Mr. Glamazon

It was a big surprise to see I had won a Trixie! Thankyousomuch. This community, despite my being away for some time, has shown me so much support. I try to keep an eye on what you beautiful people are doing around here, and I want you to keep it up! Congratulations to SimRabbit, with whom I share our award, to JasonCW for his multiple awards and dedication to the high quality bat's we know and love (I have almost all of them!) as well as that famous advise he never hesitates to give to those new batters in need; Patriots for his multiple awards and his fabulous journal reviews; Simfox for his awesome technical achievements, advise, and application of design; and all of the others who have won but who I don't know so well. To Simfox, Odainsaker, JasonCW, and Porkissimo, these are the people I drew the most inspiration from. Their creativity has no doubt affected a lot of people on this site, myself included. The staff deserve a huge hug for their hard work on the Trixies. I've never experienced one and the presentation was gorgeous and creative. Finally, to all the winners- your hard work is apparent and has finally paid off! Keep it up, your role as innovators and trend setters will help keep the game fresh for a long time to come. The community owes you a thanks. Have a happy holiday and a great day, everyone!

JimO- I can see some of your points of view, but on some, I suppose we'll just have to agree to disagree! In response to bank cameras and their affect on crime, I'd say they cause a future felon to think twice about his actions, sometimes deterring the minor offenders- but for the more obstinate, bigger fish, any risk can be justified if the end is sweet enough. Another example we can see here at home are the public cameras on street posts. There are nearly 1 million of these around the country, and yet people still speed, people still hit and run, and people continue to act like idiots in public. Here in Denver, a CCTV camera caught a group of several teenagers violently beating a homeless man. The same crime happened several times across the city. Violent crimes, pre-meditated or not, are committed by people who are missing a little more than the average human. No amount of surveillance will ever hinder their actions. Most surely LoJack is a form of privacy infringement. Credit cards, computer cookies, etc... all of these are violations of your privacy in one way or another. One who cannot control who has their information is a person who no longer has privacy. Period. Product specialisation, price fixing, etc, are in no way good trade-off's for your right to remain faceless. Would it be the same if racial profiling were used in hotels to make sure a customer has a more comfortable stay? Is it right to limit someone to a certain box based on the statistics that they give off into a "free economy" or are we even dealing with a free economy when every product is completely specialised to a tiny niche market? That sounds like a new, and far more terrifying form of the command economy, in my opinion. Consider entering public, as in the film Minority Report, and being bombarded with direct personalised advertising. Until one arrived inside the safety of their home, there would be no personal space whatsoever. We would all be gears in a giant machine, unable to disengage and subject a continual directed advertising attack. The tradeoffs you speak of seem almost idyllic. We're not ever going to see such a valiant sacrifice as Privacy for Security, or Privacy for Lawfulness, or Privacy for Justice. We'll see Privacy for Expedience, Privacy for Profit, and Privacy for Corruption. The only thing smarter than a human is a human trying to beat the system. Crime will always be inherent in mankind; no amount of surveillance will ever change that.

Goodmorning everyone! JimO- Since 2001 the United States has felt the very real impacts of a low 3.2% growth rate (found HERE). The housing crisis and foreclosure rates are only only escalating, and by some predictions won't lessen until 2009. Excuse me for being pessimistic. Furthermore, wealth can not always be equated with the success of a nation. Consider that luxury goods are the only thing floating the economy right now (Forbes, October). In the United States, 12.3 per cent of the populace lived in poverty, that's 36.5 Million people (found HERE). Please don't jade yourself into thinking that trading privacy will result in greater statistical knowledge of the world. 30 per cent of people 18-24 could not locate the pacific ocean. (HERE) 60 per cent could not locate Iraq. (HERE)These kind of statistics are widely available. You should read them. Surveillance has shown that it makes NO AFFECT on crime whatsoever. The world has seen this in the United Kingdom, which operates 3 Million closed circuit public monitoring cameras. However, crimes will temporarily move to a different area. A short time later, the criminals return with veiled faces and more quick actions (found HERE).

The first time I read through 1984, I was so angered and inspired (funny combination), that I started educating people my generation about idiots like this guy. Half the teenagers I know who are my age don't understand the concept of privacy or why it's vital. Now, government officials are publicly endorsing public monitoring programmes. It's no surprise this has the backing of big business, considering information trading is one of the most lucrative (and quickly growing) markets in an ever stagnating economy. And of course no-one will think twice about it, because we don't suffer for speaking our minds, do we? Or will we? The future is shaped by the things we allow ourselves to lose or have chipped away. Today it's a new concept of privacy, but tomorrow, it's a new concept of speaking, or a national I.D. that tracks where you are at any given time. Privacy isn't your right to feeling comfortable with the fact that others know your private data- it's your natural born right to decide whether you want to share it.

Here's my tiny mosaic. I don't think I've ever shared in this forum before. This is the retro area of my business district. All of these buildings have that great character that comes with being old!

