Using custom content

[NeveroddoreveN 67]

I am still new to SimCity 4, and I have heard that there is a TON of custom content! I am talking about buildings and such - here comes a naïve question, but I am new to this so bear with me… I am totally interested in the maximum SimCity 4 experience and wanted to post this thread to ask about the available custom content and how I can find and download it. I am new to downloading files for a game, so am completely un-experienced with that sort of thing. Can someone help me with the process of getting custom content and putting it in the right places? That might be a dim-witted request but again, I plead ignorance with this. (Oh, and hard drive space is not a big issue.)

[rsc204 21,805]

SimCity 4 has two locations for storing Plugins (Mods), such that it will load them upon startup. The first one is in the installation directory of the game, a folder "Plugins". Generally it's not recommended to use this for most files, the key exception being .dll files, of which there are only a handful.

The main folder you should use, inside your user Documents folder should be SimCity 4\Plugins. Here is where you need to put downloaded addons. Note that downloads from the STEX and LEX, plus other sites, come in a variety of formats. If you download a .zip, 7z or .rar file, you need to extract the contents of such files, SC4 won't be able to read it properly otherwise. Windows has a built-in tool for .zip files, but I'd recommend 7zip if you come across the last two. Other downloads may be .exe Installers, which you run and they will automatically place the included content into a working location. Other times, you'll get a combination of .sc4Desc, .sc4Model, .sc4Lot or .DAT files. These are the files as SC4 likes to see them. If you've extracted or installed something right, you should get a bunch of these file types.

[jeffryfisher 2,176]

And when you download a zip, it will usually contain one or more docs and maybe pics too. Read the docs. Look at the pics. After extracting, save them somewhere near your plugins folder, but not IN it.

[NeveroddoreveN 67]

Thanks for the suggestions! I will try my best to follow suit. Can you guys recommend a site for downloading custom content?

[jeffryfisher 2,176]

STEX

[NeveroddoreveN 67]

Hey guys! Thanks for the advice!! I will start downloading the STEX files. A thought - rsc204 said to put these files in the Plugins folder, but jeffryfisher said to put them NEAR the plugins folder. I am just curious as to which piece of advice I should follow. I looked at the STEX files - they look great!! I have oodles of hard drive space, so when I have ample time, I will start downloading. This game will be so much fun! Are there any other sites/pages I can go to for custom made materials/files? Thanks so, so much to everyone!

[Edvarz 1,984]

I think what that post intended to say is that you shouldn't keep the images (or readme files) in your plugins folder. Those are the files you need to move, they will slow down the loading time and they really don't serve any purpose ingame

[NeveroddoreveN 67]

So, I should transfer the downloads to pluglins, decompress them, and remove the readme files? And not to annoy anyone, but I since it was posted once to  put the downloads in the plugins folder and again that they should go "near" that folder. Which way should I go about this? Thank you guys so, so much!

[NeveroddoreveN 67]

And where can I find more custom content (mods) aside from the STEX site?

[Edvarz 1,984]

4 minutes ago, NeveroddoreveN said:

So, I should transfer the downloads to pluglins, decompress them, and remove the readme files? And not to annoy anyone, but I since it was posted once to  put the downloads in the plugins folder and again that they should go "near" that folder. Which way should I go about this? Thank you guys so, so much!

You should extract the downloads in your plugins folder and remove images and readmes from that folder, yes. Be careful, do not keep the compressed files in your plugins.

 

On 24/11/2019 at 7:16 AM, jeffryfisher said:

And when you download a zip, it will usually contain one or more docs and maybe pics too. Read the docs. Look at the pics. After extracting, save them somewhere near your plugins folder, but not IN it.

What this post is saying is that after reading the readmes and looking at the pictures, you can save those in another location outside of the plugins folder. The images and readmes only, not the mod files.

8 minutes ago, NeveroddoreveN said:

And where can I find more custom content (mods) aside from the STEX site?

