threestooges

John, Sorry I haven't been around lately, and I'm also sorry it couldn't have been under better circumstances. I can't believe you got hit by that. I'm glad that you still have the pictures hosted here. Though the work itself may be gone, and a true work of art it was, you've certainly made many memories for many people. Those won't disappear so easily. I'll have to go back and catch up on all the stuff I've missed recently. On a separate note, aside from the HD loss, how have you been? I don't think we've chatted since the last time you posted in my MD (wow... never thought I'd get to say that, heh heh). Been playing your guitar much these days, or what have you been doing with your non-SC4 life lately? Take as much time as you need (though hopefully not too long) and I hope to hear from you soon. -Matt (threestooges)

Younger crowd wouldn't get it? Does that mean I'm getting old? Seems you're still putting on the Ritz with this update. Missing a week isn't the end of the world, especially when we get to see the development AVR and Bywater have become known for. The path system you have running through the area. Do you plan out where it will go in advance, or is it more of a random "fit it in where it will go" approach? Great use of Spa's work around the Five Fisherman's area and the parking lots really finish it off nicely. Glad to hear you've been enjoying Greenacre too. Means a lot coming from someone like you. Let's just say I've had some good inspiration. Until next time, take it easy. -Matt

Wow, two weeks and so much to see. Your development style, winging it with an eye for detail, is really a neat thing to watch. Even more so now that I've gotten into the CJ/MD world over at SC4D. I like the gulf station, and your re-lot of it is excellent and I like the addition of the path and flora by the bus station. I like the new hospital choice too. Always fun to watch a master at work. Seems the moon is far from full here, so I think it's safe for me to stick around a little longer. Certainly until the next update. See you then.

John, It's been far too long. I hope all is well. I was browsing through 3RR at SC4D when David mentioned AVR's fourth anniversary. I couldn't very well miss that. Then I come to find out things are jumping again in Bywater. Heh, I thought we were supposed to be giving you presents and such on this occasion. You certainly haven't lost your touch, and the pictures are just as good as I remember them. You are certainly putting the flora packs and new NAM developments to good use, and your attention to detail is top notch as always. I'm glad to see you gave my bridge a shot, though I'm sorry to hear it didn't quite fit as desired. The wash around the pillars is a game effect and I would be happy to remove it for you (or if your familiar with the Reader a bit, to give you the steps, it's pretty easy) if you would like. I'm not sure if there are any darker ones to replace it with (but that's something to look into for another time) but without it, the pillar's transition into the water can look a bit flat. However, that would almost be preferable compared to how it looks in a small body of water. How have you and your family been? I hope all is well, and I'll certainly be back for the next update. Until then, take it easy. -Matt

Interesting start to this Travis. I don't get around here much anymore, but I'll try to keep updated on this. I like the effects in the pics and the story has already taken a curious turn. I'll be interested to see where you take this.

John, Glad to hear that whatever losses there were, repairs will be relatively painless. Great pics of Québec. I think I recognize that tall structure on the hill (the one above you in the third pic sticking slightly out of the top) I think I had a puzzle of it. One of those 3-D things. Never knew where it was from (the building... I got the puzzle in Reno). So with that said, Happy Birthday Québec! Here's to 400 more. Good to hear from you, and you don't have to lose weight, though if you want, just take that ride a little further. Just getting out there is a great way to clear the head. Right now I live around Costa Mesa, and will occasionally bike to the Huntington Beach pier (something around 20mi (32km) round trip). But I digress (as usual). Take it easy, and I'll talk to you later. -Matt

I am glad to see it appears that the recent issues have not harmed AVR (as far as I can tell). Hopefully it will stay that way for years to come. I would like to thank the admins around here for what must have been a herculean task in getting everything back to normal. I don't think I've stopped by for a while, but since it seems that 3RR might be taking a bit of time to get going, I wanted to swing by here and see how you've been. Hope all is well, and I hope to see you around more when 3RR kicks off (looks like it will be soon though). -Matt

Must've taken a while to run through all those posts, but it is very interesting to see. I like the pic you chose for the background. Very fitting for the final official post.

John, That is one impressive pic. My computer can't quite handle the full quality version as I would hope, but the 50% one is still stunning. I would have been around sooner, but law school is picking up just in time for finals. Hope all is well for you. It's strange to tink that christmas is just around the corner already (though Thanksgiving is still on its way too). Seems like I just started school again, and it's already winding up. Hope work and the Christmas season don't keep you from enjoying the season as it should be enjoyed. Since it is Trixie season once again as well, I hope you pick up a few this time around as you did last year (though that shouldn't be too hard given how much you have put into this). If I don;t see you around here too often, I'll certainly keep an eye out for you over at SC4D for the 3RR thing; and once again thanks for sharing AVR with us. -Matt

You always showcase your cities so well in your updates. Your use of custom content (and the way you have put it together) is really, skillfully done. I particularly like the last few pics with the cattle loading ramp. I remember seeing it in AVR... that was a nice gift. Good luck to you too in the pic competition too. I'm not sure what my chances are with another marina pic, I think I would probably vote for yours being different and all. I can't find anything of fault in these pics (which doesn't surprise me you have such an attention to detail) but I think I noticed a missing texture in the rail station in your competition pic. Again, another great update. I'll be looking forward to the next as always.

