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Showing results for tags 'sc4macinjector'.
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There are currently several different versions of SimCity 4 Deluxe out in the wild, including the various digital editions (i.e., GOG, Steam, and the now-patched EA App version), the original disc version, and the Steam and App Store versions of Aspyr’s macOS port of the game. As one may have noticed while scrolling the STEX in the past three months, a once uncommon, “Holy Grail” type of mod has begun to appear with some frequency: DLL mods. DLL mods are capable of modifying aspects of the game that have been previously off-limits to SC4 modders over the past 20 years. The two best-known DLL mods prior to this point are, of course, the SC4 Extra Cheats DLL, a file Buggi was authorized to release from the original developers at Maxis, and simmaster07’s revolutionary SC4Fix, which fixed two of the most notorious bugs with the game in a modded environment: the Puzzle Piece vs. Transit-Enabled Lot CTD, and the Prop Pox. Thanks to the efforts of those continuing simmaster07’s line of work, namely Null 45 and memo, these sorts of revolutions are about to become more commonplace, bringing with them everything from improved game stability on modern systems, to long-requested new features and quality-of-life (QoL) improvements. Null 45 has already released over a dozen DLL mods on the STEX since November, one of the most recent of which allows more Building Styles. While I can’t reveal too much at this point in time, I will note that DLL files will become important components of major SC4 mods in the very near future. Suffice to say, we’re entering a very exciting time in the SC4 modding community. There is, however, one caveat with this development: these new DLL mods will only work with Version 1.1.641 digital editions of the game on the Windows platform, while the older Windows disc versions and the Aspyr macOS port (in all its guises) will not be supported. To those users who are running those versions, this almost certainly comes as a grave disappointment. There are, however, technical reasons that pose essentially insurmountable barriers toward bringing this new and exciting DLL-based functionality to those versions of the game, and effectively render them "legacy versions" of SC4: Back in December 2017, simmaster07 had produced a mod known as SC4MacInjector, which provided a means for DLL-based mods to be converted into .so files and run in the macOS port via injection. Unfortunately, the changes that Apple made in macOS Catalina (10.15) effectively broke SC4MacInjector permanently, forcing simmaster07 to discontinue it in June 2020. With Apple moving to discontinue x86 architecture support in the near future, SC4MacInjector’s days were likely numbered either way. With regards to the Windows disc-based versions of SC4, Microsoft’s removal of the secdrv.sys driver from Windows 10 effectively broke the SafeDisc copy protection system that EA used, thereby preventing the disc version from running (at least without complicated or legally questionable workarounds). The fact that the disc versions’ hardcoded aspects are also differently-structured (and encrypted) complicates the prospects of providing support for it to the point of practical impossibility. For those of you running the Aspyr macOS port, unfortunately, Apple’s constant drastic changes to macOS and their entire hardware architecture have taken that version of the game out of the running. The only option to play on Mac with these new developments is some form of dual-booting and/or WINE with a digital copy of the Windows version of the game (which can readily be made to run on Linux). If you happen to be playing on the Steam version, you have access to the Windows version at no additional cost, since SC4 is a SteamPlay title. Unfortunately, with the App Store version, there is no such crossplay option available, and one will have to purchase a new copy. In order for these developments to work directly with the Mac version, Aspyr would need to patch the game, preferably allow direct reading of .so files (the Mac equivalent of DLL files) without code injection or running afoul of Apple's "Hardened Runtime" feature. Given that Aspyr, while updating their port to deal with Apple's myriad drastic mandatory architecture changes over the years, has refrained from even issuing an equivalent of the 20-year-old 1.1.638/EP1 patch for the Mac port, or the almost-as-old 1.1.640/BAT nightlighting patch--the odds are even longer that they would do this. For those on the disc on Windows, acquiring a legal Version 1.1.641 digital copy is the only way to get this functionality. Redeeming your CD Key with EA (via the EA App--EA Help can assist with this if one encounters difficulties) is one way to get one without having to buy the game again. The other option is to wait for the GOG edition to go on sale (typical sale price is US$4.99)--since GOG's digital edition is DRM-free, it’ll be more “yours” than the disc version ever could be, as evidenced by the disc’s old DRM/copy protection scheme thwarting its use on newer versions of Windows. (And acquiring some sort of pirated/"cracked" version is, of course, a violation of ST Guidelines, Section 5(a).) Again, in short: Version 1.1.641 Windows Digital Copies - Supported Version 1.1.640 and earlier Windows Disc Copies - Not Supported (but CD Key may be redeemable for free Version 1.1.641 digital copy with EA) macOS Port on Steam - Not Supported (but SteamPlay offers free Windows Version 1.1.641 digital copy with Steam for dual-boot/WINE use) macOS Port on App Store - Not Supported (no option for compatible free replacement, purchase new copy) All Other Versions - Not Supported (no option for compatible free replacement, purchase new copy) Pirated/"Cracked" Copies - Not Supported, and in violation of ST Guidelines, Section 5(a). -Tarkus- 81 Replies
