Boston Central Artery/Tunnel Project (Big Dig)

[blahdy 21]

andreharv: ah, cool.  good to see people from MA joining this thread

Jasoncw: they are intentionally made like that to look different, thanks for the offer though   The project is not down the drain, just suspended with the curreent going-on's.

shasta:  Thank you, in the meantime, you can also check out the airport BATs I'm working on at Walnut Creek airport thread in CJ section.  Wait a couple or so months, and you will see airport lots being released publicly as well

[blahdy 21]

andreharv: ah, cool.  good to see people from MA joining this thread

Jasoncw: they are intentionally made like that to look different, thanks for the offer though   The project is not down the drain, just suspended with the curreent going-on's.

shasta:  Thank you, in the meantime, you can also check out the airport BATs I'm working on at Walnut Creek airport thread in CJ section.  Wait a couple or so months, and you will see airport lots being released publicly as well

[sorchin 18]

Hey blahdy. We all understand about RL buddy. It must be first. This after all is just a game and needs to be put into perspective. I do however hope you get back into it full throtle as soon as possible (it's selfish I know), but again I certainly understand....

[sorchin 18]

Hey blahdy. We all understand about RL buddy. It must be first. This after all is just a game and needs to be put into perspective. I do however hope you get back into it full throtle as soon as possible (it's selfish I know), but again I certainly understand....

[blahdy 21]

Originally posted by: sorchin Hey blahdy. We all understand about RL buddy. It must be first. This after all is just a game and needs to be put into perspective. I do however hope you get back into it full throtle as soon as possible (it's selfish I know), but again I certainly understand....quote>

hey sorchin,

it's great to hear comments like that from a fellow awesome BATter like you are (I'm an admirer of your work, apologies if i didnt say that earlier) -- thanks.

I'll probably have some announcement on resumption of big dig stuff in probably september as soon as some work load reduces; as you've seen, i've spent my hobby time on finishing the airport proejcts going on..

The good news is that there are several new exciting big dig models that will need to be done soon in order to complete the airport project, and those would be incorporated into future big dig releases when i resume the work, so it's not left to rot, thankfully. 

I'll have some news in september I hope... I'm considering possibly releasing beta lots and new concepts in pegasus web site in future, but it's still under consideration at this time.

[blahdy 21]

Originally posted by: sorchin Hey blahdy. We all understand about RL buddy. It must be first. This after all is just a game and needs to be put into perspective. I do however hope you get back into it full throtle as soon as possible (it's selfish I know), but again I certainly understand....quote>

hey sorchin,

it's great to hear comments like that from a fellow awesome BATter like you are (I'm an admirer of your work, apologies if i didnt say that earlier) -- thanks.

I'll probably have some announcement on resumption of big dig stuff in probably september as soon as some work load reduces; as you've seen, i've spent my hobby time on finishing the airport proejcts going on..

The good news is that there are several new exciting big dig models that will need to be done soon in order to complete the airport project, and those would be incorporated into future big dig releases when i resume the work, so it's not left to rot, thankfully. 

I'll have some news in september I hope... I'm considering possibly releasing beta lots and new concepts in pegasus web site in future, but it's still under consideration at this time.

[paperboy15 4]

Mighty fine, mighty fine. What you have achieved already is amazing...a well deserved "rest" is certainly in order!

[blahdy 21]

The Big Dig is Back!

I am happy to announce full resumption of all Central Artery/Tunnel project activities in ST.

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All existing Big Dig tunnels are being updated in silence to meet the latest modelling and engineering details.  Work on vent building is resumed as of tonight.

Also, a new ramp is in the works: bigd-t4-bnr1,  Bridge-on-tunnel Stack Ramp.  There is a bridge crossing over the tunnel entrance, and you can cross the tunnel using a road, rail or street.  The crossing traffic will not even interfere with the tunnel entrance traffic.

And an overview of latest Big Dig 2.0 ITS System Upgrade features:

More new exciting models are in store, but they are trade secrets for now

[Ryan B 35]

This keeps getting better and better. It's great to see this project back on track.

[blahdy 21]

Thanks ryanb_sc4!

Journal: A redo of the first Big Dig On-ramp

The first big dig on-ramp which pioneered the Central Artery/Tunnel project and several other underground tunnel systems is certainly not left behind with the newer upcoming Big Dig 2.0 technologies   The Big Dig 1.0 on-ramp, bigd-t2a-onr1 is being renovated with version 2.0 techs and detail templates.  The version 2.0 set of modelling techniques increase details by some ~3-fold than its predecessor: everything from sign post dimensions, signs themselves, light poles are re-done to match after real-world version, as well as textures.

BEFORE..

and...  AFTER...

The increased details provided by Big Dig 2.0 set makes the current Big Dig lots available for download in STEX look quite amateur

New gmax shots of renovated ramp:

[MadTV_Freak 0]

Hey blahdy! Your project is coming along great. I know this version will be like 12930243129 times better I really like the ramp! Cant wait to see more

Keep up the EXCELLENT work!

[woodb3kmaster 342]

Now that's throroughly impressive. I'm glad to see you're working on this project again, blahdy, perhaps in part because I've identified a bug in the v1 lots: I can't place them wherever I've demolished a pre-existing structure. I thought I'd point that out in case you weren't previously aware...

