Building Log: World Trade Center (Pre-9/11)

[Tunafish 48]

Whoa! What floor were you on? Where you there that day?

[BigMac 24]

rubik, the plaza is looking wonderful! I don't think the red stripes carried through to the white portion between the planters and the fountain, though. Also, if you ever feel like doing it for research purposes or just to see a good movie, you may want to consider renting The Wiz , the 1978 remake of The Wizard of Oz which takes place in New York City.

The World Trade Center serves as the Emerald City, and there is a long scene in the plaza that includes a dance sequence which is among the most elaborate musical productions ever filmed. The lighting is enhanced, and the plaza in 1978 was considerably more devoid of features than it would be in later years, but the movie nonetheless offers a unique opportunity to see the plaza at night. I first saw The Wiz when I was a child, and to this day it is how I like best to remember the World Trade Center.

Unfortunately I can't help with the issue you mentioned because I have not yet worked with Dreamweaver MX or mysql. Below are some links which might help, and maybe try searching Google Groups as well to see if solutions are posted for others who have had the same problem. Good luck!

http://www.macromedia.com/support/dreamweaver/ts/documents/mysql_config.htm
http://www.totalchoicehosting.com/help/textpagea9.htm
http://forums.devshed.com/archive/t-95119

[rubik3 118]

I've looked for quite a while and all I can seem to find is problems...the actual solutions seem to be hiding somewhere.

 

You comments about the Wiz makes me think about doing another version of the complex, one that will have references to various movies made at the site like the glider from Escape from New York...and....well thats all I can think of at the moment but I'm sure there must be more.  Wasn't there a King Kong movie that had him scaling the WTC instead of the ESB?  If you know of other movie memorabilia that could be added let me know, i'll keep track of them and maybe plan a future release after I get the real version done.

 

Here is a closeup of the corner coffee shop underneath the hotel.  I need to know what signage they had though because I really don't feel like making it a starbucks.

[BigMac 24]

That's a great idea for a version of the lot. If you decide to do it, here are some good reference sites: The WTC/Twin Towers in the Arts and 10048: The World Trade Center Movie Project . Also, here is an Amazon list I put together a few weeks ago of movies that prominently feature the World Trade Center beyond just skyline shots (there are surprisingly few movies set in New York City in which characters actually visit the trade center). I haven't yet found pictures of the coffee shop or signs; will post them if I do.

[edd_erickson 0]

Rubik, you are correct. The first re-make of King Kong, starring Jeff Bridges and Jessica Lange, was released in 1976. In that movie, Kong climbed the WTC instead of the ESB. FYI, in 2005, another re-make is coming out, this one starring Naomi Watts. This one is again set in the 1930's.

Keep on truckin'!

[Smurfer2 7]

Was there really brick around the coffee shop? I won't know....

 

It's been fun to see Rubik and BigMac work together. You guys are really moving this along.

[Casper3141 60]

still cant wait for the rest of this landmark to be released

[rubik3 118]

It's been fun to see Rubik and BigMac work together. You guys are really moving this along.

 

Well Bigmac the only one keeping this project moving, unfortunately I am slacking on it.  It's been another hectic week with having to find another host for one of my websites along with 2 renovation jobs that had a tight deadline.  I was hoping to get some more work done this weekend but it looks like i'll be spending most of my time doing a couple of website proposals.  It's really making me mad that I'm sooo close to done yet I can't seem to find the time to complete it.

 

Was there really brick around the coffee shop? I won't know....

 

I'm not exactly sure either...that's why I need some pics.  I know that the front of the hotel had a stone base running all the way to the intersection between the base and the north tower but I don't know if it wrapped around to the south tower.

[rubik3 118]

 

[Smurfer2 7]

Date:5/15/2004 3:38:41 PM
Author:rubik3

'It's been fun to see Rubik and BigMac work together. You guys are really moving this along.'

