The STEX Collections (Vol 1-3) are high-quality, hand-picked archives of the best community-created content from the Simtropolis Exchange (STEX). These volumes were originally released on physical DVDs but are now available primarily as digital downloads for users who donate to support the site. Installation Guide
The digital collection is designed for ease of use and does not require a complex installation process.
Download and Extract: After donating to Simtropolis, you will receive a ZIP file. Extract the contents to a folder on your computer.
Launch the Interface: Inside the extracted folder, double-click the START.HTM file. This opens a locally hosted web page that acts as an "offline STEX" for you to browse the contents.
Adding Content to Game: To use a specific item (building, mod, etc.) in your game: Browse the interface and find a file you like. Locate the corresponding files in the collection folder.
Copy and paste these files into your SimCity 4 Plugins folder. Standard Path: Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins Steam Path: Steam\SteamApps\common\SimCity 4 Deluxe\Plugins Key Considerations
Cost: While most individual mods on the Simtropolis Exchange are free to download manually, these curated STEX Collections are provided as a "thank you" gift for a minimum donation (typically around $30) to help keep the site running.
Dependencies: Although the collection is well-organized, some custom buildings may still require separate "dependency" files (like texture or prop packs) to display correctly. These are usually linked in the readme files or available on the STEX.
Volume 3 Specifics: Volume 3 contains over 1,600 files from the years 2007–2008, including roughly 1,300 buildings (BATs) and 100 maps.
Modern Alternative: For a more automated way to manage modern mods and dependencies, many community members now recommend using the sc4pac mod manager. STEX Collections - Simtropolis Articles
The STEX Collection is a series of curated, high-quality add-ons for
sourced from the Simtropolis Exchange (STEX). While individual files on the STEX are free to download manually, these collections are packaged as "thank you gifts" for donors who support the site's maintenance costs. Understanding the Collection Volumes
The volumes are essentially "snapshots" of the best community content from specific time periods.
Volume 1 & 2 (Discontinued): These were the earliest physical discs but are no longer offered because many of the included mods and buildings have been updated or superseded by newer versions. stex collection vol 1 2 3 for simcity 4 free install
Volume 3: Focuses on the "very best" content released between roughly 2007 and 2008.
Volumes 4 & 5: Cover subsequent years (up to 2013), each containing roughly 1,000–2,000 hand-picked items like custom buildings, maps, and textures. Acquisition and "Free" Install Clarification
You may see "free install" or "free download" associated with these collections in various places, but here is the official status:
Official Donation Incentives: On the Simtropolis Articles page, the collections are available as digital downloads (ZIP files) for minimum donations starting at $10 for Volume 3, up to $50 for the full bundle of volumes 3, 4, and 5.
Individual File Access: Almost all content within these collections can be found and downloaded for free individually on the Simtropolis Exchange. The "cost" of the collections is specifically for the convenience of the pre-packaged, organized format and to support the site.
Digital Format: Previously distributed as physical DVDs (ISOs), they are now provided as direct digital downloads in ZIP form for easier use on modern computers. Features and Benefits
The STEX Collection is a curated set of user-created content for SimCity 4 from the Simtropolis Exchange (STEX). While individual files on the STEX are free to download one by one, the official STEX Collection volumes (including Vol 1, 2, and 3) are provided as a thank-you gift for donating to the Simtropolis community. Availability & Access
Official Source: You can get digital downloads of the collections by donating via Simtropolis Gumroad or directly on the Simtropolis website.
Discontinued Volumes: Volumes 1 and 2 are officially discontinued because much of their content has been superseded or updated by newer versions. Volume 3 and above are currently the standard.
"Free" Alternative: Nearly all items in these collections are available for free individually on the STEX exchange. The collections simply provide a pre-sorted, searchable offline interface for convenience. Report on Volume Contents
Each volume serves as a "time capsule" for the best community content (buildings, maps, mods) from specific eras: Volume 1: Pre-2005 content (Legacy). Volume 2: Content from roughly 2006 onwards. Volume 3: Best submissions from 2007–2008. Volumes 4 & 5: Cover content up to 2013. Installation Instructions
Once you have the collection files (typically in a ZIP archive), follow these steps to install the content into your game: STEX Collections Up To Date? - Simtropolis
If you successfully install these collections, here is a taste of what you will add to your game: The STEX Collections (Vol 1-3) are high-quality, hand-picked
The STEX (SimTropolis Exchange) Collections are curated packs of community-made buildings, lots, and props originally uploaded to SimTropolis.
Documents/SimCity 4/Plugins/STEX_Vol1)Would you like a list of still-available dependency packs that work with Volumes 1–3, or help troubleshooting a specific missing prop?
STEX Collections are curated compilations of the highest-rated user-created content—including buildings, mods, maps, and textures—from the Simtropolis Exchange (STEX)
. While Volumes 1 and 2 are currently discontinued because many of their files have been superseded by newer updates,
remains available and focuses on premier content from 2007–2008. Simtropolis Key Collection Features
Each volume serves as a high-quality "snapshot" of the community's best work from specific years: Simtropolis Curated Content
: Includes 1,000–2,000 hand-picked items like BATs (buildings), lots, props, and maps. Organized Navigation
: Collections feature a built-in searchable interface (local file) to browse content by category. Bonus Items
: Often includes exclusive content never released publicly on the standard exchange. Digital Format
: Now provided as simple ZIP archives for easy extraction on modern operating systems. Simtropolis Installation & Free Availability
It is important to note that the official STEX Collections are
; they are provided as a thank-you gift for donations to support the Simtropolis community Official Installation
: Choose a volume (e.g., $10+ for Vol 3) to receive a digital download link. : Unzip the files to your computer. : Open the file to find specific items. Plugins Folder The Nelansas Mod: A comprehensive fix that repairs
: Move desired files into your SimCity 4 "Plugins" folder (typically in Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins Free Alternatives
: While the bundled collections require a donation, the individual files they contain can generally be downloaded one-by-one directly from the Simtropolis STEX Support for Old Discs
: If you own the original physical DVDs, you can mount the ISO files or request a digital version from Simtropolis staff. Simtropolis Volume Overview
STEX Collections (Vols 1, 2, 3, etc.) are curated archives of the best user-created content for
, originally released on DVD and now available as digital downloads
. These collections act as a "time capsule," offering thousands of hand-picked buildings, maps, and mods from the Simtropolis Exchange (STEX) Key Features of the STEX Collections Massive Library : Each volume typically contains 1,000 to 2,000 unique items , including highly-detailed (Building Architect Tool models), , and custom Organized & Searchable
: Files are categorized (e.g., Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Civic) and searchable via an included interface, making it easier than finding individual files online. Volume-Specific Eras
: Each volume represents a specific era of SC4 modding. For example, focuses on the best content from 2007–2008
. Note that Volumes 1 and 2 were eventually discontinued because much of their content was superseded by newer versions in later volumes. Dependency Management
: Many of the collections include necessary "Mega Props" and "Dependency Packs," which are often the most tedious parts of manual modding. Bonus Content
: Some volumes include exclusive items or early-access releases from popular community contributors. Installation Guide
The digital versions are provided as ZIP files containing an installer or an interactive interface.