Help me to start with CAM

[VeTram]

Hi to all friends..

-Since i very recently learned about CAM , and immediately decided to follow , i would like some help before i'll make anything wrong...

Well , first of all i am going to start with a new fresh region.. I have a plugin about 2,3 GB ( recently added some files from LEX DVD)
So ,  i have read the manual , carefully , and i have download CAM 1.0...I have read the thread named "CAM - Welcome and Manual+Download" , and also noticed some advices from xxdita in page 4.  But of course there is so much informations in various threads all about CAM , with so many pages , which is impossible to read them all....

Please help me to start ..... I have already run the cleanitol file...everything seems o.k....is there anything else important to download at the present (except CAM 1.0 of course) ?...is that the newer version? ...should i empty my plugins folder ?  ...is there anything to take care in my new region ( i mean how many large , or medium or small cities )  ... pls help
thanx

[RippleJet]

If you have installed the starter packs, I'd recommend running Cleanitol with CAM Remove Lots BSC Cleanitol.
That would remove any stage 8 lots that you might have left in your plugins after downloading external models for the CAMeLots.

Otherwise, it sounds like you're ready, set and go!

And, yes, there's no newer version than 1.0... yet

[VeTram]

Thanks RippleJet
It seems that i am ready , because as i wrote i have an empty plugin folder now. I suggest to start with CAM , then open the game and find a new region , ( really anything to notice in that region?.....i mean how many large /medium/small cities....)..  Then save , and back to plugins to install NAM .  OK? ...What about the bldprop_vol1 and bldprop_vol2  ( maxis's files)  ...can i add them also?

[RippleJet]

( really anything to notice in that region?.....i mean how many large /medium/small cities....)..

The game will of course load and run smoother, the smaller your cities are.
Otherwise, there are no restrictions.

What about the bldprop_vol1 and bldprop_vol2  ( maxis's files)  ...can i add them also?

Of course you should add them, and they will most probably be needed as well.

[VeTram]

thanks a lot RippleJet..

another question now..... As i have already written , i am going to start with a new fresh region , and i have in my mind to create hopefully a not so big rural city...
So ,  I have read some comments in other threads , about CAM and NAM pathfinders , and i am not sure which pathfinder to use ...I am not also sure , which simulator to choose in NAM , and i suggest to use the hard difficulty...what do you advice me to do?   
Also which Automata controller files should i use in case of NAM installation?   ..i repeat my target is a NOT so big rural city ( i estimate fewer than 250,000 population )

and something else.....i will start with an empty plugin also...does it matters to install CAM or NAM first?
thanx

[RippleJet]

I am not also sure , which simulator to choose in NAM , and i suggest to use the hard difficulty...what do you advice me to do?

Personally I would also select a hard one, because I want the challenge.
Whether it would be Simulator A, B or Z is a more difficult question though.

If I were to start a new region right now I would probably be using Z,
merely because I would want to try it out.

Also which Automata controller files should i use in case of NAM installation?   ..i repeat my target is a NOT so big rural city ( i estimate fewer than 250,000 population )

I would probably still go for the standard automata plugin. That's the one I've always used.
I guess it's mostly a matter of taste though...

does it matters to install CAM or NAM first?

If you install NAM first, be sure not to select any of the pathfinders included in CAM (which are older than the latest NAM).
Other from that, the installation order doesn't matter.

[VeTram]

thanks once again RippleJet...but really i didnt know that there is Z simulator ...anyone who knows ? pls..

[z]

The post containing the latest release of Simulator Z is here; the rest of the thread will give you a good idea of what it does, if you're interested.  Although the current version is a beta version, it's been run by many people for quite a while now, with no reports of problems, and chances are good it will be the final version.  As a side note, I built Simulator Z specifically with CAM in mind.

[VeTram]

O.K , Thank you z .....now i know that there are 3 Traffic Simulators  ( A , B , Z ) , but i really dont know which is the best for the city that i have into my mind.. .......so i suppose that i must test them in my city....so , my question is now if i can test them all one by one without having to start my city from the beginning....is that really possible?..

[z]

It's certainly possible.  You just have to wait about five years after installing a new simulator for the game to make a complete transition to it.

But such an extensive test may not be necessary.  If you have any plans for using RHW (the new, multi-lane expressways being developed) or NWM (the wider avenues of various types that are also under development), then Simulator B would not be a good choice, as it does not support either of these extensions, and there are no indications from the NAM team that it's going to be upgraded to do so.

While the thread for Simulator Z is getting a bit long at six pages, I'd recommend starting to read it here, which is the announcement of the current release, on page five.  The announcement itself is rather long, as it includes the results of many tests, most of which compare Simulators A and Z, but following it are the experiences of a number of people who've used all three simulators.  You may find this useful in your decision.

You're quite welcome to ask further questions about Simulator Z, but I suggest that if you do, you ask them in the thread I mentioned, as this is starting to get a bit off-topic from CAM.

[VeTram]

thanks z once again ...i will centairly join your thread , as you are right that i am starting to ask questions off-topic from CAM , BUT, i will return here , to ask further more about CAM for sure. I really like the idea of CAM , and although i havent practice it yet , i can imagine that it has a lot of interesting.

