hkabat-forum-threads SimFox Construction & Research

[nofunk 1,933]

Ooh, I like the massing of this one. The texturing is stunning, especially the cloth banners on the roof.

[Jasoncw 11,949]

Originally posted by: SimFox

Spa:Well, yes they are modeled, but I will most probably make them "flat props" so that shadow could be cast on them. At them moment I'm considering how shall I make the plaza in front of building (there where all the shops and restaurans are. I want it well light at night. But the only way to do it in SC4 is to BAT and Light it in MAX. But in daytime I would like it to be textured so that there could be "natural" games shadow on it... Does anyone have any idea/suggestion how such a thing could be accomplished?quote>

I don't think this would totally solve the problem, but it might inspire an actual solution. With TruNite, as long as the LODs are large enough, I believe that you could have a modeled plaza be there at night, but not during the day (.FSH with something on them at night, and just blank empty .FSH at night). You would leave things like lamp posts and benches in the day version.

The modeled plaza would still not have shadows cast on them at night, but the shadows from other buildings seem to be weaker at night anyway, and shouldn't really be there in the first place.

[SimFox 804]

you are absolutely right, Jason... I was thinking of this solution.

It's potential drawback is that you might not be able to populate such a plaza at day... I mean if LODs - that are by definition are same for both day and night are covering it all... I might be wrong here though, as I'm a bit rusty on this issue at the moment...

[HONG KONG 74]

nightview

[buildsolid 4]

Originally posted by: SimFox I've got a bit more time now... hopefully will finish this one soon:..quote>

I hope you do to, that is simply amazing, going to look awsome!

[Jasoncw 11,949]

hmmm, you're right.  It would still work, but you wouldn't be able to put any people props or anything like that behind any of your BATed things like lamp posts, etc.

[SimFox 804]

OK, looking (and salivating) at Cockatoo's Elizabeth House I strat feeling nostalgic about HK and my own project from this wonderfull city. Of them all One Silver Sea is most complete. Here is it's current state.

I've manged to work a bit on it today - added blinds to all 7 towers...

To see full Zoom5 size click on teh picture.

[Francis90b 748]

Extremely impressive SimFox !

My only question is about the white elements on the top of the towers...what are they?

[kellydale2003 2,276]

I am looking! And I am Loving!

@Francis90b - Simfox didnt make this up silly - There real life buildings in Hong Kong. Victoria Harbour I belive. It's the architectures' art. You wouldn't ask a painter "why would you paint like this?" ...right?

[Francis90b 748]

Oh no, i didn't want to mean that SimFox modelled this nonsensically, i was just curious to know which function do they have in real life (since this BAT is inspired from an existing building and i believe that those details might exist in RL too).

[bixel 1,228]

OH MAH GAWD!!!!!!!!!!!

[SimFox 804]

Yep those odd white thingies are purely architectural decorative elements that are so liked in Hong Kong and more widely in China, although the more you move to the north the more modest, restrained those become. In Hong Kong they are some times border on a absurd... None the less they are a signature element of the Hong Kong style.

again, to see full Zoom 5 render click on the picture.

Here is a render from the opposite side so you can see them in more detail.

I must say that I'm not absolutely sure about details of those things, So if anyone had seen somewhere tech drawing or something along those line I've be grateful if you could point me toward them...

OSS (One Silver Sea), though have some special features that are not all that typical for HK style - the almost total glazing of large parts of facade. That was one of the curious parts in this particular building fro me...

Bixel, c'mon, mate! there isn't much have been done really, in fact I manage to somehow lost some of the work, but major addition are blinds they sort of gave definition to the glazed parts..

[Evillions 552]

GEEZ!! That way too good for a BAT. You a professinal modeler or what?

[Amthaak 1,501]

It's very impressive! I like in particulary all the relections on the windows and specially on the water of the pool. No doubt, Batter of the century , not less!

[kellydale2003 2,276]

As you know I was going to BAT One Silversea myself

But I did a little research anf gathered up my photos and I noticed that there was an indent in this area.