 

Well Bigmac the only one keeping this project moving, unfortunately I am slacking on it.  It's been another hectic week with having to find another host for one of my websites along with 2 renovation jobs that had a tight deadline.  I was hoping to get some more work done this weekend but it looks like i'll be spending most of my time doing a couple of website proposals.  It's really making me mad that I'm sooo close to done yet I can't seem to find the time to complete it.

 

'Was there really brick around the coffee shop? I won't know....'

 

I'm not exactly sure either...that's why I need some pics.  I know that the front of the hotel had a stone base running all the way to the intersection between the base and the north tower but I don't know if it wrapped around to the south tower.

quote>

Thanks for answering my questions. I hope you find more time in the future.

[MTLT_17 27]

Where are ya man. The suspense is killing me (suspense stabs MTLT with Knife!)

 

-MTLT(in pain)

[DoubleJ2K 3]

Rubik, the stone did wrap all the way around the base to Tower 2.  I posted a screencap from a DVD a while back in the thread.  Unfortunately, you can not make anything out as far as signage goes.  I'll see if I can run that pic down for you.

 

EDIT: Found it

[Equinox 1,218]

This is really amazing ... but I've said that already ...

 

This time around, if possible, could you make it so we can easily pick and choose between which versions we want?  For the plain ole' towers, we got stuck with both landmark and job-filled in our menus - which wasn't a big deal, but with six different versions, it might be a little different, especially on some more populated menus.  Keep it up ... amazing work, I only wish I could offer more than good job.

[rubik3 118]

Thanks for the confirmation DoubleJ2k I had thought so but know I can be sure.  But it does look like, from that pic, that the stone texture i have is a little dark.  I'll get that lightened up for future versions.

 

This time around, if possible, could you make it so we can easily pick and choose between which versions we want?

 

Ya I'll organize it a little better this time.

 

I finally got around to render out some high quality images, which took about 6 hours for one pic, for all of you since you've been so patient over the past couple of weeks.  I'm going to find some time to get some work done on it this week even if it means not sleeping.

 

The overall view. 

 

Close-up of the garage which I don't think you've seen yet.

 

Another view of the peace on earth scupture.

 

And another closeup of the fountain area.  I'll make sure to remove the red stripes in the middle for the next render.  Apart from the detail work on the fountain sculture and the banners on the lightposts, this area is pretty much complete.

 

 

[teekanne 0]

rubik3 that's great...it's unbelievable how much effort you put in this project

[Smurfer2 7]

Date:5/23/2004 4:12:58 AM
Author:rubik3

Thanks for the confirmation DoubleJ2k I had thought so but know I can be sure.  But it does look like, from that pic, that the stone texture i have is a little dark.  I'll get that lightened up for future versions.

 

'This time around, if possible, could you make it so we can easily pick and choose between which versions we want?'

 

Ya I'll organize it a little better this time.

 

I finally got around to render out some high quality images, which took about 6 hours for one pic, for all of you since you've been so patient over the past couple of weeks.  I'm going to find some time to get some work done on it this week even if it means not sleeping.

quote>

Please don't do that. I really want to put the plaza in my city, but I also want you to get the sleep you need.

The plaza is simply amazing. I'm looking forward to seeing what the lightened stone texture looks like. If only I had more to say, but it's just perfect as is....

 

[rubik3 118]

I have to say that the plaza is coming along better than I had hoped.  It's probably going to be the best part of the overall lot apart from the observation deck, which I think is my favorite part of what I've done so far.  And just imagine what it will look like once I get all of the fauna and people added.

 

Here's another pic of the plaza center with a few more kiosks added as well as the banners on the lampposts.

 

That's only a draft render so you really can't see the detail on the flags but this is what you'll be able to see with a high quality version.

The second flag for each lamppost is just the simple 3 stripes down setup with the same colors.

 

And here's a shot showing the lightened stone.  It's pretty close to the shade that DoubleJ2K's pic showed.