[z]

That sounds like a good approach.  I've been using CAM almost since it came out, and I wouldn't play the game without it.  Good luck! 

[b22rian]

HI VeTram...

I agree with Z fully , I would never go back to playing the game without CAM, now that ive been using it
for a long time.. Its added a lot of enjoyment for the game for me..Also Ive been using Sim Z for awhile
and I can promise you it is the best traffic sim out there right now.. I have used the others..One thing
that is great about it.. is its creator..Z.. He is very active in these threads, and will always help you if
you have any questions.. Also Ripple jet is a very nice man and will do the same with the CAM for you..
I will help you also , but the 2 I mentioned are very smart men !

But Sim Z is set up to work well with CAM  and i recommend you trying it out..
anyways, keep us posted on your progress with CAM..

Thanks, Brian

[VeTram]

THANKS SO MUCH , Z and  b22rian , you are all very gently , and nice guys.. ...and of course RippleJet , and everybody here are very good people , indeed.
I am really proud , for being a member of this site ,  and i really feel that i belong here.. thanx once again

[VeTram]

-As i promised before , i return back to ask questions concerning CAM only.. I have read , the manual of course , but i am afraid that my knowledge about the game-play are not enough to understand some important things....so i ask for help , and i am afraid that i will keep this thread alive for some time in the future , by asking , and asking again....

-As i have already written , i have started CAM , with a new fresh region , and at the same time i am reading the manual mostly , and whatever i can read from the various threads..Well , i soon realised that i do not understand the meaning of the phrase " population density" (jobs/residents per tile) , so i cannot read the  recommendations in the table ( in manual)...Let me use an example...

-I have download BMD_DairyFarms_BSC , which i read in Readme , that it contains and a stage 2 farm lot (3x2)...Although i have already some farm lots , i do not see it grow , as they only grow Pedriana's Plants, AlvinAgres,Barthelet stables, and Jez knightAgres farm lots...So , my simple question is how can i watch this recommendations in game? is it possible and how ?
thanx

[tag_one]

The population density is the amount of people per tile. For example a single house on a 1x3 lot (3 tile) has 12 residents. So the population density is 12/3=4 people per tile. When your city grows bigger you'll get row houses with for example 33 residents per 1x3 lot. The population density becomes now 33/3=11 residents per tile.
So to answer your question: increasing population density = is bigger and taller buildings

[VeTram]

o.k tag_one and thanks for your answer..i can understand whatever you wrote , but as i read in Stage Limits (Stage versus Density) thread .."The values in the table  show the recommendations on what population density (jobs/residents per tile) that will trigger each growth stage to be selected for the CAM " ( as written) ...By your answer , do you mean that, for example , in stage 4 the R$ = 8  . Does 8 is the result of residents per lot tiles?  Also what about if a single house has 5 residents on a 1x2 lot , what's the result?  2,5?......and why jobs mentioned in population density=jobs/residents per tile ?....and finally i read in manual that in Residential Growth Stage Thresholds that for example in stage 2 the Thresholds for R$=800 , R$$=900 , R$$$=1000...Does this means that stage 2 R$$ buildings will appear when the total regional residential capacity is 900 people?  ...is it possible to see (for example) how many residents $ , $$ , $$$ , i have in my city and how?...I am famous here for asking too much questions...
thanx

[RippleJet]

o.k tag_one and thanks for your answer..i can understand whatever you wrote , but as i read in Stage Limits (Stage versus Density) thread .."The values in the table  show the recommendations on what population density (jobs/residents per tile) that will trigger each growth stage to be selected for the CAM " ( as written)

The stage limits referred to in that thread are meant for lot creators, and it was primarily written for a creator using PIM-X.
I guess it's easier if I explain that with an example.

Suppose you've created a high-wealth residential bat, which (based on its size) would have a capacity of 600 R§§§.

Firstly, suppose you want to use that building on a lot sized 3×2 tiles.
600 divided by 6 tiles give a density of 100 and a growth stage of 8.

Secondly, suppose you want to use that same building on a lot sized 6×5 tiles.
600 divided by 30 tiles now gives a density of 20 and a growth stage of 6.

Whenever a stage 6 or stage 8 building would grow in the game is all given by the Stage Limits and Thresholds.

[VeTram]

so , the population density (jobs/residents per tile) = the capacity of each type of residents ($,$$,$$$) devided by the numbers of lot's tile? am i right?.........as for the stage Limits and Thresholds , i have read the values...and does that means that for example , in order for the simulator to pass from stage 2 to stage 3 must exist more than 800 residents $ , and nothing more? , the same for residents $$ must exist more than 900 and so on...am i right?...or 800 or 900 etc is the total number of all wealth types residents?    and something else..where can i see the number of each wealth type of RCI  in my city?  Is it possible and how?
thanx for the support

[VeTram]

please also read this which still wait for an answer.......

-I have download BMD_DairyFarms_BSC , which i read in Readme , that it contains and a stage 2 farm lot (3x2)...Although i have already some farm lots , i do not see it grow , as they only grow Pedriana's Plants, AlvinAgres,Barthelet stables, and Jez knightAgres farm lots...thanx