Help with region load

[SpySeeTaco]

I recently found out about the map 48 states. If you haven't heard of it, it is a region of the entire United States (Not including Alaska and Hawaii, hence the name 48 States), and I dont know how to load the region without using a grayscale, but each time i try to use the grayscale image, it says it's not the right size. Of course it aint the right size! Just load!
If anyone can help, I'd be ecstatic.

[ShelLuser]

I tried to find it on Google to no avail, so best I can say is to make sure you read all the instructions. Some regions require a specific installation procedure.

[SpySeeTaco]

Well i found the map on Simtropolis, and i didn't see anything on a Steam installation.

[NetPCDoc]

Generally, region size issues get you into the technical side of region creation, where you need (or at least want) to develop a custom configuration-bit-map (config.bmp file) for a custom region.

[MGB]

Whilst the game can import custom regions from a grey-scale image, that function is extremely limited.

Most detailed or larger maps come in SC4M format, which requires using a 3rd Party App to convert into an in-game region file.

SC4Mapper is the simplest way of doing this:
http://sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=2880

SC4Terraformer is a little more complex, but allow you to edit the terrain and do some advanced map tweaking:
http://sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=731

Either way, you'll need one of the two most likely to get this working.

[SpySeeTaco]

I tried SC4Mapper and it workded with converting the jpg grayscale to an SC4M file, but i couldn't import an SC4M file when i tried the ctrl + lshift + R because it wouldn't give me an option to look for SC4M files to import, so I'm not sure if I need to export it to a file in my SC4 Regions folder for the actual game to load it automatically with its own folder.

[MGB]

SC4M is not a valid SC4 format for maps that the game can read. It is a format used by 3rd Party map tools for holding SC4-compatible data.

What you should do is open the SC4M file and create a region based upon it in your chosen mapping utility. This will create all the SC4 Save files and a new Region folder. This will not be fully game-rendered, you must open and save each city for that. But that only really affects the view in the Region View when starting a game. Here's a brief run down of how to convert SC4M into a new Region in SC4Mapper:

- Open SC4Mapper and select Create Region
- Select to do this from an SC4M file (first button)
- Locate the SC4M file you want to load in the file view
- If desired, edit the Config.bmp file. This simply defines the layout of Small, Medium and Large tiles you'll get for this map
- Select Save Region
- Give the Region a suitable name and click OK
- Now your new Region will be pre-rendered so it can be loaded in SC4.

Note: The original method of region import (CTRL+SHIFT+R) simply doesn't work for any sort of large map. This is why 3rd party applications have been designed in order to facilitate this.

[SpySeeTaco]

But what specific apps?

[MGB]

Sorry I don't really understand the question? I've already posted links to both apps that can handle maps. Likewise I've given step-by-step instructions for how to use one. So when you ask what specific apps, either you haven't read what I posted or there is some misunderstanding here?

To be clear, the instructions I gave are for taking either an SC4M file, typically downloaded from exchanges, or a completed greyscale image and making a working SC4 region. Is that not what you are asking for help with?

[SpySeeTaco]

By 'what specific apps' i meant for when you said 3rd party applications were designed, what apps were you talking about?

[MGB]

In this very thread, I've already told you about the two applications that can work with SC4M files:

Originally posted by MGB:

Whilst the game can import custom regions from a grey-scale image, that function is extremely limited.

Most detailed or larger maps come in SC4M format, which requires using a 3rd Party App to convert into an in-game region file.

SC4Mapper is the simplest way of doing this:
http://sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=2880

SC4Terraformer is a little more complex, but allow you to edit the terrain and do some advanced map tweaking:
http://sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=731

I also gave you a full list of steps to turn an SC4M file into a Region you can use in SC4, using SC4 Mapper:

Originally posted by MGB:

Here's a brief run down of how to convert SC4M into a new Region in SC4Mapper:

- Open SC4Mapper and select Create Region
- Select to do this from an SC4M file (first button)
- Locate the SC4M file you want to load in the file view
- If desired, edit the Config.bmp file. This simply defines the layout of Small, Medium and Large tiles you'll get for this map
- Select Save Region
- Give the Region a suitable name and click OK
- Now your new Region will be pre-rendered so it can be loaded in SC4.

Other than repeating myself over and over, I'm at a loss as to how else I can explain this to you? Might I suggest you read through those two posts carefully, if there is a specific part you do not understand, I can elaborate upon it. But in essence you are asking questions that have already been answered.

[SpySeeTaco]

Quote: "The original method of region import (CTRL+SHIFT+R) simply doesn't work for any sort of large map. This is why 3rd party applications have been designed in order to facilitate this."
What 3rd Party Applications were you talking about?

[MGB]

You'll need either SC4 Mapper or SC4 Terraformer. Both of those are the 3rd Party Apps I'm talking about. In fact, prior to their existence, the SC4M format was not a thing.