mipro Barry Sanders Project

[T Wrecks 10,209]

TBH, I prefer #1, too (no pun intended).

You know, those 'bling bling' custom queries (hey, I just thought about inventing the word ceruleanesque) are nice for one look, but in the long run, I have found them to be more annoying than anything else. They look like aliens and eat up resources.

The custom queries that look best IMHO are those that look like a logical extension of the game: Same basic design, same colour scheme, not aggressive, flashy, or exaggerated. Instead, they have that stylish look of cool understatement the like of which you would find in the cockpit of a car that's so good that it doesn't need to show off at all costs, but can rely on the fact that everybody will know quality when he sees it.

Moreover, I think it's best to keep usability at an optimum by sticking to the buttons and labels (and the basic location and sequence of information) instead of confusing people with odd button placements or dubious gimmicks like click on logo works as 'close' button. That's simply not transparent for anybody who downloads the building, and it doesn't add any additional value.

That said, your technical skills at making custom queries seem to be top-notch. Very impressive, and it's nice to see that BSP will have a corporate identity. Superb work, keep it up!

[JBSimio 152]

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

Andreas:  I'm not sure which previous picture you're referring to.  Good point about the translations... didn't think of that.  That's a pretty easy move to make.  Point taken about file size... although I'm not too concerned by that, since I had it in mind through out the process.  Actually spent a bit of time moving, combining, etc. to keep the total file sizes down.  None of these files ended up very big at all. 

 

Jasoncw:  The lines are still there... just lost in resizing.

 

T Wrecks:  The more I look at it, the more I lean towards the more standard look myself.  I'll admit I'm still fond of the watermark, though.

 

Anyway... I'll move a couple things around and hopefully post a shot of what I think is the general agreement.  Probably at some point tomorrow.

 

JB

[JBSimio 152]

Sorry for the delay.  Real Life temporarily got in the way!

Anyway... Here is what I think the general consensous decided on.  I moved the Make Historical button back to it's normal location and touched up a few minor things.  Is this the plan?

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//BSP8.jpg align=baseline>

 

JB

[Andreas Roth 607]

The rounded corners of the pics you added are still a bit pixelized, but the general layout looks fine. Nice work!

[nofunk 1,933]

That looks REALLY nice JB. And I wouldn't worry about the pixelation on the corners. I actually had to spend time staring at the image to even begin to see what Andreas Roth was referring to.

[Jasoncw 11,840]

The Detroit Free Press Building will be on the STEX in about a day.

[T Wrecks 10,209]

Woo-hoo! *puts beer in the fridge*

[JBSimio 152]

Oh sure... put the pressure on the trivia guy!

I worked on it some this afternoon, but am now back at work.  I probably won't get home until 9:00 or later tonight... but should hopefully finish tomorrow.  I'm needing to do this a different way than all my experimenting taught me, so cross your fingers that I don't hit any big snags with this new thing I'm doing.  Worse case, I can do it the old way... but the file will be significantly larger than if I can figure out what I'm working on at the moment.

 

Anyway... have a beer for me too!  My fridge no longer stocks it, but I'll join you in a Mt Dew or Dr Pepper!

 

JB

[GangstadanDT 0]

one day!? I can't wait! Literally!              *goes into basement and builds time machine*

[JBSimio 152]

The query boxes are finished!   I just sent all the completed files back to Jason for the final touch ups.  I'm guessing, what with all this mounting anticipation, the Detroit Free Press Building may be on the STEX tomorrow (or possibly even tonight?) once he gets everything back.

Now... where's that Mt Dew???

 

JB

 

[Jasoncw 11,840]

The Detroit Free Press Building

There it is!

[JBSimio 152]

Wow... kind of like that erie dead feeling after the storm in here, huh?  Oh well... maybe this will help, maybe not.

Having been seriously inspired by the release of the Free Press building, I was inspired to give this stuff another shot.  Therefore, I hereby submit my bid to BAT the Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor.  (Kind of lawyer sounding there, wasn't I?  Won't happen again, sorry.)

 

Keep in mind, this will be my absolute first real BAT, so patience and helpful feedback will be key here.  Also... I'm sending the call out to anyone who might have reference pictures or information that might help me get started.  Please PM me if you have anything like this or know where I might find good stuff.  Texturing will be another huge challenge for me... but let's not get ahead of ourselves, shall we?

 

Anyway... hope all is well for everyone!

 

JB

[Valiko87 0]

I know most of the attention on this thread is dedicated to Detroit (as it should be), but I was wondering if anyone would be interested in some BATs from the northern part of the state? Since I've been living up here for a while, I thought I could take a crack at one of the forts in Mackinaw or on the island (Mackinaw City's about a 20 minute drive from my house), or even just a few of the generic fudge shoppes that spam the small towns up here.

So, if anyone thinks there's anything in the north worth BATing, I'm willing to take a crack at it. I've been practicing with the BAT for a while now =)

[Aran 10]

Date: 2/23/2006 6:23:54 AM
Author: Valiko87
So, if anyone thinks there's anything in the north worth BATing, I'm willing to take a crack at it.

quote>
I've been playing with the idea of tackling the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, but haven't been able to come up with any decent pics of it...or any time in which to do it. If you need an idea for a northern Michigan icon to BAT, that's the one I'd recommend. I'd love to see the old girl reproduced in SC4.

[jacqulina 162]

fantastic work they look great

[Beitsaad 0]

Looks great to me.

