Network Skins (Coming 2016)

[boformer 3,169]

With Network Skins you will be able to change the appearance of roads, train tracks, pedestrian paths and power lines.

The changes are purely visual. That means that you can uninstall the mod at any time, and your save games will still work!

Features:

• Replace Pillars of bridges and elevated networks (done)
• Replace roadside trees (almost done)
• Replace street lights (almost done)
• Remove decals on roads (direction arrows)
• Replace power lines (e.g. rural, different power poles)
• Replace textures (e.g. cobblestone roads)
• Replace meshes (e.g. custom bridges)

Here is the first working version with trees and street lights: The only thing that is not done is serialization (that means saving and loading doesn't work). I am working on that!

 

Here is the current Roadmap (December 2015):

DONE | HIGH-PRIORITY | LOW-PRIORITY

Module 0: User Interface

• Static GUI for pillar selection (done)
• Dynamic context-sensitive GUI (done)
• One-click presets saved by the player

Module 1: Pillars

• Replace pillars of elevated transport networks (done)
• Replace pillars of bridge transport networks (done)
• Replace pillars of power lines (depends on Module 4)

Module 2: Props and trees

• Experimental Feasibility Study (done)
• Serialization System (almost done)
• Select tree type of decorated roads (done)
• Select street lights (done)
• Option to disable decals (direction arrows)
• Select other props

Module 3: Segment textures (e.g. cobblestone roads)
Module 4: Segment meshes (e.g. custom bridges)

I am planning to publish the update (Module 0, 1 and 2) in January.

After that we can think about module 3 and 4

Module 1: Pillar Changer

The first module of the network skinning mod. More features will be added in the future (e.g. Configuration of street lights, trees and props per segment, different textures for one road type, different bridges).

Right now this mod allows you to change the pillars of elevated network types (roads, rails, pedestrian paths). Support for bridge pillars will be added in a future update.

It is similar "No Pillars", but with more options and without the collision detection.

The mod also supports custom pillars, but right there are no pillars in the workshop. MrMaison is working on a NYC style pillar for elevated trains (stacked on a road).

Here is a quick tutorial how to create custom pillars:

Spoiler

• Install Mod Tools
• Open the Asset Editor (New Asset)
• Press F7 and run this script with the command line: PrefabCollection<BuildingInfo>.FindLoaded("RailwayElevatedPillar").m_AssetEditorTemplate = true;
• Select "Building" and search for the Railway Elevated Pillar template in the Public Transport Tab. The special thing about this template is that the AI of the pillar is passive (no visitors, no "No Road Access" warnings, no crime etc.). You can also use it for other decorative assets.
• Now import your model as usual and save it
• To test your asset locally:
  • Open your local "Assets" folder.
  • Create a new subfolder and move the .crp into that folder
  • Create a new empty text file named "Pillar.xml" and put it into the folder
  • Start a new city. You will see your pillar in the list
• To publish your asset:
  • Click the "Publish" button in Content Manager
  • Click on the little folder icon to open the folder that contains your preview image
  • Open the "Content" subfolder that contains your .crp
  • Create a new empty text file named "Pillar.xml" and put it into the folder
  • Publish your pillar. Don't forget to add my mod as a dependency.

[dedgren 830]

Is there anything that can't be modded in this game?  Amazing stuff, boformer.  Five stars!

 

[GC_Vos 714]

Amazing! Yes, do want

[boformer 3,169]

Place the road first, then use this trick to place the elevated rail:

 

[Roadman20 601]

Well this makes things interesting in the stacked decks highway scene.  Definitely subscribing to test this out and applying to my current construction work.

[Roadman20 601]

Hey Boformer, I got this error when loading up your mod.

LoadGame - Some mods caused errors: [ModException]

Details:
System.Exception: 
---------------------------
[0]: Object reference not set to an instance of an object
  at NetworkSkins.Pillars.PillarCustomizer.GetActivePillar (.NetInfo prefab, PillarType type) [0x00000] in <filename unknown>:0 
  at NetworkSkins.Pillars.PillarCustomizer.SaveDefaults (.NetInfo prefab) [0x00000] in <filename unknown>:0 
  at NetworkSkins.Pillars.PillarCustomizer.OnLevelLoaded (LoadMode mode) [0x00000] in <filename unknown>:0 
  at IsolatedFailures.IsolatedFailures.<OnLevelLoaded>b__1 (ILoadingExtension e, UpdateMode m) [0x00000] in <filename unknown>:0 
  at IsolatedFailures.IsolatedFailures.ProcessLoadingExtensions (UpdateMode mode, System.String methodName, System.Func`3 callback) [0x00000] in <filename unknown>:0 
ModException: LoadGame - Some mods caused errors:

[GC_Vos 714]

It works

[dedgren 830]

Now that's gorgeous.

