Architech tool for mac

[psychoh13 0]

Is anyone know if Maxis or Aspyr edited a program to creat new feature (bat, mod, lot) like on pc for mac? Or they are selfish ?

[EKOmantys 0]

I heard you could actually use Virtual PC to use the lot editors/BAT thingies, I am not so sure since I don't have VPC.

[psychoh13 0]

Yeah I heard that too, but I tried virtual pc, and it's very very very slow even if I don't anything else on my computer (i had version 6 though) it's not very convenient espacially when it's use for only one thing...

[kbooms1w 1]

I asked Aspyr if they planned to port the BAT and/or Lot Editor, and they said the code for the programs is too Windows-specific to convert. Maybe that was just their excuse, but either way, Aspyr isn't going to port them.

If you really want to use them, VPC or a real PC look like your only options. Maybe the people using VPC have some ideas on how to speed up your Mac when it's on VPC.

Sucks though, I'd like to try those out, might look into VPC if I get a new Mac, but certainly not going to buy a PC just to BAT.

[psychoh13 0]

Aspyr, they're slakers at least they port SC4. But they can do some efforts . with those people it's not amazing that's nobody start to use mac :-X We're not helped !

[simsbaby 4]

Date: 11/14/2004 3:24:21 PM
Author: psychoh13
Aspyr, they're slakers at least they port SC4. But they can do some efforts . with those people it's not amazing that's nobody start to use mac :-X We're not helped !

quote>
Aspyr are not slackers if thay are slackers than thay wont port the sims 2 or any other game for that matter!

[psychoh13 0]

Yeah yeah right...

[uncrazycooper13 0]

atleast we can use the BATs. What I don't like is that the forum software for simtropolis does not support macs so we can't post pictures and therefore we can't have real city journals

[psychoh13 0]

Yeah, but some features don't work on mac... I installed a dirty road feature and I can't take it off now :-X there's some bugs too... :-\

[Snotfist13 1]

Date: 11/14/2004 3:24:21 PM
Author: psychoh13
Aspyr, they're slakers at least they port SC4. But they can do some efforts . with those people it's not amazing that's nobody start to use mac :-X We're not helped !

quote>

The issue with porting things like the BAT and other add-ons is that there is no money in it. It would take many hours to convert that and the whole time, they are losing money. They won't make money off it so it won't happen.

Sorry folks.

[psychoh13 0]

Hey !, Maxis created BAT and they distribute it freely. Aren't they losing money too ? They had to build it too ! And that cost money too !!

[kbooms1w 1]

Date: 11/14/2004 3:53:50 PM
Author: uncrazycooper13
atleast we can use the BATs. What I don't like is that the forum software for simtropolis does not support macs so we can't post pictures and therefore we can't have real city journals

quote>

You can post pictures, you just can't use the RTF function. Below is a (somewhat muddled) explanation of how to do it (from another thread).


First I host my pics at imageshack.com, which is pretty simple to use, the site explains it better than I can, but if anyone has any problems, let me know, and I'll try to help.

Once they are hosted there, imageshack generates code for you that can be directly copied and pasted into the thread, so when you write a post, it would look like this:

Here is an overview of my region:

PASTE CODE FROM IMAGESHACK

Here is a close up:

PASTE CODE FROM IMAGESHACK

Then submit the post (previewing it first seems to cause crashes for me, so I skip the preview), and the pictures show up. I use the Forums code (imageshack generates 6 different kinds of code for each pic, for different uses). It's not perfect, I've had a couple of glitches with thumbnail code, but most of the time it works fine.

One more thing, when you take an image from your albums, save them as .jpg, within the 600x800, 200kb ST limits, and be sure to save them with the .jpg at the end or imageshack won't be able to upload it.

You can also use the insert image icon (mountains and sun button, directly above the text box), but you still need a URL to enter, so pics need to be hosted somewhere. I originally tried using my .Mac account to host pictures, but I just found imageshack.com much easier.

This may not be the clearest explanation, but give it a try, and if you have any problems, let me know.

