If I get a PC, I can get access to both of those. However, BATting may be hard, as the computer is 2001-era (PIII anyway) and I have no ultra-artistic talent (or a spare 2-button mouse). Modding is hard also, as I've never programmed anything in my life. First I should get SC4 for PC before talking about this, but I might, so which is easier?
I want to program things that would be taken as a proud achievement to the game. My sig lists intended projects.
Ask your mind. If yours is a technical mind, go for the mod. If yours is an artistic mind, go for the BAT ;) ( the machine does not really mind. You'll upgrade it if necessary ;D )
Personally i find it both more fun and more challengeing to BAT, though the basics are rather simple. However, when in batting, unless youre able to bunch up with someone who modds, youll have to some extent get your bats to work ingame yourself(with the help of loads of tutorials and programs on the comunities).
Modding, i guess your refering to the more complicated parts, i dont have much experience with it, i can do simple replacement mods, but i do need a tutorial opned in the background. its got more with maths to do, and HEX numbers, there are a lot of different ways to mod to, there are the exemplars, RUL's, LUA scripts, Paths and who knows whats, but there are tutorials to get started in masses.
Id say try them both out, and find out which one you think is more fun, and its not impossible to do both aswell if you enjoy it enough :)
More accurately, I have a used laptop that cost me nothing and I cannot upgrade it but I do not have the SimCity4 for Windows yet.
Sooooooooooooo I don't know. Maybe BATting, because in the case of modding, I imagine pulling my heart and crying, and giving up my lofty goals. I took an art class in 8th grade, so maybe BATs is a go.
Well, gmax and your computer would probably be a good match. I don't recall what the requirements are off the top of my head. Someone may correct me. On the other hand any computer that can play SimCity4 will certainly handle gmax.
Be aware that batting is a two step process. There is the 3D part and then there is the texture part. I usually find that I spend two hours using a paint program to every hour spent using gmax. As far as talent? I don't have a whole lot of that either. I just muddle through things until I finally get it right.
As far as modding? You do not need a whole lot of expertise if all you want to do is to create a building and watch it grow in your city on your own computer. The Maxis Plug-in Manager and Lot Editor is all you need. You should probably become familiar with ILives Reader or the SC4 Tool if you want to upload your creation to SC4D or the STEX.
Don't forget to ask questions. Someone here can help somehow. And now you may be thinking "He really didn't answer my questions as to which is easier" ... hmmm ... Both things definitely have a learning curve. Both are fun to do if you have a desire to learn. I don't think that either one is easier or harder but you'll eventually want to mod if you start to bat.
I am going to echo the words of the 'masters' here who have posted before me, but, as someone who is completely useless at BATting and MODing, I am going to add that there is always LOTing! :P I do rather enjoy the last one more than the rest. ;)
For me it was about being realistic with regards to my own abilities and interests. :) And I think that is something you should take into account:
Be realistic about your abilities, time available and personal and even external limitations. And remember that this is to be done, first and foremost, for your own enjoyment. :)
The best of luck though!
About the R$$$$ Mod, I don't think that is feasible though. Unless you have some idea as to how to approach it?
Well, the $$$$ Mod, as it was mentioned is for Sims for that ultra-rich. Not just living in fully-renovated Victorian mansions, we're talking gated communities, really large ranch homes. These folks give their kid a ride (or a golf cart) to a posh private school a mile away. They shop at the snootiest shopping districts in town. I got the idea by realizing if the CAM was possible, this could be.
Don't know much about Lots to be honest &mmm, Right now my first two ideas is a small standalone junior anchor in Baton Rouge and a fireworks stand.
Quote from: Orange Julius on August 22, 2007, 03:10:39 PM
Well, the $$$$ Mod, as it was mentioned is for Sims for that ultra-rich. Not just living in fully-renovated Victorian mansions, we're talking gated communities, really large ranch homes. These folks give their kid a ride (or a golf cart) to a posh private school a mile away. They shop at the snootiest shopping districts in town. I got the idea by realizing if the CAM was possible, this could be.
It was indeed possible to extend the stages, because Maxis reserved certain properties all the way up to growth stage 15.
However, there is no mentioning or trace of Maxis ever thinking of any more than 3 wealth levels.
Besides, the wealth levels are not just set in different properties, there are unique exemplars reserved for each RCI/wealth combination.
So the ยงยงยงยง mod is unfortunately not feasible.
As -M- said lotting is the way to go... Threw lotting though and time you do eventualy pick up the skills of modding as i have... Even though im still in the learning curve of modding its been a blast learning and seein a cause and effect of what i lotted then tweeked the propertys and changed this to that sorta thing... If it worked then i know that is step i can repeat again and well if i caused a CTD ( Crash To Desktop ) then i dont do that again lol....
Good news. I finally have a PC and SIMCITY 4! It's installing right now. Time to get the BAT...wait...where?
First get gmax (http://www.turbosquid.com/gmax).
BAT can be found here (http://simcity.ea.com/coolstuff/bat/index.php). You need to be product-registrated.