Hi to all friends.. :)
-Since i very recently learned about CAM , and immediately decided to follow , i would like some help before i'll make anything wrong... :-[
Well , first of all i am going to start with a new fresh region.. I have a plugin about 2,3 GB ( recently added some files from LEX DVD)
So , i have read the manual , carefully , and i have download CAM 1.0...I have read the thread named "CAM - Welcome and Manual+Download" , and also noticed some advices from xxdita in page 4. But of course there is so much informations in various threads all about CAM , with so many pages , which is impossible to read them all.... :-[
Please help me to start ..... I have already run the cleanitol file...everything seems o.k....is there anything else important to download at the present (except CAM 1.0 of course) ?...is that the newer version? ...should i empty my plugins folder ? ...is there anything to take care in my new region ( i mean how many large , or medium or small cities ) ... pls help
thanx
If you have installed the starter packs, I'd recommend running Cleanitol with CAM Remove Lots BSC Cleanitol (http://sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=963).
That would remove any stage 8 lots that you might have left in your plugins after downloading external models for the CAMeLots.
Otherwise, it sounds like you're ready, set and go! :thumbsup:
And, yes, there's no newer version than 1.0... yet ::)
Thanks RippleJet :)
It seems that i am ready , because as i wrote i have an empty plugin folder now. I suggest to start with CAM , then open the game and find a new region , ( really anything to notice in that region?.....i mean how many large /medium/small cities....).. Then save , and back to plugins to install NAM . OK? ...What about the bldprop_vol1 and bldprop_vol2 ( maxis's files) ...can i add them also?
Quote from: VeTram on December 22, 2008, 10:06:33 AM
( really anything to notice in that region?.....i mean how many large /medium/small cities....)..
The game will of course load and run smoother, the smaller your cities are.
Otherwise, there are no restrictions. ;)
Quote from: VeTram on December 22, 2008, 10:06:33 AM
What about the bldprop_vol1 and bldprop_vol2 ( maxis's files) ...can i add them also?
Of course you should add them, and they will most probably be needed as well. ;)
thanks a lot RippleJet.. :thumbsup:
another question now..... As i have already written , i am going to start with a new fresh region , and i have in my mind to create hopefully a not so big rural city...
So , I have read some comments in other threads , about CAM and NAM pathfinders , and i am not sure which pathfinder to use ...I am not also sure , which simulator to choose in NAM , and i suggest to use the hard difficulty...what do you advice me to do?
Also which Automata controller files should i use in case of NAM installation? ..i repeat my target is a NOT so big rural city ( i estimate fewer than 250,000 population )
and something else.....i will start with an empty plugin also...does it matters to install CAM or NAM first?
thanx
Quote from: VeTram on December 23, 2008, 12:10:45 PM
I am not also sure , which simulator to choose in NAM , and i suggest to use the hard difficulty...what do you advice me to do?
Personally I would also select a hard one, because I want the challenge.
Whether it would be Simulator A, B or Z is a more difficult question though.
If I were to start a new region right now I would probably be using Z,
merely because I would want to try it out.
Quote from: VeTram on December 23, 2008, 12:10:45 PM
Also which Automata controller files should i use in case of NAM installation? ..i repeat my target is a NOT so big rural city ( i estimate fewer than 250,000 population )
I would probably still go for the standard automata plugin. That's the one I've always used.
I guess it's mostly a matter of taste though...
Quote from: VeTram on December 23, 2008, 12:10:45 PM
does it matters to install CAM or NAM first?
If you install NAM first, be sure not to select any of the pathfinders included in CAM (which are older than the latest NAM).
Other from that, the installation order doesn't matter.
thanks once again RippleJet...but really i didnt know that there is Z simulator %confuso ...anyone who knows ? pls..
The post containing the latest release of Simulator Z is here (http://sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?topic=5382.msg208217#msg208217); the rest of the thread will give you a good idea of what it does, if you're interested. Although the current version is a beta version, it's been run by many people for quite a while now, with no reports of problems, and chances are good it will be the final version. As a side note, I built Simulator Z specifically with CAM in mind.
O.K , Thank you z .....now i know that there are 3 Traffic Simulators ( A , B , Z ) , but i really dont know which is the best for the city that i have into my mind.. %confuso.......so i suppose that i must test them in my city....so , my question is now if i can test them all one by one without having to start my city from the beginning....is that really possible?.. :)
It's certainly possible. You just have to wait about five years after installing a new simulator for the game to make a complete transition to it.
