Anduin Valley Revisited

[Darmok 34]

Anduin Valley Revisited

Introduction

This will be my second posting of a city, and the first time I'll try to do an entire region. So I humbly ask to bare with me and have a little patience at times.

First, to all the modders and batters here at Simtropolis, who made this game the living thing it is now THANK YOU!

Hats off to you people!

I'd like to point out that the inspiration to post again, comes from seeing the outstanding work of Jeroni with it CJ "Sculpting Columbia River". And one thing he wrote in one of his update, and I quote :
___" This is a suggestion to who wants to hear it, play WITH SC4 and not AGAINST! That's the key." end of quote__ that comment wich is the best advice I've seen in a long time decided me to go ahead and do it! So I'll try to be as patient and as dedicated as he is.

This will be done in the same spirit. Wich is that I'm using a lot of mods, including the fabulous NAM, and so much custom bat and lots that I'm afraid to look at the size of my plugins directory.

And now, On with the show!

Minas Tirith (MT)

Phase 1

I chose the Anduin Valley map to do this experiment, because it's not a very big region, and that I like it's diversity.

By the way, that terrain was uploaded to Simtropolis by Wraith, in his CJ called Andurin Valley here's the link :
https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=31539&forumID=36&catID=8&search=1&searchstring =
it's at the bottom of the 7th message as a linked file, but unfortunately it is no longer available.

As I've always been a huge fan of the J.R.R. Tolkien books, all the city names will be inspired by all the unusual and interresting names I found in the Lord of the rings trilogy.

Minas Tirith should be fairly big, perhaps around 250.000 or so, but with the exception of Osgiliath, the rest should be smaller.

Here you can see the basic layout that'll guide me for MT. But I'll probably digress from it from time to time.

As you can see the south shore sector should be less crowded, and the north section will be more industrial, commercial and densely populated.

The terraforming process begins by laying some tracks around the hillside. There will be also some chosen few who'll live on that hill later on.

Some more pics of the terraforming process on and around the hill.

In pics 5 and 6 you can see that I've tried to do an acceptable grade for the tracks.

In this one you have a global view of the work so far.

And here's a zoom on the terraforming of the hill.

 

Please bear in mind that this region will NOT be budget minded, Mayor Darmok recently inherited some huge fortune, and decided to buy some land and create kind of an Utopia region. And being nature minded he'll try to integrate lots of walkways and parks.

So be advised that this CJ will probably not appeal to the accountants.

So that's it for now, any comments are welcome. I hope you'll like it.
If so I'll do my best to keep you updated on a regular basis !

See ya !
Darmok

(PICTURES RELINKED ON JUNE 5TH 2008)

 

[jay_allen1978 0]

I'll follow  looks good so far, nice region.

[Darmok 34]

---

LDS

Thanks for your positive comments.

I just realized that I forgot to put an image of the region itself.

So there you go!

 

[The boy formerly known as Evil Muzz 27]

This is cool! And for once I caught a good CJ at the start! Woo Hoo! Can't wait to follow this.

[jacqulina 162]

this is a very good start and it is a nice region

[Cjah 15]

Hmm... a ver intriging way to start....

If the growth macthes the planning this may be an alright journal....

I can tell you really like the SCR style....Which is O.K.

I think I may be more fond of this journal then SCR...


Good luck!

[Darmok 34]

Minas Tirith - POST 2

RESPONSES :

Hi everyone! Thanks to all for your kind comments.  

LDS,
Yes I agree with you that it is a nice region. It is really my favorite so far. And I've played it often.

The boy formerly known as Evil Muzz
Glad you find it cool to be part of the start of a CJ I guess we'll both see how it'll grow (good I hope!)

jacqulina

Thanks for the good comment, as I said before the more feedback I'll get the more regular updates I'll try to post.

Cjah
Yes, Jeroni's SCR is my main influence, I follow his updates regularly, Jeroni his a very imaginative and artistic person. So I'll take your last comment as a great compliment. and thanks for the thumbs up! 

Minas Tirith by Darmok

First Update

I'd Like to precise, that the term Phase does not represent a phase in the construction of the city. It's more of a way for me to organize my pictures. One phase is more like a session at the computer, so at times you'll have a phase going on for two or three posts, and sometimes one post could contain two phases

Alright here's the update!

The Mayor is using Jeroni's walls where the slope would be dangerous for landslides. The Mayor is quite fond of his citizen's security.

An overall view of the terrasses so far.

A close up of that terraforming

We now begin the layout of the avenues and highways, remember that I'm using the NAM, the realistic slope mod, and the Bridge height mod.

At the base of the mountain, there will be three or four separate residential sectors separated by low hills or what we could call natural sound barriers.

