How to put your new mod in the Community Toolbar !

[RedKetchup]

Hi @scoutae4 I took a look at the wayback archive to see if the attachments might have been saved, unfortunately while the topic has been saved the attachments haven't been, on the plus side @RedKetchup is still active and its maybe possible that they still have these attachments or can at least point you in the right direction re the community toolbar

Thank you so much @catty-cb !!   @kid1293 sent me the files via pm and is very graciously helping me through the set up, so I'm inching my way towards a TADAH!

so you have the files T thats fine. sorry for the late reply

[scoutae4]

No worries @RedKetchup , you are golden!! I am very, very happy to report that I was able to get this going in spite of the ModKit behaving like a B!+(# on my system - with great thanks to @kid1293 and the good advice to ignore the kit (beyond the build) and just use the game to test your creations. I killed a couple of weeks trying to problem solve my ModKit crashes with no success, BUT it poops out perfect mods so we'll take it as it is.

Now the real fun begins   Quick question so I understand the structure properly: do I have to create my personal toolbar to be future proof? In other words, let's say in the future I want to add something not on the original toolbar, do I have to make sure that category is there already NOW so it doesn't create a conflict if I want to create a mod in that category later? Thanks in advance!

[kid1293]

Yes, absolutely! Once you have settled for a toolbar, you are limited to what it can display.
You can not change it in the middle of modding. Incompatibility!
Add a few extra buttons for later. Themes, Deco Too, Misc... They are not displayed if they are empty.

Happy modding.

[RedKetchup]

yeah exact as Kid said, you include it each time (if you dont do, you will get an error when compiling). it is kinda a little kit you include all the time and enable it.

[RedKetchup]

Add a few extra buttons for later. Themes, Deco Too, Misc... They are not displayed if they are empty.

Happy modding.

yeah you have the opportunity to craft yourself , wonderful personalized little icons which you will put your mods inside

[scoutae4]

Ok got it! Thank you both

[scoutae4]

Ok I am sorry, I have another question about future proofing your categories: I will create my main categories to reserve that taxonomy to place future "not yet created" mods, but what about categories WITHIN categories? So for example, let's say I have a HOMES & HOUSING category consistent from day one, but then later I want to create layered housing that would need a subcategory for 1st floor, 2nd floor, 3rd floor: do I need to also have those subcategories reserved from the beginning, or can I grow it later?

[kid1293]

@scoutae4
That layered housing is probably in one mod. You place that mod and its sub-categories in your homes & housing.
As simple as that. The sub-categories are not needed in any other mod.
The only problem is if you want an add-on to that house mod. It will have its own button.
You can not place it under the layered button because that one is not declared 'universally'.

You can, of course, declare more buttons under your main categories.
If you plan an extensive house building, maybe you should. Usually not needed.
Word of warning. If you declare a category, you have to live with it OR change in all your mods.
With frustration for the users...

[scoutae4]

I realize it's pretty ambitious of me to think I'll need subcategories. More likely I'll make one mod and then think, "whelp, THAT was a lot of work!" (haha) but I can see how they would be helpful for certain ideas I have kicking around in my head where I couldn't get away with just using F key variations. A little more planning is in order then. Thanks again @kid1293

[kid1293]

If you know that you will test first...
Make your toolbar, but do not populate it. Make a few mods to see what they lead to.
Place them directly under your toolbar. A few mods are easy to update later with the full toolbar.

One system that could be easy to implement is to keep your toolbar 'generic'.

HOMES & HOUSING
     |         |        |
 Rural    Town   Waterfront

It is just an example. That way it is easy to navigate, and it will not be so cluttered.

Important buttons are THEMES and DECO.

[scoutae4]

Ok that is good advice. Start small, see how the toolbar behaves and adjust from there. THEMES and DECO for sure on the list!!