SimTropolis Tools

[cerulean 15]

Ok, I have added two more functions to the script.

 

One takes a group of copied objects and makes them reference each other.

WARNING! This should be tested on instanced objects...not sure what happens when you do this to instanced objects???

 

The other clears all references and instances from selected objects.

[kd5rax 82]

that is really cool, i think i might even have a use for it.

 

[cerulean 15]

Ok, SimGoober and I found a problem with the rotations in the random displacement routine. FIXED

and I added a reset button for the random displacement stuff! DONE

 

Next I will go back and add undos to some of the other functions...

[cerulean 15]

Ok, here comes SimTropolis Tools V106

 

I have updated the random dispacement script to include a button which will allow you to randomly displace the faces of the object you have selected. This only works with movement, not with rotation and scale for some reason???

 

And the BIG ONE! A BATCH RENDER SCRIPT!

 

FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE BATCH RENDER SCRIPT :

 

There are 2 files in here. One is the BuildingMill.ms file from Maxis, edited to skip the Export Successful Message box that pops up every time an export in successful. If you do not use this edited file the batch renderer will wait for you to hit OK each time, so basically it won't work.

EDIT :: NOTE: This also means that when you render a BAT with the normal Export button, you will not see the ok button or the time taken to render info. This is life...there are ways around this possibly, but they would include much heavier modifications to the maxis scripts, and I really don't want to mess too much with them...If this is a problem for you, you can always backup the old BuildingMill.ms script, and swap them out when you are doing single renders...

The other is ST Tools 6.02. Place that file in your startup folder (delete any old versions)

Now, the batch renderer this is setup to read files from a specific directory : C:\BatBatchRender. There is an edittext field above the batch render buttom where you can type in the folder you want the batch renderer to work from. C:\BatBatchRender is just the default.

[cerulean 15]

Hey Moderators???

 

Can you rename this thread to SimTropolis Tools PLEASE??? It is so much more than just a random window picker now!

 

Wow that was quick! Thanks!

[DuskTrooper 314]

Thank you very much, dude!

[cerulean 15]

you are welcome!

 

I love programming of this magnitude. I can't really get into the nuts and bolts of things like our modd squadders, but like tinkering with scripts like this...

 

The hardest part of this was figuring out that I needed to tell gmax to select, and the deselect all of the objects...makes no sense, but if I didn't do this, the building would completely export, but none of the textures would render...so then would all be white, or grey...A result similar to the whole missing texture debacle, but a new twist on it...

[tragicomicus1 99]

This is the coolest thing ever. I used it last night to great success. Thanks a million for these new tools.

[jacqulina 162]

i just have to say that after reading this i am amazed at what you guys do and the teamwork is excellent,

[fosterk 4]

YAY! what a great surprise! Great job Cerulean!!

[DuskTrooper 314]

I tested it a bit, and it works great!

One request, if possible, though: something that lets you pick the order of how things get exported.

[fosterk 4]

Thanks again, this is so UBER, I used it last night to render 8 pieces of the NDK, one question though, how do you change the setting of the render  (draft, low, medium, high) ?

-Kev

[cerulean 15]

I have noticed a very minor, very avoidable glitch. I can look at fixing it, but have too much else to do at the moment, so here is how to avoid it.

 

It seems that if a model loads, and it does not show up in the active drawing window, textures will not be appiled to the render. I was making elevated props, props soaring high up in the air, and I guess I had run a preview before I had saved, so it was in perspective mode, but all the parts of the model were like 100m above the ground so they didn't show up in the window...so the export succeeded except that textures didn't render...

 

So, make sure you are zoomed in on your model before you save for the batch export routine.

[maetoch 0]

i downloaded this but i dont understand how it works.

[timo 15]

Sorry for this stupid question, but what is batch rendering?

[Andreas Roth 607]

Date: 1/12/2005 6:39:24 PM
Author: timo

Sorry for this stupid question, but what is batch rendering?

quote>
Batch rendering = a script that performs multiple renderings (of different BATs) in a row, without the need to manually load new models and click the render button. It's very useful if you want to render a couple of models when you're not at home or go to bed, so you only have to start the rendering process once, and the rest is done by the script.

[timo 15]

ok, all I needed to know.

 

Thanks!

[clistalfowl 0]

sry, im kinda busy and have no time reading trough all the pages........can you tell me the lastest good working version you have right now...like a final product so far...

thank you....

[marcellb 0]

Hy!

 

I'm just a beginner, and i love simcity4. Can I know what i need to build? I was reading about the BAT and lot editor isn't it? I need something else or it could be enought? and...where can i download it?

 

thanks for helping!

 

M.

[brtim2 10]

This is a plea to any of the original members of this thread, or to anyone who would like to continue working on it.

While I love the BatBatchRender (I have gotten a lot more work out of the BAT now) I was wondering if it would be possible to work on something like that for the previews. Instead of a BatBatchRender how bout a BatPreviewAll?

Right now in order to preview of all sides of a building I have to preview each view individually. What if someone could do it so I pick a zoom level (1-5), day/day-night and detail (high, medium, low, draft) and when I hit preview it previews all 4 views (N,S,E,W) in seperate windows. That way I can hit it, get something to eat and come back and see if any textures are missing without having to do each one individually.

I would try this, however I have no idea where to begin. But for those of you who understand what they have done previously it would seem this would be easier for you.

[tcx 170]

Hi, can someone tell me where is the link to download this tool, thanks.

[6459978. 106]

Cough cough... this thread is thoroughly dead, but I've got a question regarding the Tools, and with some luck one of the creators might happen upon this thread. When using the Random Displacement tool, it doesn't show any discretion for grouped objects; i.e. if I try to randomly displace, say, a grouped table consisting of a table top and four legs, it will randomize each of the parts individually, effectively ripping apart my table into 5 pieces. I looked at the script and it seems that to the program, selections ignore groupings altogether. But I don't know if there's any way around this or if its just a fact of life. Well anyways, this thanks is a little overdue but these scripts are very useful!

[realdimension 6]

Hi ! the attached files disappeared since the server change, where can we download these tools ?

Thanks.

[MarcosMX 222]

I think I have SimTropolis_Tools_V1053

I don't know if this is the latest version.

It is just a script, I don't know if it's illegal to post it here.

[toxicpiano 125]

why would it be illegal? it was up for DL before so why would it be illegal now?

[realdimension 6]

I think you can attach this file, Marcos, it would be a good action!

[toxicpiano 125]

yes please do!

[MarcosMX 222]

Here is the SimTropolis_Tools_V1053 
Please read instructions found on this thread.

SimTropolis_Tools_V105.zip

[DuskTrooper 314]

Darn...Does anyone have ST Tools V106? I seem to have misplaced my copy, and the attachment was deleted with the forum upgrade.

[ILL Tonkso 1,236]

I think i do.