Hello, I am trying to create some seasonal tree lots with CP's wonderful seasonal tree pack.
(Thx Dedgren's tutorial in 3RR section).
I am successful with other trees, but, I cannot find Hornbeam and Big Jeroni Maple anywhere in the Lot Editor!
Which unfortunately are what I wanted most!
I checked the Prop Pack using Reader and found they have no prop family.
So I randomly assigned some ids to them but still no luck.
Would anybody please give me some guidance?
QuoteI am successful with other trees, but, I cannot find Hornbeam and Big Jeroni Maple anywhere in the Lot Editor
They are in there. A good program is PIMX (http://sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?board=180.0). It is like MaxisPIM (for making .desc) and has an LE within it. One advantage that is has is that you can decide what files it will load. It doesn't even have to load Maxis files. Very quick for figuring out what is where.
QuoteI checked the Prop Pack using Reader and found they have no prop family.
They don't require a prop family. Families are for when you have many of the same type of prop (like cars or similar trees) that you want the game to pick randomly. I wouldn't put the trees in 2009a in a family because the sizes are so different, but you can if you want (or make families that use multiple prop packs). If you do want to make families, you should request a range Here (http://sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?topic=2490.0). Just make sure not to mix seasons within a family.
Edit: Actually, I am not seeing these in Maxis LE either. They are visible in PIMX, so I would say try that. Not too sure of the problem there.
Maybe they're simply too large for the lot in question? Try to resize it, and check the prop list again.
Andreas, you are right ! I tried a 2x2 lot and I see them now ! But I have given-up for the reason below!
Lowkee33, after posting this, I read your section and find that you and TSC are in fact making a MMPTST (Mayor Mode Ploppable Truly Seasonal Tree)! I decided to WAIT for your pack now.
BTW, does it ease off the making of a seasonal street tree mod, Andreas ? $%Grinno$%
No, a seasonal street tree mod relies on T21 exemplar files, which is basically the same concept as putting seasonal trees on lots (stack four props on each other). With the SFBT Street Tree Mod, it is currently not possible to use seasonal trees, as it entirely built on prop families. If I'd change those to seasonal props, a fall maple might show up instead of a summer cottonwood and stuff like that, so all T21's of the mod would have to be changed from prop families to individual trees. Unfortunately, I don't have time for SC4-related development at the moment, so someone else would have to pick up that task.
There are a few downsides to seasonal flora. The main ones are that the timing is so specific: The timing starts the moment it is plopped, and there can be at most, three models in a cycle. For most cases, the spring model is dropped. You wouldn't want to place a seasonal flora on a growable lot because of the timing. If you have a whole bunch of the same lot growing, then it would have been faster to place timed props in LE, rather than go around your city planting trees. Same kindof thing for a street side mod. I would imagine you could put flora on the T21, but then you would constantly have to redrag your roads to make the timing right. However, planted can be far more random than LE props, and they also reduce air pollution.
The point is that there are times when flora is good, and times when props are good.