NAM Version 39 Now Available!

[Tarkus 6,932]

The NAM Team is pleased to announce the official public release of the 39th edition of the Network Addon Mod, NAM 39.



Download Link
STEX (Cross-Platform)

RELEASE NOTES

Before you run off in excitement to install the new NAM version, please make sure to read this (short) document first, to ensure the best Network Addon Mod experience. Note that without the 4GB Patch being properly installed (or manually running the Controller Compiler to build a leaner NAM Controller), the game will crash to desktop.

REQUIREMENTS

• Java Runtime Environment (available from AdoptOpenJDK--a 64-bit Windows copy of JRE 11 is enclosed in the download)
• [For Windows Users]: NTCore 4GB Patch (included in download (4gb_patch.exe), or available from NTCore)

 

Note that the NTCore 4GB Patch is REQUIRED, and due to the installer change, is no longer installed by default. The patch can be found inside the download, or downloaded directly from NTCore here, where further instructions on use of the patch can be found. Also due to this installer change, the NAM Controller Compiler is no longer run as part of the installation process. All users will be initially given a full NAM Controller, which has a substantial size. Users not using all features wishing to have a smaller controller can still run the Controller Compiler manually, as it is available in the download. Those on 32-bit versions of Windows should proceed with caution.
The NAM is also now using a Java-based installer, designed by daeley, which is cross-platform (meaning no more separate Mac versions, and Linux support without WINE). As such, the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) is now REQUIRED to run the NAM installer. It was previous recommended for users wishing to utilize the NAM Traffic Simulator Configuration Tool (TSCT). An open source version of Java can be downloaded from here.

Users who fundamentally object to installing Java (or are unable to for other reasons) can perform a manual install, with patience. Details can be found here.

With the new installer, the old NAM installation is no longer removed automatically, so users should manually remove the "Network Addon Mod" and "z___NAM" folders from their Plugins directory. It is recommended that you back those folders up in a location that is not in your Plugins folder. The "z___NAM" folder has been eliminated, and all files are now installed to the "Network Addon Mod" directory.

The RealRailway (RRW) standard for Rail is now the default and only option. One may choose to disable the RRW's more restrictive default slope settings by unselecting the "RRW Tunnel and Slope Parameters" box in the installer. The original Maxis Rail specification will be supported via a Legacy Plugin, downloaded separately, at a later date. Also note that a number of cosmetic-oriented NAM plugins, such as the El-Rail Alternate Implementation, the Bullet Train Mod, and some advanced texture options (largely deprecated) have been removed from the installer. The Alternate El-Rail and BTM will be made available separately at a later date. Please note that, much like Maxis Rail, these Plugins are effectively in "Legacy" status, and may not be actively maintained or supported by the NAM Team going forward. Both the original Maxis Highways (MHW) and the "Maxis Highway Override/Project Symphony" (MHO) remain available.

The Station Locator, Updater, and Reconstruction Project (SLURP) is also no longer handled by the new installer. A scaled down version of the old installer will be made at a later date to handle SLURP routines. Users wishing to retain SLURPed stations should retrieve them from the "z___NAM\Mass Transit Lots\Station Overrides" folder in their existing NAM installation, where they will be found in the "Mass Transit Lots" subfolder. Note that users running the 64-bit version of SimCity 4 on macOS may wish to refrain from retrieving SLURP stations, as there have been some encoding issues with stations that cause that version of the game to CTD.

The new installer also no longer performs a version check. Please note, however, that for Windows users, Version 1.1.638 and above are still required, as Versions 1.1.610 and 1.1.613 have notable instabilities that may have a significant negative impact on the use of this mod. Copies purchased from the Origin Store will still not meet this requirement, and support will not be offered to users with "unofficial" copies of the game.

