Some of the information in those tutorials isn't good.
Camera routing: You don't need it for small island, you don't need it for big islands. You basically need it to give the illusion of it Not being an island. It doesn't need to be up to the edge of the land, either. It's should be more like a circle Around the map area you want to keep restricted also so the camera doesn't get stuck in a small pocket.
-When or if you use the camera routing, remember it's to block the movement of the camera (and Sim) but not for the overhead view- it only stops it at the middle point of the view. You will be able to see over the land or water it covers. Like a bullseye, think of the view as the circle and the camera stops in the middle eye but you can see all that area. :)
There's some good info in the CAW Tutorial EA made. :)
*Roads don't have to be connected any more as long as they are next to each other, almost connected. :)
We can now make them run into each other- like a y. :) It might not look good using roads with sidewalks and such. Dirt style roads work best.
-Red lines in roads are locked roads.
*You don't have to have so many layers. You can do layers by areas- such as your City/Suburb- or by chunks, if you want.
You can also have 2 layers if it's a small world. (I like trees/lots on it's own layer- but is it necessary for small worlds, no).
-Also, layers can be placed within layers. If you want a layer for just your City area you can add a layer for trees, lots, objects on that one layer. :)
Just don't be afraid to try things and if you fail, think of it as learning. I will place money someone has already messed it up and has the answer, even if it's "you broke it."
CAW makes 5 backups on it's own. IT will overwrite each one as you go. I rename my save at certain points.
World_terrain (for when I'm sculpting) When I'm happy with it and want to move on, I give it a new ending.
World_Paint
World_Trees
World_Roads
World_Lots and so on. :)