Adrianor's Latin American BATs

[Adrianor 628]

FINISHED PROJECTS

 

R$ Pack Santiaguino 1

CS$ Pack Santiaguino 1

R$$ Mini Pack Santiaguino 1

CO$$ Pack Porteño 1

CS$$ Pack Limeño 1

WIP PROJECTS

(Projects that I'm committed to finish)

 

 R$$ Pack Santiaguino 1 

 

CS$ Mini Pack Limeño 1: Two models based on stores in Lima, Peru.

 

Banco de La Provincia de Buenos Aires (ON HOLD): A small wall-to-wall bank located in Buenos Aires, Argentina

 

 

FUTURE PROJECTS

Projects that I'd like to eventually start but I can't guarantee that these will actually be made

R$ Pack Limeño  1

R$$ Pack Porteño (Argentina) 1

ID Mini Pack Belo Horizontino 1

 

 

 

* Subject to change

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Original Post

----------------------

Hi everyone, I'm creating this thread to showcase some of my (amateur) work. I have very little experience with batting but I want to improve my batting skill and hopefully release some decent BATs in the near future. I cannot say right now how dedicated I'll be, but we shall see!

I'm planning on modelling mostly low to medium density and low wealth buildings (C$ and R$) and possibly some medium wealth buildings later on. I'll try to model versatile buildings from major Latin American cities (but mostly from Lima and Santiago) so that they can fit in a 'general' or stereotypical latin american city. As you may know, many latin american cities share a lot of the same architecture but there are some differences nevertheless.

I have two current projects for the moment: one 1x1 C$ W2W building and one 1x2 C$ W2W building. Both are based on real buildings located in Santiago, Chile (1x1 building and 1x2 building). The modelling is done(?) so now I have to apply the textures. I'm not aiming for exact replicas by the way.

1rst BAT: house and small restaurant

2nd BAT: Mini market/apartments, mini gas distribution center, apartments 

 

Now, I have some questions/doubts:

1 - I don't know how I should model or texture the restaurant so that it looks like the real one (link above)

2- I have no clue how the roofs should look like. Keep in mind that in many of these older Chilean buildings there is no AC system (in this case, since these buildings are in Santiago, they might have a gas heating system, but I'm not sure).

 

[Gn_leugim 858]

About the first point, I would do as I would like more, while trying to keep within the game standards, regarding colors, saturation and so on.

About the second point, a small building like this, may not have a AC, sure, but will have vents, or chims no? maybe water pipes of some sort, or gas pipes. sometimes the number is not important, as the texture is self will make it fell good and nice, all by it self.

[matias93 7,535]

Finalmente! Ya no soy el único chileno activo en el foro! 

(mejor sigamos hablando en inglés para que el resto de los foristas entiendan)

As you should have noted, CS$ buildings are much needed and Maxis' ones are really inapropiate for W2W contexts, such as old european or latin american cities. Luckily, in this last time many iberoamerican creators have been active, so there's a lot of lots you can check to have a reference. Keep in mind that the range of resources and skill is wide, as the age of some models, so you will find from plain boxes in old LBT packs to super-detailed HD stores.

Concretely, this is a list of iberoamerican creators you should keep an eye on to get ideas, inspiration or examples:

• Heblem or Hableurg (mexican, batter, now inactive on SC4, it seems it's active on CSL)
• Maloskero (brazilian, batter, apparently inactive, its last works were on small stores too)
• Harishna (mexican, batter, now inactive, has also done medium and small stores)
• Edvarz (mexican, lotter, very much active right now, giving second opportunities to old, unused LBT models)
• Manuelito (argentinian, lotter, active redoing Maxis infraestructure)
• JPShriefer (brazilian, batter, partially active, technically a BAT demi-god but focused on bigger buildings)
• Romualdillo (spanish, batter and lotter, active and doing absurdely detailed small buildings, his thread is full of information too)

Many others should have escaped my memory, but you can find them easily with those links.

* * *

Now, about your buildings, they are well aspected, but you should definitely use more detailed textures, not plain colours. Increase the 3D detail is possible but requires much more work and will be mainly lost with the small scale of the buildings on the game. An alternative, as SimCoug suggested to Maloskero, is to make buildings and facades as separate objects, and to create prop families with the facades, easing the variation and disminishing the workload, particularly for W2Ws. For gardened houses, it could be easier to lot the front garden.

