Rendering Problem: Region Generation Error Message

[MallowTheCloud 41]

If you've downloaded a map from the STEX, but are having problems with the region size message, here are a few things you might try:

1 - Make sure the config.bmp file is called 'config.bmp'. Many times, after uploading a map, the config.bmp file is renamed... often to 'config1.bmp'. If it's not called 'config.bmp', Sim City 4 will not recognize it.

2 - Make sure the config.bmp file is in the correct folder. There are two folders for regions, but only one works:

C:\Documents and Settings\Username\My Documents\SimCity 4\Regions\Region Name\

C:\Program Files\Maxis\SimCity 4\Regions\Region Name\

It needs to be in the FIRST one (in My Documents). Sim City 4 does not use the second folder for loading region maps.

3 - Make sure the config.bmp file is the right size. Your dimensions of the greyscale jpeg should be as follows:

width minus 1 divided by 64 is a whole number, which we'll call 'w'

height minus 1 divided by 64 is a whole number, which we'll call 'h'

Your config.bmp file should then by 'w' pixels in width and 'h' pixels in height.

4 - Make sure the config.bmp file has the correct colors. You can't have a completely grey config.bmp file. You need 255-red, or 255-green, or 255-blue tiles.

5 - Make sure the file you're trying to render is a greyscale jpg. If you are unsure, open it in IrfanView, select Save As, save it as a jpg, and in the jpg options, check the "greyscale jpg" box. Make sure to uncheck it before saving other jpgs in the future.

[Darc5155 0]

I have a few questions about this. 1). How do we know if we did it right? Will a dialogue box come up that says "rendering" and show us the progression? 2). No matter how I adjust settings with my config.bmp it always gives me an error and says it must be 1025 X 1025. 3). After doing ctrl-alt-shift-r, I have a choice of what to render; so specifically which file should be selected to render? The jpeg, the bitmap, or the gif?

[Darc5155 0]

Also when I change my config.bmp to 1025 X 1025, I no longer get the error message, instead absolutely nothing happens.

[cityhawk 12]

Okay, so in the interest of getting the max. amount of help, I'm going to present everything I did: I went to  MyDocs/SimCity4/Regions and created a new folder called Chunchula. Then, I went to the map on the STEX called Paradise Beaches by delboysim (updated Jan. 29, 2006) and pressed the config.bmp link. I downloaded it into the Chunchula folder, and then I went back and pressed the download link. It was named Paradise Beaches.jpg, and I placed it into the Chunchula folder. Then, I went in the game and entered the Chunchula region. Then I did that shift+ctrl+Alt+r thing and brought up the dialogue box. I navigated through to the Chunchula region folder, where I clicked on the .jpg file and pressed OK. The Region Generation Error Message came up, so then I went back through and clicked on the config.bmp and pressed OK; nothing happens. So, I came to this thread and read the things to try. I did both 1 and 2, but I'm not quite sure how to do 3. If I knew what you were talking about, would the game render the map I downloaded? If so, please tell me how to do that and also anything else that might help. Thanks in advance.

Okay, that problem is resolved, but I'm having another problem: Only three big city tiles developed out of 34; the rest is just flat land. Does anyone know how to resolve this problem?

[Darc5155 0]

Hey cityhawk, I have seen the answer to your message answered, so if you tell me how you managed to get past the error message and get it to render I'd appreciate it! I cannot get past that part and it is really frustrating.

The answer to your new problem is simple, you cannot have any other programs open while the game is rendering the map! That is important, you cannot even have the screen saver on. Turn off the screen saver and keep it up while it is rendering, the rendering process is very finicky and if you even close the window it will only render the parts you saw it render, then it will stop, hence why some areas worked and others are still flat. So turn off your screensaver and when you render, leave it alone. Now please help me out and tell me please how you got the rendering box to come up at all? I did everything but it still says error size must be 1025 X 1025 and when I change the bitmap to that size nothing happens.

[Raxter 1]

I have the same problem as Darc. Please help.

