NTM's BAT Workshop I

[nathanthemayor 1,261]

<p>Well folks, here is the BAT thread I have opened up after multiple people told me on my uploads. My future BAT uploads will be here before I put them on the STEX.This is where I will showcase my projects, but my Lot Projects and uploads will be in that section(Link in the signature). The projects I will be showing here include: a row shops, a overhanging billboard,  a highway sign pack, and more!Note:I hate to be rude, but I will not take requests, wheteher BAT or Lot, large or small, I don't care, and I will not fill it because I have my own work to worry about. If you have already made a request, I will not fill it, as explained above.<img alt="" src="https://community.simtropolis.com/assets/emoticons/8.gif" /></p>

  Edited May 22, 2011 by nathanthemayor  

[harishna 847]

Glad you finally listened to the advice of opening a thread, this is the way to go, gl with you upcoming projects.

[madhatter106 3,903]

Originally posted by: nathanthemayor

Well folks, here is my building thread. I WILL take requests, BUT THEY CANNOT BE BAT REQUESTS!!THE BAT IS NOT WORKING ON MY COMPUTER!! Everything from now on that i will relase will be posted here. Have fun=)quote>

Due respect, but this makes no sense.

This is the BAT discussion forum - yet you're not taking BAT requests.

Why post a thread if you're not going to be BATting?  What are you going to show in a BAT thread?  If this is a lotting thread, then it should be under the lots section of this forum...

[DCMetro34 576]

So......if you are doing anything.....I would love to see a GLR station.

[Francis90b 748]

Well, i'm glad you've opened a thread to showcase your work!

Only, i must say that the BAT-open discussion section is dedicated mainly to show creations made with the BAT.

For your creations with the LOT editor it would be a good idea to open another thread in the branch of the forum which is dedicated to host it (lot editor and plugin manager section).

If you're having problems with the BAT it would be great to ask for help in the BAT-troubleshooting and general discussion thread, the specific place to do that.I'm saying this since many people read that thread, and perhaps you can get some help pretty easily.

This said, i hope you want to do some BATs as well, once you've solved your problems.It's great to have another BATer around!

Wish you best of luck!

[Jasoncw 11,839]

Like the others have said, the BAT - Open Discussion is for BATs. If this is going to be a lotting thread, I can move it to the Lot Editor forum if you'd like.

[Evillions 552]

Behold what? I don't see any pictures, and you post 4 times.

I don't see any pictures, are you sure its png. and not jpg?  And you should've put more effort in your work.  It has to be unquine and enough effort that makes a good creation.

[DCMetro34 576]

Yes, pics are nice. The roundabout ones were nice; I'd like to see some for this too.

[killerclone 0]

Dude well done. You have taken a step that i haven't yet. But you need to slow down a bit.

Perfect your uploads, so that they are not a waste of time for people to download.

Show what you are working on, so that fellow contributors can give advice.

Seriously, umpteen uploads isn't going to impress me if they have no quality to them, and i have only been playing for a short time. Imagine how the long haulers feel seeing some of your uploads. Do you really think that people that have been playing for six years haven't got buildings relotted from Maxis buildings?

Seriously dude, i appreciate your enthusiasm. But please try to balance it with some common sense.

There are batters that have stuff in their Mayor Diaries that the rest of us would dream about, but they still don't put it up for download. Usually because it is not ready for the public.

So quality before quantity. You will find you get more from one high quality upload, than one thousand cheap pieces of the proverbial that no-one wants to download.

so good luck, and i look forward to downloading a BAT off you in the near future.

[IDK 12]

Nathan, remember to post your uploads before you actually upload them, the point of a Lot thread is to show poeple your work before you upload it to see what they think and make the nessasary changes to improve that work. But remember, this is the BAT section and you are only doing re-lots so I'd advise you to move this thread to there or else the moderators will get annoyed. Anyway, most of you uploads are good but I would suggest learning how to BAT, it's very simple but it will take some time to learn and get the hang of it. Remember, actually making your own BATs is better than using other's.

I look forward to your next creation!

[SimFox 800]

Behold!

[SimFox 800]

I'm beholding my breath... have a mercy don't let me suffocate...

[Francis90b 748]

Nathanthemayor:

I'm glad to see your enthusiasm in creating new items for the STEX, but maybe it wouldn't hurt to recall a golden rule for BATers:

Quality is more important than quantity

Believe me, the higher is the quality you do things, the more satisfaction you will get in doing them.And, as you spend part of your free time here, your satisfaction is the key.Try to slow a bit your pace and ask for some advices from the ther readers, and i'm sure you will get much more satisfaction, both from reading the people's feedbacks and from seeing the care you've put in your own work.

Also, remember that this is a BAT thread, not a LOT thread.If you wish to show us some more LOTs you should open a topic in the right section of the forum (i believe that both me and Jasoncw told you where it is).You might always post your future BATs in this one.

SimFox:

Well, you might have had some reasons for being sarcastic, but let me think that there it is completely out-of-place, especially as there isn't any constructive criticism attached to it.Remember that offering constructive criticism should be the main reason for posting in a thread.