I'm up to your promising work!

[matias93 7,535]

Lacking better images, what Google Maps shows is mainly zinc plates (fixated or not), if there are any vents or chimneys, they are too small to be visible in the aerial photograph. In any case, that doesn't mean they shouldn't be added to the building. Considering the uses (a house, a bakery, a warehouse and some apartments) only one or two small tubes could suffice; and while one option is to directly add them on the 3D model, another idea is to use Romualdillo prop pack, which I remember includes chimneys and more roofjunk, which definitely will match the style.

By the way, with the last image I noted the interesting repetition on the houses along the bakery, by Portugal ave. It would be interesting if you could model them too, and as they are all equal, just to change the facade colour and release it as a building family residential lot, allowing for welcome variation for W2W environments.

And the facade detail returns us to the first point on the table: the vents: there is one on the side of the bakery, maybe some industrial prop pack could include something similar, but it looks that it would be easier to model it than find such specifical prop.

[Adrianor 628]

@Gn_leugim:  Yes, you're right, I added a small chimney to the restaurant.

@matias93: En realidad soy mitad peruano mitad chileno, pero algo es algo no? jaja. Thank you for all the links you've provided, those are some great looking BATs, especially Romualdillo's models. They are indeed insanely detailed. I have modeled my own little props for now, but I'll keep in mind your suggestion. And yes, if I model the houses you mentioned (which I'll probably do) I will change the facade colors.

***

So far I've applied some textures to the 1rst BAT as well as adding some more details (what do you guys think about the textures?). Unfortunately, the posters on the restaurant don't show very well, I don't know if I should replace them or not. Also, I tried to model a satellite dish but alas, it was too hard for me...Does anyone know how to model one?

 

[raynev1 1,886]

Looks good , can't wait to see it lotted . 

[Adrianor 628]

@raynev1: Thanks! It will soon be lotted after some minor changes.

 

Following matias93's suggestions, I got carried away with making some w2w houses...Here's the result (they're the orange and the blue ones with the zinc plates):

I'm planning on making them in two more colors.

Tell me what you think!

  Edited August 25, 2016 by Adrianor  
Changed image

[matias93 7,535]

They look exactly as they should! (It is crazy to think one really lives in such a small space, comparing with the game scale)

Maybe, the only change I would reccomend is both a dirtier, grungier texture if they are meant for R$ lots, and maybe a more colorful one to match some specifical styles as Barrio Yungay houses or even the brilliantly coloured houses in Valparaíso. For peruvian houses, I think balconies are too crucial to be treated just as props, so it would maybe need different models.

Oh, and by the way, your work pace is really fast!

[Adrianor 628]

@matias93: Yeah I agree, I think I should add more grunge and change that orange color, it's a bit too dark. Which balconies are you referring to? The colonial ones (like this one)?  And yes, I'm not too busy right now, plus, batting is becoming addicting...It really is great to see familiar buildings/lots in the game, like your sidewalks for instance!

[matias93 7,535]

Precissely those ones. I think Romualdillo did one a couple of months ago, though. (And thanks for the compliments about the sidewalks, they were impressibly easy to do

[Gn_leugim 858]

that rooding (and texturing in general) are good. on the second pic I donno which ones are yours though

 

[Adrianor 628]

@matias93: Those balconies are really a work of art, it would be nice to model them. Unfortunately they're way too complicated for me to recreate. Maybe the simpler ones like this one would be more feasible for me to make. But for now, I'm sticking to more simple and 'humble' buildings.

@Gn_leugim: Thanks. I've updated the picture, it should be clear now.

[Gn_leugim 858]

yes, it is now

I would only check the saturation on the brown wall texture. seems a bit too much high IMO

 

[Adrianor 628]

@Gn_leugim: Do you mean the brown walls on this post?

 

On 8/23/2016 at 1:53 PM, Adrianor said:

@Gn_leugim:  Yes, you're right, I added a small chimney to the restaurant.

@matias93: En realidad soy mitad peruano mitad chileno, pero algo es algo no? jaja. Thank you for all the links you've provided, those are some great looking BATs, especially Romualdillo's models. They are indeed insanely detailed. I have modeled my own little props for now, but I'll keep in mind your suggestion. And yes, if I model the houses you mentioned (which I'll probably do) I will change the facade colors.

