Network Addon Mod

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Index

1- Introduction.

2- Compatibility.

3- Dependancies.

4- Assumptions.

5- What Mod file(s) to use.

6- Where to Install file(s).

7- Regarding the “Traffic Cop” program.

8- Where to find.

9- Point of Contact

10- Addendum.

1. Introduction

The intention of this file is to get the Network Addon Mod & associated components installed & to get it working for you. While the content of this mod may be quite immense, especially to new users, it is important that you read the whole documentation before using the Network Addon Mod for the first time, especially these Installation Instructions. This will reduce the chances of any problems, conflicts, complications, &/or headaches that you might otherwise experience as a result of not reading the documentation.

The contents of this file &/or any other file(s) may change with future updates without notice.

2. Compatibility

This Network Addon Mod is for RH/Deluxe with RH/Deluxe Update1.

This mod is not intended for anything else other than this.

NOTE: For Mac users: a Mac compatible RH/Deluxe Update1 would be preferred, but until such time as a Mac compatible RH/Deluxe Update1 is available, the above item will not be applicable. Please contact Aspyr regarding any Mac compatible version of RH/Deluxe Update1.

In order to use this Network Addon (Mod) and associated features, please read the following very carefully;

If you have any of the following Transit related items, mods, bugfixes, files;

- a previous version of the NetworkAddonMod.dat file.

- a previous version of the NetworkAddonMod_AutoPrompt_Optional.dat file.

- Any NetworkAddonMod related file that pre-dates this version (check & compare the Date/Time Stamp of the files involved for this, especially if you’re having problems).

- the7trumpets transit related mods, bugfixes.

- Redlotus transit related mods, bugfixes.

- Redlotus overpasses.

- Darkmatters transit related mods.

- you use anyone else’s transit related mods;

- or have modified any transit related files yourself;

Please be sure to remove any & all of these above files from the Plugins folder before attempting to use this Network Addon Mod, otherwise conflicts will arise and some items may not work properly or as intended.

This version of the Network Addon Mod includes most of the above mentioned Transit related items, & contains any & all currently known bugfixes made to date (where possible &or practical), created by the Simtropolis Modd Squad &/or others to date. For a full list of Transit Bugfixes, please see the History.

3. Dependancies

Other than those (optional where applicable) files listed under What files to use further below, which are included in this mod, this mod does not have any dependencies. Some content in this mod though has resulted in community made items being made for them. These community-made items are currently considered enhancements to this mod &/or the game & as such are currently not included at this time. The locations of these community-made items are currently outside the scope of this mod. It is advised to Search Simtropolis forums &/or STEX for any community-made items that may have been made based on the Contents of this mod.

4. Assumptions

This Network Addon Mod assumes that your Installation Files of RH/Deluxe [with Update1] on your system is mostly in their original form still. If you have modified the Textures &/or anything else network related at all, then this may affect the look &/or functionality of this mod &/or vica-versa.

This mod assumes that your game has the Official Maxis RH/Deluxe Update1 applied to your game. Please do not ask for a conversion for non-RH/Deluxe/Patch1 version(s), as it will not be made.

NOTE: For Mac users: a Mac compatible RH/Deluxe Update1 would be preferred, but until such time as a Mac compatible RH/Deluxe Update1 is made available, the above paragraph will not be applicable. Please contact Aspyr regarding any release of a Mac compatible version of RH/Deluxe Update1.

WARNING:

Once you use [any of the contents of] this mod; it is highly advisable that you do not change the games’ driving-side [from Left to Right; or Right to Left]; as doing so may result with some aspects of the mod not working properly as intended.

5. What files to use?

Once you have unzipped the downloaded file, there should be a NetworkAddonMod file & 6 folders in the Mod Files folder. The details of all these files/folders are as follows:

The files contained in this mod should not have their names changed otherwise some items may not work as intended.

4.1 Short method:

All of the *.dat files & Folders in this mod have been designed & organised in such a way so that you only use one file from each folder. So for each folder that contains a *.dat file, you only need to pick/use one *.dat file from that folder. Not all plugin files are necessary to install though, some files are optional, & one file is only for left-hand versions of the game. Read below for detailed information regarding these files.

4.2 Long method:

NetworkAddonMod.dat

The above mentioned file is the main Mod file that contains most of the contents. Use this file.

And also use one of each file of the following;

Read/Click here to see which “…_Traffic_Plugin_...” file you should use.

Read/Click here to see which “…_Automata_Plugin_...” file you should use.

If you have a previous version of a “…_Traffic_Plugin_...” file &/or “…_Automata_Plugin_...” file, it does not have to be removed, you can continue to use it [this will always be the case unless notified otherwise].

