Mushy's Random BATs

[Harry's Place 918]

You 're really really good. I love all those trucks. It would be nice if you'll also make them automata. It's such a nice work and it would be amazing to see those trucks driving by on the roads of simcity.

Also as let's say more of a request. It would be nice if you could make some COE trucks

 

 

 

 

 

  Edited July 9, 2015 by Urban Constanta  

[T Wrecks 10,209]

Well, I certainly wouldn't mind seeing some US-style COE trucks, but I think most of the pics you included feature a bit too flashy custom models instead your average everyday workhorse. I immediately thought of the Ford CLT9000 or of a classic Peterbilt model, or similar trucks.

[SimCoug 5,972]

Loving these truck props!  I'm with T Wrecks - A Peterbilt would be awesome

Reminds me of the Cars movie...

"Mack? I ain't no Mack, I'm a Peterbilt for dang sake! Turn on your lights, ya moron!"

[MushyMushy 3,617]

@Urban Constanta

Automata is a tricky thing - I certainly don't know how to do them. I could hand them over to one of the still-active automata makers, but I've heard semi-trucks are pretty tough to make and not many people know how. The polygon count is also an issue, with each individual trailer and tractor unit weighing anywhere from 15,000 to 35,000 polygons. It would be pretty tough to get the count low enough for it to be an automata (what's the cap? a thousand polygons?).

---

@T Wrecks & Urban Constanta

COEs have been on my mind, yes.

I had actually been considering doing the Peterbilt you posted earlier. I was having trouble deciding between it (since it's kind of classic), and a Mack MR since it's also pretty popular as a straight truck (especially with government agencies or civil services). Frankly, I could do both of them since they're fairly square and simple in design. I'll probably do that - they'll be included in the pack paired up with some of the 40 and 53ft trailers.

Like I said, they won't take long... the fact that they don't have a hood makes this pretty easy since the hood and fenders were actually the most painstaking part of all three trucks I've made. Thanks for pointing those out to me!

---

@SimCoug

Thanks! Haha, I like the cars reference.

---

Also, I'm still looking for custom company submissions - it's your chance to get your very own made-up company slapped on one of these trucks~

In addition to that, I'm also doing fictitious companies so if you have a company you made up and would like to have its logo on one of these trailers, just include the following things in your reply:

• a .png of the logo with no background (transparent!) - other files that accept transparency are fine
• an image file (little square of color basically ) of what you want the company color to be (no specification = standard white)
• type of company (i.e. freight/trucking, retail, industry, etc) for the purpose of labels
• if you want the trailer to be dirtier than average

The more the merrier! Once i get into a groove with Photoshop and gmax, the trailers are a breeze.

Happy BATing~

  Edited July 9, 2015 by MushyMushy  

[MushyMushy 3,617]

So I've fixed the COE drought. I'm happy to present two COE tractor units which I'll use for some stuff in addition to the other 3 rigs.

 

The Peterbilt 352 is a bit of a throwback - they're a classic. It's big, bulky, and has (by far) the widest cab of all the trucks I've modeled. I'll probably stick it on some of the 53 footers.

The Mack MR688, which is considerably smaller than the other trucks I've made, has a bit more ahead of it. I'll likely be adding a set of USPS semi trailers to the current fleet, as these trucks are USPS's main choice for hauling their semi trailers. The cab section of this will also likely return in the future on the front of some straight trucks. Possible straight trucks for this model include (no promises) a fire truck, garbage truck, dump truck, dumpster truck, flatbed, and a crane. Some of these technically use the MR688S design, but that's just a few simple tweaks.

Here's a semi-closeup of all 5 trucks arranged by length for scale reference:

The trucks should all be more-or-less scaled properly in comparison to each other. Ignoring mirrors, they are all the same width.

Happy BATing~

[Jasoncw 11,840]

Nice work!

[Hotwheeler 409]

Dude,your HD rendered Trucks look amazing.Love the wide range of Trucks and Trailers you`re doing.

BTW,even if most of the Trucks Constanta requested are too flashy,i wouldn`t mind having a few vintge Workhorses around like the burnt red Ford Tipper.

Anyway,good Work my Friend.

[SimCoug 5,972]

A few vintage trucks would be very cool indeed! 
https://www.pinterest.com/bryanpangle/old-freight-trucks/

[MushyMushy 3,617]

Small update here... I've been quite busy so I haven't had a chance to boot up gmax in a day or two.

I decided to go ahead and post the work I did with USPS trucks since they are bit different from the other trucks in that they have black rims and because I figured it might be nice to give some examples of what combinations involving the MR688 look like.

