mipro Barry Sanders Project

[budweiserdude23 80]

About the freeway system...man does it suck lately. You can not get east-west at all in Metro Detroit. It took me nearly 2 hours to get from US-23/M-14 interchange to I-94 and Cadieux. Absolutely ridiculous...although my trip yielded good things as I was able to adopt 2 twelve week old kittens. They're crawling all over me as I type this...

 

So after I get home I watch the Pistons game...oh my...you make a halfcourt shot to force the game into O.T. then proceed to lose....geez...and we got beat because some red head who I've never heard of before has the game of his life...I hate the Nets.....grrrrrrrrrr

 

About the auto plant...I say let them all go for it...we can drop it to the lowest point on our list if not drop it off completely. Should we drop the Kroger off too seeing as Simgoober already put one on the stex?

 

Alright I guess June 11 is the day we'll go. I just found out today that I have to go to a wedding on the 12th. Fortunately, it is not until 3 in the afternoon so no problem there. So as of now we have 4 definites, right? Wolverine, JbSimio, baldy, and myself from what I see. If anyone else has any interest please post to let us know. As for purchasing the tickets, I can do that and we'll sort it out at the game. That way we can get all our seats next to each other. Does anyone have interest in bringing their significant other as well?

 

I think we should hold off on purchasing the tickets for a weekor two as well...you know they're not going to sell out...That should give everyone an opportunity to decide if they want to go or not and how many tickets will be needed...

 

 

[budweiserdude23 80]

Since wolverine had the guts to post his pic I will now follow suit---

 

 

This is a pic taken of me with my neon budweiser sign in my office. Cool huh?

 

 

This is a picture taken of the two adorable babies I just adopted with my fiance. I just had to include them since they're so darn cute...

 

EDIT---Great I start page 13 with my pic...now the first thing everyone gets to see is my ugly mug when they come to this page....

[wolverine 12]

Nice Sign!  I could use one of those for my dorm room.  It's great to see another face on the project. 

 

For the Tigers game, I will probably drive by myelf down since I'm in Frankenmuth.  My girlfriend can't go, so I have no significant other unless I invite a friend or something.  Probably just one friends, so two tickets for me total, I will let you know later. 

 

As soon as the website gets done, I'm really itching to work on my Hudsons building.  Since this is the first day in seven days I haven't had to work, I will try to get more done.

[JBSimio 152]

Well... I haven't had a significant other in quite some time now, so I guess it will just be me!  I must say that I'm pretty excited about this little day trip we're planning!

 

Since I don't want to feel too left out... here's the image of JB:

 

Hey... by the way... I have some Michigan trivia that has nothing to do with the freeways in Detroit!!!  Is anyone interested in why it took so long for the corporate restaraunts to come to MI???

 

JB

[wolverine 12]

Well, it's not Hudsons. I'm still trying to get the hang of everything so I'm now working on the auto plant.  Here it will be Packard Motors, so we can get some REAL looking early 20th century auto plants.  So here is what I have so far.

 

[Sabretooth78 808]

Looking forward to this, something we've been missing since SC3k!  (and that one was too small)

 

Keep up the good work!

 

-Chris

[budweiserdude23 80]

Looking good wolverine...I better post an update soon too...

I've been playing more with the Target as of late actually. The hubcap for the tire was giving me some issues and I also have to figure out how to arc text so i can get the logo on the tire. Does anyone know if this is even possible? As for the Target...so far so good, not too many issues...I'll post on one of the two things I'm working on soon.

EDIT---The problem I'm having with the text for the tire is getting it to follow the contour of the tire.

[calm_blue_sea 3]

Looking good. I don't know if this has been mentioned, but do you have plans to do the old train station? I lived in Windsor and worked in Detroit for a couple years and drove past this building while crossing the border every day. It was an impressive building in it's day. Although it's not in Detroit, the Windsor Casino would make a nice replacement for the in-game casino.

BTW, anyone out there have expereince filing US federal, Michigan State, Detroit metropolitan, Province of Ontario, Province of Alberta, and Canada Revenue tax forms for a single year? ...I've been avoiding it.

