how do you get the BAT? your questions answered here!

this is a common question, it is complicated, but it may be worth it IF you are willing to commit to it.
FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCIONS EXACTLY!
for those who doubt sc4devotion.com, it is just another c4 fansite, it is trustworthy, so dont worry about it.

unfortnately, thereare actually several programs to install, you have to get a number of programs to make buildings for sc4, to have a complete BAT. the bat is actually a number of tools, just follow the steps.
#1 get and install this,( you will be given a serial number, but dont despair! the product is free. just copy and paste.)
free: the gmax 3d modeler.
#2 get an account of sc4devotion(you have to register speratly for the LEX, and for the forums. :( )
sc4devotion.com
#3 get the lot editor, one of the tools that you need to make a building appear in sc4.
the lot editor download.(just get the lot editor, you need nothing else.)
the lot editor allows you to place your buildings on a lot.
if you  are wondering about the lot edito, like above, you place oyur model on the lot, then add things like grass textures, parking lots, outdoor lights, etc... 

#4 get the actual BAT.(DO NOT skip ahead until you have done everything else, seriously.)
this updates the gmax.
the bat download.(DO EVERYTHING FIRST!!! DO NOT SKIP AHEAD!)
nistall this, then start the bat(not the gmax, otherwise you don't have the extra tools.)
you  should also have the plugin maneger when you install this(it is included in the BAT.) this allows you to determine what kind of building it is, then to set  things like fnumber of jobs, etc...

YOU  have have the BAT. but thats only half the story, actually making a BAT can prove to be a hard job, to learn how, look here.

contrary to popular belief, you dont need to have the BAT to have nightlights in your bat, you just need to have the game fully updated, look at the official sc4 site to get updated. so there are 2 updates, the main one, and the BAT update(for sc4.) the bat update just fixes a problem with bats in simcity 4. you dont have to get it right away. however, if you want nighlights to work you will need it.|

Hope that this helps, click the more button(if you are viewing from the front page.) for more help on making bats.

there are more things to learn. I went through hours on my first bat, it didn't look too great. but I will post a pic(I have not uploaded it to the stex, it wasn't really that good, so I didn't upload it.)


there is more that you can use to help you with the BAT. lets look at the omnibus:
this gives more on actually intergrating your model in the game.

there are also some programs that you can get to help you out(they ARE NOT required, but they may be usefull for the more experienced batter.)
the sc4tool.(you will need this to actually get it to work , so install this (microsoft net framework 1.1)first, then get the sc4tool.)

the illive reader.(another tool, much like the sc4tool.)
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When its time to upload to the stex.
I have no uploads to the stex, but I can link you to an article about uploading to the stex.
the guide to uploading to the stex.(by voar, tok, and soldyne.)

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he chat is a great place to get help with teh bat, users like xyloxadoria and swat_medic are realyl good at the bat, ther are many others that hang around the chat aswell.

I hope that this helped you. it was badly needed.(if there is no such artical in the omnibus, and someone is interested in getting this on the omnibus, please PM me.)
  
        I hope that this helps you get the BAT, and enjoy!
feel free to refer to this for any purpose. you may also use it to help others, feel free to quote parts of it too. if ther is any updating needed PLEASE tell me about it.

Note.: if you have a  ___:|___or an older copy of the game, you will have to stick with no nightlights. if you do , you will have to buy a new copy of the game and update it. Please Dont worry about this comment if you dont know what this means. it will only apply to you if you know what it means. 

if I went too far in any place, please tell me moderators.