I am lost with the texture packs - please help

[vaughanwiliams 53]

hi folks, 

first time poster from germany here. 

to get the important stuff out of the way upfront: you guys are awesome! thank you very, very much for making my childhood time waster no.1 addictive again.

 

here is my problem: i downloaded a rough 3,2 GB in props and mods..but the dependencies are confusing the hell outta me. is there a chronological order in which to install them? they seem to come at random and totally out of any consistent categorization(?). i installed the lot of them...and wouldn't you know...CTD's all the time. :/ 

i would be VERY thankful if one of you wizards could tell me if there is a proper order for installation..and if i HAVE to use cleanitol all the time (not understanding that tool at all...o have two master degrees and that darn creation makes me feel..well..stupid^^).

 

i checked tzhe forum to see if this question was asked before but i couldn't find anything..so sorry in advance if this problem has been discussed to death already.

 

 

again, THANK YOU! this is a whole new experience of SC4, and i'm lovin it.

[twalsh102 1,601]

Some of the following is just common sense, some maybe not so much.  You may already know some of this.

I cannot over-stress the importance of reading all provided documentation (download description and any included readme files).  This can often alleviate confusion, and prevent problems.

You have two Plugins folders, one that is referred as being in your game installation folder (i.e. usually somewhere under c:\Program Files), and one under My Documents\SC4.  This last is where the majority of what you download should be placed.  There are some instances where files should be placed in the game installation Plugins folder (specifically .DLLs), but installation instructions will specifically mention this.

Almost all downloads (as you've probably already seen) come in the form of .ZIP files.  You must unzip these files to place the contents in your Plugins folder (I mention this because there have been people in recent months who have placed the downloaded .ZIP files in their Plugins as is, and then wondered why nothing worked as advertised).

There is no chronological or any other order of installation for dependencies.

Dependencies are a fact of life with SC4.  Without dependencies, SC4 would mostly be pretty boring.  Any given dependency only needs to exist once in your Plugins folder.  A particular dependency may be used by a multitude of downloads.  As you download more and more, you will likely find that you might already have some or most of the needed dependencies for the new download.

Since it sounds like you are just starting out (again?), now is the time to impose some sort of organization to your Plugins folder.  For the most part, it really doesn't matter exactly how you organize (the game really doesn't care except in certain circumstances - see comments about mods above), just that you organize to make it easier for you to find things, and decide what you have and don't have (so you don't end up with a bunch of duplicates).  There are several topics about on how best to organize one's Plugins folder.  The bottom line is that if any particular method doesn't make sense to you, that's not the method to choose.

Do not blindly follow default installation instructions to just "Drop the files in your My Documents/SimCity 4/Plugins folder."  To repeat myself, establish some sort of organization now, and follow that organization when placing each download in your Plugins folder.

Be prepared.  Not all downloads have 100% correct dependency lists.  Some lists are incomplete, others may list an incorrect dependency.  Content creators do the best they can to provide you with a correct list, but sometimes things get missed.  If a missing dependency is a prop, usually it just doesn't show up, and players usually don't notice the difference.  If the missing dependency is a model, you will see the "dreaded" brown box when the lot is plopped or grows.  Brown boxes only appear when a model is missing.  You are more likely to find incorrect lists with older downloads than with newer ones

If any particular download (usually mods) needs to be placed in a specific location, the download description, readme file, or both will be specific. 

For any download that includes extraneous files (pretty much anything other than .SC4Lot, .SC4Desc, .SC4Model, .DAT and .DLL), save someplace outside of your Plugins folders.  Having them in your Plugins folders won't harm anything, but if you accumulate enough, it might slow down your game.

All of this information is in the forums someplace, but not always in the same place.

[vaughanwiliams 53]

i shall do that immediately, twalsh102. thanks for taking the time to give me such a detailed answer!

 

filing clerk powers...ACTIVATE!

 

^^

 

 

[RobertLM78 1,597]

4 hours ago, twalsh102 said:

Be prepared.  Not all downloads have 100% correct dependency lists.  Some lists are incomplete, others may list an incorrect dependency.  Content creators do the best they can to provide you with a correct list, but sometimes things get missed.  If a missing dependency is a prop, usually it just doesn't show up, and players usually don't notice the difference.  If the missing dependency is a model, you will see the "dreaded" brown box when the lot is plopped or grows.  Brown boxes only appear when a model is missing.  You are more likely to find incorrect lists with older downloads than with newer ones

Minus NAM, I have a plugin backup (tar.gz) that is compressed down to 697 MB - I'm not sure what that is uncompressed as the SC4 system's state is saved right now (VirtualBox), however, in all of that I cannot recall a single problem with dependency lists - they have been consistently complete and correct, and every time I had a brown box was because I messed up. 

That said, I have by no means downloaded all the content there is out there - but I just wanted to clarify that the community generally does an excellent job in that department.

[twalsh102 1,601]

@RobertLM78, you're just lucky I guess.  Unless you checked each and every download by itself, with only the listed dependencies, my guess would be that you probably did download something with an incomplete/incorrect list.  You just happened to have the necessary dependencies already in your Plugins.

At one point I was working my way through the contents of my Plugins folder just to see how the listed dependencies compared to what was actually needed.  Just getting through some of the game menu categories (Education, Health, Public Safety, Utilities), I ended up with a list of almost 50 downloads that had dependencies that weren't listed.  NOTE that his list was provided to admins at the time so that the dependency lists could be corrected.  I've got another similar longer list for the LEX over at SC4D (that is by no means complete).  While I was going through this process, almost 15% of the downloads checked had incomplete/incorrect dependency lists.

