Aaron Graham's BATs

[AlexandrosB13 184]

Looks Great. I want to see more from this. This building is exactly what i wanted and everyone who builds New York does. It has the style of buildings near central park and 5th Avenue and stex didnt have many of these so i love it. I tried to make something like that one day because i wanted it but i didnt succeed at all..

[TimEpke15 56]

he looks good and fantastic Aaron graham

it is not worse that you did not have a name yet!

when the building is clear you can look to it and maybe give a name what came up in your mind if you see him completely?

[Aaron Graham 4,417]

zahrul3- Thank you!!!!  I have added the ac units below the windows, why I did not put the ac units in the window because of the size of the windows.

sese-  I have fix the tile issue. I hope you like it even more now that I have fixed it.

AlexandrosB13- Thank you, Just keep trying.

TimEpke15- Thank you!!! I have a name now, after just guessing.

Hogan Apartments

Ok, everyone I have decided to name the building the Hogan Apartments, I have fix the tile issue and I have added the ac units below the windows, why I did not put the ac units in the window because of the size of the windows.

South

North

[zahrul3 472]

I mean, the AC units should be right above the window or slightly closing part of the window. You also have to extrude them a bit more and variagate their locations as not all units have the same AC locations and some have none. The back looks like it will do with some details.

[T Wrecks 10,210]

Wow, great BAT! You've really made astonishing progress. Walls and windows look fabulous - you immediately see what everything is supposed to be, and nothing stands out in a bad way.

What I'd do is to differentiate the ground floor a bit more. That horizontal ledge is a nice idea already, but since it sits so low, it makes the ground floor (which is typically a bit taller than the upper floors) look squashed and even smaller than the upper floors. Moving that ledge a bit upwards and making it taller (not wider!) may help a bit.

The base right at the bottom is yet another very good touch! Those bricks don't simply go all the way down - instead they start at a certain height. Very realistic and good. However, I think this base should run around the entire building, not only along the front wall. You could also try to bring it out a little bit stronger. I like the colour, but you might try making it a wee bit taller. Besindes, some cellar windows covered with bars, as well as ventilation grates, pipes or pipe flanges for connecting fire hoses, electrical cabinets etc. might work to add some more visual interest to this often neglected part of a BAT. Adding a little platform that leads up to the front door (and maybe a few steps that lead up to the back door) is another thing worth trying IMO.

To emphasize that stepped structure towards the top, I'd try adding some subtle cornices - maybe not bigger than the ledge you currently have between ground floor and first floor.

That's pretty much all I can think of. I really love this BAT so far, and I also noticed the bricked up water tower on top - yet another neat idea! Come to think of it, roof access doors on that cube right below the water tower might be a good idea, too. Keep it up!

EDIT: Still some more. Look at the first and second setback above the main wall - aren't they of unequal height, or is something wrong with my eyes? If I'm seeing correctly, I'd suggest making both floors equally tall, or making the lower one a bit taller than the upper one to accentuate the stepped structure of the building - this way, it would "run out" towards the top with ever smaller steps.

Phew - when I write so much, you can tell that I really like this and that I want it to become as good as it can possibly get!

[Aaron Graham 4,417]

zahrul3- I think I know what you are talking about. Thank you for helping out. I do need to add some stuff on the back like pipes going to the roof and/ or make the back wall texture a little different, like darker, lighter or a different color.

T Wrecks- Thank you!!!! You are such a great helper, yes the ledge should be higher and the base walls should be different. You said some thing a about the height of the upper floor being taller, you want me to make them a little shorter??

Oh, yea do anyone I mean anyone think it's a good idea to mod the apartment buildings with the water towers on the roof to act like a water tower. ( I might just post a picture soon.)

I'm trying to invent something or do something new, I want to be a Sim City 4 legend, like you who, best batters, best lotter, moders and idealist.

I think this picture is a great piece of help.

[Aaron Graham 4,417]

Ok I have fix some of the suff that T Wreck have said.

Here somthing extra I wanted to do. I have to add some more suff to it.

[Jasoncw 12,004]

There's a building in the game, called Simon Place, I think. It's a 3x2 medium density building, with two towers connected in the middle, and it's white and grey. I think this is a good building to compare your textures to. Your building is different materials, but I think the hue and brightness of it would be a good reference. I can find a picture of it if you'd like.

I think water towers in buildings just store water for sprinklers, so that there's water pressure.  I don't think it would make sense for the buildings to pump water in the game.

[Aaron Graham 4,417]

Jasoncw- Thank you so much for you help. I have compaired my building to the Simon Place the last namse I believe is Manor, but let continue, I have fixed the texture to look like that type of color, what do you think.

Hogan Apartments

I do need to fix a few things before it's time for exporting, this month I have been getting a little lazy, this building should of been finish. Here are some pictures tell me if anyhthing is worng and do you guys like the pool on the roof I know I need a ladder and a diving board, I'm going to get to that.

South

South

West

[zahrul3 472]

Are those apartment buildings W2W? You should release Hogan Apartments and the whatever named apartment before that as one, as the mix with one another in a big w2w block.

