Lot editor problem importing after PIM

[zporp 86]

When model/building is used in lot editor another model is shown. 

I started with creating the model with Blender and then exported as OBJ, so I can convert it with pCon.planner STD from OBJ to 3DS. Thereafter Import the 3DS file to B.A.T and make a simple BAT export. 

The renders looks ok when BAT is exporting the house. 

in SC4PIM All looks good when importing model to "unknown" as test. There is a "warning" symbol if that mean anything?  See picture below.  (Also tried other categories with similar results "other models shown instead in loteditor" )
In

 

 

In the Loteditor another model is shown when building is picked. On the right side you can see the measurment for the building but in the preview a small little box is seen instead (different models shown depending on category picked in PIM). See picture below. 

 

I've tried both SC4PIM.lnk and SC4 plugin Manager.lnk.

What could be the issue here? 

Let me know if any further information is needed or anything is not clear enough.

Thanks in advance! 

[rsc204 21,808]

On 08/11/2022 at 11:56 PM, zporp said:

in SC4PIM All looks good when importing model to "unknown" as test. There is a "warning" symbol if that mean anything?

Why did you choose to use unknown?, I'm not sure what the purpose of such a category is, but it certainly doesn't create a functioning Exemplar, hence the warning symbol.

Assuming in your other tests you are using a valid Exemplar category, such as the various wealth Res or Com types, then the 'link' between that Buildings Exemplar and the Building upon a lot should be correct. That link consists of a TGI ID, 3 groups of 8 digits in Hex format, 0x5DA0E817, 0xAFEE1535, 0x001100000 in this case.

So the first thing that tells me is that you have either been manually altering IDs or failed to correctly install a necessary patch for SC4BAT, the BAT Texture Problem Fix, which can be found here. I know this because the Instance ID or third part of the above would otherwise always be 0x00030000. So I'd start by installing that, then re-exporting the model with a new ID. Note this ID forms part of the filename of an SC4 Model as exported by SC4BAT.

When you open SC4BAT a new project is created, this is the point at which a unique ID is generated for your model. Conversely, if you open an existing project, the ID will not subsequently change, so to re-export an existing model with a new ID, you must start a unique project and import your old scene to that. You should also avoid ever using the same project file to render more than one different model, because doing things this way will end up with duplicated (conflicting) IDs.

I suspect somehow you have more than one model with the same ID, which would explain why the preview and the LE preview objects don't match. 

[zporp 86]

On 2022-11-10 at 2:12 PM, rsc204 said:

Why did you choose to use unknown?, I'm not sure what the purpose of such a category is, but it certainly doesn't create a functioning Exemplar, hence the warning symbol.

Assuming in your other tests you are using a valid Exemplar category, such as the various wealth Res or Com types, then the 'link' between that Buildings Exemplar and the Building upon a lot should be correct. That link consists of a TGI ID, 3 groups of 8 digits in Hex format, 0x5DA0E817, 0xAFEE1535, 0x001100000 in this case.

So the first thing that tells me is that you have either been manually altering IDs or failed to correctly install a necessary patch for SC4BAT, the BAT Texture Problem Fix, which can be found here. I know this because the Instance ID or third part of the above would otherwise always be 0x00030000. So I'd start by installing that, then re-exporting the model with a new ID. Note this ID forms part of the filename of an SC4 Model as exported by SC4BAT.

When you open SC4BAT a new project is created, this is the point at which a unique ID is generated for your model. Conversely, if you open an existing project, the ID will not subsequently change, so to re-export an existing model with a new ID, you must start a unique project and import your old scene to that. You should also avoid ever using the same project file to render more than one different model, because doing things this way will end up with duplicated (conflicting) IDs.

I suspect somehow you have more than one model with the same ID, which would explain why the preview and the LE preview objects don't match. 

Thanks for the answer! 

I tested unknown incase it would do any difference, but I also tried the Wealt res, "props as building", park and so on before. 
There was alot of tries and errors, so yes there is some couple of models with similiar names unfortunally.  

About the patch could probably be the reason since I've not installed that one. Where exactly do I put these files? 

I suspect that I now Install the patch, then start a new project with a new fresh "name", import the model, export as Bat. and the problem hopefully is solved?

Have a great one!

[zporp 86]

On 2022-11-10 at 2:12 PM, rsc204 said:

Why did you choose to use unknown?, I'm not sure what the purpose of such a category is, but it certainly doesn't create a functioning Exemplar, hence the warning symbol.

Assuming in your other tests you are using a valid Exemplar category, such as the various wealth Res or Com types, then the 'link' between that Buildings Exemplar and the Building upon a lot should be correct. That link consists of a TGI ID, 3 groups of 8 digits in Hex format, 0x5DA0E817, 0xAFEE1535, 0x001100000 in this case.

So the first thing that tells me is that you have either been manually altering IDs or failed to correctly install a necessary patch for SC4BAT, the BAT Texture Problem Fix, which can be found here. I know this because the Instance ID or third part of the above would otherwise always be 0x00030000. So I'd start by installing that, then re-exporting the model with a new ID. Note this ID forms part of the filename of an SC4 Model as exported by SC4BAT.

When you open SC4BAT a new project is created, this is the point at which a unique ID is generated for your model. Conversely, if you open an existing project, the ID will not subsequently change, so to re-export an existing model with a new ID, you must start a unique project and import your old scene to that. You should also avoid ever using the same project file to render more than one different model, because doing things this way will end up with duplicated (conflicting) IDs.

I suspect somehow you have more than one model with the same ID, which would explain why the preview and the LE preview objects don't match. 

I found where to put it!

Place the file into your GMAX scripts directory (typically located in C:\\gmax\gamepack\bat\scripts\, if somebody have the same issue.  (https://www.moddb.com/games/SimCity-4/downloads/SimCity-4-bat-texture-fix)
(make sure to only use ModelNames.ms and NOT use ._ModelNames.ms. Gmax will crash) 

Works fine in the lot editor now. Big big thanks rsc204!!