[Casper3141 60]

well normally i wouldnt come to something called the Barry Sanders Projet but what the hell it seems popular i mean my fellow SimTropians cant be wrong

[baldy 0]

 

Date:5/17/2004 12:58:15 AM
Author:Casper3141

well normally i wouldnt come to something called the 'Barry Sanders Projet' but what the hell it seems popular i mean my fellow SimTropians cant be wrong

quote>

What, do you have something against Barry????  Just kidding.  It's good to see more people visiting.

Calm Blue Sea, I think the train station you are talking about is the Michigan Central Depot and it is on our project.  It's a shame what happened to that building and I hope it gets turned in to the police headquaters, so the eye sore will get fixed.  Do you want to volunteer for this project?  BTW, isn't it a little late to be filing taxes in Michigan and the US? 

Wolverine, it's good to see some more BAT work and it's looking good so far!

Budweiserdude, I have no idea on text.  Cobb does a lot of text on his creations and might be able to help you.  Hopefully we can see pictures soon.

On to the tigers game.  It turns out the 11th will work even better than I thought as it is the weekend of the woman's bachelorette party!  So no significant other for me.  I might bring a fellow simcity player with me who is a civil engineer and will be able to fit right in with our conversations.  I'm still waiting for him to post in this thread.

I would post my picture, but they're scattered all over my website.  So if you're interested, I'm going to make you work for it!

[Gemika 6]

Hey wolverine I need you to send me a Link where I can login to the site the one you gave me takes me to a blank page.

GE

BTW project is looking great!

[baldy 0]

I think he removed the flash intro as the index.html.  If you type in main.html at the end you should be able to get into the main part of the site.

 

By the way, people need to get me their top 5 projects so we can set some sort of top 10 wish list. 

[Gemika 6]

No i need to get into his Control Panel.

GE

[wolverine 12]

Ok, I will get it to you.

 

I'm going to work on the Autoplant more tonight.  Glad you guys are liking the progress so far.

[wolverine 12]

Update

 

 

If the image doesn't load, it is because my university has been doing upgrades today

 

[JBSimio 152]

Looks good so far Wolverine!  Looks a lot like the backbone of Michigan!

 

JB

[wolverine 12]

- Wind blows across a desert -

It's been pretty quiet around here because everyone has been busy.  My life has hit a very busy moment as well.  Monday, I started taking a course in physics at a local community college which will last until Mid-June.  After about a week's break, I start physics II.  I am taking summer classes so that I get an earlier entrance into U of M's architecture school.  I will also have a much less stressful life when I'm back down in Ann Arbor with the absence of a science course.  This course starts at 8:00 a.m  That may not sound too bad until you consider the drive of about 35 minutes while picking up 3 other people who are taking the class with me.  Although the class ends at 11:45 a.m, I put in a few hours of work when I get back taking me until 3 or 4 pm.  Then with some random work around the house, dinner, and then homework, I really don't get done until around 8 or 9 p.m.  And now having to wake up at 6:15 a.m, I usually go to bed around midnight.  It's really going to suck this summer, but it is something I have to get done.  As a result, my efforts on my projects will be sparse.  I am also trying to work on the website.  I will do what I can this week.  Gemika, I still don't know how to get you access to the control panel.  And for some reason, it only logs in on my computer, since I tried logging in on others.  If you could make the page elsewhere, and send it to me while maintaing the file structure contained within a zip folder, that would be great.  There is no hurry on this, take your time. 

 

I am learning more and more with this factory I'm creating.  Since the design is similar to the exterior walls on Ford Field, I will probably take the project, since Rossetti is unwilling to do so.  I have also realized, that the big boxy buildings in downtown Detroit may not be so hard to do, and can be completed within a week if you have become accustomed to using GMax.  I was  thinking that the Renaissance center may not be as bad either.  We just need some good reflective texture for the windows.  I was also thinking about Comerica Park.  That project would be very difficult.  I know how to make the decorative steel-work, but the Tiger heads mounted all over the building and that huge grand entrance with statues would be really hard to do.  I suggest we leave that one off the list until we have all become superb at BATing.  Although, I have seen no other projects in the works but mine, I understand we are all busy, I just want to make sure there will be continued interest at least.  If we don't get even a quarter of the list completed, that is fine.  I just want to get a few buildings in Detroit into the game.  I know my factory may not seem like a significant Detroit Landmark, but I figured their style was quite characteristic of the area.  Plus, it was a good structure to practice with my modeling skills

 

Next item is the Tigers Game.  There hasn't been much talk about it.  I'm still definitely interested.

