SimHoTToDDy BATs

[SimHoTToDDy 2,938]

Hello ST!

You know the drill, I show off, you let me know how to make it better. This is fun for me, but its for everyone here as well, so let me know what you think! I'm Supposed to show my BSP BATs in the BSP thread, but Im a rebel so my firat 3 are shown here too. 

I have come quite a way in this time, thanks to everyone for helping me improve!

My work thus far:

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Uploaded to the STEX:

Voskhod apartments, Pripiat Ukraine

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Complete and exported (Lotting & Modding in progress or in Limbo):

Long Block, Pripiat Ukraine

Production Steel Products Inc., Detroit Mishigan. (BSP)

Frederick Douglass Projects, Detroit Michigan. (BSP)

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Work in progress:

First real project, will probably never see the light of day

Another that probably will never be exported, takes too long (~9 hours/ zoom 5). Let me know if you would like to try exporting it or know how to significant;y reduce the render time. Model by TheQuiltedLlama, textures and modeling adjustments by me. CLICK ME

Undergoing re-texture. Don't mind the large doors. Before:

After (so far):

Don't know if I'm going to do anything with this one.

May or may not be finished in the long run:

Frederick douglass re-texture:

Fun with Fallout 3 models:

Near completion, finishing nightlights: Miller Street Mfg.

Some local rowhouses that caught my eye

-Todd

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Trixies 2008

Runner up:

____Most Improved BATer

____BAT Newcomer of the Year

With nominations for:

____Best Post-War BAT (

would love to know which building though)

And consideration for Most Useful Feedback in Custom Content Threads.

Even though I didn't  win anything, just being nominated was a real honor! Thank you to everyone who contributed to making my work better! Congratulations to all the other CC winners, you are the reason we still play!

[SimHoTToDDy 2,938]

Merged with original first post~

Yes, I took the plunge. I started modeling buildings for SC4. Imagine that. I played around in sketchup for a few days, but couldn't transfer the models and be able to edit the textures very well at all. I thought gmax was utterly unlearnable (didn't even finish the BAT essentials building in gmax back a few months ago), but after watching a video tutorial, I found that it was not nearly as difficult as I first thought. Getting 3ds max 2009 from a friend helped too

I'll show what I have done so far, and ask questions late.  So, here is my first model in 3ds max!

Front

Side(s), only thing different is the shack up top.

Not bad for My flirt BAT and only a couple hours of work I think (and yes, it is supposed to look like a run down, low wealth building). I still might go back and mess with adjusting some textures, looking at these renders I can see some things I might like to change. The building is designed to fit on  a  lot  as small as 1x2 for W2W. But I haven't exported it to see how well it fits (16 x 31 *plus front step* )

Now, If only  I could get a SC4 render... Hmmm...

That brings me to the question section. I installed (as best as possible, I am going to double check after posting this) BAT4max v2, BAT4maxv2.1 and the preview update, but things are not where they should be (based on my beginners knowledge)

That being said, can't find the tools to get decent renders to check my work   Again, I am using 3ds max 2009 32 bit (on windows xp, as you can see ^^^), any steps as to how to get this working would be appreciated.

Thanks for looking and thanks ahead of time for any help.

 I started a new model! This one is a 1x3 ( prabably 3x1 come to think of it) W2W corner lot.

 I was also going to do a version meant to go between two roads on a point (if you will)

r .|.....| r

o |.....| o

a |.....| a......<--- If you get what I mean.

d |__| d

..road

But yeah, still needs a roof and textures and a few other details (like doors )

But more than that, I need help getting my BAT running so I can make some renders *hint hint*

-Todd

[JJC12321 0]

these look very nice. i am not a batter so i can't answer your question, but the details look very good. The roof is nicely erodedi hope you make moreof these. (are these for your cj) i hope the windows (if you plan to) turn out good.

[Cockatoo 2,256]

SHT BAT's? Yes, I know that's your acronym for SimHoTToDDy BAT's, but the first thing I think comes to mind is SH!T BAT's. You might want to change that...

As I don't use Max, I can't help you with the technical side of stuff, but in terms of your modelling that looks good for a first work. Maybe tweak the UVW maps a bit, some textures are a bit stretched eg. the roof outer wall and the window frames.

[bixel 1,223]

Looking good umkay!! "Maybe tweak the UVW maps a bit" best advise I can give at the moment. Looks like you know what you are doing.

[Gn_leugim 853]

wow, you got me from surprise buddy ^^ for the first times you have a nice job, you only need to work out a bit the textures

[Jasoncw 11,840]

To be honest I think tags for one person production-company type things is kind of silly. 

