Using Reader for growable R$ from PIM-X re-lots

[dwelln8hss32]

I am using iLive's Reader, PIM-X, and LE-X to re-lot another creator's growable R$ files (onlyplace4's BLaM FBP Shanties, which can be found here: http://community.simtropolis.com/files/file/16835-blam-fbp-shanties-pack-1-version-1/). The shanties are useful to me, and I'd like to grow them in game, but I could do without onlyplace4's extra props used in the files, which do not mesh well with my city's theme and character.

I'm wanting to use his models on my own lots, and he organized his files so that the main models are props. I do not want his original lots growing in my city, and as he dat-packed his family, I thought it would be best to create a new .dat file in Reader containing his models as a new props dependency for my re-lots. This way, I could remove his original .dat file from plugins. If I knew how to extract model files from this .dat file, I would do that instead.

I re-lotted in PIM-X by dragging onlyplace4's models into the growable low wealth window. No problem in PIM-X or LE-X. Where I'm having difficulty is in Reader, which I'm pretty green at using. I'm having trouble figuring out how to use Reader to index the building exemplars with my lots so that they grow in-game. Since onlyplace4 used models as props, I am not sure how the IID's need to be copied into my re-lot files. I've "tidyed" up my lot files so that the Building and LotConfig exemplars both appear in the lot file, but it doesn't look like I'm finished. I did notice the DIR files are missing from the lot files. I don't know how that happened, other than I deleted the loose growable descriptors previous to tidying up, but I don't think that should have been a factor....

To create a new dependency file in Reader, I simply found the IID's of the props he used for buildings (there are 4), copied the prop exemplar files, opened a new .dat file, and pasted each exemplar file in. Since they are prop exemplars and not building exemplars, I'm confused about how to index the exemplars in this new .dat with my new re-lots. Also, shouldn't the IID's in the DIR file in my new .dat match those of the LotConfig exemplars in my re-lots?

If something doesn't make sense here, I'll be happy to explain things in more detail, as needed. I'm also quite aware I may need to start over, in case I've taken too many steps in the wrong direction, which I'm fine with, as my re-lots are very basic (1x1, model, base texture, no extra props). If copies of my files are needed for assistance purposes, feel free to PM me.

Thanks in advance

Jake

[vortext]

Hm yeah, not entirely sure what it is you want to achieve. 

The .dat file contain 5 BATs; do you want to keep only those and throw away everything else or the other way around?

Also, if you're creating new growables yourself in the PIM there's really no need to edit anything in the Reader afterwards. You would be lotting then, not re-lotting 

[dwelln8hss32]

Thanks for your response, Vortext. I want to keep the 5 BATs; well, 4 out of 5 anyway, and throw everything else out. I thought I needed the BATs as dependencies, but you are saying when using the PIM, I do not? Well, great then!

The only trouble is my growable lots (and thank you for pointing out my incorrect use of the term "re-lot") are not growing when running the simulator. I thought the problem stemmed from modding in Reader, but I guess not. Maybe my growth stage of 3 is problematic, but I'm wanting them to appear early on in a new city.

[vortext]

I want to keep the 5 BATs; well, 4 out of 5 anyway, and throw everything else out.

Okay, first of all open the file in the Reader, obviously.
Now hit the filter icon in the toolbar, uncheck S3D and FSH and click refresh.
A bunch of files will appear, select all of these, right click and choose remove file.
Right click again the now empty middle pane and choose reindex.
Save the file and exit the Reader.

If everything went well, all that's left are the S3D and FSH files which together make up the BATs.

Maybe my growth stage of 3 is problematic, but I'm wanting them to appear early on in a new city.

Erm yep, that would be it.  Increase the lot size untill you get to a stage 1 lot.

[dwelln8hss32]

That worked out well in Reader. Thanks for the great advice!   

Erm yep, that would be it.  Increase the lot size untill you get to a stage 1 lot.

That's the kind of thing that happens when I try stuff out myself without further research.    I only needed to make my lots 1x2 to get stage 1 option to appear. Thanks again, Vortext!

Jake