(Mod) AMPS Development Thread

[Kloudkicker 4,561]

Just now, Simmer2 said:

Is that a hint?

Well, yes, but just a light one. Only because RobertaME had asked this.....

15 hours ago, RobertaME said:

For now, let's let the topic of other power plants drop. I have bigger fish to fry...

But I had remembered about the power plant by me and found some pictures and had to share it with you guys and gals.  

[Simmer2 23,785]

Just now, Kloudkicker said:

Well, yes, but just a light one. Only because RobertaME had asked this.....

But I had remembered about the power plant by me and found some pictures and had to share it with you guys and gals.  

One power plant at the time please

I have been bending pipes for 1 week...

 

 

[Kloudkicker 4,561]

# Lets GO project LAMA! You can DO IT!

[Kloudkicker 4,561]

"I've been working on the railroad

All the lived long day

I've been working on the railroad

Just to pass time away...."

So here is a new transmission substation I am working on. Getting the wires to line up with a prop you can't see until it's In The Game is so fun. This one is connecting to the right and I will make one going out the back. So to give more options. Cool with you @RobertaME?    Any suggestions, comments, concerns, problems, complaints, issues or just any old funny sayings? Speak real loud, I might live far away. LOL 

  Edited March 10, 2021 by Kloudkicker  
Updated second picture with a new version

[RobertaME 1,376]

6 hours ago, Kloudkicker said:

# Lets GO project LAMA! You can DO IT!

Well... now we know who voted for that one. ;^)

Anyway, after doing some testing I determined that only the IHT lots were abandoning due to the negative effects of the heavy transformers. I'll add a blurb about it in the advisor comments and lot descriptions.

On another note, I think I found our Power Company Front Office...

https://www.google.com/maps/place/1605+ID-33,+Driggs,+ID+83422/@43.7465141,-111.1109355,3a,56.8y,95.2h,88.9t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sDOFnfo1LnNBEasAmXRR_xg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!4m5!3m4!1s0x5353a35efd2ef5e5:0x4f59e3bb2da04508!8m2!3d43.746447!4d-111.1100845

http://behlenbuildingsystems.com/resources/photo-gallery/offices/fall-river-rural-electric-co-op/

It looks rural, vaguely commercial, and should fit on a 2x2 tile lot. The main front office building you see in the second link is basically a 2x2 lot, if you include the parking. The whole lot it sits on is huge, about 5x18, but it's mostly empty space. The building out the back of the main front office is about 2x5, if you include the employee parking areas.

Here's an overhead view with a grid of tiles overlaid for size reference: (yellow highlight is the "Front Office" while the red highlight is the building out back I was referring to above)

Thoughts welcome!

 

[Simmer2 23,785]

45 minutes ago, RobertaME said:

Well... now we know who voted for that one. ;^)

Anyway, after doing some testing I determined that only the IHT lots were abandoning due to the negative effects of the heavy transformers. I'll add a blurb about it in the advisor comments and lot descriptions.

On another note, I think I found our Power Company Front Office...

https://www.google.com/maps/place/1605+ID-33,+Driggs,+ID+83422/@43.7465141,-111.1109355,3a,56.8y,95.2h,88.9t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sDOFnfo1LnNBEasAmXRR_xg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!4m5!3m4!1s0x5353a35efd2ef5e5:0x4f59e3bb2da04508!8m2!3d43.746447!4d-111.1100845

http://behlenbuildingsystems.com/resources/photo-gallery/offices/fall-river-rural-electric-co-op/

It looks rural, vaguely commercial, and should fit on a 2x2 tile lot. The main front office building you see in the second link is basically a 2x2 lot, if you include the parking. The whole lot it sits on is huge, about 5x18, but it's mostly empty space. The building out the back of the main front office is about 2x5, if you include the employee parking areas.

Here's an overhead view with a grid of tiles overlaid for size reference: (yellow highlight is the "Front Office" while the red highlight is the building out back I was referring to above)

Thoughts welcome!

