[2012] Lot Editor and Plug-in Manager - Forum Archive

[Ace3 1,209]

If you mean adjusting the compatibility mode, these are the options I have:

Of which I have tried all, and none have worked. Thanks for attempting to assist me though. Its nice to know at least someone is trying to help

[Yuu Caa Sim 55]

Perhaps there's something in your plugins folder that causes the PIM to crash when it reads the folder. Does the problem occur with an empty plugins folder?

My PIM works without any compatibility settings on Win7.

[Ace3 1,209]

I just took the plugins folder out its original C:......Documents\Simcity 4 location. Everything works fine now!(no compatibility settings or anything)

Many thanks yunxiang! I can finally get back to learning how to BAT.

I wonder what could have been the cause though?

[SnarkyGarthok 1]

LE won't let me change the building?

I'm still kinda $%&^!, but I've been spending the past week pouring over all of the tutorials for LE, BAT, and PM. I'd spent hours with the tutorial on gmax making my own CO building, only to find that when I open the Lot Editor and try to use said building, the LE won't let me remove the original CO building. I listed my new creation in the PM under the CO$$ tab, as the tutorial directed, opened the LE and selected a 3x2 lot (exactly what the tutorial used). This is where my LE differs from the tutorial's LE. The tutorial directs you to click 'replace building' to get your custom building on the lot, but there is no 'replace building' button under the building tab here for me. Only 'replace family', which upon clicking only provides about 15 or so giant 16x24 and up sized buildings, so I can't even replace the building with another Maxis building of the same size, let alone my own building. You can imagine my dismay after spending the better part of a day designing this building (which was the EXACT same as the tutorial's building), only to find that I can't get it into the game- especially when I'm following the tutorial verbatim. It won't let me replace the building on ANY lot. I tried categorizing my custom building in PM under EVERY RCI categorie, and tried EVERY lot in those respective categories with a 3x2 lot size, and nothing. Still can't get my building on a lot. I'd read on a thread that you can't change buildings of original dat files, and that the building must first be saved (save, not save as) to put that lot in your plugin folder so you can edit it, closing out and restarting the program, loading the new save, but LE still won't give me the button to replace a building. I'm beating my head against the wall here!!! Please tell me I'm a dumb $%&^! and I'm missing something! Please help!!!!

[Silur 3,308]

You can create everything with Your right Model file ...

First: You can work with SC4 Plugin Man program for creating Desc.file (Res, Com, Ind, LM, School - etc.

may be only as a Prop ... )

and

Second: simple Your work with Lot Editor ...

Good Luck ...

  Edited June 19, 2012 by Silur  

[Yuu Caa Sim 55]

It's possible that you're using an older version of the LE. What version is it? The .exe is located in C:\Program Files (x86)\Maxis\SimCity 4\Apps. Right click and go to Properties -> Details to find the version number. You need 1.0.12.0 To have "Replace Building".

  Edited June 19, 2012 by yunxiang  

[Bepi__ 54]

When I first started lot editor I had the same question. P.S. Does anyone know where I can find Plugin Manager?

[CaptCity 4,915]

...Does anyone know where I can find Plugin Manager?

Plugin Manager is installed as part of the BAT package. As far as I know it's never been released as a separate program.

[SnarkyGarthok 1]

That must be it, I have an older version. Way older. As in 1.0.1.0. I'll look for the newer version and let ya know if that fixes it. Thanks for the help =D

[SnarkyGarthok 1]

Took some digging, but I found the updated version. http://www.simprograms.com/simcity/simcity-4/programs-simcity-4/

[Bepi__ 54]

Thank you!

[colco2121 55]

how do you delete props in LE, anyway?

[Indiana Joe 1,752]

Delete key. Shocker, right?

[T Wrecks 10,210]

You may be even more shocked when I tell you that the Lot Editor comes with a manual! To top it off, that manual contains information on how to use the LE and which keys are used to do things.

I'm not at my SC4 PC right now, but IIRC you can find the manual in your root SimCity4 folder; it's an HTML document called "Lot Editor Manual" or similar. Maxis could have advertised that a little better. You basically just stumble upon it (or not), but Maxis can really not be accused of rubbing it in your face.

[runnerguy347 30]

Need help with STR Curve textures

I'm lotting an oil refinery and I was wondering if anyone could tell me what the texture codes/packs are for a 90 degree single track curve?

[kcmixboi 0]

Changing signs on building?