 

Enough rambling from me.  Here is another photo of my progress.  Note how I learned to make garage doors.

 

Note: the gray area with the large doorways is where an elevated walkway will be put into a neighboring building.  The side you see here will be facing an alley.

 

You may also wonder why I keep showing perspective views instead of aerial ones.  The reason is why is because there is no roof, and the building looks stupid from above right now.

[baldy 0]

Nice work Wolverine!  Looks like you are getting the hang of gmax.  Sorry about no building updates, but I haven't had a chance to work on it since the last update.  I have been very busy with yard work (which is done), wedding stuff, and I just started taking 2 classes.  I also spent 5 hours in the ER monday night, so I'm still trying to get recover.  Needless to say, I haven't forgotten about the project, just trying to find the time.

 

As for the Tiger's game, I was thinking that if Ert wanted to come down, he could bring his dad.  I'm probably closer in age to his dad than him and I'm sure both will have a good time.  What does everyone think?

 

Edit:  JBsimio, I will help you with the web stuff if needed.

[Cobb32118 239]

Date:5/17/2004 12:30:48 AM
Author:budweiserdude23

Looking good wolverine...I better post an update soon too...

I've been playing more with the Target as of late actually. The hubcap for the tire was giving me some issues and I also have to figure out how to arc text so i can get the logo on the tire. Does anyone know if this is even possible? As for the Target...so far so good, not too many issues...I'll post on one of the two things I'm working on soon.

EDIT---The problem I'm having with the text for the tire is getting it to follow the contour of the tire.

quote>

Budweiserdude,  there's probably a better way, but for lack of knowing what that is,     I just do it the old-fashioned way:  go into the modify tab and choose element, and translate and/or rotate each letter individually.  Since the edge of the hubcap is a good guide, you'll be able to get it pretty nearly perfect. 

[budweiserdude23 80]

No update yet on the projects yet...I put together a small sqare type building a while back that wasn't too bad so I've restarted work on that to give myself a little more prep on the other 2 projects. My intent is to release it as one of the pizza shops mentioned on the list...I'm leaning toward Dominos....it should be finished in the next couple of days. Then I will resume work on the Target and Tire, both were frustrating me a bit so I thought I'd give them a break and finish the building I was making with the aid of the tutorial.

 

I'd like to thank Cobb for the advice. I tried what you said and it seems to work like a charm. I only did the U on the tire thus far for reasons explained above. So hopefully I'll have something on the stex here shortly.

 

It looks like your project is progressing nicely wolverine. Keep up the good work and don't get too burned out with your busy summer.

 

As for the game, I'm still interested as well. I can purchase the tickets and whomever wants to go could pay me back at the game. I'm of the opinion that it would be easier for us to head down there by ourselves. My scheduale never is the same, it's hard for me to say what I'll be doing from one day to the next. Once again, anyone is welcome to go.I think I'm going to purchase the tickets one week from today, that would be Wednesday May 26. So let me know if you want to go and how many tickets you would like. If anyone has any alternative thoughts I welcome them...

[budweiserdude23 80]

Uh-oh...someone better call the double post police. Just kidding ...I thought this was important enough to warrant another post so here goes...

 

Has anyone read https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=50707&pageNo=1#277411  It about file nameimg and stex uniformity. It got me to thinking ...should we put a prefix on everything we upload on to the stex to indicate it come from this project thread or should we each use our own system. For example should we include a prefix such as BS(filename) to the file name or should we have a prefix indictive of our individual names such as bwd23(filename). Any thoughts since many of us seem to be nearing completion on our projects?

