How to manage downloaded content

[DHM]

First of all, I got completely overwhelmed by tracking the dependencies. I can't remember which ones I installed, and some times a building only uses one file in an entire zip folder, and it says to delete the other ones for faster performance, but later another mod may need additional files from that zip, which gets confusing to remember which ones you have. There are some mods like the Ripptide parks, and Camelot RCI packs, that have too many dependencies, and their dependencies have further dependencies. Sometimes the dependency file is not a pure dependency file, but another lot, so I have to remember that I don't want that building, I'm only downloading it as a dependency. Also, a lot of the links seem to go to Simtropolis, which got completely renovated and a lot of the links are no longer there. Lastly, the filenames are inconsistently written, so that the dependency list in the readme has one version, the website to download from has another name, and when it's downloaded the file name is yet different again. They are all just "similar" with the same keywords, but it makes sorting them out, like finding them alphebetically in a large collection impossible.

Secondly, I see that there is the MAXIS content blocker, but those are only for grown lots, what about the plopped lots? Because it may look strange that all of the grown buildings are of BSC textures, but the public buildings are MAXIS textures. The problem is that I can't find replacements for buildings such as the TV studio, Courthouse, Cityhall, Bureau of Beaurocracy etc... Does anyone make them?

Lastly, if I install like 1gb of mods, that isn't going to take up 1gb of extra ram right? Otherwise that would be completely bloated because for the people who have like 5gb of mods, do they need a computer with like 8gb of ram to play?

[BarbyW]

By far the simplest way to start with custom content from the LEX is to donate a minimum of 25€ and get the DVD. This has most of the LEX files up to last Autumn plus some exclusives. It also includes dependencies where we have permission to include them.

The CAMelot RCI packs are different as we had to use what models were available for the higher stages but did not have permission from NDEX to make packs of the models for many of the items. This means you have to download the original file from the STEX but only keep the model.

Please do not complain about dependencies as you have been told elsewhere that although initially daunting it does simplify the more work you download.

I can see from your download list that you have downloaded many files over a couple of days. You would do better to download just a few together with their dependencies and test them out first. You do not need need everything on the LEX to start with so I suggest you slow down and sort things out before doing more downloading.

There is no need for a Maxis blocker for plopped lots as you do not need to plop them. There are alternatives on the LEX if you search for Civic or Rewards.

The amount of custom content in plugins does not take up extra RAM although if you have 5GB it may take some time to load the game.  SC4Datpacker can help to speed up game loading but must be used carefully.

[JBSimio]

Hi DHM,

First of all... welcome to SC4 Devotion!  I don't know if you're a newcomer specifically to this site or to the community at large, but either way you've found the right place.   

Dependencies... yes, there are a lot of them out there.  If you have a little cash to spare, I would seriously consider the LEX DVD (found here) as the place to start.  I've participated in this community for 6 years... downloading whenever I could... and this was and still is a Godsend when it comes to dependencies!  If the DVD is out of your budget, then simply go to the LEX and select "Dependency - Props" from the roll out of the category search on your left.  There's a lot there, but once you start downloading things, the LEX will keep track of it for you.  Not sure if you've got it yet?  Click on the dependcy link in any readme and the LEX will tell you if you've downloaded it or not.  Remember that most dependencies are model files... so if you're pointed towards an entire lot, you probably only need the model file from that download.  There are links to other sites (like Simtropolis) which we try to keep updated as much as possible.  If a link is out of date, simply post your request for help on this board and help is sure to follow.  Naming conventions evolve over time.  We (as creators) try to keep things as simple as possible, but with so many people making things there will always be some descrepencies.  Please try to understand that you're searching through years of content here. 

MAXIS content blockers are designed to prevent certain lots from growing.  There is really no need for blockers when it comes to plopped lots.  If you don't want a plopped lot in your city, you simply don't plop it.  The blockers don't prevent Maxis textures from being used... they only prevent Maxis buildings from growing.  I'm not sure if there are alternatives to the civic buildings you've mentioned, although I think you may have hit upon an area that has been largely ignored thus far.  (I'm hoping that someone else will come along to prove me wrong!)

I'm not an expert on computer specs, but I'm fairly certain that 1gb of content will only take up 1gb of hard drive space.  The amount of ram necessary to process that content should be considerably less.  I have nearly 3gb of custom buildings, lots, and mods in my plugins folder... my laptop only has 4gb of ram (my desktop has 6)... and aside from the initial start up phase, my game works quite smoothly.  I would, however, highly recommend this tool once you've downloaded everything you want.  It should make your load times much shorter and also help with the game's performance.

Enjoy the site!
JB

(or to summarize... what Barby said!   )

[projectadam]

DHM,

You have two options. The first one is to donate to the site and get the LEX Disk. This will take care of the majority of your downloading needs and the future downloads will not be as bad because you will have the majority of the dependencies taken care of. It all depends on the money value you believe your time is worth (plus it has some amazing lots that are exclusive to the disc).

Your second option, which requires a ton of time but many have done it and many more will do it in the future. Download all the content and what I have done is created a separate excel spreadsheet and I keep track of every download I do. This makes it extremely fast in the future to check to make sure you have the right things installed (such as props, dependencies, textures, etc...) but requires some time up front. It is kind of a daunting task but if you are just starting to do major downloads with custom content, you have to remember you are about seven years into custom content so it is going to take quite a bit of time.

I have found that the Dependencies List is a good place to track the majority of them down and if you cannot find one, at least you should have a good idea who the creator of the packs are and can search for them on the respective sites.

For your second question, many have been able to create an excellent balance between custom content and Maxis content and I do not think that too many things look completely out of place. I do not know many things that completely replace gifts because the majority of people want added content but do not want it to replace Maxis stuff just in case they do want to use it later. You can find a lot of the building you mentioned that have been custom made but will be added instead of replacing the current versions.

Finally, to the best of my knowledge, things that take up memory are not going to require the exact same amount of RAM but will of course, need a little more resources to run smoothly opposed to having a plugin folder of 0. Maybe someone with more technical knowledge will explain it in further detail and either confirm or deny my statement.

Edit: Sorry to give the exact same post as BarbyW and JBSimio but they posted while I was writing my response.

[Andreas]

Your second option, which requires a ton of time but many have done it and many more will do it in the future. Download all the content and what I have done is created a separate excel spreadsheet and I keep track of every download I do. This makes it extremely fast in the future to check to make sure you have the right things installed (such as props, dependencies, textures, etc...) but requires some time up front. It is kind of a daunting task but if you are just starting to do major downloads with custom content, you have to remember you are about seven years into custom content so it is going to take quite a bit of time.

I'd say this is a pretty important point - if you haven't followed the evolving community closely over a couple of years, you'll be lost in no time without making such a list. It's like moving and not labeling your boxes with stuff carefully - you'd be lost in no time. Install new content one by one and make sure to have a look at the readme file. If you install the listed dependencies right away and then write down what you just have installed, you'll notice very soon that many lots requite the very same dependencies again and again, so the more you progress with installing new content, the easier it will become to get the missing dependencies. Install only what you really like, and only the dependencies that are really needed! Even with the convenient LEX DVD, I wouldn't suggest dumping the whole content into your plugins folder, since you'd be too overwhelmed to use even a fraction in your cities.

[Diggis]

Even with the convenient LEX DVD, I wouldn't suggest dumping the whole content into your plugins folder, since you'd be too overwhelmed to use even a fraction in your cities.

Ahh....