There is also the LEX at SC4Devotion (you need to create an account); Capital SimCity, a spanish site, and some japanese sites, but those are kinda hard to browse. If you are new to downloading content it's best to start slow so that you can control your mods and buildings

[NeveroddoreveN 67]

Thank you, Edvarz! I admit I am quite new with downloading content, which is why I am asking so many pressing questions. I just want to do this right, and I appreciate everyone's posts, comments, and suggestions!

[NeveroddoreveN 67]

I have been exploring some of the STEX downloads, reading about them and such. There was one file that listed this in the description: "Place into SimCity 3000 Unlimited/Buildings/ to install". I guess I can make the assumption that this one is not for SimCity 4, rather for SimCity 3000. Simple enough. Also, if I download something like a certain type of building, like a office building, how do I designate that particular building when placing office buildings in my city?

[rsc204 21,805]

3 hours ago, Edvarz said:

You should extract the downloads in your plugins folder and remove images and readmes from that folder, yes. Be careful, do not keep the compressed files in your plugins.

Generally speaking this is the right advice, but if I may make one suggestion, ideally you'll want to keep one folder of downloads. That should be somewhere SC4 will not see it when loading the game. Extract or install files from this location, somewhere into the Plugins folder. In both cases it's easier if you find a system of organisation that suits you and stick with it. The benefit of keeping the original downloads, is that once downloaded, you know you'd never need to do so again. If you really get into mods, it can be hard to remember everything you've got too.

However some downloads may install non-SC4 file types into Plugins, which you really don't want. So again, as per @Edvarz's advice, remove any readme's, images and other detritus. There is a tool that will move everything out of Plugins for you, Cleanitol. You need a special script to run for such situations, but otherwise it handles everything for you. Just take the relevant script from that thread, paste it into a notepad file and save it so you can use it with Cleanitol. Anything it removes from Plugins is safely moved to another folder where SC4 won't see it.

[jeffryfisher 2,176]

In other words, the raw downloads are usually zips that the game can't read. You put these in a "downloads" folder somewhere NEAR your plugins. Then unpack, one mod at a time. Most mods come with readme files: Follow directions. Some will tell you what files to put into plugins -- do so. Some will tell you to choose one of many options -- put your choice into plugins, and save the other options elsewhere in case you change your mind later. Some mods will provide an installer. Run it, but don't put the installer itself into plugins.

After you've put part of a mod into plugins, you'll usually have files left over -- the readme, images, used installer, unpicked mod alternatives, maybe a Cleanitol file, and the raw download itself. It's up to you to organize these in some fashion outside of the plugins folder so you can find them again when needed. In general, if you keep the raw download (zip) file, then a a used installer is superfluous, so you can delete it. However, docs, unpicked alternatives etc could come in handy, and it can be helpful for them to be searchable on your hard drive.

[xxdita 1,097]

There is an enormous amount of custom content available on the STEX, the LEX, and other sites. Don't try to download it all at once, not everything works together. Some things don't work at all, or need another file to work, so read through the descriptions and comments before downloading. 

 

[NeveroddoreveN 67]

Hey everyone! I apologize for bringing this up again, life has really been snowballing on me. I am excited to see what custom content is available, and I understand that some of these files don't play well with others. I don't have much time today to go from file to file, but am so, so excited to hop into it! Is there a way to search for certain types of content files, to see more easily of what works with what? Or some way to sift through files?

[NeveroddoreveN 67]

I am debating if I should make a new folder for compressed downloads that I want to use, and then decompress them at a later time.

[xxdita 1,097]

6 hours ago, NeveroddoreveN said:

Hey everyone! I apologize for bringing this up again, life has really been snowballing on me. I am excited to see what custom content is available, and I understand that some of these files don't play well with others. I don't have much time today to go from file to file, but am so, so excited to hop into it! Is there a way to search for certain types of content files, to see more easily of what works with what? Or some way to sift through files?

Most custom lots and buildings are quite simple and do not have many issues with conflicts. That doesn't mean that all lots are of the same standard, but they can generally be used together. 

