Minor Graphics Issue (Windows 8.1)

[klpcast 4]

I am having an issue with the graphics while running Sim City 4 from my HP Windows 8.1 laptop (I do not know any other technical specifications, so please don't ask unless the advice that you give depends on it). I've attached an image below. As you can see, some of the Maxis houses are missing the fences, and almost all of them are missing other details such as yard objects, driveways, etc. In addition, the road textures haven't changed (I've installed the most recent version of NAM, and even some additional road texture mods) and the traffic lights appear to be very blocky and pixelated.

I am running the game in compatibility mode for Windows 7, and have my graphics being rendered through the software. Anyone have any advice to fix these things?

[markussaage 762]

Hi,

where's the image?

Without seeing the picture here I do have the question: Why do you use Software Mode instead of Hardware Mode? A lot of details are missing in software mode.
Even if you use Windows 8.1 on a newer HP laptop with an Intel chipset you should be able to run this. I run SC4 on different laptops with different Intel chipsets in
Hardware mode. But here are so many combinations possible that I'd like you to take a look here:

The questions need to be answered are: Hardware, OS (here Windows 8.1), SimCity 4 version (CD, Steam or one of the DRM free versions from Amazon or GOG), how many Plugins are in your user folder... With all this information you ( or we) will be able to fix your problems am sure you'll find some answers for your problem there. I recently tested SC4 successful on Windows 10 without any problems. But first... the missing image, please!
 

Kind regards!

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

I suspect you are missing detail because you have it turned off.  Check your settings in Region mode (the ... button) and set your graphics settings to high.  Turn off shadows and waves.

[klpcast 4]

I changed the detail quality to high and that fixed the issue with the Maxis lots. The reason why I have it set to software mode instead of hardware mode is because I was having another (unrelated) issue with the graphics in which parts of the map would show up blank. The only way I could fix that was by changing from hardware to software. I am running a version I bought as a download off of Amazon about a year ago. Right now, I want to figure out how to fix the road textures and the traffic lights.

I thought the picture had attached when I first posted this. Hmm. Here it is now. I'm sorry if it is hard to see, I did a print screen while running the game and just pasted it into paint.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

I think we are at the point where we need the details of your configuration.  You can get them by running the sysinfo program (system information) which I think is the correct call name for windows.  We also need to verify the version of your program.  You can find this by finding the file SimCity 4.exe using Windows Explorer, right click on it, open the properties window, and look in the version tab.  What operating system are you running, please?

You are about to enter the mysterious realm of computers 101.  Fear not.  Nothing you can do from the keyboard can break the machine.

[klpcast 4]

I apologize for the late reply, but I can not for the life of me find it. I tried searching using Windows Explorer, and even performed a separate search of the external hard drive where I have the game installed. Could it possibly be under a different name?

[Indiana Joe 1,750]

the external hard drive where I have the game installed.

Hmmm that might cause some complications.  You do not have SC4 installed to your main drive?

So far, we know:

• You are running on a laptop with Windows 8.1
• You are running the game in software mode
• You have the NAM installed

From these, we can deduce:

• You have updated the game to the latest version (if this doesn't sound correct to you, definitely say so)

Do you have the physical CD for the game, or is it a digital download?  If so, did you download it from Steam, Origin, or where?

[Compdude787 916]

Do you have the physical CD for the game, or is it a digital download?  If so, did you download it from Steam, Origin, or where?

He said he downloaded it off Amazon in a previous post.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

If this is, in fact, build 1,1,641 check graphics settings.  Shadows low, waves off, everything else high.  If running software rendering there should be no problems, and if there are it is either a sick GPU or a bad plugin.

In any case, we need a much closer screen shot than the one provided so far highlighting the problem.  If you have a graphics editor, perhaps you  could outline or circle the area under consideration.  You can get a free graphics editor here.

[klpcast 4]

I've attached two images showing the problems. The top image (Image 1) shows an intersection in which there are no intersection markings on the road, and the traffic lights appear to be blocky. This appeared after installing NAM.

The bottom image (Image 2) shows standard road/street intersections with no markings on the road. They appear to be the standard Maxi road textures, and installing NAM did not do anything to change it. Neither of these issues affect gameplay, but I find them to be a huge eyesore.

I hope this is detailed enough for you to (hopefully) find a solution.

  Edited October 22, 2015 by klpcast  

[rsc204 21,813]

I've attached two images showing the problems. The top image (Image 1) shows an intersection in which there are no intersection markings on the road, and the traffic lights appear to be blocky. This appeared after installing NAM.

To my knowledge the NAM does not include any new stoplights. These almost certainly come from a 3rd Party plugin you have installed.

The bottom image (Image 2) shows standard road/street intersections with no markings on the road. They appear to be the standard Maxi road textures, and installing NAM did not do anything to change it. Neither of these issues affect gameplay, but I find them to be a huge eyesore.

These are the textures included with the US Cosmetic Override in the NAM. If you prefer the originals with junctions, re-run the NAM installer and untick the option for "Retextured Standard Road Textures (American). Found under Additional Features and Customizations / Road Textures and Markings / Main Road Texture Style during a custom install.

[klpcast 4]

I solved the stoplight issue by installing MandelSoft's stoplight mod. I tried running NAM, and set the road textures to the default Maxis textures (I had to pick an option). That didn't work. Is there anything else that could fix this?

[rsc204 21,813]

If the NAM is not changing the road textures, something else must be? Do you still have the rounded corners on the 4-way intersection? If so, you still have the NAM US cosmetic override installed somewhere. The default maxis ones are square edged not rounded.

[Indiana Joe 1,750]

Those intersection textures can be found inside your plugins folder in this location:

Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins\z___NAM\Road Textures

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

This sounds as though you need to review all your transportation plugins.  I did this when I installed NAM 31, and found several left-overs which I removed.  The only road stuff I have now is the NAM and RTMT.

[klpcast 4]

I fixed all of the issues. Thank you to everyone who helped!