Anduin Valley Revisited

[oroen 0]

That's some nice multimodal transportation goodness you have going on! Are you envisioning two distinct networks of transportation, with the el and the light rail... or just two lines of the same network that happen to run parallel here? Or maybe you've just not thought about it so much as I do...

[slann 0]

Your work is just excellent - as usual

Been busy lately so I have not be simtropolising

However - this taught me a lesson - always come on simtropolis 2 check on your CJ *grin*

I like the way your el-train have a Y interchange - it never occured to me it is actually possible and your CD bikelanes blend in so well with the city - its just breathtaking...

EDIT!!!
WELCOME TO PAGE 55!!!  

[Shadow Assassin 336]

Don't worry about the little problem perhaps I don't have the latest version of your cycleways, one is with the T intersection where the texture changes when you zoom in, or out for that matter. I'll post a pic with the next update.
And also the diagonal T intersection where the cycleways are replaced by what looks like a street texture. But again after this post I think I'll check if have the latest version. So don't worry.

quote>

Oh, crud. That's not good. Looks like I'll have to issue a bug fix some time soon.

[Darmok 34]

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SYM Productions
Well, I agree with you about the patience bit. I never thought that maintaining a CJ would be such a commitment, I guess that patience is indeed the key element, and it is often a struggle for me, being a bit impatient  at times. But I'm learning .

I've looked at your thread, and already downloaded the Canadian Grain commission, interesting architecture and size. We need more of those mid sized buildings.

I guess the next step (after familiarizing with the LE) should be, modeling. But for now I've promised myself to go to the end of that map. Tried two or three time before but never did it. So it's kind of a personal challenge for me.
Thanks SYM and take care.

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oroen
, Right on the money Oroen, mostly I go with the lay of the land, I look at it and then go with what it inspire me! (I'm not sure if that is good english, so I beg your pardon if it's not) And as I've said before I really don't have ANY experience whatsoever with trams and GLR so it's an experiment, sometimes it's good sometimes...mehhh... more on this in the following updates.
Enjoy the week!

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slann
As for being busy, welcome to the club! Just been able to lurk this weekend!
The Y intersection idea came because I wanted to use that particular station, and also wanted the track to continue, so that intersection was simply a necessity. And Shadow Assassin Cycleways are a great eye catcher!
Thanks for the welcome to page 55
Take care

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Shadow_Assassin
Hey S_A_ you'll find a pic about the regular T intersection in this update. I'll try to post one about the other one tomorrow.
Until you can find a fix to this, all we have to do is not using the diagonal T.
Take care man!

 

 

And now folks here's

 

 

 

Here you go people, hope you like it!

 

Next one in progress

 

Always good to hear from you so do express yourself!

 

See you next update

 

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In the meantime
Take care
Darmok

[Dsrwhat316 12]

nice use of the cycleways and the rest area looks good, too. if you don't mind my asking, what is the name of the street connector used in the third pic connecting the street and mcdonald's? thanks in advance. i'll be waiting for the next update!

[aldara6166 109]

John,

 

Another fine update.  I think your farms aren't growing because you have more commercial and med/heavy industrial demand...I've always found farms to grow better early on.  But, what do I know...I'm not the farm creating king like Dan is.

 

I like the overall feel.  Two pieces of constructive criticism for ya though...for one you said you didn't want the avenue to climb but then use an avenue overpass over the rail line.  Why not use a rail underpass instead?   And I would have probably stuck with the original layout of the rest stop and just used one of Dan's eyecandy entrances to connect to exit of the McDonalds.

 

Other than that, it looked great... nice work my friend... keep em coming...

[Nardo69 51]

Hi John!

Great update! About the farms: In Urland I try to keep every in the green - except education. And like dhoppeii said too much commercial and industrial will kill agrar demand too ...

That onramp - overpass oroen pointed too looks quite tricky as the avenue seems to rise steadily after the overpass ... yetI have to agree with oroen that it somehow doesn't seem to fit since the railway itself seems to be on a high level ... did you tried to make a NAM railway overpass with slope pieces a la Barnatom? I think this could look good here ...

The seddlement around the small PEG RR station looks nice. Yet you might have added a second track for the train yard. Looks just better IMHO.

The overview is typical a la Darmok: Just great - a true Hingucker - south german slang for something / someone you just have to look to since it / he / she just looks great!

Same as the rest area, I guess I am going to add on in Urland too as soon as I will be able too ...