HEEEEEEEEEY! I've missed this forum, and so I thought, hey! Halloween just happened! (DUH) So why don't I share!? Hahahaha. Brace yourselves- it's scaaary! (even if I am a little late.) I was a glamour zombie, and my costume took FOREVER. Like, ten hours. I never ended up getting full body shots, but I took a steak knife to my skinny jeans and put holes all the way down both legs, starting at the pockets and ending at my ankles on the front side. I covered my wifebeater in blood and shreds, and then spent another two hours in hair and makeup. It was so much fun. The party was great! I've seen a few costumes, you guys look fab! Bring on the costumes! Idiotbox- you look adoarble. I really like your skirt at Monticello. Your hair colour is incredible, btw. Have a good night, everyone!

So what's really funny here is that many other programmes obtained funding that was far greater than what they requested initiallyy, which is great for them. However, this is an excerpt from here: The bill language also continues a moratorium prohibiting NASA from implementing a reduction in force and from funding any research, development or demonstration activity related exclusively to Human Exploration of Mars. NASA has too much on its plate already, and the President is welcome to include adequate funding for the Human Mars Initiative in a budget amendment or subsequent year funding requests.quote> So, this is only for this budget cycle, it seems. Also, it sounds like NASA isn't allowed to stop doing the project altogether. Finally, the House doesn't seem to have the same version of this bill and these cuts aren't expected to be in the final bill, read on: "It appears" and "could force"? Sorry Lou, that's not quite what I am hearing from NASA and elsewhere here in Washington. While the Senate did take $30 million out of Mars reserves, the House did not do this in their version of the bill and between subsequent conference action on this bill and inherent flexibility within NASA's Mars program, this is not expected to be present in the final Appropriations bill.quote> When we're talking about the sums we're talking about now, what with all the billions being spent, it really doesn't make sense that these tiny, tiny areas of funding are being singled out at all. I'm sure there's more to come. I haven't had time to search LexisNexis for the wording of the senate bill, although you guys are more than welcome to. Have a great day!

I think, depending on how the bill is worded (and it's not like we know, really), this might prove to be more of a good thing than a bad thing. As far as we know (and there are only two articles there), it could only mean government funding. Meaning, the private sector would still have total power to spend as much money on Mars as they wanted. It would really boost U.S. aerospace private sector. That said, this is pretty dismal for government funded sciences in general, especially when we're on the decline as it is. I guess it's a point of view difference. It could be positive or negative at this point, although I'd love to know the rationale behind it. Overall, it is very disappointing.

Hi SWAT-MEDIC. Make sure you put the folder in the 3DSMax root directory, although I'm not sure what good it will do, as the ReadMe said that Bat4Max wasn't available for version 7 yet. I could have downloaded an older version of the file though.

Hi guys! So, I finally figured got that script problem figured out. I had put the wrong locations in a few lines of the .ini file from BAT4MAX. And today, the first day of a three day weekend (can anyone say leisurely?), has been the only time to work with the programme at all! (sometimes real life sucks, hahaha) Anyway, after converting my current project from a Gmax file to a 3DSMax file, I discovered a couple of things that didn't exist before. Firstly, all of the colours are gone. I know the UVW maps would be gone, etc... but even when I select certain parts of the building and change their colours, it still looks like this: Am I doing something wrong? I'm pretty sure it should change colours. Secondly, if you take a look at this next picture, you'll see all kinds of extraneous little lines that I never put in there: See? You can see the outline of the elements of the building, but then there's a whole spider-web of lines in there that I never made! I'm sure it's something simple, but a little help would be gr-eat.

Link: Putin Dissolves Russian Government What does this mean? Will he be exerting his influence even though he's out of office? Or will he be like, a dictator? At any rate, here's a link. It's the top story on Google, so it must be important.

Hi! So, I'm *this* close to being able to use 3DSMax6 *does a chacha*, however, to make sure everything was in order, I opened 3DSMax, and it gave me these: What do they mean? How can I fix them? I'd love to get BAT'ing again!

I've been (unfortunately) crunched on time lately, however, I finally have 3DSMax now! So, soon there will be more progress being done. And yes, those are statues holding up the upper levels! This is such an exciting BAT for me. Have a great day, everybody.

Hi manman! I do a lot of drawing, let me tell you. I'm an artist, and I do it for profit, so I have a little bit of experience in the field! If you ever want to improve your sketches, don't ever hesitate to ask. They are always the beginning of a fabulous idea! When you draw, make smooth, long strokes. Don't worry about messing up, and don't concentrate on making it exactly perfect. Show texture with different line variations, and create interest with different viewpoints and perspectives! Your local library is a huge resource, they have anything you could ever want or need about drawing! I love the imagination you put into these. I hope you BAT them, they would really make a lot of people happy. Keep on drawing!

Hahahah, very responsible of you! The changes you've applied make a great difference. Good work!