New Features for NAM 39

• New Subway-based draggable implementation of the Flexible Underpass (FLUPs) system added, with FLEX-based network portals (modeled by Girafe) and underground networks for the RealHighway's RHW-2 and MIS networks. These portals include working nightlights, and options for both Maxis Nite and Dark Nite (selectable under the "Texture and Drive Side Support" section of the installer).
• Three new draggable "Alternate Viaduct" styles added for the Road Viaducts--Stone Arch, Steel Arch, and Japanese (JPN) Facelift. These new viaducts act as separate networks, and are designed specifically for use as part of short oorthogonal overpasses over orthogonal networks, starting from On-Slope Transitions.  Additionally, the Alternate Viaducts can be overridden by the Street network and some SAM types.
• A FLEX On-Slope transition (FLEX-OST) has been added for the Hybrid Railway (HRW) FLEX-based dual-network.
• FLEX On-Slope Transitions (FLEX-OSTs) for the RealHighway (RHW) plugin have been fixed, and now function as intended.
• Support for 90° R1 "Mini-Curves" (3x3 footprint) has been added for the Road network.
• Diagonal crossover paths and DIPs (Distilled Intersection Paths) have been added to the diagonals for the Wider RHW networks (courtesy of McDuell and Triple-Tile NWM networks (courtesy of Ganaram Inukshuk), improving capacity and functionality of the diagonal RHW-8S, RHW-10S, RHW-6C, RHW-8C, TLA-7, and AVE-6 networks.
• Various improvements have been made to the NWM TLA-7/AVE-6-to-Dual-OWR-3 draggable transition, including the addition of proper Distilled Intersection Paths (DIPs) to mitigate capacity issues, along with fixing broken LHD pathing
• The RULs for the LHD version of the FLEX Turn Lanes (FTL) Type 130 x Type 110 intersections have been improved, to eliminate previous texture and path flipping errors.

Requirements and Compatibility

The Network Addon Mod, in its current form with default installation options, is designed to run on systems with a 64-bit operating system and more than 4GB RAM. Most modern PCs should be able to comfortably run the mod. By installing fewer options and using the Controller Compiler to manually compile a smaller NAM Controller, however, it is possible to run the NAM on 32-bit operating systems, and/or systems with 4GB or less RAM. At least 1.2GB of hard drive space is required, in order to fully unpack the installer, but actual installation size may run from as little as 1.7MB to as much as 850MB, depending on the options chosen and if one selects to manually run the Controller Compiler after installation.

The Network Addon Mod is compatible with the following versions of the game:

 

• A) Retail Windows disc copies of SimCity 4 Deluxe OR SimCity 4 with the Rush Hour Expansion Pack, updated to at least Version 1.1.638.
• B) Retail Windows digital copies of SimCity 4 Deluxe OR SimCity 4 with the Rush Hour Expansion Pack (Version 1.1.641), from all digital retailers except Origin (i.e. GOG.com, Steam, Amazon).
• C) Digital Windows copies of SimCity 4 Deluxe obtained redeeming an existing CD key (not purchasing) through Origin Customer Support.
• D) Retail Mac digital copies of SimCity 4 Deluxe, purchased through Steam or the App Store. (NOTE: Platform-specific technical support for the NAM on macOS is extremely limited).
• E) Retail Mac disc copies of SimCity 4 Deluxe, running on macOS/OS X Version 10.6 (Snow Leopard) or earlier. (NOTE: Platform-specific technical support for the NAM on macOS is extremely limited.)

The Network Addon Mod is NOT compatible with the following versions of the game:

 

• F) Retail disc copies of SimCity 4 Deluxe OR SimCity 4 with the Rush Hour Expansion Pack that have not been patched (Version 1.1.610 or 1.1.613).
• G) Retail Windows digital copies of SimCity 4 Deluxe purchased from Origin.
• H) Retail disc copies of non-Deluxe SimCity 4 (sometimes marketed later as "SimCity 4 Classic"), without the Rush Hour Expansion Pack (Version 1.0.272 or earlier)
• I) Pirated or cracked copies of SimCity 4 Deluxe OR SimCity 4 with the Rush Hour Expansion Pack.

What should I do if the NAM installer rejects my copy of the game?

The new NAM installer (introduced with the NAM 37 Release Candidate) no longer runs a version check. However, it is strongly recommended that users check the version they are running, as unpatched copies can be unstable. In Case F, the solution is simply to install the EP1 Update 1 patch, which can be downloaded from EA (SKU 1-5), SimCity 4 Devotion (SKU 1-5), or Simtropolis (SKU 1 and 2 only). To determine the correct SKU version for your copy of SimCity 4, find the installation directory, and look in the subfolder named sku_data. Alternatively, one can simply try all the SKU versions of the patch, until one works.

