NAM: Development

[MadBee 1]

Just wondering are the Roundabouts still in Nam I can't seem to find them ? I have all features load, sorry if this is the wrong form for this.

[japamala 0]

is it too late to sugest pieces to go with those?

[Andreas Roth 629]

@MadBee: Yes, the roundabouts are still there, you just need to select the plugin in the installer, if it's not already selected.

@japamala: It's never too late to suggest something, but you can't expect that every suggestion is taken into account immediatel. At least someone has to make the suggested item, so it can be included.

BTW, for asking questions, please use the "NAM - General Discussion" thread, and for requests and suggestions use the "NAM - Requests" thread. This thread is for discussing and showcasing the current development of the NAM.

[japamala 0]

*heads over to the request thread*

*See's last post being his*

Nevemind....

[Lord Kronos 0]

I haven't played the game in almost 2 years now because I have been waiting for something monumental to happen with regards to the development of mods for this game. These new GRL in Avenue puzzle pieces are it for me I believe, and would definitely enhance any city I built.

I for one would like to suggest (and obviously I'd like to hope you'd make this suggestion a reality, but I am realistic) that the NAM be released in stages. For example, it appears that for one, these Avenue-GLR pieces are just about finalised (textures and a couple of extra pieces are needed).

What I am asking is, would it not be at all possible to release a new build of the NAM each time a major project like these Avenue-GLR pieces and dragable GLR are completed?

On a side note, I'd also like to suggest that someone maintain a list of who is currently developing what parts for the NAM. This way, a person will always know what's being worked on, and can offer help directly to the main persons involved. It would also reduce the number of people asking for updates and information on when the next release is if they new what was being worked on.

Just a couple of suggestions for the development of the NAM, make of them what you will

LK

[crazyyaya 4]

looks cool

[Tarkus 6,933]

Lord Kronos:  Thank you for your post and suggestions, and I'm glad to hear that the GLR-in-Ave pieces are enough to bring you back to SC4 (as I'm sure the rest of the team would be too). 

Rest assured, we are taking steps to "modularize" the NAM more so that the latest developments can be released more rapidly than the 15 months between NAM v19 and NAM v20 (v20 being the most recent).  This "modularization" will also reduce file sizes (quicker download) and also possibly permit us to upload new versions to the STEX (which has a 10MB file size limit, NAM v20 was around 14MB) instead of going through the process of putting them on the Modds & Downloads section (which Dirk has to do himself).

I don't know what all is being planned for inclusion in NAM v21 besides the Draggable GLR and the GLR-in-Avenue pieces.  As far as a listing of who's part of the team and what they're doing, we do already have that to some degree already elsewhere. 

Everyone involved with the previous NAM should be listed in the Readme, the current team has a few new people, (including myself) and we generally know who's working on what.  I don't know that it would really cut down on people asking about updates here on the public NAM threads, though.

-Tarkus

[Lord Kronos 0]

Thanks for the information Tarkus, the news that you are intending on modularising the NAM is great.

Perhaps someone could suggest to the Great and Benevolent Dirk that it might be a worthwhile idea to single out the NAM into either it's own sub forum (Instead of topics being under modding-transit networks, it have it's own section under Custom Content, leaving a linking topic in transit networks of course) and then perhaps placing a link to it on the front page, there by providing newbies a readily visable place to go to when seeking information about the NAM. Just an idea to reduce needless questions. Perhaps you can work with it with a hammer and anvil and turn it into something of a more elegant solution.

LK

[japamala 0]

is there any way I could get ahould of some of the textures so I can make some of my own?

I have quite a few ideas for puzzle pieces, but you guys already have enough on your hands, so I'd like to just do them myself, and hand 'em in for you guys to decide weather they should be included.

[Andreas Roth 629]

Well, Tarkus already summed it up quite well, so there's not much I can add. We can't say for sure what items will make it into the next NAM version, but I'd say it'll be definitely another "must have" download. memo has created draggable GLR (both urban and rural versions), GLR-in-Avenue puzzle pieces, and he's currently investigating Avenue Roundabouts. The GLR stuff is pretty much finished apart from some minor things, but the avenue roundabout is still in its early stages. It looks promising, though. jeronij has extended the Additional Bridges plugin, which now contains all new bridges that are finished, and maybe will contain some new ones as well. Swamper77 is working on some more Raised Heavy Rail puzzle pieces (including diagonal pieces). Tarkus and qurlix are working on the Rural Highway Mod, which is showcased in the RHW thread. ArkenbergeJoe is currently busy with separating the individual NAM items, to make the NAM more modular, as said above. There are also a few other things that are in the making or under investigation, but I don't really know about the current status or the progress. GoaSkin is doing some research for a program that could write a custom RUL file (the dreaded file that makes every other transit mod incompatible, once a new NAM version is released ) "on the fly", and I will continue to maintain the NAM installer and the readme file. So the persons named above could be considered the current NAM team core, with a bit of help here and there from others.

[redfox85 659]

Still nothing in site for additional on-slope puzzle pieces?

[DFire870 2]

Ooh, I would love to have the NAM be modular, because to be honest I haven't and will never use the underground rail/road dual network puzzle pieces, or the elevated rail over roads (light, not heavy).

