Automata and BATs by Mikeseith

[mikeseith 469]

Hi again,
Sorry about not having anything new recently, I have been expeimenting with the 3d models. I have been having some problems moddifying the original simcity automata models, so I have been busy making new ones from scratch.

As soon as I am able I will try to make some of the request cars you have sent. Ron01-... I don't think I'll ever be able to finnish that list, and some of those cars are already on the exchange.

Hopefully there will be something on the exchange by this weekend.

[rupy 0]

If you could make a Smart Car that would be very cool!

[GoaSkin 2]

How has a car model to be exported to get a complete S3D model (and not four two-sided models like on lots)?

There are many cars on the web as 3DS files (or various game formats) which could be converted.

[mikeseith 469]

goaskin,
First off, let me say I have been following the ground light rail mod and I like how its turning out.

Now, about those 3ds models. To import and export the 3d models open a dat in the ilive reader. click the fill the list button (of course). Then click the s3d line in dat file. In the upper right part of the window there is a button labeled s3d functions, this is the button you use to import and export 3ds files to the game. This is useful for automata and for the NAM puzzle pieces only as for as I know. Open up one of your light rail automata and play with the controls in ilive. Its interesting. Also I have found that one of the best 3d programs to do simple editing of the 3d meshes is a program called milkshape at http://www.milkshape3d.com

As for importing a car model from off the web, I think just about all of them have way too many polygons to work in the game. Most of the models out there have from about 1000 polygons on up, that would use up way too many resources in the average computer. Also I remember reading somewhere around here that 100 polygons is about the limit for models or strange things happen. So I hope I answered your question without too much confusion.

good luck with the GLR mod

[GoaSkin 2]

On my system, iLive exports corrupted 3DS files and if I import them, the result are masses of small dots and not a model.

I thought the 3DS functions are incomplete and not usable.

[mikeseith 469]

try exporting and importing with milkshape. They offer a free trial period. Also, inorder to import something from my other 3d program (carraras studio 3), I have to open it and resave it with a program called 3d explorer. If not I can't import to ilive.
I use version 0.9.3 of ilive.

[Scaley McSlither 1,714]

Your new Acuras are awesome! My Sims seem to particularly like the NSX - I think Acura hasn't sold that many in, uhhh, ever. Thanks for the great work and keep 'em coming.

[Pheonix Rising 2]

on a note about polygon sizes.. i read another thread that says that poly size doesnt matter on export except when rendering.. that the game itself just uses a  2d approach to the actual bat whatever.. is this different for automata?? we shall see i guess

[le_harv 4]

Mr Seith

I don't tend to post anywhere for anything but I have been following your website since the days of SC3000 and used to love adding all your props to my creations with that BAT program. Serious time limitations and that thing called 'life' has meant I havent even looked at any of the funky SC4 stuff that is around for customisation of buildings etc. I was hoping to put forward an idea that sort of crossed my mind today. Being a fan of modified cars (I can hear the groans) I thought of this...

 

A tuner garage! In reality every town and city in the world has modified cars of some description cruising the streets. Be it the super chav novas of the UK, the japanese import tuners of LA or the muscle cars of Detroit. I live in a city centre and the constant noise of sports exhausts using the one-way system as a race track (funnily enough by a police station) is music to my ears. I believe you could create a tuner garage that spawns tuner cars! You have the models already in all the automata you have produced so far and looking at what Simgoober and Swamper appear to have done they have got growable lots to spawn specific vehicles. E.g. SG's Super 8 Motel spawns Super 8 motel shuttles.

 

Just a crazy idea of mine

 

Thanks for listening!

[mikeseith 469]

funny thing le harv. i have been contemplating the same thing. i'll have to get back to you on it though. the garage itself should be an easy affair. but for modding it to spawn specific automata i will have to go begging. i have also been thinking of the same concept for a pizza or chinese delivery shop, a post office spawning postal vehicles or even car dealers spawning specific cars. this may be awhile in the making though.
P.S. i like your pic. of the annoying thing.

[Swamper77 90]

Mike Seith,

I have the script files that make the vehicles spawn from various lots. I know how to code it, but I will have find occupant group numbers that aren't in use to avoid conflicts. I have most of your vehicles on my computer so I could start working from my end. I could set up the scripts to spawn a particular group of vehicles. I would basically assign several vehicles with a particular occupant group number, such as all of your fords, and configure the script to spawn vehicles that have particular occupant number. Then I would have to re-configure your dealerships so they have the proper occupant group for it to work.

