Chicago BAT Project

[darn42 1,268]

I'm thinking about exporting this soon. What does everyone think?

[Toothless Stitch 2,901]

First of all I think that you're updating too much and too often.

But I think it's ready for uploading.

[darn42 1,268]

Ok then. I'll redo LODs so they fit better and export overnight

[Girafe 1,729]

It's good for a first BAT, but stays way of improvment. Could you release the .max files, I would check if I am able to have a better glass.

[darn42 1,268]

Sure. I just did a day export so that T Wrecks can lot the building. I would definitely love it if you would help me with the glass. I'm going to host the files on mediafire or something and post it here for you.

http://www.mediafire.com/?frmbq1xcxdafjw3

There it is Girafe. Thanks for offering to do that.

  Edited July 25, 2012 by darn42  

[Toothless Stitch 2,901]

Very small update. With some first roof junk. I know about the antenna, it looks horrible.

Also, I know about the shadow issue on the upper-right side of the roof. I guess it has something to do with the stairwell.

[Bipin 3,402]

As I had said a little while ago, I would be tackling the suburban parts of Chicago. Well here's what I've been working on as of late:

The roads you see are props, overlaying the streets, but expect them to be made into T21s upon release.

I hope you enjoy the progress! note that I plan to fix the driveways, as well as "unhide" some of the street markings accidentally covered by some other props.

  Edited July 25, 2012 by Bipin  

[darn42 1,268]

Looking great you two.

[JayStimson 211]

Bipin: I like those houses. Nice design. Nice textures. Can't really judge the scaling unless you can post a pic next to some Maxis or other custom homes.

Other than that, the only suggestion I have to offer is that the textures, while really good, are a bit to clean, pristine. Add just a touch of dirt, grunge, etc., and they'll be perfect. Nice touch with the back wooden deck. I like that.

Keep up the good work.

And oh yeah, night lights ?

[Bipin 3,402]

The houses are old, and not what the picture is really about, but thanks anyways! They are intended to be clean, like newly built "New-Urbanism" style houses. I unfortunately cannot do nightlights due to the version of 3ds Max I run. (Newer versions cannot do nightlights).

[harishna 847]

I know you are talking about the roads but what do you mean by newer versions of 3ds max cannot do nighlights?

and even if the houses are supposed to be new, the textures need a bit of work not sure if reducing the saturation would help.

[Bipin 3,402]

I heard that 3ds Max 2012 can't do nightlights. Not sure if it's right though, but I heard it from several people. I have tried nightlights in the form of glowing textures, and they didn't work, but even though they show up in the render and export, they don't show up in-game. I would of course love to have nightlights. Regarding the houses, they were released many, many months ago and I don't intend to change them soon, I've never got any complaints about the textures up until now and I'd rather work on new stuff seeing as the vast majority are happy with the houses.

[darn42 1,268]

I'm using 2012 lol... It definitely does nightlights. Though I have had trouble with selfillumination myself, but I haven't persisted more than a bit with that since I prefer photometric lights anyways.

[harishna 847]

I use 3ds max 2012 and 2011 before and never had any problems either using self illumination or using lights in my scenes so I guess you should inform yourself better before making such strong statements, otherwise it just confuses people and generates disinformation.

  Edited July 26, 2012 by harishna  

[darn42 1,268]

I think the reason why glowing textures don't work is because, from my limited knowledge of this, is that glow is an aftereffect that isn't part of the render. Though I honestly have very little clue with this. I know that I used glow once and it was something that was added in after the render was done.

[hamsterTK 93]

Wow...Randolph Tower!

I was in the city not too long ago and got to visit the Hancock Building. Of course we already have that one, lol.

[darn42 1,268]

I don't get it :| What about randolph tower?

[Toothless Stitch 2,901]

Btw guys.

I would like to ask you if you have some ideas for my antenna. I don'tr like it as it is right now and I know it doesn't look realistic. Maybe one of you has an idea or you have a pic of the actual roof.

Also, I would like to tell that the shadow error on the roof has been fixed.

Sorry for the post.

@bipin: That looks awesome.

  Edited July 26, 2012 by skyscraper241  

[darn42 1,268]

Why are you sorry for the post? Half the point of this thread is to ask questions like that :| Anyways, I don't know what you could do with the antennae really.

I just searched skyscraper antenna on google and found this

I might do something similar to that to make it look more realistic and detailed.

[hamsterTK 93]

:blush:

I don't get it :| What about randolph tower?

Oh god, lol. I suck at identifying buildings.

That's the tribune tower, isn't it? I feel like a moron. 3 weeks ago on vacation I was standing in that very freaking plaza looking at that freaking building. I was hot and went to the Walgreen's across the street to get a bottle of gatorade, then I went in the NBC building 2 blocks away to see if I could wander around the lobby and made the security guard angry....remember it all perfectly.

