Poole, Diamond and Associates BAT Showcase

[cmgrafmc 15]

Date: 5/23/2004 7:52:55 PM
Author:
thanks cmgrafmc, i thought about that too, but i figured that spotlights themselfs were too small to see in game to include, or they could be hideing behind the front wall ontop of the lobby . i'll be working on the PDA HQ next, and i'll see if i can add anything like that. i don't think i've seen any buildings on stex that have a visible souce for the spotlights, do u know of any?

quote>


Obviously I'm not familiar with the programs/techniques used to model and render the buildings so I appreciate the feedback about the spotlights. No, I cannot recall seeing any building with such a feature but it seems that if you can see steps and roof junk, there has to be some way to make it appear there is a source for the floodlights. Again, not knowing the process, maybe it's possible to add something as simple as a thin ledge with some kind of representation of a floodlight...I'm talking out of my corn hole here...but maybe you get the idea?

[geoff_diamond 43]

cmgrafmc:  Thank so you so much for your commentary   This is the kind of feedback and criticism that I do appreciate.

 

As far as light-sources go, I think Jes pretty much summed it up.  I've always felt the same way as you do; but, with the exception of Rickk's First Interstate Tower (which is yet to be released) I can't think of any other buildings that actually have the lightcans modeled.  Now, that's not to say that we shouldn't do it simply because nobody else does, but, I have to wonder if it would be a worthwhile use of time and resources (simply because the detail level of such small items is so limited in final renders).

 

Now, as far as street-friendliness goes.  This is a VERY valid comment.  Honestly, I have to say this is just laziness on my part   The rules you described from Portland are similar to what we have here in Chicago, and I certainly can't think of too many buildings that don't have some sort of street-level retail or public space.  So... basically, I have no excuse for not modeling these things into our designs, but, typically, by the time I get all the geometry for a model finished I am sick of looking at the same design for a week   I'll definately see if I can start doing it in the future

 

Again, thanks for taking such a concerted interest and we're glad you're enjoying our creations.

[cmgrafmc 15]

All I gotta say is, YOU GUYS RAWK. Thanks again for addressing my comments. I look forward to all the wonderful creations you have in store for us.

[Tunafish 48]

How is PDA HQ going. any new pics? Clark is awsome!

[geoff_diamond 43]

Thanks Tuna and cm! PDA is humming along nicely, Jes is working on the lighting and materials for it as we speak and it should be out (barring any export craziness) before the end of the week.

And now, for a little something special. I wasn't going to show this to anyone until it was further along, but, I'm just the worst ever with keeping quiet! So... for those of you who like supertall's, read on. For those of you who don't... you may want to avert your eyes immediately following this post!

[geoff_diamond 43]

I present all the faithful simtropians with a sneak-peek at the mammoth Michigan Tower.  Built to occupy a full city-block (6x6 SC tiles) this beast's highest occupied floor reaches 1027 feet (313 meters).  The structural top soars to 1142 feet (348 meters) while the antennae rise to a total height of 1252 feet (381.5 meters). 

As always, comments and suggestions are welcomed!

 

 

 

 

[Tunafish 48]

Censored due to happiness.  I LOVE IT. LOOKS AWSOME!!!!!!!!!

[queetz 0]

Whatever you do, please do not give this building bare side walls! It should have windows in all sides of the building.

[DuskTrooper 316]

I LOVE IT!

IT LOOKS VERY KPF!!!!!!!!!!!!

[geoff_diamond 43]

Sorry, I thought it was clear that the building was nowhere near completion.  In fact, only the main facade has been finished in terms of windows.  Fear not, the whole tower portion will be clad in glass

 

dusk: how about it looks very PDA?  (lol, actually, it doesn't... too many straight lines).  So, yeah, it's sort of like KPF and SOM finally had to collaborate on a project.

[DuskTrooper 316]

Lol, yes, BTW, is the side going to have windows?

 

MAN, this is what I'm talking about!

 

Hopefully,  you have some really good textures in mind for this one.....

[geoff_diamond 43]

(see above) --> the side will have windows.  The whole tower part will be wrapped in glass.

