Gemini River Ridge - A Rural Development Project

[danielcote 9]

Wow it keeps on getting bigger! You may want to get a mod for those planes because the maxis skins are just so unrealistic. Hey since you have that stadium do you want to have a biathalon with my towns? If you do I'll set it up with my people mkay mkay.

[Follarch 326]

The rural area's look wonderful, though the river throws me off. It looks like an entire sand bed instead of a river. Different water mod ive never seen?

Great work!

[antsel 841]

Great work! The landscape you are working with is absolutely breathtaking. Your use of flora and terrain textures makes your region look really realistic! You're doing a great job with developments in a hilly landscape, I don't know how you do it. I admire your patience and your eye for detail. I will be sure to come back to see more of your work.

[rklesc 0]

Back again for a quick update to address the water issue raised by Archean... see reply below...

but first... to respond to some comments:

TrebuTa: Thanks, glad you like the pics. Hope to see ya again soon.

GMT: Thanks again. I guess my architectural training doesn't hurt on the attention to detail, but more importantly, I have been a model railroading affectionado for many years.

north country dude: No Olympics planned... just some good old fashion entertainment, leisure activities and some money laundering... eh... gambling.

ComputerGuy890100: Yeppers, have that mod that's why the big plans to entice Six Flags ... will probably need to wait for awhile to get the population up before going full bore on the theme park.

danielcote: Thanks Dan. Hadn't thought about the plane skin. I have seen them around but just didn't give it a thought. I'll check it out. Does anyone know if there is a Sing Air or Emirates Air skin out there? Thanks for the heads up.

Archean: I agree on the water. It wasn't high on my list until you pointed it out. Soooo.... I decided to download some water and beach mods and tried some out. I finally settled on a muddy bank and muddy river. This is more in keeping with the rural theme. Check out the pics that follow.... let me know your thoughts.

selles: The secret to the hilly terrain and getting it natural is to follow the slopes. Mankind seldom likes to hike a straight line up a hill and will usually traverse a slope on a gentle angle. Just follow the slopes and you can't go wrong. Take what it gives ya and don't try to force something where it would look strange or feel odd in R/L.


OK Then... here we go with an intermediate update... I'll call this 5.1

Working off of what Archean had mentioned above, I set out to create a more natural river edge. I recognized that the river was probably slow moving and would have come down from the hills outside the region. Therefore, the river would probably be muddy. The slow moving water would cause debris and weeds to grow along the banks.

Also, a sandy edge would definitely not be right. So I replaced the sandy beach with a muddy edge. 

I downloaded and installed two mods:
1. The Dogfight Muddy Lake Water mod
2. The mud beach by Teirusu

I like the effect. I then dressed the edge with rocks, aquatic plants and a bunch of other stuff...

Please let me know what you think of the water, the edge treatments and so forth....





and a couple of close in shots to show some of the texture and detail...





I would love to find some more debris to scatter about along the river's edge such as bottles, cans, plastic, paper, abandoned cars and maybe a dead body... send me links of any good "stuff" please.

As always, your constructive criticisms are more than welcomed, and as you can see, I respond and adjust to those comments.

Have Fun...

[Darmok 34]

Hi RK,

I really like what you're doing!

The river banks are very well done, despite the fact that there's an awful lot of boulders, explained by the fact that it's done to protect it during the spring thaw, wel done was I saying because we can't notice any detectable pattern! Which is not an easy thing to accomplish. Hard to be random on purpose!

My only regret is to see that beige texture under the small dock... probably the "infamous" water bug...

Good work!

-John

-edited a typo...

[Follarch 326]

Now that's looking really good. Great work! Very nice muddy river, it does add the effect, very nicely.

Good work!

[Raysfan16 5]

Hey, this is really good! Your use of the MTP in the previous updates and concept of a bigger town is very nice!

As for the stiff to put on the water, try searching something along the lines of Float Lots, by Chrisadams3997 I believe. What it is is four lots (3 for real water, 1 for ploppable) that you can place in there for eyecandy.

