NAM 37 Now Available

[rsc204 21,836]

1 hour ago, Evanjs said:

I have tried the STEX and the modDB both and it don’t work also. 

Well a file not downloading from a website is either a problem with your computer/browser or a website error. Given the three options, I doubt all servers are down at the same time. Telling us something doesn't work gives us absolutely nothing to go on, could you please elaborate. So what are you doing, what then happens when you try to do it? Is there an error message or some other behaviour that is unexpected?

If your browser is set to download files to a dedicated location, when you click Download, you may not see anything else happen. Typically there is a "Downloads" folder for your Windows logon that is used by default in this scenario. In the top right (of your Internet Browser), will be an icon something like this (Red Circle):

Bear in mind each browser is different, but when clicking on that, it will show the recently downloaded files and give you the option to open the folder (Blue Arrow) where each resides.

Also note that if your Anti-Virus or security settings are set a certain way, they may be blocking the download. But usually there would be some prompt asking for your attention.

If you've already successfully downloaded one version, there is no point in continuing to do so. The issue why it isn't running, has nothing to do with a faulty download. I know it's technically possible, but it just doesn't happen in practise these days. If the file doesn't correctly transfer, you'll have an error. So if the NAM .zip can be opened to view it's contents, it's almost 100% that there is nothing wrong with the file.

[rocker289 75]

Anyone know how to run 4GB Patch in Linux I cannot find any program that will run this

If no one knows than I'll have to install winBlows to make it work.

Thankyou

[Tarkus 6,932]

@rocker289, that's a very good question, and one to which I did not have the answer.  I did a little bit of a search, and came across a Reddit thread (from r/wine_gaming) that might be of use.

Looks like going into terminal and simply typing in wine 4gb_patch.exe SimCity 4.exe (I would presume with the 4GB Patch in the SC4 installation directory) or. if you're using Proton, setting the flag "PROTON_FORCE_LARGE_ADDRESS_AWARE=1" would do it, at least according to that info.

-Tarkus

[rocker289 75]

I use play on penguin I have no need for DX11or12++ so no proton

[rocker289 75]

No Luck in wine no

Windoze file only

[smf_16 1,836]

I don't know if I'm doing something wrong here, but under "7_Texture and Drive Side Support" I selected the EU_RightSide option, but the RHW textures are still US. The normal road textures are correctly set to Euro though.

Did I forget to check something, could it be a bug, or is it simply not supported anymore?

[rsc204 21,836]

19 hours ago, smf_16 said:

I don't know if I'm doing something wrong here, but under "7_Texture and Drive Side Support" I selected the EU_RightSide option, but the RHW textures are still US. The normal road textures are correctly set to Euro though.

If you have the correct file "z_Euro Cosmetic Re-Texture Mod_RHD", I've just checked it (well skimmed through, it is probably over 50k textures), it certainly appears to have the EU texture set in there. Try dragging some basic RHW-2 around, if you are getting Yellow lines, I think you must have some override messing with the NAM somewhere.

[smf_16 1,836]

You're right. I just tried a fresh install of NAM37 in an empty plugins folder and then it works. Guess I can start hunting what is causing the override then.

[Evanjs 602]

Does Java have to be download into a SimCity folder? Just download with normal folder it makes?

Like where is the best places for Java to be installed does it have to be in SimCity 4 somewhere or just the basic download?

[rsc204 21,836]

Java is what's known as a Runtime Environment, which basically means having it installed allows applications made using Java, a Programming Language, to run on your system. As such, it's only connection with SimCity 4 is that NAM's installer needs it to be on your system to run. You just need to install Java on your system, this will ensure the correct files (dependencies if you will), are on your system, in addition to getting associated with the .jar format. This simply means that when you double click on a file of the .jar type, Windows knows which application, Java, to open that file. It doesn't matter where you install Java, because this link means to use it, you just double click any .jar file, such as the NAM installer file.

[jeffryfisher 2,176]

On 7/14/2020 at 2:23 PM, rsc204 said:

Java is what's known as a Runtime Environment...

Another way of thinking about Java is to look at virtual machine emulators like WINE. If you have WINE installed on your Linux system, then you can run some Windows programs.

In a similar fashion, if you have a JRE (Java Runtime Environment) running on your (Windows, Linux etc) system, then you can run Java programs. In other words, Java is like an OS that has  emulators everywhere but no native system. Like other OS's, JRE's have versions and limited backward-compatibility.

