Anduin Valley Revisited

[Darmok 34]

No links this time

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INTRO

To all

Here's the first Anôrien update, as usual the 2 or three firsts updates will be fairly technical, that's the AVR way. I hope that you'll enjoy them anyway!

This will be the first city in which I'll use my rural trails, in fact Anôrien served as a laboratory for those, I had to redo several setups due to the various versions while I was working on them, so it's possible at times that you notice some discrepancies between some pics.

This will also be the first time I use ploppable (or plopable) water in a city, thanks to the tutorials of my good friend David. Thanks man! the check is in the mail!

I also want to thank you all (yes once again), for your patience and kind support, as I told you before I'm now splitting my free time between three loves, my family, my guitar and SC4, so the updates will probably drop to one each week, at least for some time. I certainly hope that most of you will cope with this change in schedule, perhaps sometimes I'll be able to squeeze two in a particular week, but it won't be that often I guess.

And now ladies and gents, on with the show!

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Szarkoz - Everon Metro Area

Hi Szarkoz

glad to oblige!

Take care

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Bokrif - Szabadság-szigetek // Liberty Islands 

Thanks Bokrif, and I'll visit as soon as I can!

Take care   

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Bat

Thanks Bat, and here's more! Today we begin Anôrien's story

See you!

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Rayden - New Haven

Hi Sylvio

glad you appreciated the mosaics!

But I still think that it's possible to miss a couple of update and still be forgiven!

Take care amigo!

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Rooker (TWICE) - Xania a tour of my world

Hi Rooker, Withdrawal! ouch! now that's serious business! Let me see what I can do. Perhaps an update is in order.

Though you know that the first ones are always tech shots. I hope you'll appreciate anyway.

As for supplying water, yes almost everywhere. On the blending borders topic, I think there's still place to improve it, I really try to mix zoning in an irregular fashion when coming near a border, or simply using trees, it helps.

Glad you appreciated the mosaics, it's a bit of work but the end result is quite satisfying.

See you next time my friend!

Take care

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Special Eddie - Oasis--The Wild West

Thanks Eddie, it's always good to know that what we do is appreciated, even if it's a lot of work doing the big region picture, I like it for several reasons, first the end result is really satisfying as I said to rooker, but it also gives me a better "grasp" of the thing as a whole, thus helping me in figuring out what to do next.

It would be great if we had the option of saving a region picture at whatever zoom we would choose! We should put that in our wish list for SC5!

Though to tell you the truth I'm not in a hurry to see it coming, we have so much custom content now that it would be a shame to waste it all!

As for seiing more of Jeroni's Plaza, you'll find it on page 5 of AVR.

Take care

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Bernhard (Nardo) - Urland a (mostly) rural coastline

HI Bernhard,

Yeah vacations were great, wonderful weather (though a bit on the HOT side, but I'm not complaining). Went fishing, took up playing guitar again, man I should never have stopped playing.

I must say that your Miltenberg story had me puzzled, I'll try to find it on Google maps and see for myself, cause I just cant figure out how this can work.

Yeah those tight corners are not quite realistic but sometimes we just don't have the space to do a correct setup.    

I was looking at the second pic, and could not see where you found that peak... I'll go into the game itself to find out.

Hehehe, sometimes the smallest joint can become a HQ, I remember a small restaurant in my hometown who become the truck stop "par excellence" to the dam of the owner of a "real" big truck stop a few towns further down the road....

About the realestate firm, that was a silly joke! But I just couldn't help it I had to do it! I could say that the devil made me do it, but that's not true, I did it myyyyy waaayyyyy! (You see I just can't stop!)

The new hard drive is a bit of good news! Looking forward to seeing new updates in Urland!

Take care my friend!

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MadTV_Freak – San Martinez

Hi MTV,

Yep they took a long time, (at first) now it's the (relative) simple task of maintaining them up to date.

See you!

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Mayormommy - Nightmare Islands: Life on all levels

Hey! If it's not my favorite grammarian!

Good to see you Mayormommy, and I'm glad to oblige with a region shot once in a while!

Take care

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ThomasAH - Zorturia

Hi Thomas,

Thanks for your kind words Thomas, and here's more of AVR!

Tot Ziens!

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Gurrgkud - Cordova//Revisited Hey gurrgkud, glad to see you liked the mosaics!

See you soon!

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Jacky (jacqulina) - Paradise Falls

Hello Jacky, doing great my friend doing great!

If only I could have more free time! (yeah..... that'll be the day...) The barn you're talking about is part of the farm itself, I've queried it, it's simply Barthelet Stables.

As for the mosaics, my motto is : "As long as you're doing it, why not do it BIG!" hehehe...

Always good to read you my friend, enjoy your weekend!