I don't think there are words to describe it (literally, my interent shutdown on me as I was writing my original message), but I was wondering, how does it feel? It's been a great ride to come along on. The dedication you've shown is nothing short of extraordinary. Great work on the main street area. The SAM adds a great feel to it, and you've become a master of the LE. Those alleyway connectors look great, but even beyond that, the parking lot and baseball field (bleachers). It fits in so well, and the details are great touches: specifically the bike rack. It fits in so well there and seems to be something so obvious that it would be easy to overlook. The mosaic is probably one of the best I've seen recently. There seems to be so much life to it: the baseball game going on while workers pick from the fields just below, so much detail that really shows how far the game has come, and I don't think it would've made it there without something like this. There are some great BATs out there and their makers are truly talented, but it takes a great application of a BAT to really make it shine. This cj has been that place and that last mosaic really shows it. But even beyond that, it is amazing how you have brought people into it, whether it be in the form of passports of citizenship or dedicating a building/sector to them. Pics 16 and 17 seem so appropriate, and a fitting end for the journey. I hope it was as enjoyable for you as it has been for us. I remember first stumbling across this what seems like years ago... though you've already thanked us, I would like to thank you. Hope the painting goes well and the guitar plays well.

First of all, great update. I especially like the mosaic at the end. The guardrails are a great touch. I know what you mean about the farm situation, it's tough to get the one you really want (and then customizing it for just the right effect, only to get the no road connection, or just to mess something up only to have to start all over again. You must be one patient person. I just finished my contracts midterm today, and it was great to be able to pop in here and see what's new. I'd like to give a more detailed comment (and will, when I get the chance to get back around here), but for now let e just say, the details are incredible, and the overall effect is really impressive (there's a picture contest over at SC4D... I'm sure if you entered it you would win hands down). Take it easy. -Matt

Well thank you very much for the pub (and the pub). I'm surprised they'd be allowed to open that there... let's just say they don't have the best entrepreneurial track record. I've never really though to spread out res zones like that, but it really does give a secluded look (then again, I've been reading this for a while now, you'd think I would've picked it up sooner... but I digress, as usual). It looks like an interesting place around Halloween. With all those trees, it must get quite dark at night. I know what you mean about rreorganizing the plugins folder... with 3RR coming up, it will almost be a necessity (I just hope my computer will handle the plugins/map 1-2 punch). Hope the stress doesn't last too long (you've put together a nice res sector, so your mind seems to be in good working order). One thing I just notcied though... in the masthead of the update: Anôrien: forty-eight... I'm curious to know what the forty-eight stands for. Hope you are well and that your family is too. Have a good week my friend.

Those curves will really help with the rural look as the roads just meander along the countryside. It'll be interesting to see the new sector when it's rebuilt, but before that happens, I was wondeirng if you could tell me what that small blue building is on the right side of the 3rd pic? As far as us being patient, I think instead we shoul dbe thanking you for having the patience to take this region through what it has. Something you might want to look into that's in the works over at SC4D, is the street side mod (or was it street addon...) but either way, it allows you to use multiple styles of streets without the indavertent switching between them at the game's will. It's located here and is in beta testing now. Good to hear you are still alive (for now) heh heh, and hope you will be for many years to come. Look forward to reading you next week. Until then, take it easy. -Nik-nik: There is a similar expression in english (though, unfortunately, it's not used much).

Very nice region view and, coming frpm one who grew up (for a bit) and went to college in the area, very accurate too. Out of curiousity, did you also try to include such things as schools, etc? If so, would you mind showing the area between LAX and Marina del Rey? The harbor looks pretty good, and I wanted to see if my school (Loyola Marymount) was in there. Great job, and keep up the good work.

Sorry I haven't been here much (law school does appear to take a bit of time heh heh) but it's always good to see what's new when I do make it around. The transfer facility looks good, and the "general" store, well, all I can say is that it seems to beat Walmart. I think though, the best thing of the update is the stream. I remember how well you used to use PEG's water tiles, but you've taken to the pw like a fish (pardon the pun). There is a sense of realism that you are able to achieve to make it look full, and lush, but not cluttered. Regarding rl, that looks like a very relaxing spot to spend some time (hope the fishing was good (but hey, if not I hope it was at least relaxing). Looking forward to what comes next.