The new model is looking nice.  The only thing I have to comment on at the moment is that it looks like the windows are attached to the outside of a box, while windows should be slightly pushed into the walls.

[SimHoTToDDy 2,938]

Thanks guys! Yeah I went back and fixed the textures on that first model as soon as I saw what they looked like while posting them. Funny how you don't notice things until you go to show them off!

Cockatoo-210893: Lol, I kinda wanted people go think "wait..what?" when they saw that, just as a joke. I really didn't intend that as a permanent label (as you can see its changed ). And to anyone, any help with the aforementioned problem would be great.

-Todd

[SimHoTToDDy 2,938]

JJC12321: Thanks, these were textured with the purpose of being used in my grimy communist CJ. Thanks for looking.

bixel: Really? Well, I'm glad you think so, there's still a lot I have left to learn (and mess up in the process of doing so)

Gn_leugim: Hehe, aren't surprises nice? I was surprised that this isn't a ugly untextured box like some people's first attempts. I think I have more fun with textures than I do with the modeling though .

Jasoncw: So do I, I just did it for kicks and giggles (how selfish of me!). But as for the model, the windows look like that because thats exactly what I did!!! I was lazy and didn't put window holes in my walls (mostly because I'm still a BATing *****).

More work:

Still needs roof junk and some variation in the windows, but that's not too big a deal. Any advice would be appreciated!

Oh, and I have another question. I Downloaded some roof junk models and am wondering how to import them into another scene. I would have used some of them on this model, but I'm still not sure how to do that.

P.S. I still need to do some troubleshooting for my BAT plugin, I'll post a question in the 3dsmax forum, but any help here would be great too.

-Todd

[Jasoncw 11,840]

It probably wouldn't be very hard to go back and remodel the walls, now that you know where you want the windows and stuff.

[Amerikaner 42]

Hm kinda gives me the idea of Iceland or something like that. Damn* now I want to build some thing from iceland...

Anyway looking really nice, interesting to see that now everyone but me is GMAXing and what not.

[Spike345 20]

I don't know if its just me but your buildings look a lot like Glenni's which is awesome.

[JakeMD 107]

Slum lord, I like it!

[nihonkaranws 88]

Seems someone's on max! Awesome work my friend, very commie-block"esque"... hehe. Lovely new BATs!

[SimHoTToDDy 2,938]

Jason: That's what I did, It was actually more simple than I thought. Some things can be kinda overwhelming on your first try, but this wasn't so bad.

Amerikaner: Iceland? I was just kinda winging it, inspired by a small picture I have. But I suppose it could be, this is rather Europe-ish. I don't think EVERYONE is BATing now, remember I was in your same position a last week. I have to admit it is really fun if you can get past learning the basics, plus it is a great way to help the comunity. Thanks for looking!

Spike345: Glenni is a bit of an inspiration I have to say, and to hear that my woork looks like that is a real complement for me. Thanks!

SWAT-MEDIC: Thanks! I love this worn down style, especially since I started the SBU.

nihonkaranws: Indeed they are, or are supposed to look like, commie blocks, this one is kinda small though Max is awsome, except for the BAT problem I am having (no renders ) Thanks!

More progress on my second model, as far as my tastes go, it is pretty much done.  I am, however, open to any comments on how this can be improved.

Click for larger

While this my seem all well and good, I am utterly unable to get this rendered and exported to SC4. Reason being, the BAT for max will not fully install, no matter how many times I try to fix it, reinstall it, or what have you.

So, what I am basicly faced with is :

1 . Find a solution to BAT for max (not likely, but I'm open for sugestions)

2 . Have someone else render this for me (would be nice, but I know people may not want to do it)

3 . not getting these in game (Would really ruin my day, since that is what its all for anyway.)

So thats where I am. Any thoughts, sugestions, solutions, or offers are welcome.

-Todd

[bixel 1,223]

ah man. I am just not in the right mind to give you a tut right now, but I will try. Unpack/Unzip Bat4Max put the gamepacks folder here \3dsmax7. Open BatforMax ini. Make changes where necessary on these lines > For example:

TempPath=E:\3dsmax7\gamepacks\BAT\Temp\

DestPath=E:\3dsmax7\gamepacks\BAT\OutputFiles\

&

SC4PluginPath=C:\Documents and Settings\Reclusiarch Mikelus\My Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins\

unpack/unzip my attached Scanline Day CamLightRigs, take all the max scenes out and place in this folder 3dsmax7\gamepacks\BAT\scenes\CamLightRigs. If there are already max scenes there put those in a backup folder named BackupOldCamScenes. These are the old default cam lighting scenes but they are kinda crappy.

