Brand new to site and Community

[robdmad]

I have been playing SC4 for 5 years and I NEVER knew about the possibilitys of downloads into the game..... so bassically, what i am asking is for everything...... tell me ANYTHING i need to know about playing beyound the standard game..... "where do i download?" "what should i download" "how do i open them and use the downloads" all questions like that...... Thank you ALL!!!!

[vidgms]

I would also like some help on this.  I downloaded the NAM and CAM things, newest and most downloaded versions.  I also downloaded an "mega props" pack. 

I would like to know how to use a the props in my game but cannot figure out how to do it.

[xxdita]

Welcome to you both, robdmad and vidgms. Hopefully you've both found the LEX and registered seperately for it, as that is where you'll find pretty much all of the downloads around here. And you have certainly come to the right place, as everything on the LEX is thoroughly tested, to make sure that it all works properly in your game, provided you pay attention to the ReadMe's included with most downloads.
As you'll see, there is a ton of custom content, created by many different people available on the LEX.
Poke around the forums a bit, and you'll find threads for all of the active creators here at SC4D, featuring new buildings, lots, and game modifications (mods).
CAM will completely change your way of playing the game, adding an additional 7 growth stages (15 now for Residential & Commercial, and 10 for Industrials), letting your game go even bigger. There's plenty more to it, and things you need to watch out for when using it, so check the CAM Board.
If CAM kicks the game into overdrive, then NAM is a boost of Nitro to push it right over the edge. The gearheads on the NAM team have laid out entirely new networks for your game. And made new traffic plugins to make sure your Sims can get through Rush Hour safely. For the latest on SAM, RHW, FAR, and whatever else they have in the works, check out the NAM Board.
While you're on the LEX, looking for things to download, be sure to get Cleanitol to help you erradicate duplicates, and help you in the dependency hunt.
Have fun, and should you hve any more questions along the way, just find a related topic in the forums, and ask away.

[vidgms]

Suprisingly I searched on how to use custom content in game and this topic came up.


Heres my question, since this topic came up and all...

How do I get the content I downloaded, which is most of the stuff from the CAM Board, to show up in game.  I went in and started a new region just to test it out and none of the downloads never came up.  Do i need some other thing to make the content show up?

[xxdita]

Most of the zip files on the LEX have installer programs inside of them, which will put all of the files from that download right where they need to be on your computer. Also, each zip comes with a ReadMe, which gives you valuable information about what you've downloaded, including anything else you may need for that file to work or look right.
If you run across any zip that doesn't have an Installer, just copy over the files within the zip to your My Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins folder.

[Pat Riot]

Where do you download?
LEX (Dita has you covered on this one :p)
STEX (Down at the moment, recovering from an attack: www.simtropolis.com)
PLEX (SimPeg.com)
and also you will want to look in the japnese board where you will find various links to japanese exchanges, there are a lot of hidden gems on those sites.
"What should you download?"
Well, for starters, you need to get the major mod, the NAM. They have it on the LEX and STEX. Then you will want some terrain mods/water mods, which are available on most exchanges. Here on the LEX you can find extensions to the NAM, like the SAM and the RHW, you will want to ask yourself if you want the CAM. I say "ask" because most people at Devotion throw it in as necessary, however, it changes the gameplay incredibly, so, if it does not give a super desirable effect to you, you may not want to download. If it is to your liking, I'd suggest downloading it and any CAM related items on the LEX.

Next, you want to ask yourself what cities you will be making.
If its american style, look at
-Simgoober
-NoFunk
-Jasoncw
-JbSimbio

If its european
-Feroxx
-haarlamergold (sorry, that name might not be accurate, the stex is down so i cant check)
-Xannapen
-Prepo
-Krio
-Porkissimo

If its Asian search for the HKBAT, a BAT team dedicated to asia, and then check the japanese boards.

Middleeastern? try frogface. Simgoober also made a great mosque.
Latin American? search LBT.