[SimFox 800]

In order there to be a constructive criticism there should be something it could relate to... and for it to be a constructive this something have to be of a certain level...

As for now there is just that - BEHOLD in Building Thread located in BAT.-open discussion group that has no buildings no BATs...

Constructively criticize that! Or should one not be able to express ones opinions? Or the very idea on such an opinion is already an offensive act?

[SimHoTToDDy 2,938]

Play nice kiddies.

The point has been made... many times actually. If it takes a little sarcasm to get that point to finally get though, so be it. Sometimes it takes that much for a person to see what they are doing. Francis is right, that the criticism should be constructive, but when there isn't anything to criticize Simfox's point becomes rather potent. That being said, shall we keep to the task (or lack there of) at hand?

Nathanthemayor: please take a moment and absorb some of the wealth of knowledge that lies in the people giving you advice. Not much I can say hasn't been mentioned already, but please listen to what they are telling you, it will benefit you greatly in the end.

[Francis90b 748]

I must admit i hurredly wrote that reply, withouth thinking too much about it, and only now i fully realize that it's tone was not appropriate, and that i've turned myself into a flamer having completely different goals.

I hope that i could explain better myself now.

If someone believes to make everything right, he is likely to perceive sarcasm as a personal attack, and a burned person seldom evaluates his behaviour in a fair and objective way.

I didn't want to deny SimFox right to express his opinion, and i agree that "constructive criticism" were not the right words to express mine.Simply, i was afraid that Simfox reply, which was completely based on sarcasm, could have been perceived in a wrong way, and i've ended up answering in a wrong way just to fight against an imaginary danger.

My apologies to SimFox for the way in which i replied to him before.

[Jasoncw 11,839]

Nathan, I think it's really important that you spend some time just observing Simtropolis. The types of things you've been uploading have been getting uploaded by various people week after week (for several years now), and every single time those types of uploads get rated really low and receive bad comments. If you observe the STEX and the comments, you can understand what types and quality of uploads get positive reactions.

Also, you can read other people's BAT threads, and you can see the process of how people start a BAT, post screenshots, describe what their intentions are, and they might post real life photos of what they're trying to create, then they receive criticism, then they post updated progress, receive more feedback, etc., and then eventually, when the BAT is ready, they upload it (and get a positive reaction). Then over several BATs you can see how their quality improves.

You can see in this thread that you haven't posted anything that would help us help you, and then it didn't matter anyway because you uploaded it before people had a good chance to comment about it. And now you can see that people are talking about criticism.

After you've spent a few days reading through other people's BAT threads, and going through the STEX and seeing which uploads get which reactions, you should pick a project that you'd like to have in your own game, and if you plan on uploading it to the STEX (remember that just because you make something doesn't mean you need to upload it, you can make it for your own personal use) pick something that will be well received on the STEX, and then research what it is that you're making, and then post here and describe what you'd like to make and share any relevant research that you did, and then post the first steps of your new BAT (if it's not a BAT it's ok, but I'll move the thread to the Lot Editor forum). Then after that, if we have suggestions we can give them to you.

[IDK 12]

Originally posted by: nathanthemayor

AT LONG LAST:I HAVE GOT THE BAT FIXED!!I will take requests, but please not to complex=)quote>

It was broken?

[simcity4fan12 13]

@IDK-

Well folks, here is my building thread. I WILL take requests, BUT THEY CANNOT BE

BAT

REQUESTS!!

THE

BAT

IS NOT WORKING ON MY COMPUTER

!! Everything from now on that i will relase will be posted here. Have fun=)

He said it wasn't working before. I never knew what the original problem was. But now that it is apparently fixed, this thread will make more sense.

@nathanthemayor- It would be most helpful to us, so we can help you, if you post pics of what your doing, wait until we give constructive criticism, and you can improve what you got before you upload. Everyone has been saying it, please heed their words and mine.

 

 

[Evillions 552]

You could do renders in the BAT and just use "Print Screen". Just use a image editing program and paste it. Then you're done just make it a jpg. file and a 800x600 max image size.

[Francis90b 748]

I'm glad to know you've solved your problems with the BAT.I might have some considerations to make, though.

As everything, the BAT needs some time and practice to be learnt.I can't wake up one day and pretend to be an NBA player if i didn't ever play basket before, the same way I can't wake up one morning and pretend to BAT the Chrysler building if i hadn't got the hang of BAT before (and,as many can tell, it requires a lot of time).

So, right now you should take a look at the omnibus tutorials regarding the BAT, then try to make something very simple just to do some practice.I don't know, maybe a small house, a ;Mc Donald' s, or whatever you think is nice.Just remember, it should be small and simple.

Then, you should post your progresses, sit down and wait for other comments on your thread, and listen to them.

BAT threads aren't only place to show your work, they're the best way to learn and improve your skills.

