The Rennisance Worthington Project

[joshriddle 29]

Welcome to the official Rennisance Worthington Project Thread. Here you can post screenshots if you would like, and I also have a few questions the skilled "STEXians" should be able to answer

- How do I make Custom Query Menus?

- How do I do realistic nigthlighting?

- How do I make window glass? I know how to make the frame, just not the glass.

And one that stunned me was the trianguar end piece as seen on this building,. And when I go in to make the triangle that it sits on and extrude it, (after converting to editable spline), it just extrudes the lines only, just leaving an empty hole that was supposed to be filled in. Any help on that one especially?

Or if you are here to make suggestions or just wondering what this is "all about", that is fine too.

Thank you for your interest!

[SimHoTToDDy 2,938]

Ummmmmmm. Did you actually look for your thread? It is still on the first page. I suggest the moderators move this.

And did you mean the blog post that literally had 0 views? (I was probably the first, lol)

This project is aimed at making a luxury highrise hotel in downtown Fort Worth. It features a luxury restaurant, fancy suites, fancy beautiful carpeted stairs, and a ball room. But to make it meet my dreams, it needs a few things. First of all, it needs a nice custom query menu, and some more stuff. And if you want to become a part of the project, here are the open spots

- Custom Query Menu Artist

- Person Who Knows About Nightlighting

- Someone with a screenshot, JPEG photo, or sketch of the building

- Someone to find some nice textures

I may be able to handle the actual BATing my self, but if you would like to design the building, that would be wonderful. Textures are also a top priority. I would recommend you pull them up off of the web, but if you would like, you may BAT them as well.

No matter what the job, any help is appreciated. Credits will be given in the query menu, readme, and description. PM me if you would like be be a big help to the project. If you have a photo or something, post it in my BAT thread, located under BAT open discussion, titled The joshriddle BAT thread. Project info will also be located there. Thank you all!

quote>

Oh, and why are you asking us for pictures and designs when this is a real building that you could easily just look at? (Try Google lately?)

And lastly, people here love to help and give advice, however they do not like to do the work for someone else when that person has yet to even post a single scrap of their ability with any program. People have tried to start "BAT teams" where they essentially have people doing all the work for them. As you can imagine, it NEVER works out. Therefore, to avoid all this embarrassment, I suggest you get to work on this building, doing everything you asked other people to do in that blog post.  If you have questions on how, we will tell you, but you will have to do most of the work (unless someone generous comes along).

Not to rain on your parade, I just think it needs to be said. I'm still waiting to see what you can do with the BAT!

[joshriddle 29]

I havent made the building yet, but here is the picture I am going off of, I know I attached the whole file, but I have no idea how to work imagshack.

[Hatchet999 0]

 

Josh, these are three images I found in a couple of minutes with a simple Google search, use Google Earth to look at the building from all angles including above to get dimensions.

Regards

[joshriddle 29]

That fourth photo, I thought it was on Main and 2nd, JK lol. Anyhow, I love the images, and thank you for the help. I will use one of them as a secondary screenshot.

And here is a sample of my biggest problem, getting the slanted part of the outside wall to work.

Sorry to make it so big, I did not know it would be giant. But anyhow, does anyoue know how to fix this?

[SimFox 800]

don't add one message after another unless they are on totally unrelated subject. If you simply want to add something to your previous message to which nobody had replied yet use EDIT button

as for the shape of the building, although I don't share luxury-sport car analogy (Maybach or Rolls-Roys probably fit better) you can create any shape you want if you first draw outline of the wall with line tool and then follow Phillipbo tutorial

[joshriddle 29]

I have decided that the prop will be mounted onto the building to eliminate dependencies

[SimHoTToDDy 2,938]

Go to the omnibus, scroll down until you see "SC4 Custom Content", you will see the tutorial below. The first page is here, but you will need to use the omnibus links to got to the next pages since the ones in the tutorial appear to be dead.

I'll repeat what I said on your STEX upload:

Why don't you take the time to learn what you are doing before you assume that it is too hard to do anything with the BAT? I don't see how it would be difficult to just tack this on to the BAT or simply upload it with the final BAT itself. Also, you are nowhere close to a shred of a thought of being done the final product, why upload a prop for something without knowing how it will fit into the final product?

quote>

[joshriddle 29]

I 

As you can tell, the road passes right under the RW Hotel. I know how to do it, do you guys think that would be cool to have?

[edmonton_stinks 5]

If you know how to do it, then by all means, do it! One thing about BATing buildings yourself is that no matter what anyone else says, you alone have the final say as to what ultimately gets made.

[T Wrecks 10,209]

Ok, I think it's time for a few words from the moderators' perspective, Josh.

While I appreciate your eagerness to learn BATting and produce some custom content, your way of posting is something I don't like that much.

This forum is not for your personal enjoyment only. This forum is meant as a gathering place for people showcasing their progress, looking for help and sharing their experience.