With that angle you can see more clearly those separate zones.

The transportation network layout continue, and you can see the beginning of the terraforming of the industrial port.

more of the port, with the addition of Jeroni cement walls and Sea walls. The avenue will follow the coastline and between the avenue and the sea walls there will be a walkway.

Here's a closeup one section of the riverside drive with the sea walls. As much as they are beautifull, they require some, well, kind of... well let's say that they're an excellent exercise in patience.    BUT the results are fantastic and it just maybe that I'm a bit clumsy with them.

Now you see a more global view of the riverside drive.

Well this ends the first update.

Tomorrow is Superbowl day so I don't think I'll have the time to post, but I'll try to do another one soon.

But before leaving I'll give you a glimpse of what's comming up in the following updates.

So bye for now and please if you visit Anduin Valley don't hesitate to give some feedback, that's what keep a CJ going.

See ya!
Darmok

 

[Darmok 34]

Phase 2

Minas Tirith

Hi CJ readers, I guess, judging by the lack of response that the technical shots are not appreciated, so I'll try to keep them to a minimum, and we'll see if it generate a little more posts.

But just a little patience, more decorative shots will come.

Continuing with the terraforming
On the west end of the riverside drive will be a little beach, the not so good positionning of the seawall on the north side will be corrected at a later time



Workers are working hard to prepare the industrial port





Thanks to Marrast, ziffondel and christophe88600 our commuters will not be bothered with so much railroad crossings.


The mayor decided on a tunnel instead of a bridge...



A more global view of the transportation network



First developpement ! were in business!




A global view of the new developpement




A railway station is built. And the mayor keeps his promise by building walkways.



First company to occupy the docks.



A Shell station opens! And again the Mayor tries to provide walkways so people can exercise more!



The Mayor has decided to install his house on a modest lot. :-)



The first highschool of Minas-Tirith



The church of Holy Brotherhood of Ents opens a Temple on Maple Street!

Borrowing the Brotherhood's helicopter, the Mayor took that aerial photo of the city. Unfortunately he took it with his grampa's camera.... so!

And there you have it folks, another update to follow soon !

Take care
Darmok

[Quack 0]

That ther shure is a beaut. Never thought of using streets/roads to mess with the terrain for the walls. Thx for doing that.. now i got some more motivation on terraforming and etc... Now I have another CJ to look up to due to an accident that happened with the last one.

[jedorin 0]

Turning out nice.  Interested in how the terraces will come out, and I like the coastal walkway.

[jedorin 0]

Turning out nice.  Interested in how the terraces will come out, and I like the coastal walkway.

[jeronij 13]

Hi Darmok,

Having a look to this CJ I am impressed.[:0] You are doing a quite nice work here, and dont worry much about the initial lack of feedback. It is just a matter of time.

I like how you present the pics, very elegant, and I like the way you are starting with your city. It is very promising. I will like to see how this hill is going to develope, and all the city as well.

I know, I know, the seawalls are hard to manage, but when you control them you cant stop using them.

A thecnical question, when I start to use the single road tile to level terrain, the game starts to slow down everytime that I put a new tile. Does it happen to you too?.

I

[mayormommy 8]

I was puzzled at first why you named your city Minas Tirith, but now that I see how the terraces are developing I think I get it. It should be really beautiful when fully developed.

[jedorin 0]

Date: 2/8/2005 7:33:19 AM
Author: jeronij

A thecnical question, when I start to use the single road tile to level terrain, the game starts to slow down everytime that I put a new tile. Does it happen to you too?.

I

[+Guest]

Nevermind on my stairs note above.  Looks to be a different lot, wasnt looking closely enough.

[jay_allen1978 0]

how the he**? i thought you had to be registered to post. Anyways, the region is coming along well...Can't wait to see more of it..great job on terraforming.

Date: 2/8/2005 2:37:46 PM
Anonymous Wrote:
Nevermind on my stairs note above.  Looks to be a different lot, wasnt looking closely enough.

[Darmok 34]

Post 3

Hi there, back for a third session!

Quack,
The use of road tiles is not my idea, it's by looking at a lot of CJ's that I found this. In fact The person I saw use it the more intensively is Jeroni. (see my sig) Glad that you like the first stages of that city, stay tuned there's more to come ! '); height=15 alt=Insert smilie src=https://community.simtropolis.com/assets/emoticons/3.gif width=15 border=0>

Jedorin,
Thanks for the positive comment,  '); height=15 alt=Insert smilie src=https://community.simtropolis.com/assets/emoticons/21.gif width=15 border=0>  the terrasses should be only light to medium rez. with light commerce in the upper regions, perhaps some medium at he base.
The coastal walkway comes from the fact that I just love to walk on beaches or the waterfront!