But such an extensive test may not be necessary. If you have any plans for using RHW (the new, multi-lane expressways being developed) or NWM (the wider avenues of various types that are also under development), then Simulator B would not be a good choice, as it does not support either of these extensions, and there are no indications from the NAM team that it's going to be upgraded to do so.
While the thread for Simulator Z is getting a bit long at six pages, I'd recommend starting to read it here (http://sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?topic=5382.msg204681#msg204681), which is the announcement of the current release, on page five. The announcement itself is rather long, as it includes the results of many tests, most of which compare Simulators A and Z, but following it are the experiences of a number of people who've used all three simulators. You may find this useful in your decision.
You're quite welcome to ask further questions about Simulator Z, but I suggest that if you do, you ask them in the thread I mentioned, as this is starting to get a bit off-topic from CAM. :)
thanks z once again :thumbsup:...i will centairly join your thread , as you are right that i am starting to ask questions off-topic from CAM , BUT, i will return here , to ask further more about CAM for sure. I really like the idea of CAM , and although i havent practice it yet , i can imagine that it has a lot of interesting.
That sounds like a good approach. I've been using CAM almost since it came out, and I wouldn't play the game without it. Good luck! ;)
HI VeTram...
I agree with Z fully , I would never go back to playing the game without CAM, now that ive been using it
for a long time.. Its added a lot of enjoyment for the game for me..Also Ive been using Sim Z for awhile
and I can promise you it is the best traffic sim out there right now.. I have used the others..One thing
that is great about it.. is its creator..Z.. He is very active in these threads, and will always help you if
you have any questions.. Also Ripple jet is a very nice man and will do the same with the CAM for you..
I will help you also , but the 2 I mentioned are very smart men !
But Sim Z is set up to work well with CAM and i recommend you trying it out..
anyways, keep us posted on your progress with CAM..
Thanks, Brian
THANKS SO MUCH , Z and b22rian , you are all very gently , and nice guys.. :thumbsup:...and of course RippleJet , and everybody here are very good people , indeed.
I am really proud , for being a member of this site , and i really feel that i belong here.. thanx once again :)
-As i promised before , i return back to ask questions concerning CAM only.. I have read , the manual of course , but i am afraid that my knowledge about the game-play are not enough to understand some important things....so i ask for help , and i am afraid that i will keep this thread alive for some time in the future , by asking , and asking again.... &ops
-As i have already written , i have started CAM , with a new fresh region , and at the same time i am reading the manual mostly , and whatever i can read from the various threads..Well , i soon realised that i do not understand the meaning of the phrase " population density" (jobs/residents per tile) , so i cannot read the recommendations in the table ( in manual)...Let me use an example...
-I have download BMD_DairyFarms_BSC , which i read in Readme , that it contains and a stage 2 farm lot (3x2)...Although i have already some farm lots , i do not see it grow , as they only grow Pedriana's Plants, AlvinAgres,Barthelet stables, and Jez knightAgres farm lots...So , my simple question is how can i watch this recommendations in game? is it possible and how ?
thanx
The population density is the amount of people per tile. For example a single house on a 1x3 lot (3 tile) has 12 residents. So the population density is 12/3=4 people per tile. When your city grows bigger you'll get row houses with for example 33 residents per 1x3 lot. The population density becomes now 33/3=11 residents per tile.
So to answer your question: increasing population density = is bigger and taller buildings :)
o.k tag_one and thanks for your answer..i can understand whatever you wrote , but as i read in Stage Limits (Stage versus Density) thread .."The values in the table show the recommendations on what population density (jobs/residents per tile) that will trigger each growth stage to be selected for the CAM " ( as written) ...By your answer , do you mean that, for example , in stage 4 the R$ = 8 . Does 8 is the result of residents per lot tiles? Also what about if a single house has 5 residents on a 1x2 lot , what's the result? 2,5?......and why jobs mentioned in population density=jobs/residents per tile ?....and finally i read in manual that in Residential Growth Stage Thresholds that for example in stage 2 the Thresholds for R$=800 , R$$=900 , R$$$=1000...Does this means that stage 2 R$$ buildings will appear when the total regional residential capacity is 900 people? ...is it possible to see (for example) how many residents $ , $$ , $$$ , i have in my city and how?...I am famous here for asking too much questions... :)
thanx
Quote from: VeTram on December 27, 2008, 03:04:52 AM
o.k tag_one and thanks for your answer..i can understand whatever you wrote , but as i read in Stage Limits (Stage versus Density) thread .."The values in the table show the recommendations on what population density (jobs/residents per tile) that will trigger each growth stage to be selected for the CAM " ( as written)
The stage limits referred to in that thread are meant for lot creators, and it was primarily written for a creator using PIM-X. :)
I guess it's easier if I explain that with an example.
