Network Addon Mod

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Q&A

The contents of this file aims to answer some of the more common questions and/or problems some users might come across with this mod. It is not intended to replace the Installation Instructions but rather accompany it.

If at any time you have any technical problems &/or questions regarding the contents &/or features of the mod, it is strongly advised that you look through here first before deciding to post on the forum.

Contents of file may be added to.

Q: I am new to all this. Where can I find more information about this mod;

A: Anything that you may want to know or may need to know about this mod should be contained in the files that came with this mod. The Read Me contains links to most other information regarding this mod. Some of the files have links within them though, to other related items. It is up to you to make sure you read through the files to find what you may need. That is the whole reason why the documentation was made; to make it easier for people to find the information they want or need first without having to look through forums/websites.

Q: I see replicated Menu Icons [or Menu Buttons];

A: This means you have an extra file in either one of the Plugins folders, that should not be there. This is thee ONLY reason why replicated menu icons might appear in a menu. So search through both Plugins folders more thoroughly until you find the problem file(s).

Q: I have just downloaded the newest version, but nothing works [or only some things work & some things do not work];

A: This is most likely because of a file conflict with the mod. You will need to read the Installation Instructions regarding Compatibility; & then look through the Plugins folder to ensure no other files conflict with this mod.

Q: I have tried everything, but I still can not get anything to work;

A: If you have tried everything, then this means you would have tried, &/or need to try, the following; temporarily remove anything and everything from both Plugins folders, except for this mod & the games 5 original BackGround.PNG files; then Start the game & Start a blank New City and then try out the different items that this mod contains. If this is done properly it will ensure that the mod works, at which point progressively place any other files [BATS/LOTS/MODS/etc] back into the Plugins folder, progressively testing the mod [in a Blank city] to make sure it still works. If at any point the mod no longer works, then that means a file conflict has occurred & you will need to pin-point exactly what file(s) is causing the problem.

Q: I have an old Transit_BugFix_ExpandedOptions file, and I want to keep it because of its features;

A: Remove/delete it from the Plugins folder. Anything & everything in that file [among other things] is included as part of the Network Addon Mod.

Q: I use this mod & now have problems of some sort with my game;

A: From time to time new additions included in this mod may affect existing items in/with the game. If you experience any pathing, automata &/or any other problems with any of the networks, &/or items contained in this mod, with the game when using this mod; in the first instance recheck your installation of this mod by following the Installation Instructions & make sure you’ve read the History & Technical Notes for any other relevant information. If a problem persists, in the next instance properly check, completely bulldoze & then rebuild the problem network tiles/items in question. The game should then be given some time to update as a result. If a problem still continues (even after 12-24 months game time) then this may indicate an issue with item(s) in question, in which case please report the problem with specific details so it can be looked into.

Q: I use this mod & now some or all of my Transit Enabled Lots no longer work properly;

A: This mod contains a fix that affects Transit Enabled Lots for Left-Hand Version players. Please read the History & Technical Notes for details regarding this fix.

Q: I use this mod, & now some of my buildings have messed-up textures on them, what gives;

A: This is most likely due to a file conflict. The various parts of this mod have been made using a particular & necessary ID system; and the only time anything should or would conflict with this mod is if there is another file that is conflicting with it. This would only be due to a custom Mod/Lot/Bat file, as most of the files in this mod have been made so that they do not have conflicting issues with the games original files.

Q: I can not get U-Drive-It for Elevated Rail to work;

A: Read the Contents file as it explains how & what is necessary in order to access U-Drive-It for Elevated Rail.

Q: What is the ANT item, and why does it look like the Road network;

A: The ANT [Additional Network Tool] item in the mod is actually an unfinished item that Maxis left in the games files. Technically it is separate from the other networks, with its own capacity and speeds. The reason it looks like the Road network is because the road textures & paths are currently being used for its look. Hopefully this may be changed sometime in the future though. For more information on the ANT item, please see the Contents file.

Q: Can we change the ANT item;

A: Apart from its look, not really. The complexity of the games files means that we are currently restricted with what we can currently do with it to a big degree. However this may change in the future.

Q: Can we change any of the networks to something else; for example; make them wider;

A: Anything that involves making a network wider, that requires using up more tiles width-wise, is currently not possible.

Q: Can we make diagonal Streets;

A: Absolutely not. No. EXE Controlled. It’s one of those; ‘Maxis would have to do it’ things.

Q: Can we make diagonal bridges;

A: Not really. This is another one of those ‘Maxis would have to do it’ things.

Q: When are more Interchanges, Overpasses, Ramps, Puzzle Pieces, & other items going to be released;

A: Any additional items made will be released when those making them are good and ready to release them. It may take weeks, sometimes a lot longer, to make something from beginning to end; and no amount of question asking &/or bothering is going to change this or speed up the process.

Q: When is the mod going to be updated next;

A: When those working on it, are good and ready to.

Q: Can I still use Traffic Cop;

A: Please read the Installation Instructions regarding this, as it is covered in detail there.

Q: I use one of the “…Traffic_Plugin” files, and my Sims no longer use Mass Transit or they use Mass Transit to much, what’s going on;

A: Most of the Traffic Plugin files alter the way the game’s Traffic Pathfinding behaves. They work for the better so that Sims now commute from Point1 to Point2 more efficiently while still keeping their commuting preferences in mind. So if Sims are no longer using Mass Transit or using Mass Transit to much in a particular city, this means the Sims have found a more efficient way to get from Point1 to Point2. This can have a great deal to do with how a city [& region] has been structured &/or laid out. Essentially, people should [try to] alter the way they design their cities, and try build with things being spaced further apart more.

Q: When I use this mod, my computer &/or cities run very slow, why;

A: Most of the Traffic Plugin files increase the accuracy of the games Traffic Pathfinding so that Sims now commute much more efficiently. What this does is increase the CPU usage of a computer, which subsequently has a roll-on effect & is why some people may experience a slowdown of their computer &/or cities. The faster the CPU, the less of a problem this will be [typically].

Q: When I build an item contained in this mod, my game &/or computer momentarily freezes &/or locks-up when I build the item, what is going on;

A: This may potentially indicate a problem with the item being built, missing the necessary file(s) it needs to function properly. If this happens to you when building an item contained in this mod, then please report the problem with specific details so it can be looked into.

Q: Why do I get asked to build overpasses all of the time, & can I stop it;

A: This will only occur if you are using the NetworkAddonMod_AUTOPROMPT_Plugin.dat file. There is no other reason why this would be happening. So if you do not want to be asked to build overpasses all of the time; then simply remove this file from the Plugins folder. This mentioned file is no longer supported though & should not be used.

Q: Is there anything I can do to help;

A: Yes. We are constantly looking for others to help with various items, especially Texturing/Skinning newly created models. Currently there is only a hand few of people working on this mod, & those currently involved may not always be [so] involved, so the extra help would be good [& some of us are willing to teach others with some of the aspects involved]. The more help all-round would mean some things may be made quicker. Some people have even helped without asking, going out of their way to make various items for this mod, and have thus earned the right to have their name placed in the Credits.

Q: SimCity is just a game, all this just for a game, are you nuts?

A: Absolutely :P.

File Last Updated: Friday, 3 June 2005