Anduin Valley Revisited

[Twenty20 28]

Wonderful ! Very great work, this river between the mountains, the village in the valley, it seems so real, it's a pleasure for the eyes.

[____----____ 37]

amazing what can be done now, that looks nothing like the game i used to play, fantastic natural recreation.

[Darmok 34]

deathtopumpkins

Hi Connor.

The swamp area came as an after thought, but I'm glad I tried it... with some experimentation I might come up with something better yet.

But if we compare the game to what it was in the beginning (2003) we really came a long way...

Now if only we could have flowing ploppable water... sigh...

Take care

-John

SirUnger

Hi Chris

Thanks!

Just experimenting with new techniques here...

See you!

-John

PhilsCafe

Hey Phil,

When I don't have the time to reply to everyone. it is a problem for me because it's a very important part of AVR, if not the most important.

With the new flora and swamp textures that Chris Adams gave us, I wanted to try to make more realistic river banks, I think this is coming close to the effect I want... We also must not forget Jeroni's plopable water!  Gorgeous...

Bonne année a toi aussi et j'espère que tout va bien dans tes études!

à la prochaine.

-John   

art128

Hi Arthur,

Thanks for taking the time to comment, as I always say, every comment counts

I really appreciate it.

-John

dfnva

Hey Dan,

Thanks,

Well I don't remember having that much problem with ploppable water under bridges... look at this picture taken from Anorien

If I remember correctly, I simply plop several time until I get the desired effect, I may rotate the picture and plop again and I'm not sure if changing the zoom help or not but the end result is OK..

What I had problem with was the rocks and props though! Difficult to have them extend under the bridges after it's placed, perhaps I should flood, place props and the plop the bridge, but then I guess the bridge would probably delete the props under anyways...

Another thing to experiment with! Please tell me if you find any new way of dealing with this problem!

Take care

-John

jacqulina

Hi Jacky

Thanks my friend, and I must say that you're in part responsible for me doing those things, seeing the beauty of your terraforming nudged me in this direction. There's so much possibility in this game!

Happy new year to you too.

-John

packersfan

Hi Martin,

Well I must say that I don't agree with your assessment on your rural work, I just went to have a look at your CJ (Sessquenna) and I must say that your rural depiction is not only quite accurate, it's also different from what we often see, you have a personal style. I like the fact that you use the lay of the land and you don't flatten everything in sight, I also like the way you create those sinuous little roads and streets, very lifelike. You're a good example of someone going his own way, I think it's OK to be inspired by the works of others but it's more important to do your own thing and I think you're doing a great job on your own. "Vive la difference!" A rough translation of this would be "Long live diversity!"

So please keep on your excellent work!

Take care

-John

Livin in Sim

Dear Liv,

Good eye! The river bank are in fact Chris Adam's ploppable swamps... It was an experiment and in the end I think it turned out quite good because it blends well with Jeroni's ploppable water and give a very random texture and outline. So there's no linearity in the shores.

Yep it's not finished yet, but I guess that I'll leave it at that for a time, let it settle in. And go doing something else for a while. Terraforming a river can be kind of tedious at time.

I really have no credit for the tree selection in a way that it simply reflect what I've known and see for all my life, that's exactly the kind of flora we have here... you can take the man out of the woods but you can't get the wood out of the man... hehehe

I use the mayor tools mostly, I sometimes go to the God mode but very sparingly.

Receive my best wishes for the new year, hoping you'll get well very soon. Believe you me, I can relate to your crutch plight! I broke my foot in '95 while walking to my motorcycle... that's a twist... I never broke a bone while driving it, even had a few crashes but always managed to only have bruises... that particular time I was simply walking toward it and twisted my foot on the street curb and it snapped like a twig! Been in crutches for 6 weeks! the worst was taking the subway! talk about long (VERY long) stairs! I was always afraid of falling down with those damn contraptions! Anyhow, it went well.

See you soon

-John

sobol

Hey Nathan

Thanks my friend,

Got your new car?

-John

Twenty20

Thanks 20,

That's exactly what I tried to do, a good mix between reality and aesthetics, because in real life rivers are not always that nice looking... particularly marshes! Just go and try walking around them!

Thanks for your input, always appreciated.

-John

 

aleking

Hey Alek,

Great to read you.

I totally agree, I can only marvel, not only at he result we can achieve, but first and foremost at the dedication of people like Chris Adams, David, Jeroni, Swamper, Tarkus and all the rest, they really are doing a labor of love! If not for all their efforts SC4 would probably be shelved like a lot of games after a few years of use.

My best wishes for the new year.

-John

P.S. I really like your Einstein citations! Clever man....

