Compatible tree controllers

[monkeywater 910]

Current wisdom is that this is impossible.

But somehow, I have downloaded enough things that I seem to be able to use two different tree controllers without issue.

I can use the PNW tree controller, do god-mode tree planting leave those trees in my tile, switch controllers and do another type.

 

 

[monkeywater 910]

[rsc204 21,804]

1 hour ago, monkeywater said:

Current wisdom is that this is impossible.

I don't recall seeing the word impossible, it just isn't necessarily a good idea. Each Flora Exemplar has a unique ID, but it's necessary to either disable or override the original Maxis God-mode trees too which have fixed IDs. In theory, two tree controllers shouldn't therefore conflict, unless they both override the same Maxis exemplars. But if two used the same ID or both overrode the original Exemplars, that's going to lead to problems with models getting mixed up at the least.

More of a problem is how only one set of God-mode Flora can exist at any one time in your plugins. This is an issue because if a given such Flora exists in a save game, but the referenced Exemplar is not in your Plugins, you won't be able to load that city until you install the missing Exemplar. If you have a mix of different Tree Controllers, it may be difficult to resolve the conflict in question later.

Also, you state that multiple-controllers work together, but unless you've tested each "Brush" of all Tree Controllers you are using, there is always the possibility that a problem is waiting in the background, that you simply haven't run into yet. Each Brush is chosen based on Elevation, Moisture and to some extent Season, but it's hard to be sure you've seen each, without a lot of testing in varied terrain. Likewise, depending on the Terrain Controller settings in use, you might not even be able to see every Brush. If the elevation is set low here, it can greatly reduce the number of Brushes you can see. Ideally you'd go through the Tree Controller files and then ensure every item from every brush from every controller you are using was planted somewhere in one or more city tiles. Only then switch the controllers and load each tile to check for potential problems.

So yes it might work to have more than one Tree Controller. But the potential is there for problems, hence by and large it's not recommended. Note too that some such mods include a special set of Exemplars, which can be used when the Controller itself is removed, but Flora from it remains in your cities. This is not common however, although you could make such a set for each controller you wanted to make use of and switch them and the controllers as needed. But this is all really quite advanced stuff and I think for the average user I'd recommend sticking with one Tree Controller.

[Lucario Boricua 7,026]

Some tree controllers are specifically designed to be compatible, at least that's the case of Cycledogg's family of controllers (requires registration in SC4 Devotion's LEX):

* Meadowshire coast

* Meadowshire river

* Italia

* Missouri Breaks

* Olympic Coast

* Painted Desert / Moab

Switching between the different controllers of this family leaves the trees placed with the previous will stay put, which allows the player to place different kinds of trees in the same city district. Even then, there isn't that much need to do so because these controllers are very elaborate and provide wonderful variation based on elevation.