NAM General Discussion Thread

[The Great Chozo 34]

Red,

 

 

 

[DuskTrooper 314]

https://community.simtropolis.com/assets/emoticons/25.gif width=15>

 

 

^^that says it all...

[SantoS 0]

Hi Folks. I've been registered for awhile but have been following this thread since it was first created. I must say, awesome job to everyone who contributed. I bought SC4 on preorder way back when and the game is nothing compared to the additions you guys created. I don't think the great cities I see everyone creating in city journals could be made without your contributions. So, a big thank you!

But my main reason to post is because I noticed a little quirk. I remember someone else posting about it previously in this thread, but when I search I get timeout errors. So please pardon for asking again.

Ever since I started using the NAM most, if not all, of my sims drive. I mean, I like it that they use my bridges/tunnels I've built, but I was getting loads of money from transit fares. Now, they rarely use it and the transit fares I get don't really help that much.

Is there a reason why the sims now drive as their first preference than to take mass transit that is right next door to their big apartment building?

Thanks,

SantoS

[MTLT_17 26]

Hey Modders,

 

Now I know most of the interchanges have been on elevated style. Well here is a ground level stack. I think is quite fesible. Now sorry for the poor quolity of MS Paint but it was all I had. So here it is:

Tell me what ya think.

 

-MTLT

[The Great Chozo 34]

Date:6/19/2004 5:37:28 PM
Author:MTLT_17

Hey Modders,

 

Now I know most of the interchanges have been on elevated style. Well here is a ground level stack. I think is quite fesible. Now sorry for the poor quolity of MS Paint but it was all I had. So here it is:

 

Tell me what ya think.

 

-MTLT

quote>

I am WAAAAYYYY ahead of you MTLT.

Be patient and you will see.

TGC

[ardecila 124]

OK . . the next thing in the works from ardecila's House of BATting:

Diagonal Overpass Interchanges!

Ever have a regular grid, but want to run a diagonal highway through your city?

Well then, have I got a gmax file for you!

[Tropod 144]

Date:6/19/2004 5:15:07 PM
Author:SantoS

Hi Folks.  I've been registered for awhile but have been following this thread since it was first created.  I must say, awesome job to everyone who contributed.  I bought SC4 on preorder way back when and the game is nothing compared to the additions you guys created.  I don't think the great cities I see everyone creating in city journals could be made without your contributions.  So, a big thank you!

But my main reason to post is because I noticed a little quirk.  I remember someone else posting about it previously in this thread, but when I search I get timeout errors.  So please pardon for asking again.

Ever since I started using the NAM most, if not all, of my sims drive.  I mean, I like it that they use my bridges/tunnels I've built, but I was getting loads of money from transit fares.  Now, they rarely use it and the transit fares I get don't really help that much.

Is there a reason why the sims now drive as their first preference than to take mass transit that is right next door to their big apartment building?

Thanks,

SantoS

quote>

hhmm....someone else had posted a problem similar to this. Could you PM me with the specific ...Traffic_Plugin file you're using thanks.

One thing to remember about the Traffic Plugin files is; the accuracy of the Pathfinding for these is greatly increased with the Better/Perfect pathfinding files. So if Sims think driving their cars will get them from A>B more efficiently, then they'll take that route instead [of using another method/way they may of previously taken]. You have to remember though, that things like Traffic Congestion are a factor too; and if you're using one of the Higher capacity files, then that'll have a bearing on things too. It's all very much related. In any event though, I've still yet to take a look into this [as I said I would], but I do intend to.

 

@MTLT_17;

That interchange is missing something [two ramps/access-ways-from one highway to the other]; take a closer look at the pic you've done. Looks nice though .

 

P.S. Folks; the Main mod has been updated [earlier in the day] up on the Mods page; NetworkAddon details. From now on, the mod will be updated by date only [in other words, going by the actual date on the Mods page that it's posted].

[MTLT_17 26]

MTLT_17:

That interchange is missing something [two ramps/access-ways-from one highway to the other]; take a closer look at the pic you've done. Looks nice though .

 

Aww I see it now ok. Well if it gets done it would look awesome!