 

I think the rest of the day will be spent going back through all of the pages of this thread to find some stuff I may have missed.  I know I still have the awning for the north tower to do as well as the signs for each tower, but there's probably other stuff that I've forgotten about.

[Casper3141 60]

all i can say is great job Rubik3

[Equinox 1,218]

Hey Rubik ... do you need help rendering?  That thing looks like a beast to render ... I'd be glad to help if you'd like.

[BigMac 24]

Looks terrific! I came across this thread at Skyscraper City which has lots of pictures (some 9/11-related), a few of which show subtle details not seen in too many other pictures available on the Internet; it might be of some help.

[rubik3 118]

Hey Rubik ... do you need help rendering?  That thing looks like a beast to render ... I'd be glad to help if you'd like.

 

I'll take any help I can get when it comes to computer resources.  I really can't afford to have my computer inaccessable for days at a time these days, and I probably have 2 weeks worth of export time left.  I plan on pretty much redoing every building because as I look at each one of them I can see something not quite right or a small detail missing that needs to be fixed.  I'm probably still a week or two away from needing help but I'll definately need it once I get this plaza base done.

 

Thanks for that link bigmac, it's nice to finally have a place to look at all the pictures rather than spending time going through all these pages.  Though I looked through them and I couldn't find a nighttime image....any luck finding one?

 

Here are some more detail shots showing the signage for the towers and some more planters that I saw in a pic from that link.

 

Since you can't really see the signs in the images, here are the textures I used, and what you should be able to see in the final high quality version.

[+Guest]

Excellent, the plaza now looks better.

[rubik3 118]

I just realized how huge I made the awning for the north tower.  Here is a more accurately scaled version of it.

 

[BigMac 24]

No luck yet on nighttime images of the plaza, but I'll send out requests on Skyscraper City.

Here is a picture of a sign for tower 2. I think the maroon-colored signs like this one were the most recent (compared to the older gray and red signs), so you can use this one if you want along with the texture you have already for tower 1 so the signs for 1 and 2 will be consistent.

[rubik3 118]

Actually the signs are consistant but it looks like I have 2 generations of signs.  I have the maroon signs for the street side entrances for each towers, then I have the grey ones for the plaza entrances.  That's the first image i've seen that have the plaza side signs in the maroon style.

 

Here's an image showing the pedestrian overpass that connected to the WFC.  Don't mind the grass texture as it's only a temporary one.

[rubik3 118]

I think I can start exporting some of the many props that I have to work on, though I'd rather get the entire base finished first.  So until I can find some nighttime images as well as some signage pics for the coffee shop I think I'll get the fountain area exported since it is the closest to being finished.

 

Here's a pic of the first prop to be exported, the centerpeice fountain.  I've gotten the sculpting done to the best of my ability but freehand sculpture isn't my best skill, but it still looks more exact than the previous one.

[Equinox 1,218]

Well ... give me ANYthing to render and I'll do it.

I'm not allowed on the comp. on weekdays, plus I need to focus all my attention on finals, sooo ...

Weekends it is for games!  Weekdays it is for rendering whatever needs to be done! 

As for getting the files back and forth ... my AIM is Spartan117MC96 and my MSN (preferably) is Spartan117NLS@hotmail.com

[rubik3 118]

Thanks for the offer Equinox, it's much appreciated....and needed.  I don't think I'll need your help this week but I'll see if I can get a few things ready to export for next monday.  I only use msn so that should make you happy, and my username is jmcleod90@hotmail.com so that you know who I am when I eventually IM you.

 

I managed to export a couple of small props last night to see how well the sc flora would match up to my planters.  And it looks good from one view, but once rotated the flowers come off the planters by a couple of feet.  So what I'll probably end up doing is created my own bat plants so that I can render them along with the planters.

 

[Smurfer2 7]

All the detail! *faints* *recovers* That's just amazing. *sits in awe*

[wolverine 12]

 Words can not justify my appreciation.