[rsc204 21,808]

15 hours ago, twalsh102 said:

Unless you checked each and every download by itself, with only the listed dependencies, my guess would be that you probably did download something with an incomplete/incorrect list.  You just happened to have the necessary dependencies already in your Plugins.

Moreover, just because you don't see a Brown Box, doesn't mean you have all the dependencies, a common misconception.

Brown Boxes only appear when the Prop Exemplar is installed, but the linked SC4 Model is not. Since most dependencies include both the Props and Models, it's unlikely if you were missing the latter, you'd have the former. If both as missing, the object is simply invisible, so you'd never know unless you really are looking at every lot in minute detail. Of course that's not to say all content has problems, but there are many, many problems out there, if you just look hard enough.

[Noobville Mayor 62]

Cleanitol is kicking my butt too.  I read all the readme files, carefully.  But it's obvious that I would have duplications with all the packs I've downloaded - haphazardly because as vaughnwilliams pointed out, there is no organized list.  Files are named differently depending on where you found the download, STEM, LEX, wherever...  A lot the stuff I've downloaded only gets replaced by newer versions that I find after the fact.  At this point I hardly know what I have despite anal organization of my plugins files.  Cleanitol baffles me.  I can get it to open.  Then what?  Where am I supposed to get all these cleanup lists?  Is there an organized, complete and current list online?  Is it supposed to come from my files somewhere?  I'm old, outdated and a little stoned.  I got this far but now I feel really stuck.  Thanks for being patient in advance.  

[markussaage 762]

9 hours ago, Noobville Mayor said:

Cleanitol is kicking my butt too.  I read all the readme files, carefully.  But it's obvious that I would have duplications with all the packs I've downloaded - haphazardly because as vaughnwilliams pointed out, there is no organized list.  Files are named differently depending on where you found the download, STEM, LEX, wherever...  A lot the stuff I've downloaded only gets replaced by newer versions that I find after the fact.  At this point I hardly know what I have despite anal organization of my plugins files.  Cleanitol baffles me.  I can get it to open.  Then what?  Where am I supposed to get all these cleanup lists?  Is there an organized, complete and current list online?  Is it supposed to come from my files somewhere?  I'm old, outdated and a little stoned.  I got this far but now I feel really stuck.  Thanks for being patient in advance.  

First, welcome to Simtropolis and the community! We hope, you'll enjoy the game, and yes, all the possibilities can be overwhelming at first. But no worries, it gets better over time.

Anyway, usually a file comes with a so called Cleanitol text file, it's in the download. As far as I know, there is no Cleanitol file list online. As I said, this file comes inside the downloaded file, and not every file has a Cleanitol file inside. That mostly counts for co called MEGA Prop Packs.

When your Cleanitol tool opens, you'll see a button with "..." in the top right corner. Press this button and from there you'll have to make your way (through the new window, that opens) to the Cleanitol text file, that is stored on your computer. As soon as you load the Cleanitol file, you can press the button " Search files" at the bottom left in the window and the tool will look inside your Plugins folder. The path is usually

C:\Users\<Username>\My Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins

That's where you have to put ALL your files you want to be scanned by the Cleanitol tool. After the scan is complete you'll get a report inside the window, what files are found (or not found) inside your Plugins folder. Files that need to be removed are highlighted in red letters. Take a close look at the path, where the highlighted file is to be found, so that you'll remove the right file. And that's about it.

BTW: folder organization is key with SimCity 4. It's easy to get a lot of double files in the Plugins, because they come with the downloaded files. To help you keep track and stay organized you should consider of using tools that search for double files on your computer/ in your Plugins folder. One tool, that I use to keep track is

Heatsoft Clone Cleaner Lite v2.01 [Link]

It is a free tool in the basic version, which works for me, but you also get a Pro version. In the free version you can only add ONE path at a time for the tool to be scanned, but I think that's enough, because you want to keep track of your Plugins folder, right?! But if you look around, I am sure you'll find a tool that works best for you.

Anyway, don't be surprised, what those tools will find, it will be a lot of work especially in the beginning. Once you have your Plugins on track, it's easy to follow up. Rule is: Older files are not used to be updated anymore, with newer downloads it can happen ALL the time, but it's up to you to keep an eye on that.

I hope this helps you out for starters. Let us know.

Kind regards!

[Noobville Mayor 62]

5 hours ago, markussaage said:

First, welcome to Simtropolis and the community! .....  I hope this helps you out for starters. Let us know.

Kind regards!

Ok, wow.  That's plain english and I appreciate your holding my hand.  Let me see if I can unpack it.  

I think I have several of these  cleanitol text documents:  One is included with the separate Cleanitol download in my program files (I had to download it separately to figure out how to open it without running the entire NAMv36 install),  there is one in each of the BSC Textures installs (Vol 1-3),  and one in each of BSC SG MEGA Props (Vol 1 and 2 - I didn't download Vol3 because it says it was replaced by Vol1...WTH?) Soooo I think I have 6 Cleanitol text files at this point.  I'm probably missing something. 

I thought I would find others in the  NAM36 install and the BSC Cycledogg Texture Pack V1 but no.  I suspect that a some of these are the same thing but from different DL sites.  I'm not sure the difference between a texture and a prop. 

SOOOO I run Cleanitol using each of these text files, six separate times?  Then use the info generated to remove these files manually?  I thought the whole point of Cleanitol was not having to remove manually.  I don't get it.

