Za's Non-NYBT Thread

[Za 164]

Good day, fellow Simtropolites: I've been lurking around this fine community for going on nearly six years and I figured it was about time that I attempted to give a little back to the community. The dedicated work of NYBT and the BSP in particular have been a tremendous inspiration to me as far as BATing goes; as such, my first project is to be the re-creation of several buildings from my hometown, Rochester, NY.
 

22 February 2013 Edit: This thread shall be for my non-NYBT/Rochester works.

 

Comments, tips, and, most importantly, criticism are quite welcome.

[Susaji 523]

Nice!

[hotChocolate 95]

That's really nice! We certainly need more of those small, modern buildings and Rochester seems like a fine place to provide the models.

[IL. 1,043]

Awesomeness

Those BATs will fit so great in simcity4

But you may need to imrpove the second BAT's roof texture, it doesnt look like fitting in, looks like not even a part of the building.

& I think that the white texture of the first BAT is too clean.

Awesomeness

[Ceafus 88 1,794]

Looks really promising, cannot wait to see more.

[Darknono35 3,137]

Awesome buildings, we need more buildings like this. Keep it up boy

[Vlasky 1,803]

I'm glad that you decided to come out Amazing things for someone new and very very good things in general. Looking forward to seeing more from you. Tip: focus on making textures.

[darn42 1,268]

It's looking really good so far. Very good overall presentation of the buildings.

Modeling is something that everyone can work on, but won't really affect much quality-wise, so I wouldn't worry about the methods you use to model your buildings too much. Simple methods can give really good results as seen by a lot of the good BATers out there. What really does show up in the quality of work is texturing, though. And it is apparent that you need to work on your texturing.

The biggest issue with your textures at the moment is that they are looking pixelated. Never let your texture be too small of an image for your BAT; it will ruin any hope of it looking realistic.

This is more apparent in 1 HSBC but keep in mind the color and value of the building. Your white facade material is way too white. The real building looks to be more of a light tan. In general, if you think something is white, it isn't most of the time. Also, the mullions on the 150 state should be darker.

On 150 state, when making your texture, look at the roof more closely, the lines you described only exist really on the inset part that you modeled out. There's pretty much just grime on the other section of the roof. Also, the lines themselves don't have enough space between them. Something I always think about when I'm modeling/texturing something is how close I can get to recreating it within reasonable effort. Pay attention to the smallest details you can and try and implement them; the entire building you make will end up looking better for it.

If you need help with texturing, I just made/started a tutorial in my tutorial thread (3ds max mixed modeling tutorials) that should hopefully help.

Good luck.

[Aaron Graham 4,417]

Model looks great. Darn42 is right, listen to good betters like darn42 he can make you a better batter.

[Za 164]

Hazani, hotChocolate, and Frex_Ceafus: Thanks a lot for stopping by

IL. , Vlasky, and darn42: First, thanks for the honest feedback. I have to agree that, even a day removed, the roof looks entirely absurd.

Darn, you're quite right: the image was far too small and I'm slowly becoming better-acquainted with all PS can do. On the other hand, I started looking through your texturing tut and it looks quite useful. I've been slightly daunted by the slate editor (mostly just been using the compact), but now I'll certainly give it a whirl. The workflow looks a bit smoother.

As for the lines, different angles reveal them better than others IRL so it's a bit of a compromise since one can't change the appearance based on rotation (or at least that I've figured out). I could always eliminate the lines in the cleaner part altogether.

Mullions have been slightly darkened. I'm rather dissatisfied with the glass material so that's also on the docket.

(As for 1 HSBC, I figured someone would say it's too clean. It is and I'll certainly give it attention in V2)

Darknono35: Great to see you in here. I'll do my best.

Aaron Graham: Believe me, I know what he's capable of. Know that I follow your work quite avidly as well.

I did some work on the roof today - hopefully it's a little more palatable. Also realized it was (and might still be) a tad over-sized.

[Reddonquixote 4,338]

Hi there.. I too recently embarked on the batting journey.. I will enjoy watching you progress. I'm only learning as well but if I can offer any help I will happily do so. Welcome!

[darn42 1,268]

Ah, the roof looks sooo much better now.

I forgot to mention this in my last post, but if you're blinds are still having trouble, check to see if the normals are flipped. That's usually a problem for a lot of rendering issues.

Good luck and keep up the good work.

[Ion_Cannon 677]

You've made a very good start, look forward to seeing what you come up with next.

[IL. 1,043]

The roof texture is now perfect

Still need some more textures improvements around here and there.

Can't wait intill it's done.

[Darknono35 3,137]

Interesting buildings from Rochester, NY, I'm waiting the next upload from you.

