nybt-forum-threads PBGV's BAT Thread

[Cockatoo 2,257]

It looks fantastic, I think the lit windows look fine.

By the way, there's no need to copyright a picture of a BAT... I'm sure nobody is going to steal (or sell) it.

[SimFox 804]

May I ask what exactly you don't like about the lit windows? Or what else would you like them to express?

[Aaron Graham 4,417]

Originally posted by: Cockatoo-210893

By the way, there's no need to copyright a picture of a BAT... I'm sure nobody is going to steal (or sell) it.quote>

I was thinking the same thing your model is worth more than 10x that picture, I think if some rich cat that would want this would pay $50,000 or more for that master piece of yours.

This model is nothing but breath taking.

[Sgt Pepper 864]

It's a good sign that SimFox is asking why you don't like the lights. Paul, IT'S PERFECT!!!

[PBGV103 729]

Well I think they're good enough; however, some have the appearance of a tv, as though the light is coming from the glass not behind the glass. I guess that's the main limitation when you use selfillumination. There's no way I'd have enough time to model individual cubicles and desks behind the windows. The other thing is there's obvious repetition of the bitmaps used for the windows despite the fact that I used 80 different maps. I'm probably being too picky and noticing thing that others don't since I've been working on it for so long.

I think it's finally finished.

[Aaron Graham 4,417]

Originally posted by: PBGV103

I think it's finally finished.quote>

I hope so.

I'm still wondering was next Paul.

[SimFox 804]

Originally posted by: PBGV103

Well I think they're good enough; however, some have the appearance of a tv, as though the light is coming from the glass not behind the glass. I guess that's the main limitation when you use selfillumination.

quote>

well it most definitely is (the limitation that is) of the method, yet, I must say, in this particular case it isn't really an issue. Overall nightwindows do have pretty sufficient amount of depth to them. Some may be a bit overblown, but I wouldn't cite that as a problem either. It only adds to realism inmho.

Originally posted by: PBGV103

There's no way I'd have enough time to model individual cubicles and desks behind the windows.

quote>

Even if you for some reason gone insane and went and did that, in the end it wouldn't look any better.In fact it would most probably, I would say most definitely look worse. Much worse...

It is generally very primitive point of view that to make something look realistic, well, more so  - alive, one must make everything LIKE in reality. Truth is you'll never be able to make EVERYTHING like in reality, and any conceivable level of approching it would live A LOT out. And it will look plain bad. True vision is to know how to fake reality. Look at the impressionist paintings. Step away and you see things come alive. Step close and what is there - just a couple of brush strokes.

And the proof of this concept is in this very model of yours. Tower windows, imho, look far more realistic/alive than the lobby.

Originally posted by: PBGV103

The other thing is there's obvious repetition of the bitmaps used for the windows despite the fact that I used 80 different maps. I'm probably being too picky and noticing thing that others don't since I've been working on it for so long.

I think it's finally finished. quote>

I think there is perfectly enough variety in there. You see repetitions because you know they are there. If, on the other hand , you'll look at it with fresh eye, not keep of specifically finding them, they are NOT a problem.

IMPRESSION is good!

If I would make some changes it would most probably be light temperature/color. It is a bit too warm, I think.... I went with those "orange" lights in Seagram, cause of  bronzed glazing of the building.I'm not sure though it it is at home here... What is the color of the glazing in the tower?

Anyway this is a relatively minor issue. I'd say again, it looks very good!

[PBGV103 729]

The windows are all tinted black and from what I've seen in RL, windows that are dark tend to make light more yellow than windows that are untinted.  After seeing it in the game I've gotten used to all of the things I mentioned.  As far as releasing it I have to lean how to mod the files to give it jobs an stuff.  I want this building to be completely my own. 

Looking forward, I've decided to make some of the surrounding buildings next.  Since they are in the same style and many of the materials are the same they shouldn't take nearly as long as 270 took to complete.  I'll probably start with 299 PA, then 277 PA.

