nybt-forum-threads NYBT BAT Thread

[simcity4fan12 13]

Well I started a thread about starting a New York BAT Team, then I got some members! So now, I'm starting this thread to show all of our progress as a team. Now, we're still accepting members, but please don't ask to join here. You can either PM or go to the first discussion I started about it called "A NYC BAT Team?"

Now, I'm going to show you all some of my progress first thing. I only got one pic for now, but there will be more! Here's a pic of my almost complete Original World Trade Center Seven from New York.



Many of you are probably wondering why this isn't a gmax or 3ds.max preview or what ever. I use sketchup then gmax so this is one thing ya'll will be seing in this thread. Also, I did something to the model to make the actual textures to appear as colors and did an option to "hide" most of the model and its black line edges to help prevent lagging for this sketchup file.

I'll show some more pics later, and hopefully my team members will too. Comments and some advice would be greatly appreciated.

[LivingInThePast 364]

Since I'm a person who actually wants to make BATs, I'm considering both learning gmax then doing the SketchUp->gmax method. I noticed in SketchUp (full) you can only export to .3ds, and gmax is .gmax. Furthermore, I've heard exporting stuff creates gnarly modeling problems (dividing it into triangles, or something) and you should NEVER texture something in SketchUp and expect it to hold up in gmax.

How do you do it?

EDIT: SimCity4Fan12, you might want to edit your post to actually create a hyperlink to your original post. Just use HTML code or click the "special symbols permit some HTML functionality" button when editing or making a post.

[simcity4fan12 13]

Well when I export in 3ds, my model isn't divided into triangle pieces. Nor is the textures cause any problems for me as well. I'm not sure who told you that, but they probably meant that's might have what happened before sketchup has been updated a few times. It works perfectly for me. So by all means you should give the sketchup then gmax method a try. I would recomend finding a way to not just download the pro trial version and use all of the short time you get on it for one building. Maybe find someone or use a second computer with the pro trial version on it to save that precious time. BTW, the trial time for the pro version is only used up when you have it opened.

[beutelschlurf 10]

moin everybody,

@ simcity4fan12: ... found it! did you hide some of the layers, too? cause idon't see the structure behind the windows, just wondering ...

@ LivingInThePast: here you got a nice tutorial about exporting with textures from SU to gmax ... klick

b_schlurf

[Jasoncw 11,840]

LivingInThePast: What people were talking about was converting from .gmax files to .max files, which was done by converting to a handful of mediatory file types. The process was convoluted and could end up in bad geometry. But .3DS is one of the most common and basic file types, and can be imported into gmax, though, to limit the program's usefulness, you cannot export .3DS from gmax.

Texturing in sketchup is a waste of time, since you'll need to either redo it or heavily modify the textures before you export it in gmax, since the lighting and stuff is so different. In general I don't think modeling in sketchup (for SimCity purposes) is a good idea because you don't know what you're modeling until you import it into Gmax/3ds Max, and a lot of BATing has to do with modeling small details in such a way that they show up properly in renders, but without being exaggerated more than they need to be.

[simcity4fan12 13]

Hi everyone!

b_schlurf Yep I did, it helped to prevent lagging for a building of that size. Do you have any progress of your BATs you wish to share? Sorry about you having to find our thread. I didn't make it till after I told you I was about to start it.

Jasoncw So far in my experience, texturing and modeling in sketchup, everything turns out in a way that is good and detailed. I measure most things so they will be a good size for Simcity. I'll admit, I change up the textures once in gmax, but not by alot. It's easier to me to already have a texture there, in the color and size I want, then see how it looks in BAT. Usually I don't have to change much except for the brightness. Sketchup also seems like drawing a building rather than in the way of gmax or 3dsmax. I liked to draw, and its a passion to me, so something like sketchup is very fun to me to use. But that's just my opinion. BTW  I know what I'm modeling in sketchup. I'm good at it enough to know what's to big or to small. But I can't change your opinion, but thank you for sharing yours.

As for the team, I don't have any progress yet, I just got home. I will have some more later on today. So, hang tight.

