Downloading "starter" regions with transit already laid out

[tikkytik 4]

Hi all,

Is there anywhere I can download regions with NAM transit already laid out but no cities? I want all the cool highways and stuff people build but I don't have the time or patience to build it myself. I'd like to download some regions with all of that stuff laid out that I can just build around so I can actually enjoy this game again. Is there a website for this or is there anyone nice enough to share with me?

[emsnu 2]

I'd been looking for them too when I first started Simcity 4 but failed You can try downloading the "Maxisland" region on Sc4ever.com. It's fully built but still can give you some pointers on creating a regional transport network  

[Turjan 1,048]

Maxisland is built up the vanilla way, without NAM. I'm not aware of any region for download that contains a NAM traffic network, let alone nothing but such a network.

[Major from Bajor 24]

As a person that's currently going through pains of learning NAM, pretty unsuccessfully at that, I must say this is excellent idea. I would love to see such regions myself. As you say, to finally actually enjoy the game:)

[Abrams 1,744]

well there are no such regions with already laid out with nam things.And yes it's hard to create RHW and other nam things.I'm currently working on my inter regional connections and believe me its hard because the terrain and slope mod

[rsc204 21,857]

I think there may be some rules on the exchanges about distributing cities that are developed? There are a number of pitfalls to doing things this way, rather than jumping in head first with the NAM, take it easy and get to know some of the basic features, then slowly move to the more complex stuff. In any case it's a learning curve you should get beyond eventually. If someone gave out the means to just build as you put it, where would be the incentive to learn how to make use of it? Ultimately you will get out of SC4 what you put into it, in the meantime if you have a specific problem you can't overcome, there are plenty of tutorials and videos out there to get you going. If all else fails, simply ask on the forums and you'll get an answer pretty quickly. 

[xonedl 342]

It's really tough to use RHW yes, but references from other players especially over at [ should make things much easier. Copy is good...! 

Just try 2 things first - RHW4 and MIS, get a good grip on them first before advancing to other wider types. Transition to normal network pretty much just use avenue, RHW2 to road.

Don't go all crazy though, road suppose to be efficient, easy to build, lower cost as much as possible...

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Sorry, fellows, but that is totally unlikely because we disallow created cities and only allow maps on the STEX because of size limitations and the cost of disk space on the server.  Besides, the NAM is subject to unannounced updates, so you will be responsible for keeping current yourselves.

 

None of you are the sons of Phillip of Macedon, so there is no royal road to things in this game.

[Abrams 1,744]

Sorry, fellows, but that is totally unlikely because we disallow created cities and only allow maps on the STEX because of size limitations and the cost of disk space on the server.  Besides, the NAM is subject to unannounced updates, so you will be responsible for keeping current yourselves.

 

None of you are the sons of Phillip of Macedon, so there is no royal road to things in this game.

As nonny said the STEX can't handle lots of MB-s in one download.

There's no royal way for learning"By archimedes

Also it's not as hard as you think.The possiblities are limitless

So get creative and get started with building your rhw-s!

[tikkytik 4]

Well that is disappointing. Thanks anyways guys. I guess I will give up and this game and start playing Cities: Skylines. At my age now I just don't have the time required to play anymore. Thanks again and enjoy.

[Turjan 1,048]

Well that is disappointing. Thanks anyways guys. I guess I will give up and this game and start playing Cities: Skylines. At my age now I just don't have the time required to play anymore. Thanks again and enjoy.

 

Pssst... I heard there are these holdouts that don't get a rash when they use Maxis highways. Just saying .

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

 

Well that is disappointing. Thanks anyways guys. I guess I will give up and this game and start playing Cities: Skylines. At my age now I just don't have the time required to play anymore. Thanks again and enjoy.

 

Pssst... I heard there are these holdouts that don't get a rash when they use Maxis highways. Just saying .

 

{Shhhh.  I am one of them.  But I do use the blacktop skins.}

[iviaarten 534]

yep, that's a tip. In the NAM there is something called 'Project Symphony'. It makes Maxis Highway actually look good, and it's easier to use than the whole custom NAM.

[Ganaram Inukshuk 906]

yep, that's a tip. In the NAM there is something called 'Project Symphony'. It makes Maxis Highway actually look good, and it's easier to use than the whole custom NAM.