Suppose you've created a high-wealth residential bat, which (based on its size) would have a capacity of 600 R§§§.
Firstly, suppose you want to use that building on a lot sized 3×2 tiles.
600 divided by 6 tiles give a density of 100 and a growth stage of 8.
Secondly, suppose you want to use that same building on a lot sized 6×5 tiles.
600 divided by 30 tiles now gives a density of 20 and a growth stage of 6.
Whenever a stage 6 or stage 8 building would grow in the game is all given by the
Stage Limits and Thresholds (http://sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?topic=3578.0).
so , the population density (jobs/residents per tile) = the capacity of each type of residents ($,$$,$$$) devided by the numbers of lot's tile? am i right?.........as for the stage Limits and Thresholds , i have read the values...and does that means that for example , in order for the simulator to pass from stage 2 to stage 3 must exist more than 800 residents $ , and nothing more? , the same for residents $$ must exist more than 900 and so on...am i right?...or 800 or 900 etc is the total number of all wealth types residents? and something else..where can i see the number of each wealth type of RCI in my city? Is it possible and how?
thanx for the support
please also read this which still wait for an answer.......
Quote from: VeTram on December 27, 2008, 02:24:19 AM
-I have download BMD_DairyFarms_BSC , which i read in Readme , that it contains and a stage 2 farm lot (3x2)...Although i have already some farm lots , i do not see it grow , as they only grow Pedriana's Plants, AlvinAgres,Barthelet stables, and Jez knightAgres farm lots...thanx
Sorry, VeTram, I did reply to your query about the farms but it didn't post.
You should download the BSC No Maxis Files (http://sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=897) from the LEX and then follow the installation instructions in the download description. Just use whichever you want but for the farms you need the Prevent_I-r_Lots.dat. Then download some more of the BSC farms and fields from the DVD - don't forget to download the files in the Dependency folder - so that you have more variety for the stages 1-3 farms.
Quote from: VeTram on December 27, 2008, 08:15:04 AM
so , the population density (jobs/residents per tile) = the capacity of each type of residents ($,$$,$$$) devided by the numbers of lot's tile? am i right?
It's only the highest-wealth capacities that are looked at when determining the lot's growth stage.
Thus, for a R§§ lot only the R§§ capacity is divided by the lot size, giving the density.
The R§ capacity is only used whenever the lot dilapidates and turns into a R§, which can hold a larger capacity.
The growth stage of the lot won't change when it dilapidates though.
Quote from: VeTram on December 27, 2008, 08:15:04 AM
in order for the simulator to pass from stage 2 to stage 3 must exist more than 800 residents $ , and nothing more? , the same for residents $$ must exist more than 900 and so on...am i right?...or 800 or 900 etc is the total number of all wealth types residents?
It's the sum of all residential capacity in your region, i.e. R§+R§§+R§§§.
In other words, when the total regional residential capacity surpasses 800, you get a 5% chance of growing a stage 2 R§.
However, you won't see a stage 2 R§§ until the regional residential capacity surpasses 900,
and R§§§ cannot reach stage 2 unless you've surpassed 1000.
For commercials the thresholds are the sum of all commercial capacity in your region, i.e. CS§+CS§§+CS§§§+CO§§+CO§§§
For industrials the thresholds are the sum of all industrial capacity in your region (excluding farming), i.e. ID+IM+IHT.
Quote from: VeTram on December 27, 2008, 08:15:04 AM
and something else..where can i see the number of each wealth type of RCI in my city? Is it possible and how?
Use the
Census Repository Facility (http://sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=1831)! ;)
barbyW: Thanks for reply barbyW , but why is it necessary to do so? I also like some maxis files and want to keep them , simply i dont want them to be repeated into my city.....of course if i must do so for your lovely medditerenean farms to be shown into game , i will do so..
RippleJet: I am trying hard to understand whatever you write. I think i am close to understand , but perhaps i need some practice..i did not anything about Census Repository Facility...i will download it , and see if i will ask further about it. sorry for too many questions , but i am looking forward to understand the most important subjects , in order to move on with my city...
thanx a lot.. :thumbsup:
Quote from: VeTram on December 27, 2008, 09:29:45 AM
barbyW: Thanks for reply barbyW , but why is it necessary to do so? I also like some maxis files and want to keep them , simply i dont want them to be repeated into my city
If you want Maxis farms to grow as well, you shouldn't use the blocker of course.
However, the 7 Maxis farms appear on 18 different in-game lots.
If you only have one custom lot, each time a farm grows, it would have a chance of only 1 out of 19 to grow.
