Pittsburgh - The impossible region...

[Midget*Toilet 0]

Well, I've tried for exactly one week now, and I've failed. Pittsburgh, PA cannot be recreated with SC4's greyscale terrain import system.

The problem seems to lie within the interpolation process that SC4 uses while creating terrain. With this, you cannot have realistic canyons, streams, or creeks, and simply put, a region like Pitt cannot be created (realistically).

I've tried and tried, but to no avail. It would be nice if Maxis actually made a new terrain creation system, rather than using the same one from SC3k. Maybe there's a way the engine can be edited so that terrain as complex as this may be created, but who's to know?

We'll probably just have to wait until SC5 ...

[Breeze 0]

There is a region someone created awhile ago that was on the map ex., but I really dont think it was even remotely close to accurate scale. Needless to say even if someone did pull off a close to accurate scale I dont think it would even be possible to make it with all the dam bridges, steep hills, and roads over/under other roads would just be a nightmare. As much as I would love to make this, I just cant see how it would/could be done.

[SimMaster 17]

Yes, the maps aren't even close to the real thing...It also seems things are out of poportion in the Pittsburgh maps.

[JohnB 66]

Why not just create Pittsburgh with the terraform tools. I know its hard, because Pittsburgh has many hills and 3 rivers. I think it can be done. It involves a lot of hard work. I am gonna try to create the 3 most famous buildings in Pittsburgh in BAT. I have already started on the USX tower. I might be able to make Mellon 1 and PPG place. I wish I had more time to make BAT projects. I live in Pittsburgh and I love this city. Its worth recreating the city, no matter how hard it might be.

[Breeze 0]

As a fellow Pittsburgh native, recreating it would be quite the challenge considering its terrain. Some parts would even be impossible to recreate as for the roads going under bridges. As far as making the Bats those would be great choices but you cant have pitt. without the Gateway Clipper Fleet . I might have to give it a try to terraform some.

[mrpittsburgh67 0]

I've tried countless times to recreate Pittsburgh. The biggest problem is that SC4 does not allow you to build bridges diagonally. So even if you get the landscape down, you won't be able to duplicate the transportation network.


I just recently purchased SC4 and so far have been disappointed with it. I thought it would be a lot better than SC3 but so far I feel it was only marginally better.

[mrpittsburgh67 0]

I recently made a Pittsburgh region that seems pretty close to the actual topography. Unfortunately, no matter what it will still never be completely accurate. I uploaded the files necessary unto the regions section if you want to take a shot at it.

[SimMaster 17]

Wow, alot of Pittsburgh natives here!

 

A Pittsburgh region project would be cool.

[JohnB 66]

Cool Mr.Pittsburgh you made a region already. The first thing I wanted to do when I got sc4 was to recreate our wonderful city. I still want to give it a try, once I'm done making the Usx tower. I have already started on the Usx tower. I have collected tons of information about the building and taken many photos of it. It was very easy to collect all that information since I work right next to the USX I am trying to make the building as accurate as possible. I even counted the number of windows on it.
I might try to make Mellon Bank, and PPG after I'm done with the USX.

[dudyconstructor 40]

omg how can you terraform pittsburg manually?? that will take day because you would have to open every square city and terraform and make sure that they fit with the other city modifications! i sugest you to try to look for an explanation why is not working correctly

[memeringue 0]

There is a way to make your region more life-like. Import the grey-scale image into photoshop. Then majic want the mountainous areas, or the areas you want to be more contrasting. Majic want with the interpolation high (around 100). Then play with the contrast settings, make sure the sealevel parts still match, or there will be a ridge where you selected. But if you play with it for a while, you can get your mountains ALOT more realistic, without distorting their shape.

[MttFrog13 0]

i've decided to make pittsburgh using the map on this page.

[MttFrog13 0]

here: http://www.rebel13.com/SimCity/Home.html

[JohnB 66]

Wow that looks very realistic, but how will that look in sc4? It really helps to live in Pittsburgh in order to make it correctly. Also you gotta make South Hills area, because thats where I live. And you cant forget Homestead.

[wkw427 1]

the key things in pitt must be

Downtown
Oakland(Someone should make the cathredal of learning!)
Northside
Mt.Washington
Troy Hill (i live there!)
Spring hill + vally
Larencevill
Etna

and i can't think of the rest!!!

i's like to see the USS(the big black bilding in town. don't know the name)

[TheeLord 42]

Pittsburgh is a great city, I live in chicago myself so im a bit spoiled as far as beautiful cities go lol But I would definatly give Pittsburgh a 2nd place spot. There was nothing like coming from the west, and through the hills seeing a few skyscrapers, then going under a bridge and BAM downtown was like ON you.. it was all kinda crazy lol.