***

So far I've applied some textures to the 1rst BAT as well as adding some more details (what do you guys think about the textures?). Unfortunately, the posters on the restaurant don't show very well, I don't know if I should replace them or not. Also, I tried to model a satellite dish but alas, it was too hard for me...Does anyone know how to model one?

 

 

***

I've changed the orange color of the w2w house and I've added two more colors, yellow and light pink. I've also modeled a small auto repair shop based on this one.

[Gn_leugim 858]

Actually I mean in the other post, where you circled the buildings for me.

 

these last buildings are gorgeous, like them!

[Adrianor 628]

@Gn_leugim: Thank you, I also like how they turned out. I also changed the saturation of the door and window frames (maybe that's what you meant?), I think it looks better now. 

***

More stuff! I've decreased the saturation of the door and window frames:

Small house that will go together with the auto repair shop (1x1 lot)

Two houses (same structure but different facades and textures) that will occupy the same lot (1x2)

Also, you can check out my first post to see what I'm working on and what I might do in the future.

[matias93 7,535]

Those are great advances, and your project list is very promising too. May I suggest to create mirrored house structures? Normally that happens on paired houses, to avoid the intermixing of wet patios and dry rooms.

[rsc204 21,865]

Whilst your models won't exactly be my cup of tea, I just wanted to say that your models seem to be coming along nicely. I look forward to seeing this project progress.

[Adrianor 628]

@matias93 Gracias! Yes, you're right, I will create a mirrored model of one of the houses.

@rsc204 Thank you! I'm aware that my models will only appeal to a small minority here on this website...Judging from the number of downloads of different BATs on the STEX, it seems that skyscrapers are almost always the most popular BATs. But I've always thought that there were more than enough skyscrapers (yeah, yeah, some will say that there are never enough skyscrapers ), which is why i'm focusing on low density (eventually medium density) buildings.

[Bombardiere 591]

27 minutes ago, Adrianor said:

Judging from the number of downloads of different BATs on the STEX, it seems that skyscrapers are almost always the most popular BATs. But I've always thought that there were more than enough skyscrapers (yeah, yeah, some will say that there are never enough skyscrapers ), which is why i'm focusing on low density (eventually medium density) buildings.

Agreed A city  always needs smaller "filler" buildings and I like the way you are modelling a specific architectural style. And there are few of you Latin batters, so perhaps a minority yes, but still an import part of the community.   I have not yet built a latin city, but I have downloaded Bats and one day I play South American or Spanish SC4.

I think you are doing a good job. Just add some details to liven up the models and avoid bright colours (the SC4 has very de-saturated palette) and I think you are on the right track.

[T Wrecks 10,210]

Ah, the ratings and download figures... skyscrapers are simply more spectacular, big and eye-catching at the first glance. That's why people tend to be all "Whoa, must download!". A repetition of skyscrapers is also more noticeable in a city. Three identical 4-storey apartment blocks near one another? Hey, no problem. Three identical W2W buildings in a row? Well, that's their purpose, isn't it? But three identical skyscrapers right next to each other? Looks incredibly stupid and unrealistic.

However, if you are actually interested in building regions that are detailed and realistic in many aspects, and if you prefer detail over impressive skyscraper forests, you'll look for exactly the kind of stuff that you are featuring here: the small, bread-and-butter buildings that you can use anywhere.

It's good to see more regions of the world getting some attention, too, so while your BATs might not rival skyscrapers in terms of download count, I'm sure there's a decent number of people out there who will appreciate them all the more because your BATs help to open up more possibilities, whereas the next international skyscrapers will just strengthen a category that's already easily viable. So keep 'em coming and don't mind the numbers!

[Gn_leugim 858]

11 hours ago, T Wrecks said:

Ah, the ratings and download figures... skyscrapers are simply more spectacular, big and eye-catching at the first glance. That's why people tend to be all "Whoa, must download!". A repetition of skyscrapers is also more noticeable in a city. Three identical 4-storey apartment blocks near one another? Hey, no problem. Three identical W2W buildings in a row? Well, that's their purpose, isn't it? But three identical skyscrapers right next to each other? Looks incredibly stupid and unrealistic.

However, if you are actually interested in building regions that are detailed and realistic in many aspects, and if you prefer detail over impressive skyscraper forests, you'll look for exactly the kind of stuff that you are featuring here: the small, bread-and-butter buildings that you can use anywhere.

