Anduin Valley Revisited

[Nardo69 51]

Mhmm.. that Nik Inn really looks like the perfect place for a nice weekend for two persons .. with that lake in front of it, and I guess in the woods around it there are a lot of nice places too ...

I like that residential, but (of clourse !?!) the mayor got the best piece of land ...

Take care my friend!

Bernhard

[pvarcoe 0]

Cool update. In pictures 9 and 10 you make the working with slopes look so easy. Well... I know it's not, so very nice stuff. And the inn and lake work quite well. Thanks for the update!

[thatmonkeysim 8]

wow... im sorry that i havent been around this CJ in awhile but i must say that you havent disappointed me in how many new things there are and how stunning it looks!!

i really like how you used the seasonal trees and the custom trees together to make a very nice mix!

keep this up!

[choco1 4]

Very nice update!

There is something about that second shot, with the seasonal trees in two lines coming down the hill and the trail in the background which makes me sigh! Don't worry - its a sigh of amazement! I don't know what, but something about that shot.

Well done with PEGs Pond Kit, I never really got the hang of it and so never used it, but you have done a wonderful job with it!

That little car park up in the corner makes the whole thing look like a real park, maybe even a miniture national park! Or at least a picnic point!

Your road laying abilities is quite outstanding. Its always so smooth and aranged perfectly! You must tell me which slope mod you use, because I have tried many, but few are to my liking, the one I use now is by bones and just makes my ANT network have a smooth slope.

The overview is breathtaking by the way! Overall, a most enjoyable update!

Choco.

[magpieshooter 1]

Fantastic update, beautiful pond...

The zoomed out view is fantastic, but it might be better if you turned clouds off (it saves on RAM as well), but the area looks absolutly wonderful!

[Nik-nik 3]

Wow Darmok,
I have been away for 3 weeks and I needed this update badly, I was getting cold fever already.
Great updates, great terra forming although..... the attached pics will show that this garage is not easily reached by ones car.

Great lake as well, and that love nest called Nik Inn... how did you know....... lol.
I have to get used to this new format of Simtropolis and the new emoticons and the way the pictures can be attached, I hope it works.

GREAT TO BE BACK.

Nik-Nik

[Battlecat 14]

Ok, I just finished reading your journal.  Your attention to detail is unbelieveable, and is quite inspiring.  I've really enjoyed seeing the technical side of your journal as well since you've given me some ideas on how to deal with some irritating issues in my own cities.  Keep up the superb showcase!!

[tlannister 1]

I love how this is coming along.  That is a nice way to do intersections with the diamond trail around it.  I agree with above about the seasonal trees.  My cities appearance improved nearly 100% when I started using the trees and trails vs. the standard Maxis issue parks.

I think I'm going to have to give those lakes and streams a try again.  I tried them before and couldn't get them to work correctly but as you use them they add so much to areas they are placed.

[Darmok 34]

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Phil (Phils Cafe)
Hi Phil,
I wondered too, but let's call this one of the sweet mysteries of life!
Curiously enough, If I remember correctly, I didn't had to blast often to get it, sometimes those gas stations bats seems to have an intelligence of their own! And grow where needed!
Take care!

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ThomasAh
Hallo Thomas,
As soon as Callenhad is completed, I'll post a new region shot.
And in the meantime, heres a link to the last one. BEWARE 9MB file ahead! CLICK HERE FOR THE REGION PIC
This is a 9MB picture, you better have a fast internet connection!ft>
Hope you'll like it!

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Sleini
Hi Sleini, Welcome to Anduin Valley.
Thanks for your comment, and do come back whenever you like!
Take care

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bat
Hi Bat,
Hey no need to be sorry, to the contrary I should have remebered!
Usually I'm not so bad at this!
Thanks for your comment!

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Baller23
Hi Baller
Well, kind of.... I usually start with a general idea. Like in Osgiliath, my main idea was to put bike paths almost everywhere, and lots of parks. And here in Callenhad, the main idea was to create a small farming community in the hills, and some light commerce in the plain. After that I just look at the map and plan a rough transit network, Highways, avenues, trains, EL and, or, GLR, I rarely put roads or streets at this stage.
Then looking at the first draft, I decide where I'll put commerce, industries, farms, utilities and residential.
And then..... I wing it!
Sometimes I change radically what I had planned, I just try to make something interesting to my eyes.
Mostly I just try to have fun doing it, just like a kid in a sandbox !
Hope this can answer somewhat.
Take care

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Espionage
Hi Espionage, Welcome to Anduin Valley!
This is a cul de sac mod, I've gone through my plugin folder yesterday and couldn't find the mod file itself. If I remember correctly, it's Qurlix Street-and-cul-de-sac mod.
It'll probably be again available in the mods and downloads section when the site is fully functional. In the meantime I'll keep looking in my plugin folder to know the correct name.
I really appreciate your comment, but believe me there are LOTS and LOTS of EXCELLENT thread in the CJ's.
Be it Dan (Dhoppeii's) La Plaisance, Jeronij"s Simtropia, Chocolatemax's Green Depra... There's so many of them for you to enjoy.
I'm even sorry to only name those few, and I apologize to the others but it would take a complet page to name them!.
A good place to start is look at Mayormommy's CJ's list/thread and go from there.
Enjoy your stay in Simtropolis!