 

aaaAAAhhhhHHH

 

In other news we now have the lights on.  (plus I added several more items)

[RobertaME 1,376]

1 minute ago, Simmer2 said:

aaaAAAhhhhHHH

That was NOT a request for a new lot... you're busy enough!

It's just a concept right now. I have to get the Alpha-2 ready for field testing, then solve several key problems before we even CONSIDER the power company buildings. Even then, I would only ask you if you WANTED to do it.

[Simmer2 23,785]

Just now, RobertaME said:

That was NOT a request for a new lot... you're busy enough!

It's just a concept right now. I have to get the Alpha-2 ready for field testing, then solve several key problems before we even CONSIDER the power company buildings. Even then, I would only ask you if you WANTED to do it.

You are supposed to laugh

[Kloudkicker 4,561]

3 minutes ago, RobertaME said:

That was NOT a request for a new lot...

I did some pages back, but I also did not expect it to be so quick. Simmer2,  you work like a super computer that never turns off, its amazing.  I also did not mean to get it the way of the mod's progress. Sorry for that @RobertaME

[Kloudkicker 4,561]

Can you forgive me RobertaME, please........ Will you accept my apologies. Or just take this and let's forget this ever happened.  

[Kloudkicker 4,561]

1 hour ago, RobertaME said:

It looks rural, vaguely commercial, and should fit on a 2x2 tile lot. The main front office building you see in the second link is basically a 2x2 lot, if you include the parking. The whole lot it sits on is huge, about 5x18, but it's mostly empty space. The building out the back of the main front office is about 2x5, if you include the employee parking areas.

Here's an overhead view with a grid of tiles overlaid for size reference: (yellow highlight is the "Front Office" while the red highlight is the building out back I was referring to above)

I can try and make something similar with what's reasonably available. It just won't have a sign on the building. How does that work?

[Whte_rbt 1,431]

6 hours ago, RobertaME said:

Thoughts welcome!

An alternative, not quite so rural looking.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/SP+Energy+Networks/@53.1869888,-2.425894,129m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x487a5818c3513df5:0x8659247a4e505d97!8m2!3d53.1869629!4d-2.425564

[RobertaME 1,376]

7 hours ago, Simmer2 said:

You are supposed to laugh

Sorry! I just didn't want you thinking that I was asking you when I knew you were already busy and do this stuff for nothing but praise and your own satisfaction. It was funny and I did giggle a little! ;^)

7 hours ago, Kloudkicker said:

I also did not mean to get it the way of the mod's progress. Sorry for that @RobertaME

Not an issue. I appreciate everyone's ideas that are helping to make this mod even better than I'd ever had before!

6 hours ago, Kloudkicker said:

Can you forgive me RobertaME, please........ Will you accept my apologies. Or just take this and let's forget this ever happened. 

Nice! I'll take it... as soon as you tell me where I can get it! :^)

6 hours ago, Kloudkicker said:

I can try and make something similar with what's reasonably available. It just won't have a sign on the building. How does that work?

Like an AMAZING amount of work! Please don't stress yourself! I don't want you to get burnt out. Kloudkicker Industries must persevere! :^Þ

1 hour ago, Whte_rbt said:

An alternative, not quite so rural looking.

The first building you put up I want to look rural to represent the power company office when your town is still small and... well... rural! :^)

The building is also a little large. It's 2x2 before adding any parking or such. Here is the building with a 16 meter tile grid overlay:

You can see the building alone fills and entire 2x2 section, which means parking etc. will be more on top of that.

The later Power Company Central Office will be larger and more modern looking.

Speaking of which, since I put up all the other ideas with a grid, I thought I aught to do the same with my first one for the Power Company Central Office. Wow! I knew it was a big building, but i didn't realize it was this big!

That's NINE wide and 8 tall with a chunk taken out of the corner. Call it a 4x9 and a 4x6 back to back. That may be TOO big!

