Automata into Props

[tariely 4,496]

I want to make some airport shuttles automata into props, and yes, there are at least two tutorials on that process, one by rsc and one older by Cogeo (whose pictures are marred by the photobucket stopper), ; they both make it look very simple, but I seem to be bogged at the very beginning of the process ; it's like my mind is cement. I am here (pict below) -- where do I go from there ? copy TGI of what ? Do I copy the exemplar ? or only the SD3 files ? or what ?   I need a (big) nudge in the right direction...

 

[rsc204 21,805]

The key thing to remember is that you are simply making a new Prop or Prop Exemplar. Ergo you just need to take a suitable such exemplar, re-name it, give it a new ID, then make sure the Resource Key Type 0 value is set to link to the correct model (S3D) file. The tutorial I have on the Omnibus takes you through an example for the Bus Automata, but the same technique can be adapted to pretty much any Automata model.

You can't simply copy the Exemplar from the Automata file, because that Exemplar isn't a Prop exemplar and will require altering many properties to repurpose. Better to use a good template, so I've attached such a Prop Exemplar for you. Follow these steps:

1. Make a copy of the DAT file and name the file accordingly.
2. Open the DAT using Reader.
3. Click on / Highlight the Exemplar, right click and select "Generate New Group and Instance".
   This gives the Prop Exemplar a unique ID, so it won't conflict with anything.
4. Now enter a name for the Prop under the Exemplar Name property.
5. Double click on the Resource Key Type 0 property, to edit the ID.
   • Note the three "Reps" or values, contain the Type, Group and Instance IDs.
     See in your example image how each file listed on the left, has a Type, Group and Instance ID? That's how we find which to use.
   • You shouldn't need to alter the Type ID, 0x5AD0E817.
   • Many Automata models use the same Group ID, 0xBADB57F1. That being the case, you'll only need to change the Instance ID at this step.
6. So the Prop Exemplar needs to link to whichever model (S3D) file we want it to display. Going back to your example image, we have two S3D or model files. This is because Automata typically have one model for the main model, in addition to a second for adding lights for example. We need to find the actual model itself, I'm guessing it's the first S3D file, with the Instance ID 1961AA01, which we enter as 0x1961AA01. For this example, the full RTK0 ID should be 0x5AD0E817,0xBADB57F1,0x1961AA01.
7. Save the DAT file and we're done.

Now when you load the new Prop Exemplar and Model, you should find it in the LE with the Name you entered in step 4. Note that the LE won't always properly preview True 3D models like Automata. But with a little trial and error, usually it's not a problem.

Automata Prop Exemplar Template.dat

[tariely 4,496]

It wooorks ! (except you didn't mention the SD3 and FSH files had to be copied into the .dat --which must be duh for you, but I had to think it over twice at least  ; also, the second ID should be 0xBADB57F1 not a repeat of 0x5AD0E817 ; and I did remember that "Save" means “reindex lot config” (for good measure I reindexed the whole thing and the directory too in the left column ! )

And it woooorks  ! Rsc to the rescue,! Your template, as usual, did the trick for me ; I didn't know how the heck to have a Resource Key Type 0 property in the blank .dat I was trying to make (I suppose with  "add property” ? and then copy all three TGI, changing the last one for the SD3 one ? But what about the other properties ?... ) ah well, it's moot, I have your template now, there is no stopping me from automataintoproping everything and the kitchen sink !

But first, I'm gonna try to make those airport shuttles diagonal too. Stay tuned.

 

[tariely 4,496]

OK. I get this (first pic) 

Something must be amiss. Should there be a FSH file for each SD3 ?

 

[tariely 4,496]

well, yes, of course.

OK, it works for diag too. Now,for  *fractional*  angles (18.4° right ?)

[rsc204 21,805]

21 minutes ago, tariely said:

well, yes, of course.

Yes and no. Yes each S3D model requires a texture (FSH), but if you ID additional models in a certain way, they can all link to the same texture. For example, the base Ortho model uses the Instance ID 0x1961AA01. So modified (rotated) variants, you should increment just the first digit by 1, i.e. 0x2961AA01, 0x3961AA01 and so on. That way you won't need the FSH files, they are simply a dependency that comes from the original Automata.

Likewise, you don't need copies of automata files (S3D), if you have linked your Prop Exemplar to the correct S3D model. So for the Ortho one you should not need this file. You do need the S3D files for rotated variants however, since these models are modified they don't exist otherwise.

[tariely 4,496]

I see. It would certainly be more tidy.

Meanwhile, I can't seem to have anything else than 45° ; both 22.5° and 18.4° elude me. Must I make a different .dat for each angled prop ?

[rsc204 21,805]

You don't need to use separate DAT files, just a correctly Re-ID'd copy of the main S3D model. Note when making rotated versions, I'd recommend using the Ortho S3D model as the template. Otherwise you'll need to account for an existing rotation. Remember too, each new rotation is a new Prop and requires it's own Exemplar, linking to the correct S3D for that variant.