 

 

[Casper3141 60]

wow i cant wait for that to join my newest regions skyline im already clearing an area to make room for it

[sorochak333 0]

Wow cool looking building. Its only in its first stages and I like it already. I am a fan of super tall buildings and this one is going to be great I can tell. Ive been away for a while and now i am going to go download Clark. cant wait to see more.

[subedei 3]

Very nice indeed. I wish i could put you stuff on auto-download LOL

 

 

subedei

[jtportland 184]

awesome design geoff! thoes tears give me great potential for cool lighting . still workin on the PDA HQ, it's going to look awesome when it's done. i'll post pics as soon as i finish roof junk.

[+Guest]

Drooloriffic.

[Dolfan348488 0]

I think i am going to cry, that is purely and simply amazing

[Smurfer2 7]

 

Date:5/25/2004 8:24:02 AM
Author:Dolfan348488

I think i am going to cry, that is purely and simply amazing

quote>

That will be another PDA classic. I don't think I can wait forever.

[geoff_diamond 43]

Glad everyone likes it

[drewz15 0]

o0o0o0, i'm sure any city would be proud to have this building. it is a marvel. perfect blend of PoMo and Modern.

[vidioman 21]

Sorry DT, but I think PDA just beat you in the BATting department

 

Your creations are the best! Can't wait for the next release!

 

-vid

[geoff_diamond 43]

Thanks drewz!  Anywayz, after staring at the model from every possible angle for the past few hours I think I've decided that the overall massing needs some tweaking.  I also ran a test export that pretty much sent me to the same conclusion.

 

Overall, I think it's just a bit too boxy for such a large structure... it's taller than Chicago's Aon Center (for example), yet it doesn't really give the appearance of height.  So, I'm planning on thinning it out a bit and perhaps angling the two main pieces of the facade that flank the center protrusion.  I'll post pics in a bit (as soon as I knock out the rough geometry for the changes).

[geoff_diamond 43]

Okay, here's what I had in mind (in a VERY cursory manner).  Try to ignore the setbacks on the backside of the tower as they will probably be elimintated in some fashion.  Thoughts?  Basically, is this an improvement or a step backwards?

 

 

[drewz15 0]

hmm, well i see the benefits as it being not as boxy. but the setbacks look too large on the 'massing' model. and that one looks 'chubbier'. i don't know, i prefer the unbroken line up the middle of the original. actually, looking now i prefer the one on the left a lot more than the one on the right. but i see the benefit of the one on the right too as giving it some scale.  perhaps make two, each of the similar style maybe with different-colored facades?

[Tunafish 48]

I like the second one more (new one)

[DuskTrooper 316]

Date:5/25/2004 3:49:09 PM
Author:vidioman

Sorry DT, but I think PDA just beat you in the BATting department

 

Your creations are the best! Can't wait for the next release!

 

-vid

quote>

Traitor!

j/k

Well, we must wait till this is finsihed........

And how it will look..........

 

[Corlian 2]

Date:5/25/2004 4:36:02 PM
Author:geoff_diamond

Okay, here's what I had in mind (in a VERY cursory manner).  Try to ignore the setbacks on the backside of the tower as they will probably be elimintated in some fashion.  Thoughts?  Basically, is this an improvement or a step backwards?

quote>

It's tough, I like them both for different reasons.  Will it still have the base and the antennas?  I'll say this, I don't dislike the boxiness at all.  You're right, it doesn't give a good feeling of the height, but if you put it in a city that way and it stood next to sleeker buildings, it would look *massive* because it would be so bulky and so tall.

I like the boxiness because it's very different from what most people build, and yet your design makes it look so cool.

[geoff_diamond 43]

Thanks everyone! 

 

corl: yes, the base and antennae will not be changing... I'm pretty happy with how each of them turned out.  I think I'm going to ditch the angled facades when I work on it tomorrow, and being working toward a slimmer appearance on the two side facades via more traditional means (to be read as: shortening the damn walls .

 

Then of course, I have to see how well it all fits back on to the base.  It shouldn't be an issue because to me, the base and tower portions are so wildly opposite, they should fit together in just about any manner!

[jtportland 184]

thanks again for all the comments! i've been doing roof junk on the PDA HQ and doin textures also:



thoughts?