kbooms1w

To the Mac Community: I've set up a BSC Mac Archive which can be found here: BSC Mac Archive All BSC releases uploaded here will be "Manual Install" Zip files. As of this post, there are only 2 files on the STEX from BSC that are exclusively ".exe" installed, Usakos Church and St. Martins Church. Usakos Church can be downloaded now, and as soon as I receive St. Martins in the Zip format, I will post it. Please read the accompanying "Read Me" files for installation instructions and other information regarding each BAT/Lot. EDIT: Actually, installation instructions will be here. If you have problems or questions regarding the BSC Mac Archive, please post them here, as BSC has no direct involvement with the download page. If you have problems or questions regarding installation that are not answered by the "Read Me" file EDIT: in this thread, please post them here. There are numerous people here in the Mac community who I am confident can help. In the next few days (or maybe weeks), I would like to pull together some of the excellent information from the various forums, such as plug-in folder management, textures and props, etc., to help get all of us in the Mac community up to speed on these issues. I hope everyone will contribute to this by answering questions and sharing their knowledge. Thanx kbooms1w

FAQ: FileJuicer and .exe installers Been meaning to post this for a while, finally have time to get it up. This should answer most questions anyone would have re: FileJuicer. If you have other questions/issues, please post here. I know there are a couple other threads out there, as well as numerous posts in the BSC Mac Archive thread, but I think I have everything gathered together in here now, should make things a little easier. What does FileJuicer do? In relation to SimCity 4, FileJuicer does one thing, it extracts SimCity 4 game files from within PC .exe installers that Macs can not run. Version 3.8 and above includes the capability to extract SC4 game files. (As of this date, the current version is 4.6.1) Just for clarity, it DOES NOT convert SC4 files from PC formats to Mac formats, the reason being that there is NO SUCH THING as a PC SC4 file and a Mac SC4 file. The SC4 game files, ,dat, .sc4lot, .sc4model, and .sc4desc, work exactly the same on PCs and Macs. What are the system requirements for FileJuicer 3.8 and up? FileJuicer requires at least fully updated Panther (i.e. 10.3.9). If you are using Jaguar (10.2.X), File Juicer 3.8 and above will not work. Will FileJuicer 2.9.3, which is compatible with Jaguar, extract SC game files? Unfortunately no. I asked if the SimCity code could be added to the Jaguar version, but it couldn't for technical reasons (way over my head), not because Henrik didn't want to. This leaves some Mac users here in the cold. Again, I hope those in the Mac community who can use FileJuicer will help out those who can't. Should I check or uncheck any file formats in the FileJuicer preferences? There are only 3 file formats that need be checked when extracting SimCity game files from a BSC or Pegasus .exe: ZIP, CAB (which will get the SC4 game files), and HTML and PDF (for "Read Me" files) You MAY also check "JPG" to extract pictures (though I would recommend not doing so) and "ASCII" and "RTF" to extract text, which is the format CSX and some BLS "Read Me" files are in. The problem is File Juicer will extract all text it can find, and you may end up with numerous "TXT" files in the "TXT" folder. It's not difficult to find the "Read Me" file, it will be the only one that makes any sense when you open and look at it, the rest will look like code. DO NOT check the "PNG" file format in the Preferences. PNG files are used for in game menu icons and are included within .dat files, which go into the game. If you check PNG in the preferences, File Juicer will extract "PNG" files from .dat files, and then those icons will not show up in the SC game menus. Of course, File Juicer can be used to extract lots of other types of files besides SC game files, so if you use it on other .exe files, check the preferences you need, but be sure to reset them when extracting for SimCity. There are a ton of files extracted, which ones do I need? The files you need will be the same files you are used to seeing in Zip files; .dat, .sc4lot, .sc4model, and .sc4desc (rarely, if ever used by BSC); and of course the "Read Me" files, which are in HTML, PDF, and TXT file formats. These files will come out with the proper names and file formats you are used to seeing (except the TXT "Read me" files, which may or may not, you will have to look for them). The other files are not needed. IGNORE THEM, they are just leftovers from the process, and there is no need to put them in your plugins folder (and I would recommend you don't, but it's your computer). Do I have to pay the $12 for FileJuicer? There is a trial period with FileJuicer, so you can try it out before purchasing. Please bear in mind, Henrik, the creator of FileJuicer, literally spent 3 days straight adding the code to allow FileJuicer to extract SC4 game files, and he didn't do it because I asked him nicely. I know it's frustrating to have to pay for things that PC users don't, but that's the "Mac Tax," the price we pay for using a better computer. So please show Henrik that you appreciate his efforts. Will FileJuicer work on all .exe installers? In relation to SC4, FileJuicer was specifically coded to extract SC4 game files from the Clickteam installer used by the BSC team and PEG of Pegasus Productions. It's my understanding that some other BAT/Lot/Mod creators are using a different .exe installer on the STEX, FileJuicer MAY OR MAY NOT work on that installer. FileJuicer was not coded to work on other installer programs that other BAT/Lot makers may be using. Quirks, Bugs and Glitches: There does seem to be the occasional problem with certain files when using FileJuicer. Don't know why, not sure they can be fixed, but I'll list the known problems here: Strange file names: I have noticed with some files, particularly BSC Mega Prop packs, that the names don't always "juice" properly, for example, when juicing BSC MEGA Props MBEAR Vol02, the file comes out named: "Install BSC MEGA Props MBEAR Vol02 [197643]-5.dat" which isn't correct, but the file is fine. If you want it to have the proper name, just rename it, taking out "Install" and "[######]-#" (they seem to come out with different numbers), the proper name being the underlined section (be sure to keep the ".dat"), leaving you with: "BSC MEGA Props MBEAR Vol02.dat" Mods won't extract: For some reason, certain mods from Jeronij and Cycledogg aren't juicing at all. I have no idea why, mods are usually .dat files, and are no different than other game files. If you juice a mod and nothing comes out at all, post here (be specific, if I don't know which package you're talking about, no one can help). IF I CAN NOT get it to work either, I'll post a Zip file of the mod at the BSC Mac Archive, but as Zelgadis mentioned in another thread (and as I explained months ago in the BSC Mac Archive thread), neither of us are going to use our .Mac sites to post every BAT/Lot/mod out there. PLEASE USE THIS FORUM FOR POSTING QUESTIONS/ISSUES RE: FILEJUICER

