Update

The patch that enables night lighting effects for custom buildings. Once installed, it takes the game to version 1.1.640.0.

Texture Problem Fix

A texture fix script for Gmax.

Plugin Manager with Unicode Fix

A compatibility fix for the Plugin Manager tool which comes with the BAT. This helps some older systems (e.g. Windows XP or earlier) to run the tool.

Transportation Update

An original DLC item, which adds an air force base and some misc vehicles / effects.

 

 

Dependencies

Building Prop Vol 1  (bldgprop_vol1.dat)

Enables buildings from the original game to be used on custom lots.

Building Prop Vol 2  (bldgprop_vol2.dat)

Enables buildings from SC4 Deluxe / Rush Hour to be used on custom lots.

Day of Peace – Flag Prop

A collection of flag props for use in the Lot Editor.

American Flag

An American flag prop for use in the Lot Editor.

Canadian Flag

An Canadian flag prop for use in the Lot Editor.

 

 

What are "Dependencies"?

 

Basically, dependencies are a collection of items which lots need to work correctly. They are commonly models, props or textures. The creator may add someone else's props to a lot, but they're only saved as a reference. When using a custom lot with dependencies, the game expects the dependencies to be present in your plugins folder. If it can't find them, a big brown box may be shown in their place.

 

To give an analogy, lots are like a TV and the dependencies are the power supply. The power doesn't come bundled with the TV, so it needs a supply for it to work!

 

 

At the bottom of the Lots list is "Living Mall" but I thought that came with the original game anyway?

The "Lots" list are the additional buildings which Maxis released as free DLC. It does seem like the DLC Living Mall is the same as the one included with the game.

 

 

Hope this helps to clarify your questions.

[Grayham 2]

So if I'm not going to design new lots or buildings, I don't need the dependencies?

[Cyclone Boom 17,016]

Well, dependencies are needed for any lots which use custom items, such as many found on the STEX. They usually list any required files in the description.
 
For example, this is a prop pack:
 
And here's a texture pack:

[Grayham 2]

Do any of the landmarks from that page require dependencies?

 

Also for some of the landmarks, when you go to the menu in the game it says things like LM96x96_AdlerPlanetarium_0489. Is this meant to be like this?

[Turjan 1,048]

The original Maxis lots shouldn't need any dependencies, as they only use props and textures from the original game.

 

Regarding the Adler Planetarium, the text shows up correctly in my game. You can try and see whether it helps.