Jason's BATs & Tutorials

[Jasoncw 11,840]

I already made a few signs for the camera shop, but I'll make another building for a barber shop and a pakistani restaurant next door.

Thanks for commenting everyone. 

[mightygoose 92]

Originally posted by: Jasoncw Sim Shady:  lol, I'm glad you remembered it!

ilikehotdogsalot:  doh!!  Yeah, the date was wrong (I just fixed it now).  And when I was first writing it I stared at the screen for a minute trying to figure out what the right order was.

Your avatar is Domo-Kun (the mascot of a Japanese TV station, the Japanese equivalent of the Engergizer Bunny) riding a creature from one of Studio Ghibli's animes, but I don't remember which.  They don't have anything to do with each other, but it's funny looking.  Like having Domo-Kun have a tea party with Hello Kitty.quote>

the domo kun is riding a wallama.... [linkie]

lol

im cool

[sparkythepenguin 90]

Jason, is it too late for me to chime in with a suggestion? If not, I'd like to pitch either a music store (selling musical instruments and lessons), a pet store/doggie daycare, or an AA meeting hall.

Just looks like the sort of building that would have one of those in there. The other suggestions are great too! It'd work well as a small-town barbershop!

[SpartanBadger 4]

Jason, any chance of Chase bank being released sometime soon? I saw that screenshot and I really would love to see it in my cities.

[nofunk 1,933]

Originally posted by: XSpiderman Jason, any chance of Chase bank being released sometime soon? I saw that screenshot and I really would love to see it in my cities.quote>

Chase is going to take a while longer because, well, Jason sent me the model, and I modded it and sent it back to him, and then he lost the files , so I have to mod it again.

Also, JBSimio, who does queries for the BSP, is M.I.A. for the summer.

[Jasoncw 11,840]

3,000^th POST!!!

Partypartyparty!!!

mightygoose:  I just searched for that name but all I found were online quizzes. 

sparkythepenguin:  Those are good suggestions too.  They'll have to wait for sometime in the future though. 

I'm actually only going to do this one for right now (originally I was going to make two more, but I'd rather work on more important things).

XSpiderman:  Yes, it's true, lol.  Actually, I lost them twice.  The first time I think I only opened the file, to look at it, but I didn't actually save it.  The second time I swear I saved it to my desktop, but I have no idea where it is.  I searched for it and everything.  I might have deleted it, assuming that I had it in my plugins folder or something.  I really thought I had it.  And I also assumed that Nofunk would still have it.

I'll be able to BAT again tomorrow.  This weekend I plan on finishing the store, Van Wingerden Plaza B, and Van Wingerden Plaza C.  I also need to finish a quick building I made for SimMars a few weeks ago. 

If I can get all of that done, then I think I'll work on the Penobscot Building, 211 West Fort Street (I had forgotten about that one)!), or on Nofunk's Art Deco towers if they are ready to be textured by then (I'll be texturing them btw, check out his thread to see them!).

[SpartanBadger 4]

Sigh. Well as always I'm looking forward to more BSP projects...I forget who was doing Penobscot, I think it was Jason...

[Jasoncw 11,840]

Here's some progress on the small shops.  I'm going to add some signs in the windows to the left, and also a newspaper stand. 

The store on the left is Brei Market, and the one on the left is Happy Camera. 

I added the dumpster to the back like I wanted to.  Overall, the back and sides are looking ok I guess, but they're not sitting right to me.  I've tweaked the brick texture (the front and back are different bricks) and that's the best I could get it so far, but I'm not satisfied with it.  Also, just something about the back in general doesn't look very good.  Any input on the back would be really helpful.

I would have gotten more done on this today, but the internet wasn't working very well for most of the day, so I couldn't get online to find pictures.

XSpiderman:  Yes, I'm making the Penobscot Building (that's why I said I was going to work on it this weekend).  Someday I'll probably do more of these

[ardecila 124]

Looks good!

I don't know why the brick walls seem wrong to you. If this were Chicago, they would be Chicago common brick, made right here in the city, which varies between yellow and pink. At the time, it was the cheapest brick available, since it only had to be brought from one of the brickyards on the South Side.

My point is, other cities would have used the cheapest brick available for the common and alley walls. These bricks would have been made locally.

Also...  the cornice on the facade has 5 "blocks" along it.  Rather than keeping these all the same size, I would enlarge the 1st, 3rd, and 5th blocks by a bit.