As a little sidenote, since the USPS is a federal government agency/service, none of their vehicles or trailers have license plates. While I never put plates on the tractor units in the first place, I actually did put them on the trailer models (hanging under the left taillight cluster, which is where they're frequently mounted it would seem). I removed the plates from the USPS trailers for some realism

---

Also, by my calculations... since I'm making the Diagonal and FAR variants for every model and will likely have some decent variety among the tractors I choose when I get to the 53 foot combinations, this pack is likely going to add over 250 individual props to the LE. I guess my first release will be a prop pack

[SimCoug 5,972]

Also, by my calculations... since I'm making the Diagonal and FAR variants for every model and will likely have some decent variety among the tractors I choose when I get to the 53 foot combinations, this pack is likely going to add over 250 individual props to the LE. I guess my first release will be a prop pack

I loooooove prop packs 

[JP Schriefer 5,590]

Lovely trucks

[MushyMushy 3,617]

Note: Due to the length of this post I used spoilers.

So I've finished all of the texturing and modeling for this prop pack. All that's left to do is make all of the angled variants and export everything (with the exception of a few that already have been exported). I've made this update primarily to show the final tally of what will be included in this pack (there were some last-minute additions). I could have just made a list, but I felt like diagrams would make it more fun . At the end of each class's list, there is a number that counts how many models (angled ones counted separately) the class adds to the pack. At the very end are some test renders of some stuff that hasn't been shown yet.

--

Final Tally

MR688

• USPS
• White

8

 

CH613

• Black
• USPS
• White

12

 

352

• Black
• Red
• White

12

 

T800

• Black
• White

8

 

359 exhd

• Black
• Blue
• Red
• White

16

 

359 exhd custom

• Black

4

 

40ft box

• Blank
• DHL
• FedEx Express
• FedEx Ground
• Roadway
• USPS
• Yellow

28

 

53ft box

• Best Buy
• Blank
• Conway
• Costco
• DHL
• FedEx Express
• FedEx Ground
• Kroger
• Roadway
• Rusty Blank
• Safeway
• Target
• UPS
• USPS
• Walmart
• Yellow

64

 

53ft tridem box

• Black Blank
• Mushy's Random BATs

8

 

MR688 + 40ft box

• Blank + White MR
• USPS

8

 

CH613 + 40ft box

• Blank + Black CH
• Blank + White CH
• DHL
• USPS

16

 

CH613 (aero) + 40ft box

• FedEx Express
• FedEx Ground
• Roadway
• Yellow

16

 

MR688 + 53ft box

• Blank + White MR
• USPS

8

 

CH613 + 53ft box

• Blank + Black CH
• Blank + White CH
• DHL
• USPS

16

 

CH613 (aero) + 53ft box

• Best Buy
• FedEx Express
• FedEx Ground
• Kroger
• Roadway
• Safeway
• Target
• UPS
• Yellow

36

 

352 + 53ft box

• Blank + Black 352
• Blank + Red 352
• Blank + White 352
• DHL

16

 

T800 + 53ft box

• Blank + Black T800
• Blank + Black T800
• Rusty Blank

12

 

359 exhd + 53ft box

• Blank + Black 359
• Blank + Blue 359
• Blank + Red 359
• Blank + White 359
• Conway
• Costco
• Roadway
• Walmart
• Yellow

36

 

359 exhd custom + 53ft tridem box

• Blank Black
• Mushy's Random BATs

8

By my math, that's 332 total models to be added to the LE.

---

While there's a lot of new stuff, i just selected some random ones to show here:

So I also made a variant of the 359:

Designs like this are more common with oversized load type situations (or just for super heavy stuff or for road trains). The modifications to the front are primarily inspired by Australian road train tractor units, but I've seen similar mods on regular oversize load trucks here in the States. I'll most likely also make a similar variant of the T800 when I get around to making construction/oversize load sets. At that point I'll probably also remove the sleeper from this truck for those trailers to cut down on weight.

Since my current use of this truck is more "custom" than utilitarian, I made a matching trailer that features a very similar taillight setup (read: copied ) and black paint. I also made a custom reskin for this trailer that's pretty much based on my silly little BAT thread signature link as a sort of example of "custom made-up trailers" since I've yet to get any requests (although I was intending to put the requested skins on the standard 40/53ft models). I tried to make the tan color "wrap around" the corners, if that makes sense.

Here's the trailers:

  Edited July 17, 2015 by MushyMushy  

[SimCoug 5,972]

Amazing!  And I really like your variation of the 359... that black is badass 

[Seraf 1,238]

Great work on those trucks

[MushyMushy 3,617]

Quick update.

