NAM.dll Open Beta

[Ulisse Wolf 4,412]

6 minutes ago, CahosRahneVeloza said:

I deeply apologize for the double post as I still strictly adhere to the olden rules of teh interwebs which includes, "thou shalt not Double/multi post on any forum thread".

But seeing as nobody has commented on here after my last one, and two whole weeks have passed since my previous post, I thought maybe it'd be fine this time.

Anyway, I just wanted to ask if the Street texture on the "Street Tunnel portal" is baked into the model or not? Because if it's not I might ask @hugues aroux to add support for it for his WestWind Streets mod 

Baked. Consider that we have recycled a model present in the NAM for the beta. The final version will be different from the beta.

[hugues aroux 3,784]

10 minutes ago, CahosRahneVeloza said:

"Street Tunnel portal" is baked into the model or not? Because if it's not I might ask @hugues aroux to add support

 

3 minutes ago, Ulisse Wolf said:

The final version will be different from the beta

... and it's likely that I'll be able to produce a version adapted for WestWindStreet! It's a bit of work but doable, like those (Tunel and FLUP) already produced in the current version.

[Lucario Boricua 7,028]

I wonder if the tunnel portal could be created as an S3D model and allow the network's flat plane to be referenced to a separate FSH texture file. This way it can reference an existing texture, and if said texture is changed separately (ex. using the Tarkphalt dark asphalt street swap mod), it could update on the tunnel portal model!

[memo 1,444]

2 hours ago, Lucario Boricua said:

I wonder if the tunnel portal could be created as an S3D model and allow the network's flat plane to be referenced to a separate FSH texture file.

It could be done, but the rendering quality would probably be worse. You would lose the shadows as part of the BAT, which would break the illusion of the 3d effect – unless you do something very sophisticated with semitransparent S3D-based shadows or something. On the other hand, it's quite plausible that there's a different road surface inside the tunnel than outside, which could justify a texture mismatch.

One thing that could be improved with the current model is the fact that its LODs don't go below the terrain surface. There's no hole for automata, which can lead to some visual artifacts when automata enter the tunnel. This could be fixed by creating new LODs for the existing models, but it would be tedious.

[hugues aroux 3,784]

Personally, I'm not too worried about adapting BAT FSHs to make them compatible with WWStreet and also Rivit Street (if necessary). When I say it takes time, it's only a matter of two or three hours at the most. I don't think I took any longer the first time. So it doesn't matter if the street texture can't be "modified"!

[simmering 2,637]

I have used the diagonal streets feature. It is an enormous improvement. I can work much faster and make corrections quicker. Thank you! I have not noticed any issues.

[Jackspital 391]

What a fantastic dll mod! I have a quick question regarding the Slope Mod supplemental file that is included. If I have downloaded the Network Addon Mod - Tunnel and Slope Mod, can I remove this file from the supplemental files and the slope mod included in NAM 49?

 

 

[memo 1,444]

@Jackspital Yes, simply remove the slope mod for the Street network from the supplemental files. You also don't need the NAM 49 slope mod for the Rail network, as the tunnel and slope mod contains a compatible Rail slope mod.

From the description of the tunnel and slope mod:

Quote

NEW! NAM DLL Compatibility for Street Tunnels: the street network tuning parameters were modified to enable compatibility with street tunnel functionality introduced by the NAM DLL (found here). When using the NAM tunnel and slope mod, make sure to remove the street slope mod file included in the NAM-dll-supplemental-files folder.

 

[minos55 1]

Hello,

I am sorry for writing in this old post, but I am trying to install this and I have NAM full installed, then if I understand corectly if I want the tunnels from the NAM.dll and slopes from NAM - Tunnel and Slope Mod I have to install like I tried to write down there in that order?

And I probably would not need the SubwayPipeDepthFix.dat file from the zNAM_TunnelSlope_03b_Moderate_NAM_Full Set folder, cause another one is in the z_NAM_AdditionalTunnelSupport folder?

 

|-----NAM FULL folder
|-----zNAM_TunnelSlope_03b_Moderate_NAM_Full Set folder
|-----------NetworkAddonMod_Tunnel&SlopeMod_03b_Moderate_NAM.dat
|-----------SubwayPipeDepthFix.dat
|-----z_NAM_AdditionalTunnelSupport folder
|-----------NAM_Tunnels_Street_RequiresNAMdll.dat
|-----------SubwayPipeDepthFix.dat
|-----NAM-dll-supplemental-files folder
|-----------additional-network-shortcuts.dat
|-----------NAM_Tunnels_Street.dat
|NAM.dll

 

[memo 1,444]

NAM DLL version 1.3.0 is now available.

