Three Rivers Region

[cityhawk 12]

I'm not bored. I like detailed maps, so I look forward to when you get all the mapping done!

[Sim shady 12]

Don't worry, this stuff isn't boring, really its quite fascinating to watch, because you are going where no cj has gone before. This really adds new demensions of realism to the game, heck if i saw one of those maps at a gas station, i'd believe this was a real place

[Darmok 34]

And they say I'm a detail freak, look at this! Elevation symbols, tunnels, sheesh!

Alright allright! I admit it, you're pretty dam good at this mapping. I should try this.... now where will I find the time.... BTW Where do you!!!

Great work David, simply great!

John

[van1357 15]

Hi again David. Sorry I haven't been able to answer your questions yet, but time zones are a nuisance... I think I’ll just send you a detailed pm. But, I did a render of the "secret" project, but haven't figured out how to turn it into what you want. If you like, I could send it to you, but its up to you.
Once again. these maps are amazing. I like all the names you have come up with, and the elevations points. Are the PF and AF ferries? Great work.

[dedgren 830]

Just another "drive-by" post here.

I've been redoing the region map that I created a couple of weeks ago to first display 3RR's major numbered roads and highways.  I'm planning to use a large paper printout of it

...paper, what's paper?

to do some "stubby pencil" planning for locations of minor roads and other features.

This one looks a lot better (IMHO, but that actually counts for something around these parts of cyberspace) than the last, which you can find at the top of my last post just above this one.  Here's a linkie.

https://www.simtropolis.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=36&threadid=74819&startpage=22#885617

I'll be adding detail to this over the next few days and will let you know how it comes out.

_____________________________

A quick answer or two...

Silvio (Rayden - Els Pirineus)  Nope, not for sale.  Get 'em for free, here.  More on the way.  Tutorial, too.

John (Darmok - Anduin Valley Revisited)  The answer's simple- nobody really has "time" to do any of this.  It's all about choices.  You, my friend, make excellent ones, if I do say so myself.

Isaac (van1357)

Are the PF and AF ferries?quote>

Spot on!  PF = Passenger Ferry terminal.  AF = Auto Ferry terminal.  I'll be PMing you as to the other.

That's it for now, folks.  Later.

[dfnva 34]

These maps are great, the map of the island is very realistic and I like the detail, but that big region map just makes me drool, figuring out where all the roads go, etc.

Dan

[PhilsCafe 8]

Awesome maps David. The text layers and labels are great details, they make it look real.

I look forward to more of your great work. Take care.

Phil

[bat 6]

Fantastic maps!!!!

bat

[jacqulina 162]

awesome david you are doing well

[rw0381c 2]

Great job! As usual. It's come to be expected. 3RR-Expanded has become synonimous with quality, whether it be terraforming, mapping, anything! Looking forward to more!

Rheal

[dedgren 830]

Hey, 3RR Readers!

I've got a small request...

...oh no, here it comes...

We're now into the sixth full month of Three Rivers Region.  You have been instrumental in making this CJ a nice success, in that I'd be somewhere on page 37 of the index with "East Furbish - City of Hairdressing" absent all your really great comments.  Those comments, by the way, have led in turn to much of the specific content I've developed, and reading your feedback and remarks as we've moved along has been a really gratifying experience.  I can no longer say that I can't make a Lot, or know nothing about modding.  I may be even about to learn a little bit about BATting, but more on that later.  My Photoshopping skills have improved (even though I don't use Photoshop) and I've had the chance to think about urban and regional planning issues and challenges that carry me back to the days when I was last a practicing planner in the early 1990s.  Beyond that, I've made so many great friends (notice I didn't say "cyber-friends"- I just don't see any value in the distinction).  Friendship is often a scarce commodity in the legal world- it is present on ST in abundance.

Recently, though, I've noticed something.  When I started 3RR, the CJ ran almost 800 views a week for the first couple of weeks.  It then settled down to about 4-500 or so, and stayed there through about mid-July.  All of the sudden, though, since then, the views have just exploded.  We had almost 800 again last week.  This week we are on track to hit about 900.  Posts are increasing again, too, but not at near so rapid a rate.  Jacky (jacqulina - Paradise Falls) made the 500th post exactly four weeks ago.

Here's stats from earlier today for comparison (caught you again, jacky!).

That's 150 (now 150+) new posts in a little less than a month.  The thing that amazes me, though, is the over 2,500 page views during the same time.