Glad to hear you are taking some time to recharge. How hot is it in your neck of the woods? We're sitting close to 90F (32C) in Southern CA, but it seems like it is warm everywhere. At least the excellently detailed water near the transfer center looks cool (If not a bit swampy). The transfer center looks great when doubled up like that. The only thing I'm curious about is the track switch just down the line from the center (as seen in the bottom of 04). It seems to be a duplicate of the switch closer to the yard. There's no real problem with duplication like that, but it seems that a train on the lower track cannot continue on a straight course and is force to head down (south?). All in all though, it looks very well done, including the sheds across the road from the station. It ties it all together. Hope you are well.

First of all, welcome to the site. If I recall correctly, there is an elevated, heavy rail option included with the NAM (Network Addon Mod) which originally included only straight pieces, but I think the most recent version has mor options. I'm not sure about stations yet, but if the new NAM has expanded the el-heavey rail options then I would bet there would be some stations on the way soon. I know it's out there, but I don't know how developed it presently is (that would be a question for someone who really knows for certain).

Just a quick question regarding the header (it is a great touch by the way): how do you make animations like that? I'm glad to hear you went for the warranty for Nancy's son (though I don't believe I've heard about her yet) I think I've replaced most of the parts on mine by now. I'm sure he's likely listening to music on it (but then I use mine for SC4 all the time) you don't need too much RAM for MSWord so it's good not to let it go to waste (he he). I've started on a lift bridge (and just need to figure out how to get it set for the game...with jeronij's help of course) and posted a preview of it at SC4D in the bridge engineering thread (if you have any suggestions for it) and a Howe truss (for railroads). I do want to make the bridges that go unnoticed, but the trouble is (ironically) I never notice them, but it seems the more I do, the more of them I see. Politicians and pies... seems like I've seen that somewhere before... but, if they were willing, it could be a pretty good fundraiser. As for your plop delay, I have something similar sometimes. If your situations is similar you may just be able to click many times across the tiles you want plopped and the processor/viedo will catch up later. Well, for starting with the phrase "Just a quick question..." that went surprisingly long, but as a last note, the road trip was amazing (even if weather kept/dissuaded us from going to Yellowstone... we went to Yosemite instead). 2800 miles later I can say that it was a great time. Anyway, on to the update. That railyard is one of my personal favorites. Especially for a smaller areas (looks great in an old port setting too). I've never thought of the medium parks as picnic sites, but used like that, I'm surprised I haven't used them more myself. The streetside mod give the area a nice feel too. Too me, it looks like there weren't enough spots in that park's parking lots so people parked on the hill to the pumps. Intended or not, that is a nice effect. The Costco distribution center fits well there, off the trains and onto trucks, but what is the rather large building next to the railyard with the smokestack (in real life and what it represents in AVR)? Running real-time hasn't seemed to slow you down much at all and that is some nice progress for just an hour a day of play. Take it easy, and good luck car-hunting.

Well, as far as the playing goes with 256, patience isn't really a problem. I have to keep it to medium tiles at most (and those slow down with decent sized city on them too), so I find myself sticking to mostly rural towns/areas (it helps too that I like to do those areas). The dat packer really helped, but since I play on a laptop I just plop down in front of the tv and find something good on. I am a bit curious to see what RAM goes for these days though. Interesting (maybe) sidenote (as if I don't go on enough of those he he) I called tech support b/c my fan was overheating the whole comp (or rather wasn't cooling it properly, but you get the idea) and, while running some tests, they found an issue with my HD. Naturally, knowing the nature of computers, and having heard the stories around here, I have absolutely nothing backed up (aside from a 128mb usb drive) but thanks to a fine warranty, I am pretty much getting new parts for most of the computer (other issues are being taken care of too; but what can I say? I was busy during school). But enough of that. On to the update. The attention to detail you have shown on the hill under the bridge really shows why this cj has lasted so long (that and the fact you seem to really enjoy what you are doing). The environmentalists will be after you for your "little" bit of deforesting, but I'm looking forward to see what you'll be doing with the area (we'll see if we can get some pies sent to those environmentalists for you, care of the comedy school of course he he). I think that, though the update was short, it had enough substance to hold us for another week, and is such that we'll be waiting to see what the water pumping areas looks like. One last thing, I have taken an interest in bridges (for SC4) since I finished my western US roadtrip so I'm working on a few for the game. If you have any realism suggestions, or suggestions/requests overall, please let me know. I can use what help I can get. Take it easy, and good luck with the next installment.