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Fallon144
Hi Fallon,
Thanks!

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mightygoose
Hi mightygoose, Welcome to Anduin Valley! And brace yourself for a LONG answer
Well... I've plopped some of those scrapers in Minas Tirith, Osgiliath and Belfalas, but I'm more and more interested in small to mid size communities. Probably because they look and feel more humane I think!
As for your idea to start a CJ, by all means do!
The more CJ's we have the more different ideas we can see.
If I may, here's some (small) tips about making the process easier for you.
Please keep in mind that I don't see myself as a CJ expert, the following points are just things I've learned along the way in the last year or so, and they help me today doing my updates in a more relaxed and enjoyable way.
Some of those tricks I've picked up from other CJ'ers, Jeronij for instance helped me a lot in that matter with his advices.
Allright here goes nothing:
1. Do not choose too big a map for your first CJ (it can get discouraging at times)
2. Before posting ANY update, work on your region for at least 3 to 4 weeks. This way you'll have a good reserve of pictures for several updates, and you wont be pressed by time if you want to update on a regular basis and didn't play for several days. More "room to manoeuvre" if I may say so.
3. Take lots and lots of pics. (We often forget to do so and sometimes we have gaps in our "story")
4. A good way to do so is to fix ourselves a goal when opening an SC4 "session", like saying before a session "Tonight I'll do this sector from here to there".
5. Then take a pic of how it is "before"
6. Do what you decided, and take a LOT of pics, more the better, you can always delete those you don't like afterwards.
7. And then at the end of that "Session" take a couple of overview pics.
Doing it this way help you afterwards when scrolling through your pictures to see where a session begins and end.
An average session in Anduin Valley has 20 to 50 pictures, which gives an update from 10 to 20 final pictures.

And FIRST AND FOREMOST, do it for YOU, and have FUN doing it. If not, it's not worth the time and effort.
Almost forgot, host your pictures offsite, at a picture hosting site, like imageshak. It's not only better for Simtropolis (take less space on the severs), but it's also faster when doing your updates afterward.
I hope this can help you, remember those are things that helped me. Perhaps you'll find another way of doing it that'll better suit your style than those.
I wish you good luck, and do tell us if you're doing it.

Take care

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Rooker
Hey Rooker,
Brace yourself man! And enjoy those moments to come. By the way, Have you bought the cigars? I'll take a chocolate one if you don't mind, stopped smoking many years ago... though a fine MonteChristo...mmmmm..
Well... back on topic, I was indeed trying for a "secluded" look and feel for that res sector.
I think it's not half bad! Sometimes I'm lucky.
I like doing those small lakes/ponds. And even more now, since PEG have done a transparent kit so we can see the CycleDog mod thru!
Speaking of which, I'm as surprised as you are about the main link to the mod. I've checked it too and only had a bad link warning!
Perhaps sending a PM to cycledog, he have some uploads on the stex, I don't know if he uploaded the full mod elsewhere!!
I'll look into it and see what I can do.

Take care.

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Sloppet
Good one there Sloppet!

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mkwetters
Hey mkwetters, just look at my answer to espionage for that file.
Take care

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Jacky
Thanks Jacky!

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Fabio
Hey Fabio
Thanks, no the BAT is available on the STEX its, Nexis Grampaal Log home by mrbisonm
It's one of my favorite BATS.
Take care

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szarkoz
It's really hard to miss when using PEG's pond kit!
And I always like those quiet cozy little neighborhoods.
Thanks for your support szarkoz!

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Bernhard (Nardo69)
Hallo auch! Bernhard.
Yep, after doing the setup and placing the Inn, the name just popped into my mind, strange that nobody commented on the pun.... (perhaps it's too farfetched)... anyhow.
Rumor has it that Frau M

[dedgren 830]

As always, Darmok, excellent attention to detail.  You are one of the best at realizing that most SC4 development requires careful terraforming in advance to make it really look just right.  I'm always inspired when I visit AVR.

[Fabiocb 1]

Great work Damork, as I can see the real estate speculation just started in Calenhad with those small condos and as usual you attention to detail is just awesome.

[mayormommy 8]

Nice! This is my favorite part of this CJ, when each town starts to really pull together. The suburban apartment complex area is great.