I hope this helps, I want to see more CJs from us Mac users.

[Screwballl 196]

the only VPC program that i heard works worth a dang is version 8 i think it is.. they worked with MS themselves to get it working well... with VPC8, you should be able to use any windows program on your mac

[quino 0]

Date: 11/14/2004 5:41:39 PM
Author: Snotfist13

Date: 11/14/2004 3:24:21 PM

Author: psychoh13

Aspyr, they're slakers at least they port SC4. But they can do some efforts . with those people it's not amazing that's nobody start to use mac :-X We're not helped !

quote>


The issue with porting things like the BAT and other add-ons is that there is no money in it. It would take many hours to convert that and the whole time, they are losing money. They won't make money off it so it won't happen.


Sorry folks.

quote>

Well, considering that we are paying almost twice as much for the Mac RH than for the PC version, that is not a very good excuse!
Twice the price, half the features... Humm, I think they are making a good business!

[GoaSkin 2]

Date: 11/14/2004 5:48:26 PM
Author: psychoh13
Hey !, Maxis created BAT and they distribute it freely. Aren't they losing money too ? They had to build it too ! And that cost money too !!

quote>


BAT is somehow a modified version of GMAX - a free tool too. Possibly Maxis has not invested too much time on coding BAT. The GMAX developers make their money not with selling licenses but with selling professional 3D-models and solutions for creating games. GMAX is just something like garbage of other software - freely distributed for non-commercial use. Most parts of the BAT tools are licensed to Maxis and even if Aspyr wants - they are not allowed to make modifications. Possibly, there are other modelling tools with a GMAX-compatible file type for Macintosh but I have not looked for it yet. If so, the LOT editor is still missing.

[dev 47]

ummm, people.....if you want it so bad...hmmm you might could get windows...just maybe. Oh well, I was suprised SC4RH was even released on Mac, if you have Mac....you need to get used to not having everything....I don't like Microsoft, but it is better than nothing

[GoaSkin 2]

I found some Open Source tools which should run on Macintosh and be usable to edit and render 3Ds. So, you don't need BAT for the most CPU-intensive procedures on creating buildings but still to make new LOTs with your models at last. So try to use native software for modelling and use the Maxis applications in VPC only for the last steps!


This open source software should compile on Mac OS X, even if not listed:

http://freshmeat.net/search/?q=3ds&section=projects&Go.x=15&Go.y=10

[frankenspock 0]

Date: 12/4/2004 9:45:42 PM
Author: dev
if you have Mac....you need to get used to not having everything...

quote>

Uh, believe me, we are. Mostly we're just used to waiting a lot longer for things, and bitching about it in public occasionally helps to get the point across to the software companies.

These companies ignore Mac users at their own risk and detriment:

Amazon.com Sales Rankings
SimCity 4 (PC): #1,152
SimCity 4 (Mac): #541
Rush Hour exp. (PC): #1,457
Rush Hour exp. (Mac): #1,427

Obviously, that ignores the existence of the Deluxe edition for PC, but I have little doubt that a Mac version would sell pretty decently. Aspyr's not losing money selling to Mac users; all we're asking is that we receive the same benefits and support of these games that PC users do.

We can't even log onto the simcity4.com site, not even to post on the Mac forum there. It's absurd.

[+Guest]

Yup it sucks to be a gamer with a MAC and get treated like a second class citizen but it boils down to money.
Unless more folks turn to MAC I'm afraid the MAC users are S.O.L.

So maybe it's time to throw your MAC out the window and buy a PC,just a thought.Happy Holidays

[frankenspock 0]

Date: 12/6/2004 9:23:47 AM
Author: BlackBeard
So maybe it's time to throw your MAC out the window and buy a PC,just a thought.

quote>

Cute. Your first troll? Keep practicing, I'm positive your aim will improve.

[+Guest]

Frank old pal I don't troll.The community went trough this MAC vs PC awhile back due to file change by BSC.

There is nobody to blame but yourself for buying a MAC instead of a PC.It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see a MAC isn't meant for computer games.

if you look around you will see most computer games are formated for the PC and if your lucky a MAC version may come out down the road.