You textures are improved, keep it up Za

I think you have an promising fate for the community

[Za 164]

A quick, insignificant [day-after-Boxing Day?] update:

- Tried to improve some textures "here and there"

- Photoshopped onto a demonstration lot. I'll have to figure out some way to make it so that cars aren't visually trapped by the supports

- I originally intended to just model the base, but remembered instances in the past where that had been done and created some nightmares for lotters.

- Looks like the front ramp might have to be shortened a tad

- Overall, it looks a little too "cold" (or blue) for the game, perhaps a result of the roof's slight (0.17) reflection of the sky.

reddonquixote: I've been amazed by your first few projects; seldom have I seen anyone's first creation match your Eureka. Glad to have you stop by.

darn42: Thanks. And you were right on the money with the flipped normals - fixed it like nothing.

Ion_cannon: Thanks; as do I.

IL.: Glad to hear it. The rest is hopefully coming along.

Darknono35: Thanks a lot. Can't wait to upload for the first time.

[madhatter106 3,903]

I'll have to figure out some way to make it so that cars aren't visually trapped by the supports

Should be easy enough - just make sure to choose a lot texture from which to measure, and then you can go from there. The standard Maxis 16x16 meter square can fit five cars along a side.

[Sgt Pepper 864]

I really like what I see.

You definitely show more than promise and I can see you already on your way to becoming more than a great BATer.

Best of luck with figuring things out with this one.

[libellibicus 396]

I'm really liking this building. It's quite different from the usual buildings. Keep up the good work fella

[Toothless Stitch 2,901]

Gppd building. The most important thing you need to work on right now is the asphalt texture. It's tiling, and that tiling is way too visible.

[madhatter106 3,903]

Gppd building. The most important thing you need to work on right now is the asphalt texture. It's tiling, and that tiling is way too visible.

Um, if you're talking about the parking lots around and under the building, that's in the lot file - the base and overlay textures, which aren't part of the BAT proper. That sort of thing can easily be assessed and remedied in the lotting stage, with the Lot Editor.

He's not there yet. He's still in the modeling stage...so I'd say he doesn't "need" to work on it "right now," since it's all about getting the BAT itself right, rather than the lot that it's sitting on.

[gutterclub 2,729]

Looking good and coming along nicely..is there any scope for a more Urban version (I know its a recreation) that sits without the large carpark closer to the Street?

[Toothless Stitch 2,901]

Gppd building. The most important thing you need to work on right now is the asphalt texture. It's tiling, and that tiling is way too visible.

Um, if you're talking about the parking lots around and under the building, that's in the lot file - the base and overlay textures, which aren't part of the BAT proper. That sort of thing can easily be assessed and remedied in the lotting stage, with the Lot Editor.

He's not there yet. He's still in the modeling stage...so I'd say he doesn't "need" to work on it "right now," since it's all about getting the BAT itself right, rather than the lot that it's sitting on.

LOL, didn't realize that, of course you are right. And I wondered why no one else pointed that out. However, there's something else. I would say there's too much bumping. You can clearly see the waves going through the frames. Someone may correct me if i'm wrong again!

[Za 164]

No you're certainly right, skyscraper. I spent a good portion of the day trying to emulate a glass material I saw (one jasoncw posted in his thread a few months ago) that was almost exactly what I'm going for. It had a slight bronze tint to it, something that I noticed that this building has IRL. Of course, one can't ask a master to reveal his tricks

Unfortunately, I don't have anything worthy of posting in terms of the glass quite yet. And yes, once I get a material I like, I'll make it so the bump doesn't flow between. Right now it frankly looks like plastic wrap stretched across.

As for the lot, I do intend to find a less "tiley" texture and also plan on doing at least two lots - a larger (probably 7x5) re-creation and a more urban (4x4 or something like that) version.

[Za 164]

madhatter: Thanks for the first bit on the lot texture info.

sgt pepper: Thanks a lot for your kind words. Let's hope I can live up to 'em.

libellibicus: Thanks; and yes, you'll find that I do enjoy the strange ones (see below).

I was playing around last night with a junky model to test glass materials and ended up producing a building that reminded me of one in Rochacha. It's a funky one and I figured I could only improve by trying it out as a quickie.

45 East Avenue:

Still a WIP, but you get the idea: lot of things need work When it's properly sized it'll be 3x3

And no, don't worry, I'm not going to be one of those guys that starts a crapton of things and then never finishes them (though I am starting to see why some do that).

[libellibicus 396]

That's a quirky looking building....I like it

[LivingInThePast 364]

Wow. Good BATs on first try, and I'm still trying to finish something I started months ago (the Auchan and the fireworks stand was a dead end).

[Toothless Stitch 2,901]

I like this one pretty much. What are you planning to do with the design?

[Darknono35 3,137]

Awesome modern building You doing a good job and we want to see more about your buildings, keep it up

[wwetom1 831]

I'm loving your work so far!