[mayorcwf 3]

for the pictures (screenshots), why not come up with something that incorprate BSP (art deco, 70's style, etc.) into the pictures, as for the filename, i leave that up to you.

[Cobb32118 239]

Date:5/19/2004 11:04:06 PM
Author:budweiserdude23

Uh-oh...someone better call the double post police. Just kidding ...I thought this was important enough to warrant another post so here goes...

 

Has anyone read https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=50707&pageNo=1#277411  It about file nameimg and stex uniformity. It got me to thinking ...should we put a prefix on everything we upload on to the stex to indicate it come from this project thread or should we each use our own system. For example should we include a prefix such as BS(filename) to the file name or should we have a prefix indictive of our individual names such as bwd23(filename). Any thoughts since many of us seem to be nearing completion on our projects?

quote>

Budweiserdude, this is just an added convenience.  Since BAT projects usually have 3 files minimum, it's nice to have them fall together in the directories.  So, most users are going the get maximum benefit out of simply having all the files related to one project fall together, like with the prefixes:

Target_MODEL.... Target_LOT... Target_DESC

Or if you want them even more organized, so that the user will see all of yours together (with the intention that you will soon have MANY of your projects in plugin folders around the world  ), you can go:

Bwd23_Target_MODEL... Bwd23_Target_LOT...  Bwd23_Target_Desc

Then, even the most carefree user with no subfolders will glance at his gigantic plugin folder and see your Target project all filed neatly together.

So this is entirely optional.  They usually work no matter what you name them.  This method just makes the files tidy.

P.S.  Very glad my antiquated lettering method works!!!

[wolverine 12]

Hmm, the uniformity will be nice I guess

 

I have some questions, and since Cobb is been here a few times, I think he can probably answer them.

 

I have never made a building as big as this factory before, therefore, I am unfamiliar with the polygon limit?  What is the polygon limit.  I notice you can up it more in Gmax, but should this be done?

 

Also, for some strange reason, my building isn't showing up[file name on the list]  in lot editor.  The scale is fine because it is about the same as other buildings in the plugin program thing.  Also, everything has said it was succesful.  The file name of the structure was factory_recovered (gmax, crashed once).  To be even more sure the scale was fine, I made the lot as big as I could.  Anybody know why this building might not be showing up?  BTW, I made it a landmark just to see how it was in scale to the rest of the city.

 

IMO, going to the game seperate should be fine.  Also, what is the limit on buying a bunch of tickets at once at Comerica Park?  We might be able to buy them there.

 

Factory update.  As far as the modeling goes, I have the breezeway attached and I'm working on the other 2 sides of the structure.  I want to add a smoke stack, but I don't know how to make the slightly conical shape.  But before I do more, I want to make sure this thing goes into the game correctly.

 

The Website.  I will tell you now, it is being worked on despite my very busy schedule.  I have only gotten about an hour per night to work on the factory and 40 minutes to do the website.  With the detail I'm incorporating into the model, it takes a lot longer.  But I will continue to keep you guys posted.

 

Anyone ever seen this landmark building in Detroit?

 

 

 

This warehouse near the docks has a facade very similar to my factory.  I can use the grouping function to assemble my factory's bays together and copy and paste this building together in no time.  This building looks just like those large old warehouses we've seen along the Detroit river where developers are converting them into luxury condos and lofts.  This building was approved and awareded demolition money in 1999.  Accoring to michigan.gov, it was supposed to face the wrecking ball in  2000.  Last time I passed it a few months ago, it was still standing.  Perhaps it has a future.  Would you ever do a bid on it Budweiserdude?

 

 

[Cobb32118 239]

Date:5/20/2004 1:43:58 PM
Author:wolverine

Hmm, the uniformity will be nice I guess

 

I have some questions, and since Cobb is been here a few times, I think he can probably answer them.

 

I have never made a building as big as this factory before, therefore, I am unfamiliar with the polygon limit?  What is the polygon limit.  I notice you can up it more in Gmax, but should this be done?