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Sorchin – Developping Macedon

Hi Steve, yeah filelodge is one of the biggest image server I know, (they even host videos and music!)

And glad you liked the mosaics.

See you later mate!

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Ript73

Welcome to Anduin Valley ript73

It always a pleasure to welcome a new visitor, feel free to visit anytime you like, and if you have any questions concerning AVR, even if it's about an old update, do not hesitate to ask. I have archived all updates and it'll be a pleasure to try to help.

About the number of pages in AVR, I'm the first to be surprised, when I started this CJ back in feb 2005 (over a year and a half ago!)    I never thought it would last so long!

But the people here are so friendly that it just kept on going!

As to show all the steps (or almost all the steps) this come from seeing how Jeroni did his famous Sculpting Columbia River CJ, and I adapted it to my style. Some people like this some don't but I must say that being curious by nature, I always like to know "how it's done"....

So.... good to have you aboard for the ride, take the time you need to read along, and see you later!

Take care

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ThePeoplesPerson - The Tropics of Haalu

Hi TPP, hehehe.... now that is enthusiasm! Thanks for your generous comments!

Take care and see you in Haalu

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Phil (PhilsCafe) - Acorn Creek Hey Phil!

Comment ça va?

What can I say I'm fussy about the color of water in which I swim (pretty badly at that, I almost swim like a heavy rock!)

Montréal and Québec are (with Boston in the USA) the more "european" cities in North America, by look and the people themselves.

I must confess that it's been years since I've watched a hockey game, sometimes I watch them in the playoff, but that's about it.

Glad you appreciated the mosaics, it make the effort worthwhile!

Take care

John

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David (dedgren) - Three Rivers Region

Hi David,

Hobbits, hobbits... let me see **sounds of drawers being opened and closed, opening boxes and rummaging thru packing material...**

sorry, I'm all out!

Hey saw the "Lost Alaskan RV" grave pic in 3RR, now that's crazy! You should have brought back a "Long Horn" skull in Alaska and place it somewhere in the snow!

And please don't talk about details, since I began reading 3RR, I think I'm going overboard with them! You'll see that in the second half of Anôrien, you gave me THE "detailing curse"! It now takes me about three time longer to finish most of my setups now!

Some of the leaves are changing colors here also, mostly my Service Tree, now that's a strange name for a tree! in french we call it a "cormier" that's the familiar name, the real name is "Sorbier".

On those scientific comments, I'll take my leave....

Take care my friend and have a great weekend!

PS. Answer to your second comment is at the end of the answers section

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Salut221

Welcome to Anduin Valley Salut,

Glad you liked the mosaics, do come back anytime you want.

See you!

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Sagrel

Hey Sagrel,

As I said earlier, reading those comments about the mosaics, make the whole thing worthwhile. And to know that AVR can somewhat inspire you, means a lot too me, I've learned a huge lot while reading other CJ's and this way I feel I'm contributing a small way. Thank you for your kind words I really appreciate them!

Take care

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Cityhawk - Montrose

Thanks Cityhawk, as I said to Sagrel, knowing they are appreciated makes the whole process worthwhile!

Take care and see you later!   

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Threestooges – Matt

Hi Matt, always good to read you my friend"

I must admit that this small sectors was a lot of fun to do, nothing big, lot's of small details, I can't explain it but sometimes I prefer the most ordinary setup to something TOO spectacular if you know what I mean.

I hope you'll be able to download the mosaics, tell me if you have any problems about it.

Regards

John

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Aleking - AK's Eye Candy Album

Hey Alek,

Glad you liked the region pic!

See you!

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Nik-nik

Hi Nik,

hehehe, well even considering the $$$ question, I'm sure you prefer seeing him in perfect health emptying the fridge!

On the ploppable water topic you'll see some of it in Anôrien, keep in mind that Bruinen Fjord was completed a long time ago, and at that time I was not into ploppable water, before seeing David tutorials, I never had the twist to make something acceptable with it! But now I use it a lot more, (and doing it right take a lot of patience and time!!! hats off to David).

And here's the first Anôrien update.

Salutations to you and your family my friend!

Take care

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Fallon144

Hi Fallon, thanks for the comments, and don't worry about missing some updates, it's perfectly understandable.

And yes I had a great time this summer, but even 4 weeks of vacation sometimes seem very short! 

See you!

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David (dedgren) - Three Rivers Region

Hehehe, Gospell now.... wow!

(I guess I deserve it after the Trekkie episode I left on 3RR...   )

Awright Awright.... I surrender.... here's the first update for Anôrien.

Though I hope you like tech shots, cause in "The Beginning" (the Gospell again!) there was nothing.... and then.... well... let's see...

OH! BTW my fingers hurt like hell, but I'm having so much fun rediscovering my guitar! And I'm on the lookout for an American Stratocaster  or a G&L Legacy (the last real Leo Fender creation).

