Is it possible to change the size of a region or Map?

[fredinno 54]

I might want all BIG maps, and increase the size of a region. Is that possible, even with mods?

[Joe 90 358]

Region: yes

City tiles: no

To change the size of a region, simply edit the config.bmp file in your region's folder. Much more info in the Omnibus. Doing this to a built-up region can have disastrous consequences for the cities in it, so its best to make a new empty region the size you want and import the cities.

[CorinaMarie 29,934]

You can also check out my Mini Tutorial for Expanding a Region.

As long as you don't mind just expanding to the East and South, all you need is to make the Config.bmp bigger in those directions. Otherwise move all of your city tiles into the downloads folder via your OS's equivalent of Windows Explorer (that's what it is in XP and what I know it as). Then make the expansion in any or all directions in Config.bmp still leaving your original intact as far as colors go (which represent the tile sizes). Once you have the new Config.bmp ready, import each of your original cities back into their original locations.

[fredinno 54]

22 hours ago, Joe 90 said:

Region: yes

City tiles: no

To change the size of a region, simply edit the config.bmp file in your region's folder. Much more info in the Omnibus. Doing this to a built-up region can have disastrous consequences for the cities in it, so its best to make a new empty region the size you want and import the cities.

why not city tiles? What if I want a blank tile to be a large tile rather than a small one?

 

and what about concequences on the cities? why?

[CorinaMarie 29,934]

4 hours ago, fredinno said:

why not city tiles? What if I want a blank tile to be a large tile rather than a small one?

If you have already developed a small or medium city tile that size is embedded in the .sc4 save file of the tile. The game simply will not allow you to import the smaller tile into a larger one. It's hard coded that way. And even tho the .sc4 can be read with various tools no one knows the exact check-sum encryption Maxis uses so there is no after market tool to do it. Suffice to say that whatever size tile you have in your original region it'll need to go into that same size in your new one.

 

4 hours ago, fredinno said:

and what about concequences on the cities? why?

You can import any of your original city tiles into any new location of the same size tile. If you change their spatial relationship to their old neighboring tiles then transportation networks will not connect to existing networks, but the stubs will be there. Also, if you have terraformed the tiles then the heights will not likely line up. To make it look proper in the region view you'd need to do the reconcile edges thing. That has the disastrous side effect of destroying all bridges and tunnels. It's really best to decide on the size region and the tile layout before you start. As @Joe 90 and I indicated, you can move tiles around. Just make a backup of everything before you start and get familiar with what happens. The method is laid out for you. Now it's time you can do your hands on homework and see it for yourself.

[fredinno 54]

8 hours ago, CorinaMarie said:

If you have already developed a small or medium city tile that size is embedded in the .sc4 save file of the tile. The game simply will not allow you to import the smaller tile into a larger one. It's hard coded that way. And even tho the .sc4 can be read with various tools no one knows the exact check-sum encryption Maxis uses so there is no after market tool to do it. Suffice to say that whatever size tile you have in your original region it'll need to go into that same size in your new one.

 

You can import any of your original city tiles into any new location of the same size tile. If you change their spatial relationship to their old neighboring tiles then transportation networks will not connect to existing networks, but the stubs will be there. Also, if you have terraformed the tiles then the heights will not likely line up. To make it look proper in the region view you'd need to do the reconcile edges thing. That has the disastrous side effect of destroying all bridges and tunnels. It's really best to decide on the size region and the tile layout before you start. As @Joe 90 and I indicated, you can move tiles around. Just make a backup of everything before you start and get familiar with what happens. The method is laid out for you. Now it's time you can do your hands on homework and see it for yourself.

No, I mean if the tiles are blank. Can their size be changed?

 

 

[CorinaMarie 29,934]

1 hour ago, fredinno said:

No, I mean if the tiles are blank. Can their size be changed?

As long as they are totally blank then they don't count inasmuch as having any need to move/import them. Let's say you have 4 small tiles in a square, then yes you could replace those with a medium in your new Config.bmp. Or 16 smalls (in a square pattern) could become 4 mediums or 1 large. For that you can simply edit the Config.bmp file replacing the colors appropriately. Just be sure the changed area(s) correspond precisely with the blank tiles you want to merge together. (Remember, backup everything and then trial and error will be your best experience.)

If you don't already have it, grab Sawtooth's Region Census v0.8 (v1.0). Use that to create a picture of your region view if it's too large to show all in one simple PrintScreen image. (Be sure to turn on the city borders.) Post that pic here along with narrative saying which ones you want to combine into large tiles. Attach your Config.bmp file and I'll edit it to help you with it the first time. (Remember, backup everything first before you use the altered Config.bmp I'll make.)

And, in case I didn't mention it, it's always a good idea to back up the region before trying new things for the first time.

[rsc204 21,869]

One of the easiest way's to alter your config.bmp is using SC4 Mapper. Although I can't say I've tried it in existing regions before. As Corina wisely points out, before you do anything, make sure you've a backup, one wrong step could wipe your entire region out if you are not careful.

[fredinno 54]

tnx guys

[fredinno 54]

it worked