SPAs Urbanist BAT Thread

[spa 970]

Wow lots of responses to that update. Thanks everyone for stopping in. I guess that's the difference texturing can make!

Josefmayor: Thanks

Bobbo662: Thanks

Simdad1957: I agree. Commercial streets have a lot of potential, but so many batters end up just doing skyscrappers. It's a shame as there is a real shortage of realistic, non-sprawl commercial buildings on the STEX. In my own little way I'm trying to help deal with the shortfall.

JBSimio: Thanks. I usually can't get that far without texturing either. I find that unless I texture I start to lose interest because it doesn't look like anything. In this case I didn't have a choice since my parents computer doesn't have an image editor, but I didn't lose interest because there was nothing else to do out in the country Anyway, I hope L.A. is treating you well.

Sorchin: Probably not. I make my bats half for myself and half for the community and I have found that interiors are a lot of work for very little reward. In some BATs, I think they actually detract from the whole by making things look too busy or by drawing attention to a rather sparse room. So on this BAT I don't think anything on the inside will make an appearence.

Simshady: Thanks. The textures on it are from the real building with some editing in photoshop.

Kwakelaar: Thanks. Those windows actually took a bit of figuring to get, but once I had the first set down the rest just flowed naturally. As for urban planning my program is so far more design based I guess. We're not really doing planning, planning yet, but more baby planning. Lots of little exercises for an upcoming studio project involving an unused piece of land here in Halifax. That said I do have a theory class. All and all I think the program will suit me, it just involves a lot of long days!

Jacqulina: As always, thanks for stopping by with your words of encouragement.

Ill Tonkso: That's great to hear. I always like to know my stuff is being used and it is especially nice to know that I have something to offer even some of the more well-known established batters around here. I do have to say though I'm drooling over your new mid-rise!

Toxicpiano: I never thought of it as nineties, but you know you're probably right. It would certainly fit since Calgary went into a boom in the early 1990s after a long recession. I guess it is a generic style. I hadn't thought of it as such since there aren't any buildings in Halifax like this, but apparently it is (you're not the first to mention it looks familiar to another part of the world). Thanks for your comment.

So since my last update I have started the left side. I have generally worked about an hour or two at the end of the day on it this week. Below is the

At this point I have ditched reality. The side doesn't look anything like this, but that's how it is with a lot of my bats. I start off following the photo and then I end up wandering off and doing my own thing. Still lots of stuff to do on the left before I can move on to either the right or the back. Looking at the photo I have to say I don't really like the amount that I have indented the full length ground window on the wing that juts out. I think I'll set it so that it is more in line with the indent of the windows above (.05 in instead of the .25 it is in now). I'm planning on making a side entrance in the empty space next to the full length ground floor window. I'm hoping that I'll have the time to finish up the left side this weekend, but I don't know if it'll be possible. I have to go in for a final GIS workshop on Saturday, I'm going to a hockey game with my classmates this evening and then on Sunday I have to struggle through Illustrator to finish up a poster project as well as pick my folks up from the airport. It's a full weekend. Anyway, I'll update again when I have more progress to show. Thanks again for all the support.

[jacqulina 162]

wonderfull progress so far great detailing

[6underground 11]

That building really reminds me of the Cardiff International Arena:

[mightygoose 92]

oh wow this is beautiful...

[SC4Noobie 5]

Wow, cool! I really like all these buildings... I can't wait for more releases... Well, good luck!

[spa 970]

Jacqulina: Thanks

6underground: I can see how you see the Cardiff International Arena. The sloped 45 degree windows and 4 storeys high fits. Obviously much more glass on the Cardiff though .

Mightygoose: Thanks

SC4Noobie: Thanks. More releases are definitely coming, although probably not at the pace that I have kept this summer. I just don't have the time. That said, working for 2 hours a night because that's the only time I have free keeps things from getting dull which means I haven't strayed from batting as much as I did before so maybe the two will offset each other. I guess we'll see.

So I didn't do as much this weekend as I hoped I would. School took up a lot and I was out at my parents place. I did do some batting on their computer but since they don't have photoshop I worked on a different project that I'll showcase when I have something really concrete with textures. That said, I did work on Kensington Place this evening. Below is where things sit.

As you can see the sides are now done. On the whole I'm pleased. I might still change the ground floor windows on the far left to a more divided up version since that's not a storefront, but, on the other hand, it is the ground floor so I might just leave them. I don't know yet. Anyway, I have some ideas for the right hand side so I'll probably work on it next and leave the back for last. If things go well, this one might and I emphasize might, be done mid-October. Anyway, I'll update again when I have some more accomplished.