Jeroni.
Very glad to see you here '); height=15 alt=Insert smilie src=https://community.simtropolis.com/assets/emoticons/19.gif width=15 border=0>  Yeah I know that I should be patient, probably my Irish roots at work here '); height=15 alt=Insert smilie src=https://community.simtropolis.com/assets/emoticons/32.gif width=15 border=0>

Thanks for your comment about the pics, I do try to have a different approach

As I said before, the hills sould be light rez mostly, and I'll try (I don't know how it will turn out) to terraform it to have the most natural look. For that part I think your castle region in SCR will inspire me.  '); height=20 alt=Insert smilie src=https://community.simtropolis.com/assets/emoticons/44.gif width=33 border=0>

The seawalls : I do have a love/hate relationship with them I bless you and I curse you at times you know for inventing them, but in the end I'm always glad you did

The single road tile slowdown : Yes and no, sometimes it does slow to almost a crawl and take a second or two before adjusting the others around it, and sometimes it's a real time effect... go figure! I think that maybe at times it's having an effect on several other tiles, not just the ones that are contiguous, just a tought
The trees road mod : Yes it's a mod here's the link ADC_Forested streets

https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/details.cfm?id=11304

The stairs : Those I like as much :-) as your walls sea/and cement. And they ARE TRANSIT ENABLED for pedestrians! if u use only one lot, here's the link

https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/details.cfm?id=3164

Thanks for the good comments, and bravo for your keen eyes!

See you in Columbia River :-)

Mayormommy,

To tell you the truth, at first I did not name it because of the terrasses, I realized later, when I began the terraforming process on the hill, that the name was well chose, even if it is only a small hill.
In fact the name I'll be using are mostly being chosen for their unusuality (is that a real word?) and their sheer beauty. (I'm really a big fan of Middle earth).
Thanks for visiting and please do come back. '); height=15 alt=Insert smilie src=https://community.simtropolis.com/assets/emoticons/17.gif width=85 border=0>

LDS,
Glad to see you again, thanks for the comment on the terraforming, It's really my first serious attempt on that scale.

And now, the update.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Industrial-sector.jpg align=baseline>


On the same helicopter ride (see previous post) the Mayor (who found his polaroid in his briefcase) took some picture of the growing industrial port. By the way don't worry about the grey thing in the lower left corner it's an attempt at placing the future fishing docks.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//phase_3_001.jpg align=baseline>


https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//phase_3_002.jpg align=baseline>

The oil company installs a pipeline and some office buildings nearby.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//phase_3_003.jpg align=baseline>

A night shot of the growing industrial sector

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//phase_3_004.jpg align=baseline>

The anti pollution commity insisted that the industrial park should be build on lower ground and on a 10 feet deep bed of cat litter, in case of a oil spill.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//phase_3_005.jpg align=baseline>

An overall view of that sector

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//phase_3_006.jpg align=baseline>

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//MT_SD_REs.jpg align=baseline>

Looking south from the port (The Mayor using part of his inheritance money finaly bought the helicopter) we see how much new residents are coming to Minas Tirith to work for the Oil company.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//phase_3_007.jpg align=baseline>

A little more south

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//phase_3_008.jpg align=baseline>

The Mayor was not happy with the street on the terrasse south of his home so he has it demolished and build instead a pine trail and a stair to the park above.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//phase_3_009.jpg align=baseline>

And a stair to his backyard.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//phase_3_010.jpg align=baseline> 

So this concludes our program for today, tune in again for the following episode of Minas Tirith on the move.

Se ya
Darmok

[MayorTim 16]

Wow! Thats awesome!

[jay_allen1978 0]

nice job

[your_adress_here 11]

Aille! C'est tr

[jedorin 0]

Date: 2/8/2005 9:21:51 PM
Author: Darmok

and I'll try (I don't know how it will turn out) to terraform it to have the most natural look. For that part I think your castle region in SCR will inspire me.

Yea, a mix of walls and rock faces/cliffs could look very nice.  Maybe with the rock mod too, rather than the mud color.

Thx for the forested street link, I seem to have passed over that last time I went thru the stex mod list.

Cat litter, eh? 

[Alkaola 18]

its damn reminds me like jeronij's city journal , and if i say that i can't give a better compliment

[bobinator 0]

I like your ports!