Suggestions and opinions welcome!

[Whte_rbt 1,431]

8 hours ago, RobertaME said:

The first building you put up I want to look rural to represent the power company office when your town is still small and... well... rural

Gotcha. The thought that triggred me to post the alternative was that the building looks very US/North America 'rural'. I can't think of any european power company offices that look so close to a log cabin, at least round the entrance.

Was thinking something a little more modern/generic.

Looking at the grid you put over the map link I posted, a 2x4 lot (2x2 Building, 2x2 Yard) would not look massive or out of place.

[RobertaME 1,376]

18 minutes ago, Whte_rbt said:

I can't think of any european power company offices that look so close to a log cabin, at least round the entrance.

Neither can I. Since it's supposed to look "rustic" and built for a backwater place and fit in with its surroundings, it needs to have that "log cabin" feel to it. I like the style I found (and it took me a while to find) because it is NOT just North American in style, but it could easily fit in with Dutch, Swiss, German, Baltic,  and various other architecture styles as well. But it stiil has that rural "feel" to it.

Later when you get the upgraded buildings, if this one doesn't fit the architectural style anymore, it can be demolished with little to no impact, since all it really does is provide a way to get the full power data query and look cute. It's the later buildings that will need the more modern look that can fit in with a big city... while the first one you get has to fit in with a small town, especially if that town STAYS small.

13 minutes ago, Whte_rbt said:

Looking at the grid you put over the map link I posted, a 2x4 lot (2x2 Building, 2x2 Yard) would not look massive or out of place.

Your lot honestly would work better as a 2nd tier lot... which I believe no one else has submitted an option for. If you don't mind, I'd like to tentatively put your suggestion in that category as it fits much better there. It has a vaguely industrial look to it, would fit nicely on a 3x3 tile set, (or we could make it 2x4 as you suggest) and fits in better with a more modern "bigger city" style.

Would that work? :^)

[Kloudkicker 4,561]

On 3/3/2021 at 1:43 PM, Simmer2 said:

PS I already have an electric utility maintenance facility in mind...stay tuned.

I believe this is in great hands already.

[Kloudkicker 4,561]

12 hours ago, RobertaME said:

It looks rural, vaguely commercial, and should fit on a 2x2 tile lot. The main front office building you see in the second link is basically a 2x2 lot, if you include the parking. The whole lot it sits on is huge, about 5x18, but it's mostly empty space. The building out the back of the main front office is about 2x5, if you include the employee parking areas.

Using the info provided and what's in the game files (for buildings), I put these two lots together. There's the tiny ol 2x2 lot you wanted and the one I made to resemble the picture. I thought the whole thing really needed to be made. You can use either one or neither, it's up to you. Should I continue @RobertaME? Is the buildings close enough? I will put them aside and reuse them if they are not what you are looking for, no worries at all, and start a new one.

  Edited March 10, 2021 by Kloudkicker  

[Simmer2 23,785]

4 hours ago, Kloudkicker said:

I believe this is in great hands already.

All in due time.

Eventually I will complete all requests and @RobertaME can re-release them in a subsequent expansion pack.

Simmer2

[Propfam 2,286]

This is a Jakarta branch of Indonesian state-grid company.

https://goo.gl/maps/pTTsoUfyM9e9dzVG7

It turns out that the main building only occupies 36x36 m or 3x3 tile, with spare area for EV charging etc.

 

This is my province branch.

https://goo.gl/maps/mix7o9ZM5qUF85p39

The main building occupies 60x36 m or 4x3 tile.

[RobertaME 1,376]

12 hours ago, Kloudkicker said:

I believe this is in great hands already.

 

7 hours ago, Simmer2 said:

All in due time.

Eventually I will complete all requests and @RobertaME can re-release them in a subsequent expansion pack.

That's fine with me. Right now I'm more concerned with getting a working mod than adding to it. The only thing I sort of want with the first release is an initial Front Office, so there's somewhere to put the new query that lists all power data... but that's just a "would be nice", not a "have to" thing.

