Real Life City Recreation Tutorial

[cmdp123789 710]

Hi guys,

 

Based on a recent thread, and after more than 10 years playing, and being a member from 2006, I want to share my knowledge of the game. I dont know how to BAT, but I do try my best at supporting the NYBT team, and at the same time, receive support from them, and from members like MAGNETO, who has been of great help in creatin a mod for me.

 

Now, I come to you guys, with one intention only, to create a tutorial on recreating a Real Life City (RLC) in simcity 4. Of course, limitations are gonna be present, but, we are here to find a way to overcome them, and finally get the results we want.

 

The concept is simple. You fill the poll above, and based on the answers we get, we will start this project. After you completed the poll, post the city you voted, and what part of it you want to start with. This is a long term project, thats why you gotta tell me what part comes first, and of course, it will be open to the rest who want to participate after.

 

Please, I encourage you to participate, and form part of this. If done correctly, we will have a thread you dont wanna miss, and will definetly get your attention!!

 

Lets start!!

[SimRico 968]

Id like Cincinnati Ohio or Houston because i grew up in one and live in the other and know the lay of the cities like the prints of my fintertips

Cool "avataridge" by the way

[Mr Saturn64 742]

I'd most like to see Paris recreated. City of light!

[elavery 1,013]

I am currently recreating Monaco.

[9gruntsand1hammer 3,198]

Recreating downtown Toronto, may expand it to all of Toronto later on.

[cmdp123789 710]

Alright! So far so good! So I see most of the votes are going to Chicago!!

SimRico: Houston was gonna be in options, don't know why I didn't put there...

MrSaturn: well, remember that the whole point of this is for us to build it together, so you gotta be willing work along with me. All I'm doing in here is basically see what city gets most votes, and show you guys how to do that city. I'm a huge fan of roadworks, networks, transportation in general.. And I see that most of the times, the basic step is to get that right... So I'm here to show you the winner city, and teach you the method I use so you can all get it right too

Elavery: nice! Are we going to see any pics soon?

[SimRico 968]

Recreating downtown Toronto, may expand it to all of Toronto later on.

9Grunts! (Love that name)... Toronto Ontario,  Halton Hills, the huge underground mall, all used to be my stomping grounds!  Ah the memories!

 

Alright! So far so good! So I see most of the votes are going to Chicago!!

SimRico: Houston was gonna be in options, don't know why I didn't put there...

MrSaturn: well, remember that the whole point of this is for us to build it together, so you gotta be willing work along with me. All I'm doing in here is basically see what city gets most votes, and show you guys how to do that city. I'm a huge fan of roadworks, networks, transportation in general.. And I see that most of the times, the basic step is to get that right... So I'm here to show you the winner city, and teach you the method I use so you can all get it right too

Elavery: nice! Are we going to see any pics soon?

 

EXCELLENTE!  I have subscribed to this topic/folder! Cant wait!!

[cmdp123789 710]

So I see that so far... no love for good ol' NYC

[JimC 159]

your protege is handling that, with a special emphasis on power plants and water sources.

 

edit: i vote chicago and hong kong. both would be fairly easy I think, Chicago moreso. Both would look fantastic.

[__A 792]

I am recreating Melbourne bit by bit atm.

[ROFLyoshi 1,760]

I think I should help on that, if I have the time! XD

[cmdp123789 710]

I think I should help on that, if I have the time! XD

 You in? lol... wanna take a vote? or maybe propose a city you want to collaborate or participate in? =)

 

Guys!! I see some good results for now.. Cmon!! keep em coming.. post it in your status, lets make it huge... the faster we get some more votes, the faster we will begin... Its all about votes and comments.. It is important that we have comments, opinions, ideas.. anything!!

 

So far..

 

1) Chicago

2)Tokyo

3)NYC / Hong Kong

 

I see there are 7 votes on others.. but I dont see comments on them except for Houston.. As I said, comment, it is the only way to get this going on!!