 

Something to point out: "Project Symphony" is just a code name. The true name of this plugin is "Maxis Highway Override", but it's hard to say which is the correct name because half the NAM Team is divided over which name to use; the installer says "Maxis Highway Override" and so does the SC4D support thread, but most of the devs say "Project Symphony".

[Indiana Joe 1,751]

You know this might actually be something I (and others, if they have the cloud storage capability) would be interested in doing.

 

I got my hands on 50 GB of Dropbox space through a promotion, which is really the size a small hard drive in the cloud.  That's more than enough space to upload regions (which, with just a highway network, would be anywhere from 25~100+ MB in size).  Designing a regional transit network to order is something I'd find fun to do.

 

Of course you need a ton of online storage space (not just that, but a high individual file size tolerance) so as said, not many people or websites have the ability to do this inexpensively.  And you also need a beefy internet connection to handle uploading in a timely manner (not a problem on a university network like I'm on).

 

And there's the matter of plugins.  Pre-incorporated regions are very problematic if you're using custom content.  Even the NAM has a bunch of customizable features, and if I used some things that you don't have installed, it would screw up the game.

 

But, if anyone's interested, I might try out designing a regional highway and sharing it as a download.  We just have to work out the details.

[tikkytik 4]

You know this might actually be something I (and others, if they have the cloud storage capability) would be interested in doing.

 

I got my hands on 50 GB of Dropbox space through a promotion, which is really the size a small hard drive in the cloud.  That's more than enough space to upload regions (which, with just a highway network, would be anywhere from 25~100+ MB in size).  Designing a regional transit network to order is something I'd find fun to do.

 

Of course you need a ton of online storage space (not just that, but a high individual file size tolerance) so as said, not many people or websites have the ability to do this inexpensively.  And you also need a beefy internet connection to handle uploading in a timely manner (not a problem on a university network like I'm on).

 

And there's the matter of plugins.  Pre-incorporated regions are very problematic if you're using custom content.  Even the NAM has a bunch of customizable features, and if I used some things that you don't have installed, it would screw up the game.

 

But, if anyone's interested, I might try out designing a regional highway and sharing it as a download.  We just have to work out the details.

 

 

Yes sir, I'm interested!!  That would be awesome.

 

Would it be possible for you to just use a clean install of SC4 with NAM32 as the only plugin? That way we would know that is the only prerequisite. You could lay out a sick transit network across the entire region and share it with us and we could build our cities from there.

 

My asks:

 

Biggest size region with all large city tiles

Water/different elevations (but not too much)

Sunken highways through cities (maybe picture where cities would form on the map, etc. and we can build around that)

Rural highways

Complex interchanges where they would make sense (maybe picture where cities would form on the map, etc.)

[Indiana Joe 1,751]

Sure, but you gotta pick a map and draw a little plan.

[Chesh 173]

yeah, but... what kind of pride would you take in a region that isn't entirely yours? 

the game isn't hard - it just requires a certain level of dedication, and interest, from it's player. 

 

[Turjan 1,048]

yeah, but... what kind of pride would you take in a region that isn't entirely yours?

 

Who needs pride? For me, it's about fun. I fool around a lot in Maxisland, for example. I love to look at stuff others created and then give it my own personal touch.

[Major from Bajor 24]

Sure, but you gotta pick a map and draw a little plan.

 

 

There is a region I'm very fond of, Madison County:

 

It's huge, like 50 x 50 km, all large cities, but it is not too big even for older computers with say, "only" 4 gigs of ram:)

 

And the layout is excellent imho.

 

+1 to the above parameters: vanilla SC4 Deluxe with only NAM32 installed.

 

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

About Project Symphony:  I tried it then removed it.  It is no good if you have existing Maxis Highways with interchanges because the PS interchanges are the ones from RHW.  One can only install PS on a restart.  There is, however, a blacktop option in the NAM installer for Maxis Highways.

 

P.S.  I don't care about 'realistic interchanges'.  That stuff is for civil engineers.

[Abrams 1,744]

About Project Symphony:  I tried it then removed it.  It is no good if you have existing Maxis Highways with interchanges because the PS interchanges are the ones from RHW.  One can only install PS on a restart.  There is, however, a blacktop option in the NAM installer for Maxis Highways.

 

P.S.  I don't care about 'realistic interchanges'.  That stuff is for civil engineers.

Not really.I care about realistic interchanges and i'm not old enough to be a civil engineer lol

[Indiana Joe 1,751]

Yes sir, I'm interested!!  That would be awesome.