48 minutes ago, chfzdn said:

This is a Jakarta branch of Indonesian state-grid company.

https://goo.gl/maps/pTTsoUfyM9e9dzVG7

It turns out that the main building only occupies 36x36 m or 3x3 tile, with spare area for EV charging etc.

 

This is my province branch.

https://goo.gl/maps/mix7o9ZM5qUF85p39

The main building occupies 60x36 m or 4x3 tile.

Thanks for the ideas! I'll put them with the others. :^)

[RobertaME 1,376]

Poll Update:

OK, now that enough people have voted to eliminate all but two options, it's just down to the two.

@CorinaMarie or @Cyclone Boom? Would it be possible to reset the poll so people can re-vote? If not, I'll just start a new thread for the poll and remove this one.

Thanks!

[CorinaMarie 29,574]

23 minutes ago, RobertaME said:

@CorinaMarie or @Cyclone Boom? Would it be possible to reset the poll so people can re-vote?

Yes, I'm certain it can be reset. Let's toss this to CB as he's the expert under the hood.

[Cyclone Boom 16,852]

3 hours ago, RobertaME said:

Would it be possible to reset the poll so people can re-vote?

3 hours ago, CorinaMarie said:

Yes, I'm certain it can be reset. Let's toss this to CB as he's the expert under the hood.

/me has completed database delving.

All sorted now, with the poll presented at the top reset for all votes with the two choices:

Everyone who voted in the first poll is now free to vote once for either of these options.

Whichever name prevails, we'll add it to the site acronyms system so then it'll be known when hovering over.

[Simmer2 23,785]

Ok here we go.

SM2 Sim Gideon NG Power Plant

A few buildings are done but now comes the "fun part".

This is just a place holder lot to get a perspective on the size and layout but also to get a feel on what base texture I will be designing for it. Once I'm satisfied I will finalize the actual size.

I may be re-making and or adding more items as I go along with the lot build. (I'm currently working on a NG wellhead)

Again this is NOT the final lot. Additionally I may create 2 lots, one being the big one with the addition of the maintenance building and front office shown here just like in real life and perhaps one that is streamlined with just the plant to fit in tight spaces.

Simmer2

[metarvo 710]

Well done Simmer!  Now this is a power plant.  The pipes turned out very smooth. 

[RobertaME 1,376]

8 hours ago, Cyclone Boom said:

All sorted now, with the poll presented at the top reset for all votes with the two choices:

Everyone who voted in the first poll is now free to vote once for either of these options.

Thanks a million, @Cyclone Boom! You as well, @CorinaMarie!

8 hours ago, Cyclone Boom said:

Whichever name prevails, we'll add it to the site acronyms system so then it'll be known when hovering over.

I'm honored that you would do that! Now I have a real reason to get this done and out!

6 hours ago, Simmer2 said:

SM2 Sim Gideon NG Power Plant

Looks fantastic, @Simmer2! An excellent job!

6 hours ago, Simmer2 said:

I may be re-making and or adding more items as I go along with the lot build. (I'm currently working on a NG wellhead)

Again this is NOT the final lot. Additionally I may create 2 lots, one being the big one with the addition of the maintenance building and front office shown here just like in real life and perhaps one that is streamlined with just the plant to fit in tight spaces.

Take your time. You've already done a fabulous job and I'm sure that after you're satisfied it will be one of the best power plant lots out there!

Bravo!

Update:

OK, so I spent several days squashing bugs and I'm getting close to release of the Alpha-2 with all new queries, dynamic loading, and some balance tweaks thanks to @Kloudkicker and his playtesting. Industrial transformers are now listed as being anathema to High-tech Industrial lots, as well as Residential and Commercial. They are only suited for use around Dirty or Manufacturing lots, which don't mind them in the slightest. I've also toned down the range their negative effects go out to so it only reaches 30 tiles instead of 45 and adjusted all the descriptions and advisor comments accordingly. As before, you can mitigate the effects by putting enough parkland around them.