[Bastet69008 1,102]

Apart from Miami, I'd love to work on some more exotic cities. I started a project a few months ago in order to recreate Johannesburg South Africa. I'd also love to recreate Rio de Janeiro, that I have partially showcased in my CJ. The main issue is the variety of buildings to make the city realistic in those cases.

 

The best solution would be a pragmatic choice. Considering the number of buildings in the game, the easiest cities to recreate would be HK, NYC,Detroit and Chicago. Detroit would be easy but time consuming because despite its population the urban area is huuuuuge. HK would be easy because it is very dense because of the topography and we have a handful of buildings in the STEX. Chicago is a marvelous city and I think it deserves a great recreation! And NYC...well...you know..NYC is NYC.

 

Thanks to Reddonquixote stunning work, Melbourne might also be a potential idea!

[47ply 1,100]

Chicago would be awesome lake Michigan shore would look great. and lots of buildings already here. great place to teach from!!!!

[cmdp123789 710]

Well, to be completely honest.. the cities voted are basically NYC and Chicago. I understand that there are other cities that you guys want to recreate or see recreated, and I have also seen some of your projects, like the exotic or tropical ones... Ive seen mediterranean... and yes, I must agrre also that the lack of bats makes it really hard. 

Based on that, Im gonna have to narrow it down, and create a "new poll" which is simple... (and Im sorry SimRico, but it is impossible to recreate Houston because of the way the grid is orientated, maybe Cincinnati =)...) but, if you guys were to choose between NYC and Chicago... which one is it? Cause, I dont want to delay this anymore, in fact, I would like to start RIGHT NOW LOL!!

[TekindusT 3,809]

I haven't voted, but just a suggestion... NYC and Chicago have already been recreated in the past because of several factors. Why not attempting something that nobody has made yet? Houston or Melbourne have a nice variety of BATs out there and haven't been recreated (AFAIK). You could give them a try.

[SimRico 968]

your protege is handling that, with a special emphasis on power plants and water sources.

 

edit: i vote chicago and hong kong. both would be fairly easy I think, Chicago moreso. Both would look fantastic.

 

your protege is handling that, with a special emphasis on power plants and water sources.

 

edit: i vote chicago and hong kong. both would be fairly easy I think, Chicago moreso. Both would look fantastic.

Cousin NEBB!  i was thinking Memphis or Thebes!  Even a city called Hoteph!

 

My MUMMY sez when are you coming out to Stepford-Nebbs Beach  and visit again?

 

[cmdp123789 710]

I haven't voted, but just a suggestion... NYC and Chicago have already been recreated in the past because of several factors. Why not attempting something that nobody has made yet? Houston or Melbourne have a nice variety of BATs out there and haven't been recreated (AFAIK). You could give them a try.

 

I was really hoping I could do Houston. I even started downloading some BATs, downloaded the map, and even created the region!! But it wasnt until I checked Google Earth that I found that the downtown is impossible to recreate because of the grid's angle. See, it is not 45 degrees, and even though I found a way to do it.. which makes the grid look good in the transit view, but a pain in the back to build and plop the buildings.

 

I guess, I could give it a try too... so far, I have NYC started... I have Philadelphia started (but I dont see too many people interested in Philly) and I guees I could start a Houston too. I wanna give it a go to Chicago.. 

 

I know this sounds probably boring to some people since they are all American cities.. but I guess most of the people in here are interested in them because of the amount of BATs available. 

 

Remember, the whole point of this is to make a tutorial out of it, and make people participate and show how thye are followin this. Again, personally, I will give it a try, but we need to decide on the public vote in terms of tutorial. I will gladly do, whatever city wins the poll... Of course, pictures will be shown about the other ones, but since there is a batting school, I thought that maybe, I could contribute by doing something that Im really good at =)

[SimRico 968]

 

I haven't voted, but just a suggestion... NYC and Chicago have already been recreated in the past because of several factors. Why not attempting something that nobody has made yet? Houston or Melbourne have a nice variety of BATs out there and haven't been recreated (AFAIK). You could give them a try.