My request is, given all this, who are you thousand folks or so (based on the guess that 1,500 of the views are being made by a regular core of people who look at 3RR every few days and post about every week) who come by 3RR, take a look, and then go but don't leave any trace?

I'm sure some of you are visitors to ST and thus can't post, as only members can.  Now, I just can't even guess why anyone would pass up the ability to formally join this great community at the bargain price of zip (nada, zilch, etc.).  You'd be warmly welcomed, treated like guests, fussed over, all that stuff.  If this post encourages even one of you to join us in our shared SC4 experience, I'll be really pleased.  If you do that and then post and let me know that on 3RR, I'll be really, really jazzed about it.

If you are a member and are just lurking; hey, step out into the light.  At least this once.  Let me know who you are so that I can add you to that select group of folks who have unburdened their thoughts at some point here at 3RR.  You aren't signing up for anything- I won't ask that you post again and again (post, POST until you GET IT RIGHT!  Yes, you, with the guilty look.  Heh!).  The one thing I would ask that you is take just a minute, if you would, and let me know what I could do to make 3RR whatever best maintains your interests.

Hey, I'm a lawyer.  I'll do just about anything...

Let me know, folks.  I'd really like to have a sense as to who's out there beyond those who post regularly, and what I could be doing to keep Three Rivers Region of interest to you.

David

 

[ript73 0]

Well, dedgren. I've lurked on this forum for quite a while back when SC4 first came out, then RL caught up with me and I had a couple years hiatus. When going through my game cd's, I ran across SC4 again and decided to reinstall just a few months ago. I've caught back up with some old CJ's like Digby and Eddiesville (although most of the pics are gone on this one).

I've read through alot of other CJ's without commenting, just enjoying the beautiful cities people have created, and then ran across yours. I thoroughly enjoyed the mini-tutorials you included and have learned quite a bit from them and so I decided to un-lurk and post in your CJ a few days ago.

I hope you continue your CJ and post as many mini-tutorials as you can crank out because, in my opinion, I look at some of the awesome stuff people have created and am left wondering how the heck they accomplished such things.

Cya around!

[dedgren 830]

Thanks, ript73!  That's a great start.  I really appreciate the kind words, and will certainly continue the mini-tut style.  Don't be a stranger...let me know if there's anything else I can do for 'ya.

[szarkoz 8]

Hey David,

Yesterday, I've read whole 3RR from start. As I was reading it I was thinking what should I write at the end.

Great work? You probably heard that many times.

You're being very heplfulf for community with your tutorials? I'm sure you know that too.

Maaan, your work's so awesome, I love yaaa!!11 OK, that's enough.

I really, really respect you for your always honest posts. You're not a person who visits 50 CJs for a day, and drop there 50 times the same "great work man!", even if 40 of those CJs doesn't really present a great work. That's why I'd like to be honest now and don't drop a "great work".

Of course, that doesn't mean your CJ isn't a great work. It is. There's actually a one thing that really amazed me. It's so great to see how you share your CJ with the community, what is especially showed by all those really helpful tutorials you make. Oh, and there's another thing. I don't know if I have ever seen a tutorial which would be both informative, and made me laugh! You say you're urban planner and lawyer? Haven't you ever been also a writer? It's a real pleasure to read your posts.

I'll share something about me with you. Maybe you know, maybe not, I've been doing my CJ (Caledonia) for over 3 months now. Last days, I became a little bored with the style I present there. I thought about starting something new. So, I downloaded a new map, even made a one update, I made all the photoshopping work for the CJ (by the way, I also rather should say it's paintshoppro-ing work , than photoshopping). And then, I've come to simtropolis, and read 3RR. Now you probably think I decided to stay with my old CJ. No. This visit here, even more persuaded me to make new CJ as fast as it's possible. I've learned some things by reading 3RR. Skrew photoshopping (or paintshoppro-ing). Do I come to CJ's section on forum every day, to see some work in a graphic program or see some work in SC4? The answer is definitely SC4. My biggest inspiration for Caledonia was Anduin Valley by Darmok (real masterpiece, isn't it?). However, now, I think I might say that sources of my inspiration for Everon (that's the name) are: Anduin Valley for style of making updates, Alicante City for style of building, and Three Rivers Region for style of presenting a CJ.

