Show us your Small Towns

[mitsos 12,949]

nice work terring,here is mine inspired from the Greek island of Santorini.

 

[SimRico 968]

After my original city crashed and burned literally, I've rebuilt Peyton Place - Stepford Island.  Up to 5,000 citizens (from 47,000) and got my ghetto's back.. Shotgun houses, some larger old homes, all with a slope-friendly base since most of my town is hilly. Reserving some hoods with older bigger homes for a museum district once the city ages more.  This is on the east side of downtown.  See The Moose Factory on the corner (brick and green caddycorner type bldg.in upper right corner)? this is the edge of where the down town starts

 

 

 

Question: In the Settings, what happens if you  set the number of years to build the selected houses and bldgs to zero . before the game changes to another set?  Right now, I have it set at 200 years so to have enough time to build out areas I want to have the older homes in (inner city and some old communities) before the middle and upper class homes starts to build.

[ROFLyoshi 1,760]

I am a sucker for hills, and you've done well with those.

Speaking of...


Still a work in progress, but I wanted to make a cheap inter-tile join in MS Paint to see how the sides look together. Happy so far.

[timmie 988]

I like the fact that it's on a city border, very good! Nice use of slopes, too

[agunter999 200]

How did you do that

[timmie 988]

How did you do that

It might be useful if you specify what exactly Yoshi did, then we might be able to help If you mean the city tiles next to each other, that's a visual illusion, he stitched the images together in Paint.

[Alex.B 21]

Nice building layout. 

 

Here are some small towns that I have made over time.

 

Babylon bay (please excuse that messy gravel)

 

 

Ark Canion.

 

 

Blanco

 

Clive (Sitka Region)

 

And Lexington. (Sitka Region)

 

 

I have more of course, but I don't want to clog the page.

[Lordyboy96 77]

There really is some beautiful stuff in here

 

Alex, those all look very cool, I like the mix of W2W buildings in each of those pics. I feel you could improve on those by using a slope mod, since some of your railways seem to take some very steep, sudden changes of incline that a train wouldn't be able to handle

 

Anyway, now for my efforts. All of the following were taken from one town (Northshore, population 19,009, on my region based around Lake Annecy). It's a little bigger than the others posted here, and is the largest settlement in the region currently, but I still think its more of a small town than city

 

First off, a general overview:

 

 

As you can see, its still not done (I'm looking to take the low density housing at least up to the railway line), and then will likely make a kind of CBD in the centre using mid-density buildings.

 

Next: The market.

 

 

The centre of trade for all local farmers to display their wares. 

 

Then: The Church

 

 

Built shortly after the first farmers settled on the shores of the lake. Thankfully, a peaceful history means only a small graveyard is necessary for the town. 

 

And lastly: One farm still survives in the middle of what is becoming prime residential land.

 

 

(Also, it gave me an excuse to make a small mosaic  ) 

 

That's basically all I've got for the moment, apologies if this is a little too much for one post, I felt the urge to share it all at once!

 

Feedback, of course, is always welcome

[clhigh7 583]

Small towns don't last too long in my region, they usually get gobbled up by the suburbs almost instantaneously. Here is whats left of them.

 

 

 

 

This photo pretty well shows the decay of rural areas in my region

[infamousjbe 593]

The town of E.Bear Mtn pop.2500 3rd Decade

This town should eventually progress to the Biz/I-HT area of the region, but that's a long way off.

[Lordyboy96 77]

The town of E.Bear Mtn pop.2500 3rd Decade

This town should eventually progress to the Biz/I-HT area of the region, but that's a long way off.

 

*IMAGE*

 

I really like this, especially the way the roads wind and have a lot of smooth curves. You hide the grid very well. I think this would look even better with some custom bats or themed buildings. Perhaps we could see a few close-ups/ mosiacs?

 

 

Small towns don't last too long in my region, they usually get gobbled up by the suburbs almost instantaneously. Here is whats left of them.

 

 

*IMAGES*

 

 

This photo pretty well shows the decay of rural areas in my region

 

Some very nice natural scenes there (that lake looks awesome!). I think a smooth slope mod would improve the shots (especially the 2nd image, that road on the top left shouldn't do that!). I also think some smooth curves on the road in the 3rd image, rather than the regular jagged ones would make it look more suited to a rural environment 

[ROFLyoshi 1,760]

Baby steps...

This is the town of Scarborough. With a projected population of 10,000 when complete, this quaint little town sits on the northern side of Redwolf Peninsula. A four lane undivided highway links the town with the main city, as well as offering a scenic drive for daytrippers.

[timmie 988]

Tell me Yoshi, do you give lessons in SC4? And how much do you charge?