Anyhow I think I've arranged the thing with the ST police APB, it's all right now, you have to come out with your hands on your head... don't make any sudden moves and all will be all right!

 

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Here's a Anduin Valley Council announcement

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And now dear readers, without further ado, here's....

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Folks thanks for your patience, as I've explained in the previous update, I have less time on my hands, I'm trying my best to post regularly and for what I've seen in the last week it seems that this can work out.

Don't worry AVR will continue even at a slower pace.

This being said, here's the food for thought for this week:

"If computers get too powerful, we can organize them into a committee -- that will do them in." - Bradley's Bromide

On that thought, I leave you until next week!

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In the meantime

Take care and enjoy life

Darmok

[Cjah 15]

Interesting ideas and a nice road layout for this new land....

Also congrats Bokrif!

Great update and I can't wait for the next!

[szarkoz 8]

Finally an update! Let's celebrate

OK, I know, stupid, maybe just let's comment.

I'll start from... start. Anôrien looks like it has much connections to other cities. That means much work on transportation - I suppose that wasn't the last update focused only on that. I remember that you were using the same slope mod as me - well, almost the same. It was modified you said. But you didn't put a link to it, hmm, would it be possible for you to do it now? I would really like to try especially when I saw you were able to dig so deep into a hill with road tool! Also the steeps are very smooth in AVR, maybe it's just your perfect terraforming technique, I don't know. It's nice to see RHW! I love how it goes uphill and downhill... it looks almost the same as the highway (if you can call "that" a highway) that goes from my hometown to Cracow. I'm looking forward to see how you will implement RHW with rest of transportation network.

See you!

[bat 6]

Yes, this is a great update!

bat

[magpieshooter 1]

Welcome to page 115.

Love the technical shots. The landskape is excellent and I am looking forward to seeing what becomes of this.

[Charles Rodulfo 0]

I like the first update of Anorien, it's nice... one comment, the grade of the Rural Highways are bumpy, try to reduce the bumps by flattening the area that the highway is going to pass through. Well, not to pass through those hills, It looks good to have a gentle highway that has its ups and downs. Well, just a comment. Can't wait for the next update

Take Care,

Charles

[anubis89 107]

great start of the new city

looking forward for more!

the big region shot is awesome again

[Nik-nik 3]

Just before I go for the weekend I just pop by and have a look at AVR.

(my 650th post BTW)

Rural highway, that is interesting I followed that thread quite some time ago but I kinda lost it somewhere. I am glad to see you using it.

AHA Ploppable water is comming this will be interesting another master at work with those.

I realy had to laugh in the beginning of this CJ. First there was nature, and then you see in pic 03 all those starting roads....HERE"re they comming I hear all those poor forrest animal scream.

(as I said it is almost weekend and my head is starting being overloaded, poor Darmok is just the exhaust).

I am going from topic to topic without any sensible line (see brackets in paragraph up) but I totally forgot about that rail road tool. I will start using it in my city as well (just hope I will remember it as this weekend I am out on a camp with 33 kids, How will I ever survive that!)

have a great weekend and lots of fun with AVR.

Nik-Nik

[rw0381c 2]

Celebrate good times, Come On!

Yeah! Nice work John, I appreciate the work that you consistently churn out of your CJ vat. Good start to Anorien, I love to see how it is done, especially the transit network! Until next update!

Rheal

[Rayden 7]

Originally posted by: Darmok I also want to thank you all (yes once again), for your patience and kind support, as I told you before I'm now splitting my free time between three loves, my family, my guitar and SC4, so the updates will probably drop to one each week, at least for some time. I certainly hope that most of you will cope with this change in schedule, perhaps sometimes I'll be able to squeeze two in a particular week, but it won't be that often I guess.

quote>

 

One update per week? Nope, not acceptable, only if I get to have an autographed copy of your next album (guitar)

Just teasing you And I can see you're trying out the rural highway. Nice, but check if your game turned out a bit slower than normal. Because, I also used it in Els Pirineus and I've noticed that, so, I've replaced it by a double one way road. Anyway, I love the terrain of this new area of Anôrien.

Cheers

Silvio

[sorchin 18]

Well John I really appreciate you attention to detail buddy. Building transit networks are among the most tedious of things to do in a new city. But you had some fun with it and you invited everyone along for the ride. I understand completely about RL my friend. There is much more to life than SC4 (of coarse I should listen to myself for a change).. I am at least glad your keeping AVR going though.. I'll be here ready for your next update when you have time to post.. See ya soon my good friend..

[mightygoose 92]

omg the undulating rural highway is awesome... as usual classically good work for a reknowned artist, shame about the slowdown in updates but hey some things cant be helped. great to see a new large city tile as more rural...