[simcity4fan12 13]

Well I'm back with some more progress on my BATs. It seems like most of my team is missing... Hopefully they will show some of their progress here too, and have some rendering previews.

Well I wanted to show you my progress on the Bertelsmann Building in Times Square. So far, I've gotten a good basic shape and working on the tower part mainly.

Some of 60 Wall Street. I had the textures turned to shaded where you won't see the detail on the texture. If you are wondering why it's black, that's for the frames. When I get more detail done, I'll add the glass texture. So far, I'm not close to finishing.

And I started on another building for NYC that I'm going to finish first becuase of its small size. The St. Nicholas Greek Church that once stood in front of the South Tower of the WTC. I'm going to wait to show it's progress till I have a render preview which will hopefully be later tonight. For those who don't know what it looks like here's a picture.

I only have few pics of the front and need some of the back can anyone help? Also, does my other 2 creations look accurate enough...well so far?

[Simcity player 13]

good to see that 7 WTC (pre-9/11), and the other buildings are taking shape.

[Kryptowhite 9]

17 State Street. Arguably the easiest building i've ever BATted. I'm going away over the weekend and then school starts so you probably won't see this one for at least a week.

[beutelschlurf 10]

moin everybody,

lookin' really good in here, there gonna be all great bats. i would have done St. Nicholas Greek Church, as well, but didn't know it was out there! thanx Kryptowhite for joining the team, somehow. i thought you are more into Bosteon. anyway, a warm welcome ...

unfortunately i don't have much time lately cause of my degree, so i'm gonna have bating started again around late september ... sorry about that.

... but if you just wanna have pictures uploaded of the buildings which will come out eventually, i could do that ...

cheers

b_schlurf

[Cockatoo 2,256]

I just saw Kryptowhite's latest upload. Very promising start guys, I can't wait to see where this project goes.

EDIT: Simcity4fan12, a very long time ago, the guy who originally made the WTC complex (rubik3) was making the original WTC7, but he abandoned it for some reason and it never got released. Anyway, you might want to use his version as a little bit of inspiration as it was a pretty decent attempt at it by ‘04/’05 standards…

[simcity4fan12 13]

Hi everyone!

Kryptowhite: I'm so glad your making Seventeen State Street! It's one of my favorite in Lower Manhattan!!! I saw your latest upload too. Very impressive. I'm very glad your part of our team.

b_schlurf: Hey welcome back to our BAT Team room! I actually thought that you would make something like St Nicholas Greek Church. But I always wanted to BAT it, part of my Pre-9/11 buildings.

Cockatoo-210893: Thanks for that pic! I appreciate your help and interest in this project.

[simcity4fan12 13]

.

Originally posted by: beutelschlurf

moin everybody,

lookin' really good in here, there gonna be all great bats. i would have done St. Nicholas Greek Church, as well, but didn't know it was out there! thanx Kryptowhite for joining the team, somehow. i thought you are more into Bosteon. anyway, a warm welcome ...

unfortunately i don't have much time lately cause of my degree, so i'm gonna have bating started again around late september ... sorry about that.

... but if you just wanna have pictures uploaded of the buildings which will come out eventually, i could do that ...

cheers

b_schlurfquote>

Of course we wanna see some of the buildings you have which will come out eventually! That would be great.

EDIT: I got some rendering previews of St. Nicholas Greek Church Here's a low quality render.

And here is the Top view of it. I think It's not scaled correctly...any one got any ideas? It's a wall2wall one in real life, but becuase of the real size on the city block it was on...I'm not sure. Also there's supposed to be a stair way on the front...but I was having some errors with it so it couldn't be added. So, this won't be to accurate to the real one. How's it look?

And here's a high quality render of it. Hope its better to tell what the textures will look like when its exported...but I'm not too pleased with them... Any ideas?

I'm not to sure if this one will get a high appeal like my previous BATs mainly because of it's detail on the real building but that's mainly up to ya'll. For some reason the 3d wooden door I made isn't showing it's detail in the renders. It looks like I just put a black line in between a wooden texture... I'll show some progress on Pre-9/11 WTC 7 soon, after I finish the front facade.

