Reddonquixote's BAT thread

[dubaidude303 1,119]

Looking good!

[Reddonquixote 4,338]

So here's the re-configured wheel. I wasn't sure how I got it so wrong before, but turns out the one before (on the left) is the configuration of when it was the Southern Star, and the one now (on the right) is how they rebuilt it as the Melbourne Star

 

eek... looks like a couple of the spokes at the top of the wheel went a bit wonky... better fix that

 

and no Gannet, it doesn't spin .

 

And also a quick update on the Hyatt, with realigned lights and red crescent in the Hyatt sign. Not sure why the glare has suddenly decided to go supernova, but I will fix that later.

 

[Xander Dax 310]

Wow love the Wheel, how goes your other Projects?.

[__A 792]

Aah I was kinda wondering why it still had a circle but thought it was just because of the angle

 

About the lights, I do realise it will take extra time but if you do end up making a couple different variations could I request this one http://puu.sh/6CrdF.jpg It looks really nice 

[JP Schriefer 5,590]

Really nice job!

[KonstantinII 1,106]

Can you make it spin like this one?

[Scaley McSlither 1,714]

But... he already said it doesn't spin. 

 

What IS spinning is my head; from the sheer awesomeness of these BATs! 

[shinkansen1 84]

The Hyatt sign looks MUCH better now!

[jdenm8 362]

Can you make it spin like this one?

 

The problem with that is that Reddon would have to make several versions of the model to match each frame of the animation. That would, assuming it's a five-frame loop, quintuple the render times and complicate lighting rig problems.

 

It also doesn't help that animation knowledge isn't widespread.

[gutterclub 2,729]

IMO the Ferris wheel is far too shiny and clean, looks a little plasticy...for something with moving parts etc I wouldn't expect it to be so shiny? Other than that it's a spectacular model!!!!

[Reddonquixote 4,338]

Here's an update on Collins Place. Still a bit of work to do, but it's a bit closer to being finished.

 

 

On the wheel - I've been giving some thought to animating it to spin but I don't think so, the number of models would make the file size so big it would be impractical.

 

I might animate the night lights though (with some modding help )

 

Gutterclub, yeah you're probably right but then again the wheel is like a month old... still shiny and new

[Toothless Stitch 2,901]

 

Here's an update on Collins Place. Still a bit of work to do, but it's a bit closer to being finished.

 

 

On the wheel - I've been giving some thought to animating it to spin but I don't think so, the number of models would make the file size so big it would be impractical.

 

I might animate the night lights though (with some modding help   )

 

Gutterclub, yeah you're probably right but then again the wheel is like a month old... still shiny and new 

 

I would advise you the BAB (Bitmap Animation Builder). Unfortunately, this is a horribly underestimated programme to animate models and export them to SC4. It's only working with gmax, though, so you needed to export it to gmax (the model itself, not the LOD). There are some tutorials and I got some expreience with it. After animation, you could export it as a prop and add it in LE. What do you think?

[Cool_Z 1,547]

Here's an update on Collins Place. Still a bit of work to do, but it's a bit closer to being finished.

 

 

On the wheel - I've been giving some thought to animating it to spin but I don't think so, the number of models would make the file size so big it would be impractical.

 

I might animate the night lights though (with some modding help )

 

Gutterclub, yeah you're probably right but then again the wheel is like a month old... still shiny and new

 

It's so beautiful I'm drooling on my keyboard right now !! 

[jdenm8 362]

I would advise you the BAB (Bitmap Animation Builder). Unfortunately, this is a horribly underestimated programme to animate models and export them to SC4. It's only working with gmax, though, so you needed to export it to gmax (the model itself, not the LOD). There are some tutorials and I got some expreience with it. After animation, you could export it as a prop and add it in LE. What do you think?

 

I wouldn't go down that route because items animated like that generally look dreadful and not up to Reddon's standard. Using S3D Keyframe animations on the other hand will retain the Static version's quality, but they blow out the filesize. It should also allow it to keep its nightlighting and be used as the central building on the lot, neither of which is possible with ATB animated props, which is what the BAB generates.

 

For reference, Keyframe Animated S3Ds are used for the ferris wheel in the State Fair lot.

 

 

Here's an update on Collins Place. Still a bit of work to do, but it's a bit closer to being finished.

 

<snip>

 

Don't know if you've noticed it, but the placement of the glass roof panels is off. There shouldn't be half-panels around the edges and it should extend past the edge of the building a bit further. Also, were you considering putting the ATM in there? It should be visible from that angle.