[cityhawk 12]

Darc5155 & Raxter: I've seen the answers to those questions in another thread, but I'm going to answer it anyway:

Of course, you make a new folder in MyDocs/SimCity4/Regions and name it whatever you want the region to be named. Then, download the config.bmp and grayscale of the map you want into your new region's folder. Now, in the first post of this thread, it says to rename your config.bmp file to config because it's originally config1.bmp, and SC4 doesn't recognize anything but config. In another thread, it said to make sure that you have a true grayscale image of the map. Before I tell you how to do this, you should know that I can only explain it by the picture editing program I use: Irfanview. Okay, open the grayscale in Irfanview, and then go to File and Save As. Then, click on the drop down menu at the very bottom and click on JPG-JPEG files. Next, a gray menu with a bunch of options should pop up to the side of the save window. Find the one that says "Save as grayscale JPG (please remember!)" and checkmark the box beside it, and then click save. Then, go into SC4, press shift+alt+ctrl+r, navigate to your grayscale image file, click on it, and then save. The map should start rendering immediately.

By the way, darc5155, thanks for the info; it worked!

[Raxter 1]

Actually, I figured out the problem on my own. It didn't have anythign to do with what you're talking about there. 

What I did was when I hit ctrl-c to enter the config screen on landscape designer, I had previously done nothing and saved it. However, when I solved the problem, instead of doing nothing I filled in the tiles with city squares. Instead of my config image being a blank gray color it was now multicolored like ones that I had downloaded.

It doesn't sound like the solution to the error message given, but it did work.

[MallowTheCloud 41]

I guess I should add a couple more things to the list, then. I'll edit it now

Darc, if it begins rendering, a screen similar to the one that shows up while loading a city comes up, and says "Creating New City" instead of "Loading [City Name]".

[Darc5155 0]

Raxter what is landscape designer?

[Darc5155 0]

Haha I downloaded landscape designer and now it all works!! This is so freakin sweet, you guys kick butt.

[Thorondae 0]

I've done every single thing on this guide and it still refuses to render.  I downloaded the correct config.bmp, I made sure it's called exactly that, and placed it in the folder along with the jpeg.  The config.bmp is the right size, and the right colors, and the jpeg is saved as grayscale.  I've tried copying a region.ini into that folder and editing it to the proper region name, which didn't help.  No matter what I do, it says the config file is the wrong size, and needs to be (whatever the size of the current region is).  I've done everything anyone has recommended - what could the problem be?

[MallowTheCloud 41]

Hmm... can you right click the folder for that region, go to Properties, and take a screenshot. Also, could you take a screenshot of the inside of that same region folder?

[Thorondae 0]

Alright, properties of folder and contents of folder are attached, assuming I did it right.  Hope this helps.

[MallowTheCloud 41]

Ah, I think I see the problem... or it may just be an artifact of the image you posted... it's hard to tell.

The colors (green and blue) do not look like true (255) green and blue to me.

I attached a new config.bmp file... you will have to rename it to config.bmp (instead of config1.bmp) after you unzip it... try it out in place of the current config.bmp and let me know what happens.

config1.zip

[callagrafx 3]

OK, I've downloaded the files from the STEX and checked them out...both config and greyscale match perfectly...Try this:

Delete the region you've created.

Make a new folder in My Documents/SimCity 4/Regions called Southward

Copy the config.bmp file into the folder

Launch the Game...Open up the Region Southward

You should see a blank terrain, but the city squares should match config.

Now press CTL-ALT-SHIFT-R to load greyscale

The map should now render. If there is an error at this point, please make a note and post it here.

Edit: I''ve checked the config.bmp (see mallow's post) and they ARE true blue and green, but I would recommend you use Mallow's config regardless

[Thorondae 0]

Aha, victory.  I deleted the folder, made a new one, opened up the region and loaded the jpg, and it worked fine.  I think the problem actually may have been that I didn't know I was supposed to have that specific region open before I tried to open the jpg (though now that I think about it, it makes sense that I should).  I thought I had tried it before but I guess not.<br /><br />Thank you for all the help!<br />(I have a couple other questions about things but I won't post them here so I don't derail it)

[MallowTheCloud 41]

Well, I'm glad you got it solved anyway.

