Quick Question: Changing Growth Stage?

[vlad755]

Is changing the growth stage of a building as simple as changing the "Growth Stage" property of a .SC4Lot file in SC4Tool or is there more to it?  I know that changing the capacity is as simple as changing the "Capacity Satisfied" property (in a .SC$Desc file) and was wondering if changing the stage growth was just as simple.  Also, if I change a growth stage from eight to nine i.e "CAM-ify" the building, do I have to do more than just change the property or is more required because it will now be in the CAM range of growth stages?  Thanks!

(Yes, I have and loaded the CAM addon, CAM Essentials, etc.)

[M4346]

It is not as simple as just changing the growth stage to CAMify the LOT.

New values need to be generated by the X-Tool for that particular Model by using the occupant size and the appropriate filling degree. The tool then assigns the proper growth stage, capacity satisfied and other variables such as garbage produced, electricity and water consumption.

I don't know the effect of changing the growth stage manually in, say, the Reader, but I do know that if it works it would mess up the CAM's functioning.

We'll have to wait for RippleJet to post in more detail though. 

[vlad755]

Okay, thanks, I understand- changing into the CAM range of stages is more complicated.

But what about changing say from stage 2 to stage 3?  Is it as simple as I have outlined above or does it involve more?  Again, thanks in advance!

[M4346]

I have actually never done that before, so I'm the wrong person to ask.  I've only used growth stages with the X-Tool. 

Perhaps someone would come along and help you. I do, however, believe you can just change the property in the Reader / SC4Tool, but I don't know what the effect / consequences of that would be.

[RippleJet]

To change the building's growth stage is as such as easy as changing the Growth Stage property in the LotConfig exemplar.

However, it is always important for the sake of the development simulation that the growth stage is correct.
The growth stage is based on the capacity density of the lot (measured in capacity per tile).
If you're interesting in knowing the exact settings for different stages, read about CAM - Stage Limits and Stage CAPs.

The habit of changing the growth stage has unfortunately lead to the creation and uploading of several lots that grow with too high capacities on too low a stage. This is an efficient way of stopping city development in the long run, since buildings will never upgrade from a higher density to a lower density (even if the latter one is of higher growth stage).

[vlad755]

RippleJet:  Thank you thank you thank you!    That was what I was looking for.   I really like the work that was done with the CAM vis-a-vis densities as that is what prompted me to ask this question.  I mostly modify Res. addons to make them more realistic capacity wise as compared to their size and number of stories.  I soon realized that this may muck up the whole Growth Stage - density relationship and cities progressing, etc.  Now I can change the Growth Stage (and other characteristics) to keep things aligned.  Again, a hearty thanks!

[RippleJet]

You might also be interested in "X" Tool: Capacity Calculations and Floorage, which explains how the capacities are calculated in the "X" Tool.
Please also follow the link provided in that thread to the explanation of the "Filling Degree".