I was there to catch some Cubs/Pirates games, and its a great stadium there now as well.

[bobinator 0]

Sounds like a pretty killer city. Luckily, Spokane isn't quite so hard to make!

[SimMaster 17]

This will be great if the projects lifts off..I would love to see my city recreated!

[JayStimson 211]

I'm a bit confused. You said you imported a greyscale image for the city ? where did you get it from ? USGS DEM data ?
I've done lots of maps by downloading USGS data and the one problem I've found is this:
SC4 does not handle water at higher elevations than sea-level correctly. there are many threads on this subject if you search a bit. anyway, because of this i've avoided many interesting inland cities with nice rivers to build bridges over. however, there is hope ...
joerg is currently working on a prop to provide above sea-level water (it's not really water of course) that may provide some relief. I'm guessing this is the problem you're struggling with. Otherwise, data from USGS is perfect. the elevations are correct and hills and valleys come out vitually perfect (especially if the region you're creating has 1/3 arc second data available). so other than the water elevation issue (which i agree is big), which you don't mention specifically, i'm not sure what problem you're having. tell me more. there are other ways to address the water elevation issue but they can be rather time consuming.

[sloppet 3]

Jay Stimson you've post here a very useful information   thanks!

[amc1222 0]

I also tried to make Pittsburgh, I live here too. but it just never looks right. nice to know there are so many pittsburghers here. I wish we could get some of our buildings on the STEX. USS(USX), mellon 1, PPG Place, the catherdral of learning (univ of Pgh building in oakland) just to name a few....

[Ninja12 3]

amc not that pittsburgh in the Bay Area the one in the midwest lol

[SimMaster 17]

Date: 3/22/2005 12:16:11 AM Author: Ninja12 amc not that pittsburgh in the Bay Area the one in the midwest lol

quote>

What??

[JohnB 66]

Date: 3/20/2005 11:16:47 PM Author: amc1222 I also tried to make Pittsburgh, I live here too. but it just never looks right. nice to know there are so many pittsburghers here. I wish we could get some of our buildings on the STEX. USS(USX), mellon 1, PPG Place, the catherdral of learning (univ of Pgh building in oakland) just to name a few....

You would be happy to know, that I am 90% done with the USX tower. Man where have you been? Everyone knows that I'm making the USX tower and planning to make Mellon 1 next. I might even make some of the other buildings you mentioned.

 

Here take a look at my progress so far. There is still a lot of work left, and I don't have the correct textures yet, and I didnt make the glass base yet, but what do you think?

 

align=baseline>

[Ninja12 3]

SimMaster there is a city north east of SF called pittburgh

[Midget*Toilet 0]

Holy crap, this topic hasn't died!

Well, I've got some very good news. I've cleaned up a USGS map of the Pittsburgh metro area, and I'm currently in the process of smoothing out the river banks. Expect a new map of Pitt on the map exchange in the coming weeks.

Photoshop made it extremely easy to fix the problems of the DEM to BMP conversion. This new map will be as accurate as SC4 will allow.

By the way: EXCELLENT work on the USX Tower, man.

[unseelie 0]

Actually, that city east of SF is spelled Pittsburg without the h. I don't think AMC was talking about that one. There may be an Oakland near Pittsburgh PA also.

[JohnB 66]

Actually Oakland is a neighborhood in Pittsburgh. That is the neighborhood where the cathedral of learning is located and other educational buildings. That is also where one of the biggest medical centers in the country is located. We have many hospitals and medical centers all in one spot. They have some of the best healthcare in the whole country.

[SimMaster 17]

Date: 3/22/2005 11:49:46 PM Author: Ninja12 SimMaster there is a city north east of SF called pittburgh

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Yeah I know..just next time use the quote button. I had no idea who you were talking to..

[amc1222 0]

Date: 3/22/2005 3:51:09 PM Author: SimMaster

Date: 3/22/2005 12:16:11 AM Author: Ninja12 amc not that pittsburgh in the Bay Area the one in the midwest lol

quote> What??

quote>

 

yeah i was thinking the same thing. The beginning of the thread the first post says,

Well, I've tried for exactly one week now, and I've failed. Pittsburgh, PA cannot be recreated with SC4's greyscale terrain import system.

quote>

 

I work in USX and i applaud your efforts, it looks good so far John, I just didn't think you were still working on it from last year. Coolness