The file used by SC4terraformer that "contain" all of the terrain information have an extension of .SC4M. This is the file used by SC4Terraformer to save the parameters and terraforming information of the region created (Export) as well as to read in the parameters and terraforming information of a region that was exported (Import).
This article will detail four functions within SC4Terraformer:
1) Exporting a .SC4M File from a Region Created in SC4Terraformer
2) Exporting a .SC4M File from a Region Created in SimCity 4
3) Importing a .SC4M File into SC4Terraformer
4) Saving a Region from SC4Terraformer
Exporting a .SC4M File from a Region Created in SC4Terraformer
There are two ways in which a .SC4M file can be exported:
-- After creating a region in SC4Terraformer, the region can be exported as a .SC4M file.
-- A region already rendered in SimCity 4 and saved to the Regions folder, it can be exported as a .SC4M file.
First, let's discuss how to export a .SC4M file from a region created in SC4Terraformer. The assumption is that you've already created a region in SC4Terraformer, the SC4Terraformer application is still running and you are ready to export the .SC4M file.
1) From the SC4Terrafomer Toolbar, click on the Global Tools drop down arrow.
2) From the Global Tools, click on the Export (SC4M/16bit png) button.
3) From the Export region as ... dialog box, navigate to where you wish to save the .SC4M file. (For example: C:\TEMP\NEW_REGION.)
4) From the Export region as ... dialog box, in the File name: field, type in a name for your .SC4M file.
5) From the Export region as ... dialog box, make sure the Files of type: field has SC4 Terrain files (*.SC4M) selected.
6) Click on the Open button.
7) From the Enter a html file that will be displayed on import, click on the Canel button. (This file is not needed to create a region.)
An Export done dialog box will be displayed. Click the OK button.
9) The .SC4M file has been created and saved on your computer in the folder stated in Step 3), above.
Exporting a .SC4M File from a Region Created in SimCity 4
Next, let's discuss how to export a .SC4M file from a region already created and rendered in SimCity 4. The assumption is that you already created and rendered the region in SimCity 4 and that the region exists in the following path:
\My Documents\SimCity 4\Regions\<NAME_OF_YOUR_REGION
where NAME_OF_YOUR_REGION is whatever you've named the region you're going to export as a .SC4M file.
1) Launch the SC4Terraformer application.
2) From the Browse for Folder dialog box, navigate to the where you saved your region (for example: \My Documents\SimCity 4\Regions\NAME_OF_YOUR_REGION.
3) Highlight the name of your region folder and click the OK button. (SC4Terraformer will read in your cities.)
4) From the Report dialog box, click on the OK button. Your SimCity 4 rendered region will now be displayed in the Main SC4Terraformer window.
5) From the SC4Terrafomer Toolbar, click on the Global Tools drop down arrow.
6) From the Global Tools, click on the Export (SC4M/16bit png) button.
7) From the Export region as ... dialog box, navigate to where you wish to save the .SC4M file. (For example: C:\TEMP\NEW_REGION.)
From the Export region as ... dialog box, in the File name: field, type in a name for your .SC4M file.
From the Export region as ... dialog box, make sure the Files of type: field has SC4 Terrain files (*.SC4M) selected.
9) Click on the Open button.
10) From the Enter a html file that will be displayed on import, click on the Canel button. (This file is not needed to create a region.)
11) An Export done dialog box will be displayed. Click the OK button.
12) The .SC4M file has been created and saved on your computer in the folder stated in Step 7, above.
Importing a .SC4M File into SC4Terrafomer
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Be sure you have placed both your .SC4M file and your config.bmp file in a folder BEFORE performing these steps.
1) Launch the SC4Terrafomer application.
2) From the Browse for Folder dialog box, navigate to the where you saved your .SC4M file. (For example: C:\TEMP\NEW_REGION.)
3) Highlight the name of your region folder and click the OK button. (SC4Terraformer will read in your .SC4M file.)
4) From the Report dialog box, click on the OK button. A blank, flat region is now be displayed in the Main SC4Terraformer window.
5) From the SC4Terrafomer Toolbar, click on the Global Tools drop down arrow.
6) Click on the Import Image button.
7) From the Import Image dialog box, in the Image field click on the Browse button (shown as three (3) periods ( ... )).
In the Chose an image dialog box, navigate to the folder in which you saved your .SC4M file.
9) Highlight the .SC4M file and click on the Open button.
10) From the Import Image dialog box, click on the OK button. Your SimCity 4 rendered image will now be shown (in SC4Terraformer colors) in the main SC4Terraformer window.
11) You have successfully imported your .SC4M image into SC4Terraformer and are ready to continue terraforming it and / or save it.
Saving an Imported Region in SC4Terraformer
Now that you've imported your .SC4M file and are finished terraforming it or are ready to save it as a new region, follow the below instructions:
1) From the main Terraformer window, in the menu at the top, click on File.
2) Click on the Save button.
3) From the Warning dialog box, click on the Yes button.
4) A Saving Region dialog box will be displayed with a progress bar.
5) Once the Saving Region dialog box closes, the new region has been saved.
6) Close the SC4Terraformer application.
7) Your region has been saved.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
When you create a region in SimCity 4, there is only one (1) file saved per city in the region. However, when you create a region in SC4Terraformer, there are three (3) file created for EACH city. These files are used by both SC4Terraformer and by SimCity 4. DO NOT delete any of these files or your region will either ono render properly or won't be displayed at all.
Note that these city files ARE NOT NEEDED when you are creating a zip archive to upload to the STEX. The minimum files needed for the zip archive are the .SC4M file, the config.bmp file and a Read Me file. Once you have saved the region onto your computer, DO NOT DELETE any of the files in the appropriate region folder under \My Documents\SimCity 4\ Regions\NAME_OF_YOUR_REGION.
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