For Case G, see the section about Origin in the "Read First" document.

For Cases H, I, and J, it is recommended that you purchase a digital copy of SimCity 4 Deluxe (NOT from Origin).

For more information about NAM installation and this release, please see the "Read First" document, enclosed in the download (0-read-first.html) and available online.  The remainder of the documentation can also be consulted online at sc4devotion.com/namdoc.

Thank you all for your continued support--hope you enjoy!

-The NAM Team

[AsimPika3172 1,136]

Thanks for nice updated! Enjoy the NAM!  

[SIM-ple Jack 17,444]

And now the question I must ask myself- do I replace 38 with 39, or wait 3-4 months for 40? Decisions, decisions!

[Shaggy83 8]

Just downloaded the 38 the other day! Worth it to upgrade? I don't have much built as I'm a returning player - restarting on Steam.

 

[11241036 5,097]

A good new feature, this subway-based underpass network. However, sometimes I wish you would update the Readmes to explain the new features better. I know it's only a small thing but how do you do this 3x3 90° road curve Tarkus mentioned in the first post? There doesn't seem to be a puzzle piece for that, so I assume it's draggable; but I couldn't find any hint how to drag it.

Edit: Also, I couldn't find a way to override the new alternate viaducts with street. This only removes the road texture completely, and I can't drag any viaduct at all, just road/street.

[rsc204 21,808]

5 hours ago, 11241036 said:

I know it's only a small thing but how do you do this 3x3 90° road curve Tarkus mentioned in the first post?

It’s to my knowledge achieved by putting two R1 45 degree curves together. The other ones from NAM 37/38, used the same patterns and their street equivalents.

5 hours ago, 11241036 said:

However, sometimes I wish you would update the Readmes to explain the new features better.

We totally hear you. The documentation is a not as up to date as we’d like. But the primary focus right now is getting sustainable development going again. 3 versions of NAM in less than 6 months, has proven the new approach. Usually if you follow the dev threads, we show off (along with how to build), these new features. Of course, that’s not ideal, but if it comes down to perfectly documented releases dragging out development cycles, we’ll prioritise Progression every time. 

[Flann 1,709]

9 hours ago, 11241036 said:

I know it's only a small thing but how do you do this 3x3 90° road curve Tarkus mentioned in the first post? There doesn't seem to be a puzzle piece for that, so I assume it's draggable; but I couldn't find any hint how to drag it.

[CaptCity 4,752]

12 hours ago, 11241036 said:

...

Edit: Also, I couldn't find a way to override the new alternate viaducts with street. This only removes the road texture completely, and I can't drag any viaduct at all, just road/street.

Hi @11241036

If I am understanding the second part correctly, it might depend on which viaduct you are using and which network you are crossing. My understanding is that all three don't support the same networks. There are lists when rotating through the pieces. And I also noticed what seems to be missing street textures.

**********************

Also, on another note, the road won't drag from the avenue overcrossing for the steel viaduct option. It will appear if each successive square is clicked individually. Don't know if that is the expected behavior, so just passing it along.

 

  Edited December 6, 2020 by CaptCity  

[Tarkus 6,932]

Regarding the Street/SAM version of the Alternate Viaducts, nothing's missing--that is their texture.  They're still dragged with Road on the actual elevated part, but the override is initiated by dragging Street into the OnSlope.  eggman121 did a "secret weapon" video on it before the release:

-Tarkus

[Max4k 721]

These Viaduct roads are great, just noticed it going though settings.  Can't seem to figure out how to make the Avenue road so I can have water around it, and just convert the Avenue to Elevated Highway

[LjamesC 2]

So I've installed NAM 39 the same as I've done with both 37 & 38 but I'm having an issue with some of the new features. I cannot use the alt Viaducts or the new draggable FLUP for RHW. Both icons are in the menu but when I click on either one I just get a blank square. Can someone help?

[Tarkus 6,932]

@LjamesC, the blank square/"red arrow bug" is a sign that the RUL code necessary for those features is either not present, or being overwritten by older code that's loading later.

Go down to the NAM icon at the bottom of the Highways menu, hover over it, and look at the date/time on it (don't click the button, as it's a dummy--you'll get a blank square/red arrow off of it, but that's intentional).