You'll sometimes see "JDK" mentioned with Java. That's a "Java Development Kit", which enables one to build Java programs. Each JDK version always includes one or more JRE versions for debugging Java programs under deveolpment.

I hope this brings Java into focus for you. Bottom line is that programs written in Java can run on both Windows and Linux. The power is obvious, so install a JRE or two so you can use those programs.

[Santanasia 5]

Can someone please help me by explaining fully what I do with the 4gb patch after unzipping it? They say "point it at the SC4 exe.) but I cant find it (the exe.), and not sure what they mean by "point" I bought this on GOG if that makes a difference.  I'm 64 and not at all used to doing this sort of thing but was pointed here by Rob. This whole thing has got me so frustrated and I dont want to mess everything up or damage my PC.

[TogaMasterJohn 711]

10 minutes ago, Santanasia said:

Can someone please help me by explaining fully what I do with the 4gb patch after unzipping it? They say "point it at the SC4 exe.) but I cant find it (the exe.), and not sure what they mean by "point" I bought this on GOG if that makes a difference.  I'm 64 and not at all used to doing this sort of thing but was pointed here by Rob. This whole thing has got me so frustrated and I dont want to mess everything up or damage my PC.

Assuming you used the default path while installing, it should be this if I remember correctly. With the 4GB Patch, navigate to:

C:\GOG Games\SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition\Apps

Select "SimCity4.exe" to patch.

 

[Cyclone Boom 17,016]

22 minutes ago, Santanasia said:

Can someone please help me by explaining fully what I do with the 4gb patch after unzipping it?

Firstly run the 4gb_patch.exe file and then a dialog will open up where it allows an executable file to be located. This is what's meant by pointing to the .exe file where the game is installed. For the GOG version and this as standard will be at the following path:

C:\GOG Games\SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition\Apps\SimCity 4.exe

Once navigating to this (or wherever the game's executable file is), click the Open button in the dialog which then will apply the patch.

Then this confirmation will appear to confirm:

 

Hope this helps for getting the NAM running for you, and welcome to Simtropolis.

Edit: I see @TogaMasterJohn replied with the answer above. So you've got two answers for the price of one!

  Edited July 16, 2020 by Cyclone Boom  

[Santanasia 5]

Thank you for replying but...I stuffed up somewhere! Thank goodness for backup installers although I have lost all my saved games.The game would load to the regional pages but when I chose one it would start to download but then crash to desktop. I dont know what I did. I saw all the files for the NAM and the Traffic Simulator ConfigurationTool (looks complicated)and read all the readme and installation instructions. It is possible It didn't have the NAM files in the correct folder as I couldn't find a NAM exe nor the SC4 one.  When I navigate to the SC4 apps folder, these are the links I find:

dbghelp.dll          DESKTOP-32JGSP5-config-log         SimCity 4  (application)        SimCity 4 (configuration settings)

I downloaded NAM to the application one. I thought all games had an exe? Its been my backup for years lol. So anyway, told you I didn't know what I was doing lol. No judgement but you all explain things assuming we all know the basics of what we are doing and I just don't. I need a guide for dummies.

[AFreemanPV 16]

I am having same challenges as Santanasia. With steam version of SC4.

[pedroac20c 132]

I have the same problem, I have done all the indicated steps, the game enters the region area, I select a region and start loading, after a short time it exits. And I have the GOG version.

[Fitz-Ailwin 85]

Looks like I won't be using NAM37, unless someone can translate whatever this is into English.  Un-check slope parameters???  I'm a gamer, not a scientist.

[Lucario Boricua 7,031]

@Fitz-Ailwin

Surface transportation networks in the game must always have some parameters to the slopes (how steep they can get in the terrain), but the NAM 37 adds some custom tunnels for certain re-skinned networks (RealRailway and the Maxis Highway Override) whose placement properties are also defined as part of the slope parameters. If you forego the slope parameters, the networks will use the default tunnel portals (they won't match the re-skinned network) and the default Maxis slopes for the rails and the Maxis highway.

For better or worse, moddable transportation features in SimCity 4 are extremely elaborate, which enables amazing things like the NAM but can also confuse players unfamiliar with them, and even sometimes the players most familiar with them.