So let us not get ugly and just face the facts.

[vidioman 21]

^You're just jealous you can't afford a mac. I'll laugh when your PC crashes and you lose all your work!! I don't use macs very often, but I find they are alot better than PCs. Except the gaming part. Macs are really more for business things, go to any newspaper of magazine office, they usually use macs, because they don't crash very often (if at all) and are good quality computers. They're perfect for businesses. I think Mac is putting more effort into the gaming industry, though. If they did, they would probably get alot more sales that way.

[dev 47]

Well, still the reason it is the best is because it just came out SimCity came out a while ago on PC, h=guys come on, the BAT will never come to MAC, buy a PC if you want to play SimCity to its fullest...

MACs are better but definetly not for gaming, for gaming, it SUCKS uberly

[psychoh13 0]

Turn to PC?! Ain't you crazy ?! I'll never turn to PC world for home, it sucks, I'd rather blow my head off then using a pc for pleasure. Only because there's no architect tool on Mac i'd turn to pc ? No way, it doesn't worth, I find for my mac all I want, and things you can only find on PC are never essential. Being a mac use cant be a pain, every great programs are in both world, but on macintosh you don't have pc shits (bugs, viruses, windows). So don't make me throw up by saying that we should turn to pc.

[dev 47]

Date: 12/6/2004 11:04:41 AM
Author: psychoh13
Turn to PC?! Ain't you crazy ?! I'll never turn to PC world for home, it sucks, I'd rather blow my head off then using a pc for pleasure. Only because there's no architect tool on Mac i'd turn to pc ? No way, it doesn't worth, I find for my mac all I want, and things you can only find on PC are never essential. Being a mac use cant be a pain, every 'great' programs are in both world, but on macintosh you don't have pc shits (bugs, viruses, windows). So don't make me throw up by saying that we should turn to pc.

quote>

Watch the language, Mac is better but not for gaming, PC is bugged, but well, you are missing out on a lot (no pun intended), enough debate, back to subject, the answer was made with the BAT, ON A PC

[+Guest]

Granted a Mac maybe used more in the business world but this ain't a business site.
So why do MAC user whine and demand things they very well know they are not going to get?.
The computer game world marches to a PC beat so once again I say to MAC users to either get on board or stay on the dock as the world sails on without you.

[GoaSkin 2]

The LOT Editor and the Plugin Manager should be fast enough into a virtual machine like VPC or Bochs.

Designing usable 3D models should be possible with native 3rd-Party-software like AC3D.

http://www.ac3d.org/


The used 3DS-file type is a standard file format supported by many applications. Possibly, there are many more usable programs.

[vidioman 21]

It isn't the mac users that are at fault, it is the company itslef. they should have gotten into the gaming business before. They are starting to, though. When SC5 comes around, it will probably be more mac compatable.

[kruegersc4 0]

it is very doubtfull that anyone will make a Mac compatible BAT, but you can always get other 3D programs for Mac (Since 3D is done a lot on them.), but you won't be able to use the models in SimCity. Or you maybe can get a PiMpEd OuT G5, and use virtual PC on it...

You could also get a program like Carrara from www.eovia.com (Which I use.), or any other 3D program, make a building, then export it as a 3ds file, put it on a CD, floppy, zip, or usb, and put it on your PC- weenie-friend's computer and import it into BAT. Then just fix any gliches from the import, add lighting effects, and render! (If, of course, your friend will let you on to his compy for a little while...)

[frankenspock 0]

Date: 12/6/2004 10:35:53 AM
Author: BlackBeard
Frank old pal I don't troll.The community went trough this MAC vs PC awhile back due to file change by BSC.
There is nobody to blame but yourself for buying a MAC instead of a PC.It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see a MAC isn't meant for computer games.

quote>

Yes, you are trolling. You are coming into a Mac forum and looking for a fight. That's trolling.

Read the forum rules. They're the first thing you see when you peek in. Why would anyone want to start a platform war in here? All it does is make everyone mad at each other.