  Edited July 26, 2012 by hamsterTK  

[darn42 1,268]

lol. Sounds like a good trip

[darn42 1,268]

Does anybody know how to make it so the objects don't start rotating around the spline? I want the objects to keep the orientation they have going throughout the rest of the path. I really have no clue how to change it and it's annoying me. If no one knows I'm just going to leave it like this cause it's a small detail that won't be noticed but it's bugging me.

[QuadBaconatorWithHamAndEgg 31]

Citigroup Center

Here's a request. This gorgeous building also has a full train terminal link-up! Who would like to tackle this challenge?

  Edited July 27, 2012 by QuadBaconatorWithHamAndEgg  

[T Wrecks 10,209]

As much as I can understand your enthusiasm and your wish to request some more buildings, we usually keep requests out of the BAT - Open Discussion forum. This step had to be taken because otherwise requests would take over, and we want this to be the place where BAT artists can showcase and discuss both their work with the BAT and techniques they use to make their buildings. Moreover, they can get input from the community here concerning possible improvements etc.

It's OK if you provide some feedback and occasionally sneak a small question like "Btw, anyone fancy making XYZ?" into a post, but that's pretty much it. BATters generally have far more ideas on their own than they have time to make even half of these ideas real. That's why requests for the most part are no useful help to fill that awfully boring time the BATter suffers (he doesn't), but just a distraction.

the offical request thread. Please use that one in future, ok?

[Toothless Stitch 2,901]

As much as I can understand your enthusiasm and your wish to request some more buildings, we usually keep requests out of the BAT - Open Discussion forum. This step had to be taken because otherwise requests would take over, and we want this to be the place where BAT artists can showcase and discuss both their work with the BAT and techniques they use to make their buildings. Moreover, they can get input from the community here concerning possible improvements etc.

It's OK if you provide some feedback and occasionally sneak a small question like "Btw, anyone fancy making XYZ?" into a post, but that's pretty much it. BATters generally have far more ideas on their own than they have time to make even half of these ideas real. That's why requests for the most part are no useful help to fill that awfully boring time the BATter suffers (he doesn't), but just a distraction.

the offical request thread. Please use that one in future, ok?

First of all, thanks for you extensive statenent

Normally I would agree on you and of course are you right that BAT request are supposed to be posted here so the requests don't bother a batter. However, users should post their requests for Chicago buildings in here to make sure that their requests are taken note of by the CBT members. In the first post, users are asked to post their requests in here. And there are about 6 or 7 requests on the first two pages. If we offend against rules I would like you to tell us. And as long as all the other requests are kept out of the BAT - Open Discussion everything will be ok, won't it?

[Cockatoo 2,256]

If we offend against rules I would like you to tell us. And as long as all the other requests are kept out of the BAT - Open Discussion everything will be ok, won't it?

Nah, there's no dead set 'rules' about where BAT requests can or can't be posted. It's just considered good BAT - Open Discussion etiquette not to post requests anywhere other than the official thread, and we occasionally help people to learn this etiquette by moving posts to the offical thread. Most people aren't, but if you're willing to accept them in your thread, that's totally fine.

[T Wrecks 10,209]

Whoops, I didn't remember this thread invited requests. Well, if you guys prefer it that way, then feel free to do so.

Just for general clarification: In any case, it's not explicitly against the rules to post BAT requests outside the request thread. Nobody will be warned or banned for doing so, unless he was explicitly asked not to post further requests in BAT threads (because the thread "owners" and/or visitors felt annoyed) and ignores that request willingly and persistently. It's really more a practical measure to keep the focus on BAT development here and protect this forum from request floods.

So yes, requests here are OK as long as you wish (should you want to change your opinion, you are perfectly entitled to do so at any time), but they should go into the official request thread anywhere else where people didn't state explicitly that they invite requests in their thread.

Thanks for reminding me of that little specialty in your thread.

EDIT

Hooray for cross-posting! Good thing we didn't post anything contradictory at least, huh?

[darn42 1,268]

Btw quad, it looks like an interesting building. Thanks for showing it to us. We do have a very large wishlist already so it might not get done for some time, but I'm going to put it up there.

[Toothless Stitch 2,901]

Btw quad, it looks like an interesting building. Thanks for showing it to us. We do have a very large wishlist already so it might not get done for some time, but I'm going to put it up there.

Well, in case that we got some more mebers it should be possible for us to get them all done. I was already wondering if we'll get further requests.

Nah, there's no dead set 'rules' about where BAT requests can or can't be posted. It's just considered good BAT - Open Discussion etiquette not to post requests anywhere other than the official thread, and we occasionally help people to learn this etiquette by moving posts to the offical thread. Most people aren't, but if you're willing to accept them in your thread, that's totally fine.

Ok then. I just wans't sure if we were allowed.

  Edited July 27, 2012 by skyscraper241  

[QuadBaconatorWithHamAndEgg 31]

Thanks, guys. Really enjoying all of the great work here.

I've found that several of these buildings have already been done in Google Sketchup. Would this make for a quicker transition into SC4?

  Edited July 27, 2012 by QuadBaconatorWithHamAndEgg