[Kryptowhite 9]

I think the facade for the most part is good, just make sure you have all the details down like that fire escape and the sign. And are you sure thats what the roof is like? from the image it appears to be shingles. As for the door...are you getting some sort of error before rendering where it says "couldn't find UVW coordinates or something like that? try adding a uvw map modifier, maybe the UVW's just need adjusting.

[simcity4fan12 13]

Well I tried adding the fire escape, but for some reason It wouldn't fit right. As for the door. I'm not getting any error on it at all. I could zoom in so close to the door and see the detail. It's just the texture I guess. Like how it blends with it. As for the roof, I saw this picture:

I saw this one too for the back and some air conditioning units on the other parts.

I'm going to add more detail, the best that I can at least, in gmax. Apparently there is a red trim on the ledges on the roof that looked like there was shingles. I actually thought there was too, till I saw that pic of some of the roof.

[beutelschlurf 10]

moin everybody,

i'll bring them on, but later, maybe in the evening today, i can't promise ...

nice progress with the church ... to the problem with the door: i think the details are just to small to show up properly ... so either you make them bigger, use different colours (but then most times it blurs) or you have to live with it ...

anyway, hey Kryptowhite, nice bat i just spotted!

cheers

b_schlurf

[simcity4fan12 13]

Kryptowhite, 17 State Street you released earlier was amazing! I wish my creations were that good!

Here's an update on the St. Nicholas Greek Church. I added a fire escape or the stairs that go infront of it. I feel acomplished, becuase I made that using gmax!  It isn't completely accurate though, and I'm still adding more detail. This is a high quality render by the way...

It looks good in my opinion, but the textures are still bothering me and I think I should add some small details to the roof. What do ya'll think?

[beutelschlurf 10]

moin everyone,

looks fine to me, ... thought i think the firestair needs still some work ... and hey, you have to show us what the backside is looking ... keep it up, mate

btw. didn't get the previews done today, but there will come ...!

cheers

b_schlurf

[simcity4fan12 13]

I'll show the back later, after I get more done on it. What do you think I should do to improve the stairs?

EDIT: Here's the back I made some progress in some detail on everything else. What do you all think?

[Seraf 1,238]

I can see in the photo that the stairs are shorter so they don't "wrap" around the corner But rest of work is very good

I'm currently testing LetThereBeLight. When I finish the tests I'll show you the progress of my works

EDIT: Back side looks very good I would add a few details

[simcity4fan12 13]

Hi Seraf! I can't make the stairs shorter...so It has to stay the way it is. What details should I add to the back? Also, have you seen some of my and my other members BATs on the STEX? I would like an opinion from you. I'm about to edit this post showing more progress on the church. Maybe some on Pre-9/11 WTC 7 too.

EDIT: Here's some progress on the church. I started on some nitelighting but not much.

Here's some of Pre-9/11 WTC. The details are hard to notice because they don't have their final textures yet and this is a distant pic.

And here's the roof.

[simcity4fan12 13]

I have completed St. Nicholas Orthodox Greek Church. Here's some pics of the final lot.

And here's another showing the back.

Now what remains is releasing it. I may show some in-game pictures later or wait till I release it. Do ya'll think I should?

[Gn_leugim 853]

nice chrch.. quite wird about its location, but nice recreation =)

[ozdaniel 4]

simcity4fan12

your buildings like the 7 world trade center and the building from the time squre will be 4x4 building or more?

[cmdp123789 710]

My GOD IM LOVING it!!! I read about the idea of doing the whole financial center as one piece... I love all your ideas, but I would like to remind you that whatever you do try to make it so that it fits the game... I've seen some bats that are great but unfortunately they dont fit the cuty block in SC4... so please whatever you are doing.... do it so we can play with it and we can recreate the city using them... THIS IS SO COOL guys!!! I'm not that good batting, in fact I am trying to learn how to, so I wont be able to help you with that.... but what I can help you with is by being part of the poll hahahahahahahhahaa lovin it

[allez l'om 1]

This idea of a New York BAT team is really good!! all these buildings are so realistic and you are all making a great job!! We can make soon New York City!!