About my PC ... nothing new on the western front ...

Take care my friend

Nardo

[packersfan 666]

where did you get the asphalt/blacktop highways, what water mod do you use, and how do you get that really green land and tall trees?

[packersfan 666]

where did you get the asphalt/blacktop highways, what water mod do you use, and how do you get that really green land and tall trees?

[Iknowu 0]

nice reststop, i love the mcdonalds im not fat nice farms to. keep up the good work

[Shadow Assassin 336]

Excellent update.

About that T-intersection, I think it's a game bug - jeronij's path T intersection texture had a small problem with that sometimes, as well. As far as I know, it can't really be fixed.

[choco1 4]

Wow, that was one stunning and beautiful update. I just love the style you build and terraform your cities with! You are an inspiration to me, and probably many other CJers. Fantastic update, your parks and road designs work great together and the buildings, roads and parks merge seamleslly with the environment, I love that style. Can't wait for the next update!

[your_adress_here 11]

Looks amazing! I love the small community and what you did along the rail, it just gives a really nice small town feel! And don't worry, we really apreciate your overhead views!

Keep up the great work!

[PhilsCafe 8]

Hey Darmok. I really like that farming area beyond the highway. It's a nice little community there. The little rail yard turned out great, very detailed. And also the church sourrounded by that park and the cemetery looks beautiful.

The last overview looks excellent. It's actually one of my favorite pictures, because it combines all of your work in that area and also shows how well all these different parts fit together.

Take care.

- Phil

[Chris M 406]

Hey, John

Very nice updates. I've lurked around for the past days and haven't had much time to reply, but tonight I do.

So, to start off. . .I have to say the update on 10/24 was the best. I just am really loving the pure use of detail. Some traditional uses and some that are fairly new. Those I'm talking about are just the smallest things like the rest area with a McDonalds, now that is what I call realistic! I remember while I was on vacation that there were so many of these along the way. The farm area, simply unique use of color and trails along the area.

St-Chris Church? Thanks, man! And I like that I am a Dragon slayer. Always a cool type of creature, one of the coolest types of warriors. I doubt I'm a Saint, though.

The modifications look great, always some more details is nice. That gas station in the next pic looks great, right on the highway like it needs to be.

Excellent.

[____----____ 37]

i think that one of my favorite things about this area (and most of yours) is

that everything is layed out in such smooth nice lines, it looks real real nice

 

very awesome stuff man!!

 

Alek

[Deathtoall 28]

Nice work, Like Aleking said, nice smooth lines is what adds value to your cities!

[jacqulina 162]

you allways please with your work,amazing detail,love the rest stops 

[dhoppeii 12]

Hey John,  hey a rest area, that looks familiar....

Well, I enjoyed the progress up to the agricultural area.  I don't know that education would be your problem here.  I look at the rest of the city grid and wonder if there isn't too much development all together for the farming to develop.....I would then wonder how much industrial you have zoned....

 

I really liked the small residential/commercial zone near the ag zones.....especially the rail connections with the service yard as well.  This area looks great.

 

Ahh, the Church of St. Chris, Patron Saint of Dragon Slaying...............good stuff John.....

 

I do like the reworked rest area layout better.....and may I say, always a good choice to have choices for fuel near the highway......

 

As always, I enjoyed the update my friend....

[Darmok 34]

 

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Dsrwhat31 - EDITED POST
Thanks Dsrwhat, I don't mind at all, those street connectors, are the : CSX Entrance Farms Vol 01 by Vlakhaas , I'll edit the post a bit later Dsrwhat, the STEX is down,  so I can't give you the correct info. Just come back later I'll get it for you.
Take care

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Jason
Yep, I've learned my lesson, from now on, when I'll want an agricultural sector in a city, I'll do it first, then the rest.

The underpass is an excellent idea,  I didn't use them since Anfalas if I remember correctly. I'll do that and post an updated picture, as for the McDonalds, at the time I built the rest area, I didn't have Dan's entrances, I'll look into it, they'll probably do a better job.
Always glad to read you my friend, BTW How's the Golden Chimera doing these days, is it on a back burner?
Take care