 

Also, for some strange reason, my building isn't showing up[file name on the list]  in lot editor.  The scale is fine because it is about the same as other buildings in the plugin program thing.  Also, everything has said it was succesful.  The file name of the structure was factory_recovered (gmax, crashed once).  To be even more sure the scale was fine, I made the lot as big as I could.  Anybody know why this building might not be showing up?  BTW, I made it a landmark just to see how it was in scale to the rest of the city.

 

quote>

Wolverine, I think I can answer these 

That little polygon limit screen is nothing but a help-meter for you; it isn't setting any limit.  The only limit on polygons is how much your computer can handle.  So if you've rendered the building already, then that worry is completely behind you.  If you continue with huge projects, you will eventually find out what your computer's limits really are.  Mine is somewhere in the 750,000 area.  So the only reason you see so many of us obsessing over polygons is because we're afraid that we are going to do a ton of work, and then not be able to render the thing.   So when you're working on something smaller, you usually have a lot more freedom to get super-detailed, without over-taxing your computer.  On bigger projects you have to pay attention and not overspend.

The building not showing up is a really common problem, and I can think of 3 things to check.  1) You already tweaked the lot size, so it sounds like that isn't it. 2)  My experience is that you have to start out with an existing lot in the SAME CATEGORY as where you dropped the model file.  So if you say this is going to be a landmark, and you dropped the model into landmarks, then you have to pull up another landmark to start out.  So pull up, say, the Hagia Sophia, and size the lot correctly, and then see if your building shows up.  (don't forget to save as a different file name so you don't replace the Hagia Sophia)  3)  There are some cases where it works better to drop the model file into props instead of a building category, in which case you have to pull it out of the prop menu instead of the building list.

I hope that helped!  I'm betting on solution # 2

EDIT:  oh yeah, possibility #4.  When I just let Gmax pick the LODs for me, sometimes it makes them way bigger than I was expecting, and I have simply been forced to go with a bigger lot size.  So go back to solution #1 if the other ones don't fix it, and keep making the lot bigger until it shows up in the buildings list.

[wolverine 12]

I did not use the correct lot, I will try using a different one.  Thanks Cobb for answering my questions!

 

EDIT:

The Breezeway to the south tower (not constructed yet)

 

 

My progress (featured in LE without textures)

 

EDIT: It works! and what I have so far doesn't seem to be having any problems.  I was suprised how well the windows turned out, I thought they would look ugly.  I will add kind of a rough glass texture to add some variety to all them.  It fits pretty well on a six by three lot (just that building)  However that is slightly small for an auto plant, so besides a neighboring building, I will add slightly more onto the existing structure making it about a 8 X 6 lot.  So I've thrown around my plans a bit, here is what I will be doing

 

1. Detroit-style warehouse - truck plant (In Progress)

2. Ford Field (In Progress) Yeah!  I made the East wall!

3. Large Dock Warehouse as shown above (In Progress) Easy to build.

4. Hudsons

5. Broderick Tower (Planning)

6. Merchants Row Structures (Planning)

7. Fox Theatre

8. Statler Hotel

9. Compuware

10. Michigan Stadium

 

You may not notice, but as the list progresses, the buildings get more difficult.  Also, I would be willing to help on the Renaissance center if any help is needed, but it has lots of curves, which scares me.  Also, there is more development going on there and I want to see a final product of the building.

 

Buildings I might do someday when I get REALLY GOOD.

Michigan Central Station

Detroit Athletic Club

 

If you've seen these buildings, you will know what I mean.  Not only are they pretty large, they are EXTREMELY DETAILED.  I may have more luck with the DAC   Doing the MCS would be a pipe dream since it takes some extreme BATing talent.  But who knows, after 10 projects, I may get the hang of things.  As I've said, I like to add detail with using more splines instead of more textures.  The only trade-off is time, which I have little of.  When merchants row is constructed, I will save all the windows, doors, and facade details to be used on other buildings.  Therefore, stuff like the Statler and Fox may not take that long.  I just think I need to gain momentum.