[Tarkus 6,932]

@Fitz-Ailwin, this box right here, boxed in red:

@Santanasia, as covered in my FAQ post here, there is no .exe for the NAM installer.  It's a Java-based installer, so it's a .jar file (NetworkAddonMod_Setup_Version37.jar).  Sticking the NAM download's files directly into Plugins (either directory) will do nothing--one must run the installer.  The instructions on the 4GB Patch are there as well, but just to copy that whole section over here as well (which may be of use for @AFreemanPV and again for @pedro20ach):

Why is my game crashing to desktop with NAM 37 in the Plugins folder?

On Windows, NAM 37 requires that the game be patched with a "4GB patch" to be Large Address Aware (LAA), meaning that it can access 4GB RAM instead of a mere 2GB.  Without being patched, the game will crash.  The installation package includes the NTCore 4GB Patch--the patch file is named 4gb_patch.exe.  Open this file, point it to the SimCity 4.exe file in the game's installation directory, and click "Open".  You should then get a window with an "Executable successfully patched!" message.  Click the "OK" button.  Your game is now successfully patched to be Large Address Aware, and you can run NAM 37 without issue.

For reference, these are the default locations of the SimCity 4.exe file in the available and compatible versions of the game:

GOG: C:\GOG Games\SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition\Apps

Steam: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\Common\SimCity 4 Deluxe\Apps

Disc: C:\Program Files (x86)\Maxis\SimCity 4 Deluxe\Apps

(Origin: C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games\SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition\Apps--note that copies purchased from the Origin Store are not supported, due to being unpatched and unpatchable.  Ask for a refund.  If your copy was obtained by redeeming a CD Key with Origin support, it is patched.  Check the version number on the executable if you remain unsure.  1.1.641 = fully patched, 1.1.610 = unpatched, unpatchable, and incompatible.)

On macOS, the game is now 64-bit, so it has access to 128GB RAM (theoretically more, though this is the limit in macOS 10.9 and later), and is ready to use NAM 37 out of the box.

While all NAM versions over the past 6+ years have incorporated a routine to apply the 4GB patch, do not assume you automatically have already applied it and are ready to use NAM 37 out of the gate.  If you've changed from disc to digital in the time since NAM 36 was released, or have swapped to a different digital edition, the edition you are now using will need patching.

-Tarkus

[Santanasia 5]

Weeeellllll.....It worked !!!!!  At least I think so. It runs fine now and I have extra roads lol.

Thank you so much Tarkus. Don't know what I did before but I have a feeling I had tried to install into apps. I'm still not sure the difference but nvm all is good now. 

Please keep up the brilliant work.

[rsc204 21,836]

4 hours ago, Santanasia said:

Don't know what I did before but I have a feeling I had tried to install into apps. I'm still not sure the difference but nvm all is good now.

Bear in mind Apps is a folder, notably usually where the main application file for SC4 resides. Regardless of which version of the game you have, the application will ALWAYS be named SimCity 4.exe (note the space). If you are unsure where to find this, (since Point to in this sense means tell the patcher what file to patch, which requires we know where it is), you can try one of the following.

If you have a shortcut for playing SC4, right click upon it and select Properties (Left in image below). Here it shows where SC4 is installed, note where it states "Target Location" and lists Apps, that means my copy is installed into C:\Program Files (x86)\SimCity 4\Apps. You can click on "Open File Location" to open the folder where SC4 resides. In fact, you can just right click the Icon and select "Open File Location" from that menu.

If you don't have a shortcut, then there is a fool-proof method of finding any file on your entire system. Start by opening My Computer (the in-built file browser for Windows). You can do this by pressing both the Windows Key and "E" on the keyboard together. Then, simply find your Computer, mine is named "ThinkPad X201...", yours might be simply Computer or it may have been renamed, however the Icon in the list on the left of this Windows should be the same. Now, in the Top Right is a box "Search", I've already typed in SimCity 4.exe, the file we want to find. Again, once the search finds it (top result), we can right click that and use Open file location to show us where it is.

If you follow one of these methods, you should have no trouble telling the NTCore patcher where to find SimCity 4.exe, so it will work first time.

[Santanasia 5]

Thank you rsc204. It would appear that nowadays I need to learn all this stuff where years ago I didn't. A bit confusing for my old brain but I'm sure even dinosaurs can learn new tricks even if dogs can't hehehe!