UPDATE 13

Back to basics...

I really am short on time so I decided to post these "raw" pictures without frills... thinking you'd like having something new rather than wait at least another week or so to get a more refined version.

So here goes..

You'll see in those, the creation of a commercial strip and of some affordable housing including parking spaces.

And a new medical clinic...

There it is...

Thanks to all for your support, and I'll try to play some more as soon as I find the time to!

Take care

-John

[Benedict 3,119]

I missed the river update... simply gorgeous, I love the rock outcroppings, they look so natural.

[Gayowulf 15]

It looks great, as always. I was going to say something more productive, but it got driven out of my mind when I clicked "Next" to see if there was another page... is it normal to get a Reverse Page Flip Bug?

EDIT (maybe that's why):

Welcome to Page 171!

                             

[PhilsCafe 8]

I appreciate the time you're taking for the personal replies... great to see another update, I really like that commercial strip, reminds me of using more Maxis buildings again. I think it's very realistic, the way new businesses settle down right next to the original town center. That's something one can witness in different places for real.

Merci beaucoup, j'en ai besoin . A la prochaine!

- Phil

[Tomasneto 20]

Nice update!!

[sobol 1]

Another great update.

I am down to two models... from the Subaru line. A Brand New Forrester or an Outback... I tried the new RAV 4, but something didn't click for me. I might have to try another RAV 4 model maybe. That's about it.

[art128 4,622]

this is a very nice progress John This commercial mixed and residential are is really great my friend

I like the parkings lots a lot !

[Twenty20 28]

Very nicely done, a quiet little city surrounded by forest, where I would love living.

[dfnva 34]

John,

Thanks for the ideas about the ploppable water, I'll try that, hopefully it will work.

-Dan

[kant01 5]

Hey John, my old friend! It has been a long time. I returned recently to ST and to SC4 in general and it was a great pleasure for me to find you still active and that Anduin Valley - one of my long time favorite SJs was still going! You are continuing to do excellent work I see. Your last two updates are just stunning. What a fantastic job on the river with the flora and all the other little details. Its absolutely splendid work and I am really looking forward to seeing what you come up with next.

yours, kant01

[dedgren 830]

I just can't wait to see what you do with the new NAM content, John.

David

[Darmok 34]

Alafel

Thanks, but to tell you the truth I think this sector look a bit generic, I guess that in every town there's some sector that's less appealing.

-John

PhilsCafe

Bonjour Phil,

The only thing we have to do with Maxis buildings, is pruning them out because they tend to be repetitive in a small sector... But a lot of them are still good looking.

As for the studies, I remember that in my case they seemed longer in the end... jeez I just wanted to get out and work!

Take care

-John

Tomasneto

Thanks!

sobol

Hi Nathan,

Both models are good, I liked the Forrester best, handling wise. The Outback seemed a bit "sluggish" compare to it though it has more cargo space.

Take cae

-John

art128

Thanks Arthur,

I just wanted something more generic to place some apartment buildings.

-John

Twenty20

That's precisely what I always try to achieve... a good place to live.

See you

-John

dfnva

Hope you'll get the results you want Dan, I'm pretty sure that you'll find a good technique to achieve it.

Patience and trying different ways are the key.

Take care

-John

kant01

Hi kant01

Long time no read!

Glad to know you're back in the saddle, as for myself, for now it more like part time... the guitar is taking much of my free time, but I still enjoy the game nonetheless.

I really like doing small towns and natural setups, more rewarding for me. And with Chris Adams flora it's a joy!

Looking forward to reading you again.

Take care

-John

David,

I'm kind of anxious to try it! I'll do it as soon as I finish detailling the river and the seashore. SC4D is down at the moment, so I'll go download it when available.

Hoping all is well for you up there, here we're experiencing temperature in the minus 31 celcius.... you just can't walk with the wind in your face! have to go backwards... jeez!

Take care my friend

-John

UPDATE 14

For those of you who wants to see the new sector in details, I've uploaded a mosaic

just click HERE

Hope you'll enjoy those few pics...

As usual every comment is welcome, especially in this %?$@* cold weather

Sorry 'bout that... :-)

Take care and enjoy life.

-John

[Artur_001 4]

Amazing as always. Well done.

[sobol 1]

That's great... A suggestion perhaps... some kind of a boardwalk between the water and the wall... we have something like that by where I live...  Just a suggestion..

The wifey hated the Outback, and mostly liked the Forester. She is certain I would drive it more than her, so we are going to be looking at the 4dr Imprezzas tomorrow. The weather we have had the past few weeks has convinced her that she needs a better vehicle.. something better suited for this environment.

