Wanting to Create a Simple Greyscale Render of a Map

[IB22 23]

Hey Simtrop fam, 

I want to create a greyscale render of the San Diego - Tijuana area. I would just download a map, but the maps on this website do not include all of the smaller details, like rivers and small lakes. I know how to render maps with SC4MAPPER. All I need is a greyscale image of that whole area, so I can render it into Sc4mapper. If someone could simply give me a greyscale image, or a reliable website, it would be much appreciated. 

 

                                                  - Isaac 

[thecitiescenter 3,045]

On 6/7/2026 at 2:45 PM, IB22 said:

I want to create a greyscale render of the San Diego - Tijuana area. 

My San Diego-Tijuana map is accurately scaled and includes the entire dual-metro area all the way down to Rosarito, Mexico: TCC Maps - San Diego, CA-Tijuana, BC - Maps - Simtropolis

Since you're already familiar with SC4Mapper, you can just download my map and then open the SC4M file in SC4Mapper.  You can then export it as a greyscale from there, and do whatever you want with it... and then load it back in to create the region you want.

 

On 6/7/2026 at 2:45 PM, IB22 said:

I want to create a greyscale render of the San Diego - Tijuana area. I would just download a map, but the maps on this website do not include all of the smaller details, like rivers and small lakes. 

The reason why a lot of maps don't include rivers and lakes is that the maximum water level height in SC4 is 250m.  Anything above that and you basically start getting unrealistic cliffs or slopes around the water because the land will drop down to 250m before water shows up.  A lot of real world rivers and lakes are well above 250m making it problematic in game - so its better to use ploppable water for those areas.  Alternatively, you can flatten the terrain so that higher elevation water shows up - but then you lose the hills, mountains and elevation details (this is essentially what I did with maps like Minneapolis-St Paul or Folsom Lake in Sacramento).  It's a fine balancing act to get it the way you want it.  Good luck with it, be interested to see what you end up doing if you do use my map as a base.

 

 

[IB22 23]

@thecitiescenter 

I believe I've found a different map for my region already, but I will DEFINITELY use this one in the future, San Diego or not.

12 hours ago, thecitiescenter said:

 

The reason why a lot of maps don't include rivers and lakes is that the maximum water level height in SC4 is 250m.  Anything above that and you basically start getting unrealistic cliffs or slopes around the water because the land will drop down to 250m before water shows up.  A lot of real world rivers and lakes are well above 250m making it problematic in game - so its better to use ploppable water for those areas.  Alternatively, you can flatten the terrain so that higher elevation water shows up - but then you lose the hills, mountains and elevation details (this is essentially what I did with maps like Minneapolis-St Paul or Folsom Lake in Sacramento).  It's a fine balancing act to get it the way you want it.  Good luck with it, be interested to see what you end up doing if you do use my map as a base.

 

 

Thanks for that info on the water too. I've tried using ploppable water before, and I was terrible at it. But maybe I'll try it again. Thanks