[ROFLyoshi 1,760]

Tree fiddy.

I think I owe about 80% of that picture to mattb325, MandelSoft, Pegasus and Murimk. They provided the paints and oils! (although I am definitely pleased with the resort town feel)..

[infamousjbe 593]

 

I really like this, especially the way the roads wind and have a lot of smooth curves. You hide the grid very well. I think this would look even better with some custom bats or themed buildings. Perhaps we could see a few close-ups/ mosiacs?

 

 

 

Thanks for the compliment Lordyboy..       I really wanted to try and get away from the grid as much as possible, with all the NAM pieces now. Finding one drawback using all the curves, makes it very difficult to build off from those areas. I would have to break up the curves and go back to more of grid, which I don't. It'll been an interesting challenge to say the least. 

 

Is there an easy way to do mosaics? without having a program like Photoshop? It's never to late learn new tricks.

 

Well, as per request, a couple closer shots.

 

Just a typical US blocked out neighborhood.

 

In my need to break the gridish look, started playing around with the game made culdesacs. It seems to work for a 2x2 type upscale neighborhood. It might turn into more a suburbia type pattern away from the "dt" of the city tile, and more "out nowhwere" places. 

 

 

Hope you enjoy. 

I'll try and remember to catch some flix of the other rural city layouts in the region. fyi: I've posted a couple region pics (I think) in both "Show Us Your Region" & "Show Us What Your Working On" threads.

[Lordyboy96 77]

Is there an easy way to do mosaics? without having a program like Photoshop? It's never to late learn new tricks.

 

I personally use GIMP, which is a free image manipulating programme (like PhotoShop, but not as good). I think you can use paint, since you can  make the canvas bigger by dragging out the bottom right corner, and then just copying and aligning the different screenshots. However, it seems like it would be darn fiddly, and difficult  to correct if you do it wrong. 

 

Very nice shots, of course they could be improved if you got away from the Maxis stuff, but it depends how much time you have on your hands

[infamousjbe 593]

Thank you again for the words.

 

 

Very nice shots, of course they could be improved if you got away from the Maxis stuff, but it depends how much time you have on your hands

 

 

Just a bit perplexed with this statement. In the first pic, 90% of the Cs is SimGoober's & madhatter's lots. Even the industrial area is mostly non-maxis content, right down to the grunge plain cement ground, and all the walls and parking lots. Even the I-M is at least 50% dl'ed content. The second pic of R homes is more than a 50/50 split of Maxis & BSC dl'ed homes. Granted the third pic hosts the most Maxis content (Rs), but the only C is the one CO building. But you can see that even the powerlines are modded and at the end of the powerlines is a dl'ed lot. It might not look like it at first, but I use a bunch of fillers to help try and blend things together a bit. 

 

But to not just dispute you on your statement, I am constantly adding to my Plugins folder. However, I'm trying to change the style of play and add things as needed during the progressing/advancement/maturity. Don't want to give it an over modified look too soon.

 

It also might be good to mention that I have the Building Control set to 100 years before it'll change and only the NY & Chicago tile set allowed at the moment. Again, not wanting anything that looks too modern yet.

 

I'm glad you are taking an interest in my image and helping with suggestions. I never get upset with advice or constructive criticism, it's the only way to get better.

 

Thanks again for the compliment, and the suggestions.

 

EDIT: Originally asked if you had anything posted, but I found them ^there  

 

In the "General View" was this area mostly I-A prior to all the R? or was everything generally planned out? It also looks like you've done similar to me with the "main" road meandering through the tile, then built off that infrastructure? and Kudos for breaking up the "square" block grid with the random turns.

 

In the "The Church" image. I really like the texture on the rock. Which terrain mod is that. I have yet to install a terrain mod yet. Not sure which one best suits my area yet. I'm mostly New England US area, so not really pine heavy, mostly peppered throughout. I haven't done much for an over all detail work with the "forests" in any of my pics. It's more on a localized basis, depending on where I'm developing. Unless I get the detail bug and start going crazy in any area, I'll forget that I'm building a city. lol

 

Nice pics, keep posting. I enjoy looking at other mayor's work.

[Fluffyvito 40]

Hello everyone! I love everything that you guys have been posting!  

 

SimRico I love your neighborhood on the hill.

 

ROFLyoshi your town kinda remids me of a mix of Monte Carlo and Hollywood. I also like how organic your downtown looks.

 

Lordyboy96 I really enjoy the market and English countryside feel.

 

Anyway, I made a small town, called Newcastle, to test some of the new custom content I downloaded. I was trying to give it a bit of that rural Northern New England feel that I am so accustomed to here in Maine. However, I didn't save her as I have different plans for that map. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

[ROFLyoshi 1,760]

Those Girafe trees work perfectly.