[JP Schriefer 5,590]

It's perfect!!!

[MTT9 187]

Amazing!!!!

[__A 792]

Collins Place will be a great edition to my city! Sofitel's toilets on the 35th floor apparently have a great view of the city

[Reddonquixote 4,338]

Ooooh... nearly slipped off the first page , I've been working on revitalising one of my older projects and was waiting until I had something to show, but taking a bit longer than expected, so I'll just post some responses instead.

 

Skyscraper - thanks for the suggestion. Based on Jden's response I think I'll stick to outsourcing my animations.

 

Speaking of which, Weixc told me a while back he's completed the multi-coloured changing Arts Spire, I haven't got around to publishing it yet.. look out for it soon

 

Jden, yeah, I need to rework the glass completely. I never had it right from the start. And yeah, still need to add more details around the base, including the ATM, possibly the revolving doors, not sure if they are visible from the angle, and also the information boards.

 

Schriefer/ MTT9... thanks

 

Lol @ Mystic_Destiny... made me think of the one's at (I think) CQ bar, the back wall of the urinals is the window to outside

 

Hopefully I'll have a proper update soon

[urielgarcia 344]

Yeeeeh....looking forward to the updates.  Love your bats.

[Reddonquixote 4,338]

So here's what I've been working on - with his canal pieces, Delecto inspired me to reprise my Yarra Bridges series. Recap:

 

 

So I have been mapping out, in rough 'prototype' lots, the course of the Yarra through the city. Believe me, it was a lot harder than it looks, but I did get better at it as I went

 

Not sure how much interest this is going to be to most folk, really all you're going to be able to make at the end of it is the Yarra, they aren't really modular pieces.

 

I haven't done the Docklands end yet, its quite new along there, aerial shots haven't caught up with the development so will need to come back to it when I can get better references.

 

 

 

 

[John A. Rivers 109]

That's really beautiful, just like always ! but the bat I'm really waiting is the state library of victoria which looks very promising. Is this project still in process?

[ausa07 66]

I spy Federation Square in the works!?   

Anyway I probably wouldn't need to use the Yarra but... all the bridges that cross it in the CBD are beautiful bridges and I'd love to have those in my cities.

[__A 792]

Wow, that is fantastic! I can even do Birrarung Marr! As for Docklands (and South Wharf), much of the waterways haven't changed since before the urban renewal. Will you be doing Seafarers and Webb Bridge as well?

[JP Schriefer 5,590]

You're doing a wonderful job! All your projects are awesome!

[ROFLyoshi 1,760]

Personally I feel that you could just use Quai de Seine seawalls for the river.

What would be nice is if you could make "bridge skins". So you drag a road and then you can plop a overhanging lot which then changes the look of the bridge to your one. Just an idea.

That floating bar would be cool too

[Jasoncw 11,840]

Impressive.

[DamienMB 58]

Not sure how much interest this is going to be to most folk, really all you're going to be able to make at the end of it is the Yarra, they aren't really modular pieces.

 

Perhaps after texturing the water and riverbank you could release a set of generic "Yarra-style" pieces?

 

Personally I feel that you could just use Quai de Seine seawalls for the river.

 

That'd save him a lot of time but the end result wouldn't look anywhere near as good. By creating his own canal pieces he has total control over the river's appearance.

[weixc812 509]

Yey, I believe those bridges will look beautiful if you make them into props...

And I'm concerned about Federation Square too. How is that BAT going?

[Reddonquixote 4,338]

Thanks everyone.

 

Yoshi - you might be missing the point... I'm making BATs, not making Melbourne I don't think I understand the concept  of Bridge Skins - has anyone else done that I could look at to see what you mean?

 

Chrysler - yeah State Library defintely still on the (ever-growing) list of BATs to finish. So is Fed Square Fed Square might become more of a priority now I'm doing the river pieces.

 

Damien - I was thinking that too. I think I could get reuse out of some of the straight pieces without too much extra effort. See what happens

 

Here's as far as I got with the first piece today. I'm interested to get your thoughts, mostly on the water... its a bit tricky. Transparent water reflects the sky too much and turns too blue. Opaque water looks milky and murky. In the SC4 camera view the water looks a bit flat too. I might need a displacement map to break it up a bit. The water's edge looks hideous as well

 

Oh, and the bits that don't look like they are textured, aren't

 

 

[urielgarcia 344]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!         .  That is beauuutiful!