BAT Soapbox

[T Wrecks 10,209]

Yeah, if you are planning to make variations of each half, then rendering the halves separately would make sense.

[.soapy 127]

Yeah, if you are planning to make variations of each half, then rendering the halves separately would make sense.

 

though I think perhaps doing each half might be a bit arduous, whereas just making 2-3 semi-detached variations would work better in-game 

[T Wrecks 10,209]

Your choice, of course!

 

Making three variations A, B, and C will result in three possible buildings.

Making three variations A, B, and C, splitting these in half and exporting separately will result in 9 possible combinations, if I'm not mistaken (assuming you made changes to both sides). But of course, it's more work to put these halves together.

 

If you check gascooker's old W2W houses, he made them as halves, but of course that doesn't mean that you can't set your priorities differently. I'm sure the result will be fine either way, just mentioning some possibilities and their implications here.

 

Btw, I just noticed the tags you set for this thread - "insomnia" and "coffee"?

[SimCoug 5,972]

Just my two cents, I would split them in half simply because it makes them more versatile in the LE (and the added variety helps too)

[.soapy 127]

I'm probably just thinking too much into it, and you're both right, particularly about having the halves work together while being separate elements--doing renders for each obviously should be the way to do it. The only downside really is possibly losing certain cross-over details and shadowing, in particular will be having the porches/verandas match up on some, but I'm working on it... 

 

 

so far the only noticeable issue with doing it this way is that the veranda slightly hangs over the edge of the wall, but I'm not totally bothered by it... also adding the porch sections means the buildings won't neatly fit in a 1x1 tile unless scaled down, not that it's a problem I think, but the lots will probably have to be 1x2 as a result.

 

 ... I keep thinking these should be done by now if I stop tinkering and over thinking things, but idk...         _{^{also tardis}}

[T Wrecks 10,209]

Ah yes, the loss of cross-over details and shadows IS an issue. However, IIRC you can render the respective half with the other half being visible to the camera, but not to the render. Or you could add a placeholder model with the general contours and shapes of the other half that would cast its shadow on the half being rendered, but wouldn't be rendered with it.

[Jasoncw 11,840]

Yeah I think that would help out.

 

To make something still be there, casting shadows and being reflected and everything, but not be visible to the camera, right click on the object(s) and go to object properties and uncheck "visible to camera".

[.soapy 127]

How about a very belated update...

Here's the west tower of the commerce court project looking pretty close to finished. very nearly anyway...

[Bolduck91 54]

Well well ! It's been a long time !! Very nice model we have here ! Love the sharp and clear concrete texture ! 

[T Wrecks 10,209]

*prrrffffft* Whoops, I just ruined a keyboard.

Man, I can't believe this was not a stupid thread bump, but actually you coming back - and with this whopper of a BAT to boot! No suggestions from me at this time - everything that doesn't look perfect looks unfinished anyway, and everything that looks finished looks perfect.

Man, where have you been in the meantime? Did you try out Cities:Skylines? In any case, I hope you're well, and with all the great stuff you've teased us with so far, I wouldn't mind seeing a finished BAT of yours make itself to the STEX.

[SimCoug 5,972]

Love to see the little W2W houses released too! 

[9gruntsand1hammer 3,194]

WOW! That is amazing. I always love the Toronto buildings and Commerce Court West would be a great one to have. I was just in it today. The exterior is looking a little dirty but I really like the interior of the building.

[Harry's Place 918]

hell yeah this is what i call a comeback  

[raynev1 1,886]

Looks great , can't wait to see it on the STEX . 

[MushyMushy 3,617]

This'll be a nice addition to CBDs!

[.soapy 127]

Thanks for such a positive response everyone, good to see there's still a good amount of interest in SC4 mods 

*prrrffffft* Whoops, I just ruined a keyboard.

Man, I can't believe this was not a stupid thread bump, but actually you coming back - and with this whopper of a BAT to boot! No suggestions from me at this time - everything that doesn't look perfect looks unfinished anyway, and everything that looks finished looks perfect.

Man, where have you been in the meantime? Did you try out Cities:Skylines? In any case, I hope you're well, and with all the great stuff you've teased us with so far, I wouldn't mind seeing a finished BAT of yours make itself to the STEX.

Cities Skylines is fun, but it hasn't managed to grab me the way the old SimCity games have. I still would just really like a proper SimCity5 someday. 

WOW! That is amazing. I always love the Toronto buildings and Commerce Court West would be a great one to have. I was just in it today. The exterior is looking a little dirty but I really like the interior of the building.

A few of the core buildings have been looking a bit bleak lately, apart from TD Centre of course looking nice and flashy  ... Maybe just some of the older buildings are starting to show their age now in contrast to all the new sheer glass towers...

 

Anyway, it's Thanksgiving in Canada today so Im going to binge eat myself into a coma. I'll try and get some more of commerce court west done tomorrow, maybe even finished shortly, but I'll post my progress very soon...

  Edited October 12, 2015 by .soapy  

[Belfastsocrates 1,752]

Glorious! That looks absolutely superb!

[Bastet69008 1,102]

Another Toronto addition! Grrrreat!

[Toothless Stitch 2,901]

Sorry, but your avatar is distracting me so much from your actual work ... it starts making me rofling

[.soapy 127]

How about a quick update... No huge amount of progress overall, but some important bits have been improved upon.

Still no lighting yet, going to do all that last thing probably.

Added some essential stuff on the roof section, mainly textures and some bits of clutter, still loads to be done.

Overhauled exterior facade material, now actually looks more like stainless steel, made significantly darker and re-mapped reflectivity to appear more blurred and glowy rather than flat and glossy.

Glass materials also improved slightly, toned down the bump mapping a bit so the distorted effect looks less fantastical, it still is just a tad overkill but I'm not fussed about it. Also just some other minor changes making it look more natural/realistic.

Some additional but minor interior bits have been added, most of the main floor interior still has much to be added.

[Toothless Stitch 2,901]

So classy, so international, like it though I might be the only fan of boxy building here ...

[RipRap 4,400]

lol, I like it.

[9gruntsand1hammer 3,194]

I love it, all that's missing now is the antenna on top.

[JP Schriefer 5,590]

You're doing a beautiful job on the building, I hope to see it on STEx