[panthersimcity4 162]

Nice scenery! I love the use of flora.

[SounderBruce 173]

Good, good, good.

[antsel 841]

That river looks amazing! The patience you must have....

And much thanks for the tips for building on slopes.

[Muck308 55]

Awesome river banks. I wish I knew where to find the things you need. An old car frame in the river would look great.

[Schulmanator 5,787]

Nicely done! A fine update you have here and a prefect integration of your new mods. Bravo!

[rklesc 0]

Thanks to everyone that has stopped by and dropped a note on the river. Sometimes I am never quite sure if the direction is right or not so its always good to get a reaction from the community of experts at Simtropolis.

Darmok: Thanks and point taken on the stone edge. I actually started to lessen the rocks before your note and the new look is a little better I believe. Perhaps I can upload an image or too in the next update. You know, the beige texture sort of escaped me. I guess it blended in with the lighter river previously so I never gave it a thought on the revised river scheme. May need to blow that sucker up if I can find a decent replacement.

Archean: Thanks again for getting me thinking about the water in the first place. Glad you like the new look.

Raysfan16: Well, since my first name is Ray I guess you are my ultimate fan then... I found the floating lots you mentioned and will try to work it in later. Maybe when I do the amusement park it will become a bit of a ride.

panthersimcity4: Glad you stopped by and liked what you saw. Hope to see ya again.

ComputerGuy890100: Thanks again for stoppin...

selles: Thanks, glad you like the new look for the river, and you are welcome.

Muck308: Thanks for the feedback. Yeah... a car frame would be cool.

Schulmanator: Thanks for stopping and for the kind words.

Needless to say, the river's edge will take awhile to develop along its entire length, but should be well worth the effort (keeping fingers crossed). The texturing of the hills progresses as I extend the farms and residential areas. I am still not satisfied with the "new" commercial area in Riverton that I started across the avenue. 

The next update may be several more days when I am finally satisfied with the general direction... for now, build, grow, destroy, start over.... texture, rip out, start over. You know the drill.

As always, your kind notes and constructive criticism is always well received and look forward to hear from you as this CJ develops.

Have Fun...

[Hawkeye9 0]

Wow, very interesting water mod... if definatly does have that rural feel to it!!!

As for the shrubs and rocks on the banks: I think those look really nice, well done!!!

[antsel 841]

I'm looking forward to the next update.

Just a question though... when you talk about textures, are you trying out different terrain mods, or do you use plopable flora?

[jacqulina 162]

wow beautifull work you have done my friend,great looking scenery ,wonderfull river

[danielcote 9]

Ill try to find the Emirates but heres some cool plane skins to think of.  

https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/index.cfm?id=19774: A330 Olympic torch plane.

https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/index.cfm?id=20138: Some awsome mass industries fire planes.

https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/index.cfm?id=18477:some plop dc9s and 747s

And some planes from Srainy.

https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/index.cfm?id=20697

https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/index.cfm?id=20662

https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/index.cfm?id=20645

https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/index.cfm?id=20374

https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/index.cfm?id=19780

Some Dc7s from Voltaire

https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/index.cfm?id=17446

https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/index.cfm?id=17386

https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/index.cfm?id=17349

https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/index.cfm?id=17321

Enjoy!

[rklesc 0]

A verbal update on developments and direction in Gemini River Ridge to follow.... but first, some replys and thank you's...

Hawkeye9: Thanks for the feedback. I am getting more comfortable with the flora and rocks and I think the next update will show some progress (sensitivity) on handling the river's edge.

selles: The next update may be awhile yet.... sad to say. As for the texture question, it's really a matter of philosophy for me when I say texture. For me, the entire screen is a picture that is a fabric, or texture, that comes out in the final picture. For me the texture is the ground texture, the flora and trees added to the ground and the buildings that combine to form the texture. The red brick walls contrasted against the gree trees and the pavement is texture, just as the weeds, understory growth and tree canopys form a texture. So, I am not fiddling with the terrain mod at all, that is set. I am always playing with everything that lies on top of that - the texture. Hope that's clear... if not, let me know and I'll try to expand... perhaps with a step-by-step illustration.