 

I was really hoping I could do Houston. I even started downloading some BATs, downloaded the map, and even created the region!! But it wasnt until I checked Google Earth that I found that the downtown is impossible to recreate because of the grid's angle. See, it is not 45 degrees, and even though I found a way to do it.. which makes the grid look good in the transit view, but a pain in the back to build and plop the buildings.

 

I guess, I could give it a try too... so far, I have NYC started... I have Philadelphia started (but I dont see too many people interested in Philly) and I guees I could start a Houston too. I wanna give it a go to Chicago.. 

 

I know this sounds probably boring to some people since they are all American cities.. but I guess most of the people in here are interested in them because of the amount of BATs available. 

 

Remember, the whole point of this is to make a tutorial out of it, and make people participate and show how thye are followin this. Again, personally, I will give it a try, but we need to decide on the public vote in terms of tutorial. I will gladly do, whatever city wins the poll... Of course, pictures will be shown about the other ones, but since there is a batting school, I thought that maybe, I could contribute by doing something that Im really good at =)

 

You are correct, we have some ODD angled  avenues here, funny thing isit looks like  the main boulevards that runs from the west  to the east, suddenly takes an ODD downward angle shift but not a perfect 45 going into downtown,  then there's the strangely situated bldgs downtown.   i work down here, i can navigate now,but if you think the map isodd....ha! see it in person.

 

No problem, and no,this tutorial discussion is not boring.

 

[Pioneer 140]

DETROIT DO DETROIT

[TekindusT 3,809]

@cmdp123789, @SimRico: As it has been said before on this thread, the vast majority of times the recreation cannot be full. Finding a compromise between RL and SC4 is something inherent to city recreations. Sometimes, you have to settle recreating a small part of a city. I just consulted Houston's layout on Google Earth, you guys are right. But I think that, if you make the recreation in a blank map, with the orthogonal roads fitting SC4 grid, I think you can have a pretty decent thing. Just my 2 cents, of course.

[cmdp123789 710]

@cmdp123789, @SimRico: As it has been said before on this thread, the vast majority of times the recreation cannot be full. Finding a compromise between RL and SC4 is something inherent to city recreations. Sometimes, you have to settle recreating a small part of a city. I just consulted Houston's layout on Google Earth, you guys are right. But I think that, if you make the recreation in a blank map, with the orthogonal roads fitting SC4 grid, I think you can have a pretty decent thing. Just my 2 cents, of course.

I thought of that too... I mean, it is possible to do that with the majority of the city, my real concern is about the downtown area, and south of the downtown area =) any tips on that??

[Ke|is 3,337]

I like so much this kind of thread, I enjoyed a lot reading all the comments and I was wondering, why not share with all these guys my point of view

 

I'm playing Simcity 4 since 2005, and I always I tried to make recreations, from USA I tried with cities like Chicago, New York, L.A and one of the best for me, Detroit !!

from Europe cities like Paris, Madrid, Berlin and Barcelona were on my mind...and we could not forget the biggest cities from Asia, I did recreations of Hong Kong, Tokyo and Bangkok... I just shared with you some of them, like Berlin, Hong Kong and New York... and the other recreations always ended more soon that I was expected and for that reason these cities were never shown here...

 

Anyway I think recreations are on of the best ways to play simcity 4, and for that reason I always got a recreation on my mind... as some of you know I was recreating New York city until I lost all my plugins / regions due a problem with my computer, anyway I will do recreations until I leave this game and for that reason I like so much this thread, and I hope we can see new recreations in this great world of Simcity 4.

