Cycling through prop families in game?

[xannepan]

When I add prop to a prop family and place the prop (family) on a ploppable lot the game will randomly select a prop from the family. I am now looking for a mechanism (not neccesarilly based on prop families) that would allow me to cycle through the different pieces e.g. by using the TAB key, similar to cycling through different NAM puzzle pieces. This would be a great mechanism to control for my quais de seine and my new medieval wall set, and reduce the number of menu slots. Is there any way to use the 'puzzle piece' mechanism for this?
(just a thought: perhaps invisible puzzle pieces with the different props as T21s?)

-alex

[MandelSoft]

Short answer: no. The lot selection mechanism is different from the puzzle piece selection mechanism. The lot selection mechanism uses three files:
- A lot building exemplar file
- A lot layout file
- A lot icon

Puzzle pieces however use up more files:
- A puzzle piece exemplar file
- A LText file with the puzzle piece name description
- An EffDir file for the preview
- A menu button exemplar
- Two LText files with the menu button name and description
- Some entries in the  RUL0x10000000-file

Especially the last one is hard to update, because that one is part of the NAM Controller. This file gets often updated during development of a new NAM, but due to practical reasons, this file does not get a public release often to prevent conflict with older controllers and confusion of the newer users.

Besides that, you don't see a building exemplar, so these 'fake' puzzle pieces won't be functional. And these pieces might be more CTD-sensitive.

To me, the older method seems to be better.

Best,
Maarten

[xannepan]

Thanks Maarten... Then I will safe myself th trouble of digging into the topic :-)

Alex

[cogeo]

RTMT has a mechanism that allows you to select a certain prop out of a family, eg select the same busstop shelter props in a bus stop lot. Not exctly what you want, and it's awkward to use (requires exiting the game and installing/uninstalling plugins, to change the prop to be selected in the next plop), but it does allow you to select a specific prop out of a family and have multiple different props in the same city at the same time.