The NAM Controller build included in NAM 39 as the default installation option should list "2020 Dec 01 - 10:07:04 (UTC)".  If it's a date earlier than that, then you somehow still have an old NAM Controller lying around, which is overriding it, and will need to be removed.

-Tarkus

[LjamesC 2]

Thank you Tarkus. I found the old controller and got rid of it and now it works fine

 

[Tarkus 6,932]

BTW, a quick little bit of shameless promo: ModDB, which, along with Simtropolis and SC4 Devotion, is one of our distribution partners, is currently running their "Mod of the Year" vote, which ends in a little less than 16 hours.  You can indeed easily vote for the NAM from our page over there (all you need to do is click one button--don't even have to be registered there).  Your vote would be very much appreciated, and would potentially go a long way toward showing the broader gaming community that SC4 still matters in 2020.

Thanks!

-Tarkus

[Whte_rbt 1,431]

REAL SUBTLE hint for this on the homepage I see. Well done, Voted already.

[Whte_rbt 1,431]

I am starting to wonder if the NAM team holds some kind of world record for longest running mod support/development. Can anyone think of anything that has run for longer?

[mattb325 28,880]

4 hours ago, Whte_rbt said:

I am starting to wonder if the NAM team holds some kind of world record for longest running mod support/development. Can anyone think of anything that has run for longer?

If it isn't the longest running mod, it would definitely have to be up there in the top few.

It's a real testament to the guys in the team....and we SC4 players are really lucky to have access to such a dedicated team of content makers. 

[Don'tPoketheBear 46]

I upgraded this morning to NAM 39 from NAM 36.  I watched Rob's Red Hot Spot's tutorial as a guide and everything went perfect (thanks again Rob).

I haven't had a chance to really go through and look at all the new features but that's what I'm planning to do on this gloomy afternoon in the north east.

[jeffryfisher 2,176]

NWM Bug: I just upgraded NAM-36 to NAM-39, and now all of the center-lane turn arrows in TLA5 have devolved into little 2x3 clusters of bright RBG pixels (something is missing).

[Tarkus 6,932]

9 hours ago, jeffryfisher said:

NWM Bug: I just upgraded NAM-36 to NAM-39, and now all of the center-lane turn arrows in TLA5 have devolved into little 2x3 clusters of bright RBG pixels (something is missing).

It appears that the files for the arrow textures themselves are in with the RHW files, so it's a file architecture issue (one which has been around since NAM 37, from the looks of it).  Stash the contents of this file in the 7_Texture and Drive Side Support\US_RightSide folder, and it should fix the issue.  We'll move the file over there for NAM 40.

BTW, thanks to everyone who cast their vote for us over at ModDB (and thanks to @Cyclone Boom and @CorinaMarie for putting it on the front page)!  Unfortunately, we didn't quite make it into the next round (top-100), but I'm hoping it at least got us a little more notice. 

There are games much older than SC4 that are still receiving modding attention--Doom (1993), of course, being the most notorious example--but whether or not there's actually a mod for Doom (or any game older than SC4) that's remained in continuous development, I don't know.  I'm sure there's mod historians around the broader gaming community . . . though they probably don't realize we're here, for some reason.

-Tarkus

Shared_ArrowTextures_MUTCD.zip

[jeffryfisher 2,176]

On 12/16/2020 at 5:28 AM, Tarkus said:

the files for the arrow textures themselves are in with the RHW files

Thanks for the file. But I can easily copy the TLA arrow file from NAM-36's NWM to NAM-39's NWM... Except that the whole NWM has been dropped from NAM-39. That's right, NWM no longer appears in NAM. I've done an exhaustive search of the new NAM-39 installation, and the Network Widening Mod has completely vanished. There are no longer any references to its files and folders.

My existing region depends heavily on NWM roads and avenues, especially on TLA-5, so I am again deleting all of NAM-39 and falling-back to NAM-36 until the Network Widening Mod is reinstated.

EDIT (Solution):

Why was NWM deleted from NAM? And why did you hide that fact (aside from it being obviously unpopular)? NWM is very popular and widely installed, so deleting it with no notice is very poor form!

