1. Community content
Community contents are modifications that are free of charge. They are also called freeware addons or mods ( = modifications). These can be purchased free of charge. There are over 2,000 of them in the OMSI Webdisk, but also many in the official OMSI forum (Marcel's OMSI forum). However, these usually have external download links.
The filebase of the Webdisk has many advantages over external hosts. These include permanent and free storage, no advertising during download, comment and review functions and much more.
Community maps usually require many (community) objects and splines, which are often not allowed to be included in the community map for legal reasons. Occasionally, the required community contents and, if applicable, add-ons with costs are specified with download links in the readme file of the map. If a download link no longer works, you can search for it here in the Webdisk in the forum.
There is a fixed rule in the webdisk that the download archives must either begin with the name of the OMSI main directory OMSI 2 or with one or more of the subfolders (vehicles, maps, etc.), depending on the community content and the preferences of the file author. This rule is especially important for beginners of OMSI, so that they can install the community content without problems.
To install community content, you must first find out the main OMSI directory. The easiest way to do this is via Steam: Game Library > Right-click on OMSI 2 > Properties > Local Files > Show Local Files. Now a Windows Explorer window opens with the OMSI main directory.
Now open the previously downloaded archive. The free zip programme 7-zip is recommended for this. It is not yet necessary to unzip the archive immediately.
If you now see a folder with the name OMSI 2, open it with a double click. You should now see folders such as vehicles or maps.
Now mark all folders with the mouse in the zip programme (CTRL pressed + left click). Optionally also files like Readme.txt. These are not absolutely necessary, but you should read them.
Once you have marked all the folders, drag them with the mouse pointer into the Explorer window that Steam opened before. First you will see a dialogue window of the Zip programme ("Unzip...") and then a dialogue of the Explorer ("x will be moved to y...").
If the files are very small, these dialogue boxes appear only very briefly or not at all. Depending on the size of the add-on and the performance of the PC, this process can take up to several minutes.
The installation is now complete and OMSI can be started. If OMSI was open before or during the installation, it must be restarted. Then the newly installed AddOns will also be recognised.
If you have an account on the OMSI Webdisk, you can also publish your content for the community there.
2. 2. DLCs
DLCs are also called "payware addons", they have to be purchased. Afterwards, you get a "key", which you can use to activate the product on Steam. A direct purchase via Steam is also possible.
No additional programmes are needed to install DLCs. If you right-click on "OMSI 2" in the game library, you will find a "Shop Page" button on the left. Clicking on this button takes you to the page where you can purchase the game itself. If you scroll down a little, you will find a list of the currently available DLCs.
Some DLCs are also free (see the list at the bottom) and can be installed with a few clicks. The advantage of DLCs is that the updates are fully automatic.
If a DLC is not installed automatically after purchase, you must set a check mark in the properties of OMSI:
- In Steam, click on the "Library" tab.
- Right-click on "OMSI 2", then left-click on "Properties".
- Switch to the "Additional content (DLC)" tab.
- Select the desired DLC and tick it. It should now be installed automatically. If necessary, start the download on the Steam download page (right-click at the bottom of the window).
A release of DLCs is usually only possible through publishers (Aerosoft or Halycon).
