PLEASE HELP!!!! dont fully understand how to get mods

[mizzum727]

Hi Im new to dis and im really trying get this but these region downloads i got from simtropolis aren't downloadin on my game imean i think im missing something so can someone please take me step by step on how to do it, I have Windox XP if that helps........PLEASE HELP ME

[Nego]

Hello, mizzum727, and welcome to the forums. Depending on what region you've downloaded, there are a few ways to apply it to a region in the game. Here are three possible solutions:

Method 1. If your downloaded region came with a grayscale image (image that is shades of gray that look like the terrain of the region), then it's really easy to install.

1. If you haven't already, create a new region in the game.
2. Hold down Ctrl+Alt+Shift+R on your keyboard. A dialogue box should pop up
3. Navigate to where that grayscale image is saved.
4. Open it and it will load each of your cities one by one, rendering the region. This could take anywhere from five minutes to five hours, depending on the speed of your computer and the size of the region.
5. After rendering is complete, you are free to play your region

Method 2. If your region came with a file called *insert name here*.SC4M, then you need a free program called SimCity 4 Mapper (make sure you read the description and download the linked patch). Note: You must me logged into the LEX to actually see the click to download button. Registration if free, by the way.

1. First, run SC4Mapper and click on the 'create region' button.
2. Click the option 'SC4M'.
3. In the new window, navigate to where the .SC4M file has been downloaded to and double click it.
4. You should now see a terrain view, in color, of your region.
5. Click on 'Save Region' and name it. Then quit SC4Mapper.
6. Launch SimCity 4 and load the new region. The colors of the region in SimCity will be the same colors as SC4Mapper until you enter and save each city tile. But you have the choice to do it as you go and not right away.

Method 3. You can use the same file (*.SC4M), but with a different program. This method will use the SimCity 4 Terraformer. Note: This method is a little bit more advanced, but also allows for more customizability. Note II: You must me logged into the LEX to actually see the click to download button. Registration if free, by the way.

1. Create a new folder in your 'My Documents/SimCity 4/Regions'.
2. Copy my config.bmp into the folder and overwrite the old one. (make changes to config.bmp file now if you want)
3. Open the new region you just created in SimCity Terraformer.
4. Click on Import Image in the Global Tools Menu and browse for the '*.SC4M'.
5. When file is imported click File - Save (the region is now saved to SC4)
6. The colors of the region in SC4 will be the same colors as SC4TF until you enter and save each city tile. But you have the choice to do it as you go and not right away.

I hope this helps and if you have anymore question, feel free to ask!  Good luck!



If your problem is that you cant get downloaded mods to show up in the game, then I'd suggest you watch this:
[linkie]
Note: This video is a little outdated, but the process is very similar today. If you are confused on any part, just ask and I'll be glad to help!

Sorry. The video had been removed due to copy write claims.

[mizzum727]

ok i do it the step one way but everytime i try to download the the greyscale image it does nothing, imean it doent even freeze like its tryin to download

[mizzum727]

ok I dont Think this map has a greyscale       http://www.simtropolis.com/stex/details.cfm?id=22171     please try it and see if it works. if so tell me how u did it.   

[Nego]

mizzum727, that region does not come with a grayscale image. Instead, it comes with a .SC4M file. So you will need to follow the steps in Method 2, in my previous post, to have the region playable in the game. If you have any more difficulty, again, feel free to ask for help.
Good luck and if you are still not to sure what to do, I can and will create a step by step tutorial for you on how to apply that specific region, if you want. I can even provide pictures. All you have to do is ask. Note: I'd just need to know what internet browser you're using (FireFox, Safari, Internet Explorer, etc.).

[mizzum727]

where do I get da mapper from?

[Nego]

You can get the mapper from here, or here: http://sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=179

[mizzum727]

ok i got da map up but now i want buildings, departments stores...ect.., i dont fully understand how to get em on da game so could u show me step by step how to do it! plus what other things i need?

[Nego]

If you are talking about Custom Content (downloadable items from the LEX and STEX) then click here to jump to that section below. If you want to learn about playing the game, zoning and building houses, etc., then

1. Click on the Region View Options button in the region view. This button is in the top left hand corner of the screen. Note: This is in the SimCity 4 Game.


2. Click on the Load Region button inside that menu.


3. Select Timbuktu from the list and click Load Region.


In that region there are plenty of tutorials on creating and building towns and cities, among other things.



How to Download and Use Custom Content

There are many of sites to download Custom Content (or CC) from. I'll be showing you how to download CC from the LEX here at SC4Devotion.com.

1. At the top of almost every page on this site is a banner that reads "BSC File Xchange" (shown below). Click on this to go strait to the LEX Page. You can also click here


2. You will now be on the below page. Here, you can either Login ... or register. If you haven't already, you must register. LEX registration is different from forum registration. If you have already registered, though, then just login.


3. After you have Logged in, you will see a page that is similar to the one below. There, you can browse by power searching, searching using google, or by using multiple other links on that page.


4. When you find something you want to download, click on it's picture and a page like the below will open. Make sure that before you download anything, you read the description on the page to make sure that you know what you're downloading and if there are any dependencies you need to download. If there are any dependencies, make sure that you download them first. When all the dependencies have been downloaded (and sometimes there won't be any so don't worry if there are none listed), then click in the Download Here link. Note: You must save all downloaded dependencies in My Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins. In your Plugins folder, it is suggested that you make a folder specifically for dependencies. It's good for organization!  


5. After the file has finished downloading, an explorer window will open with the downloaded files in it. You may have something similar to the below image. If so, continue on to step 6. If not, then continue onto step 10.


6. Read the included ReadMe file. Not doing that could result in errors in the game.

7. Select all of the files then right click>Copy or press Ctrl+C to copy the files to the clip board.


8. Navigate to My Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins. Make a new folder and call it the name of what you've just downloaded (eg. jeronij's Seawalls). This way, you will be able to find it later very easily if you need to. In the folder you've just created, paste the files you copied earlier into the folder (right click>Paste or Ctrl+P).


9. That's it! Now you can launch SimCity 4 and your CC will be in there ready to use!
_____ ____  ___   __    _

10. If the contents of the explorer window look similar the below, then you're in the correct place! If not, then go back to step 5.


11. Double click the included installer file. Follow the instructions on the pages. Click next to continue through the steps.

12. When you get to the page where it prompts you for an install location, make sure that you save it in My Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins. That is usually the default location anyway.


13. Continue through the installer until it is finished. When you're done, that's it! Now you can launch SimCity 4 and your CC will be in there ready to use!
_____ ____  ___   __    _

If you still have any questions or are unsure about anything above, just ask. I'd suggest that you should organize your CC into specific folders in your plugins folder. One folder for each downloaded item(s).