Show us What you're Working On

[MissVanleider 1,851]

Thanks to @rsc204 for advice on the shadow issue fix using reader. This has 100% worked, and I am very happy with the results. I can definitely think of some other LOTs with strange shadow effects that I have that will get the same treatment.

In fact so many things in this image would not be possible without your work specifically, (and patient help!) I would be willing to bet a large amount of literal money (but won't because it's not that kind of site) that even you cannot spot them all!  

Also big thanks to @11241036 for recommending the simmer2 small stones as a seawall. I'm 100% stealing that, as you can see here! 

[justforfun 7,927]

Lotting another cutie by @Ct1999:

 

[Null 45 3,114]

I have recently been looking into the code that SC4 uses to load plugins on startup, this occurs before the SC4 splash screen appears. This is still experimental, but the results are promising. I added some timing code to the DLL so that I can track how much time SC4 spends loading plugins. My plugins folder is ~2.5 GB.

The original game code takes ~9 seconds to load plugins.

Replacing the class that SC4 uses to map TGI values to the DAT plugin that is the winning override drops the load time by ~89%. I am not sure why that produces such a large improvement, possibly the collection type I am using is more efficient with large numbers of TGI values than whatever Maxis used.

A few other changes reduce the load time even further, for a ~90% improvement on my system. These changes include, adding an optimization to the game's file read code for large reads, disabling the code  that scans the whole file if the DBPF signature wasn't found, and optimizing the code used to search for DBPF files that use the .SC4xxx file extension, .SC4Lot .SC4Model, etc.

[Kel9509 1,480]

15 hours ago, kschmidt said:

So much STEX and SC4devotion stuff there. Up post buildings I probably will never find without links. What future may be hard to see today can download some... tomorrow ? Little fortunate I made my account before the transition.Don´t ask about invitation codes that´s beyond me. Hope to enter again soon otherwise a single event today !

Awesome that you're on there!  Since SimcityChina permits their users to re-post items from STEX and SC4D, is there any reason why items originally posted there cannot be reposted here if credit is given?  I mean, I'm browsing around there and it is funny to see that they have a whole sub-forum devoted to reposting items hosted elsewhere.  Seems only fair that we could do the same.

[Lazarou Monkey Terror 1,838]

4 hours ago, Null 45 said:

I have recently been looking into the code that SC4 uses to load plugins on startup, this occurs before the SC4 splash screen appears. This is still experimental, but the results are promising. I added some timing code to the DLL so that I can track how much time SC4 spends loading plugins. My plugins folder is ~2.5 GB.

The original game code takes ~9 seconds to load plugins.

Replacing the class that SC4 uses to map TGI values to the DAT plugin that is the winning override drops the load time by ~89%. I am not sure why that produces such a large improvement, possibly the collection type I am using is more efficient with large numbers of TGI values than whatever Maxis used.

A few other changes reduce the load time even further, for a ~90% improvement on my system. These changes include, adding an optimization to the game's file read code for large reads, disabling the code  that scans the whole file if the DBPF signature wasn't found, and optimizing the code used to search for DBPF files that use the .SC4xxx file extension, .SC4Lot .SC4Model, etc.

This is very exciting, despite datpacking my cities still take a few minutes to load. 

[Haljackey 17,398]

10 hours ago, Haljackey said:

I was working on this new interchange and BTM station until...

Senator Haljackey?

Ok, got my finances in order and kept working on it

[Null 45 3,114]

1 hour ago, Lazarou Monkey Terror said:

This is very exciting, despite datpacking my cities still take a few minutes to load. 

I am not sure if it would help very much with the city load times, the game just has a ton more data to read from disk at that stage. At one point, I traced the file reads the game performs when loading a city. For the most part, the read order appeared to be random so there isn't much I could do to optimize it.

[bhmantan 2,111]

Been working on this lot for a while now and learned a lot of new things in the process. Still not fully satisfied with it yet, but I think I'll let it rest for now.

It's supposed to be a town square that is usually found in a rural town, decorated with various props, with park & landmark effects, and also functions as a bus stop. With the size of 3x3, I think it can be justified to have all those properties.

[sejr99999 8,370]

33 minutes ago, bhmantan said:

Been working on this lot for a while now and learned a lot of new things in the process. Still not fully satisfied with it yet, but I think I'll let it rest for now.

It's supposed to be a town square that is usually found in a rural town, decorated with various props, with park & landmark effects, and also functions as a bus stop. With the size of 3x3, I think it can be justified to have all those properties.

very nice  I think you should upload this to the exchange

[kschmidt 6,223]

On 4/17/2024 at 4:36 PM, off said:

@kschmidt Here are the download links.

Residential:
https://www.simcitychina.com/thread-145331-1-1.html
https://www.simcitychina.com/thread-145277-1-1.html

Commercial:
https://www.simcitychina.com/thread-146508-1-1.html
https://www.simcitychina.com/thread-146509-1-1.html
https://www.simcitychina.com/thread-144963-1-1.html
https://www.simcitychina.com/thread-145470-1-1.html
https://www.simcitychina.com/thread-144808-1-1.html

Thank you, as mentioned I foun them yesterday afther some search for GN-Drive user profile !

Some time ago I saw a large elevated rail station only available on SimcitybChina ? Anyone know wich ? Thank you !

Sincerely yours,

Kschmidt

  Edited April 18, 2024 by kschmidt  
littlequerry

[kschmidt 6,223]

17 hours ago, Kel9509 said:

Awesome that you're on there!  Since SimcityChina permits their users to re-post items from STEX and SC4D, is there any reason why items originally posted there cannot be reposted here if credit is given?  I mean, I'm browsing around there and it is funny to see that they have a whole sub-forum devoted to reposting items hosted elsewhere.  Seems only fair that we could do the same.

