I just get boxes! URGENT HELP!

[Pastorale 2]

Hi I'm Rafael and Im from Venezuela (so excuse me for any english mistake) and I play this game since one month ago discovering yesterday the possibility of adding new content. I play the Sim City 4 basis (non Rush Hour or either Delux Edition) ...I So the first thing I downloaded was this building

 

Viewdeck Condos

 

 

A Liberty Statue from other page (can't find it at historial)

 

A this one (which I think it's amazing)

 

From the first one I downloaded all the dependences (don't really know what a Dependence is but I do from what it's neccessary for) Soooo...I unzip each one: folder-added ones and auto installed anothers...But when I get into game and some features appeared...they are just boxes.

I downloaded all the dependences required:

 

(1.3 or later)

Nams Prop Pack VOL01 and/or Nams Prop Pack VOL02 by namspopof

by MandelSoft

VIP Girafe Car Pack VOL. 1&2 (v1.0) by girafe

BSC MEGA Props CP Volume 01 by C.P.

BSC MEGA Props CP Volume 02 by C.P.

 

But wen I set it on the ground I just found boxes after boxes of each feature. Which makes me anger and unhappy (game-ly) It's frustrant that there's not any guide (I didn't found one) which submite at least what a PROP is, a NAM is, A BAT...I don't generally know what it means.

 

There is a proof I download all them...so I took one of my download sheet

 

http://prntscr.com/7booar

http://prntscr.com/7bound

 

Some of the downloads were just folder having some white archives whitin and some others was a direct unzip. 

 

The first one 1.2 Update Archive which I downloaded for Viewdeck Condos has these:

 

http://prntscr.com/7borol

 

Do I need to copy all of them outta of the folder and "paste" them into de Plugin folder or is that just ok? Cause duh. They're way several.

 

After re entering to  game I see not everything is lost cause from the features catalog I found these guys but yet again a lot of ingame boxes regardless I can see trees now (Do I need a lot of textures or im just doing wrong when unzipping folders and archives?)

 

http://prntscr.com/7bovdq

 

So guys I appreciate all the help you can give me to install correctly cause I wanna blow my creativity with this game despite im stuck at this point. Sorry for extending but this got my head spinnin'.

[rsc204 21,808]

To get the most out of mods for SC4, a basic understanding of files and folders is an absolute must. Some mods will come with installers, these typically place the content in the correct place to work, others are zip files and you need to manually copy the relevant files from them into a suitable place, by default, My Documents/Sim City 4/Plugins.

 

There are a couple basic file types the game can load:

 

 - .SC4LOT       Lots contain the layout information of an in-game item, usually called either a Ploppable (which you plop after selecting) or a Growable (which grows if the conditions are right for it).

 - .SC4Desc      Descriptor files contain data containing properties of items, most typically the stats of a lot or model.

 - .SC4Model    Model files are the actual props or buildings, a lot may utilise many of these.

 - .DAT              Think of a DAT file like a ZIP file, it can contain any of the above and much more besides and usually contains multiple items too.

 

So if you have a lot file with a building, some trees and other items, these are not always included together, for example one person creates some trees, but many creators use the same trees in their released work. These trees are what you may call a dependency, in essence it's simply another file that the item you want to use is dependant upon, i.e. you must also have this file installed for the item to display correctly.

 

If you are missing textures, usually you will just see where these are missing quite easily, however missing props or buildings (those models) will often show a brown box, it's a warning to point out that you need one of these dependencies and that it is not installed. Therefore if you are seeing brown boxes, you simply don't have all the dependencies correctly installed, otherwise the correct model would show. It's worth saying here that some dependencies themselves need further (or cascading) dependencies, i.e. the dependency itself needs another dependency to work.

 

By and large all the information is contained within the description of a mod on the download page or within the readme for what is required for a given item. It is very important that you take the time to check such documentation, just quickly installing a large number of mods can very easily get out of control, take it easy and resist the temptation to binge-download at first. It's better to organise and keep your plugins in good shape now, than to get to a point where you need to start over because things have gotten out of control.

 

When installing buildings or lots, usually you do not need to worry about where to place them, so long as they are in your plugins folder they will work. Certain types of Mod however, require to load in a specific order or you will run into problems. If two items have the same purpose - actually it's the same ID, for simplicities sake think of a ID as a phone number, each item must have a unique one to be 'called' by the game - whichever loads last will appear in-game. So for example if you wanted to override a texture or prop, you give it the same ID and load it after any other instances. Again usually the documentation will make this clear and give you instructions on how to achieve this in practise.