I'm hoping eventually this:




will look a little more like this:




That means the former Bear Stearns HQ is also on my list.  I need something that doesn't look like textured box.  It would be great if Metlife could be remade but to make that area look great Metlife, GCT, the Helmsley Building and the connected buildings would have to be made together.  That would be one of those year long projects and would probably take a few days to export on my computer.  Even then I don't know that the game would accept a lot that large...   If only I could make one of these building every week, then I'd stand a chance at actually doing all this...

[PBGV103 729]

I think I'll start calling this the "Black Tower Series"   xD

[mben92 9]

Already? Shoot, you modeled and textured this thing in no time at all. Nice quality to boot. When can we see 277 Park Avenue uploaded?

[maikeli.1 12]

looks good

i would like to see 245 park ave the buildings next to 270  park avenue American ITT Building swiss bank tower and a few more

[gio10469 24]

maikeli.1: This is not a BAT request thread...

PBGV103: You're just becoming a BAT pumping machine! Great work! I can't wait to see your "black towers" in game!

[Sgt Pepper 864]

Paul, we definately need more black towers. I wish I did a better job with the "black" color on 130 Liberty Street. Any way you're newest BAT looks great so far. What building is that called again? I see it in the photo. I only have a good knowledge of Downtown then Midtown.

By the way, have you heard from Chris(Gwail)? Is he helping you with the modding on the finished BAT?

[PBGV103 729]

This is 299 PA. I haven't heard form Chris in a while, but I'm trying to figure out how to do all the modding myself.

[Aaron Graham 4,417]

What are you trying to modd on your bat??? Someone could help you I believe.

[T Wrecks 10,210]

While it cannot hurt do learn basic modding, you can rest assured that "someone" will be willing to help you out and/or to have a look at the desc file to see if everything is all right.

[SimFox 804]

With the use of PimX there is really nothing to modding. It is very straight forward and logical process. PimX comes with very definitive instructions... give it a try! It is available on LEX.

As for the night windows... Well if glass is actually black (sort of dark color neutral) then may be you could set the temperature of light emitted by windows to some higher value, say in the range of 7-10k Kelvin. I know it is too much but then you do have some color in your textures, right?

[Aaron Graham 4,417]

Originally posted by: SimFox

With the use of PimX there is really nothing to modding. It is very straight forward and logical process. PimX comes with very definitive instructions... give it a try! It is available on LEX.quote>

SimFox is right thats what I use on my Graham Apartments and Timpson Pl Row, the regular plugin manager does not help to much. About the landmark menu, If you want to customize it, thats the picture that show up it the landmark menu and add a description you will have to use the Ilives LEProp. I this with Sgt Pepper Two Times Square, to customize the way it look in the landmark menu.

Heres a link to the things you will need to do you basic modding.

SC4 PIM

SC4PIM New Properties XML Update

Ilives LEProp

Ilives Reader

[PBGV103 729]

Hey guys, thanks for all the help and support!

I got all the modding stuff done and it turned out great!  I've been having issues with my computer so I talked to apple and they say that I'm just asking to much out of it.  So I've started saving up for a computer that is built for this type of work. 

I've also started a blog where anyone can donate to help me afford the new computer.  You can also get 270 Park Avenue there.  I'm asking that you donate a minimum of $5 for the building in SimCity 4 and $80 minimum for the original model.  I know many of you may not like this but all of the money is going toward getting a new computer and once I can afford that I'll start offering my work to everyone for free whether they donate or not.  I may still add some of my stuff to the STEX once in a while too.  I'm sorry I'm asking for donations, but being a full time student I don't have time for a job and my parents aren't willing to buy me a computer for CADD work.  So this is a kind of last resort.

Manhattan Models

Thanks guys!  I hope some of you can contribute, and please visit my blog!

[Aaron Graham 4,417]

Shoot you are not the only that needs a computer I need one too.

[Aaron Graham 4,417]

How much money you need to reach get a new computer?

[PBGV103 729]

My current computer is a 2009 macbook pro that was top-of-the-line as far as laptops go, but laptops aren't made for intensive CADD work thus the export of the day a night views of my last model took around 24 hours. It seems the best way to go would be to get a 2010 mac pro with two 4 core cpus @ 2.4GHz, 8GB of ram, and a 512GB SSD. The mac pros are completely upgradable, so if the cpus end up being to slow i could upgrade all the way to two 6 core cpus @ 3.3GHz, up to 4 HDDs or SSDs, 64GB of ram, and just about any gpu configuration out there. This does, however, come at a price. A new mac pro with the before mentioned configuration costs $4899. It might take a while to get there, but I'm also trying to get a job over my winter break. If I can get a job, that will help some. I've had around 3000 people download my previous BATs so if only 500 people donate for my current BAT then I'll already be halfway there to getting the new computer.