There is a Cleanitol Result text file in my NAMv36  plugins folder, I have no idea what to do with it.  Those are all of the Cleanitol text files I can find in my downloads, plugins and program files.  But I'm probably not finished downloading these packs or dependencies.  There always seems to be more dependencies.  I'm sure I've downloaded several of the over and over before I realized I was duplicating.  

Regarding Heatsoft Clone Cleaner Lite v2.01,  one thing at a time LOL.  Let me master Cleanitol first.  

Thanks for the help.  I know to folks who have been doing this for years this all seems elementary.  I'll get there I hope.  I started all this last summer and just gave up.  Now I'm back because I really like this game.  But I think that made it worse, I can't remember what I did last summer and I wasn't paying as close attention.  I've considered just deleting ALL of my plugins and just starting over.  Maybe that's best but sheesh, thinking about starting over makes me want to quit again. 

I've watched hours and hours of YouTube vids and I just want to be in the position to come close to what they are doing.  Sadly they rarely give mod lists and when they do they are usually dead links.  I realize that most of the problem is the age of this game,  the years of modding and updating those mods and uploading on different platforms

[jeffryfisher 2,176]

One of the hazards of downloading old mods is that the dependency list can be obsolete. By that I mean that it may list several texture and/or prop files that have all been superseded by one mega-pack. For that reason, I keep the cleanitol files as docs. When told to get a dependency that is less than mega (especially in a mod published before ~2006), I take a look to see if it has been replaced by a mega. I am also anal about retaining original downloads even after installing, and even after uninstalling. My folders of deprecated texture and prop packs exist to remind me of what I've thrown out and shouldn't install ever again.

And then there's the DataNode tool. It'll tell you about all of the files in your plugins folders, and it will tell you what elements in each are overriding elements in others according to SC4 load order. It's up to you to decide whether the override is going the right way; change the load order (organize the folders within plugins) if needed. Once you have the arder right, then DataNode will show you which files are completely overridden (nothing in them survives). These can be removed from plugins.

[Noobville Mayor 62]

I'll have to do more research on the DataNode tool and I haven't quite gotten around to figuring out load order.  One thing at a time.  I'm confused enough

Ya know, I think a lot of my problems comes from my unfamiliarity with terms and acronyms.  I'm not real clear what a texture, prop or model even is.  .SC4Lot, .SC4Desc, .SC4Model, .DAT and .DLL?  Huh?  And when I read replies filled with BAT, HSRP, NWM, MMP, DIPs etc..., I'm all "Whoah, whoah, whoah, WHAT?"   I'm just now figuring these acronyms out. 

It's super overwhelming for a newbie and that's just the info you need to understand the really pertinent info which is more confusing.  Somewhere there should be a "for dummies" section that I keep looking for.  I'm not a coder, don't want to be and maybe that's my problem in a nutshell.  I just wanted to build cool cities and networks (really just figured out what even network means in SimCity 4 context).  

I know you guys are a LOT more kind, patient and understanding than the Steam community.  Thanks for that.  But right now I'm still stuck on "SOOOO I run Cleanitol using each of these text files, six separate times?  Then use the info generated to remove these files manually?  I thought the whole point of Cleanitol was not having to remove manually.  I don't get it."  Or am I missing something?

[Cyclone Boom 16,875]

1 hour ago, Noobville Mayor said:

I haven't quite gotten around to figuring out load order.

One useful explanation I'm aware of is posted by @T Wrecks here. This gives an excellent overview of loading order and how alphabetically it determines what happens with overrides. Those items which load last take precedence, and this can be important for some to ensure the game uses them. The readme documentation of content usually specifies if this is required, and in most cases it isn't. So it's just something to watch out for really.

 

1 hour ago, Noobville Mayor said:

Ya know, I think a lot of my problems comes from my unfamiliarity with terms and acronyms.

There sure are loads of those acronyms, and they can be very confusing. There is a topic here which explains a number of them. Also many of these we've added into the site's acronym database, so they'll show up when hovering over posts with what they stand for.

 

1 hour ago, Noobville Mayor said:

I'm not real clear what a texture, prop or model even is.  .SC4Lot, .SC4Desc, .SC4Model, .DAT and .DLL?

Basically textures, props, and models are known as dependencies. These are files needed for custom lots to display properly with all the added details. The textures can either be base or overlays, and these occupy the surface ground area of a lot. The base goes at the bottom, and an overlay over the top. These are packaged in a .DAT file which is a container for any item of content. This means .DAT files can include textures, props, models, lots, and anything the game will interpret.

A .SC4Lot file is a lot which the Lot Editor can open, being a data file the game reads. This contains the properties for how textures, props, and models are oriented on any given custom ploppable or growable. These are called LotConfig properties, and they reference what things are, and where they're placed. There are also properties for how a lot behaves in SC4, such as the type, occupancy, jobs, pollution, and other effects. There's so many options in that respect, and iLive's Reader is the tool for editing those. There's also a more simplified program called LEProp which might be less intimidating if wishing to edit anything you've downloaded. A prop is basically a model which can be any object included on a lot. They can even be building models, and multiple props are possible to have on a lot.

The .SC4Desc files are known as descriptors, and these determine how models should be referenced and displayed on lots. There's all kinds of Exemplar properties which can be set to alter how they function in game. The .SC4Model files are the "models" themselves, and these are what get exported and contain FSH and S3D entries. Basically the textures and boundaries for how models should be shown. Since in SC4 there aren't actual 3D models with it being a 2.5D perspective. This means there are textures for all 4 sides, at the 5 different zoom levels (both for day and night). The 6th zoom uses zoom 5 and magnifies it somewhat.