 

To sum up, right now your problem is clearly a missing dependency or perhaps more than one, it might seem daunting how many of these files you need, but in the long run you'll build up a collection and thus require less and less new dependencies when downloading additional content.

[Edvarz 1,984]

Saludos Rafael! Welcome to Simtropolis.

 

I was about to post the exact same information! but with less detail.

 

As rsc204 pointed out, it seems that you are missing some dependencies or you didn't install them correctly. Also, you have the basic version of the game, and many mods and buildings need the Rush Hour/Deluxe version, so you may want to upgrade your game.

 

A few tips I can give you are to try to organize your plugins creating some sub-folders for props, lots, mods, etcetera, this way you will be able to find problems with your mods more easily; also, try to keep the folder structure of the zip files you download, in your screenshots it seems like those BSC Mega Props are not in their default installation folder, it would be better if you leave them where the installer put them or move them to a folder where you know they are grouped together.

 

Another thing is that it seems that you have some useless junk in your Plugins folder, you have a .html readme and a few .sav files, these are loaded when you play the game but serve absolutely no purpose, so they just waste space and consume resources. Sometimes modders don't separate the readme files from the files you are supposed to extract, and they don't give any hint that you shouldn't do that, confusing people who are just starting to use custom content, also, some mods that use installers may extract readme files to your plugins folder by default so watch out!. Those .sav files also shouldn't be included with the downloaded mods, and you also have to watch out for mods that include .loosedec files, these are useless too. I personally think that all this is really annoying!

 

Since you are just starting your plugins collection, I think it will be very useful to know these things before you end up with multiple gigabytes worth of content and a game that takes ages to load because it's loading a lot of useless junk.

 

About the NAM, it stands for Network Addon Mod and it is THE traffic mod, it solves some bugs, adds a lot of features like better highways (The RHW or Real Highway mod), trams (the GLR or ground light rail), roundabouts, viaducts, underpasses, diagonal streets, fractionally angled roads (FAR, roads that have angles different to 45°) wider roads and avenues (NWM or Network widening mod) etcetera. Sadly I think it only works with the Rush Hour/Deluxe version.

 

So take your time and get a hang of how custom content works, this will lead to a better expereince overall.

 

Y si gustas preguntar algo en español, adelante, saludos desde México, pana.

[MauRoVi 1]

Help (SPANISH)

 

Oigan, a mi me está pasando lo mismo, muchos mods si se ven, pero en otros aparecen sólo cajas que dicen simcity.com, ¿Qué debo hacer e instalar para ver TODOS correctamente? ¡Ayúdenme! Gracias

[BIWDC 2,296]

To be able to use any custom buildings & most lots you will not only need
the dependencies but you will also need rush hour or deluxe.

 

The custom buildings require rush hour or deluxe in order to load.

[Mister Giggles 310]

Emphasizing: Rush Hour or Deluxe is required for the vast majority of mods ever made. Base SimCity 4 will not work, as you've found. Upgrade your game.

[Pastorale 2]

Thanks for all the advices you guys! But I still got some questions...I got two plugins folder...One based at My Documents and another one at my C Disk/Program Archives/Maxis/Plugin as you can see in the photo.

 

I moved all them to My Documents and still have no any up improvement but brown boxes, eventho I downloaded all required dependences. (At this point I wanna cry lol)

 

So what's the correct folder? The My Documents one or the C Disk one? 

 

And other thing...If I download an autoinstallation zip and it does install a folder inside my plugin folder....Do I need to extract all the little sheets documents inside that folder and copy them inside the plugin one? Or they are just right at their respectively folder (being inside the plugin one paralelly)   ?

 

Otherwise...can you guys download those buildings..install tem correctly and then post me a pic of the folders and archives applied? That would be amazing for me cause that could be the only means which I can see what of what I downloaded must I add and throw out 

 

Hope quick replies! Love u guys!!!

 

From what I see this post have lot of sauce. I will try to upgrade my game to see whether works or not!!

[BIWDC 2,296]

The my documents sim city 4 plugins folder is where most of the downloads

should go.

 

Don't forget to upgrade your game as it's needed.

 

If the download uses an installer(autoinstallation)The files can be anywhere inside the plugins folder
it does not matter if it's a subfolder.

 

If it installs anywhere else then just move the files to the my documents sim city 4 plugins folder.

