Back to BAT.......

[joerg 280]

Ok so I think i might be back with a couple buildings and such, but I am having some problems.

First off I refuse to touch gmax ever again, so bat for max is the only thing im going to use.  However i only have max 8 and 9.  9 lacks the 3dsmax.ini file and doesnt appear to be compatible.  Yes i know this belongs in the troubleshooting thread, so i wont go on about that anymore.

Anyways so im modeling in max and autocad and i have a building about 9/10ths done.  Amazing pace too about 5 hours to model.  Saddly about 7 hours of fiddling with the import, installing 8 and then 9 and dealing with conversion problems and now starting to texture.  Still no luck getting bat to work though.

But here is my dillema, first off I can model buildings and count it towards school stuff, which makes it a valid waste of time, but the hours spent putting the buildings into SC4 simply are not possible for me.  I work full time, go to school, and try to have a life, and while i love the sc4 community and the game i simply done have time to convert over my models.  I can light them and texture them and maybe render them but i need someone or somebodies to help me build the lots and take those extra few massive steps.  Anyone up for this?

BTW pictures sooon.

[marc 13]

3dsmax 9 IS compatible with the BAT4Max. The "3dsmax.ini" file is now in a different location than old max versions (now typically "C:\Documents and Settings\szarkm\Local Settings\Application Data\Autodesk\3dsmax\9 - 32bit\enu") so just edit the filepaths in the scripts to point to this new location wherever necessary.

EDIT: BTW, that's the first time I ever heard anyone using AutoCAD for BATting. I think it's too clunky for true 3D work, but perhaps you're using it with Architectural Desktop or something like that, which makes it a lot easier.

[autoVino 26]

Also with max 9, don't forget to copy the content's of the plugCFG folder into your gamepacks/bat folder... It has some great features that come with mentalray.

Good luck batting with max... It beats gmax by a thousand!

[lrfox 2]

I really have nothing of substance for you, except i'd like to welcome you back to the world of BAT. your Bank of SimCity Tower remains one of my favorite BATs.

Good luck sorting out your technical difficulties and once again, thanks for returning.

[joerg 280]

Lol nope, arch desktop is to clunky in my opinion.  I can model in cad 3x faster than in max well for most things anyways, somethings of course are always easier in max like 3d splines, but for buildings cad is sooo much faster, and solids seem easier to deal with for boolean operations and such.

Oh one other bat for max question, whats the deal with bat for max v3?  Is it available somewhere?

Anyways here is a quick teaser of my latest work, might be awhile before it ever sees SC4 but if i can get some help or join one of these crazy bat teams then maybe it could available sooner.

[Sim shady 12]

ooh that looks good! glad to see you working the magic marker with the BAT

[Jasoncw 11,840]

It's looking good!

Can you also show a zoom 5 preview render?

Those supports for the panels need more to attach them to the wall.  Maybe a plate on the wall or something like that.  Overall that part isn't very convincing.

[SimFox 802]

Looks Good!

I hope you've fixed the MAX9 issue based on the messages form Marcszar and AutoVino? I believe MAX9 should be the tool to use. It gives you greatest materials and very decent rendering engine in form of Mental Ray 3.5

Bat4Max v3. isn't available. I thought to start the thread to discuss about it, but unfortunately there wasn't too much of that. More like a wish list and most of that are UI or superficial stuff. Nothing wrong with that, but my idea was to talk about mechanics and principles first...

If you have any experience with MaxScript and wish to participate in making of Bat4Max v3 it would be great. I don’t think I can pull it on my own anytime soon…

[AsianEvolusioner 18]

VERY GOOD!!! i like the roof..... keep going....!

[toxicpiano 125]

A big welcome back Joerg. *dies*

[autoVino 26]

Wow! That looks absolutely wonderful! Can we have a zoom five preview too?

[joerg 280]

Thanks guys, and dont fear modeling is not yet done, the lobby needs extensive work, and so do those supports on the roof.  Anyways my max is still being retarded. Is there any way i could possibly get someone with msn or aim that uses max to add me to their buddy list?  joegeske@gmail.com for either.....

Anyhow i manually loaded up the camera and lighting rig, not terribly happy with the result, but here you guys go.

[MarcosMX 222]

Looks beatiful, great job

[ILL Tonkso 1,236]

Good to see you back in action.

May i suggest a great contrast between the window colour and the mullions, also you might want to check out my Raytracing tutorian in the Omnibus, it can really bring out the life in a building.