It's good to see more regions of the world getting some attention, too, so while your BATs might not rival skyscrapers in terms of download count, I'm sure there's a decent number of people out there who will appreciate them all the more because your BATs help to open up more possibilities, whereas the next international skyscrapers will just strengthen a category that's already easily viable. So keep 'em coming and don't mind the numbers!

that's why it will have surely my download that and I think I can fit them into my PT setting for sure

 

14 hours ago, Adrianor said:

@matias93 Gracias! Yes, you're right, I will create a mirrored model of one of the houses.

@rsc204 Thank you! I'm aware that my models will only appeal to a small minority here on this website...Judging from the number of downloads of different BATs on the STEX, it seems that skyscrapers are almost always the most popular BATs. But I've always thought that there were more than enough skyscrapers (yeah, yeah, some will say that there are never enough skyscrapers ), which is why i'm focusing on low density (eventually medium density) buildings.

Not everyone makes Skyscrapers cities, that are those who go for mid/low cities, and variety on those are most needed! so keep you the work. I like the improvement you made on those. they look very nice!

[Adrianor 628]

Note: For some reason I can't submit a reply if I use the quote function...

 

****

 

@Bombardiere Exactly my thoughts, a city is essentially made of filler buildings.

 

Thanks, I'm trying to cool it with the colors even if in real life in Santiago a lot of buildings in some districts tend to be pretty colorful. This is not just limited to Santiago, but as you may know, many cities in Latin America ( La Paz, Valparaíso, Lima, Cartagena) tend to have bright and saturated colors. What can I say, we Latin Americans are obsessed with colors! .

 

@T WrecksThank you for your input. I must admit that when I first started playing SC4, all I wanted to create were cities full of skyscrapers. Now, as you may guess, not so much as I'm striving for realism. That's why I'll pump out as many small insignificant buildings as I can!

 

@Gn_leugim Thank you. You know what they say, variety is the spice of life!

 

****

 

I've modeled two C$ buildings that will go together on a 1x2 lot. They are based on these ones

 

I'm not so sure how I feel about the roof textures on the green buildings. What do you guys think?

 

  Edited September 2, 2016 by Adrianor  
link missing

[matias93 7,535]

I would say they look very convincing, the colours are the right ones and the depth is well simulated, particularly for the rusted ones; new aluminium plates are harder though, because they indeed behave like matte mirrors, so it makes them look as plain grey. Maybe some light blue and darker grey stains could help to add more texture to them.

[Gn_leugim 858]

suggestion: as you are building them apart, and not as the same building, maybe you could do more variations and then, combine them to make more varirity in lots. this would be done as props (at least one of them should be a prop), so lets say you make 3 of each, you would have 6 different combinations, for the same lot. 

Different stores, colors and so on, would do it perfectly

[Adrianor 628]

@matias93 Thanks. Yes, some stains would do it I think.

@Gn_leugim I originally had thought of doing this only to the houses, but I guess I can do the same thing with the commercial buildings

 

****

Just letting everyone know that I've updated my first post. It should be clearer now to know what buildings you can expect to see in each pack.

[6StringShaman 112]

These look great!!!

[Adrianor 628]

@6StringShaman Thanks, glad you like them!

****

I present to you the last model of the  R$ Pack Santiaguino 1. This small house will occupy a 1x2 lot together with a mirrored copy (in a different color).

As always, here's the real life version.

You can expect to see this first housing pack on the STEX this week.

[matias93 7,535]

I made my elementary just a couple of blocks away, but never repaired on those houses with wooden structure visible, you really have a sharp eye for architecture! 

By the way, if you find time for batting R$$ houses, I've been doing some fieldwork for a couple of university courses, and have photos of 1960s houses on Maipú and San Joaquín, so i can post them here if you find that useful. Otherwise, street view is really handy.

[Adrianor 628]

@matias93 Oh, what a coincidence! The neighborhood certainly has its charm, I especially like the architecture. It's a shame though that some houses are run down.

I was playing SC4 and noticed that there really aren't that many latin american R$$ houses (and R$$$ for that matter). I can only think of the housing pack that LBT made some years ago...So I'll probably be making the R$$ Pack Santiaguino 1 first, eventually.  You're right, street view is handy, but it never hurts to have more pictures. They would be quite useful I think, so thanks for mentioning this!