I'd like to know how to change building signs ie: Old Wal-Mart building etc. "Lets say the old retro wal-mart is too small, so you build a supercenter across the street, and you want to keep the old building in the same place but edit the building/lot for another commercial building ie: bowling alley or most wal-marts become Theisen's Home, Farm and Auto in the midwest. If someone could help answer thsi question, or build one that would be awesome, even just and empty store by just removing the lettering would be cool. Thanks

[nukeu123 307]

you posted this twice..........

[kcmixboi 0]

Yes, sorry I wasn't sure where to post it.

[Brian J. B. 134]

Wondering how to change a base texture.

Hello. I have been a member here for quite some time and I have never wanted to change something, but this time I would like too. I was wondering how I could change the base texture of a few monuments. I downloaded a lot editor but it doesn't work. So if anyone could give me advise it would be greatly appreciated.

[Magneto 316]

You mean you can't make the Lot Editor run on your PC or you can't change texture with it? The LE is the easiest tool to change textures, so if all you want to do is that try to make it work. Note, the first time I tried the LE I thought it wasn't working but in fact it was loading my plugins folder, so if you have a lot of custom content then move it temporarily in another folder while using LE

Try to rerun the program with only the files you need to edit your buildings (lots and their respective props / textures) and see if does the trick

Alternatively ilives reader can also change your textures but you have to know the textures ID you wish to apply

[Brian J. B. 134]

Ok Ill give that a try thank you

[Brian J. B. 134]

Ok I waited and it worked now if I may ask how do I plug it in to the game modified?

[Indiana Joe 1,752]

When you click "Save" in the LE, it automatically places an updated version in your Plugins folder. You should probably go in and take out the old versions of the lots you've edited though, and put them somewhere for safekeeping.

You only need to remove the original .SC4LOT files. Keep any model files and other files that came with the lots.

  Edited August 6, 2012 by Indiana Joe  

[elavery 1,013]

Just make sure you click 'Save as' and give the lot a new name. It should automatically then be saved into your plugins folder. You can then use the Lot Plop cheat and select the edited Lot.

[DarkSoul 3]

Rename/Fix a lot?

I have a couple of lots that have really odd or long names and I wanted to rename them.

In the off chance it isn't too hard I also wanted to be able to alter their icons a bit. The icons show the building but are grey behind the building itself (in the mayor toolbar)

How do I change the name of a lot, and how could I change the background so I dont have any grey boxes in my toolbar??

I have the lot editor but it doesn't seem to have an option for setting the lots name, nor do I know how to set a BG for the lot itself.

[dogsaregreat 3]

You need ILive's Reader. It's in the ST/Exchange. Be forewarned: it's complicated for novices (like myself).

  Edited August 7, 2012 by dogsaregreat  

[Magneto 316]

It depends whether you want to change the item description/name in the menus or change the building description when you hover your mouse over the building... can't do the latter (reader can, as mentioned above) but is much easier to use for changing names, menus descriptions and icons.

[DarkSoul 3]

I just checked out LEProp, and while I can change the name such as I want to, whenever I make any form of change to this lot it greys out all the options for saving and opening and basically won't let me do anything but rollback.

I just got ilive reader and I'm gonna give that a shot.

[DarkSoul 3]

I think that did it for the name, but what do I do about the icon in my toolbar? It shows the building, but has a grey background. I would like to fix it so it blends in with the rest of the content that DOESN'T have a grey background.

I see the icon images there but not sure how to go about replacing them without mucking anything up.

  Edited August 7, 2012 by DarkSoul  

[Magneto 316]

First create a blank png file with any image editor - even Paint can do that. Then launch reader and open the file where your lot is. You'll see 2 png files on the left side. Choose the png that displays your icon toolbar, you'll see in the right pane a button "export as png". Click on it, it will pop a window that asks for the recipient png, find your blank png then "ok"

Open image with any image editor and apply your desired changes then save. Relaunch reader and open the file, then right click anywhere in a blank space of the leftside pane and choose insert file. A first popup box will ask for the file path, pick your png file here then another popup will ask for type of file, choose PNG.

Now the PNG is in the list of items but it isn't referenced yet. Look at the older PNG instance ID and copy it to the new PNG by clicking on the TGI editor in the top left of the interface. Just retype the instance of the png you want to replace and apply it to the newer png. Once done, you can erase the old png from the list by right clicking on it and selecting delete. Then right click on any blank space in the left side and choose "reindex".

Save, and you're done.