Installation: The best way to install the DLL is to use sc4pac to install the NAM, selecting nam50-beta: enabled during the install process. While it is possible to install the DLL manually for use with NAM 49, you need NAM 50-beta.1 (or later) to take full advantage of the new features.

The beta version of the NAM is currently only available with sc4pac, as it makes it easier for us to ensure correct installation of the files and to address any potential issues faster. The final release of NAM 50 will of course be made available with a stand-alone installer, as always.

Please report any issues you find, but please be kind and reasonable and don't repeat what has already been reported before. (As this is a beta version, a few things are still being worked on. Currently, this includes some issues related to diagonal intersections of Streets, SAM, Roads and One-Way Roads. Other than that, this release should be fairly stable. If necessary, you can always set nam50-beta: disabled to downgrade to 49.)

New features:

• Added a custom RUL2 engine: This is the single most important new feature of the DLL, as it
  • makes override networks much more stable
  • allows for tighter footprints (e.g. crossings of override networks that previously had to be placed one tile apart may now be placed directly adjacent to each other)
  • reduces the size of the NAM codebase by almost 90% and by more than 10 million lines, making it easier to maintain and reducing the chance of bugs. A lot of work has gone into this by the entire team, and it is why, starting with NAM 50-beta.1, the NAM cannot be used without the DLL anymore.
  • improves performance: The initial city load time is reduced by a huge amount if a NAM 50 controller is installed.
  • The 4GB patch is not strictly required anymore, as a result.
• Added slope-tolerance improvements for various network elements:
  • 45 degree curves of single-tile networks are slope-conforming now.
  • All starter pieces and many FLEX pieces are slope-tolerant now.
  • The FLEX On-slope pieces have been improved:
    • Their footprint has been minimized.
    • The sinkhole bug associated with them is fixed.
    • Networks can be dragged through the On-slope transition piece.
• The invisible cursor tile has been removed from all FLEX pieces. It now does not interfere with any lots or networks anymore.
• Added a fix for the Eternal Commuter Loop bug: Neighbor-to-neighbor routes that connect the city to the North and the city to the West are blocked by the path finder, so loops cannot form anymore.
• The ferry clearance height of bridges has been reduced from 30 to 20 meters (by @Null 45).
• Added an option to disable each individual patch for debugging purposes, by installing the optional NAM.ini file.

Other changes:

• The previously included tunnel and slope mod files have been removed from the supplemental files. To use the Street tunnels, install a compatible slope mod instead, such as NAM Tunnel & Slope Mod.

Images:

Eternal Commuter Loop fix:

Slope-tolerant starter pieces:

Slope-tolerant curves:

New On-Slope transition pieces with minimized footprint and better stability in tight situations:

On 1/9/2026 at 9:09 PM, minos55 said:

if I want the tunnels from the NAM.dll and slopes from NAM - Tunnel and Slope Mod I have to install like I tried to write down there in that order?

@minos55 The slope mod files have been removed from the supplemental files, as the current version of the NAM Tunnel and Slope mod is compatible with the Street tunnel functionality.

[nos.17 5,120]

Incredible developments by the team! Can't wait to give it a try!

[StevieKam84 46]

After this latest update the game runs incredibly smooth 

[CahosRahneVeloza 385]

Awesome Additions to the game.

Hopefully NAM 50 will eventually be made available as its own installer version too as I prefer installing mods the old fashioned way.

[Jamesthe1st 25]

Great work! Nice to see the eternal commuter bug won't be a problem anymore.

[TheMurderousCricket 5,055]

I think you may be able to finally convince me to upgrade.  Very interesting features - slope tolerant starters and curves are my fav (along ECB of course).

[Vahr 341]

Poking my head in after seeing the reddit thread - wow. Crazy all the stuff y'all have gotten done with DLL plugins!

[Aka 412]

The work looks impressive, even colossal! Is it possible to reduce the size of NAM by more than 90% using only DLLs? The loading time and stability of NAM, even without adding new features to NAM 49, would have been enough, but with the new features as well... Thank you for your work! I can't wait to try this new version (as soon as it's available for manual download).

[simmering 2,637]

I agree wholeheartedly with @Aka. Eternal Commuter Loop bug and sinkhole bug fixed, 4GB patch no longer required, ferry clearance height reduced, city load time reduced, slope-conforming curves and slope-tolerant starter and FLEX pieces - This is more of a quantum leap than an update. Congratulations!