[ktronicus 0]

> I can't get mine to work. Should I just use the config Mallow created for that person up above? Download landscape designer? Let's all hope.

[ktronicus 0]

I Downloaded Landscape designer, and had it rework and save all my files (both the JPG and config.bmp). When trying to load them into the game, I still receive the 1025 x 1025 error message. How do .ini files work? Will Landscape Designer be able to make an .ini file from one that has been copied/pasted/ ie, not created by LD?

Also, I see in some of the explanations that people are being told to have the region open when you want to import a map. But, somewhere I'm not connecting... I can't get my region open in the first place. That's the issue.

Any help other people can give would be appreciated.

[MallowTheCloud 41]

Regarding the Region.ini file, the game will create one on its own.

Yes, you do need to have the region open. After you have created a region folder and placed the proper config.bmp file in the folder, open up SC4. Then, where you select which region to open, open your new region.

If you're still having problems, let us know.

[ktronicus 0]

Then, where you select which region to open, open your new region.

And just to be sure... this is accomplished by ctrl alt shift r, then selecting where (under My Documents) I have the region folder, then going into that folder and clicking the JPG file?

Because that is exactly what doesn't work.

Am I able to import an entire region map at once or do I have to go plot by plot?

[wouanagaine 83]

Opening a region is done by using the 'folder' icon in SC4 under the left top icon, then you will browse to your folder

it will be flat, now you can ctrl-alt-shift r to import the jpg file

[MallowTheCloud 41]

Yeah... that might be a bit confusing. First you have to open the region as wouanagaine said, THEN you do the ctrl-alt-shift-r to import the greyscale jpg image.

[ktronicus 0]

"open the region"

Which region? The one whose map I am unable to render? Again, isn't opening the map to render the same thing as opening the region?

[ktronicus 0]

To put it another way, it is still giving me the 1025 x 1025 error message. Is this a maximum the game has set and I can't change?

[MallowTheCloud 41]

No... let's see... how else to explain this.

After you have created a region folder in the right location, and placed the config.bmp file in the folder...

1. Open SC4

2. Click the "Region View Options" button. It should be on the top left of the region screen

3. Click the "Load Region" button. It should look like a folder

4. Scroll down to the correct region, click it to highlight it, and click "Load Region." The region name should be the same as the name of your newly created region folder.

5. THEN you should do CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+R, find the greyscale jpg, and open it. That will start the rendering.

[ktronicus 0]

I tried that and it didn't work. I've been following the instructions on the Phoenix map you created, and downloaded the files anew, but it still says the 1025 thing.

Is there a certain place where the JPEG has to be stored? Do I need to resave the JPEG?

[MallowTheCloud 41]

No, it's not the jpg that's causing the problem, it's the config.bmp file. If it's not in the right folder, or if it's not the right config.bmp file, or if it's not named "config.bmp", or if it's not the correct colors, it would be giving you that message. As you can see, there are a lot of different things it could be.

[wouanagaine 83]

You have another option :

1. Open SC4

2. Click the "Region View Options" button. It should be on the top left of the region screen

3. Click the "Create Region" button, it should like a iso grid

4. When asked, name the region with whatever please you ( MyFunnyRegion for sample )

5. you will have a flat land

6. exit SC4

7. using explorer, browse to the My Documents\Simcity4\Regions\MyFunnyRegion <-- or whatever you called your region

8. delete the config.bmp in this folder, and replace it with the one that cames with the region you downloaded, move the greyscale jpeg in c:\ ( at the root )

9. run SC4

10. you will still have a flat region, but if you have the 'city border' on, you will see that the layout has changed

11. hit CTRL-ALT-SHIFT-R and click on your jpeg file

Can you also please tell us what your jpg file size is ( width x height ) as your config.bmp size ?

Another option is to use SC4Terraformer, link in my sig