[SC4Noobie 5]

Hmm, intresting... I really like this one so far. Mid October doesn't seem too late, it seems on time. This is coming out pretty good, I'll wait for some more updates. Yea, school really does drain a lot of time. 2 hours a night is quite a lot though... You should definatly enjoy life more, SC isn't the only thing to do.

[JBSimio 152]

Looks good, Spa.  I like the different combination of things you have going on the side.  It makes for a much more interesting view the way it's mixed together like that.  Are you planning for this to be a corner lot?  I'm looking forward to what the other side might look like.

JB

[ACEfanatic 7]

Mmm... I like this building. Even though it's modernism, it at least has interesting geometry...

What's with the light on the side, though? (On the balconies) Something's reflecting that really shouldn't be.

-ACE

[spa 970]

SC4Noobie: True true. I definitely don't spend all my time on SC. At the end of the night though my girl friend tends to go to bed around 11:00 (being a law student means a lot of early mornings for her) and I'm always until 1:00 so that I can catch the news, Daily Show and Colbert Report. In those last two hours while I'm watching TV I tend to tinker with the bat and that's where most of the progress has been coming from.

JBSimio: I too like the interesting shapes. It's what drew me to this building in the first place! I'm not planning on this being a corner lot. It won't be w2w though. If I remember correctly I left 4 m on each side so there will be alleys alongside this one that will let everyone see all the work that went into the sides. It'll fit on a 5x4 lot (a lot bigger than anything I have made so far).

Acefanatic: Thanks! Honestly, I really don't know what those light patterns on the balcony are. I'm assuming that its light passing through the windows and that it'll be gone once I put a roof and floors in since they'll block the light. If not I'll have a bit of a mystery on my hands. Time will tell.

[josefmayor 8]

what a beauity can't wait to have this in my city.

[spa 970]

Josefmayor: Thanks! It'll be there soon.

So just a quick update tonight. The final shape is coming together. Not all the details or textures are there but here's a peak at things around back and on the right side.

So I continued the style around the back and on the side with some variations. The two empty spaces on the right side will be decks. I don't think I'll include glassed in areas like I have on the top decks on the two lower levels. I don't want to overdo it. Anyway, this is definitely on track for a mid-month release. I likely won't have another update until sometime on the weekend as I'm going on a brewery tour with my classmates (should be fun) and then on Friday I'm going out with some old friends.

[budweiserdude23 80]

Spa, the shape of that structure is very cool. That is one nice model you have there. The window texture is stunning, period.  As a matter of fact I hope you don't mind me asking you this but would you mind sharing it?

One small piece of critique, the brick texture might need a slight modification. It's a little difficult to see the mortar, i.e. the separtion inbetween bricks. But that's minor compared to the overall picture, which is very nice!

[ACEfanatic 7]

O_o

Wow?

-ACE

[JBSimio 152]

Oh wow! That is really going to look great! I like what you did with the back... so much to look at. I wouldn't mind sharing that glass texture too, if you're willing!

JB

[rooker1 4]

Wow, awesome work and with great details.  This is the type of stuff I could use more of.

[asturianu 4]

Oh, GOD!!! What a really nice building, Sam. Great one.

I can't wait to build it in 12th Street, in downtown Lloyd, it will be perfect, my friend!!!

Hehe, i'm writting from my school. Well, i'm in the computer room, and here we can look for what you want in Internet.

You are a great BATer, you know i love all your Bats, Sam.

10 points to your new building!!

[asturianu 4]

Ohh!! I'm very impressed! I check this topic some hours ago, and now i can feel impressed again!

What a nice work in the BATs, my friend!

EDIT: Sorry for the double post, but you can see that now i'm writting after 5 hours when i posted from the High School. Now i'm at my father's office, and i'm relaxing, my friend!

[SC4Noobie 5]

I also really like the texture of the glass. Looking real nice... The building design is also very nice. Most of your BATs have a flat front and a mostly flat back, so this is good variance. I can't wait for your buildings. BTW, any chance that you could do some more midrises? Thats something we're really lacking. These are great, though!

[sorchin 18]

It's really starting to come together Spa. Lovely glass texture

[spa 970]

Budweiserdude23: Thanks. I don't mind sharing the glass texture or any other. You can find it at the bottom of this update. As for the bricks, I'll give it some thought, but I kind of like the lack of clear brick lines. Maybe before I make my final render I'll try out a more clear brick texture.

ACEfanatic: Thanks

JBSimio: Thanks. You can find the glass texture below along with completed pictures of the back.

Rooker1: Thanks. I have at least one more mid-rise in the works.

Christian: Thanks. I appreciate the kind words. I look forward to seeing Kensington Place in Lloyd.

SC4Noobie: Thanks. I have one more Kensington midrise underway. When I'm done Kensington House I'll probably either finish up the Richland Building or work on it so there should be at least one more 4 storey office building released by me in the next couple of weeks.