Well, What about language bariers I don't discourage reposting of iles elswhere. SimCity China about thee quarters at least STEX or Sc4 devotion and other sorce ! What we are looking for is a more secure distribution of the files and exchange so the security of existence and availability more widely is taken care of !

Sincerely yours, 

Kschmidt

[Dreadnought 8,231]

Yo, guys --

I need some assistance on something......

I saw the forum entries on that 3-D Camera DLL for Sc4.  I hesitate to mess with the DLL systems -- and I would like to know what kind of angles can be used in pictures of ships.

Could someone with the "3-D Camera Mod" installed -- plop a single ship and shoot some snapshots for me?? 

I'm curious about how good the camera angles are -- and what kind of distortion will occur in the shots.

I'd rather determine if the snapshots will be worth the effort to make the changes for the Mod -- BEFORE I go to all that trouble..

THANX MUCH -- !!

[Haljackey 17,398]

If you build it, they will come

[hugues aroux 3,867]

 

On 18/04/2024 at 6:01 AM, Haljackey said:

Ok, got my finances in order and kept working on it

 

3 hours ago, Haljackey said:

If you build it, they will come

I see that your new position as Senator has "opened the doors" to more funds...

[justforfun 7,927]

A new residential block:

[pclark06 12,072]

All those 7-Eleven stores on the STEX now have a distribution center

[Dreadnought 8,231]

YO, GUYS ---

Another Chapter of IMPERIAL DOCKYARDS: CUXHAVEN…

 

Chapter 20:

Pursuit Of The Goeben

 

 

 

Visit us at…...

 

AND you may visit this one as well…...

 

 

[MissVanleider 1,851]

Some more nature, 'unbalding' my sand dunes. Maybe CJ update at the weekend if real life doesn't rear it's ugly head. Dutch double houses, how I have missed you! 

 

[Null 45 3,114]

Since there seems to be a lot of interest in the startup DBPF plugin loading DLL that I mentioned in this post, I posted a public beta:

Note that the plugin is currently EXPERIMENTAL. It may cause CTDs or other issues. You should download it for TESTING PURPOSES ONLY and backup your plugins/regions before testing it.

[Dreadnought 8,231]

HISTORIC NAVIES 1900

Prop Pack Volume 22:

AMMUNITION TRAINS

 

 

 

Yo, guys -- @AP has posted a new prop pack for you – a little behind schedule – but he was called away on his “real life” job for several weeks. One must always keep One’s hobby in the proper perspective.

Get your downloads here…...

 

[MissVanleider 1,851]

I made a CJ update. Not a long one, and if you don't like pictures of sand dunes and beaches you're probably not going to like it.

 

[Haljackey 17,398]

Going a little roundabout crazy?

[sejr99999 8,370]

I love the sand dunes  reminds me of where I grew up

[jestarr 3,423]

A little more progress on this, it's at roughly the 70% mark. This is a front view. I'm not real happy with the lower wall section--the entry needs some work--it looks too short. Also needs a little roof junk, but it will probably be minimal. Here's a pic.

[EffTheGrid 3,726]

Developing the urban outskirts

[MissVanleider 1,851]

Working on a farm near my new river. For some reason my seasonal MMP flora doesn't seem to be acting very seasonally. I'm trying to remember if there is a setting I forgot because everything on LOTs seems to be seasonal, and everything I plopped seems to be permanently in autumn. Probably something I changed for some reason and forgot to unchange, because the autumn colours are of course great. Anyway, here is the farm / river.

N.B, the field in the bottom left just out of shot is apparently available for zero sim-dollars right now if anyone is interested.

[justforfun 7,927]

Looking for new property?

 

[MissVanleider 1,851]

14 hours ago, MissVanleider said:

Working on a farm near my new river. For some reason my seasonal MMP flora doesn't seem to be acting very seasonally. I'm trying to remember if there is a setting I forgot because everything on LOTs seems to be seasonal, and everything I plopped seems to be permanently in autumn. Probably something I changed for some reason and forgot to unchange, because the autumn colours are of course great. Anyway, here is the farm / river.

N.B, the field in the bottom left just out of shot is apparently available for zero sim-dollars right now if anyone is interested.

When I used "flora off" cheat to make this city bald, I forgot to re-enable it with 'flora on' before I started MMPing everything. Does anyone know if using it at this stage with lots of MMP flora but no god mode trees on this tile will cause CTD? Secondly will using the command allow my MMP work to become seasonal or will it just affect MMPs that I plop after using the 'flora on' cheat.

Not a big deal either way, as I do enjoy the autumn shades so if this is not something that is doable, that's fine.

[jestarr 3,423]

This morning while perusing a model railroading site I'm a member of, I came across a building I liked so I started modeling it. There will be a second story with two sets of windows. The road and rail is just for visual effect. Here's a pic of what I have so far.

[11241036 5,115]

I'm currently working on a small, scattered village along a long stretch of a coast with steep slopes and a lot of bays and cliffs. The idea is that this has once been a village living mostly from fishing and sheep breeding, but nowadays living also partly from tourism.

I'm currently undecided as of what types of plant MMP's to use for the land area just next to the sea. I'm thinking of using high grass, shrubbery and dwarven trees and gradually change to trees; however, since I've rarely seen the coast, I'd like to ask you for some suggestions how to design a coastal area with steep slopes.