 It is not only for those who maintain a personal thread, but also for those who want to read up on what's going on or how certain things can be done.

That's why we generally have two kinds of threads here:

1) BAT threads where people showcase all of their work, and

2) Problem-related threads where general BAT questions are asked.

This makes sense for everybody in two ways: On the one hand, whoever wants to show or ask something can freely do so. And on the other hand, whoever is looking for an answer or wants to know what BATter XYZ is currently up to will quickly find what he's looking for.

Your threads, however, overlap each other thematically - both each thread in itself  (particular BAT projects and very general BAT questions) and the two threads between each other.

 If everybody posted like this, this forum would end up all cluttered and messy. That's why I'd like to ask you to follow a few simple rules and hints:

1) Feel free to maintain a thread for your BAT projects - for all of them. Show pictures of your progress, ask questions related to that particular BAT in that thread (e.g. if you are looking for help texturing the windows of that particular BAT, or if you get an error or any problem with any particular BAT). This way people can follow your progress.

2) You can also post general questions as new threads (E.g. "How do I make window glass?"). This way other people with similar problems will quickly find the thread - and, hopefully, inside they'll find the answer they were looking for.

3) Make sure you search and read FAQs and tutorials before you ask  - for example, a custom query tutorial has been posted on the Omnibus. The same applies to night lighting in the BAT.

4) Ask questions ONCE in ONE place, and allow a reasonable amount of time for people to answer before you ask again. Asking the same questions repeatedly and/or in different spots more or less simultaneously will be perceived as pushy, impatient and annoying.

5) First things first. Read tutorials, learn how to BAT, produce your first BAT, texture it, export it. Check if you would really want to use it in game. If yes, then this is the moment to worry about unimportant gimmicks like custom queries. Asking for such stuff now is like asking for the best kind of cherry to top off your cake before you have even left the house to buy the ingredients.

6) Forget that BAT Team stuff until you have some good BATs under your belt. If someone has demonstrated that he does more than big talk and asks for others willing to join him, he might be successful. However, with people who basically haven't produced anything remarkable yet, the "invitation" for others to join a "team" basically boils down to "There's a lot of stuff I want, but I'm too lazy to learn how to do it myself, so would you guys please do all the hard work for me and let me take all the credit?" It's not going to happen. Once again, do the first things first. Worry about the rest later.

I'm giving you some time to read this, lateron I'll probably merge this thread with your existing thread to remove clutter.

[joshriddle 29]

Allright, well, forum posting is a bit different than my "talkative point". I overdo things a little, and of course, i have only beed doing this a short time, so really all there is a feel for it, and i post according to my qualities, which is loving to communicate and interact, I don't really have that thing in mind, abiding by others, I am more outgoing, and it does show here.

[madhatter106 3,903]

Originally posted by: joshriddle

and i post according to my qualities, which is loving to communicate and interact, I don't really have that thing in mind, abiding by others, I am more outgoing, and it does show here.quote>

That's all fine and dandy - but this isn't your sandbox.  It may be your BAT thread, but this isn't your forum.

This is Simtropolis, and you need to abide by their posting rules, as put forth by the moderators.

So you can continue to say you're a unique snowflake and don't work that way, but ulitmately it will result in more shade thrown your way - that, and the ban stick being swung.

Honestly, I don't know if it's worth posting in your threads.  But I continue to do so.

Here's some homework.  Follow these steps completely, and you'll be well on your way to BATting.

- go to the Omnibus section of this website.

- look in the custom content section and find phillipbo's tutorial on BATting with gmax.  It's broken into several chunks/parts.

- follow that tutorial STEP BY STEP, and do EVERYTHING IN IT.  It's where we all start, and what we all do when we first start out and learn the program.

That tutorial has everything you'll need to answer the questions you've been asking - nightlighting, window glass, how do you make this weird shaped wall, the whole kit-and-kaboodle.  Once again, I repeat -

READ THE WHOLE TUTORIAL.

DO THE WHOLE TUTORIAL.

LEARN FROM THE WHOLE TUTORIAL.

Until then, this will be just another sad BAT thread with not a single picture of a BAT in it....

[joshriddle 29]

I don't know if I worded it wrong or what, but I meant to say that this is like me, not saying I downright refuse to obey the rules, just owing an explanation as to why.And if you totally think I am doing this whole thing wrong, think I should not be here, or something like that or whatever, then I'm sorry. And I you guys don't like my personallity, then I won't even bother posting threads at all maybe. And even making me think I am not good enough for Simtropolis . So, guys, please be a little more gentle, it has made me feel on topmost, guilty and low-down. Thanks.

[SimHoTToDDy 2,938]

No one has anything against you personally, no one is out to get you, no one is angry with you, no one is trying to put you down. What people are trying to do, however, is guide you into being more knowledgeable about the BAT (and SC4 in general) and let you understand the etiquette of the site. Its easy to respond to things emotionally (I tend to get a little defensive when I get a critical review of my work), but try to take things objectively when it comes to this (this is a fan site after all). Want to get better at something? Get advice and practice the advice given (no matter what the topic may be). That goes for playing an instrument, learning a language, and, of course, BATing and how to be courteous on ST.