Mr Glamazon:he he he, about numbers, hat was my pet idea for quite some time :-) btw I have even implemented it in some way in the newest version of this very building, not fro numbering of the tower themselves, but non the less, you'll see in a day or so.. Well since I was a great advocate of Glassy look, doing that "stone" building (hotel Ukraina") was sort of test for me, do I get the look of something totally different. I'll finish it. Most of the modeling is done, Now the question how do I proceede with it - what sort of material, mapping, texturing.. Also I've more or less model it to be a replica. But it is closing or already closed. the building was recently sold for wooping 250 million$ and that not he whole thing, just the tower part, and it gonna be redeveloped into some very hight star rated hotel, I mean higher than 5. So I though to take an artistic license and do something along the lines - like some swanky roof terraces and patios,, turn yard into something remarkable - not quite sure exactly what. but something that would fit the "Millionaire Fair"quote> Hahahaha, five stars aren't good enough for the world's elite any more? Or maybe just Moscow is looking to join Dubai and their seven stars? Hahahah. Jokes aside, the modelling is top work. It seems to me that even though a detail might not be seen in the game, you've modelled it anyway. Looking at the renders a second time (You know, when you comb through with an eye that dissects, not admires? LOL) I can't find anything to nitpick, which makes me sad. And even if I could, I'm sure you know the building much better than I. However, for the "artistically licensed" () version, I hope it's okay if I give a little input! This is just the type of building that would really benefit from those beautiful cloth overhangs on the lower floors of high wealth hotels. Red terraces sound luxuriant to me, maybe you can find a subtle tile that keeps with the star theme the Soviets established a long time ago. I can imagine, aside from tiles though, landscaped roof gardens, or private pools and cabanas with little chaise lounges next to them. I think that though the building really cuts a grand profile, lot-ing it correctly will project the type of feeling you want. For the inner plaza you might do a beautiful public pool area with curved walls and more cabanas and a little bar or something. When I did the City Hall I modelled the fountain out front to make sure I got the exact shape I wanted, and if you make a pool, you might want to do that. I can also envision classic potted shrubs and massed plantings in strategic areas. I am very partial to fountains, flags, and trees. If you look at the West Render there's that blank white portion at the very bottom, and I think that would be a great place for a curving driveway, beautifully landscaped and fully staffed. Also, I think I might make it look a little more shiny/new than the real life building. If it's a luxury hotel, it has to project timelessness. In New York the limestone façades of buildings are periodically scrubbed to keep them clean, so this isn't unrealistic. I might also lighten the colour scheme to include more polished white and grey marbles, various creams and yellows, gold chasing (especially on columns, finials, etc...), and then deep scarlet accents used sparingly (like overhangs for example). You could also carry the colour scheme into the landscaping, with crimson and scarlet flowers, cherry trees, white blossoms, etc... Hopefully these brainstorms help you out! They're only suggestions meant to provoke your brain!

What a quaint little building! I really like the feel it has. I think for the lot, if I had done this building, I would have put the parking lot behind the building (making it a 1x2 instead of a 2x1). I notice it a lot at the bars and pubs in my city, and other cities I go to. This way no-one has to see the cars or anything. Also, it seems a little squat to me. Rendering (as everyone around here will tell you, lol) squashes buildings a little so that they seem shorter than you made them. Keep this in mind for the next time! I really love that you paid attention to landscaping! Keep us posted!

If you want the building to have jobs, copy the file you exported from gmax and call it V2 or CO$$$ or something, then, in the plugin manager give it the business attributes you want it to have. When you create the .zip, just bundle the residential and commercial versions together and release them together. If you consider tackling something like the Woolworth Building in the future, make sure you take your time and work from tonnes of photographs. There are so many beautiful features, and it would be a shame to overlook them. I think in general, take some more time on what you're working on! If you have ideas, sketch them out first and think about what can go where (and why you might put something there). You'll find you can really get a great handle on projects this way. I would work on the lot of Creaky Condos a little more before you release it. Buildings like this almost always have heaps of rubbish and overflowing trash bins, cars in the parking lot, etc... Also, it could really use some roof junk, but you're probably pretty far beyond that stage now, since it's been exported. In the future, keep in mind things like satellite dishes, antenna's, HVAC, tubes, exhaust fans, those periscope looking things, etc... On higher wealth buildings you can put in roof gardens and swimming pools, etc... Just remember to slow it down and pay attention to detail! You'll do well.

Oooh! I guess your BAT thread needs comments! I like that you're filling gaps in the game. These BATs are really worthwhile. However, on the subject of double or even triple posting, it's better to edit your old message. Every time you post again, someone's thread gets bumped down, you know? So in general, editing is the key. I'd love to see some kind of sprawling, disgusting, toxic to the eyes and air type factory, belching so much pollution, lol. It makes me sick, which is probably why the game needs it.

Hi SR! (ooooh! Can I call you se