Simtropolis Help Squad

Author: Dirktator Please bear with us while links are updated. Please PM Dirktator or STomnibus if you have any questions about this article. This guide will help you install all the custom content found on the STEX CD. Additional help is always available online, so if a problem exists that is not covered here, please visit us and find the answers you need! We are here to help! Thanks to Simtropolis moderator, DragonAnime for helping with this guide! How to Install STEX BATS and Lots How to Render STEX Maps How to Fix Missing Props & Buildings How to Organize Your Plugins Folder Common Definitions Frequently Asked Questions For additional help and information, please visit the forums. Post a question if an issue is not covered here. How to Install STEX BATs and Lots Installing SimTropolisEXchange BATs and lots is a very simple task, first off you will need to know what a BAT is. A BAT is commonly known to the members of Simtropolis as a 3-D model that is made using what the BAT stands for, Building Arcitect Tool. If you would like to use the BAT to make your own custom content you might want to check here, and a great tutorial here*, and you remember hearing the term "lot", what is that you ask? A lot is the entire structure of something in Simcity, including the building, fauna, decor, and ground tiles, and you may create your own lot using the Lot Editor program, which is defined as an official Maxis release that allows for customization of lots in SC4, using this program you may move props, buildings, trees, etc. This program may be found here. You didn't want a guide explaining how to use the Lot Editor, and the Building Architect program now did you? Now that you know what BATs and a lots are, you are ready to install these two different types of custom content. Every BAT and lot you see must be unzipped and installed to the My Documents/Simcity4/Plugins folder, or a sub folder in the plugins folder. It is also very important to read the READ ME file that might come with the BAT and or lot you download to the plugins folder, because it might have different instructions to install it otherwise. How to Render STEX Maps SimCity 4 can create new regions from grey scale jpeg files. It does so by interpreting 256 shades of grey into a "height map", with shades closer to white being higher and shades closer to black being lower. A medium grey represents sea level. Once again installing STEX maps is quite a simple task that is very likely to be mistaken in the Simtropolis community for a hard task to do. First off create a new folder in the My Documents/Simcity4/Regions and name it whatever you would like the region to be named (I will name it Long Beach). Next, please download the .jpg to the folder you have created, My Documents/Simcity4/Regions/Long Beach (i.e.). You should see "config.bmp". You need this for the region in-game to be configured correctly. Install this also to your My Documents/Simcity4/Regions/Long Beach (i.e.), make sure to rename it "config.bmp" once it is in your folder. Next you are ready to render your map to your SimCity 4 game. Now, go to the open region icon, then find your region folder you have named, once the region has loaded you should see a whole region of plains, this is normal. Hold Shift+Alt+Ctrl+R to open up a window of your folders. Navigate to find your region which should be in the My Documents/Simcity4/Regions/Long Beach (i.e.). Now, click on the jpg file, it should show an hour glass, this is normal, and then it will begin rendering the map, you will see it loading, small city, medium city, and large city tiles for the whole process of rendering. This will take any amount of time, resulting from your computer speed or the region size. Some last quick things to know: The default location for the maps if you can not get the region to work in the My Documents/Simcity4/Regions location, try using the C: Documents and Settings"UserName"My DocumentsSim City 4Regions location for all of the steps above. How to Fix Missing Props and Buildings This is also very easy to fix. How do you know you are missing props or buildings? Well if you are missing certain things on the lot, whether it is trees, cars, or a whole building, it is usually when props or buildings are missing. This is because a user is missing certain dependencies which are required for the lot or BAT to work correctly. The most common solution to fixing this is reading the READ ME file, this gives links or descriptions of where you can get the desired dependency. The most common problem of missing props and buildings is a brown box over your BAT or lot with Simcity.com written along it. It is also a very good idea to have the building and vehicle props from the official site for most user created lots to function correctly. They can be found here, these should be installed to the My Documents/Simcity4/Plugins folder, like all other downloadable content. How to Organize Your Plugins Folder This can be a very long and dreaded task, but once you are done you will be very happy with the result. For me, the easiest way to organize my plugins folder is creating individual folders for different things I download, i.e. a seperate folder for mods, skyscrapers, low rises, miscellaneous (this can be highway lights, or highway sound barriers, it doesn't matter), parks, educational facilities, whatever you choose. From those different folders, it is a very good idea to have many sub-categories, like in your skyscraper folder you have created, I would have many ones like NDEX, jtportland, PDA, etc, etc. Also in the mod folder, it would be a good idea to keep different folders like train mods, plane mods, regular mods, your water and rock texture mods, and any other mods you may use, this is very necessary because mods can conflict with eachother, so you can quickly remove the different mod if you need, that is another reason why it is good to keep your plugins folder organized. There was a good organizing your plugins folder set here. Common Definitions BAT: Any building or other structure created with the Building Architect Tool. BSC: The BSC stands for the BAT Squad Certification. These are folks assigned to help BAT lot development and quality. Custom Content: Anything that adds on to or modifies SimCity 4, excluding official Maxis releases. Gmax: A stripped-down, free version of 3DS Max that allows for modeling and creating of 3-D objects in video games such as Simcity 4. Growable: A lot that grows on its own when zoned for in SC4. Landmarks: Supplementary ploppable buildings in SC4 that are based on real-world structures, and provide a boost to commerce. LEX: An abbreviation for the former Lot EXchange, which was replaced with the STEX. Lot: The entire structure of something in Simcity, including the building, fauna, decor and ground tiles. Lot Editor: An official Maxis release that allows for customization of lots in SC4. You can move props, buildings, trees etc. Maps: The layout of the terrain of your region. You can download one from the STEX, or make one yourself. MEX: An abbreviation for the former Map EXchange, which was replaced with the STEX. Mod: A file that somehow changes the game. This can range from different textures, to ordinances, to tools within the game. These are usually made independently from Maxis by modders. NDEX: A team of excellent BATers. NDEX is an acronym for the original members: N74704, DuskTrooper, Equinox, and an X for asthetics. Network Addon Mod (NAM): A mod created by modding experts to enhance the transportation capabilites of Simcity 4. PDA: A BATing threesome. It stands for Poole, Diamond, Ardecila. Poole is jtportland, Diamond is geoffdiamond. Ploppable: A lot that can be placed directly in the game without having to zone for it. RCI Ploppable: Ploppable building that provides jobs. It is currently not possible to account for the Residential part, because of abandonment due to high commute times. Region: A large plot of land comprising of many cities. Each of these cities are playable, and can make various deals with their adjacent cities. Frequently Asked Questions F.A.Q. The purpose of this section is to answer some common questions that may be asked about downloadable content in the SimCity4 game. Q I see all the props on a downloaded lot from the STEX, but the building, why is this happening? A This is simply because you are missing the building props from the official maxis site, you can find those here. Q I see the building on a SimGoober building I have downloaded, but no cars, props? A This is simply because you are missing a dependency that is needed for the BAT to function correctly with all the props, check the read me file for a link. Q I am confused with these Auto Installers that BSC, and SimGoober use in most of their BATs, can you explain? A Of course! These Auto Installers install the BAT, lot, props you download to a special folder My Documents/Simcity4/STEX downloads so you have any of that team's content you download easily and available to delete or modify if you'd like. Q I am always getting an error saying incorrect region size, care to explain? A You may have not downloaded the config.bmp required for that region to work correctly, that file can be found next to the .jpg greyscale file at the map download/save file page. Q I am still getting error messages when rendering a map, what else could be wrong? A Some things to try: make sure the .JPG is a greyscale jpeg and not simply a grey RGB jpeg. You can use an application like Photoshop to convert an image to greyscale and try again. You may want to try to resize the JPG down to no more than 1025 wide and no more than 1025 high. Some PCs may have trouble with sizes larger than this. Q I see all these different categories on the STEX, All files, Lot files, BAT files, Prop files, 3Ds files, Textures, Maps, and one that says upload, can you tell me what these all mean? A No problem! All files is a current listing of every single file on the STEX. Lot files are files created with the Lot Editor program that have been uploaded to the STEX for anyone to use. BAT files are those of created with the Building Architect Tool, prop files are used in many BAT and lot files design that are required for those different BATs and lots to work properly. 3Ds files stand for 3D files that are use for editing in the BAT program for anyone's use to finish, but make sure to give the original uploader's credit . If you have any questions about this article, please PM Dirk or STomnibus.