Well that condo certainly dropped hotel prices by a bit (goodbye river views) but the rest of the area should more than make up for it. I like the little "Live from AVR" thing in the top right of the pics. It's little touches like that that really make this cj something special. Thank goodness too for the LE/SC4Tool combination. I think, in order for a cj to become truly great, it needs those small little touches (and someone at the controls who is stubborn as a mule, as the saying goes). I am curious to know, how much RAM do you currently use? I know your plugins folder is likely much larger but I'm just curious as to the difference between your system and my 256MB.

It's amazing how far it's come in such a (relatively) short time. I agree with Shadow Assassin's suggestion regarding the trees, but even just popping in and out of the undeveloped tiles to change the terrain texture would improve the overall region look. Glad to hear that you are progressing (despite having lag). I'm actually getting going again myself, what with the new nam and rhw now working together. Can't wait to see what's coming up next.

The res sector turned out pretty good, but, if I may ask, how were you able to get that nice post with the banners in pic 09 (bottom center by the tree)? I like the way the sector is set up as well, the back-to-back parking lots gives a nice effect. The chapel is nice and seems to have quite a following (nice use of the ped mall tiles). People may not be able to park for their haircut, but then again, they can't exactly park to go to church either. It seems like a nice business decision. They walk to church then walk to get a trim (or vice-versa depending on how they look before services). Considering the surrounding environment, it's not a bad place to have to walk. In regard to the night mosaic (wow) it seems all the blame that has been placed on certain individuals has resulted in some very nice yields (though there does seem to be a paving problem just next to Bed Bath & Beyond...must be a carwash nearby trying to drum up some new business from people not paying attention to road conditions). Your plop water seems to improve each time I see it. It has a nice density without being overwhelming (I guess that makes it "whelming"... whatever that means). All things considered, Anôrien would be a great place to live (or if nothing else, have a 2nd house/vacation in). I'm sorry to hear about the axe incident. I have a few times where a bad hit has caused the shaft to vibrate (and consequently my hands, my arms, etc) but I have never had the handle shatter before. I hope that hasn't put you out of comission. It sounds like you are too busy to be slowed down by an axe handle. I'll be waiting for the next update, though I will also be leaving shortly thereafter for a road trip with some friends from school, so I hope that the live version of AVR proceeds well. See you next week.

First, let me say that the marinade does sound amazing (especially combined with the pork). Sorry to hear about the apple incident though. I hope she has a speedy recovery. I shoudl probably mention (due to the nature of part fo this update) that the comedy school has just recently had its commencement ceremonies. Also, if that weren't enough, they have conferred on their dean a BS degree which means one of two things: Bachelor of Science or... well let's not go there. I've been quite busy with finals and other such school requirements lately so I have been lurking mroe than anything/ (Incidentally I did actually graduate on the 5th... with a BS in Economics...look out law school here I come). The terraforming college is an excellently sculpted building (if you'll pardon the pun) for its purpose. Have you been studying there? IT seems that every time I see some pw by you, it gets better and better (case in point: pic 2). The vegetation on the sides looks so dense, and so natural. Pim's cineplex is definately a structure unto itself and your touch-ups to its lot have really improved it (of course fixing a driveway down a grassy hill is certainly an improvement which should be taken). As for the other commerce in the area, it seems a tad bland (especially when shown next to the cineplex...but that could just be an old v. new thing). Even though AVR is drawing to a close, its been a pleasure to go along for the ride, and I will enjoy watching it proceed to the end. Have a good week.

Well I see someone alreayd beat me to the sc4D mod tip, but oh well. First thing I ahve to say is regarding pic 3: been there, done that far too many times (though I did manage to cover an entire medium map (I should've taken pictures... it became so deep). I like the 'S' bend you put in the creek as it goes into the deep(ish) valley before the mill. It's a very natural touch that give the perception of it being a very hard.impermeable rock (which it does look like) One thing I would like to mention regarding the waterfall (pic 11), is that it seems like what was once a fair sized creek has slowed to a trickle. If those are dedgren's waterfalls I recommend moving up 1 size as it seems to give the effect of greater water pressure (causing the water to spray in all directions). Also, it seems like the plant life around the falls begins to choke the creek (but then again, it doesn't look ad at all). Lastly (I don't mean to nit pick, but as long as I'm at it...heh heh) I noticed that the avenue intersects the rails with just an ordinary crossing (which seems to the be same avenue and railroad that have been going over and under each other elsewhere. I was wondering if that was by design? Either way, the towers look good, and the paths behind them would make for a nice walk (and that tunnel under the tracks make me expect there will be much more to come around there. Hope the snow clears up for you soon (or at least is easy to get off the walks etc) and that you enjoy your weekend as well as Easter.