Too much same buildings

[denzo 5]

Hi,

could mods causing "anomaly" like too much same buildings built in a zone? I have just started to mod my game (NAM, and just a few other ones like BSC MegaProp, Install_BSCBATPropsMattb325_Vol02, Install Ghetto Pack Vol1-2) and it seems, I did not experience (I do not remember) this behaviour earlier in my other cities, when those mods were not installed, that lots of the same buildings built in a block.

See pic.

 

[CorinaMarie 29,605]

56 minutes ago, denzo said:

could mods causing "anomaly" like too much same buildings built in a zone?

Technically, yes that is possible. But from your example picture I'll say no in this case. I only understand it as a general concept which goes something like the game searches for the largest building for a given parcel based on current demand and conditions and so that often means the same building will grow over and over again. The experts will be able to explain it better when they get here.

 

Here's a pic of mine from a different thread. I wasn't specifically highlighting the repetition so it's not the focal point in the image. This was in pure vanilla with no mods:

 

This is such a common occurrence in the game it even has its own Showcase thread: Show us your... r-r-r-r-r-repetition-n-n-n-n!

[matias93 7,535]

There are two easy solutions: either zone different densities, shapes and sizes to avoid 'asking' the game for the same buildings, or download more buildings to make the chances of getting repeated ones slimmer.

[Cyclone Boom 16,875]

Perhaps using "Precision Zoning" is a way forward to create variation.

As I briefly mentioned in a recent topic:
 

On 1/22/2018 at 5:44 AM, Cyclone Boom said:

For finer control over which RCI buildings are allowed to develop, using precision zoning methods could be useful here. As explained in this guide, through combinations of the Ctrl, Alt and Shift keys, to allow the zone parcels to be laid out more specifically.

Note:

For any of the combinations, after drawing the zone as required, first release your mouse click before the key.

A quick-ish summary:

Alt

Rotates the zone anti-clockwise (in relation to the road or street).
This means the grown lots will be forced to face the new direction, as shown by the arrows. Buildings will not construct unless there is a network connection.

Ctrl

Zones a whole area without the parcel segments, automatic streets, or terrain levelling.

The area can be made the width and height of your choice, and then encourages a lot of the specified size to grow. The Ctrl key is actually a rather appropriate choice for this, seeing as it does help with controlling the types of buildings in a zone (relative to the lot size). There must be sufficient demand however for these larger occupancy lots to construct, otherwise the simulator may consolidate by choosing multiple lots to fill the zone size specified.

To get an idea of the possible types of lots, you may find this reference list of the Maxis RCI buildings useful.

Also I recommend this site also as a buildings reference:  SimCity 4 Building Index 

Alt  +  Ctrl

A combination of changing the direction and allowing a uniform area to be zoned.

Shift

Disables the auto placement of streets when zoning.

This is probably most useful for agricultural zones or as a base for regular industry. Unlike residential or commercial, farms have no parcels specifying the direction where a transit network must connect (unless using the Ctrl method). Instead they just require any network to connect at any location. So for this reason, it allows individual farms to be larger in size. The building will first construct where the road or street touches, with the fields or crops filling out the remaining land.

In a similar way to using the Alt key as described, Shift may come in useful for residential zones, changing the direction while also preventing streets being added automatically. When doing so, it's important to draw the streets or roads in advance though, as otherwise the zones will be lacking the required connection.

[matias93 7,535]

so, mnemotechnics:

• ALTernate lot orientation
• CONTROL lot size
• SHIFT street placement

[denzo 5]

Aaah, thaaanks!

I was worried that I installed stuffs chaotically, and something went wrong, but now I calmed down.

[djash1000 37]

On 23/01/2018 at 3:58 PM, matias93 said:

There are two easy solutions: either zone different densities, shapes and sizes to avoid 'asking' the game for the same buildings, or download more buildings to make the chances of getting repeated ones slimmer.

this bold, matias

Are there any downloads that have lots of different builfings? Or do you go through the list of downloads, and pick individual ones? (and do they just build randomly or automatically when zoing an area?