4 -dr Impreza it is.. a 2.5i Premium Package with everything on it.  Car search is over for now.

Back on topic.  I love the update...

[deathtopumpkins 43]

Wow, that detailing just keeps getting better and better! This new section with the wall looks fantastic!

And that mosaic is superb!

[art128 4,622]

Details are awesome my friend !! Fantastic

[dedgren 830]

You continue to just do it all, John. I cast one vote for a Trixie this year- bet you'll never guess what it was for.

You are coming up on four years at this. Your dedication to your readers is only only exceeded by your talent in amazing them.

It will warm up sooner or later- it did here. We hit 50 (F)/10 © here today- tied the record. It's 80 (F)/27 © degrees warmer than it was just last week. Snow melted so quick you'd never know we had any, but all the drains and culverts are still frozen solid so it's flooding everywhere. Ah, the joys of living in the North Country!

Take care, old friend.

David

[PhilsCafe 8]

Looks like David and I had the same idea . Anyways, wow, this update is amazing once again. I love the detailing along the shore. That must really be a great place to live... although it's too bad that you can't see that from the road because of the wall. On the other hand, one should better concentrate on the driving anyway.

As for college, I can't wait to finally get my degree as well in a year (if all works out as planned), so I can start working. I've been going to school all my life so far...

A la prochaine!

- Phil

[Haljackey 17,385]

Honestly... This is some simply amazing work John.  Your planning styles and pics are stunning!

Well done, fantastic update!  (As always )

Best,

-Haljackey

[Livin in Sim 83]

I wonder how your feeling

There's ringing in my ears

And no one to relate to 'cept the sea

Who can I believe in

I'm kneeling on the floor

There has to be a force who do I phone

The stars are out and shinning, but all I really want to know...

Oh won't you show me the way

I want you ...show me the way

Well, I can see no reason

You living on your nerves

When someone drops a cup and I submerge

I'm swimming in a circle

I feel I'm going down

There has to be a fool to play my part

Well someone thought of healing, but all I really want to know...

Oh won't you show me the way (everyday)

I want you ...show me the way

I want you day after day

I wonder if I'm dreaming

I feel so unashamed

I can't belive this is happening to me

I watch you when you're sleeping,and then I want to take your love

Oh won't you show me the way (everyday)

I want you ...show me the way

I want you day after day

Oh won't you show me the way (everyday)

I want you ...show me the way

I want you day after day...

Takin' you all the way back to that hot summer of 1976...Mr Peter Frampton...and his TalkBox talking guitar gadget.  Man, I want one of those.  Wouldn't that be fun?  Speaking of fun, let's take a run at the news, shall we?  A tip from a meter reader led authorites to the garage of North Carolina mailman Steven Padgett, where they discovered and removed four truckloads of hoarded junk mail.  Mr Padgett had evidently been having trouble delivering all the mail, so he prioritized.  He was placed on probation and fined $3000, which was promptly paid by his grateful postal patrons...

Hey, John, looks like there was some "dead air" last update.  I don't really have a good excuse, was just dinking around, and the next thing I knew, it was up.    But the surprise was of the pleasant variety.  Splendid details you've added to the shoreline, especially the fields of flowers.  Thanks for showing us the way.   The tower seems to fit well there, and the TM Monument was a stroke of genius.  ("I see that Mayor Darmok uses cheats."  "So, what's it to you? ") The mayor's house can always use  a little fixing up.   I always thought the house was kind of ugly, so I covered it with a prop family of larger houses in LE, and it actually let me save it.  This was before I read that one shouldn't mess with rewards as it could change their effects.  Come to think of it, there was a mystery riot in one city not too long after I placed the modified one.  Maybe the citizens thought it was too nice?

We had the January banana belt period, 50's/60's F, so I managed to venture forth and toddle up and down the sidewalk every day on my crutches.  Wow, I can't believe you managed the subway, brave man!  I can now put almost(!) all my weight on the foot, so it's much easier going.  In my one foot days, I actually made it up and down the sixteen stairs at my son's place on Christmas, but then slipped on a tiny patch of ice in the parking lot.  My backside was not injured, but my pride was, and I bumped the foot, youch!  It didn't bother me after a bit, though, thank goodness.  The thaw has ended, it's snowing tonight.  Like Samwise Gamgee, I like to be in bed when it's snowing, so I think I'll say good night.

Bye for now.

--Liv

[pikatchoum 2]

Hi Darmok. It's a true pleasure to come back on the Simtro's forums and to constat that, as usual, you're still here showing us how brilliant you are with that game. About the last update, the road snakes along the sea side perfectly. Trees, rocks, curves, your coastline is amazingly realistic and il looks very natural to me. I would never been able to realize such a beauty.