[PhilsCafe 8]

Mysteries...

Hey Darmok.

Beautiful residential layout man. I really like it. Great placement of that fire dept. right across the street of a donut shop (I guess it was the other way round though: First the fire dept. then the donut shop ).

Excellent update my friend. Take care.

- Phil

[Sisu 1]

Wow, you have built very nice looking region. I like your style of mixing seasonal and original trees together. Your suburbs look also very great( good use of walls and noisewalls   ) . Looking forward to more great updates.

[Fallon144 1]

I especially like the Euro-feel (even though you may not intend to make it Euro looking) And I like the fact that you dont go overboard like unfortunately many people do (myself including )

[Battlecat 14]

Nice update!  I like the new residential area, as it reminds me of the area I'll be moving to next month.  The upper right apartment in picture 15 is particularly eye catching because it isn't square on the lot, which nicely breaks up the zoning pattern, just like a real development. 

[jacqulina 162]

beautifull work on the latest updates i love those farms have a great weekend my freind

[ThomasAH 0]

Hi,
The region shot is amazing! thanks! Luckely I have quite a fast internet connection
The update is very beautiful as well, Do you know where I could download those diagonal buildings?? I like them very much but I can't find them
Thanks for the region shot!

Thomas

[sloppet 3]

outstanding update: and look - you aren't banned yet! but it will change when the evil hated doc. sloppetwill take over simtrop []

[Nardo69 51]

Good one my friend! I like especially that water tower in the woos next to GTO, has a special touch. I like the ingame water tower anyway, it is really a nice and univewrsal modell that you can put anywhere although in bigger towns it is more or less ezecandy due to its small capacity.

Just one thing about the overpasses: Since some times I tend not to use walls but simple grass tiles when the slope is so small like those here. It just looks better IMHO, especially since grass and dirt is cheap but retaing walls rather expensive IRL ...

Have a nice weekend my friend!

Bernhard

[Shadow Assassin 336]

My god, where's my jaw got to?

Ah, there it is.

*puts it back up*

Looks simply wonderful, Darmok. As many have said, excellent attention to detail.

[magpieshooter 1]

Excellent previous update, looks absolutly fantastic. The new med density area blends in well and the random images look nice as well.

Keep up the good work!

[Goin2Chicago 4]

i love this cj and how natural everything looks. keep up the great work.

[Simen 1]

Holy crap thats amazing!

[threestooges 0]

I must say (this being my first post here) that this is a work of art. Your road laying gives your neighborhoods (pic 12.13) a level of realism that I have been tyring to achieve. Every move seems deliberate and the detail you show of the actual process of creation is great to see too. Based on your reply to mightygoose I am giving some serious thought to starting my own as well (assuming the coding doesn't give me any trouble). It is people like you, choco, jeronij, etc that really show what this game can do. Always looking forward to more.

[SLeini 0]

great details as always! and youre right with fire dept. its so beautiful...

[Pinchman 0]

Salut John!
Yes I'm back! (to be honest I don't know for how long).

Wow! I almost forgot how amazing is your work.
I really like the ''Cantons de l'Est'' feeling of your cities.
Osgiliath looks like Sherbrooke...well to me.
Calenhad will be a very nice city and I hope I will have some time to follow it.
Great terraforming as usual.

Sorry but this is all the time I have.
Take care mon ami!

- Pinchman

[Ed_14 0]

Im very impressed with your CJ, it is a work of art. Just a quick questions where did you get the mod for the left curb lane on the undivided 2 lanes roads. Thanks

[pvarcoe 0]

Another top notch update Darmok!

One thing I've noticed lately is how you mix different stlyes of trees into your region. It's very well done and very seamless. Real quality work.

I just love that Porkissimo station in picture 10 as well. What beautiful detail (as most of his stuff has).

In pictures 14, 15, 16, and 17 there are a bunch of cool condos and apartments. May I enquire as to what those are?

Again, super update. You spoil us

[Darmok 34]

First off, just want to say that the regular update will be tomorrow morning, I simply forgot to copy my image codes on my USB key this morning!!!!!
But it'll be a big one, with 19 pictures. Allright in the meantime, here's some answers.