[JBSimio 152]

Hi everyone,

No real progress to report on Yost yet.  Frankly, I haven't really started since I still have no pictures to go off of.  I could really use some help on this part.  Unfortunately, I have no way to get to Ann Arbor to gather info that I need, so anything you all could send would be very helpful.  On the plus side, I've been playing and experimenting with BAT (just to practice for the "real thing") and rumor has it, according to some, that I'm doing pretty well.

Reply to Aran & Valiko:  I would love to see the Grand Hotel done... I'm pretty sure it's on the list, actually.  I don't have any decent pictures myself, but my brother worked there a summer or two.  I'll ask him.  I think the Grand Traverse Resort (or whatever it's called now) would be pretty cool too if we're talking about "Up North buildings."  Maybe Boyne City Pizza?

JB

[wolverine 12]

Just to let you all know, I'm going to let the account for the BSP site expire since there's no use for paying $55 a year for 100 Gb of server space that is hardly ever used, or even visited. The domain name will be masked over my university address. I'll move the site there. Hopefully it will open someday. A busy life I live LOL.

[Valiko87 0]

I don't imagine that the Grand Traverse Resort would be too hard to BAT, building-wise. It's pretty much 10 stories of glass with a slanted roof.

When it warms up a little, I might take the ferry out to Mackinac Island and snap some photos of the Grand Hotel. I think it may be a bit beyond my own personal BAT-ing level, but the photos would help out whomever was willing to tackle to the hotel itself.

[Sabretooth78 808]

Nice to see you guys are still going. The Free Press Bldg looks impressive.

Keep it up!

[wildsoldier 0]

Hey, guys. i think its great that you guys are making detroit buildings, cause no one else is. also i wondering when you will be making the National City building(aka Top of Troy), if ever. I live in troy and i would love to add this to my city and sadly i'm not very good at BAT. if the only thing holding you back is pictures i could get them for you.

thxs for the info.

[Jasoncw 11,840]

I started working on 211 west fort (a boring 60's building with no historical significance), since it seemed like a quicky and I was tired of doing the other buildings.   It is indeed a quicky, since so far I've only spent an hour or two on it, and alot of that time was spent looking for pictures.

If anyone has any pictures of the base it would be helpful, since I can't find any.

the building is a 2x4, and the real lot is 2x5.  a 2x4 would be included as well since the building itself it a good fit.  There is a reflecting pool and a funny looking overhang at the base but that's all I know.  I'm going to make the building's glass look more shiny too.  In real life this is a CO$$$, but a CO$$ version would make sense too.

[JBSimio 152]

Just when I was starting to think this was dead... no wonder you got the label you have!

Simple and sweet... I like it.  I would almost lean towards CO$$ on this one just because, like you said, it's kinda plain.  I wish I could help with pictures, but that's the reason I still haven't gotten anything done on Yost.... no ride, no photo tours.

JB

[Jasoncw 11,840]

It turns out that the real 211 west fort has pretty reflective glass already, so mines actually les reflective.  I started the glass texture, since all of the glass except for the first floor is done, and I can do that texture seperatly.  I can also do the roof, but I'd rather wait untill I have the rest done, because that will determine if I make it white/light grey like in real life, or if I'll make it more like maxis roofs.  I can't do the white wall texture yetbecause I haven't modeled the bottom (still need pictures).

[Jasoncw 11,840]

I put in the columns for the base, and I've done some more texturing.

I'm not sure if the white texture for the building looks too plain.  The real building is even more plain than the texture that I have right now.  But right now it barely even looks like it's textured.

And I'm not sure if the roof texture is too photographic.

I still haven't textured the roof junk.

Here's the real building:

http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=118553

[SpartanBadger 4]

Hey that looks awesome! I tried to BAT that a long time ago but never followed through with it. I only suggest making the numbers a little thicker. Great job!

[JBSimio 152]

Looks great Jason!  I think the wall texture looks fine as is.  I love the roof texture, although it may be a little too glossy right now.  You have an amazing way of making pretty bland buildings look really good.

JB

[sparkythepenguin 90]

Looks like a metal version of our Standard Insurance Center.  From the Emporis photos, it looks like you are doing it justice, Jason! By far, not my favorite Detroit Building, but one that must be in the BSP none the less!

That roof texture lkooks awesome! Where did you come across that?

[Jasoncw 11,840]

Thanks!   I'll work on these suggestions next time I open the building.  I'm going out of town for the weekend.

http://www.animax.it/animax/Textures.htm has alot of good textures.  This one was found in the cement section I think.  I also modified it a bit to fit.

[Jasoncw 11,840]

Today I did a little experimentation for One Woodward Avenue.  This preview has been photoshoped together, so it isn't truly started yet.  The questions is, should I keep on working on it?

The one on the left is zoom 5, and the one to the right is zoom 4.  The problem is that the details are too thin to show up right at zoom 4.  I've already exagerated the details as much as I can without making the building look wrong (3 more of those columns are supposed to fit into each section, but I got rid of them to make space to make the remaining ones bigger).  It is the right height for Sim City though the top mechanical box and the columns going to the ground aren't there.

To make the zoom 4 picture, I just took the zoom 5 picture and made it half as big in photoshop.  I've noticed that photoshop does a better job of blending pixels together than the BAT, so at the very best, that's as fine as it can be.

So should I do this building?