-MTLT

 

-EDIT-

Hey Tropod. I thank-you realizing the flaw, however, not all stacks are equal. I think you should add a few of those so we can have a more realistic city highway system. Also maybe you could modd the original cloverleaf interchnage so that you can have 1,2,3 or the original 4 loops. I think that this would look much better and much more options.

[PhantomOwl 3]

You guys are brilliant! This is some of the most detailed work I have ever seen going into modding a game! I applaud you all.

I do have a quick question though.
Will this all be bundled up into one happy single download when you are finished? It would really be helpfull if it was all in one download or a few organized downloads once it is done. (At least for me.. I loose track of things easilly.)

Happy modding and congrats once more!

[RodneyMullen03 5]

Hey, that looks JUST like the interchange for the I-105/I-405. Yup, JUST like it. That is the interchange in LA, nowhere else.

[SantoS 0]

Tropod,

I have attached the perfect pathfinding plugin.

Thanks for looking into this for me.

Also, I noticed that the new interchange that was created has solid lane lines in both directions instead of dashed.

That image is hosted off site, so it should be speedy. Let me know if I did something or is that how the interchange is supposed to be.

Thanks,

SantoS

[Ryan B 35]

WOW - I love the things that are coming out of this thread!!!

TGC - I'm probably asking for everyone when I ask, When is this stack going to be ready?

 

ardecila - Great idea.  I've been looking for one of those for quite some time!  Also - any idea when your avenue Y-interchange will be ready?

 

 

[Breeze646 0]

Date: 4/24/2004 1:53:26 PM
Author:

Something I posted back in the old 'Intersection and Interchange Mods (post-RH)' thread was a request for an interchange between a road and another road (or avenue to road). These generally exist on 'super-two' 2-lane limited access highways that have intentions of being upgraded to 4 lanes some day when the traffic volumes justify it. Here's the pic I posted in that thread. Obviously this is Photoshopped!!

Also, it is possible to include a version of the Network Addon Mod which allow a user to continue using Traffic Cop for customized speeds/capacities instead of using one of the traffic plugins? Or is this possible simply by not using a traffic plugin?

Thanks

-Chris

quote>


I know this is pretty old post but boy does it look good. And with this mod maybe Tropod can make it just like a real highway one.

PS. Or maybe is this already uploaded?

[redlotus 16]

joexcooldude:  I don't see any specific modd that might be conflicting.  Do you have any mods in your MyDocuments\..\Plugins folder or any sub folder?  For that matter, what are in the Extra and images folders that I see in your list?  There is one other thing that I would recommend:  If a file is not a .dat, .SC4model, .SC4Desc, .SC4Lot, or one of the Background3D(0-4) files, it shouldn't be in either Plugins directory.  Although you have the extensions turned off, I think that I see an HTML file, a text file, and maybe even a zip file.  Any of these could interfere with the game.

 

If this doesn't fix your problem, you need to move all of the .dat files out of the Plugins directories and any subfolders.  You don't have to delete them, just move them somewhere else--like maybe a temporary directory on your desktop.  Then go into the game, start a new city, and see if this helps.  If this doesn't fix your problems, then you might have had a bad update or one of the game's files has become corrupted.

 

Whats wrong with the Diagonal Overpass?

Ummm.  What do you mean?  There are no diagonal overpasses as far as I know.

 

Will this all be bundled up into one happy single download when you are finished?

 

If we ever complete everything that we are trying to accomplish, yes it will be offered as one single download.  Unless it is too big for one file, then we may be forced to create a modd set.

 

Let me know if I did something or is that how the interchange is supposed to be.

Sadly, I'm not as good at texturing these as I'd like to be.  The unbroken lines were done on purpose because I couldn't get the dashed lines to look right on the diagonal highway.  I am working on doing future interchanges using a different method, so I may be able to get the dashed lines back in the future.

 

TGC - I'm probably asking for everyone when I ask, When is this stack going to be ready?

 

Yeah, Chozo.  When's it gonna be ready?  (just kidding btw)

 

Breeze646:  I had forgotten about that request, but it certainly is something that's possible.

Also maybe you could modd the original cloverleaf interchnage so that you can have 1,2,3 or the original 4 loops.