[JayStimson 212]

Personally, I don't like having pools and such on the roof. I've seen few if any BATted buildings that look right with amenities on the roof. I much prefer the usual roof junk. Ventilation, air conditioning, etc. Just a personal opinion.

BTW, I really like your stuff. Always admire the textures and detailing.

[Spike345 20]

Cool apartments, love what you do.

Have you ever thought about adding retail in the bottom?

[SimFox 804]

Nice! the only slight problem is with the pool. It, basically, has no place to be. You could probably remove the windows "from under it".

[Jasoncw 12,004]

This is more like what I meant.  The color on your building is improved but it's still really yellowy.  Also, it's brighter than it ought to be.  So it kind of has a burnt out look to it.

[Cockatoo 2,262]

It's funny how just the slightest change (shown in Jason's comparison pic) can make all the difference.

[SimHoTToDDy 2,939]

As I say from time to time, subtlety is king.

Texturing takes a lot of finesse, which is not as straight forward as modeling where once you achieve the desired shape you don't have to worry. There are a few more variables that you have to take into consideration, but it isn't so bad once you get used to what you need to do to get the desired results. You have come a very long way Aarron, in good time I don't think you will have any trouble with your textures at all.

As for the model, I can't say I like the pool either. If only for the reason Simfox brings up (occupying the same space as the rooms below it), I think it should go. Personally, I don't think it goes well with this building; it is a little too small and cramped of a building to have something so luxurious. I think you would be better off turning it into a garden or some other social area.

Do you have a reference for the back of these (the base specifically). I don't know much about how it would be set up, but I have a sneaking suspicion that it may not be as straightforward as you have it.

Anyway, I really like your work these days. Keep improving your skills and keep up the good work!

-Todd

[TimEpke15 56]

looks very tastefull

and the name Hogan Apartments is a wonderfull name

can't wait when he is uploaded

ooh and yeah simfox has a good tip!

remove the pool or that windows under the pool!

for me not a problem because it looks good.

but it's a little weird

[madhatter106 3,931]

I say convert the pool into a rooftop garden...

[T Wrecks 10,210]

All I'd like to add is that once again, I would make that narrow light grey strip at the very bottom run around the entire building. Everything else has been mentioned already, and I really like the "spin-off" building.

[SimHoTToDDy 2,939]

T wrecks, if this were built in a W2W environment (strictly speaking about RL), then how Aaron has it now is correct. The detail in question is strictly a facade element and would not go past a few feet of the W2W sides, if at all. If more than one of the walls could be seen from the street (like Simon Place), then I agree that it should wrap all the way.

[Aaron Graham 4,417]

zahrul3- The Hogan apartments are w2w most of all the buildings I have made are w2w. You said something about I should release Hogan Apartments and the whatever named apartment before that as one, as the mix with one another in a big w2w block. There's no need for that, the job is to make it as flexable as poosiable, so there no reason for me to make a whole city block. I hope I read you right.

JayStimson- Thank you!!! And thank you for your opinion.

Spike345- I have always thought about makeing stores below the apartments, but I want them to act as commercial and residentail at the same time, I always wonder is it possible to make new zone for sim city4 , that mean adding new colors like purple, pink. purple can be for buildings to act as commercial service and residentail, pink for commercial service and office, like some New York City Buildings having C$ or C$$ on the ground floor and offices on the upper floors and residential on the higher to top floors. If it's possible to make zone like that commuting will not be a problem for most sims in the heavy urban areas.

SimFox- Thank you!!! You are so right, let me keep that in mind, I have remove the pool and I thinking that should I add some bushes or a garden like madhatter016 said.

Jasoncw- Thank you so much for the picture of the Hogan Apartment future. One thing, it's very challenging to make the texture like yours, you did the samething on the Worthington Apatments and SimHoTToDDy did that on the NYBT Transpoation, I felt like I faler because I did not fix the textures the best I can on those to bats.

Cockatoo- Yes you are so right all I have to do the meet the darn challeng to make these textures some what a beauty.

SimHoTToDDy- Thank you!!! And you are so right about the poolbeing in such a tight space, but I have removed it and the thing I said to SimFox I'm thing of adding some bushes or a garden like madhatter016 said.

TimEpke15- Thank you!! I have removed the pool.

madhatter106- Thank you!!! that's a great Idea I just need some help on how it suppost to look like, I have seen some trees and bushes on the roofs of the building in New York City, mybe I need to makeit look like them, but One of my problems is I'm not good at make trees and bushes in GMAX, maybe if I make a tight custom LOD's before I export the Hogan Apartments so I can add things on the roof like trees and bushes, that might just work.

T Wrecks- I don't know about that, I think it would not look right for a W2W or for the type of building.

Hogan Apartments

Here's a picture to compaire with Jasoncw picture fix up to my render updates. enjoy.

  Edited March 10, 2011 by Aaron Graham  

[UrbanLatinFemale 1]

Can someone please clarify why pink is preferred in the game? I prefer Aaron's building in that yellowish hue because I live here. And that's how our buildings look! I like realism in the game as often as possible. The ac units look well-placed considering the circumstances and replacing the roof-top pool with a garden is splendid and realistic.