@Kloudkicker has also been working on a first draft of a Power Company Front Office for me. I don't know if it will be in the Alpha-2 release, but it's coming along nicely! The query for it is still VERY much a WIP, so even once he gets it done I don't know if I'll be ready for it. (the power company lot query is much more complex, so it's taking a lot longer)

With any luck, I should have a release before this weekend. (I'm THAT close)

Spoiler

Since at the moment AMPS is ahead in the poll, unless something changes before then, the Alpha-2 will release with that name. We'll see... :^)

Comments welcome!

[Simmer2 23,785]

SM2 AMPS Rural Office  ----- lot size at the very minimum is 2x3.

Any more rural than this and I would have to drop a few sheep and cows on the lot....

Got a couple of pallets of poles and pole transformers in them mix.

 

[Kloudkicker 4,561]

Darn, you beat me to it @Simmer2. I just finished this up. Mine is a two part lot. 

OK @RobertaME, looks like you have a decision to make. Mine took two hours to make so, go with his!

[Simizen 1,088]

yo... can we have both? i mean, heck, even if we don't get the bottom one here, I'd still love to have that just in general

[RobertaME 1,376]

26 minutes ago, Ryuu Tenno said:

yo... can we have both?

Due to the nature of the mod... YES! Each of them can put their AWESOME Power Company Front Office up on the STEX and I'll link to BOTH as a "soft dependency", meaning the content is entirely optional. People are free to DL one, the other, or even BOTH. The only catch is that you can't have more than one in any given city... so you'll still have to decide which one goes in a city... but then you could pick the OTHER one in a 2nd city in the same region.

I realized that I could do this earlier today between loads of laundry. (hey, I think better doing laundry!)

So @Simmer2 and @Kloudkicker... GREAT job! I love them BOTH and am SO glad I don't have to decide which to support!

I still don't have the query anywhere CLOSE to done, but I squashed the last few bugs in the Alpha-2 this afternoon (a couple NG plants were refusing to unlock due to a few typos in my conditionals) as well as tweaking a few unlock variables. I'm still not sure about some of them, but I'm going to release it as-is as soon as I get it packaged up... which should be tomorrow. I ran up a 40,000+ population city using the mod today, and had no issues with balancing a budget and even turned a §4-6k per month profit for expansion with no cheats... so I think I nailed the cost factors.

No spoiler this time... I need people to read this.

Since AMPS is running away with the poll vote in a landslide, even after counting an extra vote for SPA from someone who doesn't have an account here, it looks like the Alpha-2 will release under that name. Luckily, I just need to change one variable in the LUA and rename the directory and it's done.

I'm thinking that inside the game I'm going to use the Company name "Allied Municipal Power of Simtropolis", and just "Allied Municipal Power" for short in a few places, but the mod will remain being called Allied Modern Power of Simtropolis... unless there are any objections. I'm thinking it sounds more "company-ish" to my ear.

Please... if anyone objects, it's no hard feelings and I'll just keep it Modern in the game as well... and I WANT to know if anyone doesn't like the idea. Feel free to PM me if you're not comfortable expressing your opinion in public.

Oh... one other thing, @Kloudkicker.

Up-thread you mentioned the fact that the hover-overs show lightbulbs with no lights on for the transformers and substations. Unfortunately this does not seem to be a function of the query UI but the fact that they're categorized under the Power submenu... possibly due to the fact that they use the Occupant Group Building: Power (0x00001400) which HAS to be there in order for them to appear in the Power submenu. They have no lights because they aren't producing power... so the game thinks they are power plants running inefficiently.

If anyone knows otherwise, PLEASE let me know ASAP so I can fix this.

Anyway, back to packing this up for upload. I want to include a Readme this time, so it SHOULD be included in tomorrow's release! :^)