How To Install BSC files?

[premium]

k first i downloaded this files and installed them accordingly to C:/....../My Documents/Sim City 4/Plugins
my game is installed at F: Drive

1. BSC Essentials Files
2. BSC Textures Volume 1
3. BSC Textures Volume 2
4. BSC Mega Props 01

so now im confused when i entered into the game, there is no buildings nor anything to build from BSC
all i could see is default models and buildings provided by Sim City 4
My question now is

1.the files don't provide any building at all and i have to download one by one?
2. Did I do the right thing? Mind providing me steps to install everything please (i wanted to use the BSC waste to energy plant)
3. Did i install the files to C drive plugins correctly or should I install into F drive plugins

[TopCliff]

You did everything right except for one thing. You need to double-click the file icon, and it will be unzipped by WinZip. Once this is over, a window will appear. The con that shows a hard drive with an arrow in it, double-click that. That starts the installation process. Enjoy!

[premium]

the 4 files installed does not provide any buildings at all?
i have to download each building separately?

[TopCliff]

Wait, what? Are you saying that you downloaded the BSC Mega Pack? If that's the case, that's just dependancies for numerous buildings. It isn't a pack, per se. Yes, you have to download all the buildings individually.

[premium]

meaning the files i installed are requirements for the models to run?
im getting a headache now

[jplumbley]

First off, welcome to the community.

It sounds to me that you have not downloaded the LOT files for the buildings.

The way the BSC has chosen to upload things is by creating a package of models which can be used on multiple lots created by multiple users.  These packages are called Prop Packs.  Some people dont like Prop Packs because some lots require quite a few Prop Packs to be installed.

Prop Packs:
What is a Prop Pack?
A prop pack is a file that holds many model files by one or more creators.  Sometimes the models contained in this file are used for props, such as cars, garbage cans, people, flowerbeds, etc.  Sometimes the models are used as the actual building on a lot.  Without a model file when a lot grows it will reference a missing model and grow blank, or in some cases maybe cause a crash to desktop.

Why are Prop Packs good?
The reason why putting models in prop packs is good is because it allows other users to create new lots for a building or use custom made cars, flower beds, people, etc on multiple lots and only force you to download the Model File once.  A Prop Pack can be upto 10 mb in size, if all the models were spread out amoungst the LOT files then there would be duplicates of models on your computer if you had two LOTs that used the same model.  Not only does it save space on your computer but it also saves on bandwidth sapce for the website.

Lots Files:
Generally when something is uploaded it will have a main model file inside it if it is a new model by the creator.  This will only be the building on the lot, but if there is other props used such as flower beds, cars, people, etc. there will be a list of dependancies.  You will need to have any dependancies that are for the textures, but the rest of them are optional in most cases.  The thing is if you want the lot to look as it does in the picture with all the props you will need all the dependancies (prop packs and textures).  Now, I said in most cases, but if the model for the Building on the lot is in another prop pack and not included in the lot file then you will also have to download that dependancy.

Different types of Models:
There are 2 different types of models in SC4.  Buildings and Props.
Buildings:
A building is a require component of a lot.  The building is desgined such that it gives the lot some of the statistics such as, Capacity, Stage, Wealth, etc.  If you do not install the model file for the building the lot will not work and will give you a brown box.  The Brown Box is an ugly sight in a city because it tells you that you are missing something.

Props:
Props are not required.  These are optional additions to make a lott more realistic and pretty.  These are things like cars, trees, hedges, flower beds, picnic tables, people, etc.  These are anything and everything you can think of.  These models if you do not download them will in most cases just not appear when a lot grows.  They are not requried to be downloaded for the lot to function.  BUT, if they are not installed they will not show.  If they dont show then the lot will look bare and you may not like that.  This is the choice you have to make, do you want to have a pretty lot or a dull lot?

Some commonly used Prop Packs:
This is a short list of commonly used prop packs that will save you time and agravation looking for them.  Links to the files:

BSC Essentials - Required for some BSC Buildings
Simgoober Mega Prop Pack Vol 1 - Everything you can think of
Jesstar Mega Prop Pack Vol 1 - Industrial
Jesstar MEGA Vol 2 - Industrial
Jesstar MEGA Prop Pack Vol 3 - Industrial
Gascooker MEGA Prop Pack Vol 1 - UK Style Buildings and Props
BSC Misc MEGA Pack Vol 1 - Everything you can think of
MJB MEEGA Prop Pack Vol 1 - Everything you can think of
Deadwoods MEGA Prop Pack Vol 1 - Parks and Commercial

Last but not least, Search for "Colyn" on the SC4D LEX and on page 6 you will find CSX MEGA Props Vol 1-5, there is also a 6th Volume on page 3.  Colyn has made some of the best models for everyone to use at their own will.  Some of the models in these packages havent even been given lots yet and they are hidden gems that only a few know about and someone will have to lot them one day.

I hope this has been helpful.  Once you have this main list of dependancies your are off and running.