BSC Mega Props

[fort wayne 0]

I see the most popular download is the BSC Mega Props. The overview lists all the files but no where is there any pictures or descriptions of what this stuff is or what it does. I downloaded the file to see if there was any additional info in the readme but there is not. What is this stuff? Why is it so popular? Do I have to install it just to find out what's in it? I checked the threads but didn't get much info. I would think other new players to the site would be interested to know what all is in this and what it does to the game play.

Thanks.

[emperordaniel 1,281]

BSC MEGA Props Vol. 1 is a dependency pack required for many great BATs, especially ones produced by the BSC Team (Mostly found on the LEX at SC4Devotion)

[fort wayne 0]

Okay, so it doesn't have any props per se just a dependency pack.

I see there are several of these, do I need them all or does one superseed the others. For instance I see:

BSC Mega Props SG Vol 1

BSC Essentials

BSC Mega Props CP Vol 1

BSC MegaProps JES Vol1

and so on and on and on.... Do I need them all or is there one more recent that has them all? It can be quite confusing for a new person to the game with all these different downloads.

Then there are texture packs, what are these?

Thanks.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Okay, so it doesn't have any props per se just a dependency pack.

I see there are several of these, do I need them all or does one superseed the others. For instance I see:

BSC Mega Props SG Vol 1

BSC Essentials

BSC Mega Props CP Vol 1

BSC MegaProps JES Vol1

and so on and on and on.... Do I need them all or is there one more recent that has them all? It can be quite confusing for a new person to the game with all these different downloads.

Then there are texture packs, what are these?

Thanks.

Introduction to Computer Modeling (CSM101).

People who do many BAT models have found that they want to enhance their lots using a principle from computer programming called object reuse. By creating suites or libraries of props (as in stage props or properties), the contents of a suite can be used in many lots without having to recreate them for each new model. While a BAT model is not a computer program, it has a great many similarities. It is allowed to attach objects to either the model itself, from a library in the BAT program, or it can use external objects provided in the libraries when constructing the final lot in the Lot Editor. It is in the Lot Editor that these can be invoked.

You can think of the various mega packs as these libraries, provided free of charge, that you only have to download once, but can then use many lots that have dependencies on them. This actually saves disk space by having only one copy of, for example, a topiary bush, that can be used on several lots that may constitute a series, with different models (BAT buildings) but similar or the same props.

Texture libraries work the same way. Some texture libraries provide base and surface textures in lots, but some actually can provide textures for wrapping BAT models when these libraries are also available to the BAT.

The computer programming principles that are used here are Object Oriented Design (OOD) and Object Oriented Programming (OOP).

Libraries like this appear gradually over time as artists create props to go with their new models. A close-knit group like BSC will share these among themselves. If you want to look at these props, you can inspect them, one at a time, in either the Lot Editor or in the SC4Tool.

When you enter the world of BAT modeling you have crossed the line from end-users to creator/programmer. You can think of the BAT and its auxiliary programs to be a kind of very high level programming language and you won't be far wrong. In the BAT you employ known algorithms to create an architectural image or prop. In computer programming you follow known algorithms to solve a problem by crating a list of instructions for a computer. The difference in concept is trivial.

You can also think of a BAT model as an actual computer program. It is a collection of instructions to the graphics section of your machine to display something.

You don't need any of them unless you want to use a lot that has one as a dependency.

John C. Winterton, CCP

Professor of Computer Science (retired)