I dont have a HQ photo - I deleted the photos during my process of Laptop Recovery. I found a couple of HQ ground photos that helped me determine this crevice. But I no longer have them - but this is the closest photo I could find.

I believe I found the photos at skyscraperpage.com in the forums section.

[SimFox 804]

well, I must say your research wasn't good then...

First of all the quality of that photo is such that in no way it could be used as source material, besides I, for certain, know that this particular place is modeled pretty much exactly the way it is in real life. I've lost all of my photos, e.g. photos I've made myself of the building due to HDD crash in my laptop, but I do remember the way it was plus I do have some pictures where it clear the "scales" are held in place they way I've modeled. There, however some simplifications and slight discrepancies, naturally, as it wouldn't be practical or possible to model everything down to the last detail. For instance in case of "scales" they are a bit lower then in my model. e.g. there is a space of about 0,8-1 m between them and the metal clad frieze. But most of discrepancies aren't really impression altering, and as such I believe permissible even for re-creation. Say I don't think I'll be making the swimming pools that are on top of each tower...

Also the building really look like fortress from most angles and is very environment (urban environment, not nature sort of thing) unfriendly. For instance that long dead wall with odd balcony under the "scales". This i how it is in realy life with odd CCTV camera.. I think I'm gonna plant trees in a rather dense fashion in front of it to hide it. Anyway there is sort of park there as well, although not immediately adjusted to the building.

PS

and how's this for an idea for nightlighting:

[kellydale2003 2,276]

Everyone has atleast secretly made a tweak to make it fit the game better - but it was just something I spotted - I can verify what I'm saying if I had those images. But no use turning this into a debate - It looks wonderful as is. It's not like everyone researched this building and checked every angle

I think the trees will look great - Personally I think the white plane base is a bit boring and will kinda look akward when plopped or grown. Trees will definitley make it more appealing and realistic. It is a residential area.

Lol - That niteliting is perfect! xD

[Cockatoo 2,257]

That's just amazing Simfox. I don't know how you manage to make everything you create seem so life-like.

Hopefully when I update my Max later in the year, I'll be able to edge a little closer to your standard...

Anyways, it's great to see you back on the HK band wagon, I'd love to see you complete One Peking Road. You've gotta admit, those perspective renders you did way back in '06 at the start of this thread are pretty damn impressive.

[bixel 1,228]

Ouch! Fire! - though it looks like only the scaffolding and green cloth is going up... yeh OSS really does like like a fortress. I've been growing sky tower quite a bit in my cities and I didn't realise that it is so tall! Harbourfront Landmark is crazy tall as well.

[kellydale2003 2,276]

Bixel, for the residential HK what floor height do you normally use? I think mine is a little bit too high and HK residentials are usually compact.

[Liberater444 11]

simfox: i wish we had THAT nightlighting. jk what happened, u know the story behind it?

I personally like the "absurd" types of building designs, but i have a personal idea of what those white arches are for:

See, when the complex goes around 60mph, those bad boys elevate to keep the wind down, thereby allowing the driver of the complex to have more control over it while he's driving

[kellydale2003 2,276]

What's the lot size on that thing anyway?

[SimFox 804]

5x10 or 6x10

[kellydale2003 2,276]

That's A great size!! Wow, these are going to look so good haha. Is there any roof junk on top of the towers?...might I ask? Your doing a really good job.

[SimFox 804]

Well roofTops of the towers are a bit of a problem. Real things have penthouses with individual swimming pools ... I' on the other hand don't wanna make them...

[kellydale2003 2,276]

Yep, I know what you mean. (Y)

[Ke|is 3,337]

Simfox which is the state of One Peking Road ?

[HONG KONG 74]

Originally posted by: kelistmac

Simfox which is the state of One Peking Road ?quote>

[Cockatoo 2,257]

Originally posted by: HONG KONG

Originally posted by: kelistmac

Simfox which is the state of One Peking Road ?quote>

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[kellydale2003 2,276]

Originally posted by: Cockatoo-210893

Originally posted by: HONG KONG

Originally posted by: kelistmac

Simfox which is the state of One Peking Road ?quote>

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