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dedgren
Hi David, Welcome to Anduin Valley
I really appreciate that particular comment, and this is one of the things I've learned from Jeroni while reading Sculpting Columbia River.
He stressed that particular point several times.
Explaining that sometimes he could spend as much as two to three hours terraforming a sector before doing anything else.
I had a really hard time at first to even ACCEPT such a concept. Two to three hours????
But in the end it radically changed the very perception I had of the game!
So now I can't even think of another way of playing SC4!!!
BTW I think I'll buy a map and pinpoint the location of every person who post in AVR.
If I'm right you're the first from Alaska.
So, glad to read you, and accept the salutations of a fellow northerner!
Take care

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Fabio
Hey Fabio, well you know how promoters are quick to jump on the ball!
As soon as they saw that Callenhad was growing, they build, build and build!
Thanks for you good support!
Take care

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mayormommy
Hi mayormommy, thanks, yep I remember that you do like those apartments sectors.
You also mentioned it in Dol Amroth if I remember correctly...
Always good to see you here! (And (almost) patiently waiting for more of Nightmare Island!!!)
Take care

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Phil (PhilsCafe)
Bonjour Phil (why not use some french from time to time!)
Yep mysteries, (small ones), are the spice of life!
Furthermore, the Fire Station/Doughnut shop question, is about as complicated as the proverbial egg/chicken one! Who can say for sure..... (hearing Twilight Zone theme in the background...)
See you!

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Sisu
Hey Sisu,
Thanks man, as for the noise walls, I've recently downloaded another set and in that new one there's also some diagonal pieces. So in the future (that is after Bruinen Fjord), I'll probably use the new set.
Take care.

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Fallon144
Thanks Fallon, I appreciate that! In fact, I'm always looking for kind of an "organic" feel... Something that looks like it belongs there, not just plopped.
Sometimes it works.... sometimes not!
The fun is in the process of trying!
Take care

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Battlecat
Thanks Battlecat, I like those apartments buildings, they do look real.
See you!

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Jacky
Hi Jacky, thanks for the visit and good wishes, hoping you had the same!
Enjoy the coming week!
Take care!

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Thomas
Hey THomas,
Glad you liked the region shot, the new one including Callenhad is already done, and will be available as soon as Calenhad updates will be finished. The link for the diagonal appartment buildings in the answer to pvarcoe just a few answers down with a few more.
Hope this can help you!
Take care

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sloppet
Well I guess I just have to hope that the evil doc sloppet will be kind enough to keep us in Simtrop!
Please, tell the doc, that I thank him for his constant support since the beginning of AVR!
Take care

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Bernhard (Nardo)
Yep I do like those small water towers, In fact there is one almost exactly like that in my hometown!
I agree about the grass tiles with those small overpasses, we do tend to use too much these retaining walls.
The weekend was great, our son is in his hockey finals, and they won their first two games! 2 more to go to the cup!
Enjoy the week!
Take care

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Shadow_assassin
Hi S_A
Well, I do also suffer from the SJS syndrome (Slack Jaw Syndrome) when visiting your CJ's... so join the club
Take care man!

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Magpieshooter
Hey MS, Thaks mate!
See you in Kinata!

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Goin2Chicago
Welcome to ANduin Valley G2C,
Glad you appreciate AVR, do come back anytime!
There always room for one more!
Take care

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Simen
Thanks Simen! (Nice avatar by the way!)

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threestooges
Welcome to Anduin Valley threestooges,
Your kind comments are really appreciated, I try to create as natural an environment as I can.
I just imagine a place where I would like to live and then work it out in the game.
I know that most of the time it must look more like Utopia that a real city, but hey! after all it's a game and we are there to play God after all
Thanks for taking the time to voice your opinions!

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Sleini
Thanks Sleini!

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Pinchman
Hey Pinch!
Long time no see! I was wondering were you where!
Well don't worry, RL is and always be above any game, I perfectly understand that!
I really appreciated the comparison between Osgiliath and Sherbrooke, and the "Cantons de l'Est" look!
Looking forward to read you again! (whenever you can)
Take care!

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Ed_14
Welcome to Anduin Valley Ed,
Thanks for your kind words, and the mod you're talking about is part of the NAM
I guess that you'll be able to download it when Simtrop will be fully functional.
See you!

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Phil (Pvarcoe)
Hey Phil, We do have so much choice now with trees and they are a sure bet, when we want to add a natural look to our cities! BIG thanks to Jeroni, PEG and the likes!
The condos are like this: I've matched the numbers with the links

1 -
Aspen Village Condominiums Multi Color Version
2-6 and 7
They are called: Wandsbeck Haus, Huttrop Haus and Bramfeld Haus, problem his, if you search the stex you won't find those names... If I remember correctly, they are in the packages listed below, if they are not in those, just make a search with stephenhh name and they probably are in one of his uploads. (Sorry that can't be more precise)
Mietshaus ala Wandsbekstil Hamburg
Grosses Mietshaus Pack by stephenhh
3-

SFBT Hamburg MartinLutherStrasse by stephenhh by Andreas Roth
4-
Chavs Paradise by Ill Tonkso
Chavs Paradise by Ill Tonkso
5 -
As oy Keskuspuistoby prepo

Sorry about the delay folks, hope you'll be patient enough to wait untill tomorrow
Thanks a million for your GREAT support!

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In the meantime
Take care and enjoy life
Darmok