 

For my part, I think you have to include Detroit in your list my friend but my vote goes to Hong Kong, why ? because for me Hong Kong is the perfect city to be recreate in this game, it has a fantastic map, a lot of amazing buildings, a great seapor and airport, mountains, rivers and sea...it's perfect for simcity 4 and for that reason Hong Kong will be my next ( I hope the last one ) project, I've worked on the map a lot of time, making little adjustments and now I think I got the perfect map, so now is time to prepare the plugins and I hope soon I can share with you my recreation guys.

 

Hong Kong map, created by Kelis (kelistmac)

 

 

 

Greetings and keep up this great thread and thanks cmdp123789 for start it

[cmdp123789 710]

 

I like so much this kind of thread, I enjoyed a lot reading all the comments and I was wondering, why not share with all these guys my point of view

 

I'm playing Simcity 4 since 2005, and I always I tried to make recreations, from USA I tried with cities like Chicago, New York, L.A and one of the best for me, Detroit !!

from Europe cities like Paris, Madrid, Berlin and Barcelona were on my mind...and we could not forget the biggest cities from Asia, I did recreations of Hong Kong, Tokyo and Bangkok... I just shared with you some of them, like Berlin, Hong Kong and New York... and the other recreations always ended more soon that I was expected and for that reason these cities were never shown here...

 

Anyway I think recreations are on of the best ways to play simcity 4, and for that reason I always got a recreation on my mind... as some of you know I was recreating New York city until I lost all my plugins / regions due a problem with my computer, anyway I will do recreations until I leave this game and for that reason I like so much this thread, and I hope we can see new recreations in this great world of Simcity 4.

 

For my part, I think you have to include Detroit in your list my friend but my vote goes to Hong Kong, why ? because for me Hong Kong is the perfect city to be recreate in this game, it has a fantastic map, a lot of amazing buildings, a great seapor and airport, mountains, rivers and sea...it's perfect for simcity 4 and for that reason Hong Kong will be my next ( I hope the last one ) project, I've worked on the map a lot of time, making little adjustments and now I think I got the perfect map, so now is time to prepare the plugins and I hope soon I can share with you my recreation guys.

 

Hong Kong map, created by Kelis (kelistmac)

 

 

 

Greetings and keep up this great thread and thanks cmdp123789 for start it

 

Wow!! what a great map my friend!! Actually, if I was to build Hong Kong, I would love to have that map. On the other hand, should I start a Hong Kong, knowing that you are doing it? I mean, The point in here is to cover the greatest amount of cities, so I think, I will give it to you LOL!! At this point, I feel like the next step for me is recreating American cities... Dont take me wrong, I admire Hong Kong, in fact I was hoping people would vote Hong Kong... but now that I see you want it... pss forget it!! there is no way I can do it better than you.. you are the ASIAN CITIES MASTER!! 

 

I really like to see people participating in here, and of course, opinions count! I have to admit, I did not expect so much people to comment and share in here... its amazing!! 

 

Anyways, right now, Im working to see how the Houston map fits LOL (Im not giving up on that one) and as I stated above, I got Philly and NYC started, and as we are speaking, the Chicago map is being downloaded!! 

 

Btw buddy.. is it possible that I can PM you to guve you my email address so you can send me the Hilton Hotel?

[SimRico 968]

@cmdp123789, @SimRico: As it has been said before on this thread, the vast majority of times the recreation cannot be full. Finding a compromise between RL and SC4 is something inherent to city recreations. Sometimes, you have to settle recreating a small part of a city. I just consulted Houston's layout on Google Earth, you guys are right. But I think that, if you make the recreation in a blank map, with the orthogonal roads fitting SC4 grid, I think you can have a pretty decent thing. Just my 2 cents, of course.

 

 

 

@cmdp123789, @SimRico: As it has been said before on this thread, the vast majority of times the recreation cannot be full. Finding a compromise between RL and SC4 is something inherent to city recreations. Sometimes, you have to settle recreating a small part of a city. I just consulted Houston's layout on Google Earth, you guys are right. But I think that, if you make the recreation in a blank map, with the orthogonal roads fitting SC4 grid, I think you can have a pretty decent thing. Just my 2 cents, of course.