There are a few different map formats on the STEX that you need to be aware of. The following tutorials will explain how to install each format. Installing a Region Downloaded from the STEX Original Author: MallowTheCloud Rewrite: Vandy The original information for this article was written by MallowTheCloud and all credit goes to him. Other contributors to this information include the following: blade2k5 hym sim1234 T Wrecks This information has been consolidated, rewritten and presented in this article. Please note that this article ONLY covers information for installing standard region maps on the STEX. Information for installing SC4Terraformer-created maps and SC4Mapper created maps is covered in the tutorials below. There is a definite set of steps which need to be following in order to successfully install a map downloaded from the STEX into SimCity 4. Faithfully following the below steps will install a map in almost all instances. At the end of these steps, there are a number of caveats and exceptions listed that could occur when installing a map as well as possible solutions for them. Downloading the Map Files from the STEX 1) Find a map to be downloaded by searching the STEX. Note the name of the map. 2) Navigate to the following path: \\My Documents\Sim City4\Regions. (Typically, this path is under the C:\ drive path.) 3) Create a new folder naming it with the same name as the map to be downloaded. Note the name of the folder created. 4) Go back to the STEX, and click on the map link to open the Map Window. 5) Once the Map Window is opened, there typically is a picture of the map image and a picture of the config.bmp file. 6) To download the map image, click on the Download link to display the grayscale image for the map. 7) Right-mouse click on the image and select the "Save picture as..." choice. Navigate to the region folder created in Step 3), above. 9) Save the grayscale map image in the region folder using the default name of the file. 10) In the top right-hand corner of the Map Window, click on the "Back" link. 11) If there is a Config.bmp link (not all map files have a config.bmp file), click on the link to open the File Download dialog box. NOTE: Concerning config.bmp Files. If the map being downloaded does not have a config.bmp file included, one must be created before installing the map. Please consult the Config.bmp: HowTo Make It Yours article for instructions on creating a config.bmp file. 12) In the FIle Download dialog box, click on the "Save" button. 13) Navigate to the region folder created in Step 3), above. 14) Ensure the file name is config.bmp then click on the "Save" button. 15) The map has been downloaded and saved to the computer. Installing the Map Files into SimCity 4 16) Launch the SimCity 4 game. 17) From the Main Menu of SimCity 4, Click on "Load Region" and open an EXISTING region. 18) THEN click on "Load Region" and open the region created in Step 3), above. 19) The configuration of the the config.bmp is displayed. 20) On the keyboard, press and hold the following key combination: Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R. NOTE: Wireless Keyboards Typically, wireless keyboards do not support more than three simultaneous key combinations. It will be necessary to use the appropriate key combination for the wireless keyboard being used to simulate the Ctrl+Alt+Shift+R combination. The normal wireless keyboard combination to use is [Alt Gr] + Shift + R. 21 This will bring up the Grayscale Image File dialog box. 22) Browse to the folder created in Step 3), above. 23) Select the grayscale map image JPG file and click on the OK button. 24) SimCity 4 starts to render the region and a "Creating New City" screen appears. BE PATIENT. Depending upon the size of the region, the number of city tiles and the speed of the computer, rendering of the region takes anywhere from five (5) minutes up to a number of hours to complete. Caveats and Exceptions to Installing a Region. SimCity 4 won't recognize the grayscale JPG map image If this problem occurs in Step 23) above, try typing in the name of the region in the File Name box of the Grayscale Image File dialog box. It has been reported that doing this will cause the grayscale JPG map image to be recognized. Ensure the map image being used is actually a true grayscale image of 256 colors. Open the grayscale JPG map image in a graphics editor such as Irfanview, GIMP, Paint Shop Pro, PhotoShop, etc. If it is not a 256 color grayscale, convert it and resave it. Then, use the converted and saved image in Step 23), above. There are holes in the rendered region or the region stops rendering. Ensure that all screen savers and other minor background tasks are turned off before launching SimCity 4. These type of interruptive applications interfer with the rendering of a SimCity 4 region. It might be desired to turn off the monitor while rendering if there is concern about image burn-in on the monitor screen. If this is done, be sure and periodically check on the status of the rendering by turning the monitor back on. If multiple accounts are being used on the computer, ensure that the logged on account is not exited while rendering. Pressing Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R does not bring up the Grayscale Image File dialog box. Before pressing the key combination, try pressing the "Esc" key on the keyboard a few times. If pressing "Esc" does not work, try creating a different region folder with a slightly different name. Copy the map files into the new folder and follow the installation steps above again. After rendering, the land is at different heights but it is all under water. It is possible there is something installed in the SimCity 4 plug-in folder that alters height. Ensure there isn't a heigh altering file in the plug-in folder. It is possible the downloaded map requires a height mod. Ensure the description has been thoroughly read to determine if a height mod is necessary for the map to render properly. Installing a Map Created by SC4Terraformer Author: Vandy Installing a map created by SC4Terraformer is quite different than creating a grayscale map image and installing it in SimCity 4. The following information details the necessary steps to install a map in SC4 that was created by SC4Terraformer. NOTE: File Format for SC4Terraformer-Created Maps The typical file type for SC4Terraformer-created maps is a zip archive ( .ZIP ). These instructions assume that the map files are contained in a zipped archive. Occasionally, a SC4Terraformer -created map may only contain a .SC4M file (which is the file used by SC4Terraformer). If a zipped archive is not the file type to download, ensure you download whatever files are available for the map and place them in the folder you designated for the map files (as shown in the below instructions). 