I also want to thank everyone who took the time and trouble to help me with this. Without you I would still be struggling with straight roads,tracks etc and the difference is immense. Never give up on us little people. We'll get there in the end because if I could do it (with help) ANYONE can!

[rocker289 75]

Tarkus just to let you know I found an old lappy with XP on it

So I  got a usb schick put files on it and did it in xp.

joy joy joy

[AFreemanPV 16]

Thank you to all for your help. Update when able.

[dsweingard 3]

Firstly, I'm sorry for being such a noob.  I am running the App version of SC4 on my Mac on Catlina.  I read conflicting things about whether the NAM works with Catalina. 

I loaded JAVA, ran the installler, watched a a ton of files were copied and I have a Plugins folder with the NAM folder with 9 folders the last one being Z_NAM Controller_RHD.  I didn't run the 4gb file because Mac does not seem to need it (and there's no way to launch it anyway).

I re-start the game and I have no idea what to do from there, however, there are no new traffic options (ramps, stations, what have you).

This is leading me to the conclusion that even  NAM 37 does not work on Catalina, and I would love it if someone would confirm.  Otherwise, I am going to keep trying to figure out why this does nothing and I cannot seem to access a Traffic Sim Controller I watched a video about on You Tube.

Again, apologies.  There are so many acronyms and an assumed level of knowledge (an much of the posts seem to relate to Windows), that I'm about to give up.  Thanks in advance.

[rsc204 21,836]

18 minutes ago, dsweingard said:

I read conflicting things about whether the NAM works with Catalina. 

The 64-bit version of SC4 recently replaced the original 32-bit one for Macs, a change brought about by Catalina but affecting all Mac users, since both the App Store and Steam versions get updated automatically. This new version brought about some problems with existing content, but those have been fixed in the current final NAM 37 release. Given that NAM 37 also brought about a multi-platform installer for the first time, it's also the first user-friendly NAM version for a while for Mac users.

21 minutes ago, dsweingard said:

I didn't run the 4gb file because Mac does not seem to need it (and there's no way to launch it anyway).

Indeed, since the Mac version is now a 64-bit app, the memory limitations that make this patch necessary don't apply. Being a Windows application, without emulation it indeed would not run on a Mac.

36 minutes ago, dsweingard said:

This is leading me to the conclusion that even  NAM 37 does not work on Catalina

This couldn't be further from reality, it's pretty much the only version that does.

37 minutes ago, dsweingard said:

I re-start the game and I have no idea what to do from there, however, there are no new traffic options (ramps, stations, what have you).

Are you using the App Store version of SC4?, if so the installer isn't able to install the NAM in the correct Plugins folder. You need to move the Network Addon Mod folder into the actual location which SC4 is expecting. This is currently not an issue for the Steam edition. It sounds like these files aren't being loaded. According to this post, the location you should use to place the NAM folder is as follows:

/Users/username/Library/Containers/com.aspyr.simcity4.appstore/Data/Documents/SimCity 4/Plugins/

45 minutes ago, dsweingard said:

There are so many acronyms and an assumed level of knowledge

That's the reality of a mod that's been contributed to for as many years as the NAM, is has become a large beast. You could do worse than starting here, with a bunch of YouTube Tutorials for new users of the NAM.

[dsweingard 3]

Thank you.  Seems that it installed NAM in the wrong folder as you suggest (it was username-->documents-->SC4-->Plugins

 

[Mercandelle 18]

Good afternoon guys, I've been trying to update the NAM to version 37 and I haven't been able to, but I don't give up easily. Below is the image for the attempt to update the 4gb_patch and the error message. I already made my oracle account and downloaded Java for my 64x version. I don't know what may be happening because clicking on NetworkAddonMod_Setup_Version37 opens the prompt box but there is no time to enter "yes" as it closes almost immediately. Someone who has been through this and can help me? My version is not from Steam or GOG.

Thank you guys.

[Santanasia 5]

I have the GOG version so I'm only able to help someone with the same with any sort of confidence. But don't worry. The guys here are fantastic and will surely help you. I am 64 years old and if I can do it with their help then you absolutely will too, don't give up hope.

Further to this...read what rsc204 said to me. That tells you where the SC4 exe is and it's that patch you need to use once you click on the 4gb patch, and it's that path you need to use once you click on the 4gb patch.