Airports - where do I start?

[taliz81 19]

Hi!

As someone who is aware of the un-realism of the generic game's airports (like the absurdly short runways), I'd like to use the existing custom content to make something more real. But I have some basic "uncertainties" that needs to be answered before I start.

Are the custom content runways, taxiways, parking lots and everything else... is it "traffic enabled"? Do airplanes really use it, or is it all eye candy?

Do I need to first plop a generic airport (so it would be a real one and not eye candy) and then extend it with the available content? and if custom content airports are "for real" and not eye candy, do I just start plopping pieces and the airport becomes alive at a certain point?

Thank you for your time!

[TekindusT 3,809]

First of all, nothing is transit enabled. No planes flying, no commuters, everything is eye candy. The gorgeous airplanes you see in the CJs have been plopped as static props.

The idea is to build your custom airport with the usual tools (RMIP packs, ACB-VLT Terminals, etc.) and then put an small 1x1 plaza lot which simulates an international airport in game, the thing that really raises your commercial cap.

[TimEpke15 56]

I think I start on Airport City

Why? because SC4 = R.I.P. by me :/

[Moskva 75]

Yep, it's all purely eyecandy. So, if i must decide between realism and functionality, i am sorry but i go with functionality. Even if a 300 mts only runaway is laughable... However, consider this is a game, you never see a 2 lanes road with sidewalks taking up 16 mts... There are certain Maxis buildings that seem overscaled of 5 times... I mean, realism is a good thing, but consider always this is a game and also needs to be functional what you build, at least in my opinion.

  Edited April 28, 2012 by Moskva  

[taliz81 19]

First of all, nothing is transit enabled. No planes flying, no commuters, everything is eye candy. The gorgeous airplanes you see in the CJs have been plopped as static props.

The idea is to build your custom airport with the usual tools (RMIP packs, ACB-VLT Terminals, etc.) and then put an small 1x1 plaza lot which simulates an international airport in game, the thing that really raises your commercial cap.

But if I place this 1X1 plaza, where would the planes land and take off, given that the custom airports are all eye candy? Do I need to plop a true maxis airport as well?

[Cob92 360]

First of all, nothing is transit enabled. No planes flying, no commuters, everything is eye candy. The gorgeous airplanes you see in the CJs have been plopped as static props.

The idea is to build your custom airport with the usual tools (RMIP packs, ACB-VLT Terminals, etc.) and then put an small 1x1 plaza lot which simulates an international airport in game, the thing that really raises your commercial cap.

But if I place this 1X1 plaza, where would the planes land and take off, given that the custom airports are all eye candy? Do I need to plop a true maxis airport as well?

There are no actual planes. All an airport in SimCity 4 really does is produce a certain amount of pollution and raise commercial demand caps by a certain amount. The planes are just a cool visual effect. The 1x1 plaza provides the functionality of the airport, while the eye-candy custom parts keep up the visual impression that there is a real airport there with planes landing and taking off.

However, if you want a more realistic looking airport that is scaled to Maxis's standards, search for the AC Functional Airport set on SC4Devotion's LEX. This airport is plopped as a grass airstrip and upgrades automatically as your city grows, gradually adding larger terminals, more runways, and bigger planes. It is every bit as functional as the Maxis airports.

  Edited April 28, 2012 by Cobhris96