Flann's BAT Thread

[Flann 1,709]

Hi all,

I've decided to take a crack at the BAT.  I've wanted to give back to the community that's produced such awesome content and I'd like to make a little of my own.

For my first project, I'm going to attempt making some Baltimore-style row houses:

I'm intending for there to be 3 of these per 1x2 tile, thus they are 5.33 m wide.  I'm doing my best to replicate actual dimensions otherwise, with all vertical elements scaled at 1.33x.

GMAX is a steep learning curve, but I am enjoying it thus far.  I welcome any feedback or advice.  Thanks all.

[BartonThinks 3,416]

I can't offer anything helpful in terms of BATing tips, but I'm looking forward to see what you come up with. Most of the R$ rowhouses available for download feel a little overly spacious for low-wealth neighborhoods, and I've always liked the idea of some Baltimore-style homes with narrow frontages.

[CT14 2,486]

It's looking good. Make sure your textures are darker than needed in Gmax, so they look correct in game after lightening.

The two elements overlapping at each corner will 'fight' and look weird, I usually just move the south face out by .01 or something in that situation.

Something I want to get back to is foundation props - you can do foundations with below-ground BAT props and add them to lots that way. Your model looks ideal for a simple box foundation, or even something with fancy steps in front of the front door.

[Flann 1,709]

20 hours ago, CT14 said:

It's looking good. Make sure your textures are darker than needed in Gmax, so they look correct in game after lightening.

The two elements overlapping at each corner will 'fight' and look weird, I usually just move the south face out by .01 or something in that situation.

Something I want to get back to is foundation props - you can do foundations with below-ground BAT props and add them to lots that way. Your model looks ideal for a simple box foundation, or even something with fancy steps in front of the front door.

Thank you for the tips.  I would like to do foundations eventually.  I need to learn more about how to make lots first.  Ideally I want to make several versions of this BAT and have them in a family to randomize which 3 appear on the lot.  If they could appear at differing heights based on the terrain that would be even cooler and in that case I would definitely make foundations.

Here's an update on the model.  I added some ornamentation and pitched the roof and staggered the side walls:

 

Edit: Preview

[Flann 1,709]

Got a basic brick texture applied to the walls.  I'm a photoshop noob so I've followed @Jasoncw's tutorial on making brick textures.  Nevertheless, I'm going to try to recreate a Formstone facade.  End goal is to have a whole bunch of different textures to create a bunch of versions of the row house model so that it can spawn randomly and create unique combinations.

Some of these rowhouses also have additions on the rear:

So I'll be trying that out as well.

[Jasoncw 11,840]

For the formstone I think you'd either have to find a texture on google, or you'd take a front facing image of the building, and then photoshop out the windows by copying and pasting different parts of the texture around in order to patch out the windows and doors and stuff.

So far so good.

[Flann 1,709]

Formstone for the front wall attempt number 1:

Preview:

I haven't exported a model into the game yet, so I don't know if this will look okay or not but I'm pretty pleased with the preview.

[Raymond7cn 6,772]

49 minutes ago, Flann said:

Formstone for the front wall attempt number 1:

Preview:

I haven't exported a model into the game yet, so I don't know if this will look okay or not but I'm pretty pleased with the preview.

Hiya Flann, I like it. it makes your model more real, i thought by using this way with the other parts, such as curtain, more light and dark changes, it will be a perfect work, Congrats!

Sincerely,

-- Raymond

[Flann 1,709]

A couple updates to this rowhouse

I learned from the GMAX help how to make nice looking double-hung windows, so I will probably redo the front second story ones as well as refine the frames for the big window in front.

Up next is modeling some stairs or back porch options, maybe railings for the front stoop.  Also to do is maybe two chimney options, and also making a two versions of the side walls that have windows for the corner lots (or maybe I'll just make the windows on every model and you'll only see it on the corner, hmm).

Once that's all complete then I'll be working on a bunch of versions of the textures.  Brick colors and alternate patterns and colorization of the formstone pattern.

Hopefully that will be enough variation to create some nice neighborhoods!

 

[CT14 2,486]

It's looking good. Save yourself the time and put windows on the side walls, no need for extra versions.

[Morgan R 156]

I am not able to help with the technical aspects of the modelling (I am more an architectural historian than an artist), but, I want to drop a line of encouragement and a few thoughts.

The game is always in need of more variety of American rowhouses, as they are the backbone of any 19th century American city. And Baltimore has some of the finest stock and examples of rowhouses anywhere in America. If you aren't familiar with the book, "The Baltimore Rowhouse" by Hayward and Belfoure is a great resource and the subject, if you wish to dive deeper from a historical perspective.

It seems you are off to a good start on at least two aspects. First, your decision to produce the same base model in multiple textures will really help with diversity for realistic neighborhoods. Second, your consideration of the variations of rear additions (in my own studies, these include open two-story porches, one or two story additions in brick or wood; stairs, some none at all or rotten away), has been often overlooked by existing townhouse sets for SC4, despite being among the most visible aspects from any aerial photos, and an easy way to make an otherwise identical house look different. That attention to detail will help your work stand out. Great stuff; please keep it up!

As for side windows (as noted above), they will likely make it a bit more realistic--even if just "bricked in" to represent mid-block houses. As the patterns for side-windows are rather specific, I would suggest looking at real examples; you will notice, for instance, that there are gaps between windows for fireplaces beneath the chimneys, and sometimes oddly-placed windows where the inside stairs are located.

Finally, if you wish to add a few details that can be visible on the final model, you may wish to include the downspout for the gutters, and a few small pipes sticking out of the roof for the kitchen exhaust and bathroom exhaust. (Don't worry about A/C or HVAC for a 19th century building, as they are relatively anachronistic add-ons).

Thank you for the hope this set gives me. Best wishes, and look forward to your continued progress!