There should be 4 scenes

TB2_CameraLightRigHuge.max

TB2_CameraLightRigBig.max

TB2_CameraLightRigMedium.max

TB2_CameraLightRig.max

in 3dsmax7\gamepacks\BAT\scripts copy all the scripts and place them here \3dsmax7\scripts. Including the startup folder. In the \3dsmax7\scripts\startup there should be SimTropolis_Tools_V104.ms and CPTB2Startup.ms

If you are using Max 7 or 8. open the 3dsmax.ini file located in \3dsmax7. go to this linePlugCFG=E:\3dsmax7\plugins and make it PlugCFG=E:\3dsmax7\gamepacks\BAT

SimFox might say "that is not necessary" and maybe later on it wont be, but at this point if SimFox tries to tell you otherwise it will probably get you confused. Later on after you start to understand how Bat4Max works you can delve into Simfox's tweaking and learn some stuff but at the moment just do this so that it works.

Everything is done! Now when you load up Max 7 or 8 you will get the nifty simtropolis tools roll out and the Export button.

Make your model. Make the proper LOD3, 4, and 5 boxes, or have the parameters 'make LODs' do it for you. Select all 3 LOD boxes, go to File > Export Selected > uncheck save textures and export them and save the mesh as the same name as your model.

Open GMAX. Go to file > import. Go to \3dsmax7\meshes and select your model (the LODs you exported). Choose NOT to convert!!! Save the gmax scene as the name of the building - MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO SPACES. my_building NOT my building. Choose export draft (its faster). CHOOSE NOT TO SAVE (gmax can corrupt the file). Wait for it to render.

When its done go to  C:\Documents and Settings\Riclusiarch Mikelus\My Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins select the SC4MODEL file you just made. Press F2 and Ctrl C. Go to 3ds Max, paste the model file name into the Slot above Export.

Go to Render > Renderer and change filter to Catmull Rom. Go to Render > Advanced Lighting and select Light Tracer - check it to apply. Hit the Export Button from the simtropolis tools. Wait patiently. After it hsa completed hit the FSH BATCH button, wait, then hit the DAT INSERT button.

DONE!!!!

that should get  you started. Good luck and post any questions in the Bat4Max thread.

Scanline Day.zip

[Gn_leugim 853]

the only thing I don't like much on the models is the wall texture.. it tiles much.. IMHO.. =)

[SimHoTToDDy 2,938]

Bixel, Well I reinstalled AGAIN and repeated all the steps AGAIN (this time adding your cam rigs, thanks!). But, AGAIN, the BAT's export options decided not to be there -_- It still looks like the picture in my first post above. Jason had the same problem, but he fixed it by reinstalling and trying over again (which I have done...*counts in head* like 5 times now).

GHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

Well I appreciate the help, I mean, Its not like I thought it was going to FAIL yet again. This is just frustrating, I install it the way it needs to be, and it won't work... What the hell is that... Its it that I am using max 2009 and not 7, 8, or 9? I could try to see if I can get my hands on an older/different version, but I don't know how long that will take.

Gn_leugim: Thanks for stopping in. I kinda feel the same way about it, but that's the kind of layered, poured concrete construction look I was going for. I might edit it in photoshop to change some of the repeating stuff at the top/bottom of the tile, but horizontally I kinda liked. Would it help if the sections were square instead of a rectangle (1 : 1 rather than a 1 : 3 ratio for the x : y )? Or would making the lines more subtle work? Hell, I might try all of that since I still can't export.

[Gn_leugim 853]

if the idea is to get a poured concrete like, I think it allmost good.. about the size of the tile, try them 3:1.. I mean wider than taller

[jacqulina 162]

great looking building there

[SimHoTToDDy 2,938]

jacqulina: Thanks a lot Jacky, I just wish I could get it exported!

Gn_leugim: Ok, I'll just have to find a different texture. The one on now is made with those tall thin pieces.

Here is the one I'm using (only around 5x bigger)

I might try something like this

or this (only less saturation, and the division lines toned down a bit)

I could still use a way to get this exported, but all things considered, It could be worse

Thanks for looking everyone!

[Gn_leugim 853]

I see.. of all three you present here I like more the third, with some editing work it would be fine but let me intruduce you a segestion: Check this set

[jacqulina 162]

hope you get the export prob sorted gd luck

[SimFox 802]

good to see you jumping into it...

but...

well few bad news...

first of all your inability to get BAT actually installed... If I may and If I dare to be so bald and nasty it comes from the same place as some peculiarities of your bating. Just like making window frames on the outside of the walls is a result of luck of attention to what you do since it wouldn't take any special skill that you don't have (judging by the stuff you show here), same goes with installation. You are simply not paying attention to the instructions. Would you do that you would have no trouble at all to install BAt4Max.