[jeffryfisher 2,176]

One more idea: Allow all building styles at the same time. If you filter to just one architectural style, then you limit what the game can choose.

[T Wrecks 10,209]

23 hours ago, djash1000 said:

Are there any downloads that have lots of different builfings? Or do you go through the list of downloads, and pick individual ones? (and do they just build randomly or automatically when zoing an area?

Downloads come in different varieties - there are downloads that contain:

• one individual building on one lot
• one individual building on different lots
• one individual building in different colour/material variations, either on one or on several lots
• several buildings, each in one version or each in different colour/material variations, either on one or on several lots

Some authors that have made packs and whose content you may want to check out include:

• @madhatter106: commercial shops and offices made for the specific purpose of fighting Maxis repetition
• @Gn_leugim: check out the "EHA" (European Housing Add-on) series for a number of buildings that will grow on Maxis lots alongside their Maxis counterparts (only if you play modern European look, though)
• @SimGoober: some small shop packs as well, to battle repetition in commercial services
• @jmyers2043: several small shop packs plus a housing pack (single-family homes) over at SC4Devotion that contains 18 models, each in at least 6 colour versions, and belongs to the best sets there is IMO
• @CycleDogg (aka "C.P."): several small housing and rowhouse packs in older Northern American style
• @Aaron Graham: several NY-style residential appartements (many of them wall-to-wall) and smaller rowhouses, always in different colour versions

The rest is mainly individual downloads or at least smaller packs.

And yes, if you see a download that is "growable", this means that the buildings inside will automatically grow on suitable zones, just like their Maxis counterparts. You will not find them in your menu in game.

[djash1000 37]

thanks T Rwecks, I shall look at those later

[madhatter106 3,903]

I've said it elsewhere, and I'll say it here - @jmyers2043 has some of the best stuff in this regard; over at SC4Devotion, you'll find little packs of goodness that he has BATted and lotted and modded.  Commercial, residential, industrial (including some great farm sets).  In my humble opinion, it doesn't get better than his stuff!

[djash1000 37]

22 hours ago, T Wrecks said:

Downloads come in different varieties - there are downloads that contain:

• one individual building on one lot
• one individual building on different lots
• one individual building in different colour/material variations, either on one or on several lots
• several buildings, each in one version or each in different colour/material variations, either on one or on several lots

Some authors that have made packs and whose content you may want to check out include:

• @madhatter106: commercial shops and offices made for the specific purpose of fighting Maxis repetition
• @Gn_leugim: check out the "EHA" (European Housing Add-on) series for a number of buildings that will grow on Maxis lots alongside their Maxis counterparts (only if you play modern European look, though)
• @SimGoober: some small shop packs as well, to battle repetition in commercial services
• @jmyers2043: several small shop packs plus a housing pack (single-family homes) over at SC4Devotion that contains 18 models, each in at least 6 colour versions, and belongs to the best sets there is IMO
• @CycleDogg (aka "C.P."): several small housing and rowhouse packs in older Northern American style
• @Aaron Graham: several NY-style residential appartements (many of them wall-to-wall) and smaller rowhouses, always in different colour versions

The rest is mainly individual downloads or at least smaller packs.

And yes, if you see a download that is "growable", this means that the buildings inside will automatically grow on suitable zones, just like their Maxis counterparts. You will not find them in your menu in game.

 

7 hours ago, madhatter106 said:

I've said it elsewhere, and I'll say it here - @jmyers2043 has some of the best stuff in this regard; over at SC4Devotion, you'll find little packs of goodness that he has BATted and lotted and modded.  Commercial, residential, industrial (including some great farm sets).  In my humble opinion, it doesn't get better than his stuff!

When I click on jmyers there doesn't seem to be any thing to click on his/her downloads... however by clicking on them, it lists madhatters who was in list too. These look like what I'm looking for, much more diversity with the building set. I've just downloaded about 20 or 30 of them, so will have a quick go now and then start with some more Thanks for the recommendations. I'm still getting used to this, and the site is so big, I've started bookmarking all these things that are recommended.