[boformer 3,169]

Hey Boformer, I got this error when loading up your mod.

Should be resolved. Can you confirm?

[Roadman20 601]

Started C:SL back up.  You've fixed it boformer.  Good to go!

[Mr_Maison 2,426]

 Representing for NYC Elevated networks. Elevated station almost ready for over road

Thanks Boformer!

 

[GC_Vos 714]

Love it, so detailed!

Here is my first entry

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=545081780

[OwiHH 240]

bähm

[Atys' 42]

Stop being awesome pls. You will break this game by your awesomeness <3 

[Feindbold 1,190]

Well if everyone posts his pillars

(I made ploppable pillar props too, that way, I was able to reduce the space between pillars)

[Judazzz 1,936]

Boformer, you're a genius and a freaking wizard! And so is the rest of the modders who showcased their pillars - this game just keeps getting better and better!!!

[boformer 3,169]

This was easier than expected...

Controllable trees/streetlights/bus stops/props per network segment:

Right now the displayed trees are selected by a randomizer.

[Roadman20 601]

My god... too awesome.

[gfvsims 169]

Phenomenal stuff! This sort of customisation is something I've been dreaming of ever since C:S came out.

Could this be used for sections of road with crash barriers (or whatever they're called), the kind you find in mountainous regions?

[boformer 3,169]

This can be used to create single objects like trees, lights, traffic lights, direction arrows and highway signs.

For continuous objects like (sound) barriers or custom bridges, you have to modify the mesh of the segments. That's the 4. module I planned. it is more complex than replacing props.

This is the current roadmap:

DONE | HIGH-PRIORITY | LOW-PRIORITY

Module 0: User Interface

• Static GUI for pillar selection (done)
• Dynamic context-sensitive GUI
• One-click presets saved by the player

Module 1: Pillars

• Replace pillars of elevated transport networks (done)
• Replace pillars of bridge transport networks
• Replace pillars of power lines (depends on Module 4)

Module 2: Props and trees

• Experimental Feasibility Study (done)
• Serialization System
• Select tree type of decorated roads
• Select street lights
• Option to disable decals (direction arrows)
• Select other props

Module 3: Segment textures (e.g. cobblestone roads)
Module 4: Segment meshes (e.g. custom bridges)

The GUI and the serialization system are the foundation for everything else.

  Edited November 1, 2015 by boformer  

[Matthias King 348]

Do you plan to make pillars that will be able to straddle an avenue?

[boformer 3,169]

I think there is a vanilla concrete pillar that can be used for that.

I'm not planning to create custom pillars, but I will create a custom bridge type when the mod supports it.

[GC_Vos 714]

Currently working on a 60m stackable with standalone support beams, shouldn't take too long to unwrap.

[Ryno917 102]

Module 3: Segment textures (e.g. cobblestone roads)

While everything you've mentioned is amazing, I'm especially intrigued by this one! One thing, however, is that looking through the extended networks thread, it seems like the game distorts and warps the road mapping in corners and transitions. I think that may be your biggest battle when it comes to something like cobblestone roads. Really, really looking forward to seeing it come to life, though!

[GC_Vos 714]

Cobblestone / brick roads are likely gonna be part of future Next/T++ installments, you are right about the uvs getting distorted, but it looks quite good if the bends aren't too sharp.

[boformer 3,169]

Cobblestone / brick roads are likely gonna be part of future Next/T++ installments, you are right about the uvs getting distorted, but it looks quite good if the bends aren't too sharp.

I hope that NExt will not add networks with only visual changes. My mod is a reaction to mods like MoreTrainTracks or SomeRoads. All the visual stuff should be handled without adding new NetInfos.

[GC_Vos 714]

Some networks do have just visual changes. For example, I've been playing around with the pedestrian roads to make them look more fancy, but it's technically just a dirt road with different textures.

[boformer 3,169]

I think tram tracks might also be possible if I manage it to replace the road texture per segment. But that would be a very advanced feature.

[Koesj 659]

This whole thread is beyond awesome 

[GC_Vos 714]

@ Boformer: I have a feeling CO is working on trams

Btw, do you know if it's possible to stack nodes? So far I found the game refuses to put pillars on top of pillars (which would be needed for true stacking).