Hmmmm.   It may be possible to make the clovers individually addable in the game.  We'll have to take a look into that.

-red

[Ryan B 35]

I was thinking about those cloverleaf loops . . . . . it would be cool and add a touch of realism to just add a ramp as needed.

[MTLT_17 26]

Date:6/19/2004 11:24:45 PM
Author:ryanb_sc4

I was thinking about those cloverleaf loops . . . . . it would be cool and add a touch of realism to just add a ramp as needed.

quote>

Yes even Ryan agree's this should be done. I mean what city doens't have a cloverleaf that doesn't have all the loops. I know my city does (Toronto)

-MTLT

[Ryan B 35]

I've been quoted!  Yee-HAW!!!

 

I was just thinking - if we can split these loops up, maybe we can make a trumpet interchange!

[MTLT_17 26]

Hey Tropod/Redlotus,

 

Here is a pic of an interchange in Toronto that has only 2 loops. This is how we should be able to make our interchanges. I mean we pick how many loops we want.

Think about it.

 

-MTLT

[ardecila 124]

The above overpass was really just an ad hoc thing. I needed one in my city, so I designed one.

As for the avenue Y-int, it should be in RedLotus' digital hands now. Could you confirm, Red? If you don't have it, I'll re-send it.

[Tropod 144]

 

@joexcooldude;

I can't see anything there that might be conflicting with this mod. That's not to say you don't have files elsewhere causing the problem.

 

@MTLT_17;

About the single cloverleaf ramps; That's not a bad idea, actually. I'll see if this is do-able .

 

@PhantomOwl;

The NetworkAddon mod in the Mods section is what people should be using. The only time they should be using anything that is posted in this thread, is to help-out iron out any major issues/bugs.

 

@SantoS;

Regarding the line markings; that issue has already been covered. It was done like that intentionally for a reason. As for the Traffic file; I'll take a closer look at it, but in any event, the issue regarding it is most likely due to the way the Pathfinding engine works, and specifically how people have/are designing their cities [with this file, you can actually stretch-out, or plan-out, your cities a lot more. Spacing things further apart. So just keep that in mind, as it has an impact].

 

 

@Breeze646;

Since no one has decided to model that [yet], it hasn't been done. Pretty much most things need to be modelled first before the next step [Paths etc] can begin.

[redlotus 16]

Date:6/20/2004 1:04:23 AM
Author:ardecila

The above overpass was really just an ad hoc thing.  I needed one in my city, so I designed one. 

As for the avenue Y-int, it should be in RedLotus' digital hands now.  Could you confirm, Red?  If you don't have it, I'll re-send it.

quote>

Hmmm.  Haven't seen it yet, and I think I know why.  Apparently 3 months isn't enough time to get used to a new email addy   I keep getting it mixed up.  It should be redlotus5(AT)sbcglobal.net

Sorry about that.

-red

[ardecila 124]

Whoops! Good thing I saved a draft. I'll resend momentarily.

[MTLT_17 26]

Date:6/20/2004 1:36:40 AM
Author:Tropod

 

@MTLT_17;

About the single cloverleaf ramps; That's not a bad idea, actually. I'll see if this is do-able .

 

quote>

Hey Tropod,

That is awsome that this idea has some merit. I will be watching intently to see if this is going to happen. Great Work so far.

-MTLT

[The Great Chozo 34]

Date:6/19/2004 8:32:38 PM
Author:ryanb_sc4

TGC - I'm probably asking for everyone when I ask, 'When is this stack going to be ready?'

quote>

Well Ryanb, I think you actually are asking just for yourself. The people who need to know, know the status of these stacks. I apologize for the stacks not being ready sooner, but there is something called real life that I give precedence over gaming. I am not 13 years old anymore, and I can't spend every waking hour of my day in front of my computer. Patience is a virtue my friend, remember that. (and by the way, it still won't be ready for quite some time, as it has to be modded, and path files need to be written, etc.......) So in the meantime just sit back and enjoy the progress.

Ok that being said, I have a most welcome update for all of yall.

As some of you may know, I had to resize the ramps and medians on all the models, as well as add the Maxis style supports to some of the models that didn't have them already. Well most of them are done, and here are shots of the first 6 stacks that I have finished.