Jacqulina: Always a pleasure seeing your galloping horse.... btw... does it ever get to the end of the line or just keeps running? Thanks for the comments and glad you liked my river. The next evolution should be better.... I hope.

danielcote: Thanks for the plane skin links. They do make quite a difference to the game appearance (texture). I like the old DC7 and the fire planes. BTW... it weould be cool to have the fire planes respond to forest fires.

Now for some verbal updates...

I jumped across the Gemini River to work on the east bank across from "Pleasure Isle." The sliver of land will be developed as low-density residential in the $$ and $$$ quality level if I can manage it. I laid in a road that meanders along the rivers edge using FAR pieces. The curving road and river bank look good together. 

I will hold off on dropping in the residential until I develop industry on the eastern shore of Snake Creek. This area is already served with heavy rail and leads off the far eastern edge of the region. I am hoping the industrial jobs will stimulate medium density residential in the main city center of Twin Rivers, yet to be developed.

So I guess I will leave the rural nature of the first five updates to start the main city center of Twin Rivers in the Snake Creek section of the region. 

This section will have a strong agriculture base to its west (the existing development to date), heavy industry to its eastern edge and the commercial and residential center between.

Wish me luck as I launch into a new section of the region...

Have Fun...

[danielcote 9]

Yeah gotta love the classics. You know those fire planes do respond to you're fires! All you need to do is get a fire plane landing strip witch you have to earn unless you use cheats. And dont put in to much industry you gotta have some forrest.

[Livin in Sim 83]

Hi, RK,

GRR is progressing nicely.  I do like the new water and beach mods.  They're very compatible with the other aspects of your terrain.  When you asked about trash for the edges, I couldn't help but to have Jeroni's Plop A Garbage "plop" into my brain.  Garbage in, garbage out, eh?  At any rate, I hope it might work for you, although I hate to see those nice shores littered up.  They'll have to start up an "Adopt-a-River" program.  Peg has made some nice docks, but I don't know if they're small enough.  He removes the base texture so the terrain beach shows through.  And they don't have the graphics bug because there's no overlay texture.

I like how you've situated the airport and recreational areas on the island.  It seems natural.  Riverton's larger buildings are the culmination of a gradual higher density.  It's too bad that the RHW interchanges wouldn't fit.  In defense of their largeness, I think they were going for a  more RL scale.  I guess not all Sims drive Maserati's that can achieve 0-60 in 2 on those short ramps, even though they might like to try it. 

Nice work, and bye for now.

--Liv

[north country dude 202]

I was thinking the same thing Liv! Plop a garbage.

rklesc: It looks like thing are progressing nicely, the river banks do look a lot better with water flora,...just keep in mind that some of that flora can be placed underwater,...like the large wavy frond like plants, some kind of seaweed, I think.

As for building, tearing it up and starting over,...I feel your pain, man. I know exactly how that goes, but if it doesn't look right to you, chances are it won't look right to anyone else.

As for being a Rail Fan, I am too, but, model railroading is way to expensive a hobby for me, besides, there is a lot of software that lets me play with "virtual" model railroading.

As for chrisadams' Float Lots, I have them,...but,...no "dead bodies" there. But there are some "junked car" props available,...they are by prepo. I used them in my Inner City Junkyard Lots on the STEX,...I think the dependency list is still working,...here:

https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/index.cfm?id=13563

Junked Car props are in there, just use the Lot Editor and make an underwater type Lot with them,....not the Auto Shredder!,...the junked cars,...but I think he also has a prop pack somewhere at SC4 Devotion.

Peace!

ncd

[rklesc 0]

I wanted to get one last farming update up before plunging into the main city of Twin Rivers, and I'll give you a bit of a tease on the new city as well.

