Poppers Attempts At The B.A.T.

[Popper 38]

Welcome to my B.A.T. thread!!!

[Cockatoo 2,257]

Always best to start with a picture...

[harishna 847]

Hi, I think there is no need to open a thread if you still got nothing to show,

looking to forward to see your creations

Edit: Cockatoo beat me...

  Edited April 29, 2011 by harishna  

[Popper 38]

This is my first project with the B.A.T., I call it the Mickey Mouse Sculpture.

[zahrul3 472]

well 3 spheres don't make a BAT....

Do BAT essentials then you'll know why.

[SimHoTToDDy 2,939]

While something like that may have been interesting in 2004-5 when the community was first getting into the BAT scene, the expectations today are a little higher. You should not only be trying to have a unique and creative idea (or fill a needed gap in our library of BATS), but the execution should be presentable. It may seem like you are a far way off from some of the folks on the STEX, but remember that they were all in your position at one point. Just post your work in here and, if you listen to the advice people give you, you should be on the road to improvement.

Best of luck,

-Todd

[LivingInThePast 364]

Yeah, I'd recommend using BAT Essentials (just make sure to use "Copy" instead of "Instance" when cloning Wall - Left for Wall - Right, something I learned the hard way). Or, if you prefer to try something different, try using SketchUp, but be prepared for generally lower quality models and a convoluted way to getting it back to the BAT. Don't file bad, though: it took me almost five years to stop bumming around at ST and do something I could be proud of, and I still haven't uploaded anything!

[Crossroads Inc. 69]

Ahoy Hoy!

As someone who is an avid Downloader instead of uploader, I would like to offer my own thoughts on your work.

Many BAT'ers these days have got to the point where they make creations almost as art. There isn't much wrong with this as SC4 archives are filled with AMAZING looking buildings.

By and large however they are almost all commercial buildings intermixed with various others.

As a 'salesman' by nature, I would like into 'markets' IE what are those things that are not usually done? Or, Things that are neglected due to mods and other addons?

An example... Civic Buildings.

Special schools and library are a dime a dozen. But ask yourself, when was the last time you saw another version of the City Hall? Or the City Court Building?

Or any of the scores of other reward buildings. Sure people create their own, but for many of us, a simple redressing of a preexisting building can be just as useful.

The university is another example. Of all the special schools and custom buildings done over the years, no one has really created a "Campus' as large as the original. once more for those wanting something different, there is no option for making your own. What I might recommend is to take a look at some of the "Do it yourself Park" downloads. Where people have made dozens of versions of paths, gardens, statues, walls, etc, so someone could make any size or type of Garden they want. You could do something similar with the university. Cut up each main building from the original, add in paths and parking lots, and Viola! A set where people could make their own university any size and any shape. Something no one has done before.

So, things to keep in mind, you don't have to make something from scratch to create something people will use and love.

[T Wrecks 10,210]

The university is another example. Of all the special schools and custom buildings done over the years, no one has really created a "Campus' as large as the original. once more for those wanting something different, there is no option for making your own. What I might recommend is to take a look at some of the "Do it yourself Park" downloads. Where people have made dozens of versions of paths, gardens, statues, walls, etc, so someone could make any size or type of Garden they want. You could do something similar with the university. Cut up each main building from the original, add in paths and parking lots, and Viola! A set where people could make their own university any size and any shape. Something no one has done before.

Erm... this is slightly off topic, but I think this thread might be relevant to your interests.

Back to topic, beginning with a roundabout filler is certainly not a bad idea. Many people begin with projects that are far too ambitious for their current skill level. Starting small is probably a better approach.

However, organic shapes are really difficult, and I guess that making a Mickey Mouse head that can be recognised as such is not as easy as it sounds. Another important aspect is that solid colours on a BAT practically never look good. It looks like you simply coloured your model black. This often swallows all shapes and contours, and solid colours often end up looking oversaturated and cartoonish in game. So textures are really the way to go, and you will have to be prepared to tone them down both in saturation and in brightness because the gmax renderer has a tendency to bleach them out a lot.