[jacqulina 162]

hi my friend glad you are well and i will have a great weekend and i hope you do too,thankyou for finding out about the things i asked you i will look for them,i love your rural highway its awesome and nicely planned too takes a lot of time to get things the way you would like them to be but you have done just that my friend and wonderfull pics too

[capitol1 1]

Such great attention even to a simple road nice job.

[mightygoose 92]

heck for old times sake i reread your entire CJ, aah some memories the ugly twins, the rail turntable, lovers lane, heh and it just makes me wonder how much further will you go....

[owenluby 1]

Looks great!

You obviously take a lot of time and care and effort into the basic planning stages... it really pays off.

I have been doing that aswell yesterday... alot yesterday...

Great work!

[Shadow Assassin 336]

Nice, but check if your game turned out a bit slower than normal. Because, I also used it in Els Pirineus and I've noticed that, so, I've replaced it by a double one way road. Anyway, I love the terrain of this new area of An

[MadTV_Freak 0]

Hey darmok! Another beautiful update... the way you make that rural highway flow through the countryside is absolutely amazing and awe-inspiring... I cant wait for another wondeful update!

Keep up the EXCELLENT work!

[cityhawk 12]

Wow, yes, I humbly accept my citizenship status. Thanks!

It's just something about how you lay these transportation networks that fascinate me. It looks really good, and take as much time as you need for the game because RL is more important. Still, I look forward to more!

[PhilsCafe 8]

Bonjour John. Ça va bien, merci.

*yawn* tech shots... just kidding of course . I nearly like the tech updates as much as the other ones. They always give me ideas how to start a new city tile, that's my weakness... (and thereason why I'm always rebuiling stuff, btw). A don't like these kinks either... do you know the technique with the zoning tool? That's how I did it before I had a slope mod installed and I'm still using it from time to time...

I thought ice hockey was some kind of a national sport in Canada... ? However, I myself prefer "le foot" (soccer) to ice hockey.

Take care my friend.

- Phil

EDIT: 1386th post... important year in Swiss history lol... read here

[Fallon144 1]

Truly afree with PhilsCafe, this CJ is a tutorial as well, it even pushed me to pick up my copy again and start some building (along with jacky's fine help ) I love the pasport (you got some serious photoshop skills).

Question: will we see some new high rise in this CJ?

Either way, I love the whole style you've created in your CJ and i'll definately keep following it!

[vester_DK 477]

A great update. Well some great updates.

See that you have cut down on the crossing between rail and roads, by using Dragon Anime underpasses. Good idea.

Love the way you are working with the transit network and that you are showing it.

Rayden: Please don't include pictures in you quotes. There are still people here that uses modems.

[Rayden 7]

Originally posted by: vester_DK A great update. Well some great updates.

See that you have cut down on the crossing between rail and roads, by using Dragon Anime underpasses. Good idea.

Love the way you are working with the transit network and that you are showing it.

Rayden: Please don't include pictures in you quotes. There are still people here that uses modems.quote>

 

You're absolutelly right, my apologies, post edited and pics erased.

[USMC 0]

Well, I must have been living under a rock for not knowing about this CJ. I really enjoy the way you show your work "in progress" as you terraform different sections of the map, rather than just show the finished product leaving me to wonder how you pulled it off. Thanks for giving me something to admire.

[errea 0]

Originally posted by: Darmok

Dragon

Thanks a lot for you sympathy.

It was wy wife's son's grandfather, (a bit complicated hey!) a very long illness, and as you said he is no longer suffering now. but always sad for the familly.

kb

Welcome to Anduin Valley, kb and thanks for the ketchup.

 

 

Update 3

Commerce, residential and industry

You see nomore NJZ! They must all be working at the Denny's by now!

 

The port influence more commerce growth!

 

 

Take Care

Darmok

quote>

 

ok... so how do you make this???

 

where you can add parking yourself... i think its that small rural parking lots... eh, i dont know where: i just know its somewhere in that exchange. 

oh yeah... nice pics.

[Yoman3 5]

Great work with the new city, you are picky. You seem to have a problem with RHW on the diagonal stretch. But any way nice work. Cant wait to see it start to be developed.

[sloid 0]

normally, i wouldn't spend hours looking at a cj but yours is just sooo awesome!!

you are definitely my favourite simcity mayor now LOL!

[bokrif 18]

Hello, sorry for replying late. (I just came back from Prague )

Thank you for the citizenship, the passport looks nice! Also the last update is nice too.

[slann 0]

Darn!

Hey Darmok - Anduin still looks as beautiful as ever!

I especially like your rail network in the last update! *grin* BTW - I am now officially returning to Simtrop and you are right back on my signature!

[Cjah 15]

Looks really good...and I like what your doing with the areas and offices and such...really well made!