1) On your computer, determine a folder location to which the map file will be downloaded. 2) Find a SC4Terraformer created map to be downloaded by searching the STEX. Note the name of the map. 3) Click on the Download link of the map. 4) Click on the "Save" button. 5) Navigate to the folder location identified in Step 1), above then click the "Save" button. 6) In the folder location identified in Step 1), above open the zipped archive. 7) If the zipped archive contains folders, extract the files using the “Use folder names” option. Otherwise, just extract the files. Navigate to your \My Documents\SimCity4\Regions folder and create a folder named the same as the downloaded map. 9) Copy the downloaded map’s config.bmp file into the newly named region folder. NOTE: Concerning config.bmp Files. If the map being dowloaded does not have a config.bmp file included, one must be created before installing the map. Please consult the Config.bmp: HowTo Make It Yours article for instructions on creating a config.bmp file. 10) Launch the SC4Terraformer application and open the newly named region folder. 11) In the SC4Terraformer Toolbar, click on the Global Tools drop down arrow. 12) Click on Import image then click on the Browse button (shown as … in a button). 13) From the “Choose an image” dialog box, navigate to the folder in Step 1), above and select the .SC4M file. 14) Double-click the .SC4M file to enter it into the “Import image” dialog box. 15) Click the OK button to import the .SC4M file into the SC4Terraformer application. 11) In the SC4Terraformer window, click on File – Save (or Ctrl+S). 16) At the “Warning” dialog box, click the Yes button. 17) The SC4Terraformer application creates and saves city information in your newly created region sub-folder. 18) Close the SC4Terraformer application and launch the SimCity 4 application. 19) Open the newly created region. 20) The new region is displayed and colored as it was seen in SC4Terraformer. 22) Open a city but DO NOT reconcile the edges. VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: DO NOT reconcile the edges. 23) The city will be displayed in SimCity 4 colors and terrains. The city is now ready for development. 24) Make sure to save the city before exiting it. 25) Repeat Steps 22) through Step 24) for each city in the map. Note that the process explained in Step 22) through Step 24) above can be done on each city during the same SimCity 4 session or be done on an “as you go / when ready” basis. Once all the cities have been rendered in SimCity4, the entire region will be displayed in SimCity colors and terrains and be ready for development. Installing a Map Created by SC4Mapper Author: Vandy Installing a map created by SC4Mapper is quite different than creating a grayscale map image and installing it in SimCity 4. The following information details the necessary steps to install a map in SC4 that was created by SC4Mapper. NOTE: File Format for SC4Mapper-Created Maps The typical file type for SC4Mapper-created maps is a zip archive ( .ZIP ). These instructions assume that the map files are contained in a zipped archive. Occasionally, a SC4Mapper -created map may only contain a .SC4M file (which is the file used by SC4Mapper). If a zipped archive is not the file type to download, ensure you download whatever files are available for the map and place them in the folder you designated for the map files (as shown in the below instructions). 1) On your computer, determine a folder location to which the map file will be downloaded. 2) Find a SC4Mapper created map to be downloaded by searching the STEX. Note the name of the map. 3) Click on the Download link of the map. 4) Click on the "Save" button. 5) Navigate to the folder location identified in Step 1), above then click the "Save" button. 6) In the folder location identified in Step 1), above open the zipped archive. 7) If the zipped archive contains folders, extract the files using the “Use folder names” option. Otherwise, just extract the files. Navigate to your \My Documents\SimCity4\Regions folder and create a folder named the same as the downloaded map. 9) Copy the downloaded map’s config.bmp file into the newly named region folder. NOTE: Concerning config.bmp Files. If the map being dowloaded does not have a config.bmp file included, one must be created before installing the map. Please consult the Config.bmp: HowTo Make It Yours article for instructions on creating a config.bmp file. 10) Launch the SC4Mapper application. 11) From the Toolbar, click on the Create Region button. 12) From the "Do you want to create a region from?" prompt, click on the SC4M button. 13) From the "Choose a SC4M file" dialog box, navigate to the folder in Step 1), above. 14) Highlight the .SC4M file and either double-click on it or click on the Open button. 15) The .SC4M file will be imported into SC4Mapper and display on-screen in a 2D overview with city borders. 16) Click on the Save Region button. 17) In the "Region Name" dialog box, enter the name of the region you've downloaded and click the OK button. 18) Once the save is completed, click on the Quit button. 19) In the "SC4Mapper" dialog box, click on the Yes button to quit the application. 20) Open the newly created region. 21) The new region is displayed and colored as it was seen in SC4Mapper. 22) Open a city but DO NOT reconcile the edges. VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: DO NOT reconcile the edges. 23) The city will be displayed in SimCity 4 colors and terrains. The city is now ready for development. 24) Make sure to save the city before exiting it. 25) Repeat Steps 22) through Step 24) for each city in the map. Note that the process explained in Step 22) through Step 24), above, can be done on each city during the same SimCity 4 session or be done on an “as you go / when ready” basis. Once all the cities have been rendered in SimCity4, the entire region will be displayed in SimCity colors and terrains and be ready for development.