[Jasoncw 11,840]

It's coming along well so far, but I don't think it's actually done yet! 

From the photo, it looks like this was a wall to wall building, and that all of the surrounding buildings were demolished.  So I think this would be the most useful for the game if it was a 1x2 wall to wall building (maybe not on both sides, since there's the fire escape).  Then it could be used in the way it was originally used in real life, and someone could also recreate it's current situation by plopping parking lot lots around it.  Since it's really wall to wall, you could align it with other people's wall to wall buildings too.  Me, nofunk, and some others use a one paver tile set back.  Spa and JBSimio and some others use other setbacks (I forget exactly what they are off the top of my head).

Another thing that I think helps when doing recreations, is if the dimensions of the real building don't work well in the game, you can scale the final model a bit so that it fits better. 

For the BAT itself, I think it's looking good in general.  I think that tweaking the colors of the textures would really improve it for the game (I can imagine when you plopped it around the game it was looking drab), and I think your current fire escape detracts from the rest of the building.

For the colors, I forget whether or not you have Photoshop, but if you don't, you can download the GIMP (it's free, and a good program, and you can find it by searching google for it).  Below is a screenshot from the game, with some of the colors sampled.  It shows the reality of what white buildings are in the game.  This varies according to the wealths, but it shows that, for example, what looks like "white" in the game isn't actually white.  You can do this for your own screenshots.  Also, in one of the tutorials in my signature, there's a bit about "SC4 Backdrop" which is one of the most time saving and quality improving ways to help texturing.  To make a long story short though, in general, add a layer of peach to your textures (this is explained in more detail in the tutorial I mentioned).

For the fire escape, these are hard because the details are actually very thin, but they need to be exxaggerated a bit for SC4.  But I do think that the dimensions you used are too big and make the fire escape look clunky.  I'd go back and make it closer to what it is in real life.  For example, how wide is your fire escape?  How wide does it look in the photograph?  How thick are your rails, and how thick are they in real life?  How spaced apart do the rails look in real life?  Fire escapes are hard, and it might take a few tries to get it right, and it might end up taking just as much time as the rest of the building, but done right it would look really beautiful, and to release it now would be a shame.

[simcity4fan12 13]

Originally posted by: cmdp123789

My GOD IM LOVING it!!! I read about the idea of doing the whole financial center as one piece... I love all your ideas, but I would like to remind you that whatever you do try to make it so that it fits the game... I've seen some bats that are great but unfortunately they dont fit the cuty block in SC4... so please whatever you are doing.... do it so we can play with it and we can recreate the city using them... THIS IS SO COOL guys!!! I'm not that good batting, in fact I am trying to learn how to, so I wont be able to help you with that.... but what I can help you with is by being part of the poll hahahahahahahhahaa lovin itquote>

So...are you saying my BATs don't fit in the game?

@Jasoncw- Thanks for that post. It really inspires me. I'm going to redo the fire escape. Like just make it smaller? Any one else wanna shed some light on this? Maybe I should make the building a prop so it can fit on a 1x2 lot. The textures look fine to me...but I guess I'll redo the white part. I did test it out in the game. It looked alright...but I guess I should make it better. Like the textures I used for The Deluxe Resident Hotel, 130 Liberty Street, and 375 Pearl Street looked really good, maybe I should work just as hard with this. I'm glad to have a professional help me with this.

EDIT: How about this?

@ozdaniel- World Trade Center  7 may be 3x4 or 3x5 I'm not completely sure. The Bertelsmenn Building might be 4x4 or 5x4.

[simcity4fan12 13]

Well here's an in-game shot of the church. How's it look?

It's dwarfed by the 130 Liberty Street BAT I made, but that's accurate. Here's my nite version.

What do ya'll think?

[Simcity player 13]

I think its great. Tiny, but mighty