The scripts have two occupant group numbers defined in them: one for the vehicle or group of vehicles and one for the building that spawns the vehicles. It's how Daeley, SimGoober, and I made SimGoober's hotels spawn the Hotel Shuttle Vans that I created. Daeley made the original script, and SimGoober and I have been altering it for our uses.

Ardecila is supposedly working on a postal truck, but last time I checked it disabled the UDI menus....

-Swamper77

[ardecila 125]

Date: 5/26/2005 4:30:09 PM
Author: mikeseith
post office spawning postal vehicles

quote>



Let me see... I stil gotta debug that LUA. Then I'll see if I can get some NDEXers to BAT some cool Post Offices for this.

The neat thing about this is that you can replace the S3D modular-wise, so you could make addons for UK, Canadian, Aussie, and German postal vehicles (biggest SC4 markets).

BTW - do any of you know how to make shadows appear correctly? I tried to add one to the Post Wagon, but it just gave me the multi-colored texture on the shadow plane.

[Fairlane500 8]

Ardecila: Wow, those carriers are just plain amazing, they look just like the ones I see around here. I can't wait until the bugs get ironed out and we can have them roaming our cities.

[ardecila 125]

If you want to comment, please do so in my personal thread. This thread belongs to mikeseith. I only posted it here to show that it had already been done.

[le_harv 4]

Date: 5/26/2005 4:30:09 PM Author: mikeseith funny thing le harv.  i have been contemplating the same thing.  i'll have to get back to you on it though.  the garage itself should be an easy affair.  but for modding it to spawn specific automata i will have to go begging.  i have also been thinking of the same concept for a pizza or chinese delivery shop, a post office spawning postal vehicles or even car dealers spawning specific cars.  this may be awhile in the making though. P.S. i like your pic. of the annoying thing.

quote>

mikeseith

 

Wow the realms of possibility are huge with this concept. This spawnign malarcy is just the ticket. Thanks for considering my idea. Again my knowledge of all of things 'modification' is limited and also my time is non-existant because of my job so i am probably very little help.

 

As for the picture of the crazy frog... Isn't it annoying?? I live in the UK (the worlds most mobile/cell phone obsessed culture) and the crazy frog came on at least four times every advert break!

 

TTYL

 

Date: 5/26/2005 5:53:46 PM Author: Swamper77

Mike Seith, I have the script files that make the vehicles spawn from various lots. I know how to code it, but I will have find occupant group numbers that aren't in use to avoid conflicts. I have most of your vehicles on my computer so I could start working from my end. I could set up the scripts to spawn a particular group of vehicles. I would basically assign several vehicles with a particular occupant group number, such as all of your fords, and configure the script to spawn vehicles that have particular occupant number. Then I would have to re-configure your dealerships so they have the proper occupant group for it to work. The scripts have two occupant group numbers defined in them: one for the vehicle or group of vehicles and one for the building that spawns the vehicles. It's how Daeley, SimGoober, and I made SimGoober's hotels spawn the Hotel Shuttle Vans that I created. Daeley made the original script, and SimGoober and I have been altering it for our uses. Ardecila is supposedly working on a postal truck, but last time I checked it disabled the UDI menus.... -Swamper77

quote>

 

Good work Swamper I like the hotels that spawn vans.... The whole concept is just one of those neat little touches that add to the game. I would love my 'tuner' garage to come into existance. To be honest i think any of the ideas you guys came up with would be great. Keep up the good work both of you! I will check back soon.

[flappie 0]

i would like to see an

caddilac Escalade
ferrari enzo
mercedes cls (4 doors coepe)
cars in pimp my ride style
porsche cayenne
and i really like mini's
the toyata avensis (station wagon)
hummer H2 SUT

if u could make some of these i would be happy mikeseith

[007 0]

The only request Id like to see is the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice. Other than that, you are doing great. Keep up the good work.

 

PS I am trying to create a custom siren but it is not working.

[JaxCoJazz 3]

I'd love to see some muscle cars...Let's see how many I can think of...

Dodge Charger (70's & '05--VROOOOM!)