[Lordyboy96 77]

Just a bit perplexed with this statement. In the first pic, 90% of the Cs is SimGoober's & madhatter's lots. Even the industrial area is mostly non-maxis content, right down to the grunge plain cement ground, and all the walls and parking lots. Even the I-M is at least 50% dl'ed content. The second pic of R homes is more than a 50/50 split of Maxis & BSC dl'ed homes. Granted the third pic hosts the most Maxis content (Rs), but the only C is the one CO building. But you can see that even the powerlines are modded and at the end of the powerlines is a dl'ed lot. It might not look like it at first, but I use a bunch of fillers to help try and blend things together a bit. 

 

It also might be good to mention that I have the Building Control set to 100 years before it'll change and only the NY & Chicago tile set allowed at the moment. Again, not wanting anything that looks too modern yet.

 

Yes, I think the main thing to give me that impression were the 2nd and 3rd images, since there seem to be a lot of Maxis Two Storey Houses. But still, they look good man, and fit the scene well. I think I've just been spoiled by the likes of Paeng, Forthwall, Yoshi and others, who take great pride in using absolutely nothing that actually came on the install disc (Which is also massively time-consuming!)

 

 

EDIT: Originally asked if you had anything posted, but I found them ^there  

 

In the "General View" was this area mostly I-A prior to all the R? or was everything generally planned out? It also looks like you've done similar to me with the "main" road meandering through the tile, then built off that infrastructure? and Kudos for breaking up the "square" block grid with the random turns.

 

In the "The Church" image. I really like the texture on the rock. Which terrain mod is that. I have yet to install a terrain mod yet. Not sure which one best suits my area yet. I'm mostly New England US area, so not really pine heavy, mostly peppered throughout. I haven't done much for an over all detail work with the "forests" in any of my pics. It's more on a localized basis, depending on where I'm developing. Unless I get the detail bug and start going crazy in any area, I'll forget that I'm building a city. lol

 

Nice pics, keep posting. I enjoy looking at other mayor's work.

 

 

Thank you for the kind words

 

If I remember rightly, I started with the only R where there is now a little bit of Mid-Density on the south side of the river, with farms surrounding it, and expanded the R zones into the farms as demand increased, and added more farms on the west side of the south bank. Most of the R on the north bank was previously empty ground, as I didn't feel it was realistic to build a bridge across the river for farmland, as there was still plenty of space for that on the south side. I did build off a single main road of both sides of the river, and I generally plan very little out in advance, I feel I get more organic growth by being as short-sited as real property developers are

 

 

In terms of terrain mods, I think I'm using the LK Starter Set (https://www.sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=2752) and LK Appalachian Terrain Mod (https://www.sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=2753) by Lowkee33, and the trees should be Pacific Northwest Tree Controller () by Blunder. The reason I say 'should' is because I've had these installed for a very long time, since I love the earthy, more muted (and IMO more realistic) colours, and all the textures are HD, and so look awesome at any zoom level

 

 

 

Hello everyone! I love everything that you guys have been posting!  

 

SimRico I love your neighborhood on the hill.

 

ROFLyoshi your town kinda remids me of a mix of Monte Carlo and Hollywood. I also like how organic your downtown looks.

 

Lordyboy96 I really enjoy the market and English countryside feel.

 

Anyway, I made a small town, called Newcastle, to test some of the new custom content I downloaded. I was trying to give it a bit of that rural Northern New England feel that I am so accustomed to here in Maine. However, I didn't save her as I have different plans for that map. Enjoy!

 

*IMAGES*

 

 

Thank you! I really love how the trees break up the development, but it also draws everything together and so makes everything fit together really well. I wish you'd have kept it!

[infamousjbe 593]

 I think I've just been spoiled by the likes of Paeng, Forthwall, Yoshi and others, who take great pride in using absolutely nothing that actually came on the install disc (Which is also massively time-consuming!)

 

Not familiar with all of those names, but Paeng has amazing work. He's on a whole nother level of detailed work. Will have to look up the other ones

 

 I did build off a single main road of both sides of the river, and I generally plan very little out in advance, I feel I get more organic growth by being as short-sited as real property developers are

 

Exactly.  The only thing you can say I've planned more about this latest region than any prior, is which city tile I want to specialize more in a particular employment base. 

 

 

In terms of terrain mods, I think I'm using the LK Starter Set (https://www.sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=2752) and LK Appalachian Terrain Mod (https://www.sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=2753) by Lowkee33, and the trees should be Pacific Northwest Tree Controller () by Blunder. The reason I say 'should' is because I've had these installed for a very long time, since I love the earthy, more muted (and IMO more realistic) colours, and all the textures are HD, and so look awesome at any zoom level

 

I hear Lowkee's being mentioned around on the forums quite a bit. guess I'll be doing more research to update the look of the cities soon. Thanks for the links.

