Can't Modify Building With Reader

[simcitynate 134]

I'm attempting to mod a building but this is all I see. When I try to add a property, the only option is "!Unknown!". I tried a quick tweak with Leprop, but as is often the case, problems arose. I got a CTD when I clicked on it.  

[CorinaMarie 29,869]

My initial guess is somehow Reader cannot find SC4Exemplar.xml which is how it knows what all those Name value hex numbers should say text-wise. In my case, that's located in the C:\GOG Games\SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition\Apps folder. I'm sure it's a different location for Steam and  Disc versions tho.

 

[rsc204 21,864]

Agreed in the cause of the Unknown strings, but it doesn’t need to know their names for you to modify the exemplar. Although it does beg the question how would you know what you are doing.

But the CTD is likely a different problem altogether. When exactly is that happening and could we get a link to the file in question please?

[simcitynate 134]

As soon as I use the query tool on the building, I get a CTD. Afterwards, I tried it out with the original settings and it was fine.

 

[nos.17 5,237]

Regarding the Unknown names, that happens for me too if double click on the file to open it directly with reader (i.e. reader is the default program mapped to open *.dat files). Try opening reader first, then open the file with the Open dialog inside of reader.

[simcitynate 134]

5 minutes ago, nos.17 said:

Regarding the Unknown names, that happens for me too if double click on the file to open it directly with reader (i.e. reader is the default program mapped to open *.dat files). Try opening reader first, then open the file with the Open dialog inside of reader.

I always open Reader first.

[nos.17 5,237]

Do you have a file called "tropod_Properties.xml" in the installation folder (the same folder there Reader.exe is located)? I was able to reproduce this also by removing that file.

[simcitynate 134]

Yes I do. I closed Reader, removed that file, then opened Reader up again but everything seems to be the same. 

[rsc204 21,864]

3 hours ago, simcitynate said:

As soon as I use the query tool on the building, I get a CTD. Afterwards, I tried it out with the original settings and it was fine.

Ah, sounded like the CTD was in Reader, but I'm with you now. Honestly, that's the sort of thing that happens if Reader (or something else) managed to corrupt a file. In fact, that's exactly the sort of behaviour that makes me avoid using LE Prop for the most part.

3 hours ago, nos.17 said:

Regarding the Unknown names, that happens for me too if double click on the file to open it directly with reader (i.e. reader is the default program mapped to open *.dat files). Try opening reader first, then open the file with the Open dialog inside of reader.

Not necessary, I've got mine working just fine, you just need to set it up correctly. I tend to link Reader to the New Properties.xml update used for PIM-X, which is essentially the same thing. This version is the only one that shows LotConfigPropertyLotObjectData lines after the first entry correctly (red highlight):

In Options/Options, you can specify which XML file to use, I'd love to show you the exact setup, but yeah non-re-sizeable Windows! But I'm pretty sure I'm using the one I linked too before, not willing to risk messing up my beautifully functioning Reader right now, since I REALLY need it. But a little bit of messing around should get things right.

2 hours ago, simcitynate said:

I closed Reader, removed that file, then opened Reader up again

Erm, I think Nos.17 was just checking you had it, not saying you should remove it. Without at least one such file configured, you aren't going to get this data, since that's where it comes from. The Tropod version certainly works, but you have to manually tell Reader where it is (Yellow ring in screenshot).

[simcitynate 134]

6 hours ago, rsc204 said:

The Tropod version certainly works, but you have to manually tell Reader where it is (Yellow ring in screenshot).

This did the trick. Thanks!

Now I'm just trying to add a monthly cost, but it still shows 0. I confirm changes to a building in Reader by taking a look in Leprop, which has always been reliable in that regard. 

[rsc204 21,864]

In-game, check your monthly outgoings in the budget panel, then place the building. Has the monthly cost for that category increased? It looks like you are missing some Properties, which may be needed for this Property to actually function as intended:

You can manually add them, but it's easier to find them in another Lot/Mod, highlight the Properties then Copy/Paste them into the one you are modifying. You can have multiple instances of Reader open to do this.

[simcitynate 134]

Oh jeeeeze, please disregard that last issue folks. I got around to checking the building in the game and, what do you know, the monthly cost was there. So, Leprop just continues to cover itself in glory. Also, I'm happy to report there was no CTD. Thanks again everyone.