But, unfortunately, trouble doesn't stop here. As I understand you're using Max2009 (or design) the problem with that is that you, as of now, wouldn't be able to use Mental ray with BAT. Scanline should work, but using scanline in Max2k9 is ludicrous. I haven't test the 3rd party renderes, like V-ray, that there simce to be a problem how framing works. To cut long story short Max2009 family currently could be labled as only partially supporting BAT.

Another issue is that MAX generally doesn't support backward compatibility. Meaning that models you do in newer version of MAX wouldn't be openable (is that a word?) in previous version of the program. So stuff made in Max2k9 wouldn't open in Max2k8.

There is a way around it - BFF (Bobo FileFormat.) It is an ingenious creation of Borislav Petrov - guru of Maxscript, which converts entire model into scripts! and then you simply run those scripts in older version and you model simply re-constructed there. Naturally when scripts run into something that is not supported they wouldn't be able to re-do it, but they wouldn't hang up either and you get as much as possible done!

you can download BFF here: http://www.scriptspot.com/3ds-max/bff-2007

at any rate you have a decision to make!

[Gn_leugim 853]

iaic.. sounds like you got a serious issue on hands =1

[SimHoTToDDy 2,938]

Gn_leugim: Why Haven't I seen that one! I'm on that site all the time, but I guess I didn't look at the right concrete out of the thousands out there! Thanks.

jacqulina:  So do I, Thanks.

Simfox: First of all let me thank you for saying something. I knew most of those problems, no backwards compatibility and all that jazz. I had also assumed that the BAT was still not 100% with 2009, so only confirmed concerns there. As for the installation of batformax, there is no problem with following the 5 or so steps (after you cut out the two from v2.1) all of which are file management and some cut/paste work. I would actually be humiliated if I couldn't get so simple right, especially after 5+ tries (That I did because I was trying to eliminate that chance). But, after following the instructions TO THE WORD (even chuckling at the usernames in the paths) so many times, I am past wondering if it is just the installation. And for that reason, I have pretty much given up on 2009 as far as the getting the BAT to work. I suppose I can poke around for a license of 2008 or something.

As for the actual model, that was an hours work a day after learning the program from knowing nothing. So it isn't lack of attention as much as pure ignorance on my part ( I fixed those windows though, I guess you weren't paying enough attention to see that =P j/k ). Of course since hanging the windows on the sides of the wall, I figured out how to make the walls the right way, and then learned how to do more, and so on. Quite frankly I don't even like the model anymore because I DO notice a lot of little things (I can be too meticulous for my own good, I guess its the artist coming out). but the problem was I didn't, and still don't in some cases, know know how to fix some of the issues. I was going to remodel it, but I lost the initiative to fix it since I have no way of actually using it. At least, no way of using it until I get a different version of max.

You are as harsh as ever Simfox, but who would whip us into shape if you weren't? 

Thanks again everyone,

-Todd

[mntoes 270]

OK, so what's our next move?. Are you going to try something new or start this one from scratch?. Either way don't give up yet you were doing so well!

[nihonkaranws 88]

Wow Tod! (May I call you Tod? ) I can't believe your excellence! Where are you get all these textures?

[Gn_leugim 853]

the first time are frustrating eheh i had them too.. but you are doing a nice job =) looking forward for the next one =) and your welcome for the texture, gad I could help =)

[SimHoTToDDy 2,938]

mntoes: Does this answer your question?

nihonkaranws: No, you may never, ever, call me Tod

...But you can call me Todd. =P

I get my textures from where ever, whenever I see a picture of one I like. But mostly from THIS site. You can get literally anything you could need, or at least ANYTHING after some photoshopping. 

Gn_leugim: Yeah, I bet everyone goes through the same kind of madness getting started. Thanks for your support!

With BAT for max 2.5 installed, I was finally able to get it working!!! So here are some preview renders of my BATs (FINALLY!!!)

My first model

And my second

Ok, now that that is out of the way...

Well, you have seen the pictures. I am going to have to calibrate my textures and all that jazz, and prolly find a different one all together on number 2. After getting this to work, I feel like I might go back and play with them again . Just FYI, I did the 33% vertical scale on these, so this is about how they should look when I am done (unless you would sugest otherwise).

With far less work put into it, I think I like how my crappy first one is looking, over the one I put some real effort into. Lol, ironic isn't it? I have some serious texture work to do, plus I might remodel the roof on number 2 so it dosn't look like it is connected to the side of the building O_O

\/\/()()T!!!

-Todd