  Edited June 1, 2015 by BIWDC  

[MauRoVi 1]

Someone help me ;( I really don't know what to do

[Pastorale 2]

Dude thanks! I think my problem lies at the game version. Tomorrow If I can find the rush hour version I will be back adding some "good" news 

Someone help me ;( I really don't know what to do

Hey Mauro that could be your problem, the same as mine! Try to use Deluxe edition or rush hour! To see if any change, CS4 by itself basis doesnt seem to offer much~ 

[MauRoVi 1]

Pastorale

 

I have the complete edition (I have Rush Hour too), let me read your problem, I hope that it will help me, thank you so much

[BIWDC 2,296]

Good Luck Pastorale we are glade to help  

 

If you are having the same issue as Pastorale & you have rush hour make

sure you have all the dependencies for the file or files you downloaded.

 

All updates for the game should be downloaded too as posted by A Nonny
Moose several posts down.

  Edited June 1, 2015 by BIWDC  

[MauRoVi 1]

Example, here is the dependencies list, but are a lot, do I need to download it ALL? sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?page=4

[BIWDC 2,296]

If you need just rush hour ebay or amazon is your best bet,you can get deluxe aswell there.

 

You can also get deluxe through steam,gamersgate or gog.com or through EA's origin.

(These will be digital only version with all updates)

 

The dependencies if required should be linked to in the files readme or in the description.

 

If there are no links & they tell you the name of the required file then search for it ether

here or on simpeg.com or sc4devotion.com.

 

You can also use sc4 tool to help find dependencies.

  Edited June 1, 2015 by BIWDC  

[MauRoVi 1]

If you need just rush hour ebay or amazon is your best bet,you can get deluxe aswell there.

 

You can also get deluxe through steam,gamersgate or gog.com or through EA's origin.

 

The dependencies if required should be linked to in the files readme or in the description.

 

If there are know links & they tell you the name of the required file then search for it ether

here or on simpeg.com or sc4devotion.com.

 

You can also use sc4 tool to help find dependencies.

 

Ok, let me check it out, I hope that this problems will have a solution, thank you so much.

[Pastorale 2]

Mauro Try reading all comments above...Download..followed by My Documents Plugin folder and thats all ...in a systematic way. I think. My only stone is the version...

[MauRoVi 1]

Mauro Try reading all comments above...Download..followed by My Documents Plugin folder and thats all ...in a systematic way. I think. My only stone is the version...

 

Ok, let me check it out today or maybe tomorrow because it's 12:03 AM, thank you so much to all.

[BIWDC 2,296]

 

If you need just rush hour ebay or amazon is your best bet,you can get deluxe aswell there.

 

You can also get deluxe through steam,gamersgate or gog.com or through EA's origin.

 

The dependencies if required should be linked to in the files readme or in the description.

 

If there are know links & they tell you the name of the required file then search for it ether

here or on simpeg.com or sc4devotion.com.

 

You can also use sc4 tool to help find dependencies.

 

Ok, let me check it out, I hope that this problems will have a solution, thank you so much.

 

Well i hope you fix it & also use google if you need to find a dependency,that list you

posted above has most of the dependency links but not all it's a good source though.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

The brown box problem is covered by

 

However, it appears that the problem is having the earliest version of the game without the Rush Hour upgrade.  Finding this will help a little but there are two published patches for that version after it has been installed.  Both of these can be found on SC4Devotion by clicking on the EA support button, and following the links.  When you have installed Rush Hour and the two patches your build version should be 1,1,640,0.  At this point, any plugin offered on the STEX will work.

 

If you have access to the commercial sites that carry this game, you could watch for a sale and pick up the complete digital download version (1,1,641) for something like $5 U.S.  This version is completely patched and runs without a disk in the drive.  Well worth the money for the additional convenience, and you can save the installation folder for future use.

[Pastorale 2]

The brown box problem is covered by

 

However, it appears that the problem is having the earliest version of the game without the Rush Hour upgrade.  Finding this will help a little but there are two published patches for that version after it has been installed.  Both of these can be found on SC4Devotion by clicking on the EA support button, and following the links.  When you have installed Rush Hour and the two patches your build version should be 1,1,640,0.  At this point, any plugin offered on the STEX will work.

 

If you have access to the commercial sites that carry this game, you could watch for a sale and pick up the complete digital download version (1,1,641) for something like $5 U.S.  This version is completely patched and runs without a disk in the drive.  Well worth the money for the additional convenience, and you can save the installation folder for future use.

 

I'm from Venezuela. My currency isn't the dollar and as you can acknowledge our economy is broken

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

^ Just checked.  One Canadian dollar buys five Bolivars.  Not so terrible unless you are making less than 100 Bolivars a day.