 

[ROFLyoshi 1,760]

 

 I think I've just been spoiled by the likes of Paeng, Forthwall, Yoshi and others, who take great pride in using absolutely nothing that actually came on the install disc (Which is also massively time-consuming!)

 

Not familiar with all of those names, but Paeng has amazing work. He's on a whole nother level of detailed work. Will have to look up the other ones

 

Hi.

That comment isn't entirely correct, sometimes it's just down to knowing what you want and how to manipulate Maxis buildings to look well amongst your pictures. I know paeng relots so they fit better, but I use them stock-standard (in addition to default texture changes).

I'm actually flattered I am put in the same league as those two.

[The Avatar 1,089]

Thanks for the compliment Lordyboy..       I really wanted to try and get away from the grid as much as possible, with all the NAM pieces now. Finding one drawback using all the curves, makes it very difficult to build off from those areas. I would have to break up the curves and go back to more of grid, which I don't. It'll been an interesting challenge to say the least. 

 

Is there an easy way to do mosaics? without having a program like Photoshop? It's never to late learn new tricks.

 

Well, as per request, a couple closer shots.

 

*snip*

 

Just a typical US blocked out neighborhood.

 

*snip*

 

In my need to break the gridish look, started playing around with the game made culdesacs. It seems to work for a 2x2 type upscale neighborhood. It might turn into more a suburbia type pattern away from the "dt" of the city tile, and more "out nowhwere" places. 

 

*snip*

 

Hope you enjoy. 

I'll try and remember to catch some flix of the other rural city layouts in the region. fyi: I've posted a couple region pics (I think) in both "Show Us Your Region" & "Show Us What Your Working On" threads.

 

Well you've done a great job with the challenge you gave yourself. All the shots really have a small town feel. I especially love your suburbs. 

[infamousjbe 593]

 knowing what you want and how to manipulate Maxis buildings to look well amongst your pictures.

 

That's what I'm starting to learn how to do now. It definitely helps to have so many fillers available to "dress up" the surround area of the buildings.

 

 

I know paeng relots so they fit better

 

That's exactly what I meant by saying "whole nother level".. lol

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well you've done a great job with the challenge you gave yourself. All the shots really have a small town feel. I especially love your suburbs. 

 

 

Thank you Luigi. It's always nice to know other mayors appreciate your style of design. Especially when this is the first time I've gotten away from just purely city'ism right from the start. With all the available content, it should be called Sim"City". 

[ROFLyoshi 1,760]

 

 knowing what you want and how to manipulate Maxis buildings to look well amongst your pictures.

 

That's what I'm starting to learn how to do now. It definitely helps to have so many fillers available to "dress up" the surround area of the buildings.

Definitely download mattb325's apartments. They are great midrise fillers.

[infamousjbe 593]

 

I love that highway. Do you use many ploppables? or is that mostly grown buildings? And do you use the historical feature a lot? 

 

Thanks for the heads up on mattb325's R buildings. Have a few of his .bats but never really looked through ALL it uploaded content.

[ROFLyoshi 1,760]

 

IMAGE

I love that highway. Do you use many ploppables? or is that mostly grown buildings? And do you use the historical feature a lot? 

 

Thanks for the heads up on mattb325's R buildings. Have a few of his .bats but never really looked through ALL it uploaded content.

 

When it comes to big city downtowns, it's usually all plopped. This picture, I would say 1/3 plop 2/3 grown. Usually involves me stringently controlling what buildings grow and yes, I use the historical feature extensively.

[KonstantinII 1,106]

 

 

IMAGE

I love that highway. Do you use many ploppables? or is that mostly grown buildings? And do you use the historical feature a lot? 

 

Thanks for the heads up on mattb325's R buildings. Have a few of his .bats but never really looked through ALL it uploaded content.

 

When it comes to big city downtowns, it's usually all plopped. This picture, I would say 1/3 plop 2/3 grown. Usually involves me stringently controlling what buildings grow and yes, I use the historical feature extensively.

 

No you don't need to plop the buildings. You just need a demand mod.

[Lordyboy96 77]

No you don't need to plop the buildings. You just need a demand mod.

 

 

Demand mods are useful for if you just want growth, they're not particularly useful if you only want a certain building to grow in a certain spot. Sure, you could use a demand mod and just keep demolishing the building that appear in that spot until you get the correct one, but that's very time consuming and a plot is just easier (especially for CJs/screenshots)

 

 

[Keder 116]

Just thought I might show my latest creation....