NTM's BAT Workshop I

[madhatter106 3,903]

Originally posted by: SimFox

Oh I'm sooo terribly sorry.... I don't know what came over me...My special apologies to Madhatter106. I've totally confused him with the originator of this thread. Naturaly it makes the whole thing I've written addressing him mute...

Once more, apologies...quote>

LOL, I had a good laugh at the wires crossing there.  Though I do have to say it makes me laugh just as much when people say that a point is "mute," as opposed to "moot." 

Mute = unable to speak

Moot = of little or no consequence

Teahee!

And now, we take you back to our originally scheduled BAT thread......

[nathanthemayor 1,262]

@simfox:What was that about back on the previous page?

@T Wrecks: You are right about the fact I am young, but I am not going to say how old I am.

@mrtnrln: I will use your arrows/routeshields in my final model, and will give you credit on the upload. As well, make a routeshield for "495", as well as right faceing arrows.The font i will choose and also I will replace the font in your routeshileds with the one I choose. However, your version that you put on the previous page I will not use because I don't want it to be two seperate signs. Here are two links to sign packs that inspired me to make this:

1

2

[DazzaDazza 29]

Well, this is the funniest thread; I never know what going on

Nathanthemayor @ could I see a pic of what your sign looks like. I look 3 pages back and I still have know idea what it looks like

[T Wrecks 10,209]

Pictures have been posted right on the previous page, see this post.

[nathanthemayor 1,262]

btw........I have one question: After I download one of the sign fonts from that website you mentioned, where in my computer do I put them after I download them to my computer. It would be great if you would let me know. Once you do, I will use that on my sign textures and post an update.

[Vahr 341]

Go to Control Panel > Fonts and drop the fonts in there.

[nathanthemayor 1,262]

Allright people, here I am comparing version 1, 2, and 3 of the LHS version sign. I will provide updates for the other signs later.

Version 1:

Version 2:

Version 3 with exit number on top(Sorry it din't turn out good):

                                                         

[MandelSoft 2,769]

Say for yourself, that sign looks much better than the previous one, doesn't it? This sign looks quite decent. You're starting to get a hang of it. Now keep up the good work, Nathan

Wait a sec, is that the Transport Font?

Best,
Maarten

[riiga 233]

Hello Nathan! I see you're making good progress, and I must say that you've improved your work over time.

Showing you how to improve even more, I made my own version of the sign you're making.

(Click for full resolution)

Feel free to use it, if you like.

- riiga

[Dannibee 138]

That looks heaps better Nathan, Well Done!

[DCMetro34 576]

Nice progress so far Nathan.......

@ riiga: May I ask where you got that font?

[Vahr 341]

Wow, looking a lot better! The only tiniest nitpick I can say is just the alignment of the parts. But other than that, looks great.

[riiga 233]

Originally posted by: DCMetro34

@ riiga: May I ask where you got that font?quote>

The font is called "Transport" and can be downloaded here: www.urbanfonts.com/fonts/Transport.htm

- riiga

[nathanthemayor 1,262]

Now here's an update for the diagional RHS version sign:

@mrtnrln: Yes, it is the transport font: I chose it at random

@riiga: Thanks, but there is no difference between your version and my version

*btw leave off the "to 332" because I looked at my CJ and realized that Mulch Ave doesnot lead to Hwy 322*. I will remove it from the LHS version, and the other versions.

Version 1:

Version 2:

[DCMetro34 576]

Originally posted by: riiga

Originally posted by: DCMetro34

@ riiga: May I ask where you got that font?quote>

The font is called "Transport" and can be downloaded here: www.urbanfonts.com/fonts/Transport.htm

- riiga

quote>

@riiga: Thanks a bunch!

Also, terrific job on the signs Nathan, they all look a ton better!

-DC

[Jasoncw 11,841]

The new signs are a huge improvement!

[jacqulina 162]

great looking signs there

[nathanthemayor 1,262]

Okay, updates on the other signs!

Misc sign 1

Version 1:

Version 2:

Misc sign 2

Version 1

Version 2:

Turning directions sign

Version 1:

Version 2

As well, I have added two other signs

[Dannibee 138]

Graet work there, they look like real signs

[T Wrecks 10,209]

I'm not a roadgeek, so my opinion might not be the most qualified, but these latest signs look really convincing to me. Looks like it was well worth the additional time and effort.

Now you have found a scheme that works well, and should you decide to make a different scheme one day, all the things you learnt in the process (both the theoretical basics and the more practical stuff) will make future projects so much faster and easier.