[Mister Giggles 310]

Nonny, this may help explain just how bad the Venezuelan economy is:

 

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-06/monthly-salary-of-20-shows-why-venezuelans-wait-in-food-lines

 

5.99 USD, or 37.7 bolivars at (one of) the current exchange rate(s), is A LOT of money to many people in that country. To you and I, yes, $5.99 is disposable income. It is life and death to many Venezuelans, or at least I'd imagine it to be so. I don't know how well the welfare system functions down there, though I'd (again) imagine it would be somewhat lacking compared to ours.

 

The tragedy here is that the country brings in a lot of money through oil sales. The money exists... it's just spent poorly by those in charge. Very poorly.

 

Anyway, if Pastorale is among the "common folk" in Venezuala, $5.99 is way too much to ask for. I'm not sure there will ever be the disposable money needed for a purchase.

[Pastorale 2]

^ Just checked.  One Canadian dollar buys five Bolivars.  Not so terrible unless you are making less than 100 Bolivars a day.

 

It's not correct. This is not a political forum till I'm gonna take a little space to explain you. Venezuela actually has 4 types of dollar market or rates (since government governs it) 1 USD= 6,3 Bs (bound to imports of medicine and foods). 1 USD= 12,3 bs (bound to "a per year" travel...assigned the ammount depending on destination. i.e 15+ days in Canada are 1500 USD-If you miracly find the flying ticket-..(these are the ones people save to sell them afterwards to black market). 1 USD=190 Bs (bound for anyone who wanna buys it...requires a lot of burocracy to get them, specially bound to businness not to normal people like you or me). And fourth one and last 1 USD=450 Bs (this is the one that everyone can access to. It's called black market or paralell market, which raised from government shackles and burocracy.

 

So this is how I exlpain you a dollar are not 5 bs (bolívares) a dollar (a canadian one) are 450 bs..What does mean a Venezuela citizien gains per day just 0,25...and despite of that ..they clap all this circus. This is worst than you can imagine.

 

Sorry But you touched the point.

 

On topic: I'll but it when I get free time (wednesday ) Cause I work all day long. And how a perfect country like Venezuela I have no other choice rather than buy it at a "pirate" shop. 

 

A bientot!

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

@Mr. Giggles:  I try to avoid political arguments, but the explanation given by the OP is truly enlightening.  As for how impoverished the OP may be, that is totally a matter of conjecture.

 

Interesting that Venezuela is supposedly 'oil rich' (a member of OPEC), when you consider the situation described.  Currency controls like this indicate that somebody is getting rich and it is not the common people.

 

If my Portuguese was better, I'd probably say something that would get me some bad points on this site.

[Mister Giggles 310]

Spanish is the official language of Venezuela. More on Venezuela's swift transformation into a 3rd world country:

 

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/16/venezuelan-president-nicolas-maduro-given-power-to-rule-by-decree

 

Never let a good crisis go to waste. Although I'm fairly sure if he was denied being given dictatorial powers he'd simply start arresting those who opposed him because they threatened the state, IE, him.

 

http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/02/Venezuela-president-Nicolas-Maduro-arrests-Caracas-Mayor-Antonio-Ledezma/385704/

 

He has a bit of a history of doing it.

[Pastorale 2]

It's like an "olied" North Korea. It's kind sad how my country burns when exposed to sun. But eyes for those who need to see.

 

This is not a political forum but the citizien themed game associates with reality

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Oops, sorry, wrong side of the Pope's imaginary dividing line.

 

Well, we know that you need to get your game up to at least level 1,1,638 to use stuff from the STEX (especially NAM).  This means:

 

From the base game you need to add Rush Hour (or start with Deluxe) from CD.

You then need to install EP1 (the first published patch).  This will allow you to run anything from the STEX.

The second patch to 1,1,640 merely enables night lights on custom content buildings that have the appropriate textures.

 

Both patches are free and are available from several sources.

[rsc204 21,808]

Well, we know that you need to get your game up to at least level 1,1,638

 

Which you might find is not possible if you don't have a genuine version of the game, in this case you will not be able to install the latest versions of the NAM.

 

Most other content will probably work just fine, however there are unpatched bugs in the game that may cause you problems and night lighting will not work with custom downloaded buildings.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

 

Well, we know that you need to get your game up to at least level 1,1,638

 

Which you might find is not possible if you don't have a genuine version of the game, in this case you will not be able to install the latest versions of the NAM.

 

Most other content will probably work just fine, however there are unpatched bugs in the game that may cause you problems and night lighting will not work with custom downloaded buildings.

 

A good point.  Pirated copies of the game often will not accept the patches due to bad checksums.