simmars-forum-threads Automata Modding Workshop

[AndisArt 2,066]

To-Do-List (May 8th 2011)

- all vehicles need a replacement

- we have some models of residential cars in the game in Beta 3

- we are actively looking for automata modders

[Shoji_sim 9]

Hey, I've been wondering if low and medium wealth rovers/cars would have wheels. High wealth rovers/cars would hover.

I've also been wondering if rovers could act like tanks, can cross undeveloped land easily.

[bdswim 14]

About off-road cars, yes they can be made to work off-road. An example is in Vehicles.lua in SimCity_1.dat. If you want to see how it works, look for the word Tank.

About hovering cars, I think that they would get blown around on Mars. Might be a great idea on Earth, though.

-BD

[TimeMaster 4]

I think Timcravey has some police cars somewhere, Let's get civic cars done soon. Probably shouldn't be red or yellow, maybe fire trucks could be the lime green like some are today. And hovercars are what we're planning, so np.

[AndisArt 2,066]

This is the Harbinger Shuttle .model file by 2ch.net.Simplayer.

It could replace planes.

If anyone know tutorial links for automata modding, please post them here.

[bdswim 14]

When people are making vehicles, do you think it is possible to try to keep the total polygon count below 250? There's a Polygon Counter in GMAX. And it's best if you can UVW map the entire vehicle so that it uses only one texture.

I'll see if I can make that shuttle automata.

-BD

[AndisArt 2,066]

Sure, if that's what's best! I'll add this into the first post

Re: UVW map, do you mean Unwrap UVM map? Or do you mean to use only one actual texture file?

What about the cars I sent you? They had different textures I believe, is that a problem I need to fix?

[bdswim 14]

Originally posted by: andisart

...

Re: UVW map, do you mean Unwrap UVM map? Or do you mean to use only one actual texture file?

...

quote>

I mean only one texture file. That way the game doesn't have to load so many textures.

512x512 is probably a good size.

Originally posted by: andisart

...

What about the cars I sent you? They had different textures I believe, is that a problem I need to fix?

quote>

Yes, but I think using screenshots after disabling all shading (select all, and under Display check Vertex Colors and make sure Shading is turned off), putting them on a 512x512 image, and UVW mapping the object is an easy way to fix this problem, but sometimes the texture might not fit the object right.

-BD

[AndisArt 2,066]

ok I'm trying to fix the car model texture, but I'm a bit stuck here cause I don't really know what I'm doing.

First I made screenshots of the model and put them together as one texture:

Then I applied a box-shaped UVW map and tweaked it so the proportions are ok.

As you can see it looks fine from this side:

However, on the other side the texture is inverted sidewise and I don't know how to get it to display in the correct direction:

[timcravey 168]

Use half that texture and mirror it across the x axis.

[bdswim 14]

If you use a Plane UVW maping modifier with only the faces on that side selected, you can maneuver the mapping and then it might line up.

- BD

[AndisArt 2,066]

Ok I managed to get it right with the texture. It's not perfect but it shud look okay from the distance anyway.

Here's the file

Can u try 2 put it ingame? I have the same car with different textures, if it works I'll get the other ones done too.

[Evillions 552]

If possible. You could try a supercar like the Enzo or the LP640 into a martian looking car type. Of course I just give ideas, but perodically, I do BAT on whatever is asked.

EDIT: I need to know how to make cars. Please help.

[Shoji_sim 9]

A problem we might be facing are trains. Passenger and Freight train names are OK, but steam trains..........should the steam train name be replaced with "diesel fuel train". Traditional, if you're living in 2100.

[TimeMaster 4]

Timcravey made the Omnicopter to replace commercial planes, right? Also boats should be replaced with ice sliders or something.

[timcravey 168]

The Omni was introduced as a fighter plane but I could see it in commercial operations. My idea was to replace the boats with balloons, as these would have a greater range than the current terrain (i.e. low sea-level) would allow for a boat or ferry.

Bio-diesel might be a more Martian fuel tradition than petroleum-based diesel.

[Evillions 552]

Instead of balloons. Why not use snowmobile or something similar to it. The water is ice anyways. So just use that and we're fine!

[TimeMaster 4]

Yeah I think I like that better, also balloons probably aren't too accurate since the atmosphere is thin so the balloon would sink.

[Shoji_sim 9]

Whoa...that's one big snowmobile we're talking...must be big enough to carry fleets of cars.

[bdswim 14]

I was trying to put the car ingame but it doesn't show up. Wierd.

You know that Harbinger shuttle? I don't know if I can convert the .model file. If the person that made it can upload the GMAX file here, than maybe I can put it ingame.

-BD. This is my 50th post.

[AndisArt 2,066]

I don't have the .gmax file of the Harbinger unfortunately and the user who created it has left the community a couple of years ago, so no luck with that I'm afraid.

Good luck with the cars tho

[bdswim 14]

I finally got the rover to work, I imported the mesh into a blank S3D file and I think it was corrupted. So I imported it into a different S3D file that wasn't blank (a plant) and then the rover showed up. Here's a screenshot from SC4. (I circled it because it blends with the road.)

What kind of car do you want this to be: R$, R$$, or R$$$?

If other cars have the same shape, they just need different textures, and they can be the same type of car and grouped with each other.

I can make the headlights/taillights as well.

-BD

[AndisArt 2,066]

Oh WOOOOOOOOW!!!!

I've waited so long for this moment!!! Thank you!!!

Not sure about the questions where to assign this too, cause I dont really know how this is used ingame. What does it mean if a car is assigned R$, R$$, R$$$?

In any case, can you make it so it replaces all cars of this type, so no MAXIS model shows up until we have more models to add?

I have several other textures for this model, but will have to see how to fit them on. Is the UVW map recognized in the model? if so, I assume it is the map used in the model you imported?

Will see what I can do with out changing UVW map.

[Shoji_sim 9]

Yes, this is a historical moment~

andisart: If a car is assigned, for example R$$, any of your colonists (including your My Sims) that are R$$ can own this car. Same applies to the other wealths.

Freight trucks are less complicated, because there are no 'wealth-grouped' vehicles.

bdswim: I think that car looks like a R$$ or a R$?

[bdswim 14]

Any idea on what's going to happen to the passenger train?

Is the model going to be replaced?
Or just the texture?

-BD

[AndisArt 2,066]

I would like to see the model replaced too is possible, but I know what a hassle that is, so maybe we can try with textures first and see how the results turn out?

[Shoji_sim 9]

bdswim: I was wondering whether you can teach me (or maybe the entire SimMars team) how to replace car models.

[Ledah2445 6]

Use this tutorial. This tutorial is located at SC4Devotion

https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?board=145.0

[Shoji_sim 9]

Thanks! This will help us a lot. I'm still thinking about what the civic vehicles will look like.

[Ledah2445 6]

Thanks Shoji, 

bdswim: Replacing the model is much nice idea than Replace a texture