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Nardo
As I said to Jason, I've learned my lesson now, build agriculture first. I'll probably convert those agricultural zones in residential sector later on.
I didn't even try with the NAM pieces, I'm just beginning to use them, old habits die hard! But in this case I think Jason advice was right for that sector, (EDITED: Since I wrote this, Nardo, I've tried with the NAM pieces se the last comment before the pics below)  a simple underpass will do the job nicely.
On that subject though, I used those pieces further along in Osgiliath, I now try to use them more often.
You're probably right about the second track, I'll have to keep that in mind when building that station from now on, and it's true that we rarely see only one track in a railway station.
Hingucker, you say!  I'll keep this one in mind, and even tell that to my sister, she learned German and is almost fluent by now! I'll be glad to teach her a little bit of german slang!
I really hope you'll be able to find a solution for your PC problem. That's a bummer

P.S. I knew that you like Inspector Canardo, but I just realized while reading an interview of Benoit Sokal that he was Inspector Canardo's creator! Have you read Les Immortels? Or played Syberia 1 and 2? I love his style. That man have an incredible talent, each of his drawings are a work of art! Have you seen this site : http://www.whitebirdsproductions.com  you'll find several high res pictures of his new game Lost Paradise. OK OK enough now

Mach's gut! Meine freund
 

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packersfan - EDITED POST
Here's the info you asked for : NOTE : STEX IS DOWN RIGHT NOW I'LL EDIT THE POST LATER FOR THE MISSING LINKS
Asphalt Mod by Thorvin : https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/details.cfm?id=13705
Water : Auckland IS NOW Edmonton by Thimoteus4 :  https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/details.cfm?id=13475
Cycle Puppy Mod (Green land and big trees) : http://www.clefsdeschampsserrurier.com/CyclePuppy/CyclePuppyColumbus.htm

Just a small thing though, please take this as a constructive criticism, you could perhaps make a comment on the CJ itself, before asking for links. I really don't mind about helping fellow CJ'ers and players, but a little courtesy goes a long way.
Have a nice week

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Iknowu
Hey Iknowu, long time no see!
Thanks for the kind comments.
Take care

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Shadow_Assassin
Thanks, S_A_
I forgot to upload the picture I wanted to show you about the texture in the diagonal T intersection.
I'll try to post it tonight
But as I've said earlier, it's not a big problem and we can easily find some workaround.
See you in Savannah!
 

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chocolatemax285
Those are very kind words chocolatemax, thank you! It's really pleasant to know that I can in some way inspire ideas! I know that I find inspiration in may CJ's here in Simtropolis.
Take care

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YAH
Hey man, always good to see you here, yeah I really like those small communities, it's just unfortunate that I didn't create the agricultural sector first. But anyway I've learned my lesson, and that's what's important.
Enjoy the week!

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Phil
Glad that the overview are appreciated, it does give a good idea of how's thing are going in the city. As I said to YAH, I really have fun doing those small towns, more and more I realize that they are my favorite part of the game! I guess that my next region will be mostly small towns with perhaps one big center but nothing TOO big.
Take care buddy!

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Chris
, One trick deserves another! I'm no saint either you know!
I must say that the rest area idea is mostly inspired by Dan's work, not only did he made the Rest Area Lot, but it was in La Plaisance County that I got the idea of making some of those in AVR.
And how can you miss with the dirt trails? They add so much character to a neighborhood!
While writing the caption on the pic. St-Georges story came to mind and I just transfered the dragon killing bit on your side .
See you in Palm Point man!

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Alek
That is one great compliment Alek! I guess that's the part of my RL job that's showing through. I always try to compose a nice overall picture.
Thanks for your support!

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Deathtoall
Thanks DTA, always good to see you!

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Jacky
Jacky, thanks for all the support you give to all of us, we really appreciate the time you take to write an encouraging word!
Have a good week!

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Dan
Yeah, well I think that I just didn't start the whole thing right for the agricultural sector this time, what a mess! Next time rest assured that when I'll want some agriculture in a city grid, that it'll be the first thing to be developed. Furthermore, at that point in Osgiliath timeline I had practically no industrial zone  (Most of the industry being in the neighboring city of Emyn Arnen), so I'll have to forget agriculture in Osgiliath. What I'll do later on, will be to convert all those ag. zones in remote res sectors.

And the St-Chris idea came easily after that he put the sainthood on me in Palmpoint (on which, incidentally, you commented. ). What can I say, he asked for it!

I hope you still have some free time to do things you like these days, you know what they say about too much work and no play.

Take care my friend, and enjoy the rest of the week.

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And here's two pics to keep you waiting for the next update, one's is the correction suggested by Jason, (thanks for the suggestion man!) Thanks to Nardo as well, I've also tried with the NAM pieces, but in that setup, I didn't had the place to make a nice overpass, always glad to have good suggestions guys!