Dodge Magnum ('05)

Plymouth Barracuda (think Nash Bridges)

Pontiac Firebird ('62 model my dream car)

Pontiac GTO

Pontiac Trans Am

Ford Mustang (suweeet!)

Ford GT-40 ()

Ford T-Bird (past & present)

Chevy Camaro (already on STEX)

Chevy Chavelle

Chevy Corvette (I'd kill myself if I ever forgot the 'Vette on a muscle car list)

Chevy Monte Carlo

Mercury Cougar

Shelby Cobra (my dad really wants)

Shelby GT-500 (d--- that's a nice car!!!!)

 

 

Please correct me if I left any out or listed any on the STEX.

[Scaley McSlither 1,714]

Date: 6/15/2005 9:20:39 AM
Author: JaxCoJazz

I'd love to see some muscle cars...Let's see how many I can think of...

...

Chevy Corvette (I'd kill myself if I ever forgot the 'Vette on a muscle car list)

...

Please correct me if I left any out or listed any on the STEX.

quote>


As long as we can get both the '56 and '63 in there, I'd be happy!

[paradisefarm 2]

I was wondering if you could add a Chevy dealership to your list.  You've done such a great job with the Ford and other dealerships, but we have at least as many Chevys in this area as Fords (and I've never been a Ford man myself).  If not, hey the others are great anyway!

Thanks!

[Allybabba 0]

those new postal trucks look great now i cant wait for more from you guys!

[mikeseith 469]

allbabba,
More is on the way...
paradisefarm,
chevy is on the to do list and may be done sooner or later.
Everyone else, That is a daunting list there, but I'm sure I can get to a few of them. Thanks for the good words.

[Lightbearer2 2]

Lots of cool car models. If you are taking any more requests, there is one I have not seen yet...how about the PT Cruiser? That would be cool since I own one in real life Thanks and keep up the great work!

[ron01_000_000 1]

I have moved my request to the new

Automata Modding Requests Thread

 

 

[vester_DK 477]

Mikeseith I am having problem with adding nightlight to by trains. I found a model with nightlight on and merge it in my train mod. Then I added 3 extra points and triangle. Everything showes up find in the reader, but in the game it's only the new triangle that shows up.

Is that something you have any experience with ? Can you help me out ?

EDIT: I ended up, 'stealing' the light from another train.
I still like to make a 3d model for the hole train and the headlights. I have freight train mod of Trocla or BigRedFish which have that, so I think it's possible for el-trains.

[mikeseith 469]

Vester,
So sorry I didn't see your post until now.

I do have limited experience with the nightlights. My trams from the early days of the light rail had night lights. With my lights, they were models of the train that were enlarged a little with Milkshape 3d and then imported back to reader. The texture was an alpha except for the windows.

As a note to all...I will be stopping by more often to check up on things and reply to your questions

[Hordijk 18]

Better late then never

[mikeseith 469]

My latest...Renault and Fiat dealerships.

These dealerships are special. They spawn cars.
The Fiat dealers spawn Fiat automata and the Renault Dealers spawn Renault automata. Also, the ploppable versions send a whole bunch of cars out onto the streets when you plop them...Grand opening sales. Your sims will be snapping up new car bargains and clogging the streets around the dealership the 1st day its open.although I don't recomend plopping a bunch in a row in a crowded city...it could get messy, but it is fun...Also just a note. In order to make the vehicles spawn, you have to have the european car new instance mod I just released on the STEX here

more pictures:Also, I would like to thank swamper77 for his help with LUA files and such. Without his help these buildings would be much more boring than they are. EDIT: seems freeservers thought I had a free account and won't remote link now...funny, no one told me...

[rp2005 165]

I posted a version of this question to the STEX comments as well:

 

Your old euro car mod had the happy effect of replacing all the pickups and SUVs that Maxis put in.  With it towns looked european; without it they look American.

 

The new dealerships are European, but rely on a Euro car mod that leaves the Maxis junk cars in place.

 

So, the obvious questions is what is the effect of having both your euro car mods in place?  Is it possible to have the new dealerships and still get rid of the Maxis cars?

 

[mikeseith 469]

rp2005
I think I just answered your question over there, but I have more room here. You can have the mod that replaces the maxis cars and have this mod.

You can do 2 things:
1-download the new files and only place the Fiats and Renaults in the plugin folder (The different models have their own files)

or

2-download the new files and put everything into the plugin folder.

Either way should be just fine.