It appears that one of my many recent Windoze security updates reset file-hiding of many file extensions in search results. I've beaten Windoze back into submission and can again find NWM right where you told me it is. Sorry for the false alarm, I should have persevered rather than believing an incredible Windoze search result. Mea culpa.

  Edited December 18, 2020 by jeffryfisher  
Punctuation and capitalization + solved

[Flann 1,709]

30 minutes ago, jeffryfisher said:

Thanks for the file, but I can easily copy the TLA arrow file from NAM-36's NWM to NAM-39's NWM... Except that the whole NWM MOD HAS BEEN DROPPED FROM NAM-39! That's right, NWM no longer appears in NAM! I've done an exhaustive search of the new NAM-39 installation, and the Network Widening Mod has completely vanished! There are no longer any references to its files and folders!

My existing region depends heavily on NWM roads and avenues, especially on TLA-5, so I am again deleting all of NAM-39 and falling-back to NAM-36 until the Network Widening Mod is reinstated!!!

Why was NWM deleted from NAM? And why did you hide that fact (aside from it being obviously unpopular)? NWM is very popular and widely installed, so deleting it with no notice is very poor form!

I can assure you that NWM has not been deleted from NAM 39.  It's location within the file architecture of the NAM may have changed, but it 100% still exists.

[Tyberius06 12,189]

1 hour ago, jeffryfisher said:

Thanks for the file, but I can easily copy the TLA arrow file from NAM-36's NWM to NAM-39's NWM... Except that the whole NWM MOD HAS BEEN DROPPED FROM NAM-39! That's right, NWM no longer appears in NAM! I've done an exhaustive search of the new NAM-39 installation, and the Network Widening Mod has completely vanished! There are no longer any references to its files and folders!

My existing region depends heavily on NWM roads and avenues, especially on TLA-5, so I am again deleting all of NAM-39 and falling-back to NAM-36 until the Network Widening Mod is reinstated!!!

Why was NWM deleted from NAM? And why did you hide that fact (aside from it being obviously unpopular)? NWM is very popular and widely installed, so deleting it with no notice is very poor form!

 

Seriously? Come on...  Are you high righ now? No offense, but I haven't experienced such an outbreak yet in the community, due to something which would have required just paying a little bit more attention. Yepp, we and the Illuminati have hidden all the NWM files to mess with you... But just with you. Because everybody else, who has downloaded the mod, acutally had the NWM, but you have a special version without it... We've been waiting for the right moment, when you decided to download the latest NAM and quickly before you downloaded it, we replaced with a version without the NWM... and then we put the original  one (with NWM) back, after you donwloaded your version...

The full NAM file architecture have been rebuilt after NAM 36 and using the new architecture with the new installer since NAM 37. There isn't anymore a separate NWM mod (folder), but the files what you used to have in the NWM folder are still in the NAM of course. Specially since all the promos for NAM 37 contained NWM features like the flex based Multi Radius Curves. All day I haven't done anything (besides a few hours RL work), but patching up paths for NWM network for better appearance and for future developments. You will find all the NWM related files in the: Network Addon Mod\2_Additional Network Features\Road, One-Way Road, and Avenue\Additional Widths and Turn Lanes\ subfolder.

That was good... Anybody else with a simliary entertaining joke?

- Tyberius

 

 

[redfox85 659]

1 hour ago, jeffryfisher said:

Thanks for the file, but I can easily copy the TLA arrow file from NAM-36's NWM to NAM-39's NWM... Except that the whole NWM MOD HAS BEEN DROPPED FROM NAM-39! That's right, NWM no longer appears in NAM! I've done an exhaustive search of the new NAM-39 installation, and the Network Widening Mod has completely vanished! There are no longer any references to its files and folders!

My existing region depends heavily on NWM roads and avenues, especially on TLA-5, so I am again deleting all of NAM-39 and falling-back to NAM-36 until the Network Widening Mod is reinstated!!!

Why was NWM deleted from NAM? And why did you hide that fact (aside from it being obviously unpopular)? NWM is very popular and widely installed, so deleting it with no notice is very poor form!

Its there - NWM is buried deep within the NAM. If your missing it - I suggest to rerun the installer and ensure it is checked 

[Tarkus 6,932]

Officially, in the installer, it's installed as part of "Additional Widths and Turn Lanes", under "Road, One-Way Road, and Avenue", as part of the "2_Additional Network Features" section.  It's checked by default, and the description for it in the sidebar does mention "NWM" and "Network Widening Mod".  You would have had to uncheck it in order to not get NWM.