[tariely 4,496]

That's what I think I did right for the first prop, but wasn't apparently able to replicate for the second.Thanks for confirming I have mostly understood the process -- I wasn't sure. I'll got at it again tomorrow -- right now my brain is fried ! 

[tariely 4,496]

VICTORY !!!! Thanks to RSC  -- and Rivit who came later into the fray.

Now if I want to them to work by night (me and night lites, y'know...) I have to go through the same process with the second SC3 of the dat, the one with the lights, right ?

[rsc204 21,805]

8 hours ago, tariely said:

I have to go through the same process with the second SC3 of the dat, the one with the lights, right ?

I'm pretty sure that won't work, because the lights on automata don't use the same method as props to switch on/off. In so far as I know, there is simply no way to add lights to 3D models used as Props.

I did try adding the Auxiliary model key (Headlights) property to the Prop Exemplar. Additionally, I even tested using the lights as a separate Prop. Neither of these actually produce any light in-game.

[tariely 4,496]

Bummer. Ah well, you win some, you lose some !  

Now I am stuck with something else : I 'm going to use them in my relot of the Modular Regional Airport by SimCityFuturist so I want to upload them so they can be used as a dep for it (and otherwise)... but there is no author mentioned and no readme in the original -- and I can't remember how I happened on them or where I DLed them (I think I downloaded it following on a thread about functional airports in which the link was given). A Google search was fruitless. I looked in cattyb's Reference files and it's not there. The name is Airport Shuttles (“automata" doesn't even appears in the name)

What do I do ?

[rsc204 21,805]

It seems obvious that these items would have come from a download hosted somewhere, in which case it would still be frowned upon to release such models in your work. Whilst I understand tracking down the source of some downloads is a royal PITA, it's a necessary part of such releases. Perhaps asking for help (can't find it ask here), from others may help you to locate the original package?

If the items are no longer available, we may grant an exception to upload the original package, which you could then link to. But I don't think that's the case here.

[Tyberius06 12,184]

@tariely and @rsc204
Modular 8 level parking garage

This contains the above mentioned Airport Shuttle Enterprise.dat and the other shuttle automatas and it's available on LEX and STEX as well. They are mikesieth's creations.

- Tyberius

 

[tariely 4,496]

@rsc204  yes, I would never want to do contra-etiqtte stuff.  That is why I was signalling and... @Tyberius06 answered the call., You're amazing, man (ad a life saver ! I happen to have that particular lot but I would never had thought of looking for the shuttles there !)  How did you find it ? Pray tell, it may help me look for things later...

[Tyberius06 12,184]

2 hours ago, tariely said:

How did you find it ? Pray tell, it may help me look for things later...

Well it would have been easier if have the corresponding exe extracted, but I'm not quite there yet with my LEX related organizing work (little background secret: all the relevant dependency packages have already been extracted and put together, just need to send them to the right person).

But searching the exact *.dat name with google between ""-marks did lead me to an old bit-torrent file which has its contents listed on its download page and with a web-page search I manage to find the file name. It showed me the parent folder name and I could recall which content it was. 

Uploading/downloading complet plugin folders with or without torrent clients is BAD, but I managed to locate so many contents (just the names, because these torrents became dead by now) where I didn't know the origin with the help of these unaurothised sources. It's mostly helpful if you have old outdated dependencies listed and you don't know where they were originally or if they were merged into something. Fe. NCID Props.dat, or something like that.

But it ia not easy even from the UK because google generally blocks or hide torrent references since downloading and/or uploading copy right protected contents via torrents (games, music, videos) is illegal, although in Hungary (at least when the last time I checked) only uploading such contents is illegal, and once it is uploaded you have the right to down load it and it's not illegal, so google wouldn't block your search on torrents.

Anyway... this is how I found it.

- Tyberius

[tariely 4,496]

(eyes slightly glazing over ...) Well, I'll rely on your expertise when I really cannot find stuff by myself, then. But I note the "exact name between "" in google" trick !

[tariely 4,496]

And now Tariely Productions ^TM will soon proudly present the Regional Modular Airport, (still to be tested by an independant contractor). The list of dependency of the excellent original by SimCityFuturist was long and I tried not to add too many, but yo'll have to remember that thing occupies a whole medium tile. I added a functional passenger rail (and a subway can be added by dragging a subway line in the rail station terminal, too. Of course the airport is not functional but the SFBT Bus Shuttle can be added to satisfy demand.

Here are some close-ups from east to west,, lightly dressed-up.

the freight terminal :

the fire station and underground rail terminal :

the end terminal :

 terminal1 part 1 (east) :

terminal 1 part 2 (west) :

control tower & runway 1 :

aaaand... by nite, of course  (it blinks happily away in-game.)