Many people would tell you that they've got the majority of their knowledge simply by reading other people's suggestion and advices, or asking for them,Even top quality BATers, like, let's say, SimHoTToDDy, Madhatter 106, Amthaak or Jasoncw and others did get much of their knowledge this way.

So, let people express their opinion before uploading things, it will greatly benefit you.

Now let me do some considerations about "taking someone else's requests".It sounds like a nice move, but it is actually a faux pas.

How much time does a BAT needs to be made?Hours?Days?

No.

A BAT can require weeks, months or even years to be finished.I can tell that there are some people who worked on the same BAT for as much as three years, and haven't finished it yet.

So, if you're going to spend that much time on something, your dedication, your will to have it finished is what really makes the difference, what convinces you to continue what you've started and finish it.Sadly, it seldom happens that what is found interesting by somebody can be as much as interesting for somebody else.

So, what would you like to have in the game?

Think about it, then try to do it.Just remember, keep it small and simple at first.

Then let me point out that posting images is far better than posting links to them.Readers can get annoyed if they have to click on a link, wait it to load, and then and only then be able to see the image.

There is a tutorial on the Omnibus which explains you how to post an image on your thread, take a look at it.

This said, i hope hearing about some BATs from you .

[MandelSoft 2,769]

Originally posted by: Francis90b

How much time does a BAT needs to be made?Hours?Days?

No.

A BAT can require weeks, months or even years to be finished.I can tell that there are some people who worked on the same BAT for as much as three years, and haven't finished it yet.quote>

I don't complety agree with that. The most important factors to the time it takes to make a BAT are size and complexity. In my case, I can make things like signs in just an hour. But full-blown and detailed buildings are taking a lot more time than just something like a simple prop (like a sign). My tip is: begin small.

Best,

Maarten

[Jumpthefence 74]

Alright, first things first, have you checked the STEX and there isn't something like that already? It sounds like something people could already have.

If not...

I would suggest the BDS Stupid Texture. It can be found on the STEX. It's a simple transparent texture. Just put it in your plugins folder when making the lot, and if it's not there when you power up the game, the texture will be transparent. It's a neat little trick. Also, if you use it in the final model, be sure to thank the creator. Otherwise, I guess it's plagiarism.

Also, by setting the power consumption to zero with a simple tool like the LE Prop, you can make it so it doesn't need power to work. This would be a huge attraction to potential downloaders. No hassle, just plop it and animals appear. Just imagine the use in a CJ...

But I digress, if it is already on the STEX (which I have the feeling it is), I would not suggest remaking something.

[nathanthemayor 1,261]

jumpthefence:i can't find the texture thing u mentioned. can u please give a link?

[Jumpthefence 74]

Originally posted by: nathanthemayor

jumpthefence:i can't find the texture thing u mentioned. can u please give a link?quote>

I could...

https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/details.cfm?id=4059

Remember to tell the end users to not have this installed!

[nathanthemayor 1,261]

Sorry I have not posted anything in a long time. I am busy with school and at least 1-2 BAT projects I am working on. I will still take requests, but don't expect them anytime soon.=(

[DazzaDazza 29]

what MAX are you using? because I am pretty shore the Max programs come with tutorials. There is also one hear on the Oimbus , i think

[madhatter106 3,903]

Originally posted by: nathanthemayor

Sorry I have not posted anything in a long time. I am busy with school and at least 1-2 BAT projects I am working on. I will still take requests, but don't expect them anytime soon.=(quote>

We are on the second page of this BAT thread, yet there have been precious few BATs showcased here.

My advice is to not post unless you have something to show.  It's not about keeping your thread active, nor about answering the question "where did nathanthemayor go."  (And unless someone has actually posted that question in your thread, why bother to answer a question that's not been asked.)  Your BAT thread is about showing your work, getting feedback, and applying that feedback to your revisions.  There's much talk of BATting, but little to show for it here; all smoke and no fire.

Taking requests is all fine and good, but you have to ask yourself if anyone would seriously consider making a request when you say "don't expect them anytime soon."  Do you go into a restaurant and order a steak, and like it when the waitress says, "don't expect it anytime soon?"  Why would anyone want to go to that restaurant?

My best advice is to not worry about requests - you're not a machine, where people turn your handle and out pops a BAT; do stuff that YOU want to create, not "on commission" work.  People don't BAT because of the kudoes and kind words and asspats and respect from others - they BAT because they like to create things that they like.  The "good job" and "great work" is the icing on the cake, and not the goal or destination; don't do this whole taking requests routine for the adulation and love of the community.  

Ask yourself why you are BATting.  If Simtropolis didn't exist, and there was no forum for you to share your work, would you still be creating it for YOU?

[nathanthemayor 1,261]

Okay my current BAT project is a Small Shops, since some of you said I should start simple, and so I did(Mind the Lot, it's just a test lot for the photo

[DCMetro34 576]

Ok, this is good I guess. Although the STEX is not a playground......you should wait until you have mastered Lot Editor before you upload. So, this is good that you are doing this, but just because you make/practice a lot, doesn't mean you should upload it. Do you know what I'm saying?