[Propfam 2,288]

Congrats to all Namites for making the most anticipated and impactful things possible! I wish I can try the new NAM along with much improved stability, flexibility, and performance. But this year, I've been working on my bachelor degree really hard. Hopefully, I can graduate well this year and bring something new to the table. Sorry for my words. See ya next time!

Wait... before I truly leave, I have one really important question

Quote

What'd happen to an existing NAM installation when installing NAM 50? Will it got specially Cleanitol'd and make the installation easier? What'd happen to an existing city with previous NAM? Would the traffic calculations different?

Btw, thanks @Ulisse Wolf for informing me in the morning.

[Dgmc2013 873]

I think I don't have to exclude some neighbor connections anymore just to avoid the eternal commute bug 🙏

But, being more serious, that all great improvement in general, as also the slope tolerant curves. Thanks for the updates, great job guys, and waiting for the complete version!

[nikoxlaux 237]

Amazing!!!!

[Ulisse Wolf 4,412]

4 hours ago, Propfam said:

What'd happen to an existing NAM installation when installing NAM 50? Will it got specially Cleanitol'd and make the installation easier? What'd happen to an existing city with previous NAM? Would the traffic calculations different?

Those who install NAM manually will still have to follow the standard installation and update procedure. Cleaners are not provided because they are now obsolete and are being transformed into tools for migrating to the SC4Pac system.  The same thing happens if you upgrade to NAM 50: nothing changes in the cities, and the only thing that changes is the traffic, which has to be recalculated since the pathfinder has been modified.

[justforfun 7,802]

What you guys are doing is just incredible. I would absolutely love those sloping curves, the reduced bridge clearance, etc., plus my Thinkpad would appreciate the massive reduction of code. Now though let me ask a question: will NAM 50 be compatible with Maxis rail? I know I'll get a lot of heat for this, but there's just no way I can give up double diagonal rail - even at the cost of missing out on all these new goodies, sob! 

[Frank Goldberg 1]

how do you install the DLL file using SC4pac? is the DLL file on simtropolis?

[Ulisse Wolf 4,412]

11 minutes ago, Frank Goldberg said:

how do you install the DLL file using SC4pac? is the DLL file on simtropolis?

SC4Pac automatically installs it in the right place. It is not available on Simtropolis but on GitHub for the time being.

[CahosRahneVeloza 385]

Hoping an old school Java installer version will still be on the pipeline as I still prefer to install stuff manually. Moreso during a new computer build or after a system reinstall and I don't want to connect to the net just yet.

[kaimai 1,042]

I'll also have to wait for the Java installer, since I can't get SC4Pac installed and working on my setup for whatever reason. These are encouraging developments though.

[Ulisse Wolf 4,412]

11 hours ago, CahosRahneVeloza said:

Hoping an old school Java installer version will still be on the pipeline as I still prefer to install stuff manually. Moreso during a new computer build or after a system reinstall and I don't want to connect to the net just yet.

The JAVA installer version will be available when NAM 50 is released.

[rsc204 21,808]

22 hours ago, justforfun said:

Now though let me ask a question: will NAM 50 be compatible with Maxis rail?

That’s really more of a question regarding development of NAM Lite, since RRW will remain the default for the regular NAM release. 

NAM Lite continues to exist despite NAM 50, but it remains to be decided what parts will carry over. Some just don’t fit or meld into the philosophy of the Lite release. But I don’t doubt it will receive an update at some point and whatever improvements that are applicable will be carried over.

[Tarkus 6,932]

Regarding the installer, there's still discussion what form it'll take. Before RL went completely berserk for me (which it continues to be), I had been working on a revival of the .exe-based NSIS installer, and there was a rough internal build made with it. 

The Java installer would need to be redesigned in order for it to be feasibly used for the DLL Era NAM, since trying to handle a file architecture that requires installation into multiple directories is rather awkward at best currently, and would likely lead to a lot of installation errors and support requests if deployed as-is.  One of the main reasons for using it--macOS support--is also null and void now, since the NAM's now-required DLL cannot run on that platform.

Going back to NSIS would remove the Java requirement, allow for more intricate file architectures to be supported, potentially ease reinstall/upgrade processes, and while the codebase reduction has made it less of an issue, it can also automate the 4GB Patch routine.  There were still some noticeable teething issues with the internal build, however (including some odd Linux problems).  Either option (NSIS or Java) is going to require work before we can release a traditional installer again.

-Tarkus