[Aaron Graham 4,417]

Wow!! you want a beast mod computer. Thats something thing I need but, I do not have the money and I also don't have a job. I have been playing a game online like bingo, they say you can win money but I need some luck. I have been playing this other game called 21 joker and if someone gets the jackpot they get $4,200, I need that money and I need it know. lol

[PBGV103 729]

Gambling is a better way to lose money than gain any...

[Vlasky 1,803]

Sorry, but I had to ... considering your conversation ...

 

Also Paul, you're lucky! My laptop is broken for 3 months now, with me unable to do anything, let alone bat huge models. It's still uncertain will I get a computer at all. I thought you are in similar situation, but you're not. So, your blog will remain in my signature, just without the cry for help,

[PBGV103 729]

Hahaha ok I'm trying not to sound greedy here, truth is I can't keep waiting around for previews that take 2-3 hours and exports that take 24 hours. I use my computer for my classes most of the time. If I'm going to continue BATing I need to get a computer that was built for CADD and can significantly cut down on those times. A render that would take an hour on my computer should take 10-15 minutes on the 8 core mac pro. If I can't get a computer built for CADD I may end up stopping BATing simply because I don't have the time. The other thing is, on my latest BAT, my computer would freeze every time I tried to assign material to objects or change existing materials. It seems 3ds max re-renders the viewports and material previews after you make a change, so my computer would just freeze for a few minutes until it finished rendering. That becomes extremely annoying when you're trying to tweak materials. Something that should take 15 minutes turns into a 2 hour project. That's why I need a computer that's built for this kind of stuff.

[maikeli.1 12]

I have a feeling that your park avenue "black tower series" will come together nicely

[Vlasky 1,803]

No, I don't think you are greedy, I was just referring to the gambling part

I understand your problem and in my opinion it's completely justified that you are making an effort to upgrade your computer. I also think that means you decided to use are justified and legitimate. It's your work and you decide what to do.

In times like this, I fell sorry that there isn't some sort of organisation which provides support for talented young people like you. Well there you have it I hope people who are in position to help will. After all, it's for a cause which gathers us here together.

All the things I would do, if I had a little money ...

[Cockatoo 2,257]

This isn't meant to fire off a PC vs Mac debate, but IMO at least, if you really want fast rendering on a budget, wouldn't you rather go for a higher end PC? You have to run Max through Windows anyway (right?) so this is isn't an issue of what OS you are going to use rather what hardware is going to cost you less. I say this because the PC I've brought (roughly $1200 AUD - about the same as $1200 USD now) could probably complete a day export of a building the size of your last in just over an hour depending on what sorts of materials and lighting were used - which is totally acceptable by anyone's standards. A single zoom 5 preview would take between 5 - 10 min. If the main purpose for this super expensive Mac is speedy rendering in 3ds Max, if it were me, I'd just get a PC. This way you can do all your Mac stuff on the Mac that you already have, get fast renders and save yourself a whole heap of cash. Of course if you need 'SuperMac' for other things, well then that's a totally different story.

Originally posted by: Cockatoo-210893

By the way, there's no need to copyright a picture of a BAT... I'm sure nobody is going to steal (or sell) it.quote>

Hmmm... maybe I was wrong. I'd strongly disagree with anybody 'selling' their custom content - especially when considering how many top notch BAT's are already available for free. I'd also recommend that Simtropolis is not used in any way to advertise that.

[Parisian 556]

DOn't worry PBGV103, I m encoutering exactly the same problem than you. My computer is limiting me to build... That the reason why I couldn't improve more the nightlighting in my building Cartier&Versace cuz if I add more light, it will be so slow that It could take like 5 mins to move a simple group of objects... I m so sad of this, but anyaway, I have to admit that my computer has reach its limits with this BATing ^^