In a Nutshell Guide to... 3rd Party Programs

[c4bl3fl4m3 405]

Here's a list of all the programs available that have anything to do with SC4 & where you can get them (as of Feb 2020). A number of these programs are used for the creation or editing of BATs. Take a look and see if there's something new! Take a look and see if your favorite isn't listed, and then add it at the bottom.

Note! This file is a Work in Progress and is looking so incomplete because it is CROWDSOURCED! I don't know that much about this because, well, I'm a Mac user. If I got anything wrong, please correct me. Anything missing, add it at the bottom.

 

jDatPacker - JDatPacker is a simple cross-platform utility for repackaging SimCity 4 plugin files to few large DAT files. (This is especially helpful for Mac users trying to deal with the Too Many Files bug.)

 

Making BATs (Windows only)

So, from what I understand, there's 3 basic parts to every BAT. The building, the lot, and the properties.

Buildings are made with gmax or 3dsMax & Bat4Max. They're the 3d parts of your BAT.

Lots are made with the Lot Editor. That's the thing your BAT sits on. (an example would be ground, sidewalk, & a parking lot for a commercial file)

The iLiveReader or Plugin Manager handles all the coded in values like capacity, taxes, etc. but also can modify things like the ID of the files (so it knows which files to use for which lots, etc.)

 

is an easy-to-follow guide that lists all programs required for making BATs.

Lot Editor - https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?page=9

iLiveReader - 

 

Backups

CoriBacks.BAT - a DOS batch file that does incremental backups of all SC4 Cities & Regions

 

SC4 Save Game Explorer - https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?topic=7400.0

 

esp. helpful for fixing prop pox & using extra cheats.

[CorinaMarie 29,615]

I'll just toss out the linkys for stuff I have installed and you can update your first post and add comments if you like. (I'm not checking for duplicates.) When you're ready I can remove this post so it doesn't clutter up your thread.
 

https://www.sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=3140

Reader 1.5.4 - Attached to this post:
https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?topic=10417.msg498883#msg498883

https://www.sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=913

https://www.sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=26

https://www.sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=2880

https://www.sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=2072

https://www.sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=2260

https://www.sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=2265

https://www.sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=2257

https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?topic=14216.0

https://www.sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=2021

https://www.sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=731

SCRACC attached in my first post here:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/download/details.aspx?id=40784

One from CB:
https://www.sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=2082

 

Note: All linkys were valid when I downloaded from them, but I've not re-tested.

I also have 25 in a To Test folder that I've never tried yet.

[xxdita 1,097]

Custom Content Creation stuff:

PIMX download - SC4PIM replaces Maxis Plugin Manager and Lot Editor, with more features. 

You'll need this and PIMX User Guide. 

SC4BAB is a tool that can bring bitmap images to life in SC4. SimGoober has a visually functional windmill created (at least partly) by using this tool. 

SC4 Model Tweaker by cogeo. A tool to edit the s3d files of a building or prop model. 

Daeley's Custom Path Creator - for Transit pathing. No idea if this is currently used. 

SC4 Lot Icon Creator - allows png, jpg, jpeg, bmp files to be used as an icon source

Player Tools:

DAMN Manager - Easiest way to create files for Daeleys Advanced Menu Navigator. 

SC4Terraformer - Mapping stuff. (Seems to not like Win10, but I haven't tried on my machine yet)

Regional Data Viewer works with & requires Regional Tracking Mod

BSC Cleanitol - uses a simple txt file to scan your Plugins folder for outdated/conflicting files and dependencies, depending on how the txt is written. 

SC4 DatPacker - the original. Compresses SC4 Plugins into a fewer number of dats, to help speed up loading times. 

Sawtooth's Region Census  - a bit different than the Regional Data Viewer, as this examines Save Game files to give some details about your cities & regions. 

SC4 StartUp Manager - allows custom Plugins Profiles to determine which file are loaded for any region you're playing. 

And I think that should get the list started.