[joerg 280]

Thanks ILL Tonkso, and trust me when I say SC4 Lighting ruined any contrast i had previously on the building, but hey trial and error right? Anyways I will get over to the Omni Bus and check that out, i need all the help i can to get me up to speed. By the time i get done with this building I intend for it to be perfect. BTW a huge hand to BarbyW you has so graciously offered to help bring my buildings into SC4. More tonight guys, I need to redo the geometry, rework the base, add double or triple the roof junk, and throw on a new set of textures that are shall we say more simcity friendly.... hehe anyways thanks again.

[Andreas Roth 607]

Wow, that's a very nice start indeed! I'm glad that you added a window washer crane - many people tend to forget such important details.

[Glenni 1,444]

Back, and better than ever before eh? great!

[woodb3kmaster 342]

Looking great so far! It's good to see you back into BATting. Now, since you asked, I could do lotting and modding if you know what you have in mind. Since I also have BAT4Max, I could even give rendering a shot, if you need me to.

[Jasoncw 11,840]

That's good, the building will make it to the game. 

Also, if the render is properly scaled, it looks like the building (or at least the door on the roof) are overscaled.  To get a properly scaled render, set your output width to 795 pixels.  The height doesn't matter.  Also, it looks like your quality settings are a bit too low, lol.

[joerg 280]

Im not terribly worried about outputting anything yet, the quality is being killed by jpeg compression, and now that you mention it that door is a tad big roughly 10ft tall, oops....

Anyways i am in the process of reworking the roof and base.  Tell me what you guys think so far.  Oh and I kind of need some cars for my parking garage, anyone have some ideas?  I will of course add light poles to the garage and I have plans of building a skybridge between it and the building.  As for texturing thats all up in the air right now and the only custom texture on the entire building right now is the roof.

Oh and there are fans down those ventilation shafts, you should be able to see them in another view.

[SimFox 802]

It is really nice to see attention to the details! In this new version you'veleft clearance for crane to pass under the girders!

Have you managed to clear all the problems with Bat4Max installation? If not then send me PM I'll try to help you.

[Jasoncw 11,840]

Properly scaled previews are important so that we can see what the building will look like in the game, which for SC4 purposes is the only thing that matters.

For the base, I recommend some kind of overhang to make the entrance feel like an entrance.  It doesn't need to be something big of fancy or anything, just something else there.  Right now the door looks like a side entrance

[Yoman3 5]

Now that, is just incredible! May I suggest a version with and without the parking garage though?

[joerg 280]

No worries guys, as said this is merely a half completed bat, i still have tons to add and once i am happy with it i will say so, as for the entry way i still have a plaza yet to build and a ton of other details, I want this to be perfect so as to show you guys that ive still got it. So just keep your eyes out i will have more soon. As for Max well still no luck but im hoping to hear back from simfox soon and possibly a few other members.

BTW still in desperate need of some decent car models, although i suppose i could make an attempt at producing my own.

[joerg 280]

No worries guys, as said this is merely a half completed bat, i still have tons to add and once i am happy with it i will say so, as for the entry way i still have a plaza yet to build and a ton of other details, I want this to be perfect so as to show you guys that ive still got it. So just keep your eyes out i will have more soon. As for Max well still no luck but im hoping to hear back from simfox soon and possibly a few other members.

BTW still in desperate need of some decent car models, although i suppose i could make an attempt at producing my own.

[toxicpiano 125]

Try here:

http://archidom.net/ddd/model_F.htm

and here (Tanks and trains and stuff lol):

http://archidom.net/ddd/model_M.htm

[toxicpiano 125]

Try here:

http://archidom.net/ddd/model_F.htm

and here (Tanks and trains and stuff lol):

http://archidom.net/ddd/model_M.htm

[joerg 280]

Thanks tp, i didnt realize such a massive collection of free models existed anywhere.  I used to look all day for that kind of stuff with very little luck, or atleast not near the quality.

Btw i need suggestions for future projects.....  Im thinking a modular mall, not out door but an actual mall like what you would find khols, sears, pennys, and the gap in.

[joerg 280]

Thanks tp, i didnt realize such a massive collection of free models existed anywhere.  I used to look all day for that kind of stuff with very little luck, or atleast not near the quality.

Btw i need suggestions for future projects.....  Im thinking a modular mall, not out door but an actual mall like what you would find khols, sears, pennys, and the gap in.

[patriots_1228 51]

good to see your back to BATting joerg. This one looks awesome, although the door is a tad too big. Awesome parking garage and roof!

edit:glenni has some good cars, im sure if u use your pleases and thank yous he will lend some

o and im just about to start the review, a 3.88 GB DL has been delaying it lol