For all RCI buildings, the only issue is whether it is designed for vanilla SC4 or for use with the CAM mod. STEX downloads are generally vanilla, unless it specifically says CAM, whereas LEX downloads are specifically for CAM, unless it says otherwise. A stage 15 CO$$$ will never grow without CAM, though if you have that same building in your plugins as a stage 8 vanilla, it can disrupt proper stage growth if you do use CAM. 

Updating the capacity or anything related to money of any Civic building can cause a phantom slider bug. So you'll need to be careful when it comes to downloading modded Maxis Civics, but custom civics are generally fine. It's rare that you'll need to update these at this stage. 

Custom Airports and Seaports require a modified port developer file to be functional at all, and if you decide to use one, then you will have to be certain to bulldoze any and all ports in all of your cities before you can remove this mod, or replace it with a different one. Luckily, the BSC Functional Seaports and AC Functional Airports on the LEX are fairly inclusive of the functional airports and seaports available. And they are designed so that new lots can be added with future updates that would not cause conflicts. And there are text files included with both downloads, to be used with Cleanitol to scan your plugins for all known conflicts. 

If at any point in time you decide to modify the stats of any lot for your own use, I would highly recommend starting with a newly created desc and lot, instead of just adjusting things, to avoid creating conflicts on your own. It is worth the few extra seconds to do it right. 

But the most complex conflicts come from mods. So I strongly suggest reading up on them before you decide to use any. And if you have any questions about a particular mod, don't hesitate to ask. Someone here will usually be able to explain what it does, whether its worth using, or what conflicts it could have. 

[NeveroddoreveN 67]

Thanks for your post! Do you recommend I download the CAM mod? I understand that the "modified port developer file" is needed for custom airports and seaports, and to remove it I would have to bulldoze all ports before removing that file. Where can I download that "modified port developer file"? What are "BSC Functional Seaports", "AC Functional Airports" and LEX? I am very sorry, this is all very new to me, I am trying to learn all I can about this game, it is quite complex and encompassing.

[xxdita 1,097]

The LEX is the Lot Exchange at SC4Devotion. I use the same name at SC4D as here. 

AC Functional Airports - there are more recent uploads of this, but as I have not downloaded them, I can't vouch for them at all. I just refuse to recommend anything I haven't tested myself. So I give you the link to the one I do use. In theory, the newer version is backwards compatible though, so there should be no issues if you decide you want to the newest JENX airports. 

BSC Functional Seaports - this is the most recent version, which I use. 

Both of these files include thorough ReadMe's, as well as Cleanitol files to scan your Plugins folder for necessary dependencies and any conflicts. I would strongly recommend using all of these, as well as the LEX Dependency Tracker, to make your life that much easier.

CAM is a personal choice, and I am extremely biased in favor of it. For me, the introduction of CAM was an actual expansion of the game, unlocking extra stages of growth for all RCI types. Using properly modded CAMelots, which are all listed in this thread, allows a more natural progression of growth for different sizes of skyscrapers, and allows more room for midrises. That said, I haven't finished evaluating CAM 2.1, and its various playstyles. But whatever I don't like can be addressed with CAM 3.0, or smaller mods, as necessary. And if you should run into any issues with it, I'm glad to help in any way possible. 

If you do decide to go with CAM, as you find lots on the STEX or another file exchange that we haven't turned into CAMelots yet, it would take me just a few seconds per file to CAMify it for you. 

[NeveroddoreveN 67]

Wonderful! Thank you so, so much for your help and advice. It's getting late here, so I will probably start looking into this tomorrow, but I appreciate all of your guidance. If I have any questions, I will send them your way. Thanks again!

[NeveroddoreveN 67]

Just as a heads up, every time I click on AC Functional Airports, I am asked for my user name and password. And it's been my experience that this is not cool. And no, I did not put in my  information.

[xxdita 1,097]

The LEX requires separate registration from the SC4D forum, and is a completely different site than ST. I do suggest using the same account name that you do on SC4D, as that will make things easier should you ever decide to upload content that you create yourself, or should you run into any issues needing password changes or manual activation of your account (which I would probably be the one doing anyway). 