Hello Simtropolians! We are now accepting applications for the Simtropolis Help Squad! Its been a while since our last en-masse recruiting, and we decided that it was about time we did it again, especially with the release of CXL and our new Omnibus having happed since then. The SHS (Simtropolis Help Squad) was created to write new and update existing articles in the Omnibus. In addition, SHS members often assist with members problems on the forums and chat. In order to be able to do this, SHS members are expected to be knowledgeable, resourceful, and friendly members of the community. If you're interested in joining us, please send your application to this account, Simtropolis Help Squad. It's an open-ended application... you're free to say whatever you want. Sell yourself, your leadership qualities, and let us know why you'd make a good addition to our team! If you have any questions, please post them in this thread. Deadline for applications: October 23, 2009 Be sure to get them in soon if you're interested! Thanks, The SHS Team Leaders (Cheese89, Beebs, Swat-Medic, Mikeaut1)

Hello Simtropolians! We are now accepting applications for the Simtropolis Help Squad! Its been a while since our last en-masse recruiting, and we decided that it was about time we did it again. The SHS (Simtropolis Help Squad) was created to write new and update existing articles in the Omnibus. In addition, SHS members often assist with members problems on the forums and chat. In order to be able to do this, SHS members are expected to be knowledgeable, resourceful, and friendly members of the community. If you're interested in joining us, please send your application to this account, Simtropolis Help Squad. If you have any questions, please post them in this thread. Thanks, The SHS Team Leaders (Cheese89, Beebs, Mikeaut1)