Sorchin: Thanks.

Well with it being a holiday weekend here in Canada I spent sometime batting today and I'm pleased to say that except for the roof, floors and nightlights Kensington Place is complete. I enclosed the building today and sorted out the details. You can see the results below.

The Front

The Back

The Right Side

With the last details done I can say that this one should be ready this coming week unless I get caught up with other things. Before I sign off I'll attach the glass texture I'm using. I hate to disappoint but it's nothing special. Just a splotchy shade of blue streatched across several windows with an opacity map setting of 60. If anyone wants it feel free to grab it, no credit needed.

[beachfrontproperty 0]

nice building you got there, I just started batting, not as good yet

[ACEfanatic 7]

Beautiful. Just beautiful.

Can't wait for this to hit the STEX.

-ACE

-edit-

Might want to fix the brick textures on the slanted bits, btw...

[Mulefisk 15]

Wow that is truly gorgeous.

Such a realistic BAT. It's buildings like that one the game needs more of, not huge, fancy skyskrapers.

You're my favorite BATer on this site, along with Glenni and Odd from sweden, so keep up the great work!

[jacqulina 162]

wow you sure have done some great progress very nice looking building so far

[marc 13]

WOW, this one looks great! All the angles are very exhilarating- It's quite difficult to find that kind of (good) modern architecture in North America.

[JBSimio 152]

Thanks Spa!  This is really coming together nicely.  Not usually my style (as you well know) but I like this a lot.  Looks like your floors are going to be a pain to do in the front, though.  Watch out for light leaks! 

JB

[spa 970]

Beachfrontproperty: Thanks. All I can say is that time is and patience is all you really need to succeed at BAT. It took me several months before I could make something decent and several more before I released my first bunch. Just hang in there and I'm sure you'll be fine.

ACEfanatic: Thanks. Indeed covering up the bricks on the slants is on the list of final details. I'm envisioning a light red metal cover.

Mulefisk: Thanks. I'm honoured to be listed with such giants.

Jacqulina: Thanks

Marcszar: Thanks. Quality modern architecture is indeed rare. Often the all mighty dollar dictates. In this case, the front of the building is actually real, but the back and sides are out of my head extending the style in the front.

JBSimio: Thanks. I have said it before and I'll say it again, we both came to the STEX at about the same time and we both do the same types of buildings except all yours grow in the Chicago and New York tilesets and mine grow in the Houston and Euro. It's like we planned it. Below you might just spot two of your buildings

So I haven't done much in the last while. I did put floors in and the roof and that's it. As JB guessed, the first and 2nd floors were a lot of fun. Anyway, even though the roof isn't done, I couldn't resist sending through a test render, while I was out at school today to see what it'll look like in game. Below are some of the photos.

So this is the zoomed out view. Kensington Place definitely covers a lot of floor space. It looks to be bigger than the Maxis hospital and Simgoober's low wealth department store. Below are some pictures of it up close.

I'm fairly happy with it and I'm pleased that the N-videa graphics bug that afflicts my computer seems to be very minimal on this building despite its complex geometry. The lot I have it on, as far as overlay and base textures, is the layout I'll probably use. I'll get out the lot editor to include some gardening on the green spots and some benches. Basically make it believeable that people might walk around the building. Gardening, unfortunately, isn't an area that Maxis left us with a lot of props to play with so that means dependencies. I'm thinking that I might include a dependency and a non-dependency version so that those who hate dependencies and would rather have a sparser lot than download them can be happy and those that like them can have the better garden. We'll see though. If I'm going to make more than one version it might be better to let people choose between CO$$ and CO$$$ rather than between a lot with two dependencies and a lot with none. Anyway, plenty of time to figure that out once I have this rendered. 

So I also mentioned that I did some nightlighting. Below is a front view.

Pretty typical for me as far as night lights go. As many of you know I don't use night view so I only put in a small effort for the benefit of the community. Anyway, my night lights will also include lights pouring out onto the decks. I'm also going to have to go back to that top deck (I missed one of the doors). I know it's not much, but it actually took 45 minutes to do because of the sheer number of windows that I had to add the nitelite prefix too. Anyway, one more update with the roof finished and that'll be it. I'm still hoping to have this out the door this week, but it migh

[Chris M 406]

Now this is a nice building. I like these type and I would definitely use something like this, 'tis what we really need more of! And about the nightlights, don't sweat it, I don't play on nightview either. I think most buildings look better at daytime, anyway.

Looking forward to seeing Kensington Place on the STEX, Spa, keep up the good work!

[JBSimio 152]

Wow... I didn't realize it was that big.  Looks really good.  Sure enough... there are a couple of mine.  They look so tiny next to that! 

JB