FileJuicer won't work on the LotEditor .exe (see the FAQs above), nor will LotEditor work on a Mac. And aren't .sit file just StuffIt packages, which can be opened with StuffIt, or most other Zip files extractors.

Kelton is correct, and if you can afford it, please pay the shareware fee for FileJuicer, the creator (not me) spent quite a bit of time on it and deserves a few bucks. Thanks

For some reason, over the last month or two, the BSC Mac Archive has been getting slammed with usage. I'm currently at 90% of my allotted usage, and when I hit 100%, .Mac shuts it down automatically for a period of time. Not sure why this is happening of late, it's never happened before. For the time being, the page will be password protected, and I'm not sure how I'll proceed in the future. I don't want to take it down, but I also don't want to pay extra to maintain it. If you need the password, PM me, though I will say I will be giving priority to Mac users. In theory, I don't have a problem with PC users downloading from there, but since there are so many more PC users out there, it kind of defeats the purpose of the Archive if Mac users are end up losing access to it because of too much usage. And just to be clear, I'm not "blaming" PC users, or anyone else, I have no idea why the traffic has spiked, could just be a few people "catching up" on downloading a ton of stuff, I'm just trying to keep .Mac from shutting it down and forcing me to pay more. EDIT: Actually, the Archive will be down for a while, I'm going to be making some changes, don't know when exactly it will be back up, hopefully not too long.

No, I wrote that wrong. DONT put them in the Plugins, they go in Regions. My Documents = Documents Programs = Applications was all I was trying to say, whether it's Regions, Plugins, etc.

Yes, the EA version and the Aspyr port read game files the same, performance is a whole different matter. I'm guessing you transferred them to the wrong Plugins folder, PC to Mac translation are: MyDocs/.../Plugins (pc) = Documents/.../Plugins (mac) This is the one to transfer for Regions Programs/.../Plugins (pc) = Applications/.../Plugins (mac) Did you get Windows installed? or are you playing on the Mac side? Don't give up on the Bootcamp/Windows installation, once you get it up and running, the game is much better on the Windows side.