Anyway, i'm glad to learn that even if you're a SC4 master you and i share the same problems with the textures along roads. Thanks for the tip, it sometimes a pen in the ass to find ideas and manage those sidewalks.

Keep it up my friend !! And be sure i'll have a look on the previous pages. I hope i'll live old enough to have the time to look carrefuly everything you've done and all the details.

[Twenty20 28]

I love those pics of nature, your work is amazing, and so realistic, the little city is very lovely, it's always pleasant to see your updates.

[sobol 1]

/anxiously awaiting an update

/paces back and forth

[Darmok 34]

Art01

Thanks Arthur, if only I could work my own backyard in the same way I terraform, it would be easier on the budget!

Sobol

Hey Nathan,

Alway tricky to buy a new car, We were both falling for the Toyota FJ Cruiser, but after trying it Nancy prefered the RAV 4... So looks and performance are not always the ticket, driving the thing is, kind of strange to see how much we can feel at ease with one car and simply don't connect with another... it's like there a chemistry of sort at work there! But then again the same thing apply to guitars...

Anyhow, cold as heck here tonight glad I'm indoors!

See you soon

-John

deathtopumpkins

Hey Connor! Congrats on your Trixie man!

and thanks for stopping by, always good to see you.

Take care

-John

art128

Thanks arthur!

John

dedgren

Thanks David,

it's just a bit unfortunate that I took an almost sc4 sabbatical last year... but sometimes you have to follow your heart, and in 2008 my heart was more into music.

I hope that this year will be a little more balanced between my two passions music and SC4.

I really am grateful for your endorsement my friend it means a lot to me.

On the weather topic, we also have a respite from the arctic cold these days... minus 4 to minus 10 celcius, great weather to go snowshoeing. The snowbanks are at a more normal level this year, in the driveway the higher it gets is about 6 feet... but they say were in for some more snowstorm before the end so... knock on wood.

See you at SC4D.

John

PS Congrats on, yet, another Trixie!

PhilsCafe

Phil! A trixie! Am I glad for you my friend! Very well deserved!

About the wall... sometimes the best places are hidden from sight! And as there are some doors in that wall, lovers and nature buff (no pun intended...) can enjoy themselves without the traffic noise... ;-)

Don't worry, you'll be working soon enough, and someday you'll be missing those school days... trust me. But most of the time you'll be glad to be on your own that's for sure.

All my my best.

John

haljackey

Hal, a Trixie grand Slam! 3! jeez!

Good for you.

As for the update, well, I enjoyed working on that particular sector. But soon enough I'll have to add some more residential sector or the sims will get my head!

Take care

Livin in Sim

Liv baby!

Hey evryone is entitled to some vacation once in while. And with your crutches you have the perfect excuse.

I agree about the generic Mayor house... (bland bland bland...)

but hey! we can always say that the mayor didn't want to put to much strain on the town's budget. (that's my story your honor and I stick to it...hehehe)

As for the budget cheat, I refer you to the very first post in AVR history were I laid all my cards on the table. I do and I'm not ashamed... if only I had such a cheat in real life!

No meltiong snow on our side of the border, but as I said to David, the weather is quite nice these days, really.

Looking back at what I did in the subway with crutches, I don't think I'd do it again... those stairs are awfully long AND steep!

Hope your foot will get better soon so you can go on with your regular life!

Regards

-John

pikatchoum

Hey Pika,

Long time no see!

I truly believe that anyone can do anything in SimCity... just put some time in it and it'll work!

Looking forward to reading you again.

-John

Twenty20

Thanks for your very kind words 20.

I really like natural setups and only try to mimic waht I see in nature.

Take care.

-John

Sobol

Hey Nathan,

Comming up my friend, comming up...

Just didn't have the time to play last week.

I'll try to work something up for friday night or saturday the latest...

Regards

-John

Just as a peek here's the sector I'm working on right now... nothing spectacular, but we need more citizens!

So until saturday then

Before signing off I'd like to thank you all for your generous support without which there wouldn't be an actual AVR... and a special thanks to all of you who nominated AVR in the Trixies, I really, really appreciate it. Just the fact of being nominated is an honor.

Take care all!

-John

[art128 4,622]

nice pic there John, I'm looking forward to look the development

Congrats on your trixie my friend !

[Benedict 3,119]

I love the sneak peek, but wow, that previous update was something else! Looks amazing! And great job on yet another trixie.

[suomi2005 52]

You put a lot of nice details in to your cities. I love the way u are useing that flora and the rocks along the shores.

[lifeless08 1]

Lovely city, 171 pages is amazing, took me ages to look through the whole of this!