By the way , when the custom farm lot is 3x2 for example , (like one of barbyW's farm lots in the file i mentioned before) should i use a 3x2 I-R lot?...i say so , because i want my farm lots to have a random large shape , and the farm-house to grow somewhere inside the lot....(as in pic below).. i also think that i cannot zone such a short farm lot (3x2) , as the game itself inform me that it is too short.....
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi120.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fo184%2Fvetram%2FMantinea01.jpg&hash=bf5b1ee246cac102d2a936fc70203dd7cdf299f6)
Each farm needs a lot of space for the fields to develop around the farm.
The 3×2 is the size of just the farm itself, without the fields.
Thus, you need to zone a lot larger than that.
The farmhouse (the 3×2 lot) must grow next to a road or street though.
It cannot grow in the middle of the field.
sorry , RippleJet , that i delayed to edit the pic ....you can see what i mean
Nice farms in that picture... irregular just as they should be. :thumbsup:
You will never be able to exactly control where the farmhouse itself appears though.
It will be somewhere along any of the roads/streets encircling the zoned area.
You should download more custom farms (than just the one) in order to provide alternatives to (especially) the Pedriana plant though ;)
Quote from: RippleJet on December 27, 2008, 10:00:46 AM
If you want Maxis farms to grow as well, you shouldn't use the blocker of course.
However, the 7 Maxis farms appear on 18 different in-game lots.
If you only have one custom lot, each time a farm grows, it would have a chance of only 1 out of 19 to grow.
something about the above that i was wondering....why not just
demolish every time a maxis lot appears and i do not want to keep , instead of using
BSC No Maxis Files?....By this way , i could keep maxis files , and just keep them whenever i want..what's your opinion ?
now , something else very important...I read in Agricultural Stage Limits the following...
..."The threshold values are in all cases the total regional industrial capacity (not workforce): ID + IM + IHT.
Note that IR (agricultural farms) are not included in the regional industrial capacity!".....what if i do
not plan to have any ID , or IM or IHT into my city? what will happen with farms lots? ...in the same subject i read in the manual for farming , and it writes that
for example for farms stage 4 that they will start appearing as the regional industry capacity reach 500...
but as written above industry capacity= ID+IM+IHT....so , same question , what will happen if i do not want INDUSTRY at all in my rural city?..the simulator will not ever appear a stage 4 farm lot?
forgive me for asking too much ...thanx
....at the meanwhile till i get your answers , i used the above method ( demolish some maxis lots ) and i post a pic , dedicated special to RippleJet and BarbyW...Hope you like it..
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi120.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fo184%2Fvetram%2FMantinea02.jpg&hash=5e8c8940df00804b7c038d819f318b720f91bb11)
thanxs for all
Quote from: VeTram on December 27, 2008, 09:40:51 PM
something about the above that i was wondering....why not just demolish every time a maxis lot appears and i do not want to keep , instead of using BSC No Maxis Files?....By this way , i could keep maxis files , and just keep them whenever i want..what's your opinion ?
Certainly, and your picture confirms this! :thumbsup:
Quote from: VeTram on December 27, 2008, 09:40:51 PM
now , something else very important...I read in Agricultural Stage Limits the following......"The threshold values are in all cases the total regional industrial capacity (not workforce): ID + IM + IHT.
Note that IR (agricultural farms) are not included in the regional industrial capacity!".....what if i do not plan to have any ID , or IM or IHT into my city? what will happen with farms lots? ...in the same subject i read in the manual for farming , and it writes that for example for farms stage 4 that they will start appearing as the regional industry capacity reach 500...
but as written above industry capacity= ID+IM+IHT....so , same question , what will happen if i do not want INDUSTRY at all in my rural city?..the simulator will not ever appear a stage 4 farm lot?
You've come up with the answer yourself already... ;)
If you do not allow any industry (ID, IM, IHT) to develop anywhere in the region, then you will never reach stage 4 farms.
So , i must have any industry (ID, IM, IHT) , in order to see beyond stage 3 farm lots in my city....that's not so good , because i was planning to have an absolutely rural city with farms and nothing else...it seems that i must change my plans..But i read again in manual .."The industrial stages are dependent on the total regional industrial capacity...
So , is it possible to have a city in the region with agrigulture lots only and their growth to depend on the total regional industry capacity of other cities in the same region? ()what()
Quote from: VeTram on December 28, 2008, 03:05:13 AM
So , is it possible to have a city in the region with agrigulture lots only and their growth to depend on the total regional industry capacity of other cities in the same region? ()what()
Yes :thumbsup:
As long as the cities are connected with either road or rail (directly or through other cities).