OK, I've wrote much about me, but did I came here to write about me or comment your work? The answer is definitely... uh, didn't I say that sentence already? Well, you know the answer.

What can I say more about 3RR? It's an really brilliant CJ, quite different from most of works you see here. It's made by an even more amazing person who's one of the most honest persons in whole ST, and someone who just loves to share his thought with this community. Oh, and a person who I think spends his whole spare time for SC4

In your last post here you wrote that your CJ has become a nice success. Well, sure it has. It's brilliant. And lastly...

Great work.

That's all. Take care!

szarkoz

edit: I almost forgot. Sorry for my poor English, I'm still learning.

[jacqulina 162]

hi david looking forward to more of your great work my friend

[sorchin 18]

Hello David (I guess I can call you by your real name) it's been a pleasure visiting not only your cj but quite a few others as well. I learn more about the game and how to accomplish a better cityscape that way.. I would encourage all who have the time to visit and remark in journals as much as you can. It is an amazing boost to us CJ'ers when you do... On a side note... Good speach David, you really spoke from your heart buddy... Take care (everyone)...

[PhilsCafe 8]

Hi David. Once again you have revolutionized CJing. I have asked myself a couple of times who are the people behind the views? I just never had the courage to ask. That's the honesty szarkoz is refering to I guess. I haven't read a lot of such heartfelt posts as yours either.

Keep up your amazing work.

[dedgren 830]

I finally had the chance to sit down at the computer early this morning (about 2:00 a.m. AST) and was going to type out responses to the last few comments, each of which individually would have alone made my day.

But...

...when I booted up 3RR and went to the TOC page, I started getting boxes asking me if I wanted to administer my server.  I would close one and another would pop up.  After closing 30+ of the #&^!ing things, I then noticed that page 1 had no pics.

"Uh-oh, server problem," my steel-trap mind immediately concluded.  But then I checked the server computer, it seemed fine.  My laptop, however, had the same issues.  So I was truly puzzled.  The one thing I had done most recently on each was to install some new Windows updates, so I thought maybe that was the problem.  UPDATE:  It turns out, after one of the updates, a recently installed piece of hardware "stole" the server computer's address from DHCP.  I've set everything so that it all lines up again.

Now, as I have noted over the last little bit, I have been in the process of transferring older 3RR pics off of my home server onto ImageShack, which appears to provide excellent download speed and seems very dependable.  Everything I've done since page 13 has been done directly with ImageShack, so that many old pages are involved at anywhere between 20 and 70 pics or so per page.  Need I say that it's a fairly laborious and mind-numbingly repetitive job, even with the use of the excellent ImageShack toolbar, available here at this linkie

http://toolbar.imageshack.us/

which I highly recommend to any CJer who uses their hosting services.  So I've done a few pcs here and there as time was available, much in the way that I've done a little bit each day to update my now almost completely hot-linked table of contents.  I've also, by the by, begun going back and editing previous pages to note additional imformation available or open questions answered.

So suddenly transferring the pics became a big deal.  It took about two hours to do page 1 in its entirety.  This leaves most of pages 2-13 to go.  I don't believe, unless I come up with a further interim solution, that the pics on those pages will be viewable until they are transferred, hence the sign at the top of this post.  UPDATE:  The pics are now all viewable, and should be through the transfer process.  Don't worry, though.  Nothing is lost or even in the slightest of jeopardy- I've backed up 3RR's text and pics on both another computer's hard drive and on DVD, so it's not going away because a stray cosmic ray hits it, or something.

That's what's up if you are, as I assume, unable to access pics in about the first half of 3RR.  The situation should correct itself over the next week or so while I get everything uploaded to ImageShack.

I'll be responding to recent comments hopefully later today, but wanted to make sure that the word got out on this situation.

Later.

UPDATE:  (8/16/06)  As of 10:30 this evening, I 've moved the pics on page 13, leaving 2-12.  I may or may not get another one done tonight.

UPDATE 2:  (8/17/06)  As of 6:30 this morning, I have done a workaround and the pics should all be visible.  I will continue to give the highest priority to moving them, however.

UPDATE 3:  (8/19/06)  As of 11:00 this morning, I have completed page 2, and will start on page 3 later today.

UPDATES 4-163:  (8/20/06-9/10/06)  ...work, work, work...  ...grumble, grumble, grumble... 

FINAL UPDATE:  I moved the last pic of the 70 or so on page 9 today and am done.  DONE!  Man, my fingers are tired...