[Cyclone Boom 16,846]

@xxdita

I believe the issue @NeveroddoreveN refers to is this popup which appears on the linked file entry.

Like so:

 

For a while this has been something I've also observed while viewing LEX files as a guest, and it only goes away once signing in via the regular form. Entering one's credentials into this dialog didn't sign me, and so it seems this could be appearing unexpectedly. Perhaps this is related to the dependency tracking feature, and I recall it might've been @Tarkus who said how this was still not quite back to full functionality with a few issues to iron out.

I was able to prevent this appearing by adding the following uBlock Origin rule into the "My filters" page:

! LEX Block Authentication Required Popup
||sc4devotion.com/csxlex/api/v4/lot/*$xhr,1p

Although I suspect this might break other functionality with the API for the dependency tracking.

So just a heads up really in case this is something worth looking into.

[catty-cb 4,381]

I've been ignoring it as I was pretty certain it was related to a program caspervg set up where you could select a whole pile of files on the LEX and then this program would start downloading them one by one .... all the files would be on a page and you could watch them being downloaded .... it's been a few years since I used it and I don't do bulk downloads anymore

[catty-cb 4,381]

5 hours ago, catty-cb said:

 .... all the files would be on a page and you could watch them being downloaded ....

Found it, its called the LEX Downloader X - https://www.sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=3070

Might not be related, but its what I've been assuming

[xxdita 1,097]

8 hours ago, Cyclone Boom said:

@xxdita

I believe the issue @NeveroddoreveN refers to is this popup which appears on the linked file entry.

Like so:

 

For a while this has been something I've also observed while viewing LEX files as a guest, and it only goes away once signing in via the regular form. Entering one's credentials into this dialog didn't sign me, and so it seems this could be appearing unexpectedly. Perhaps this is related to the dependency tracking feature, and I recall it might've been @Tarkus who said how this was still not quite back to full functionality with a few issues to iron out.

I was able to prevent this appearing by adding the following uBlock Origin rule into the "My filters" page:

! LEX Block Authentication Required Popup
||sc4devotion.com/csxlex/api/v4/lot/*$xhr,1p

Although I suspect this might break other functionality with the API for the dependency tracking.

So just a heads up really in case this is something worth looking into.

The coding is out of my paygrade. But as you say, it goes away when you sign in from the main page. Then you can refresh the download page you were sent to. 

[NeveroddoreveN 67]

So, I see that there is oodles of files, mods and the like to download and play with, til I can get in my groove. I read about about "bulk downloads"? Is that beneficial? It would really lessen the time crunch I have every day, if I could just select what files I want and let my computer do its thing. I simply don't have time during the week to do the tutorials, find the downloads, and such. And weekends are sometimes absorbed by hanging out with friends or working on personal projects. Kind of a bummer.

[xxdita 1,097]

11 hours ago, NeveroddoreveN said:

So, I see that there is oodles of files, mods and the like to download and play with, til I can get in my groove. I read about about "bulk downloads"? Is that beneficial? It would really lessen the time crunch I have every day, if I could just select what files I want and let my computer do its thing. I simply don't have time during the week to do the tutorials, find the downloads, and such. And weekends are sometimes absorbed by hanging out with friends or working on personal projects. Kind of a bummer.

I haven't used the LEX Downloader. I do use the Dependency Tracker, which makes quick work of downloading all associated files that are available on the LEX. For dependencies that are available on other exchanges, like the STEX, then manual downloading is necessary still. 

I remember from my days on dial-up that there was such as thing as download manager programs that would take care of downloading a list of files at a time you specified. But I have no idea if such a thing even exists for modern OSes, and certainly wouldn't be able to point you to a reliable one. 

But even having the files downloaded, there is still the process of installing them properly. And unfortunately, I don't know of any shortcuts to do this. 

[Tarkus 6,932]

Regarding the authentication pop-up, that's how it's been set up for likely as long as the Dependency Tracker has been around.  That'd be Casper's department.  I'd close it and log in the normal way.

-Tarkus