[Darmok 34]

Post 4


MayorTim, LDS, your_adress_here,
Thanks for the good comments and support, it's always nice to know that people appreciate what we do!
Jedorin,
I saw the results of the rock mod on some CJ's and by now it is incorporated in my game! The change is dramatic, you'll see that beginning with update 5.
Yes Cat litter,  '); height=15 alt=Insert smilie src=https://community.simtropolis.com/assets/emoticons/2.gif width=15 border=0> don't you agree that it is a good solution? I was wondering if someone would notice it, it's nice to know that you read all the post. '); height=15 alt=Insert smilie src=https://community.simtropolis.com/assets/emoticons/3.gif width=15 border=0>
Alkaola, being myself a huge fan of Jeroni's work, I take it as a real compliment! Thanks
bobinator, The ports will evolve with time, there will be another one bigger and with more diversity coming up. Thanks for your visit and do come back!



First development after the South Shore Care Center was built, and some terraforming

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//phase_4_001.jpg align=baseline>

Construction crew at work grading and smoothing a new residential sector.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//phase_4_002.jpg align=baseline>

After the construction of a new high school and a football field, a local entrepreneur decided that it was the perfect spot for a good burger joint. McDonald was livid to have missed such an opportunity.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//phase_4_003.jpg align=baseline>


As usual the Mayor is making his chopper ride, to have The Big Picture

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//phase_4_004.jpg align=baseline>


Even if the students have their football field on the other side of the street, the school board insist on providing support for the younger ones, and also a small baseball diamond.


https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//phase_4_005.jpg align=baseline>


Now with the elementary school built, things are kicking up in that sector, Thinking that a good doughnut after a burger was a good idea, Tim Horton opened a franchise not far from the burger place.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//phase_4_006.jpg align=baseline>


Hovering above the Hospital, you can now see the facade of the Tim Horton.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//phase_4_007.jpg align=baseline>


I didn't mention it before, but there is kind of a feud at the city council about the fact that ALL the terraforming in Minas Tirith has been awarded at the same business Click, Plop and associates some say's that they are close friends of the Mayor.


https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//phase_4_008.jpg align=baseline>


From that angle you can see that just west of the hospital sector, larger commerce is coming to town.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//phase_4_009.jpg align=baseline>


https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Information-Flash.jpg align=baseline>


Following some complaints, the mayor decided to illuminate the A.T.T. (Anduin Transit Tunnel) entrance.


https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//phase_4_010.jpg align=baseline>



https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Industrial-sector.jpg align=baseline>


Due to high taxes, the heavy industries are slowly replaced by Hi-Tech.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//phase_4_011.jpg align=baseline>


A bigger train station is built to accommodate more commuters.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//phase_4_012.jpg align=baseline>



Development continues near the industrial park

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//phase_4_013.jpg align=baseline>


That concludes this update, Thanks to all for your visit, I'm always glad to see you so, don't be strangers and come back soon!

See Ya
Darmok

[cammo2003 20]

Great work. The presentation's brilliant, the content is brilliant. There's alot of new CJs coming out of really high quality...

Seeing all these CJs makes me wish I could afford Photoshop. Alas, I can't, so I have to continue salivating over everyone else's work (sorry, did I blemish your pics? )

EDIT: WOOHOO! Urbanite! Glad I got it posting in a good CJ.

[psteverific 8]

This is looking good, I really like your layout. And I Really appriciate that you are showing your terraforming process, I've learned a new trick already!

Being a bit of a Tokien fan myself, i think it's cool that you've chosen to use place names from his books. Back when I used to play Civ II I would often keep the Middle Earth Atlas nearby, so whenever I founed a city I could flip through it looking for a nice sounding name.

I guess next I'll have to visit jeronij's CJ... you all speak so highly of it!

[Low Light 0]

Great Job Darmok!! I can't wait to see more updates! I love the terracing. This is starting to look like one of those inspirational CJ's!!!

I guess I know where you get you inspiration form. But You certainly have defined your own style!! Great job on this and I look forward to seeing more 'Phases'.

All the best with the CJ

[Chris M 406]

This CJ is great. I like that you show us your city planning and your road layout design.

[Mdz1001 0]

This is a wonderful CJ here and it really deserves more comments. You really know how to really make realistic cities and the borders are a great touch. Great job.

[Darmok 34]

Post 5



cammo2003
Thanks for your appreciation, what I found in doing this city and this CJ, is that you have to take your time to do it, and even now I must say that at times I was eager to see some results and I rushed some details only to have to go back and modify them afterward. So for me the key is PATIENCE. (but it's very hard for me)    And CONGRATS for your Urbanite rating!  I also have to say that I really like your Twin Harbor region project. I'll try to visit regularly!
psteverific
I'm glad that you found a trick, I'm still learning a lot of em by reading the CJ's around. I play Civ III and also use from time to time the LOTR names. Do visit Jeroni's CJ, you'll love it!
Low Light
Thanks, glad you like the idea of the terraces, but to tell you the truth they're a mixed blessing, they look great with nothing on it, and quite difficult to obtain the natural look I want to achieve! So they'll probably go through some changes throughout the CJ.
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