Finally a .DLL file is a type which implements special functionality to the game. Two examples which come to mind are the Extra Cheats and the SC4Fix. For these to be loaded, it's important these get placed directly in one's Plugins folder (in no subfolders).

 

1 hour ago, Noobville Mayor said:

Somewhere there should be a "for dummies" section that I keep looking for.

We do have a consolidated resource topic you may find useful. This contains several info and overview type posts with such information.

 

1 hour ago, Noobville Mayor said:

But right now I'm still stuck on trying to figure out how to use Cleanitol.

I'm not an expert at Cleanitol personally. Although I believe it uses text file lists to scan one's Plugins folder, and the idea is so it removes obsolete dependencies to prevent conflicts. Authors of MEGA packs (especially on the SC4Devotion LEX) have commonly included a Cleanitol file. The reason being is since many older packs were combined into those larger .DAT files, and for anyone installing the new version, there's a need to remove the originals. So in that way, Cleanitol is designed to simplify that task. I recall it also has the ability to move out redundant files such as images or readme documentation, as the game has no need for these.

Here's a thread I've found which might be of help: Cleanitol A Guide for Users

You're very welcome to Simtropolis, and please do keep asking if unsure of anything.

[Noobville Mayor 62]

Very helpful.  Not much for my immediate problem but helpful nonetheless.  It answers a lot of my side questions and will certainly help moving forward if I decide too.

I'm realizing Cleanitol doesn't do what I thought it did even if I could figure it out.  I don't think it removes anything, it just gives you a list of what you need to move?  The NAMV36 readme makes it seem like it's magic.  It's not.  I've read the guide you and everyone referenced more times than I can count just holding my head going, "Whaaaaaaaaat?"  If that's the pinnacle of Cleanitol guides, then I won't be using Cleanitol because I need someone to explain that thread... word... for... word.  And I don't think anyone here has the patience for that.  I doubt I do either.

The more I work at this the more confused I get.  This is my second attempt from 8 months ago.  And I'm about where I was then - not worth it.

I'm close to uninstalling / deleting everything in my plugins and downloads (most of it isn't working anyway) and starting over with an old version of NAM, SC4Fix, Extra Cheats and maybe a few more mods with no dependencies.  But I know I'll be unsatisfied.  I've seen what can be done.  I might as well be playing with Lincoln Logs.  I feel a full uninstall is probably in my future.  The only reason I'm still at it is because I've invested too many hours and days to give up.  So I'm going to keep at it until the whitecoats show up. 

I'm going to enjoy the light reading that's been recommended then I'll be back with really stupid questions.  

[CorinaMarie 29,605]

5 minutes ago, Noobville Mayor said:

I'm close to uninstalling / deleting everything in my plugins and downloads (most of it isn't working anyway) and starting over

Should you decide to go this route I'd suggest keeping a backup copy of that stuff in a separate folder in case there is something you've downloaded before which is no longer available.

I don't have any useful advice for the Cleanitol as I've never used it myself.

[Noobville Mayor 62]

OK, I've located every Cleanitol Removal text file on my hard drive.  I'm going to run each and post the report and hope one of you has the patience to tell me what I'm supposed to do with it.  I'm not sure if Cleanitol is removing files and telling me or if I'm supposed to remove manually.
 

Spoiler

Report for BSC Mega Props SG Vol 1:

**************************************************
                    R E P O R T
**************************************************
Maxis        : not present
Plugins    : C:\Users\Cliff.CliffXIV\Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins
BSC BAT Props SG Vol01.dat  not present
BSC BAT Props SG Vol02.dat  not present
BSC BAT Props SG Vol03.dat  not present
BSC BAT Props SG Vol04.dat  not present
BSC BAT Props SG Vol05.dat  not present
BSC BAT Props SG Vol06.dat  not present
BSC BAT Props SG Vol 07.dat  not present
BSC BAT Props SG Vol08.dat  not present
BSC BAT Props SG Vol09.dat  not present
BSC SG ConstructionPropsVol01.dat  not present
BSC SG FloraPack Vol01.dat  not present
BSC_SG_FloraPack_Vol1.dat  not present
BSC SG FloraPack Vol02.dat  not present
BSC_SG_FloraPack_Vol2.dat  not present
BSC SG FloraPack Vol03.dat  not present
BSC_SG_FloraPack_Vol3.dat  not present
BSC SG PondPack Vol01.dat  not present
BSC_SG_Prop_Pack_Bananas.dat  not present
BSC SG Props People Vol01.dat  not present
BSC Textures SG Vol 01.dat  not present
BSC Textures SG Vol 02.dat  not present
BSC Textures SG Vol 03.dat  not present
BSC Textures SG Vol 04.dat  not present
BSC Textures SG Vol 05.dat  not present
SG Props Grocery.dat  not present
SG_Flora_CornerBeds.dat  not present
SG_Flora_Shrubs8m.dat  not present
SG_MelonysMelons.dat  not present
SG_PropPack_CabinsAndTrailers.dat  not present
SG_SignBillboard_HappyFrog.dat  not present
SG_SignPost_HappyFrog.dat  not present
SG_WaterTowerOpen.dat  not present
You seem to be up to date with needed dependencies

 

Report for BSC Mega Props Misc Vol 2:

**************************************************
                    R E P O R T
**************************************************
Maxis        : not present
Plugins    : C:\Users\Cliff.CliffXIV\Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins
bsc_light_cones_a.dat  not present
BSC_Park_PeoplePropFamily.dat  not present
BWAutomata1.dat  not present
BW_JES_Bikes_Families.dat  not present
Eastercrowds.dat  not present
FarmMobileHomes.dat  not present
FarmTrailerHomes.dat  not present
GC_Ind_Props_family.dat  not present
Maxis Amill Offset 22 m.dat  not present
MillVersion12-0x5ad0e817_0xd3d6b37_0x40000.SC4Model  not present
obeliskpropfamily.dat  not present
offsetcones22m.dat  not present
offsetlightcones.dat  not present
Pine_Lake_Lodges_SG.dat  not present
RubberFactory-0x5ad0e817_0xeefd7c77_0x80000.SC4Model  not present
sam_MillVersion12-0x6534284a-0xb263c71d-0xd53e241b.SC4Desc  not present
SG_SmallProps.dat  not present
SNMTimedProps.dat  not present
SNMVehicleFamiliesv2.dat  not present
SNM_PMQ_A_family.dat  not present
SNM_PMQ_B_family.dat  not present
TrailerAndMobileHomeProps.dat  not present
W2W_Support_Files.dat  not present
jes_family_industrials.dat  not present
RTProp_SGCanalMonument05-0x5ad0e817_0x3218325d_0x30000.SC4Model  not present
RTProp_SGCanalMonument05-0x6534284a-0x8fb08a82-0x921ad749.SC4Desc  not present
SG_MBEAR_Venetian_Bridge.dat  not present
MBEAR Bus Stops Vol1.dat  not present
MBEAR_MediterraneanRails_Vol1.dat  not present
Mickebear_SanMartino_PalaceVER2-0x5ad0e817_0x7060054d_0x330000.SC4Model  not present
RT_Props_Base_PX.dat  not present
DTP Ad Support Truss (Dual).dat  not present
You seem to be up to date with needed dependencies
 

BSC Textures Vol 1:

**************************************************
                    R E P O R T
**************************************************
Maxis        : not present
Plugins    : C:\Users\Cliff.CliffXIV\Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins
BarbyPondandBog.dat  not present
BSC Textures - MBEAR - VillaBettinaModerato.dat  not present
BSC Textures CNut Vol 02.dat  not present
BSC Textures CNut Vol 03.dat  not present
BSC Textures DAE Vol 01.dat  not present
BSC Textures Misc Vol 01.dat  not present
BSC Textures RT Vol 01.dat  not present
BSC_AmsterdamCentralStation_textures.dat  not present
BSC_CARCH_FSLPTextures_Set1_v1.dat  not present
BSC_CARCH_FSLPTextures_Set2_v1.dat  not present
BSC_CARCH_FSLPTextures_Set3_v1.dat  not present
BSC_CARCH_FSLPTextures_Set4_v1.dat  not present
BSC_CARCH_FSLPTextures_Set5_v1.dat  not present
BSC_CARCH_FSLPTextures_Set6_v1.dat  not present
BSC_CARCH_FSLPTextures_Set7_v1.dat  not present
BSC_CARCH_FSLPTextures_Set8_v1.dat  not present
BSC_CARCH_PlazaTextures_Set1_v1.dat  not present
BSC_CARCH_PlazaTextures_Set2_v1.dat  not present
BSC_CARCH_PlazaTextures_Set3_v1.dat  not present
BSC_CARCH_PlazaTextures_Set4_v1.dat  not present
BSC_CARCH_PlazaTextures_Set5_v1.dat  not present
BSC_CARCH_PlazaTextures_Set6_v1.dat  not present
BSC_CARCH_PlazaTextures_Set7_v1.dat  not present
BSC_CurvedEdgePaths_v1.dat  not present
BSC_DAE_DirtTrackTextures.dat  not present
BSC_DAE_RailGravel_textures_v102.dat  not present
BSC_DAE_RoadandSidewalk_textures.dat  not present
BSC_Maxis_Textures_v1.dat  not present
BSC_MiscellaneousTextures_v1.dat  not present
BSC_NarrowPaths_Brown_v2.dat  not present
BSC_NarrowPaths_Green_v2.dat  not present
BSC_NarrowPaths_Grey_v2.dat  not present
BSC_NarrowPaths_Slab_v2.dat  not present
BSC_NICM_Textures.dat  not present
BSC_NICM_Textures_01.dat  not present
BSC_NPTransitions_Brown_FixedWealth_v1.dat  not present
BSC_NPTransitions_Brown_VariableWealth_v1.dat  not present
BSC_NPTransitions_Green_VariableWealth_v1.dat  not present
BSC_NPTransitions_Grey_FixedWealth_v1.dat  not present
BSC_NPTransitions_Grey_VariableWealth_v1.dat  not present
BSC_NPTransitions_Slab_VariableWealth_v1.dat  not present
BSC_Park_GardenersCompound_textures.dat  not present
BSC_PathOverlays_v1.dat  not present
BSC_PavedEdgeOverlays_v1.dat  not present
BSC_PetronasTextures_v1.dat  not present
BSC_ReversePathOverlays_Earth_v1.dat  not present
BSC_ReversePathOverlays_Grass_v1.dat  not present
BSC_ReversePathOverlays_Plaza_v1.dat  not present
BSC_ReversePathOverlays_Sand_v1.dat  not present
BSC_ReversePathOverlays_VariableWealth_v1.dat  not present
BSC_Wide-NarrowPathTransition_v1.dat  not present
BSC_WidePaths_FixedWealth_v1.dat  not present
BSC_WidePaths_VariableWealth_v1.dat  not present
Cerulean_Textures_V101v5.dat  not present
chateauanistexture.dat  not present
cnut textures.dat  not present
CSX_Mayors_Office_textures.dat  not present
CSX_Mayors_Office_textures_01.dat  not present
DEDWD_OilProduction_textures.dat  not present
DEDWD_Textures_Vol01.dat  not present
diagonals.dat  not present
GC_Industrial_Road_Textures.dat  not present
GC_Industrial_Road_Textures_01.dat  not present
GC_Industrial_Road_Textures_addon.dat  not present
GC_Industrial_Road_Textures_addon_01.dat  not present
jes_dirttracktexture01.dat  not present
jes_RoughwayBaseTextures_BSC.dat  not present
jes_RoughwayOverlayTextures_BSC.dat  not present
JFM Small Shops Vol 4.dat  not present
MBEAR_MediterraneanTextures1.dat  not present
Nikos.dat  not present
PalacioCanton_sidewalk.dat  not present
PEG_Base-Textures_Vol-1.dat  not present
PEG_Overlay-Textures_Vol-1.dat  not present
RP textures.dat  not present
RT_stonetilebullring.dat  not present
RT_stonetilebullring_01.dat  not present
RTStoneTextures.dat  not present
RTStoneTileBase.dat  not present
RT_stonetilebullring.dat  not present
SG_Temp_Texture_Zig01.dat  not present
Trolca_DirtRoadTextures.dat  not present
Trolca_UrbanBrickStreetsTextures.dat  not present
Trolca_UrbanDirtRoadTextures.dat  not present
UniTextures.dat  not present
WTC_Textures.dat  not present
CeruleanCompressed.dat  not present
You seem to be up to date with needed dependencies
 