The next part will be modeling and texturing the sign posts and bridges that will carry your signs. I'm sure that if you keep improving like you did, these will eventually turn out great as well. It might take a few runs of the good old "trial => picture => feedback => back to the drawing board", but as we have seen, this process - as tedious as it can be sometimes - pays off in the long run.

Great job so far, I hope you keep regular backups!

[Francis90b 748]

I agree with what was written above, the newer versions are really looking better.Now you'd like to create some poles/frames for holding those billboards.

[MandelSoft 2,769]

Looks OK, Nathan. But still I have a few tips

Originally posted by: nathanthemayor

quote>

Try to put 'north' and 'south' under the routeshields, like this:

Originally posted by: nathanthemayor

quote>

You can leave "Distance To:" It's already clear enough what the function of this sign is. Instead you can put the routeshield of the current route on top. Beside that, you can make the font somewhat bigger and you may use the junction symbol. Here's my version:

Hope you can use some of these tips. Keep it up, Nathan!

Best,

Maarten

[specializedguy 193]

Very nice work Nathan. Your progress is obvious! I hope to see your signs on the STEX soon.

[nathanthemayor 1,262]

Where can you get the junction symbol?

[MandelSoft 2,769]

Here: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Symbols_of_road_signs_of_Germany

This page also contains some symbols you can find on german signs. Some symbols are internationally used, like the junction symbol, the exit symbol and the park & ride symbol. These images are all in SVG format, but you can get them in PNG format (which can be opened by MS Paint); Click on the image and select a format from the selection below the image. Hit Print Screen on your keyboard and open an empty Paint document and paste it. Then you can edit it with Paint (like making the image negative, choose another background color, resize the image, and so on. If you are satisfied with the symbol, you can save it (who knows, you can use it for other signs).

Best,

Maarten

[nathanthemayor 1,262]

@mrtrlrn: Thanks!

Allright people, I decieded that I will release the GMAX sign file on the STEX. Sorry I din't do a preview render, it is because I DO NOT have Simcity 4 installed on my PC. As well, sorry about the bad quality of the image: I don't have PS or those git-gadgets.

[MandelSoft 2,769]

Shouldn't that sign be a portal sign? I know you don't want to make a portal sign, but because it looks like a portal setup, I suggest you make one. Well, it's not that hard to make a portal sign for this sign. Is it meant for the RHW-8? Well, then place one side support of about 8 gMax Units high at x:-4,5 and another at x:-31,5. Place a box or cillinder between the supports at x=-18 and z:8, set the size of the box/cyllinder to a size that it just fits between the supports, so you have something to mount your sign on. Move your sign to the center of the box/cyllinder in the x and z direction and "presto!"

The other signs (except the exit to Northern Shore Drive) however can use the current setup. I would only suggest to place the sign somewhat higher, about 0.50 gMax Units.

Best,

Maarten

[T Wrecks 10,209]

I agree, at least those "double-wide" signs should be portal signs / overhead signs. Imagine driving past one of them - its right half would stand four or five metres away from the roadside, making it next to impossible to read what's written on it.

Not to mention that portal signs look cool. I like it when things in SimCity are not simply placed one next to another, but overlap each other and create an impression of height. All those overpasses and underpasses, tunnels, ramps, pedestrian bridges etc. just make a city look lively. Portal signs, toll bridges and whatnot are a small detail, but they do add towards this overall look, I think.

Releasing the gmax file is a good idea.  This way, others can check out your signs, gather some inspiration, and maybe continue your work to make something that's based on it.

Well, good luck with the models - and if you're looking for something to do some image editing, I recommend GIMP. It's a really powerful tool and doesn't cost anything.

[nathanthemayor 1,262]

@mrtrlrn: Thanks for the suggestion, but I am not going to make a portal sign. I want to make something unique for the region I am playing. Besides, there are enough portal signs on the STEX already.

@ T Wrecks: If I upload this(Which I will in a few minutes), it may actually help me improve my work. When they download this, they will load it up and then offer constructive criitism in the comments section.

As well, I will provide updates for the textures later.

[Francis90b 748]

Please don't upload right now.The signs are nice, but maybe they're not ready yet.I strongly agree with TWrecks points, and with mrtnrln's advices about poles height.Well, that's my opinion and this is will say if i comment your upload.

But for your own well remember, there's much less room for helping and much more room for bashing in the little room that is available for comments on uploads !