Sign images are from the Manual of Traffic Signs, by Richard C. Moeur.

 

[Shoreman905 1]

David, thank you so much for the informative work you do, and with humor and style. I am not much a poster, indeed ,though playing with this game on and off since it came out, I spend my time reading here to expand my knowledge base of SC4. The "game" has changed so much and is much more rewarding now. 3RR has given me so much. I have messed around with model railroading on and off as well, and found I liked the modeling but not running the darn trains, SC4 is much cheaper, and takes up far less room, but it WAS so limited. I feel as though I should post with each modder, batter and lotter (is that a word?), and thank them all. I did with Sim Goober for his great renditions of buildings in my home town, Virginia Beach. Your help in learning more realistic topography has added substantually to the joy I receive from the game. Regards, Shoreman905

[crazychickensc12 84]

Wow I have a lot to look through still but I would like to say that your transportation network is really realistic and the region looks great, can't wait to see more!!!!

[owenluby 1]

Hi there.

Great update, well done...

just a quick question...

i was reading back on page 15 and i saw a pic that conatained freeway exit ramps that joined smoothly onto a one way road...

....I need that!

If you could supply me with a link, i'd be overjoyed!

Great stuff!

[tchaos713 5]

That is part of the NAM (sorry, David, just happened along)... You can find the ramps at the bottom of the Highways menu with the NAM installed. The ramp to one-way road is rather counterintuitively located in the perpendicular ramp tool (doh).

Bummer about the image server though...

[Mulefisk 15]

Well, you convinced me to post a comment

Love the stuff you do, especially all the maps. They just give your region such a realistic and professional look.

I wish I had the skills and motivation to put together something like that.

Keep up the good work!

[richiedamien 0]

First time i write here, and i want to give a BIG congratulations!!!

I love maps, old one's, topo, every kind...google earth is like a dream!!!...and you 3RR CJ is awesome!!

Congratulations also for the making of the waterfalls and the rapids!!

I would like to ask you something about the nature elements you use for decoration! Where can i find the rock and stone elements and those bush's?? i just searched everywere using "rock" & "stone" word's...never find it!!

One day when i get internet at my house again i will present my CJ...

Keep going and congratulations once again!!

[pickled_pig 7]

I must agree with your speech - the comments have made 3RR what it is.  You seem to create an intellectual dialogue with those who visit the journal.

let me know what I could do to make 3RR whatever best maintains your interestsquote>

Honestly, 3RR is so unlike any other CJ that to see it change to maintain our interest would make the whole appeal of the journal lost.  Where a lot of other CJers will do something (i.e. making your ground highway divided - or, in your case, making a map) you will go in great detail to explain.  Plus the intellectual dialogue thing in my past paragraph - I don't know of many CJers who can do that.

I have never used the Imageshack toolbar - but then, I've never needed to, and never thought of it.  I'll have to check it out later.

[meldolion 1]

Hi dedgren, 

first of all congratulations for this great CJ!!! I've read ALL of it from page 1 till now and every time I look if you posted something new I remain astonished by the wonderful work you are doing....

You gave me back my interest in SC4

good work

Meldolion

Back to lurking mode.......

[capitol1 1]

Its been about a month sine i posted something here young alaskan but when i recently went to whitehorse i though of this cj and now im thinking of how you manage to come up with this clever map that looks kinda like a mini western canada. And i hope this cj teachs more to me..

[Rayden 7]

Well David, looks like you've succeed in bringing some people out of the darkness and made them post on your CJ. Another achievement for your CJ, and I'm sure some more will appear as well. You also managed to have people to post more than just "great work" or "WOW" (this one is mine or any other 3 word similar post. This way, the readers posts makes us feel more rewarded and willing to go forward and make it even better. Definately your CJ deserves all this and more for its quality and service to the comunity.

Cheers

Silvio

[ElBarto92 7]

Shoot, David, haven't posted here in a while. Sorry 'bout that. Great job on all your mapping, it's turned out awesome so far. Hope to see all your server problems resolved, and hope to see you keeping up the ever-excellent work. Until next time..

..Andr

[silvurphlame 0]

delurks

I absolutely love the maps you continually come out with- seeing how they realistically transition from city to suburb to pastoral country is an inspiration. I'm trying to do a similar thing in my region, and having much more luck since I've started reading this journal.

relurks