-NetworkAddonMod_LEFT_HAND_VERSIONS_ONLY_Required_Additional_Plugin

This file is necessary only for active Left-Hand Versions only. Only use this file if your game is a Left-Hand Version, or Left-Hand Drive Version, & it is actively in Left-Hand Drive mode (i.e. Cars drive on the Left-Hand side of the Road). If you play the game in Left-Hand Drive Mode, this file should be installed as it forms part of & provides additional functional & enhancements for various items contained as part of the NetworkAddon Mod. For technical reasons this file exists as an extra dat plugin file. If your game is not Left Hand Version, do not use this additional plugin otherwise problems may arise & some items may not work as intended.

-NetworkAddonMod_Custom_Highway_Menu_Plugin_Optional.dat

The above file is optional for installation purposes. This file removes 4 of the games original Highway Menu buttons, while still maintaining the ability to use anything & everything that was attached with these 4 removed menu buttons by using the remaining highway menu buttons. This file [also] modifies 4 of the other (remaining) games original Highway Menus buttons; & anything & everything is still accessible via using the TAB button on the keyboard with these modified menu buttons. Feel free to try this file out, as it can be safely removed at any time [while the game is not running of course] if you so wish, without causing any functional/technical problems [this will always be the case unless notified otherwise].

-NetworkAddonMod_Avenue_Turning_Lane_Beta

The above file is optional for installation purposes. This file contains the Avenue Turning Lane portion of the NetworkAddonMod & adds turning lanes to certain avenue intersections. If you have been using or have used the Avenue Turning Lane (ATL) item in-game &/or wish to continue using it, then it will be necessary to install the above file along with the main NAM file. For those of you who have not &/or do not wish to use the ATL item, then simply do not install the file. As at the time of writing, the Avenue_Turning_Lane project was still in beta.

-NetworkAddonMod_ANT_Beta

The above file is optional for installation purposes. If you have been using or have used the ANT item in-game though &/or wish to continue using it, then it will be necessary to install the above file along with the main NAM file. For those of you who have not & do not wish to use the ANT item, then simply do not install the file.

This file contains the modified files of an additional network tool that Maxis left incomplete & non-activated in the games files. This file currently exists in BETA form (at time of writing). While the file forms part of the NAM, for technical reasons the file is currently separate from the main NAM file. Please see the Technical Notes for more details.

-NetworkAddonMod_AutoPrompt_Plugin.dat

The above optional file is no longer supported. If you have a previous version of the above file, then make sure you remove it, otherwise conflicts will arise & some items will not work/function.

6-Where to Install?

For installation purposes, any of the above NetworkAddonMod related files should be placed in the exact same folder, not a subfolder, otherwise some aspects may not work as intended. This will simply require cutting & pasting the necessary file(s) into the same folder.

Any of the above files contained in the NetworkAddon Mod that you use should be placed in;

“…Programs\SimCity 4\Plugins” folder

-or-

“…. My Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins” folder.

[or in a sub-folder of these].

Just make sure if you place any of the particular files in either location, that any of the files are placed in the exact same folder and you keep using that same Folder location with each and any updates of this Mod. Also be sure not to change the names of any of the files, otherwise some items may not work as intended. This will reduce the chances of problems and/or conflicts.

Any files not used should not be placed in the Plugins folder, but rather placed elsewhere, otherwise some items may not work as intended.

7-Regarding the “Traffic Cop” program.

For those of you that use & are wondering about the “Traffic Cop” program & it’s compatibility with this mod; You can still use Traffic Cop to modify the Traffic Values. However, it is strongly advise to use one of the “…_Traffic_Plugin_...” files that is included with this mod. The reason for this is that the “Traffic Cop” program is not capable of modifying all of the values for all the networks, & as such if you continue using an old version of a Traffic file [like the one that comes with Traffic Cop for example] then some aspects of this mod may not function properly as intended. Traffic Cop is not my program, nor is it possible to change it [the owner of the program would have to do this]. This is something beyond our control [05.08.04]; and is one of the reasons why there have been several “…_Traffic_Plugin_...” files included to choose from.

8. Where to find

You will find some of the additional Network items in the games Highways Menu and Roads menu. For some additional items though you will need to activate them yourself using the different Network tools in order for them to appear &/or be activated. An example of this is the OneWayRoad Bridges; you need to select the OneWayRoad Tool from the Menu and drag the tool across a body of water (or land gauge) before you are able to select which Bridge type you want built. Once you select the OneWayRoad Bridge type from the Selection Screen, the game will then build the bridge along with its cost. Please see the Contents for more details regarding the in-game location of the various items.

9. Point of Contact

For any Transit bugs &/or problems with any of the items &/or features that this Mod has, please see the following forum;

Modding - Transit Networks and look for the appropriate thread.

10. Addendum

If there is a particular item and/or feature about this Mod that you do not like, then it is simply asked that you do not use it. The complexity of the games’ files means that a lot of the items in this mod are only possible if it is all done in the one mod, and as such no custom orders to do something specific will necessarily be done. By all means place a request in the Modding - Transit Networks forum and it may be included in a future update if it is possible given time constraints and/or other issues.

File Last Updated: Friday, 17 June 2005