Scottys BATS

[T Wrecks 10,209]

Yay! Looks very cool. My only suggestion so far is that the gradient on that window texture might be a tad too strong - towards the bottom, you lose that wonderful green tint and the window frames because it is all so dark.

You might try either brightening the entire texture, or toning the gradient down - or maybe a combination of the two.

[tag_one 133]

yeah I agree with T wrecks, the gradient is a bit much. the best is, imo atleast, to have a gredient you won't notise directly. but when you look close enough you'll see the gradient.

[scotty222 549]

I am going to change it because of that and also i saw some of the shadow problems johnB had with USX and this is a very similar shape so it will effect the angled windows more making them all pretty much black as you can sort of sse in the last pic

[scotty222 549]

Sorry about lack of work ive been busy

all ive done is lghtened the window textures a little

Are they still to dark or fine now

[jacqulina 162]

that building looks very cool

[T Wrecks 10,209]

IMHO, you could both stretch and bleach the gradient a bit further. By "stretching" I mean that the way it looks now, only the lowest 30% of the window surface really are clearly and visibly affected by the gradient. I wonder how things would look if you started the gradient a bit further above and toned it down quite a bit, so that it would be ever so slightly noticeable... strong gradients have the inherent risk of making a building look somewhat cartoonish. Then again, the gradient also contrasts strongly with the uniform white walls (untextured so far?), so this makes it a bit harder to judge what the overall effect on the finished building might be.

[SimFox 802]

Well it’s not the darkness of the glass itself (although it should definitely be lighten up -remember you are judging it against black background!), but the gradient - there shouldn't be ANY of it on the reflective + transparent surface like glass. This gradient is a way to fake Ambient Occlusion, which in turn a fake fro true global illumination.  

So, I would suggest to scrap gradient on ALL glass part altogether. You can apply it (gradient) to none reflective parts, but also in moderation . the gradient like now on the glass is HUGE overkill. Generally uniformed Gradient is very wrong. I’ve just discovered today that GMAX has UWV unwrap modifier. Proper way to use gradients to build texture should be through it. I would suggest to build model first and only then to start looking for textures.

May be you wouldn’t need the gradient at all!

[sam_lawrence 23]

Your PWC BAT is very nicely done. I actually started modeling it myself a long time ago but never got around to finishing it. Yours looks better so far anyway I wish i still had the time to do more NZ BATs. I actually have an improved version of the Skytower almost ready for release... I should really get onto that. Anyway i digress. I have a few suggestions for PWC:

- I'm not sure if you're wanting to slightly exaggerate the vertical dimention of the building but you have two too many floors for the 'middle section' of the building. This is just something to take onboard if you're going for the 100% replica approach. In addition the white strip which caps the vertical window strip is alot thinner than that - it's barely visable.

- I would still brighten the window textures more. In reality you never look at PWC during the day to see the bottom few floors near black. Maybe as simfox suggests above, get rid of the glass gradient all together, or maybe leave it very very subtly. Also pump up the window divisions in the vertical strip through the middle a bit. I would also suggest, as SimFox did, that you finish the modeling before you start fiddling around getting the textures right.

- I'm not sure if you just haven't gotten around to it yet, but i wouldn't leave the white parts stark white. Dead white buildings do not integrate into existing SC4 buildings very well - they stick out like sore thumbs. Dull it down a bit and put the thin black lines in the cladding on too - preferably matching up with the window divisions (which are infact about twice as frequent on the real building).

I hate to be nit-picky but i'm thinking that this could be a truley awesome BAT with the way it's been going so far. Feel free to ignore anything i've suggested because i'm sure it'll be great anway

Good luck with it.

[scotty222 549]

Thanks for the suggestions, ive decided not to rush this and work on all the textures alot more (white bits not textured)

I also thought i had the right number of floors oh well that can be easily fixed

The model is alot more complete now as well

Wont do much more now until i can get better pics or go to Auckland (i don't get very much even though i only live 1.5 hrs away)

Looking forward to an improved skytower sam (I was thinking of trying it myself)

[sam_lawrence 23]

I have a few photos i've taken of PWC if you'd like to use them as references. PM me to let me know if you want them.

[T Wrecks 10,209]

OMG, it's the sam_lawrence! Maker of the Auckland Skytower, that spiffy modern library and West Plaza... sad to hear that you will hardly have the time to publish any more BATs.

[scotty222 549]

Yeah that is sad your bats were awesome

EDIT: Sam ill talk to you about those photos later

[scotty222 549]

Ive decided to start a smaller building as i cant be bothered with towers right now

Its a small midrise that will fit on a 2x3 lot

No textures yet at all

It shouldn't take long to finish but you never know

[sam_lawrence 23]

I know what that's based on lol. It's looking good. You've got the amount of detailing about right. I like to see this sort of building extend right to the boundaries so that it gives a dense urbanist feel. I'll reserve any more comments 'till it's a bit more complete, but keep it up!

[scotty222 549]

Later on im thinking of doing this builiding better with the new development on top

This will be extended right to the boundaries (i hope) i completely disregarded the real size and sized it up for SC4

[jacqulina 162]

great detail very nice work

[DioAngel 1]

wow sweet awsome work! I download the ksm a while ago! Look real nice! *thumbs up*

[gerAndi 29]

looks really cool that far

[scotty222 549]

Bad news, cant finish the midrise lost the file (not telling why, its embarrasing) started another new building,

This will be my last new buliding for a while

[scotty222 549]

Update on the new buliding

I have done alote of resizing and (sort of) done a base

The base will neeed to be bigger

Aside from the base which do you guys think is better this one or the one from the last post

[sam_lawrence 23]

The second one looks tidier to me, scotty.

[jacqulina 162]

great progress you have done

[scotty222 549]

I have now got acsess to my home computer now which means i will have an easier time batting

I have decided to can all my old projects(for now) and start a new one

My new rule is a max of 2 projects at a time or you can all yell at me and tell me off (don't include old projects)

with my new building i want to play a game

Its a guessing game and the first person to guess what the building gets something (yeh right)

Heres the first part of the building

Clue: it is in the USA

[Jasoncw 11,840]

It's too bad you lost that file.  The game doesn't have many buildings in that style.  Hopefully in the future you can revisit the concept.

I don't know what you're new building is.  I don't recognize it.

[scotty222 549]

yeah i liked that building too so i will probably start it again

Edit: update

[DioAngel 1]

awsome

[scotty222 549]

Update on the mystery bulding

its starting to take shape and someone should get it soon

[patriots_1228 51]

Welcome to NEBB!!!

[lrfox 2]

You're not doing the columbia seafirst building (bank of america building) in seattle? are you? is that what that is?

[scotty222 549]

Nah its not (im not that good yet but i want to try that)

Now that im in NEBB all my projects for that will be in the NEBB thread

but other stuff will still be here

update on mystery bulding

roof including company name