Nofunk's BAT Thread

[Jasoncw 11,840]

lol, yeah, it is a bit barren back there.  The buildings that are there are bars (behind all of the theaters), and from what I understand they're doing good.  The new Hockey Arena is going back there too.

[parisinflames08 0]

Jason, the "Little Caesars"  arena is stil only speculation. Lets not spread rumors. The building was originally the Kresge buidling K-mart=Kresge. I know someone living in the Kales apparently very nice though I havent been up to his place yet. In other news the red building next door (fine arts building) is being considered for fascade preservation while a new building would be built behind it.

[Jasoncw 11,840]

Opps, yeah, my mistake.  It was the Kresge Building before Kresge moved to Cass Park, then Kales after they moved.  Kresge/K-Mart.  I mix them up sometimes.

Well, everything points to the arena going back there.  There's even 2nd hand insider information!

[josefmayor 8]

Originally posted by: Simfan34 Cool! Looks very realistic! tankmank: Detroit's like that. Lots of parking lots, where old buildings used to stand.quote>

Tampa too!

As of right now we have a total of 18 completly empty lots where there used to be buildings, however thanks to the Novare group they are filling up 4 of the blank lots with 2 condo towers a Twelve Hotel and new project to fill up a lot where a small tower currently occupies 1/4 of the space.

[nofunk 1,933]

Thanks for the great comments, everyone!

tankmark: It does look a bit barren behind the building, but how about in front:

Nothing new on the Kales Building today, but I have spent some more time on Spencer & Co, which increasingly I am thinking should be a bank. It has that look to it, no?


I am currently having some problems with nightlights on this -- the light fixtures on the walls should be illuminating the columns above them -- but I'm sure I will get those figured out eventually.

Other than that, what do you guys think? This is a pretty big departure from the old version of the building!

[jcabassa 20]

That looks very nice! Nice detail!

[Fledgeling 1]

I admit to prefering the old version better. I think the green and the brick top does bad things to the building.

I prefer the older one. Alot, really. The brick on the penthouse should go, at the least

[josefmayor 8]

OH

MY

GOD

I love this building.

[gshmails 534]

Looks fantastic so far! Great work!

[Sim shady 12]

i really like how much more classy this version looks; the detailing by the windows and the stone textures really look better. not to mention the old version looked dang nice too

[Jasoncw 11,840]

That's still the back of Kales, lol.

Show a day picture too! 

Keep on searching for the orange that will make the blue windows more grey (and less green).  Then once you find that orange, then add some yellow and see what happens (I don't know what would happen).  At worst you'll be stuck with white (grey) nitelites instead of yellow ones, but it's better than green.  I'm not sure why none of my windows became green, since my windows are blue too. 

Also, lower the opacity of the bricks at the top, they seem too strong.

The roof junk is very well made, it turned out great.

[ilikehotdogsalot 307]

I love this building my god! It look amazing! Can't wait to see more!

[lrfox 2]

Looks awesome that's a great building.

[spa 968]

That's really impressive work! Can't wait for that to appear on the stex. I like the roof too. I do have to agree with Jason however about the bricks. They just need a wee touch up in my opinion.

[nofunk 1,933]

Wow, thanks so much you guys! I didn't expect such a positive response!

Fledgeling: I'm sorry you don't like this one as much. You realize though that the old building had green on it too? It was a little less vibrant before, but the green parts haven't really changed. 

Jasoncw: Yes, that is the back of the actual building, but tankmark was talking about the view behind the building, so I figured I'd show a view of what's in front of the building.

Per Jason's request, and since I should post one anyway, here is a day preview of Spencer & Co.

I haven't been able to work on it much since my last post, but I should have time this weekend. I did, however, lower the opacity on the bricks -- let me know if they look better or still need to be softened further. Also, I think I need to tweak the green texture underneath the windows -- it looks far too vibrant right now.

[Glenni 1,444]

Beutyfull work there funky,  it looks simply amazing, i wish i had THAT much skill at batting!!

[jacqulina 162]

wonderfull work and details

[Sim shady 12]

i think the green is just right, adds a great unique feel to the building. its totally up to u though

[ilikehotdogsalot 307]

That building is fantastic, I can't wait to see it in my cities!

[nofunk 1,933]

Hello!

Glenni, jacqulina, Sim shady, ilikehotdogsalot: Thank you all for your great comments! I really appreciate them.

Spencer & Co. has been on hold for the past week. I am having a problem with some of the night lighting. I can get the windows to light up just fine (as you can see in my previous posts) but the spot lights are not working. Each of those light fixtures you see on the walls should be shining a beam of light up the column, but they're not working. And I haven't been able to touch base with the resident BAT expert, Jasoncw, about this. Hopefully this coming week we'll be able to sort it out.

In the meantime, I started something new. I'd like to introduce you all to the ultimate in downtown urban living, the Ellsworth Lofts:

Note: the window textures are not final. I still have some work left to do on this: roof junk, chairs and tables to go on the roof deck, and night lighting. I am thinking of offering this as a stand-alone (pictured above) and a wall-to-wall. It will be on a 2x3 lot.

This will definitely be residential, but I will probably also offer it as a manufacturing industry (perhaps without the deck on the roof).

[jacqulina 162]

thats a fantastic building your detailing is excellent

[ilikehotdogsalot 307]

beautiful! simply beautiful! i really like red buildings because they pop out and adds a flare to the city, can't wait to see your next update!

[scotty222 549]

looks great so far but is it just me or does it look like a fire station (Maybe its just the red)

[Jasoncw 11,840]

It looks really good! 

The roof looks really good.  I'd reduce the opacity of the edging though.  You don't actually even need to do that anymore if you don't want to, since 3ds max should be doing it.  A slight edging can help exaggerate the effect if you'd like, but I think it's too strong right now.  For the top roof, I'd give it a uvw map with the same dimensions as the bottom, so that it is spread out just as evenly, so that the size of the details and texture are the same for both.

I think there should be a bars of concrete under and above the windows.  A thick one on the top for the floor, and a thinner one on the bottom for edging.

The windows are looking good so far too.  It looks like some of the frame pieces are missing on the bottom floor though.

Is it really a 2x3?  It's almost square.  I guess one side will have a lot of space on it?

Yeah, we should be able to look at the lights next weekend.

[lrfox 2]

@Scotty... i think it's the red and the fact that the bottom windows could be mistaken for garage doors. i see where you're coming from although i wouldn't make that assumption unless someone said it.

@Nofunk. love both buildings. my onyly complaint would be the windows on the newest one. i think they could be a little clearer and not look so painted on. that's all. looks really nice though

**EDIT** So, i looked closer at the building and realized the mistake in my comment. The windows to me appeared to be "painted" on because the are clear and i can see the interior of the building which resembles a bluish color. in turn, making it look at first glance like the windows are just a blue texture; when, in fact, they are not. so my mistake, i appologize for that. no criticism on my part.

Also, i would like to agree with Marcszar's comment below. i think it shows excellent flexibility (as do many of your buildings). nice work.

[marc 13]

Nofunk, the Ellsworth Lofts look absolutely stunning! I think this building is actually flexible enough to be residential, commercial, or industrial.

[Gecko_2006 1]

*sigh*

You never cease to amaze me. Excellent work nofunk!

[octaves 4]

Amazing.  Your skills are beyond words.

[Jasoncw 11,840]

Irfox, I'm pretty sure that the windows are completely opaque, he's just still working on the texture right now, so it looks like it's paint at the moment.

[lrfox 2]

Jason, I know. i looked closer (which i should have done before my post) and edited it accordingly. they are opaque. This building is still awesome.