[djash1000 37]

ok, I like that!!

 

So I download all of madhatters buildings! great work.

 

Looking for the same type of thing now but with residential buildings to get that a bit more diverse

[djash1000 37]

23 hours ago, T Wrecks said:

• @madhatter106: commercial shops and offices made for the specific purpose of fighting Maxis repetition
• @Gn_leugim: check out the "EHA" (European Housing Add-on) series for a number of buildings that will grow on Maxis lots alongside their Maxis counterparts (only if you play modern European look, though)
• @SimGoober: some small shop packs as well, to battle repetition in commercial services
• @jmyers2043: several small shop packs plus a housing pack (single-family homes) over at SC4Devotion that contains 18 models, each in at least 6 colour versions, and belongs to the best sets there is IMO
• @CycleDogg (aka "C.P."): several small housing and rowhouse packs in older Northern American style
• @Aaron Graham: several NY-style residential appartements (many of them wall-to-wall) and smaller rowhouses, always in different colour versions

How do I find others T Wrecks?

With madhatter, under his name it says find their other files... I can't seem to find this for the others?

[T Wrecks 10,209]

As I wrote, JMyers2043 has most of his stuff over at SC4Devotion.com. Their download area (BSC exchange) has a "power search" functionality that enables targeted search. e.g. by category or by author.

I'm not sure what you mean when you say that you can't find the files for the others... simply open the profile page, select "View all activity", and then select "Files" from the left sidebar - the result should look something like this example for gn_leugim.

On the STEX, once you have found one upload by the respective author (you could use a Google search like gn_leugim STEX site:simtropolis.com for this purpose), you should indeed be able to click on "Find their other files", and it should bring up the list of files uploaded by that author. I just tested this option, too, for gn_leugim, and it works for me.

If it still refuses to work for you, don't hesitate to ask again, if possible with a description of how you proceed and where you click so we can (hopefully!) see where the problem is and help you sort it all out.

Happy downloading in the meantime!

[djash1000 37]

9 hours ago, T Wrecks said:

As I wrote, JMyers2043 has most of his stuff over at SC4Devotion.com. Their download area (BSC exchange) has a "power search" functionality that enables targeted search. e.g. by category or by author.

I'm not sure what you mean when you say that you can't find the files for the others... simply open the profile page, select "View all activity", and then select "Files" from the left sidebar - the result should look something like this example for gn_leugim.

On the STEX, once you have found one upload by the respective author (you could use a Google search like gn_leugim STEX site:simtropolis.com for this purpose), you should indeed be able to click on "Find their other files", and it should bring up the list of files uploaded by that author. I just tested this option, too, for gn_leugim, and it works for me.

If it still refuses to work for you, don't hesitate to ask again, if possible with a description of how you proceed and where you click so we can (hopefully!) see where the problem is and help you sort it all out.

Happy downloading in the meantime!

ah I see, I didn't realise was a different forum. I think I'll stick to here for now, as still picking things up.

 

13 hours ago, djash1000 said:

 

When I click on jmyers there doesn't seem to be any thing to click on his/her downloads... however by clicking on them, it lists madhatters who was in list too. These look like what I'm looking for, much more diversity with the building set. I've just downloaded about 20 or 30 of them, so will have a quick go now and then start with some more Thanks for the recommendations. I'm still getting used to this, and the site is so big, I've started bookmarking all these things that are recommended.

haha,

doh, didn't realise I was quoting you madhatter, I was rushing before work earlier!

Yes, I've downloaded all of yours, thanks these are great!

This is exactly what I was looking for, as I said, I wanted a bit more diversity, but not anything where I have to download mods/dependencies etc. as my experience hasn't got that far yet!. I'll have a look tomorrow at the list suggested above for more from this site.

 

9 hours ago, T Wrecks said:

 simply open the profile page, select "View all activity", and then select "Files" from the left sidebar - the result should look something like this example for gn_leugim.
 

ah yes found it now. That's what I was missing... I never would have thought to click that. i thought they would just be on profile.