? regarding multiple .sc4lot per .sc4model

[pjot 20]

Are you trying to make many lots with the same BAT on it? In that case it's easier to just make a lot in LE and save as then change the size of the lot and fix it up then save as again.

But maybe I didn't get you question I often make things more complicated than they actually are. So try the easiest way first, it's not always longer.

[Trigger_tre 1]

Well considering I have already added custom png, wav, & trk files I would hate to have to go back to LOTEditor. Doing so would reset all 6 entry values for each lot so 24 entry values total. This wouldnt be impossible to fix just a hassle and I thought there would be an easier way.

I am almost certain I could remedy this by changing specified instance IDs I just am not certain which ones EXACTLY.

Ooops, I just realized I posted this in the Modding-Research & Development forum. This should rather be in the Modding-Open Discussion forum I believe. If a handy moderator could move this topic I would appreciate it.

-trigger

[Trigger_tre 1]

I have a question regarding the use of multiple .sc4lot files for one .sc4model file.

Take note that this is still my first BAT am trying to perfect it as best I can. I also dont know how to create .dat files so this is my baby step in that direction.

I created a 3x1 & 2x1 BAT model. Using one .sc4lot file I basically copied the .sc4lot file four times and changed its file name, exemplar name, etc.

I changed the instance IDs for all the custom sound and png files for each of the 4 .sc4lot files.

However, even though they all have different file names, lot exemplar names, and building exemplar names,....I still only get 1 icon ingame.

I am about 98% sure this is because the instance ID for certain entries are the same. I know how to change them I just dont know EXACTLY which ones to change. Below is a picture of two different .sc4lot files with the same instance ID.





The 50d056af instance ID is the same in all the .sc4lot files . I know I need to change these but do I change ALL the similar 50d056af values for properties such as the PluginPackID property in the building exemplar, as well as the item Icon, lot resorce key, (are there more I need to change?)

I also have another question which is not as important. The XML file between the LOT&BUILDING exemplars (what is its purpose?) I have not altered that file at all since I first made the .sc4lot file and almost all of the values in it have changed so none of the values in the building exemplar match it anymore. I have not notice any problems with ingame testing and is this XML File even needed?

I looked at many different LOTs from the STEX to give me an idea but I would like to double check here before I venture down a dead end road.

thanks in advance, and yes I have searched unsuccesfully.

-trigger

[Andreas Roth 616]

As pjot suggested, it's easier to do a save as in the Lot Editor than manually messing with the IDs. I consider myself as an advanced modder, but even with my rather extensive knowledge, I try to minimize any errors by using the available tools as much as possible. Do the individual lots share the same custom sounds, PNGs etc.? If yes, it would be wise to put them in an external DAT file in order to save resources. This will also reduce the filesize of your lots and therefore the download, in case you intend to upload them to the STEX.

Moving stuff to another DAT is very easy with the Reader. Just mark everything, right-click and select copy file(s). Now, select File/New and click on the blank.dat in the sidebar on the left. Right-click again and select paste file(s). All files will be copied to the new DAT. Now, select File/Save as and enter a new name, i. e. your_lot_name_sounds_and_query.dat. Finally, remove the files from your lot by right-clicking and selecting Remove.

 

It's always wise to complete editing the lots and then add stuff like custom queries, sounds etc. But as you can see, it's easy to move the stuff between the files by a simple copy&paste. You can use the same technique for combining several files to a DAT, or you can use Files2DAT (also created by ilive) or the FileMerger function that comes with SC4Tool. You can also safely delete the XML files, they're only needed for transferring information between the BAT, the Plugin Manager and the Lot Editor. Once the exemplar files are created, they are not longer needed.

 

P. S.: I moved the thread to the Modding - Open Discussion forum.

[Trigger_tre 1]

Yes, I usually try to save the sound & png files for last. However I had Cogeo look my final product and he made a few suggestions to improve my LOT.

I guess using the LOTEditor would probably save me from future errors/headaches. I just did not want to have to redo all the WAV,PNG,TRK files since those get messed up every time you save in LOTEditor.

A side note...the Query sounds and Plop sounds are all the same for each .sc4lot file. The PNG files are all different for each .sc4lot file.

There is a problem though, by using LOTEditor I would have to re-insert the WAV,PNG,TRK files. For some reason I am getting access denied errors on my png files(outside of the reader) for some reason Microsoft Picture It 10 is locking those images I used for the ICONs in the reader. So at the moment I wont be able to re-insert those images.

I might have to resort to MSPaint

In the meantime I will educate myself on .dat files...SOOOO much to learn.

I also have a question about one of the PNG File entries. I know the smaller one with 4 pictures is needed for the item ICON to display properly ingame. However is the other PNG File necessary? It doesnt seem to affect anything regardless of its size so can I delete this as well? It just seems like a waste of valuable space.

-trigger

[Andreas Roth 616]

Date: 2/7/2006 10:01:34 AM Author: Trigger_tre 

 I also have a question about one of the PNG File entries. I know the smaller one with 4 pictures is needed for the item ICON to display properly ingame. However is the other PNG File necessary? It doesnt seem to affect anything regardless of its size so can I delete this as well? It just seems like a waste of valuable space. -trigger

quote>

 

I think the other PNG is used for the official SimCity.com exchange - most probably, you can delete it without any impact on the game.

[Trigger_tre 1]

thank you Andreas Roth,

Once again you have been most helpful.

The xfer to .dat was actually very easy and by merging them to the seperate .dat file I wont have to worry about LOTEditor messing up the PNG,WAV, & TRK files.

Amazing how much space the .dat files can save. I will basically shaved off about 270kb just from the 3 less query sounds & 3 less plop sound files. Add that to the LTEXT files I will eventually merge and that is a noticeable amount of space saved.

-trigger