[blahdy 21]

*Drumroll*

BLP Unveils New Ramp Modelling Technique for Big Dig 2.0:

The ST Central Artery/Tunnel Project ("Big Dig"), the inspirational underground highway system pushing the limits of the game environment, is once again leading the way in being the pioneer of critically-acclaimed complex transport networks, ST-wide ;-)

Introducing the Curved Tunnel Ramp for the first time in Sim City history:

A work in progress: Tunnel boat section B is 70% complete.  Being modelled after Purchase Street exit in Interstate 93 shooting through downtown Boston.

The Big Dig 2.0 incorporates extensive spline and compound objective modelling techniques to create complex transport network models better, simpler, more detailed and faster than ever before.

[van1357 15]

Blahdy, these tunnel entrances are so amazing! The new versions look even better than the previous. The amount of detail you put into each model is incredible. The signs, lights, even the concrete textures, are beautiful. Can't wait to use the new versions, especially the curved entrance. Keep up the excellent work.

[blahdy 21]

Thanks van1357

Phase I Superstructure Complete:

Ignore the obnoxious road surface texture -- it will be corrected once road surface is finalized and converted into an editable mesh.

The ramp is not just horizontally curved (as in, tunnel boat section itself is curved), its road surface is also vertically curved, just like in real-world design.  The vertical curving of the road, while making a sharp turn makes it easier for drivers to make their turn as they drive through the curvature.

[Alfred.Jones 2]

Woah!! That is insane! I cannot wait to see this in game!

150th Post

[blahdy 21]

Thanks, and this is only the beginning of the Big Dig 2.0

To give you an idea: some of the upcoming completely new tunnel entrance/off-ramps will be as complex as Zakim Bunker Hill bridge while they only take max. space of 2x10 tiles. The curved tunnel ramp is nothing compared to those coming up soon

[Alfred.Jones 2]

I am looking forward to it!! I am sure the majority of the ST community is!! Keep it up!

[jj88 24]

Wow! Amazing and unique bladhy!!!

[Cjah 15]

Dude...you will continue to amaze us... yes,....but my goodness... even us veterans have never seen anything like this...and i thought the stuff before was impressive....lol

Great job!

[NicolaiS 8]

This project is on of the very best ST has to offer. I am awaiting this awesome second set in sheer thrilling anticipation. The set that has already been released is fantastic and any add-on to the set will glorify the uniqueness even more. Who would have expected that "concrete" could be so beautiful? I almost go in heart failure when I try to imagine the combination of set 1 and 2 ... and the Zakim bridge. Building transport will never be the same in SC4 anymore.

[simzebu 20]

Je-sus! That is FREAKING AMAZING!

[Constantina 5]

Amazing. With my transparent roofs and your amazing motorways it could transform SimCity beyond recognition. Bt we should be able to drive through it in U-driveit too.

[NicolaiS 8]

Originally posted by: Constantina Amazing. With my transparent roofs and your amazing motorways it could transform SimCity beyond recognition. Bt we should be able to drive through it in U-driveit too.quote>

You yet have to prove that its really semi-transparent like cogeo's roofs. All you showed was a glass texture without any automataunderneath. STOP promoting yourself about things you haven't made true.

[Andreas Roth 629]

Those are some amazing new models, blahdy, great to see you're back on this project!

I've been using the Big Dig lots in one of my cities recently, and they surely can do some amazing stuff to your downtown - just see for yourself:

 

(left: before - right: after; click to enlarge)

If you want to see more images, just visit my city journal at the German SimForum.

[dedgren 830]

blahdy- Hey, if this is what happens when you "suspend" a project you're working on, I'd hate to guess what would happen if you stopped work all together.

Heh!

Just a though, and I'll likely demonstrate my ignorance here of many things SC4-wise... 

Would it be possible, along the lines of thorvin's great asphalt highway textures [ linkie ], to re-skin or re-texture or re-whatever the "game" highways in concrete?  If there's scut-work (i.e. something that doesn't require a great deal of skill but is mind-numbingly repetitive or hard) involved, I'd be happy to pitch in.

Andreas- One picture (well, actually, in this case two) is worth a thousand words.  An amazing downtown, fully realized as a result of the SC4 Big Dig.

What an accomplishment this project is!

[Frankie_Grove 32]

i love the realistic texture of the big dig stuff, i think a mod that makes highways that color would be great

[Ryan B 35]

blahdy - Yikes.  Just yikes.  This stuff is amazing - truly a revolution of the game's highways in the making.

I'm telling you, if you get some spare time, start cranking stuff out for the NAM team.  With you BATing, and someone else modding, we'll have new features coming out of our ears, and one very happy SimTropolis community. 

[giorgos69 53]

I dosnt work in my game...

[SC4Noobie 5]

OMG, it's back! I can't wait! New pieces, and other stuff! I love all the new models! For the special bridge piece, is it gonna be overhanging, or TE? I think it should be overhanging, because it would let anyone choose what to put over, without worrying over textures. (HSRP vs Monorail, Euro roads vs normal, no oneway road arrow mod vs normal, ect)