Boston Central Artery/Tunnel Project (Big Dig)

[blahdy 21]

Tarkus: k cool, looking forward to working with ya.    Let me first finish ramp CS-SA (the current project), and then render the on-slope tunnel which was completed before;  then i'll start some preliminary design/inspection on modelling RHW 2-lane ground transition.   I'll need dimensions (i.e. 16 meter by 16 meter) and texture of RHW highway piece in the meantime when i get to the prelim. design phase.

everyone else:

I'm also in the process of bringing in all gmax big dig component models, such as the VMS, OVDS, power boxes, signs, etc.  But since gmax->3ds export has been pretty bad in quality, I'm ending up redoing most of these models.

Here is the re-done Overheight Vehicle Detection System (OVDS) in 3ds Max.  The new 3dsmax version includes a movable jack that is grouped into its own model group, so I can easily readjust OVDS' height to fit for any tunnel entrance without having to edit the model.

[Alfred.Jones 2]

That is just... INSANE!! The detail in your work still amazes me!!

[tommiej 0]

*****!!! i don't know how to say it in other words, that is amazing!!! so detailed, it just looks like computermodels they used for the real deal ore something!!

looks totally insane, very realistic, keep it up blahdy, keep that up!!!!!

[blahdy 21]

aight, I'm pleased to announce that Ramp CS-SA is now completed in its modelling phase, one step closer to seeing it in-game.  Any experienced modeller who wants to take up the challenging of making complex LOD's for this, drop me a PM!  Night lights aren't done yet, but will be done soon.

I-93 Southbound, Exit 24-A: Gov't Center, North End/Aquarium/Faneuil Hall (Ramp CS-SA)

Completion Ceremonial Screenshots:

SC4 South View, Zoom 5

SC4 North View, Zoom 5:

SC4 East View, Zoom 5

SC4 West View, Zoom 5:

Bird's Eye View:

Pedestrian View, Surface Artery/Atlantic Avenue Side:

Pedestrian's View, W. North Street/Fulton Street Side:

Maintenance Worker's View:

Drive-thru View 1:

Drive-thru View 2:

Drive-thru View 3:

[rickmastfan67 0]

I'm speechless!! This is just amazing!!!

[Yoman3 5]

, I like the drive through views!

[Shadow Assassin 336]

Looks great, but I have one small issue: it's the line markings. They look like they fade too regularly. Can this be sorted out a little?

[tommiej 0]

it looks really nice, but i've to agree with Shadow_Assassin, the fading is not very realistic... and when you're name is Blahdy and your trademark is realism, this needs to be changed!!

but for the rest, TOTALLY AWESOME!!

[Filasimo 1]

BLAHDY FOR PRESIDENT!!!!!!

[nycsc4 5,250]

this is amazing! I can't wait for the beta!

[gt6282 3]

Blahdy:ok.. but I'm still hoping there is a way. Just like you said another modding challenge.

more accolades to you Blahdy!

[josefmayor 8]

Blahdy can't win enough trixies for his ability to be even close to being recognized, you are so good its insane dude. When you're done with this project you should do some of the crazy interchanges around the U.S like some of the ones in L.A. and Chicago, and a couple of the new ones going on in Tampa. Love this keep it commin dawg' this is good stuff

[Yoman3 5]

we should just give him the damn Lama

[bwatterud 7]

I think he already got a damn Llama....aw hell, give him another one.

[van1357 15]

Blahdy, everything is looking beautiful! All the work you've put into the details really pays off. I can't wait to see this ramp released and put to use in my cities. Keep up the wonderful work and I look forward to see whats next...

[nycsc4 5,250]

great work!

page flip error, sorry.

[blahdy 21]

thanks guys for your comments;  Yup, i will fix the texture maps for the lane paintings, the predictable pattern of surface wearout's do look weird to me as well

The RL is hitting me lately so updates are coming pretty slow, but before i can proceed any further with this project in 3ds, and before i can get started on RHW pieces, all of big dig component models (such as signage, etc) made in gmax must be remade in 3ds max first.

You've seen the newly detailed OVDS and camera before in previous pages.  Now, below is the 3-line VMS, redone in 3ds Max for upcoming tunnel entrances, etc:

[bwatterud 7]

Seriously blahdy, what else are you using the models for. With the detail you're putting into them, it can't be just for SC4.

[rickmastfan67 0]

Will you be updating the files that you released in the past with the new parts?

[M1 0]

You can make driving games, like err... NFS!

[tommiej 0]

bwatterud, it totally agree, the models look like the are going in RL production tomorrow or something, bwatterud i really like you animation!!

i'm really looking forward for the many pieces to come!! more big dig, RHW and more!! can't wait

[blahdy 21]

aight, now complete with traffic lights  (traffic lights are used in front of tunnel and ramp entrances to control access (e.g. shut it down during accident inside tunnel or maintenance) to highway and stop overheight vehicles)

looking forward to use this on upcoming RHW piece.  Hey Tarkus, can you PM me your RHW textures?

rickmasfan67:  No, instead, upcoming new ramps would be able to replace the functionality of old ones;  The time/effort required to rehabitate the old 1.0 models to newer detailed standard is more expensive just making a new one from scratch.  Ramp A-CN (latest release) won't be redone either-- because even though A-CN is less detailed than the current works under way, it's detailed enough to meet quality standards to show up nicely in SC4 zoom levels.

bwatterud:  i was wondering the same   may be custom content for future sc5 or city life would be more interesting than sim city 4.

BTW on a different note, I was googling and found out that someone made a web site on mit.edu server with lots of Boston roads pictures, etc.  He also put up couple videos on I-93 sections;  Since I can't find the URL again, here is locally saved copy of I-93 northbound video tour he took;  first 10 seconds are probably the coolest part (entering tunnel).

[nycsc4 5,250]

cool video, I can't wait to see this in game!!!

[bwatterud 7]

Originally posted by: M1 You can make driving games, like err... NFS!quote>

I can see it now. Need for Speed: Boston.

[blahdy 21]

Teh Big Dig meets RHW

Okay, Tarkus and I decided to not to do the I-90 tunnel entrance for RHW transition for now, because plain tunnel portals are getting too boring nowadays.

So I started working on BATting the RHW-BigDig transition tunnel portal, but a few revolutionary ideas are being tested/added as a result of RHW co-op:

1. The tunnel we are entering into will not be a subway, it will be NAM/RHW underground tunnel piece.

2. In spirit of keeping consistent with RHW Modular Interchange System (MIS), borrowing design ideas from Boston's South Bay Interchange would be ideal/realistic for a fictional tunnel entrance piece.

3. The new RHW-BigDig tunnel system in the future will need to be compatible with older subway-based Big Dig tunnels.  Thus, a Subway-BigDig <-> RHW-BigDig transition piece may be needed.

So, throwing all 3 ideas into 1, we have a concept design like this below:

Right side is Ground/Surface-RHW -to-> Underground RHW transition.

Left side is Subway-BigDig -to-> Underground RHW transition.

The subway connector tunnel ascends above ground level before meeting up with the RHW tunnel entrance ramp:

It should look quite cool when this is completed.

[woodb3kmaster 342]

Heh, I think it already looks quite cool.

[Corentin 2]

Magnifique.....bravo

[rickmastfan67 0]

Holy ****!!!! That freaking rocks!!!!!

[gshmails 536]

It looks quite cool and it isn't even finished. Way to go!

[tommiej 0]

that looks totally awesome!! really like the idea, keep it up blahdy