 

Compuware and Michigan Stadium will be a different story.  The main Structure of compuware shouldn't be that bad, but I want it to be an angled lot like the Mohawk tower in Buffalo.  (same for Statler, Maybe).  The front of Compuware, if you haven't seen earlier pictures in this thread is quite interesting.  It's got a lot of detail in its's grand entrance that words could never explain, let alone, think of it what it looks like in my head.   Michigan Stadium.  Very hard.  The largest football stadium in the U.S.  How to BAT that.  For one thing, I know the bowl section is actually not quite round as looks from the sky.  Only the top ring of the stadium is round.  Rather, the tiers are a bunch of rectangles rapped into a round stadium shape  The other concern is the ground.  As some of you know, most of that mammoth lower bowl is below ground.  Part of that is accesible where the stadium juts out the back of a hill.  IF ANYONE KNOWS HOW TO MAKE HILLS WITH THE BAT, LET ME KNOW.

 

Next, with the Renaissance Center, the people mover should not be included with the building.  If someone wishes to download it, they may not want a monorail in their city and will have to put up with a non-useable station.  For the windows, the Greater Downtown Partnership site has some excellent pictures of the structures neighboring the complex as well as the river.  They can be edited to look like reflections in windows and wrapped around the bulding.

 

Well, thats my outlook on what is going on.  I'm looking forward to doing merchants row, with all it's fancy detail.

 

[ert90 8]

Wow, I go to find the Barry Sanders Project thread and to my surprise it's on the bottom half of page 2. What's going on? How's the website coming? When will we have a pole to revise the master list? Maybe this thread can get going and get off of unlucky 13.

[wolverine 12]

Suddenly wakes up...  WOAH!!  A post.  Well, I've been working on stuff, I'm surpised no other people have posted for the hell of it.  As you see above, I've been working on a few buildings.  The site will get done sooner or later, but a few buildings are first on my priority list.  I feel the community already knows this thread exists well enough to know that the website won't be a huge suprise  I will still make it, but I would like to get a few buildings done.  Everyone has been pretty busy, including me, but I'm suprised their is no chatter like there used to be, reguardless of any progress.

 

As far as mine, I'm getting better and better everyday.  I've been adding smokestacks to the factory and some arched windows on older section of it.  I plan to use these areched windos on the MCS, Hudsons, and Merchant's Row.  I've just been keeping my progress photos to a minimum since the progress isn't extraordinary significant.  The next time you see one will be when I get building one completed.  I hope to have this up by next week or so, and then I will begin Hudsons

[baldy 0]

Yeah, we need to get this thread off of page 13!  No offense to Budwieserdude, but I just don't want to look at your mug everytime I check out the thread!  lol!

 

I haven't heard anything from anyone about a top 10 project list, so I'll assume we're not going to pursue this.

 

As for the Tigers game, I don't remember who said it, but I agree that we should just get the tickets at the game.  This way we don't have to burden anyone with financially with getting all the tickets.

[budweiserdude23 80]

Hey everyone,

 

Sorry I have not posted here ina while but on Saturday morning I was involved in a car accident that sent me to the hospital. I just got out today (actually yesterday as it is now 1am as I type this) Basically what happened was this---I went out to get some eggs for breakfast from the corner store on Saturday morning. As I was cruising down the road at 55 in my Neon, someone driving a Ford Excursion ignored the stop sign they had ( I had the right of way as the cross road is a 2 way stop). You can imagine the results. I was T-Boned and the accident sent me to the hospital. At the time of the accident I was unconscience and did not awake until I was in the hospital. Gauging from the wreckage I visited tonight I'm lucky I'm not worse off. The whole passenger side was crushed. As for me I have a sprained left wrist, whiplash, some numbness on my left side as I was apparently pinched when my car was crushed, and I'm a little loopy still, not to mention the prescription I was given makes me a little funky. Nothing long term though so all should be back to normal in a couple of weeks. As for the car it's gonna be a total loss. Oh well, that means I get a new one. As for who hit me, I found out he was okay but I'm sure he's in for some not so fun days in the immediate future. So that's pretty much it, I'm sure I left out some details but I'm still a little glazed from the accident and I'm not exactly sure what happened other than the fact that I was not at fault and was not issued a ticket. Later all......