[JayStimson 212]

Hmmm. Come to think of it ... there is a lot of pink in the default Maxis buildings. Maybe the project manager was a .... hmmm ... never mind.

I'd prefer almost any other color (hmmm. except maybe purple). A bit more grey or even a brownish tint. Otherwise, it's coming along nicely.

Also, the last piece on top of the utility room on the roof seems a bit tall. Maybe half the height for that last top piece might look more proportional.

Keep up the great work. Many of us appreciate it for sure.

[Sgt Pepper 864]

A truly fantastic BAT! I love seeing how anyone's BAT skills have evovled since they first started, yours is quite and interesting evolution. Beautiful Building.

[SimHoTToDDy 2,939]

We use pink because the game used pink. If you try to put a realistically colored building into the game (with white, gray, or even off-white yellowish cladding), it generally sticks out and looks rather bad. You are looking at the guy who loves to make sad, dull cities for his oppressed sims, which is to say I like a good drab gray! It just doesn't work was well as something with a subtle hue shift to pink or blue (trust us, we have tried).

It defies logic when you look at the building out of context, but in game you would almost never notice that they were pink in the first place. So it all works out.

[Spike345 20]

Yah, I don't think it is possible to create new zone colors, but that is out of my expertise.

But I still think the addition of retail at the bottom floors in some of your condos/apartments (even if they are just eye-candy) would be a really nice feature. I think the sims would really appreciate a Starbucks, Blockbuster, etc. on their main floors for their convenience! Hehe, Either way, keep up the good work!

[madhatter106 3,931]

madhatter106- Thank you!!! that's a great Idea I just need some help on how it suppost to look like, I have seen some trees and bushes on the roofs of the building in New York City, mybe I need to makeit look like them, but One of my problems is I'm not good at make trees and bushes in GMAX, maybe if I make a tight custom LOD's before I export the Hogan Apartments so I can add things on the roof like trees and bushes, that might just work.

Google search "rooftop garden," and you'll get some great inspirations and ideas...

Just yesterday, when I was modelling a rooftop garden, I was searching and searching and searching for a thread of Francis90b's, that had details about making basic shrubs and hedges.

But then I got into a battle with the search function on the new site, and couldn't dredge it up...but that's another story.

I will have to dig through an old model or two when I last did it, to see what was done - but I think it was basically using a basic primitive shape, and adding a Noise modifier, and then adjusting the values there. That, and the proper texture, and you could have well-pruned and tended shrubs and bushes in no time...

As for your question if BATters are artists, can they all draw, my answer (for me) is yes - I have been drawing for over 30 years (since the age of 2). But I can't speak for anyone else...

[Jasoncw 12,004]

Just keep on working on it and over time your sensibilities for the colors will improve.

About drawing. I'm, ok at drawing I guess. I'm probably better at drawing than people who don't draw at all, but in high school when I drew more I think I was pretty average among other people who drew. Nowadays I barely ever draw (BATing, architecture, and music pushed out drawing. I'm not even in college anymore so I don't even have note margins to scribble on!), and anyone my age who stuck with it would blow me out of the water now.

But I think the skills are transferable and if someone learned how to do 3d renderings and then tried learning how to draw or paint they'd be a step up, and vice versa.

About making new zones, it's not possible to, and it's not possible to make mixed use lots.

Madhatter is right about the bushes, make a sphere or a cube or whatever other shape (just make sure you have a lot of subdivisions so that there is geometry for the modifier to affect) and then apply a noise modifier.

[Sgt Pepper 864]

I didn't notice your art question.

I've actually been drawing since I was four and still do it a lot and often. Especially when I'm bored in class. I used one of my drawings as my photo on this ST profile thing..you probably saw it when we added each other as friends.

[Aaron Graham 4,417]

UbanLatinFemale- Thank you!!! as you can see I can't help on the wall texture color look, I'm just following the bating generals.

JayStimson- Thank you!!! what part is to tall the part with the water tower??

Sgt Pepper- Thank you!!! lol, that's what I did when i was in school, I use to drwa my day away, now I do draw that much so so sad, I try to draw buildings so that can be part of my batting project so day in the future.

SimHoTToDDy- You are so smart, and I really do love making dull buildings, dull apartments.

Spike345- Thank you!!! I just wish I could make my own zone types, but that can take a long time and would be hard to start it off. I have thought of making some buildings with stores on the first floor and also making the slope friendly.

Maddhatter106- Thank you!!! so you can draw that's great, i do a little drawing myself, I have drawn a picture of the Williams Building, it do not look nothing like the bat model, the bat model is ugly. I going to do some looking around on google maps and on bing maps, I just lost instrest with this building. I going to try to work on it a little better, this building is almost finish.

Jasoncw- Thank you!! I hope to be a great batter someday, I still need to work on my texturing, but it has gotting a lot better than the past of coruse.

I'm so so sorry I did not put much work on this bat, I did added the bushes are these good are what, I think it's ok.

Hogan Apartments

South

  Edited March 22, 2011 by Aaron Graham