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For anyone who hasn't discovered it yet, @simmaster07 has done some helpful and lovely work (and brilliant) for those of us in the Mac community. He has converted/reprogrammed a couple of .dll plugins and made them into .so plugins so that they can be read by a Mac. He has created a plugin loader to load those .so files. First Things First Be aware of the following notice on the MacInjector page. Back up your files. To be safe, I made a back up of my plugins and regions directories. Download & Install MacInjector I will try and give a painstakingly detailed step by step. https://community.simtropolis.com/files/file/32047-sc4macinjector-a-dynamic-code-plugin-loader-for-mac/ Follow the link above, read the "About This File" notes, and click on the "Download File" button You can try opening the package directly from your Downloads folder (double clicking) but if your security is like mine, you will get a message that "“SC4MacInjector.pkg” can’t be opened because it is from an unidentified developer." In order to bypass that security, right click on the .pkg and choose "Open" from the menu. You will then get a pop-up message "“SC4MacInjector.pkg” is from an unidentified developer. Are you sure you want to open it?" Click "Open" and the installer will open. Follow the instructions on the installer. Three changes I noticed after the install. 1 - When I have SC4 running, if I switch windows and leave the game running, the icon in my dock changed from the SC4 icon to a black system icon. 2 - The first time I restarted the game after installation it reverted to the Timbuktu tutorial region so I had to navigate back to the region I was building in. 3 - There is now a "libinjector.dylib" file in my plugins directory. (Leave it there.) None of these are any concern - just don't want you to be surprised. Great! I have a New Tool! What Do I Do With It? Hopefully there will be more future developments, but for now I know of at least two. (If I discover more or if you discover more, please comment and add them!) Buggi's Cheats https://community.simtropolis.com/files/file/32048-buggis-extra-cheats-for-mac/ This allows Mac players to use Buggi's extra cheat codes (for those so inclined - no judgement). I know I'm working on recreating a specific city right now and not playing the traditional game, per se. Being able to to type "Moolah 1000000" and instantly have $1 million to develop with sped up my process. Take the downloaded file "ExtraCheatsMac.so" (it's not zipped - it's ready to go) and move it to your plugins folder. Done. When you are in-game all you have to do is hit Ctrl-x and then either type your command/cheat code (if you know it) or right click in the dialog box and a list of commands will appear. Real Upgradeable City Halls 1.1.0 https://community.simtropolis.com/files/file/31339-real-upgradeable-city-halls/ When you click on the download button, choose the Mac only version. Open the zip file and place the .dat and .so extracted files in your plugins directory. Done. Have FUN! That's all for now! Have fun! Build the region of your dreams! I am NOT a technical person, but post questions for clarification below and I'll do my best or someone will hopefully have an answer. And THANK YOU @simmaster07 for your work while you juggle school! Also thank you, @Hamish for the suggestion to write this up. If it needs to go elsewhere, please do whatever needs to be done.
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My apologies if this has been covered - I've searched extensively and can't find the answer and would like some help, please. All of the trees and MMPs have disappeared from my latest city. I gather this is a result of "prop pox." So I read each of the following carefully: https://community.simtropolis.com/forums/topic/74667-revisiting-prop-pox-and-prop-theory/ https://community.simtropolis.com/files/file/32047-sc4macinjector-a-dynamic-code-plugin-loader-for-mac/ https://community.simtropolis.com/files/file/30883-sc4fix-third-party-patches-for-sc4/ https://community.simtropolis.com/forums/topic/70495-game-framework-compatible-dll-loading-and-other-modding-discoveries/ I downloaded the sc4macinjector and ran it. All seems unchanged - no harm done. (I backed up plugins and regions just in case.) I downloaded sc4fix - which seems to be doing wonders for our Windows friends - YAY!!! It is a .dll file. I have no clue what to do with it. My VERY basic computer knowledge is that .dll files can't run on Mac. Regarding the sc4macinjector it says the following on its page: "What does this do SC4MacInjector allows the Mac equivalent of .dll mods to be loaded on Aspyr's port of SimCity 4 for Intel Macs. Note: you will not be able to use Windows .dll mods directly. They need to be targeted specifically for Macs as .so files." OK. I comprehend those words, but haven't a clue as to what that means in action - or if there is something I can do to target a .dll file as an .so file. <insert very confused llama, perhaps > 1. Do I actually have prop pox? Have I made the correct assumption that the pox caused my MMPs and props on small residentials to disappear? 2. Can someone guide on what, if anything, there is to be done about it? I feel clueless and in way over my head from a technological standpoint. Like... I understand technology better than your 90 year old grandma who just made you those amazing cookies*, but ... sometimes... not much. *A hypothetical grandma. Now I want cookies.
