Cool_Z's batting area..

[Cool_Z 1,547]

I have downloaded some fantastic looking bats recently and I've been wondering if I could do something myself.

 

I have a limited connaissance of modeling, no knowledge at all about how to export and set up things for exporting to SC4.

I am a graphist and I work everyday with photoshop, this should help.

 

I think the best way to learn how to do a thing is to try... (and maybe fail at first).

 

So here we are, here's my first try at building something for Simcity.

 

 

The building is a bit crude for now, I think I'll add some curve to one of the sides. I have to build an entrance under the main part.

 

I have to add things on the roof and a few thingies here and there to make it more detailed.

 

Please don't be too harsh, I'm just a beginner right now. 

[JP Schriefer 5,590]

I think it's looking good to a first try.

[AeonProjects 20]

definitely a great start

[Jasoncw 11,841]

You should register for the BAT School if you haven't already. Tomorrow's the deadline for registration and classes should start relatively soon after that.

[Cool_Z 1,547]

You should register for the BAT School if you haven't already. Tomorrow's the deadline for registration and classes should start relatively soon after that.

 

I thought I would not have the time at first... but I know there are parts of the process (the "go from a 3DS model and make it usable in simcity") where I could need some help.

 

I'll register 

[Cool_Z 1,547]

Added some curvature to the right main wall and to the arches between the appartments. CHanged the color or the staircase/lifts room (the redish tint was a but cartoonish), started working on the textures.

 

I added support under the structure. I still have to build an entrance.

 

[SimCoug 5,973]

I think the best way to learn how to do a thing is to try... (and maybe fail at first).

I wish more folks had that attitude 

 

Try -> Fail -> Learn (repeat)

you will get far in life using that formula.  

 

I like your model so far - keep it up!

[Delecto 941]

It's a good start.

 

Have you BAT4MAX installed and running? If yes can you show us a zoom5 preview?

[Cool_Z 1,547]

It's a good start.

 

Have you BAT4MAX installed and running? If yes can you show us a zoom5 preview?

 

I have not installed it yet... I hope it's not too complicated  :kitty:

[JP Schriefer 5,590]

You are improving very well! Keep it up.

[edwardjeria 503]

good job

is asemo bat

[T Wrecks 10,209]

I think you're showing a very good first attempt here! I'm not sure about that curvature, though. IMO, the straight lines suit the building better. Looks like a typical mid-rise office that could have been built in the Seventies. An external (emergency) staircase might be a good choice for that "blind wall" on the right-hand side, and maybe a single column of windows (end of corridor) for the left-hand side.

 

One thing you should fix is the spacing between those vertical window divisions: They should be in logical and uniform proportions to one another and to other building elements and not as irregularly spaced as they are now.

[Cool_Z 1,547]

I think you're showing a very good first attempt here! I'm not sure about that curvature, though. IMO, the straight lines suit the building better. Looks like a typical mid-rise office that could have been built in the Seventies. An external (emergency) staircase might be a good choice for that "blind wall" on the right-hand side, and maybe a single column of windows (end of corridor) for the left-hand side.

 

One thing you should fix is the spacing between those vertical window divisions: They should be in logical and uniform proportions to one another and to other building elements and not as irregularly spaced as they are now.

 

Thanks for the input. Yep I was not sure about the curvature too but the building felt a bit too "generic" without it... (and it made me battle a bit more with 3DS which isn't bad in itself). I'm not 100% sure I'll keep it as is.

 

The windows divisions were meant to separate appartments (I thought of the building as an appartment building, but I'm not quite sure right now, I have to make the windows look like you can slide them to open because i can't really see an appartment were you could not open windows.

 

 

Anyway... I'm encoutering a huge obstacle right now. I installed Bat4max and I am completely puzzled. What scale should I use ??? When I render a preview it looks like I've built a building for ants... 

 

I'm Lost !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Delecto 941]

You should use the metric system in Max and build the building at real size.

But you'll have to stretch it vertically by 133% using the "Select and Uniform Scale" tool in Max. This because the render camera view is "Orthographic" which flatten the view of your model.

 

What's your version of Max?