That's partly a by-product of a draft version of our file architecture shuffle, when we actually had everything truly divided out by network, which originally required splitting the NWM into two mods--one for Road, and one for One-Way Road, plus a "dummy" option for Avenue that referred people to Road (so people didn't start trying to draw the multi-tile NWM networks with the Avenue tool).  It's also because the FLEX Turn Lanes (and, as a legacy option, TuLEPs) are more or less merged in with the NWM now, and ditto with the RabET (Roundabout Extension Tile) Turbo Roundabouts.  Originally they hadn't been, but people kept mistakenly referring to FTL and TuLEPs as being part of the NWM, and the FTLs darn near require the NWM for a decent amount of functionality (and the RabETs absolutely do), so rather than fighting them, we joined them.

I can understand a little bit of confusion, given that it doesn't actually say "Network Widening Mod" for the actual option itself (perhaps I'll change that for NAM 40, to make it abundantly clear).  But considering that the team lead (me) has been a major NWM developer since 2006, and uses the mod extensively himself, I think a more appropriate tack would have been to ask where it was, rather than to accuse us of removing it and conspiring to cover it up.

If anything, we've actually made it a more integral part of the mod, and we're going to continue expanding NWM functionality in coming releases.  Plans include the long-awaited addition of diagonal intersection support (which will be done in phases over several releases), SAM intersection support, elevated viaduct versions, new bridges, more smooth curves and Fractional Angle Networking, and more FTL and SITAP setups--not to mention the RealExpressway (REW) integration with the NWM's OWRs.  It's an exciting time to be an NWM user, and with our new release strategy, you'll get to enjoy these new features as they become available, instead of having to wait 1-3 years for some bloated release.

-Tarkus

  Edited December 17, 2020 by Tarkus  
Fixed an "a" vs. "an" situation.

[Dabids17 5]

Thanks for the update!

[jeffryfisher 2,176]

20 hours ago, Tyberius06 said:

Seriously? Come on...  Are you high right now? No offense...

None taken; I deserved that. But rather than being high, I was very tired at the tail end of a long and (in RL) unpleasant day; I was not doing my best work. When my Windoze search turned up no files found anywhere in NAM or its subfolders, I should have distrusted the result and carried on, but I quit (mistake) and posted my result (another mistake) and my day's mood leaked through in unseemly fashion (sorry about that).

I have edited my earlier post to tone it down from frustration to mere befuddlement, and I added the solution (Windoze likes to hide some file types from search results).

[Tyberius06 12,189]

2 hours ago, jeffryfisher said:

None taken; I deserved that. But rather than being high, I was very tired at the tail end of a long and (in RL) unpleasant day; I was not doing my best work. When my Windoze search turned up no files found anywhere in NAM or its subfolders, I should have distrusted the result and carried on, but I quit (mistake) and posted my result (another mistake) and my day's mood leaked through in unseemly fashion (sorry about that).

I have edited my earlier post to tone it down from frustration to mere befuddlement, and I added the solution (Windoze likes to hide some file types from search results).

Sorry to hear about the issues. But I'm happy that you find the solution. 
Piece!

- Tyberius

[Dono 178]

Sorry if already mentioned but I couldn't find it anywhere else. With the new one tile roundabouts the Road x Street works but the Road x Road wont let me connect a road to the 90deg side.

Again sorry if already dealt with or it's just me

Great work Namsters, love the new Flups!

[Tarkus 6,932]

1 hour ago, Dono said:

Sorry if already mentioned but I couldn't find it anywhere else. With the new one tile roundabouts the Road x Street works but the Road x Road wont let me connect a road to the 90deg side.

Again sorry if already dealt with or it's just me

Great work Namsters, love the new Flups!

Thanks for the kind words!  To answer your question, it's not really all that documented, but the FLEX piece for the One-Tile Roundabouts is designed just to cover the multi-network (Road x Street) situation.  To build the same-network combos (Road x Road or Street x Street), build a + or T-intersection as one normally would, then click directly over the intersection with the Rail tool.  It'll convert to a roundabout.

Hope that helps!

-Tarkus