But first... a few replys...

danielcote: Got the new planes flyin'. they look way better than the maxis stuff.... but then everything else is also.

Livin in Sim: Thanks for the complements and the link to the garbage. I promise not to make too much of a mess... mmm... maybe not. BTW... what is this nonsense about sims not driving cool cars. Good grief! We need to change that. As mayor I outlaw all cheap small underpowered cars. If the sims can't afford the slick autos then let them eat cake.

north country dude: Thanks for the junk car link. I guess I'll need to figure out how to create a water lot. BTW... found dead bodies!!! PEG MTP-CWP Carnage Pack... dead solidiers strewn about the battle field. Maybe a few washed up on our shores. Need to try this... muahhahaaa... (hope the link works)

Now on with the show... this is Update 6.0

With nearly 1000 views (and counting), I expect things will pick up in the comment arena once the bigger city stuff hits the big screen near you.

First a region overview...

The development is expanding across the length of Twin Rivers with development streaching north to south. The new section of Snake Creek is the next target of development...

You can see the extent of development a little better with the transit view...

Before we get into the teaser of the main city center of Twin Rivers, I wanted to show you the development of the farming region since the last update.

Farms have expanded to the northern edge of the section and the overview below shows the extent of development...

We drop a little closer to earth to take a better look at some of the details...

What's this, a new preserve has been established...

development hits a new crossroads...

A couple of new farms have yet to pop, but a new railhead is handling the farmer's load...

Development expands along the new crossroads...

Development expands up the hill toward another crossroads...

So with the farms out of the way.... I wanted to give you another look at the river's edge...

This takes a lot of work and time but I think it is well worth the effort... your thoughts... BTW... you can see the Gemini River Scenic Parkway beyond the river's edge...

Now for the first teaser... this is on the eastern bank of the Gemini River across from "Pleasure Isle" and across from the river edge shots above...

River Side Drive has been laid in along the eastern bank ready for high-end residential development...

A drum roll please... an now a sneak peek at the heart of Twin Rivers...

and downtown Twin Rivers will be here...

Feeding all of this development will be their industrial park located on the east bank of Snake Creek...

and a little detail on the entrance to the industrial park...

So there you have it. Developments are progressing and the main city will begin... God Willing.

As always, your constructive criticisms will always be well received and integrated as best as I can into this CJ.

Have Fun...

[antsel 841]

Great update, the time and effort was definitely worth it! Your agriculture areas are so realistic, I love it. I can't wait to see how you develop the main city. I can't wait!

[SounderBruce 173]

Good work

[north country dude 202]

In your latest update,...I spy a pine tree growing in the middle of the train tracks,...what do I win? Foliage creeping onto the roadway doesn't count.

Reached the edge of the world??? Maybe a good place for Area 52...

Great update,...keep 'em coming!

[Darmok 34]

WOW Massive update! Me like it!

And North Country Dude beat me to the pine on the tracks, but then again N.C.D. you're one of our rail topmost authority, so you were bound to find it!

Great work RK, I like it more and more!

-John

[Hawkeye9 0]

Wow, very nice update!!! I just noticed that you are still using the maxis terrain and I must say that I have never seen someone pull it off like you do!!! It looks so natural in your region and goes along very well with this cj!!! As for the transportation network, WOW, looks like Gemni River Ridge is going to have more thatn just a Rural population... Awsome planning!!! Amazing update and i will definatly be back for more!!!

[rklesc 0]

That's not a pine tree on the tracks... Good Grief Folks... That's a slow moving freight lumbering along... 

I was wondering who would find that.... lol

[danielcote 9]

I love that little park with the ampitheater it looks so homey that Id just like to camp out there! So is this going to be you're first big city? Also I'd like to see some of you're planes. Anouther thing are there buses or are there just planes trains and automobiels? Man I love that movie.

[north country dude 202]

.....slow moving freight lumbering along,...