[Cool_Z 1,547]

You should use the metric system in Max and build the building at real size.

But you'll have to stretch it vertically by 133% using the "Select and Uniform Scale" tool in Max. This because the render camera view is "Orthographic" which flatten the view of your model.

 

What's your version of Max?

 

Hehe, yes I already read lots of thing about this stretching issue.

 

Max 2011.

 

I think I let max use it's "custom whatever" scale, which I used while building. I'll give it a lok as soon as he will be finished with a test rendering. (damn, no cancel button, not event a progress bar...)

[Delecto 941]

For cancel the render juste press "ESC" on your keyboards.

[Cool_Z 1,547]

For cancel the render juste press "ESC" on your keyboards.

 

Mais Lolll, je viens de voir que tu es un Suisse francophone  :kitty:

[Toothless Stitch 2,901]

Oh, I guess someone was inspired by Chase Tower in Chicago, huh?

[Cool_Z 1,547]

Oh, I guess someone was inspired by Chase Tower in Chicago, huh?

 

Not at all, but I just checked and it's a great looking building. I hope someone batted it !

[Cool_Z 1,547]

I'm struggling with Bat4Max...

 

The size and scale are ok now, but when I make a test render I get this :

 

 

Everything looks ok and at the last second, when the whole render is finished, max adds a "greyish" tone to the pic 

 

 

Edit :

 

By deactivating Max's gamma settings I could obtain a nice looking picture, but I feel like my materials look too dark in the editor.

 

No idea what causes this to happen when I render.

 

Here's a "non-gamma" pic ^^

 

[JP Schriefer 5,590]

Looking nice!

It's going to be a good BAT!

[Cool_Z 1,547]

Going on...

 

I'm still fighting with 3DSmax and bat4max. The gamma settings in 3DS max seem to be problematic.

 

Here's my latest test render. The line on the roof appear because internal walls are the exact size of the whole building, this will be corrected fast.

 

I just played with a texture for the lot itself, it's more like a placeholder right now.

 

I think I'll add an entry with a porch. I'll add some barriers for the parking entry. I'll use the space in front of the building for a parking lot and some trees.

 

On the back of the building I'll add emergency stairs on the dark part. I've already added a parking that comes out of the lower part of the building.

 

I've also added some roller shutters, Maybe I'll add more.

 

I've not yet decided what I'll put on the roof. Of course some "roof junk" is needed, but maybe a swimming pool would be nice.

 

[JP Schriefer 5,590]

It's looking nice. I think a helipad would be cool.

[SimCoug 5,973]

Were you planning on BATing the ground (street, grass) or are you just using that as a reference?  Because I would suggest rendering the building by itself and using the LE to add the ground textures/props/etc.  It's really coming along nicely though.  Great work.

[Cool_Z 1,547]

Were you planning on BATing the ground (street, grass) or are you just using that as a reference?  Because I would suggest rendering the building by itself and using the LE to add the ground textures/props/etc.  It's really coming along nicely though.  Great work.

 

I was planning to bat it completely, but I'm not quite sure, I have to get my hand at lotting too

 

Anyway, I thought it would be better if I started the "3DS to Gmax, to lot editor, to SC4" stuff with something a bit smaller.

 

So I started building a house 

 

Here you can see Mr and Mrs Sims looking quite impatient (and a bit worried because some walls are still missing... and there's no bathroom yet  :kitty: )

 

 

I still have problems with 3DS and his gamma correction but I think this is the right preset.

 

Still a lot to do for this little house too, but I'm learning more and more with 3DS (but I still hate it  :kitty:  :kitty: )

[JP Schriefer 5,590]

It's looking good!

I'm liking the house.

[Cool_Z 1,547]

 

Learning and learning... and learning ^^

[wwetom1 831]

Both the tower and house look neat nice start.

[greener07 8]

Awesome

 

I'm nowhere near you 

[Cool_Z 1,547]

Both the tower and house look neat nice start.

 

Thanks, too neat actually, time to make all this look a bit dirtier

 

Awesome

 

I'm nowhere near you 

 

Thank you. 

 

Well I already have some experience with 3D, I'm not starting from scratch. The more you do the more you learn.