 

Would it be possible for you to just use a clean install of SC4 with NAM32 as the only plugin? That way we would know that is the only prerequisite. You could lay out a sick transit network across the entire region and share it with us and we could build our cities from there.

 

My asks:

 

Biggest size region with all large city tiles

Water/different elevations (but not too much)

Sunken highways through cities (maybe picture where cities would form on the map, etc. and we can build around that)

Rural highways

Complex interchanges where they would make sense (maybe picture where cities would form on the map, etc.)

 

 

 

There is a region I'm very fond of, Madison County:

 

It's huge, like 50 x 50 km, all large cities, but it is not too big even for older computers with say, "only" 4 gigs of ram:)

 

And the layout is excellent imho.

 

+1 to the above parameters: vanilla SC4 Deluxe with only NAM32 installed.

 

 

 

 

You guys gotta draw a regional plan map for me.  I'm not gonna do all the creative work for you.  

 

Now, it doesn't have to be as spectacularly detailed as my example here (no need for compliments), but you get the idea.

 

[Abrams 1,744]

Thats a fancy design there!

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

 

About Project Symphony:  I tried it then removed it.  It is no good if you have existing Maxis Highways with interchanges because the PS interchanges are the ones from RHW.  One can only install PS on a restart.  There is, however, a blacktop option in the NAM installer for Maxis Highways.

 

P.S.  I don't care about 'realistic interchanges'.  That stuff is for civil engineers.

Not really.I care about realistic interchanges and I’m not old enough to be a civil engineer lol

 

Of course.  Chacun a son goût.  What do you want to be when you grow up?

[Abrams 1,744]

 

 

About Project Symphony:  I tried it then removed it.  It is no good if you have existing Maxis Highways with interchanges because the PS interchanges are the ones from RHW.  One can only install PS on a restart.  There is, however, a blacktop option in the NAM installer for Maxis Highways.

 

P.S.  I don't care about 'realistic interchanges'.  That stuff is for civil engineers.

Not really.I care about realistic interchanges and I’m not old enough to be a civil engineer lol

 

Of course.  Chacun a son goût.  What do you want to be when you grow up?

 

Maybe a pilot or even a road engineer or something

[tikkytik 4]

 

Yes sir, I'm interested!!  That would be awesome.

 

Would it be possible for you to just use a clean install of SC4 with NAM32 as the only plugin? That way we would know that is the only prerequisite. You could lay out a sick transit network across the entire region and share it with us and we could build our cities from there.

 

My asks:

 

Biggest size region with all large city tiles

Water/different elevations (but not too much)

Sunken highways through cities (maybe picture where cities would form on the map, etc. and we can build around that)

Rural highways

Complex interchanges where they would make sense (maybe picture where cities would form on the map, etc.)

 

 

 

There is a region I'm very fond of, Madison County:

 

It's huge, like 50 x 50 km, all large cities, but it is not too big even for older computers with say, "only" 4 gigs of ram:)

 

And the layout is excellent imho.

 

+1 to the above parameters: vanilla SC4 Deluxe with only NAM32 installed.

 

 

 

 

You guys gotta draw a regional plan map for me.  I'm not gonna do all the creative work for you.  

 

Now, it doesn't have to be as spectacularly detailed as my example here (no need for compliments), but you get the idea.

 

 

 

LOL....

 

That looks great!!

 

Seriously though, I am fine with the region above (Madison County) and however it is laid out. If I was to try to design the transport network for the region, even in paint, it probably wouldn't make sense anyway. If anyone else wants to take a stab at I am open to it. I am open to anything really. Beggars can't be choosers.

[monkeywater 910]

 

 

Well that is disappointing. Thanks anyways guys. I guess I will give up and this game and start playing Cities: Skylines. At my age now I just don't have the time required to play anymore. Thanks again and enjoy.

 

Pssst... I heard there are these holdouts that don't get a rash when they use Maxis highways. Just saying .

 

{Shhhh.  I am one of them.  But I do use the blacktop skins.}

 

 

Yup.  RHW looks like a spaghetti factory exploded on prime real estate. 

 

[mayorplease 116]

Now THAT is BY FAR the BEST regional transport design I have seen on this site!

I demand a submission it to the NAO!!!!

You sir, definitely made my day. Thanks for that! 

 

   

 

 

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

We are getting a little far afield here.  The premise of the title is against the site rules and outlawed by copyright problems anyway.