[Mr. Glamazon 9]

Congratulations on your 3,000th post!  LOL, I'm getting excited that 100 is getting closer for me!  LOL. 

However, regaurding the back wall of the store, I guess I feel like those windows may be too high, or even out of place completely.  Also, I questioned whether the windows needed the little fabric overhangs on them because it is the back side of a store.  Otherwise, it's a very cute little store!  I'm sure you'll figure it out.  

[jacqulina 162]

these are excellent little shops great progress and details are fantastic

[homeandaway 1]

niccee! - liking those shops very much!, but as my great friend Mr. Glamazon said - the windows are slighty big...

[Fledgeling 1]

I love it. I think its perfect just the way it is

[SimFox 801]

It's a pretty little thing, But I also think that briks are a bit off. I would say try to desaturated them by about 10-15%, now they look glowing like some sort of self illumination has been turned on. Also they look a bit too bring next to white (am I correct?) elements of the facade.

Windows size is fine IMHO; but the texture is not... To be honest I don't understand why wouldn't you use some physically correct glass material. On small windows when texture is heavily fragmented it looks convincing enough; but when you apply it to large planes like those it look just like a picture tha tit is. And not too convincing in that. To be "glass" it has to be far more contrasty. Not it looks more like some sort of plastic. If you will still use the texture try may be to create a separate "reflection layer ion photoshop and then blend it in to the "behind glass" layer with may be hard light blend mode...

[autoVino 26]

The model is good!

As for the back, IMHO, I think it's missing a few smoking employees.

[T Wrecks 10,209]

And maybe a ladder or metal stairs to reach the rooftop?

[plasticboy 36]

Many of these neighborhood stores here in Minneapolis have tons of kitchy colorful posters hanging from windows and side walls. Perhaps, adding some of those posters/billboards on the sides and on top would help keep the look of your model more realistic, more down-to-earth.

[Jasoncw 11,840]

I have to admit, I have done next to no BAT work this entire weekend.  All I've done are some tweaks based off the suggestions here just now.

I haven't changed the windows.  I don't understand the size or height or out of place comments.  Buildings like this usually have windows where I put them in real life, and having overhangs like that isn't unrealistic either.

I have made the first, third, and fifth columns thicker though, and I have also desaturated, and lowered the contrast of most of the textures.  I'll be adding in a ladder or something next time I work on it (thanks for stopping by T Wrecks ).

SimFox:  I have always made my window textures with the "light" layers using the overlay blending mode, and a lot more is done to the bitmaps than your statement implies.

This glass in particular though is half bitmap and half reflection material, although stuff relating to that was just an experiment, and hasn't been very meaningful (when there's more to reflect, and when the windows are particularly reflective it would mean more).  The reason I don't want to make the glass "physically correct" is because I don't want to model the inside of the store, and because I want it to be very quick to nitelite.  I appreciate your criticism though.

Plasticboy:  I still have more signs to add, and more tweaking for the signs in general, but it won't be quite as much as those buildings, lol.

[brtim2 10]

I think this version is a marked improvement over the last one. I wasn't gonna say it cause I didn't know exactly what was off about it, but it was the front brick, now that you've changed it that was what was throwing me off. Also, I don't think the overhangs are out of place. This building reminds me of a small town store that would have apartments on the second floor. So if someone is living up there, it would be right to put those there. Also, just to justify your placement of the windows on the side, I've seen plenty of windows on alley sides looking right at a brick wall 2 feet away.

Also, this is going to be picky, but when you add the stairs on the back, please don't place it over the dumpster (or, I guess the dumpster under the stairs). It's just one of those real life 'how does this work' kinda thing that isn't thought of when placed in a static situation, so to speak. Also, I'm quite a fan of the cement apron under the rain spout on the back, but not so much a fan of it pointing right at the door. I know, picky. I'm trying to think of real world placement, and I *think* it should go along the side and then discharge into an alley. I think. I know they'd want to keep water from pooling against the building, but I can't, for the life of me, think of where they would actually go.

[ardecila 124]

Originally posted by: brtim2I *think* it should go along the side and then discharge into an alley. I think. I know they'd want to keep water from pooling against the building, but I can't, for the life of me, think of where they would actually go.quote>

The water discharges into the alley, where it runs down to a grate of some kind.  Either that, or it goes underground and discharges directly into a storm sewer.