And I can't wait to see the avenue roundabout, it sounds great!

[warrior 169]

Originally posted by: Meastro444

anyways, i are the avenues, on the diagonal pieces draggable or customizable in some way? because i think that single diagonal puzzle piece isn't going to work to make a diagonal avenue - GLR, i think you would get gaps. quote>

Wouldn't it be possible  to have an override like the Electric Trolley Bus project (and draggable GLR??)

[Olasz 0]

trolleys are of the kind "under investigation" afaik

[warrior 169]

I mean couldn't there be a piece, like the draggable GLR, which adds GLR down the median of an avenue?

[japamala 0]

could there be a release of the textures used in the GLR in evenue, so we can start making stations?

(as a pre-release sort of thing)

[crazyyaya 4]

Have you considered futuristic trnasport modds like hover trains or hoveranything.

[Andreas Roth 629]

@warrior: As far as I know, double-decker puzzle pieces (the GLR-in-avenue puzzle pieces are similar to the el-rail-over-road pieces) cannot be made draggable (yet).

@japamala: Well, I guess we could release a texture, but I assume you wouldn't be able to make a station without having the ability to test it. If you want, just go ahead and create a mockup station, and once the next NAM version is released, you can make it functional.

@crazyyaya: We consider everything, but as I already said a few times before, there has to be someone who actually makes this kind of stuff. If you want to make a request, please go to the NAM request thread and post there, maybe someone picks up your idea. The only way to make sure new items get integrated into the NAM is to actually sit down and start working on them. If you plan to do so, please go aheard and show your work in this thread - and we'll provide all the help we're able to.

[MaybeMemories06 0]

@The GLR-A Team: Love the work being done on the GLR in avenue pieces, and I know my suggestion would involve a lot of work, but I think it might be more realistic to have the GLR pieces that are just regular GLR to be on a transparent packground instead of on pedmalls, and I think that the GLR-A pieces could be just the tracks on asphalt. (Which is how they are on all the tracks I have ever seen.) I think that would look more natural than having GLR-A on the pedmall tiles. I know this involves a lot of texturing and that, and since I can't do textures (look how my GLR skin turned out for an example) I will understand if it is not put in the release, but it would also allow for the turn lanes because its just the tracks on regular road. Sorry if I babble but I think that would be a way to incorporate GLR-A and turning lanes in one. Of course, that would mean you would HAVE to have turning lanes, because it would be part of the actual texture, but it might be worth it for a lot of people. Also (and this might be better for the requests thread) is there anyway to get a split track GLR station that is only 1 tile wide? There were a couple released a while back but they all had a parking lot and so were impractical in most areas. These are what Salt Lake has everywhere and they work really well in the mixed traffic areas in downtown and on the University line. Anyway, take my suggestions as they are. It'd be cool but I do understand if y'all have other things you are working on.

[Andreas Roth 629]

I think quite a few people were waiting for this: Functional Avenue Roundabouts! It's a puzzle piece that can be selected from the menu, allowing up to eight avenue connections (no roads and streets yet, since this is a bit too complex).

Here's a showcase overview of all roundabouts; there are two avenue roundabout puzzle pieces, one "plain", shaped like a ring, and one with a diagonal connection. To add more diagonals, simply rotate the puzzle piece and plop it again on the same spot. The other avenue connections can be added with dragging avenue towards the roundabout.

[DFire870 2]

Ooh, the avenue roundabout looks awesome! It's another feature I can't wait to see in the next version of the NAM.

[toxicpiano 125]

OMFG I WANT IT! Thanks NAM team!

[Gunny 0]

Great roundabout. I see you can put a 2x2 size thing in it. Is it possible to connect normal roads or one-way roads?

[yoder7652 21]

very good! This is definately something I could use!

[tommiej 0]

great roundabout!! looks very nice, it reminds me of peru. I went on vacation there. and to of the busiest and important avenues are connected by a very big roundabout. it's about 4 lanes wide, and beside the to mayor avenues, some other roads are connected to it.

looking forward!!

[shinkansen1 84]

Mmm! That's the good stuff! Tell me, are the other roundabouts going to be ploppables instead of road-draggables? That won't be very tasty.

Sincerely, Mr. Big Chin  @ simtropolis.com.

[Tarkus 6,933]

shinkansen1:  Only the Avenue Roundabouts are going to be ploppable--that turned out to be the easiest way to do them, since the RUL overrides that would have been necessary to make them function like the other roundabouts were just monstrous and unwieldy. 

The other roundabouts will remain road/street/OWR-draggables.

-Tarkus

[japamala 0]

@japamala: Well, I guess we could release a texture, but I assume you wouldn't be able to make a station without having the ability to test it. If you want, just go ahead and create a mockup station, and once the next NAM version is released, you can make it functional.quote>

No, I wouldn't be able to make it functional, but I have to do a bunch of custom textures for it, and it'dbe nice to have something to base it on.

[crazyyaya 4]

How do you create a avenue roundabout? I know how to made the road and street roundabouts.

[Andreas Roth 629]

@japamala: Try contacting memo, maybe he can send you his resource files.

@crazyyaya: You can't create an avenue roundabout yet, since it's still under development and not released to the public.