It'll still be a few days before I can definitively say that I'm done with the pack. Since the props are HD, it's taking my computer anywhere from 40 to 200 seconds per model. Sounds quick until you multiply it by however many I have left . I'm also making them all have tight LODs so you should be able to put the angled stuff next to each other (and other props) without them covering it up (this also makes it take longer ). I've already exported and modded all of the tractor units, and all of the 40ft trailers and their accompanying combinations have been exported. It's looking like I still have about 5-7 hours of this process left, which I can't do all at once if I want to keep my sanity.

---

To keep myself entertained and to have some variety on this thread, I decided to explore the idea of making a building.

I'm obviously not very far (the front door needs some steps ). The grey rectangle is honestly just there to help me keep it within the lot size I've decided on: 5x8. A lot (didn't say all) of short warehouse BATs out there aren't particularly large, which doesn't reflect real life very well considering some of them are truly massive buildings. In the end the complex will probably feature 3 or 4 buildings clumped together (which I'll probably also export as individual props as well).

I'm basing this model pretty heavily (it's by no means going to be a replica though) on a small complex on Harbor Ave, which sits on President's Island (not really an island) on the outskirts of Memphis.

Some source images:

For those who are looking forward to the release of the trucks, don't worry, I'll release those before this. This is just something to distract me from the trucks. This BAT may very well also involve the creation of a pickup truck or two, a Ford E-series van, and some random assorted garbage/metal junk. While I'm not making a replica, I do intend to capture the rather dumpy state of the original structure in my modeling and texturing... a lot of industrial BATs out there look too clean to me. The final release of it may very well include a CS$ variant since there are several warehouses around Memphis that also function as a  sort of store in addition to their normal usage. I'm doing this mostly to try and help solve the irritating lack of high-volume CS$ buildings in the vanilla game (although this problem wasn't really fixed by BATs either - I've only found a handful of large CS$ buildings).

People waiting for the EU trucks: I'll get around to those soon enough, I just need a break from trucks.

 

  Edited July 21, 2015 by MushyMushy  

[SimCoug 5,972]

Grungy industry... I love it!  Including the individual buildings as props is a great idea, and I can't wait to see what other little props you come up with.  Nice progress so far 

[Belfastsocrates 1,753]

Excellent! I agree with SimCoug, looking forward to seeing more of this! 

I can be patient in regard to the Euro trucks......gives me time to dream up colours and logos for Persusian companies 

[SUPERMESSI 294]

Very nice and i will look forward to use these bats in my industry.

 

Btw Mushy is there anyway that you will make a mayor mode ploppable versions of those automata? 

[MushyMushy 3,617]

I personally have pretty lame modding skills (I'm more of an artist type anyway ), but the idea of having MMPs for these has certainly crossed my mind.

I'm curious as to whether or one of the more skilled modders out there would be interested in making an MMP pack and/or a prop family for the truck pack? I'm not entirely sure how the MMP groups should be structured, but I'm sure that could be worked out...

[SimCoug 5,972]

I personally have pretty lame modding skills (I'm more of an artist type anyway ), but the idea of having MMPs for these has certainly crossed my mind.

I'm curious as to whether or one of the more skilled modders out there would be interested in making an MMP pack and/or a prop family for the truck pack? I'm not entirely sure how the MMP groups should be structured, but I'm sure that could be worked out...

Yeah, I could take a crack at that if you want.  Prop families would be pretty easy, and I could knock out a few MMPs while I'm at it (It's been too long - I'd have to dust off those reader skills  )

[MushyMushy 3,617]

Sounds great!

I'm sure the prop families would be popular with the lotters out there, and CJ makers would probably enjoy having MMP versions.

With the addition of prop families once this set is done... who knows, I might take a crack at a modular truck stop (inspired by Paeng's of course ), although I'd probably have to make my own textures for that since some of my trucks are a little bit longer than jes's trucks and as such don't fit in Paeng's parking spaces.

[weixc812 509]

The trucks look great, Mushy...will you finally start to BAT skyscrapers?

[TakemeThere 5,833]

Cool stuff and good luck with your first building BAT(s).

[NielsC007 499]

Incredible, best of luck with the BATs!

[JP Schriefer 5,590]

Cool! Good luck!

[MushyMushy 3,617]

This one is pretty random and doesn't have anything to do with the semi trucks or the warehouse set - I made two truck models for Project Sault Ste. Marie. They both bear the Brewers Retail livery and are based off of the CH613 cab. They are fairly unique trucks so I probably won't be reusing the exact models, but it sort of gives you guys an idea of what some of the straight trucks could look like whenever I get around to that.