[brtim2 10]

Originally posted by: ardecila

Originally posted by: brtim2I *think* it should go along the side and then discharge into an alley. I think. I know they'd want to keep water from pooling against the building, but I can't, for the life of me, think of where they would actually go.quote>

The water discharges into the alley, where it runs down to a grate of some kind.  Either that, or it goes underground and discharges directly into a storm sewer.quote>

Duh! That's seemed like the easiest solution. Maybe even too easy.

Thanks, ardecila.

[Jasoncw 11,840]

I'm about to export the small shops.  I'll post some screenshots here once it's done.  I'll probably need to export it again after tweaking it, so I'll be able to incorporate more suggestions then too.

britm2:  It's nice to see you again (a lot of old faces posting here recently ).  I know the drain is pointing to the door, but aesthetically I like where it is, and the way that it kind of exists there even though it doesn't make a lot of sense is in line with the city-charm I'm thinking of for this building.  I'm really glad you noticed it though, it was easy to make, but for some reason I'm really proud of it.

edit:

It's been exported.  It only took 10 minutes, so I exported it twice and tweaked some things already.  This is the lot right now.  However, the building needs to be moved up a little bit, to be wall to wall with my other buildings, and also, the grey cement in the back needs to be the lighter version of that base texture.

And that overlay texture with the grass patch and the sewer and cement worked out really well in the back.  The grass patch is hiding under the building.  I think the empty space in the back is working well, so I don't think I'll put anything back there (other than some smoking employees ).

[nofunk 1,933]

It looks great, Jason! Can't wait to get my hands on this! =)

EDIT: OK, so I just took a second look at the drain on the back. I'm afraid it isn't in the right spot. Symmetry and aesthetics aside, it really should be on either the right or left side of the back wall, and drain away from the door. The roof would slope towards the gutter at the back, the gutter would slope towards one side of the building to the drain which would go either straight into a storm drain, or at least drain away from the building.

You can leave it because you like the way it bisects the building, but for realism, it really should be moved to one side.

[mightygoose 92]

on the wallama note, it is a result of a series of quizes, most prominently, "which random misc. thing are you?" with the definition being "You're a little backwards and a little annoying, but deep down, we all love you"

i know because i did that quiz.....

[jacqulina 162]

looking great in game so far excellent progress

[ardecila 124]

Originally posted by: nofunk It looks great, Jason! Can't wait to get my hands on this! =)

EDIT: OK, so I just took a second look at the drain on the back. I'm afraid it isn't in the right spot. Symmetry and aesthetics aside, it really should be on either the right or left side of the back wall, and drain away from the door. The roof would slope towards the gutter at the back, the gutter would slope towards one side of the building to the drain which would go either straight into a storm drain, or at least drain away from the building.

You can leave it because you like the way it bisects the building, but for realism, it really should be moved to one side. quote>

I don't see why the downspout can't be located in the middle....  the gutter would slope down from both corners to the middle.

[wolverine 12]

Correct In some buildings, roofs are designed slope-to-center.  This allows for a reduced risk of water damage along the parapet wall, and possible infiltration into the masonry cavity.  On many older buildings, the roofs slope to the very back wall, and then there is built up insulation towards the edges, causing the water to drain to the center.  So it's current position is correct.  Although it can be the other way too.  Really, it doesn't matter.

LOL, this is what happens when you draw building sections and construction details at work all day. 

[brtim2 10]

Originally posted by: Jasoncw I'm about to export the small shops.  I'll post some screenshots here once it's done.  I'll probably need to export it again after tweaking it, so I'll be able to incorporate more suggestions then too.

britm2:  It's nice to see you again (a lot of old faces posting here recently ).  I know the drain is pointing to the door, but aesthetically I like where it is, and the way that it kind of exists there even though it doesn't make a lot of sense is in line with the city-charm I'm thinking of for this building.  I'm really glad you noticed it though, it was easy to make, but for some reason I'm really proud of it.quote>

Well, I've been around and I've been lurking. Like always. And who would have thought just a piece of charm would be the focal point of the building?

And I like the lot, now that we've seen some pictures of it, especially the 'city charm' items in the front. Is this a finished product or can we see a light above the back door(s)? Or even just a small light pole for some safety.

I like this building, maybe it can compete with Fire Sticks for space in my towns.

[nofunk 1,933]

I just don't think they'd have a gutter drain out in front of a doorway, but you know what? It's BAT... I don't really care! I'll use it just the same!

[wolverine 12]

Yeah, actually it would just drain straight down to a gutter in the alley, not to a doorway lol.