No, I went to a friends and burned it on her PC, but I don't see why you wouldn't be able to do it on your Mac. jeffypop, if you can hear it, that may the problem, it shouldn't be that loud. Those were my only two glitches, other than the overall problem of Windows sucking ;-)

Originally posted by: jeffypop Hmm... yeah, everything seemed okay at first. I got it partitioned and everything... but then when it rebooted it gave me a blank screen and didn't start the XP installation. I left it for 30 min (cuz a lot of people on other boards said they encountered the same issue DURING the actual setup process, but it eventually corrected itself)... alas, for me, nothing happened. So I rebooted and now every time I try to boot into XP, it gives me the blank screen. I'll try a fresh install once more, but has anyone else experienced this problem? Like I said, most people get it during the driver installation or somewhere else in the XP setup... but for me it happens right at reboot. Maybe I should just buy the mac version of the game... but I have a billion plugins already. Can I just copy the already-extracted ones to the mac, or are there compatibility issues? And does it work on intel macs, because supposedly it won't without a plugin that's offered on the aspyr site... and that said, I can't find it anywhere. Clearly, I'm too confused to know which direction to go in. I don't know what decision to make. I've read bad reviews of the mac-version. But I have been playing Sim City since the old skool days and I get antsy when I have to spend so much time without it. quote> I'm not sure about your specific problem. I had 2 problems with Windows, first the Windows disc was too fat and wouldn't finish the installation, corrected that by copying the Windows disc to a blank and it installed fine. Second, I use to have problems with peripherals, in that Windows wouldn't recognize my external HD (used for back up only, not start up or anything else). Maybe try disconnecting any external devices on the Mac side before booting on XP? I know it seems minor, but it was enough to stop the booting process on mine, could be something similar? If not, the Apple forums are your best bet, though it sounds like you've been in there. Good luck.

Takes a few clicks to wipe out the Windows partition, without touching the Mac side. It's pretty easy, just read everything before you start, it'll be fine.

Freakin' ridiculous

Originally posted by: corryzahn the only thing I can't figure out, is what key do I use to rotate a building? It's END on the PC, but there IS NO END KEY on my macbook. It's the only thing that doesn't work... otherwise, it actually runs better on my new macbook than it did on the old laptop. quote> Use the "fn" key (lower left hand corner of your keyboard) in combo with the arrow keys (don't remember which one exactly off the top of my head) for those functions.

They aren't in the right type of installer, so FJ won't work on them, and they're not BSC, so you'll have to contact the creator. Sorry.

Been running it for 2-3 months, works fine, BAT, LE, etc. as well, all work good.

SFBT Highway Bridge Construction Set is up (wasn't juicing properly). Just place the whole "SFBT" folder in your Document/.../Plugins folder.

"Highway Bridge Kit" doesn't turn up anything at the STEX, and there are numerous "Tree Mods" by Cycledogg, you have to be more specific.

Hi Geoffhaw, Requesting an IID range, no preference. Thanks.

Originally posted by: bwatterud w00t!!!! Another good thing to add would be the original menu management lots, by Andreas Roth. File Juicer can only extract a single text file (sound familiar?). There was supposed to be a Mac compatible download at this thread but I couldn't find it.quote> Another mod that doesn't juice, don't know what the deal is with certain mods. I'll run the .exe and post the files at the Mac Archive, but don't tell anyone...

MikeSeith's stuff can be downloaded from the STEX, they are in Zips, not installers, no need to put them at the Mac Archive.

Yeah, I have to second Zelgadis on the "Firefox at ST" thing, Safari is very glitchy here.

LITP: I don't know what NDEX props you're talking about, nor which McDonalds, you have to be more specific. Shooshie, when ST was most recently updated, links went dead, but the link in my sig to the BSC Mac Archive is fine. And for BATs that light up on Macs, look for the MacPacks by Goaskin on the STEX

Unfortunately, the BAT lighting fix isn't a separate file like the bldgprop files, it's an update that changes an existing file, specifically written for the PC version.

Good job, Zelgadis, let me know if you need anything.

I've uploaded rayced's zip file of Jeronij's Concrete Diaganol Walls at the BSC Mac Archive. Link is in my sig. Big thanks to rayced for putting this together and Guido831 for figuring out the fix. rayced, do you still need the swi21 MegaPack?