Getting rid of brown boxes in-game by: Hordijk This is a little note is for “getting rid of brown boxes in-game” that a lot of people are wondering about. Table of Contents 1. Here's what to do 2. Further Problems 1. Here’s what to do When you download a lot, there are sometimes so-called dependencies (other downloadable stuff needed for this file), and if some of these dependencies are not installed (not installed in your plugins folder), you may have brown boxes popping up in your city when this lot is being plopped/grown. Therefore, always, before you download an item, make sure to read the item description. In addition, most of the time there is usually a Readme file included where you can read of what dependencies you need. 2. Further Problems Now if you checked both and still can’t get rid of the Brown boxes, contact the creator. Most likely he or she has forgotten about listing the needed dependencies. You can always contact me. Email: Hordijk.Pim@hotmail.com Pm: me Brought to you by: Hordijk

There is a lot more to the private forums than you think.

Date: 10/15/2005 12:24:47 PM Author: Hordijk Glad the the final tread has been made as also seen in the Hiring tread (which is now closed btw) a list of the current members could come in handy. Thanks for the idea. Added it in.

Simtropolis Help Squad: Requests and Information This thread was created so that you can post requests for more articles and other SHS items as well as leave comments related to the SHS. About the SHS The Simtropolis Help Squad(SHS) was founded for one purpose: To create more articles addressing commonly asked questions and a more obvious way to direct people to the articles. The SHS's purpose has since evolved. While we still create new articles, the SHS is also the group responsible for getting regular-member created articles into the Omnibus. Contact an SHS member if you wish to get your article published. Member of the Month FAQ Please Note: This is just a brief outline on what the MOTM is and how to nominate members for the award. For a more detailed outline with information regarding how to join the committee, how the awards are chosen each month, and more, please check out the official Member of the Month FAQ in the Omnibus. If you want to view the article for past winners of the award, do so here. What is the Member of the Month Committee? The Member of the Month Committee is a Simtropolis group which awards Simtropolis members for excellent work, helpfulness and commitment to the community. How do I nominate someone for MOTM or EOTM? Send a private message to the MOTM_inbox account. Your nomination will have a greater chance of being voted Member of the Month if you provide a short reasoning for why he/she deserves the award. Repeat winnings of the awards are allowed, but please note that this will be kept at a minimum. Try to take note if/when your nomination has won previously. WARNING: Abuse of the nomination process will result in you forever being banned from winning an MOTM award. You have been warned. Where can I find the MOTM and EOTM winner interviews? Here, in the interview section of the Omnibus. SHS Member List Team Leaders - beebs - Mikeaut1 Current Senior Editors - SWAT-MEDIC - Vandy Current Admin Advisors - cheese89 - SkiGeek Current Regular Members - astronelson - blue lightning - chptrk - Cockatoo-210893 - CWLGAMER01 - hamish - ilikehotdogsalot - mightygoose - soltangris - Superstar - un1 - Xyloxadoria - zane900 Updated January 1, 2010

Date: 9/24/2005 12:34:19 PM Author: Simworld 056132 Be aware of newbies coming here...if anyone here asks for one the post should be deleted Yup. quote> I wouldent be scared of and prejadis newbies like that. If everyone did that this site would go no where.

This is a wonderful game to help make the SHS's job easier.

Very nice map. Its includes a SHS room of which the other maps fail to include.

Well I am very pleased to have my custom member label at last, thank you SkiGeek and Compromise.

To celabrate the SHS's success can I have a hot choclate with whipped cream please.

The SHS is coming up with some over stragies to help stop commmen questions appearing as we have found that the search button should only be the final option before posting a question.

1 SHS member to say that the SHS should make a tutorial on how to change light bulbs. 100 members say that the SHS is to slow. 500 members say that the SHS isen't worth complaning about. 1000 members say that the last 600 posts were spam. 1 administrator says that everyone is spaming and that it must stop 1 newbie asks what is the SHS and start it all over again.