Why do people to give you "negative" comments? Well, the fact that they are here means they have some interest in what you are doing, the fact that they offer help means that they care and want to see you succeed, but the comments that you may interpret as "hostile" mean that they are frustrated and feel like their advice is being ignored. How then should you respond? Its up to you to decide, but I think you should go read phillipbo's tutorial, you should practice a little before starting such elaborate projects, and you should post some progress of your modeling so we can see how you are doing.

In short, help us help you.

No one is asking you to be a different person, in fact I'm always excited to see an energetic new member of the community. I still await a render of a BAT so I can start giving you more "practical" advice

Best of luck,

-Todd

[T Wrecks 10,209]

I can confirm that nobody here wants you to go away, stop posting altogether or anything like that.  It's always good to see new people trying their hands on the BAT and keeping the fire alive.

Just like you gave an explanation on your way of posting (which I found to be perfectly understandable), I wanted to explain the other point of view - and how we could get along.

I mean, let's face it - so far, we have two threads, quite some chaos, and not a single gmax progress shot. Lots of people eager and willing to help, but they don't quite find a point where they could apply their willingness to help and share their knowledge and experience.

This doesn't sound like a smooth start to me. Hence my insistence on the good old "first things first" principle. Ideally, you would look for tutorials and work your way through them. If you encounter any problems along the way, you could ask questions. Then, you could start your first self-made BAT from scratch - this would be a good moment to open your own BAT thread, like "Look guys, I've started BATting, this is a photo of the building I'm basing my BAT on, and this is a photo of what I have in gmax so far. Any pointers/opinions?" Then, people would comment and give feedback.

You know, the way you come rushing into the forums reminds me of someone who is a totally nice guy and doesn't do any harm, but starts talking only to interrupt himself and talk about something totally different, fiddles around with construction material, and everbody around wonders where all this is supposed to lead.

If you proceeded roughly the way I outlined in the above paragraph, the situation would be more like someone walking into the room and saying "Hello, my name is Joe Bloggs, I'm trying to build a garden hut here, this is what it should look like, here's my building material, and here's the first progress I have to show. Does anybody have any suggestions?"

So once again, you are definitely welcome here, but we need to take care that everybody sticks to his "BAT studio" because otherwise it would be hard to draw a line, and the forum would be likely to become cluttered and chaotic.

[joshriddle 29]

Guys look , I'm having a bad day, so I am a little discouraged. I also feel like everyone here is picking on me. So I don't know, i'm sorry, I just don't know

[Francis90b 748]

Well, since you're feeling like everybody is picking at you i believe it's time for some punching as well...

What had happened there?

You was asked to respect some rules, rules that are in place for every member of this website.

Then you've said that the rules did not fit dompletely with your personality.

And when you were reminded that those are the rules on this website that it might be convenient for you to respect them....

well, you've started saying that what you wrote before was only to give us an explaination to your behaviour, that if we dislike your personality or we believe you're doing everything wrong you might want to stop posting there and that was said had made you feeling guilty and low down...

And then, after two very moderate, kind and encouraging posts you did find the courage to say that you're feeling like if everyone is picking on you....

Now, please find one, i say one valid and objective reason to prove your behaviour there, a reason to why did you made a personal case out of nothing.Because yes, there is not any reason for what was written by other members to be taken in a personal way.

Well, if this what do you really think, that everyone there is just angry with you and does not like your personality, then perhaps you should give up.

That's it, short and simply.And i take all of the responsibility for what i wrote above.

[joshriddle 29]

I take it seriously because I am not an adult. And second, I am that way, sensitive to things. And I never told anyone tostop posting, I said that I may. And my "bad day" was that my brother's friend got mad at me, and started getting all obnoxious, and just taliking about it really helped. I am not saying the rules don't fit to my ways, I am saying that that is like me, not that i refuse to obey or whatever. And I do get overdramatic, why I said everyone was picking on me. So there it is.

And guys, look. I am really sorry if I offended anyone over the thing. Like I said, I get overdramatic. I t was nobody's fault. It was just my brothers friend gave me a hard time.

[JayStimson 211]

My only comment is this:

You've taken on a very complicated and sophisticated project for your first BAT attempt.

It's like taking your first driving lesson in a Ferrari Testarossa.

Try choosing something a bit simpler where you can experiment with geometry and textures and get a feel for the options available.

Crawl before you walk. Walk before you run. You're trying to run the decathlon in the Olympics before you can even stand up.

[joshriddle 29]

Yeah, I will look into making a nice sample building at first. I am at the "crawling stage". And I am trying to run. But as a matter of fact, I am almost done with it, just need to add a little more to it. Need to do the roof, and add lights and window glass panes. Tommorow I will get to show you guys what I have made of it so far.