I thought of that too... I mean, it is possible to do that with the majority of the city, my real concern is about the downtown area, and south of the downtown area =) any tips on that??

 

Yes and  the fun part for me is where i improvise on the spots tahts not 100% replicatable (is that a word? naw its replicable) Because i get to see what it "would"look like at other angles , but as long as got demographics generalized i'm ok.   like the inner and outer loops,  the major sw freeway,  gulf45, etc.  I wouldn't try to build streets to fit exclty between pockets of neighborhooda as long as i got major blvds and freeways laid out.

[SimRico 968]

@cmdp123789, @SimRico: As it has been said before on this thread, the vast majority of times the recreation cannot be full. Finding a compromise between RL and SC4 is something inherent to city recreations. Sometimes, you have to settle recreating a small part of a city. I just consulted Houston's layout on Google Earth, you guys are right. But I think that, if you make the recreation in a blank map, with the orthogonal roads fitting SC4 grid, I think you can have a pretty decent thing. Just my 2 cents, of course.

I thought of that too... I mean, it is possible to do that with the majority of the city, my real concern is about the downtown area, and south of the downtown area =) any tips on that??

South of Downtiwn in real life seem to be a plop where theres grass and cement. A lot history here too. Do you see Pasadena? A serial situation back in the early Seventies. (Dean Corll - Youtube the true story-documentary. Watcn it will add delpth to anyones Houston Simcity !

[cmdp123789 710]

Alright.. hello everyone.. I've been trying to come up with a solution.. and I gotta say, that it really pisses me off! I mean.. to build an entire city, and being unable to do the downtown area.. well.. UGH! Im really frustrated right now.. Houston sounded so good... I try to practice at a blank map I have... But I just cant think of a good way to do the downtown area because of the stupid angles...

[SimRico 968]

Ive tried several times and could only get the feeder-road businesses facing the freeways close. I mimicked major crossroads and blocks but faked the lower density roads and angles.  The angled roads were off and real estate choppy along the angled one-ways.  I had "Westheimer" down to a science block after block until it change to "Elgin""

[cmdp123789 710]

Well... I could try to make it all orthogonal, but it would definetly lose the whole "recreation part" I mean, the whole point is to be able to overcome those things, but it is a whole differen thing to "create your own version" and then pretend it is the real deal. I guess this Houston thing will have to be a "side project" until I can figure out something different. I ned to study it better... I might be jumping into conclusions too soon.. so I will have a look again. 

 

Anyways... I see some more votes, and up to now I got

 

1) Chicago

2) NYC

3) Tokyo/Hong Kong (wont happen since kelistmac will be doing Hong Kong, and it would be a waste of time to have 2 guys doing the same =)... )

4) London/Paris

 

I dont mean to let anyone down... but I got the feeling Chicago will be!!

[9gruntsand1hammer 3,198]

Well... I could try to make it all orthogonal, but it would definetly lose the whole "recreation part" I mean, the whole point is to be able to overcome those things, but it is a whole differen thing to "create your own version" and then pretend it is the real deal. I guess this Houston thing will have to be a "side project" until I can figure out something different. I ned to study it better... I might be jumping into conclusions too soon.. so I will have a look again. 

 

Anyways... I see some more votes, and up to now I got

 

1) Chicago

2) NYC

3) Tokyo/Hong Kong (wont happen since kelistmac will be doing Hong Kong, and it would be a waste of time to have 2 guys doing the same =)... )

4) London/Paris

 

I dont mean to let anyone down... but I got the feeling Chicago will be!!

I would like to see Chicago done because it is very similar to Toronto and would help me with my creation. If I can learn enough from this thread I'm thinking of expanding my project from just downtown Toronto to the entire Greater Toronto, Hamilton, Oshawa, and Barrie area.