 

Here's some of the references:

---

Requests

Also, having done this little request, I've decided I might as well just take requests for special trucks as well, not just semi truck liveries. Got a truck request that's pretty reasonable? Just send me some reference images via PM or in a post. I'm going to restrict these requests to real life vehicles since I need something to look at for the truck modeling, but if you really, really want something made-up, make a sketch or something and send that to me.

I'm also still taking requests for semi truck liveries.

In addition to that, I'm also doing fictitious companies so if you have a company you made up and would like to have its logo on one of these trailers, just include the following things in your reply:

• a .png of the logo with no background (transparent!) - other files that accept transparency are fine
• an image file (little square of color basically ) of what you want the company color to be (no specification = standard white)
• type of company (i.e. freight/trucking, retail, industry, etc) for the purpose of labels
• if you want the trailer to be dirtier than average

---

Warehouses

I'll probably post an update on the warehouse tomorrow if I get some work done on it. I'm thinking about doing 2 or 3 texture variants of the warehouse set, inspired by c.p.'s work with making multiple texture variations of the same models over on his SC4D thread. So far I'm leaning towards a flat dingy tan color that matches the original structure, a brick version, and a concrete version. I'll most likely release the individual building props along with some other junk together with the grouped version. I'll probably include some tiny little boxes that function as buildings with (I-D, I-M, and CS$) jobs that can be hidden under the props so lotters can create their own combinations that still have jobs. The grouped together versions (where it's all exported together) will probably just have modeled bases and such so I can create a very custom layout with custom props base textures. Since it's all grouped together anyway the lotters wouldn't care much about using it as a prop so I figured it would be better that way. I'm not sure if I made sense there, but I generally terrible at putting what I want to say into words.

---

Semi Trucks

Haven't made much progress with the exporting but I'll mention it in subsequent posts if I've made any progress. It'll still be a little while.

  Edited July 24, 2015 by MushyMushy  

[SimCoug 5,972]

Rather than a request, I'll pose this as an 'idea' in case it strikes your fancy...
any of the very early trucks would be a neat addition to SC4:

Here's a site that has a whole stash of early truck pictures. 
Again, just an idea - no need to proceed unless you feel inspired to take on something like this. 

Another neat one...

[MushyMushy 3,617]

Yeah, I could probably take something like that on at some point - it would certainly be a pretty unique set of props. Just looking at the pictures, I had no idea old trucks' engines were so tiny .

[MushyMushy 3,617]

So I've been getting a bunch of what I presume to be LOD errors with the truck exports. It seems to be randomly affecting about 60 or 70% of the exports. It doesn't really make any sense to me because I've made sure of the fact that the LODs are slightly larger than all of the models (while still being pretty tight for better usage in-game), and it's even affected quite a few of the 90 degree versions, which should fit perfectly in the LODs generated by the "Re-fit LOD's" button. I've been trying on and off for about 8 or 9 hours today and yesterday to fix this but no matter what I do I can't get it to stop; I've had to stop rendering more of them because I'm stuck trying to fix the errors. I'm not entirely sure if it is a LOD issue, but that's all that comes to mind. Some of the models have been re-exported upwards of 20 times and they still have the same problem. I've even tried taking a model file that worked when it was exported, merging it with a model that didn't work (but fits in the same LOD) and exporting it and then got the same problem. Frankly, I'm at the point where I want to just hand it off to someone else if I can't solve the problem soon because it's pretty much already pushed me off the deep end. The problem with this though is that even if I gave someone the models and the folder I keep that has all of the textures I'm not sure gmax would be able to find the folder initially, which would require them to manually help it "find" the stuff.

Oddly, the error only affects the model at closer zooms.

Images illustrating this (error on the top one, the zoomed out one is fine):

Another odditity is that if I make a new empty plugins folder and re-export a model that previously worked (with all of the same settings and the exact same LODs, nothing different from the first time), it also tends to not work.

Here one can see the settings I use for all of the models I've successfully exported. The LODs are done the same as I've always done them (take the original fitted ones from the orthogonal one and just rotate them to match the rotated angled variant (it's always worked in the past)) (remember that I've also gotten the error on orthogonal exports as well). This particular model shown above was exported successfully once and worked without any problems but all subsequent tries didn't work.

Any help would be appreciated. It's driving me nuts since gmax is usually a pretty agreeable (and simple) program.

[Jasoncw 11,840]

I've posted about it in the BAT Mega FAQ. 

I also have to disagree with you about gmax being an agreeable program.