Anyway, just keep going - there's plenty of people around here to help you out if you get stuck.

[Popper 38]

2nd B.A.T. Attempt

[IDS2 3,429]

NOW we're getting somewhere! Definitely could use a better texture on top of the pedestal, but the globe itself looks pretty accurate. keep working! oh, and if this is another roundabout filler, consider making a round pedestal too.

[Evillions 552]

The pedestal needs work, as well as the support beam to the sphere.

[harishna 847]

It is better than your first BAT but too be honest this is not new and it is incredibly simple, I think you spent more time in Photoshop creating the preview image than actually modeling.

you have to ask what it your model adding that these examples haven't:

https://www.simtropolis.com/forum/files/file/18375-world-plaza/

https://www.simtropolis.com/forum/files/file/25857-global-technology-sculpture/

https://www.simtropolis.com/forum/files/file/24500-unisphere/

https://www.simtropolis.com/forum/files/file/25847-jeri-witz-astro/

[Popper 38]

Here's my update

[Ceafus 88 1,899]

I like it better as a fountain, its nice to see a another BATer in the community.

[Francis90b 748]

Well, there is a globe fountain, something that perhaps is as far from any definition of "realism" as your previous Mickey mouse "sculpture"...and it had also been raised a good question about it's usefullness in a post where very similar already-uploaded BATs were mentioned...

  Edited July 2, 2011 by Francis90b  

[Popper 38]

Scratch my globe sculpture I'v started on a new project, its the Sprint Store here is my first update

[Francis90b 748]

Nice update.

All in all, it looks good so far.Maybe it might be a good idea to add some depht to the door (move it a little more "inside" the building).

[Toothless Stitch 2,901]

Mhh. Looks interesting. I wonder how it looks with textures. Maybe some more details or roof junk! Keep up batting

[Popper 38]

Here is another update

[delija21 295]

You are deffinetily going in right direction....

[Toothless Stitch 2,901]

WOW; really good. That looks much more better than before!

[IssacOzzman 179]

Looking good Popper

[IDS2 3,429]

Nice work. Proportions look good. I'm no expert, but I'm thinking this building might only need one HVAC roof unit. Also, I'm not sure if you've textured the walls, but they're a bit bright.

[Popper 38]

Update

[IDS2 3,429]

Roof looks better, walls are pretty bare. For the sides it's understandable if it's W2W, but then the back is really stark. I don't know, it looks nice, but it seems like it needs more going on.

[T Wrecks 10,210]

I agree with IDS2. You have a really nice roof texture there, the parapet walls are thin enough to look realistic, the HVAC unit on the roof looks just as it's supposed to, and proportions seem to be ok for the most part.

Some suggestions for improvements:

- the back door looks pretty small to me... you could also try adding a wall-mounted lamp over it to bring the back of the building more to life.

- the entrance area doesn't really come out too well because it's all one dark splotch and the details are swallowed. Some more contrast would help, even if it means e.g. that you make the awning in a different colour than its real-life counterpart (if any).

- in order to spruce up the back, you can add a loading door, a downpipe from the roof, a roof access ladder, some switching cabinets... after exporting, you can also add some props such as trashcans or dumpsters, or maybe stacked boxes etc...

- since there's not much going on on the walls, some subtle details there can do wonders. A gradient would be the first step, some fading paint or plaster coming off, stains, bricked up windows etc. can help to make the walls more interesting without adding anything too fancy.

You'r really improving, though, and I think you did a good choice in selecting a generic shoebox store to learn and get better. You can always move to bigger and more challenging projects when you have acquired the necessary skills.

In terms of details to spruce up your BAT, I recommend downloading madhatter106's small shops, by the way. Take a good look at them, and you'll see that they are packed with subtle little details.