The Normal (or Maxis style) Stacks:

Elevated Highway over Elevated Highway:

Ground Highway over Ground Highway:

Here is one that most of yall will probably really enjoy,

Elevated Highway over Ground Highway:

there is a closer look at this one further below. GSTommyLee, this is the one that I was telling you about.

 

Mars Style Highway Stacks:

Elevated Highway over Elevated Highway:

Ground Highway over Ground Highway:

Elevated Highway over Ground Highway:

Here is a closer look at the Gmax model of the Elevated over Ground Interchange. It should give you a better perspective of what is going on inbetween the two highway decks. And yes, all the flyover ramps are inbetween the two highway decks, and every driving surface has ample amount of overhead clearance:

Many of you have been asking me about an interchange that has all the ramps underneath the road decks. I don't know that a full model of what you are asking is possible due to unrealistic road grades, and clearance heights, but I think that this model is a good compromise, and should appease you. This is the only way that I was able to realistically represent an Elevated Highway intersecting with a Ground Highway in the space that we have to use for the game models.

The Diagonal / Orthagonal Interchanges are almost done, I just have some slight revisions to finish on them. Those files are:

Diagonal Elevated Highway over Orthagonal Elevated Highway

Diagonal Ground Highway over Orthagonal Elevated Highway

(I was also going to do to two alternate model in which the road deck that goes above the other in one model will go under in the other, giving you two different set ups of the same model. I will look into doing this, based on time issues on my end of the deal.)

Diagonal Elevated Highway over Orthagonal Ground Highway

Orthagoanl Elevated Highway over Diagonal Ground Highway

Those above files are almost done, and will be posted in the next 2 or 3 days.

Red, I am almost finished with a preliminary model (which will be very close to a final model BTW) of the Y intersection in which 3 Highways intersect in a Y shaped stack. Due to the way that I made the model it is possible to have many different variations on this intersection. Two of the highways have off ramps that are two lanes wide, and these can be switched between the highways to have 3 variations. Also currently all the highways are coming in as Elevated, but it is easily possible to have one Ground and 2 Elevated, or 2 Ground and 1 Elevated, and so on. So the question is, how many variations of the Y should I make ? I don't want to throw too much work on you and Tropod, but the variety would be well worth it. Another question is which highways should enter the stack as ground and which ones should enter as Elevated. The varations of this stack are numerous, so any input on this from anyone, would speed things up a bit.

Well that is that, I hope you like what you see.

Comments anyone ??

The Great Chozo

[BarbulaM1 38]

[:0][:0]Oh my, those are awsome, wow. Great job

[Xurros 10]

Oh my god!

This is incredible TGC.. I loved the ground/ground intersection...It's really beautiful!

Will it be avaiable in the next update?

I hope it'll be soon!!

Thanks!!

[stp243 8]

wow, now that looks sweet! hope to see that included sometime soon!

[Vlad788 13]

OH MY GOD!!!! https://community.simtropolis.com/assets/emoticons/6.gif width=15>

 

SIMPLY AMAZING!!! I REALLY LIKE IT!!! AMAZING JOB TGC!!!

 

Ok, let me calm down. takes a deep breath... When should we expect these available for download? They look amazing. I know I'm asking for too much, but can we actually see them in action with in game screenshots? Thanks.

 

-Vlad

[Ryan B 35]

TGC - I thought everyone was wondering when these would be ready!  Oh well.  I agree wholeheartedly with you - patience is a virtue.  I will try to exercise more patience in the future.  And - I DO plan on enjoying the progress.

 

Now then - to my ratings of the stacks (given in bunnies):

Elevated / Elevated:   x 10 to the milionth power

Ground / Ground:   x 10 to the millionth power

Elevated / Ground:   x 10 to the millionth power

 

Orthogonal means straight x diagonal, right?  If so - those stacks will be SWEET!

 

Great job, TGC!  I can't wait for the next update.  Your work brings a unforeseen touch of realism to SC4!

[Ryan B 35]

TGC - A couple other things: 

 

1)  can't wait to see the Y-int!

2)  I'm 16, not 13.  Good guess, though!  LOL