 

The other is a sneak preview of one sector I'm working on presently, it's located on Osgiliath south shore.

 

 

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Until next update folks, again thanks a million for your unbelievable support it is really appreciated!

Take care
Darmok

[aldara6166 109]

John,

 

Well, as long as you've learned you lesson young man...oh no!!  I've turned in to my parents!

 

Anyway...the correction looks much better in my opinion.  And that sneak preview of the south shore...I can't wait.  That picture looks so serene and peaceful.  Looks like some sort of resort area to me.

 

And as for the Golden Chimaera...unfortuantely it has taken a sort of back burner.  My wife actually asked me if I was still working on it just the other day.  Take a look at my BATs thread (link in signature) and you'll see why it has taken a back burner.  Take a look at all of the pics in the latest updates over the last few days and you'll see why.  My current projects would ALL definitely fit nice in your CJ.  Take a look...

 

Great work my friend... keep em coming...

[hoo47 64]

I just got SimCity 4 Deluxe a few weeks ago and have been lurking and downloading here like crazy ever since. I stumbled across this City Journal by accident, and it's the best thing that's happened to my playing experience. I've played all 4 SimCity games now, but I never learned as much about how to do things as I have reading this journal. I must confess I've been reading it from the start, and am only up to page 17, but felt compelled to post.

Your cities just look amazing, and have helped me to stop gridding everything, and to leave more open space and add more trails, parks, etc., to make beautiful cities. And I learned more about sculpting terrain in the first few pages of your journal then I learned in all the years I've been playing the various SimCity games. This is my first post on Simtropolis, hopefully the first of many. Once I get all caught up on your journal, I will post more comments, but I just felt like I owed it to you to let me know how much you've inspired me in my game. Keep up the great work, but don't post updates too often, or I'll never get caught up.

[sandrasim1 2]

Hi, I'm still around but I have had huge problems with both ST Forums and the STEX loading at snails pace lately when I have been visiting the site after work.  I have a fast broadband connection so it must be something at the ST end of the line.

Anyway, your work is brilliant as always. Imaginative and a sheer joy to watch. One of the favourite spots of the latest update is the rest area. Another is the one with PEG's rail lots along the railway. Can't you mess up something so I can make some negative comments for a change ?

[Pixelrage 34]

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//xtra2zzup11avosgilpic.jpg align=baseline>

WOW-- what kind of water texture is that??? I'd love to have it. Is that the bottom of the lake you're seeing, or just a texture applied to the top of the water or something?

[sorchin 18]

Hey John. My my you have been busy with the updates my friend

Lets see: Update 11. Again I love the beginning to end approach to your updates. I like going through each liitle step I especially like what you did with the roads going up to the Farm houses. Very nice detail. I'll have to remember that when I start to build farms in my CJ Again another beautiful church and graveyard area I know I'm getting picky here, but may I suggest you use the (I believe it's called, sorry STEX is down again) Tile Set MOD. This will change all the sidewalks into $$$ wealth so there is no grass between the road and sidewalk. I think it looks a little unrealistic having driveways with grass at the end of them. Just a thought my friend. I only mentioned it because I know you love detail.

I like what you did with both Dan's car stop and the McDonalds. Very nice touch.. In the teaser beautiful Marina my friend. WOW. There is NO affordable housing in that area.

Well done my friend...

[sharkbait16 0]

Your CJ has the best hometown feel of any I've seen.

[packersfan 666]

Darmok - the journal is awesome, I love that railroad overpass. How did you do it? Tunnel or NAM pieces?

Thanks for the info, sorry that I didn't post before asking, just really interested in the cool freeway and water mods! Remember to edit that post on the water and freeway mods. THANKS AGAIN and sorry for not commenting first, but again the journal is amazing and I wish I had high-speed net so I could see every picture and page!

[Darmok 34]

Just a little word for Shadow Assassin, more complete answers with next update.

 

Here you go S_A_ that's what I was talking about.

 

 

align=baseline>

 

The last segment is the diagonal T connector

It's like a texture conflict somewhere.

 

What do you think?

 

 

[Shadow Assassin 336]

Hmm. If I issue a bugfix, that means that people will need to go and update it themselves.

(edit) How could I forget? Excellent teaser. Bring the rest on.

[Deathtoall 28]

nice work, that interchange looks a lot better now! Nice little teaser!