BSC Textures Vol 2:

**************************************************
                    R E P O R T
**************************************************
Maxis        : not present
Plugins    : C:\Users\Cliff.CliffXIV\Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins
BSC Textures JENX Gare_Du_Nord Vol01.dat  not present
BSC_DAE_AdditionalReverseOverlays1.dat  not present
BSC_DAE_DirtTrackTexturesAdditions.dat  not present
BSC_DAE_RailPaths_textures_v101.dat  not present
BSC_Textures_VDK_Vol01.dat  not present
BSC_Textures_VDK_Vol02 .dat  not present
BSC_Textures_WidePathOverlayAdditions.dat  not present
BSCTexturePack JES Vol02.dat  not present
BSCTexturePack JES Vol03.dat  not present
BSCTexturePack jestarr Vol01.dat  not present
BSTextures.dat  not present
CAL_Churchtextures.dat  not present
CAL_Crickettextures.dat  not present
CAL_Harbour-Textures.dat  not present
CAL_Lifeboattextures.dat  not present
CAL_Pubtextures.dat  not present
cropcircles.dat  not present
CSX_PEGTextures01.dat  not present
csx_Wetlands.dat  not present
CSXFlowerTextures.dat  not present
DBSSYMN_BSC_ReversePathOverlay_Extended.dat  not present
JFM Banana Field.dat  not present
KCsTextures_Vol2csx.dat  not present
PEG_CSX_Textures01.dat  not present
sas_NettanBuilding_textures.dat  not present
sas_sunrose_apartments_textures.dat  not present
SAS_TurningTorso_textures.dat  not present
BSC Textures CNut Vol 01.dat  not present
BSC Textures CNut Vol 02.dat  not present
BSC Textures CNut Vol 03.dat  not present
BSC Mega Textures_JBSimio.dat  not present
VillaVTextures1.dat  not present
You seem to be up to date with needed dependencies
 

BSC Textures VOL 3:

**************************************************
                    R E P O R T
**************************************************
Maxis        : not present
Plugins    : C:\Users\Cliff.CliffXIV\Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins
ADCperi_textures.dat  not present
BSC Ageing Concrete.dat  not present
BSC Texture Pack cnut Vol4.dat  not present
BSC Textures Jeronij Vol 01.dat  not present
BSCTexturePack JES Vol04.dat  not present
BSCTexturePack JES Vol05.dat  not present
cobbles.dat  not present
diagonalplazatextures.dat  not present
DTMP Textures.dat  not present
gh v2 JENXText_Bourse_de_Commerce_v1.dat  not present
JB_GE_BaseTextures.dat  not present
JB_Univ_Textures_Vol01.dat  not present
Rail.dat  not present
wheatfieldtexture.dat  not present
Track.dat  not present
PEG_PineTrail Grass_TEXTURE.dat  not present
You seem to be up to date with needed dependencies
 

Aaaaand the Removal List that was with the Cleanitol Install:

**************************************************
                    R E P O R T
**************************************************
Maxis        : not present
Plugins    : C:\Users\Cliff.CliffXIV\Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins
*.jpg (BriPizza 15m Multi-Purpose Station.jpg)  found in C:\Users\Cliff.CliffXIV\Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins\z___NAM\Mass Transit Lots\Multi-Purpose Stations\BriPizza 15m Station
*.jpg (BriPizza 15m Station with Parking.jpg)  found in C:\Users\Cliff.CliffXIV\Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins\z___NAM\Mass Transit Lots\Multi-Purpose Stations\BriPizza 15m Station
*.txt (readme.txt)  found in C:\Users\Cliff.CliffXIV\Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins\Network Addon Mod\El Rail\El Rail over Avenue Networks\z_mipmaps
*.txt (Additional Bridges.txt)  found in C:\Users\Cliff.CliffXIV\Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins\Network Addon Mod\Additional Bridges
*.txt (readme.txt)  found in C:\Users\Cliff.CliffXIV\Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins\z___NAM\Mass Transit Lots\Multi-Purpose Stations\BriPizza 15m Station
*.exe (uninst.exe)  found in C:\Users\Cliff.CliffXIV\Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins\Network Addon Mod
*.html  not present
*.htm  not present
*.jpeg  not present
*.sav  not present
*.gif  not present
thumbs.db  not present
*.doc  not present
*.rtf  not present
*.zip  not present
*.xml  not present
*.iit  not present
*._Loose*  not present
You seem to be up to date with needed dependencies
 

 

OK, so I'm looking at all that and I'm thinking I'm good.  I assume that all the things that need to be removed have been, right?  They all say I'm up to date on dependencies, right?

Or do I need to manually remove those "found" files?  I only clicked "Locating Files" in Cleanitol and did not click "Backup Now".  Do I need to do that for each report?  Will that remove the files or do I still have to manually remove?

Thanks friends.  The more I do the more I feel I understand... kinda.

[Cyclone Boom 16,875]

38 minutes ago, Noobville Mayor said:

OK, so I'm looking at all that and I'm thinking I'm good.  I assume that all the things that need to be removed have been, right?  They all say I'm up to date on dependencies, right?

Yes, all looks fine as far as I can tell from the report log outputs.

When it says "not present", this means Cleanitol is unable to locate those files which is good news. As they're not in your Plugins folder, there are no conflicts for each of the newer MEGA pack dependencies. If there were, then I believe the "Backup Now" option would indeed archive these to an outside location.

According to the guide this would be a subfolder:

Documents\SimCity 4\BSC_Cleanitol

The final report appears to be a scan for those redundant files like images and text file documents. These could be moved away manually should the Backup feature not work. But with so few of them they wouldn't detrimentally impact loading times leaving them there. It's just when having lots of content how they all add up as the game processes everything (as determined by the loading order). Then skips any which aren't a valid file format which lengthens the time.

Maybe someone more recently familiar with Cleanitol can confirm, but I'm pretty sure those 5 dependencies have none of those listed conflicts.

[Noobville Mayor 62]

You and everyone who contributed rock.  I learned sooo much working through this.  It's changed the way I'll download that's for sure.  I'm more conscious of my plugins folder now than ever and have a much better understanding of things I didn't know I should be concerned about.  

 

I wish I could mail all of you a bowl of my Famous Shrimp Creole but seafood doesn't do well in the post.

[rsc204 21,808]

Cleanitol can do two things at once, perhaps that's where the confusion lies.

• It can check for the dependencies needed for a download, reporting those that are missing with links to get them.
• It can check for depreciated files and remove them automatically for you.

The problem with this is that it's only as good as the Cleanitol files you provide the application with. These days not so many creators use them, but a more typical example which exemplifies the apps existence can be seen here:

18 hours ago, Noobville Mayor said:

BSC Textures Vol 1:

**************************************************
                    R E P O R T
**************************************************
Maxis        : not present
Plugins    : C:\Users\Cliff.CliffXIV\Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins
BarbyPondandBog.dat  not present
BSC Textures - MBEAR - VillaBettinaModerato.dat  not present
BSC Textures CNut Vol 02.dat  not present
BSC Textures CNut Vol 03.dat  not present
BSC Textures DAE Vol 01.dat  not present
BSC Textures Misc Vol 01.dat  not present
BSC Textures RT Vol 01.dat  not present
BSC_AmsterdamCentralStation_textures.dat  not present
BSC_CARCH_FSLPTextures_Set1_v1.dat  not present
BSC_CARCH_FSLPTextures_Set2_v1.dat  not present
BSC_CARCH_FSLPTextures_Set3_v1.dat  not present
BSC_CARCH_FSLPTextures_Set4_v1.dat  not present
BSC_CARCH_FSLPTextures_Set5_v1.dat  not present
BSC_CARCH_FSLPTextures_Set6_v1.dat  not present
BSC_CARCH_FSLPTextures_Set7_v1.dat  not present
BSC_CARCH_FSLPTextures_Set8_v1.dat  not present
BSC_CARCH_PlazaTextures_Set1_v1.dat  not present
BSC_CARCH_PlazaTextures_Set2_v1.dat  not present
BSC_CARCH_PlazaTextures_Set3_v1.dat  not present
BSC_CARCH_PlazaTextures_Set4_v1.dat  not present
BSC_CARCH_PlazaTextures_Set5_v1.dat  not present
BSC_CARCH_PlazaTextures_Set6_v1.dat  not present
BSC_CARCH_PlazaTextures_Set7_v1.dat  not present
BSC_CurvedEdgePaths_v1.dat  not present
BSC_DAE_DirtTrackTextures.dat  not present
BSC_DAE_RailGravel_textures_v102.dat  not present
BSC_DAE_RoadandSidewalk_textures.dat  not present
BSC_Maxis_Textures_v1.dat  not present
BSC_MiscellaneousTextures_v1.dat  not present
BSC_NarrowPaths_Brown_v2.dat  not present
BSC_NarrowPaths_Green_v2.dat  not present
BSC_NarrowPaths_Grey_v2.dat  not present
BSC_NarrowPaths_Slab_v2.dat  not present
BSC_NICM_Textures.dat  not present
BSC_NICM_Textures_01.dat  not present
BSC_NPTransitions_Brown_FixedWealth_v1.dat  not present
BSC_NPTransitions_Brown_VariableWealth_v1.dat  not present
BSC_NPTransitions_Green_VariableWealth_v1.dat  not present
BSC_NPTransitions_Grey_FixedWealth_v1.dat  not present
BSC_NPTransitions_Grey_VariableWealth_v1.dat  not present
BSC_NPTransitions_Slab_VariableWealth_v1.dat  not present
BSC_Park_GardenersCompound_textures.dat  not present
BSC_PathOverlays_v1.dat  not present
BSC_PavedEdgeOverlays_v1.dat  not present
BSC_PetronasTextures_v1.dat  not present
BSC_ReversePathOverlays_Earth_v1.dat  not present
BSC_ReversePathOverlays_Grass_v1.dat  not present
BSC_ReversePathOverlays_Plaza_v1.dat  not present
BSC_ReversePathOverlays_Sand_v1.dat  not present
BSC_ReversePathOverlays_VariableWealth_v1.dat  not present
BSC_Wide-NarrowPathTransition_v1.dat  not present
BSC_WidePaths_FixedWealth_v1.dat  not present
BSC_WidePaths_VariableWealth_v1.dat  not present
Cerulean_Textures_V101v5.dat  not present
chateauanistexture.dat  not present
cnut textures.dat  not present
CSX_Mayors_Office_textures.dat  not present
CSX_Mayors_Office_textures_01.dat  not present
DEDWD_OilProduction_textures.dat  not present
DEDWD_Textures_Vol01.dat  not present
diagonals.dat  not present
GC_Industrial_Road_Textures.dat  not present
GC_Industrial_Road_Textures_01.dat  not present
GC_Industrial_Road_Textures_addon.dat  not present
GC_Industrial_Road_Textures_addon_01.dat  not present
jes_dirttracktexture01.dat  not present
jes_RoughwayBaseTextures_BSC.dat  not present
jes_RoughwayOverlayTextures_BSC.dat  not present
JFM Small Shops Vol 4.dat  not present
MBEAR_MediterraneanTextures1.dat  not present
Nikos.dat  not present
PalacioCanton_sidewalk.dat  not present
PEG_Base-Textures_Vol-1.dat  not present
PEG_Overlay-Textures_Vol-1.dat  not present
RP textures.dat  not present
RT_stonetilebullring.dat  not present
RT_stonetilebullring_01.dat  not present
RTStoneTextures.dat  not present
RTStoneTileBase.dat  not present
RT_stonetilebullring.dat  not present
SG_Temp_Texture_Zig01.dat  not present
Trolca_DirtRoadTextures.dat  not present
Trolca_UrbanBrickStreetsTextures.dat  not present
Trolca_UrbanDirtRoadTextures.dat  not present
UniTextures.dat  not present
WTC_Textures.dat  not present
CeruleanCompressed.dat  not present
You seem to be up to date with needed dependencies

Each of those files listed there as "Not Present", were all combined into a single file, "BSC Texture Mega Pack vol1". Now if you'd been around before the MegaPacks were a thing, you could potentially have all of those files installed. Finding and removing them to replace them with a Mega Pack would be pretty tedious. That's exactly why Cleanitol was created, to simplify the process. That it isn't finding any work to do, is simply because you've none of those older files hanging around that need to be removed. Which makes sense, since most of the individual files have long since ceased to be available, with the MegaPacks being used instead. Some content was included with lots/packs though, so this isn't always the case.

The last line "You seem to be up to date with needed dependencies", is the other part of the equation. The app knows you have the BSC Texture MegaPack vol.1 installed, ergo no further action is required.

Cleanitol is still a very useful tool, but in moderation and is mostly useful for prop/texture mega packs. Bear in mind here, you may later inadvertently install one of the files that was merged into a MegaPack you have installed, without realising it. This can happen because a lot of the readmes and dependency lists may still reference the original files, not replacement MegaPacks. So running your set of Cleanitol files every once in a while could still be useful.

Some new content does include such files too, but as I said, it's main raison-d'etre was the MegaPacks, even if it has other uses.

[Noobville Mayor 62]

Roger that and thanks.  I've been somewhat mindful of trying to find the most up to date downloads.  I had already copied all my cleanitol text files into a separate folder.  I had a feeling I would have future use for them.  

 

[rsc204 21,808]

What you can do, is combine all your Cleanitol files into one single file. Just copy/paste the full contents of each, combining each file into one single text file. That way you only have one file you need to run periodically to keep your plugins folder clean.

If you open one in a text editor, you'll see they are quite simple and just have two basic formats:

• Glenni-Eyecandybridges-WoodDESC-0x5ad0e817_0x36c93bdc_0x560000.SC4Model
• French Road Signs.dat;https://www.sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=2576

The parts in blue are the file name that Cleanitol will search for. The first line is a "Remove" command, if the file is found it will be removed. The part in red, where present, denotes a dependency check line. Note how there is a semi-colon after the file name, preceded by a http link to the file. When this is present, Cleanitol knows instead of removing the file, it should check if it's installed instead, if not it will tell you and provide the link from the file so you can download it.

You may also see some lines prefixed with four semi-colons, these lines are not processed by Cleanitol, but serve a purpose for documenting or adding notes to a file. Likewise, any empty lines are just ignored.