rp2005

For the upper storeys, couldn't you build some furnished interior boxes and light them with omni lights?

For reasons that I won't go into (so don't ask!) I have resigned from BSC. This is my new BAT thread and here are my current projects: Electricity substations (as seen in the old thread): Barratt semi (as seen in the old thread): ... and my current major project, the Midland Hotel:

Thanks Barby - I've PM'd you. tag_one - I'm reasonable at lotting, but things have moved on and much of the newer stuff from the dedicated lot-makers is starting to look far more real than I can make it. I would be better concentrating on my strength, which is the buildings, rather than trying to do everything and the lot be compromised.

Barby - So I'm not the only one to know about link-detached houses then Ill Tonkso - Yes I use 3ds Max. BAT for Max makes it pretty easy to render stuff, but it's a little quirky as you have to render the LOD in normal gmax BAT to get the model file. BAT for MAX then renders the images into the model file. Night windows are something I've never got working in 3ds Max, but as I tend to use omni and target direct lights that's not an issue. One thing you will find is that it's slightly odd doing lighting as you don't have a proper night preview in 3ds MAX, so you end up working on a daytime model with the lights on. You don't get to see the proper night view until you are rendering it to the model file. Hope that helps - if you want more details on the way I render from Max just drop me a PM. OK enough of the waffle - here's the in-game preview of the link-detached houses. I've still to add gutters and some interior details; then I've got the lots to design. 2x2 and 2x3 are most likely. On a slightly different note - Despite the nice comment from T Wrecks on my last release I don't feel that my lot-making skills are good enough for the higher standards that are expected on current releases. I would therefore like to ask if a there is lot-maker who would like to take on building lots for my models. I am not interested in team membership - I am just looking for a collaborator.

...double post...

norbutt2001 - Like many such buildings there's a few things the tower could be. In reality it's an office building with retail in the base, as someone said it would also make a good hotel - you've added another good suggestion. Whether people would want three variations on the same building I guess we'll see once I get the office version finished and released. wallasey - What can I say? The Bradford buildings I've done so far are some of my favourite models and you are absolutely right that Bradford offers some great buildings (your photos included St George's Hall, but did you see the Town Hall too?). If I keep making stuff I'll definitely get back to Bradford (Leeds too, hopefully). As far as the link-detached house goes, you find them all over the country, they tend to have been built in the mid 60s to late 70s. Mine was on Canvey Island in Essex - I'm a Yorkshireman by choice, rather than birth .

sloppet - Glad you like the link-detached houses. They are based on one of the houses I lived in when I was a kid. JayStimson - You're right about the tower having potential, but I need to get my BATting skills back up to speed before I try to finish it.

Barbyw, tag_one: As you will have noticed the bungalow is now on the STEX (complete with nightlights!). Hope you like it. Next up is a pair of link-detached houses - so called because the houses are detached, but they are joined at the garage. Detailing and lighting still to do.

T Wrecks - Thanks OK, something simple to ease my way back into BATting - mainly detailing left to do.

As a content contributor, the worst thing about the change from ST4 to ST5 has been the loss of the STEX overview page, which was always the best way to follow what was happening on the STEX. Following comments on your work is virtually impossible now, unless you've got a seriously small collection of uploads. I really hope the overview page is due to make a reappearance...