SC4 Devotion Forum Archives

Hi, some of you might know me from Simtropolis and some of you might know me from lurking around this place. For those of you who don't, I am Vlasky and for past few years I've been a part of NYBT and ABBT and have been doing some independent BATs as well.
Recently I have been busier than ever, and if you want to get to know my work you can check Manhattanville Project thread, Vlasky's Hell's Kitchen and/or Vlasky's BATs from D to A. For BATs I've been working on you can check ABBT output on STEX http://community.simtropolis.com/index.php?app=core&module=search&do=user_activity&search_app=downloads&mid=467876 (http://community.simtropolis.com/index.php?app=core&module=search&do=user_activity&search_app=downloads&mid=467876) or some of my old and one newer BAT here http://community.simtropolis.com/index.php?app=core&module=search&do=user_activity&search_app=downloads&mid=237489 (http://community.simtropolis.com/index.php?app=core&module=search&do=user_activity&search_app=downloads&mid=237489) .
Here I'll will show you what is currently in progress and what I'm working on.
First is Midtown Theater that is almost finished and will be released for NYBT:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg842.imageshack.us%2Fimg842%2F258%2Frd1a.png&hash=2509e4f30b45cbf173aae36aa9da765a9c269569)(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg823.imageshack.us%2Fimg823%2F6784%2Frn1e.png&hash=2304be59c94fcdbaf30d591727507e22ef3953a9)

Next one is appreciation BAT for my good friend SimHoTToDDy, that is exported in both diagonal and orthogonal version and is currently being modded by anotn my best friend around:

Diagonal:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg267.imageshack.us%2Fimg267%2F1617%2Fdr3b.png&hash=109d6a3689546fb393b5c1c2a854f8391fc2076a) (https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg831.imageshack.us%2Fimg831%2F9639%2Fdrn1.png&hash=c4950dd98309974a3f0fd488babfc85c54905475)

and orthogonal:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg845.imageshack.us%2Fimg845%2F6528%2Fr3a.png&hash=08e6d7ba493b788468f394d7210a6d1b0ffcd6c5)(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg132.imageshack.us%2Fimg132%2F6983%2Frn2.png&hash=118ac27cd48f8a26f8b8822619befd497b3ffa27)

More to come soon :)

Oh, glad to see you here, Vlasky! i don't know if you know me or not, but my username at Simtropolis is pineapple132, just to let you know. ;)

The two BATs both look great, especially the packaging plant for me. :)

Glad to see that you have started here too! :)

I'm glad you decided to start a thread here because I didn't know your work at all. I'll need to rummage among your files some day. That packaging plant looks gorgeous!


Cheers
Willy

Nice seing your thread here at SC4D too!

Those are some beautiful bats  &apls  I'm a big fan of your work and am very happy to see it here on SC4D! Keep it up  :thumbsup:

I have to agree with the others....great work and good to have you here! 
Maybe you'll upload your work to our LEX.

Robin

sunv123 I do know you! Thank you for all the support here and over at St :)
Swordmaster Thank you! Most of the things I've been doing recently are a part of Manhattanville Project (industrial w2w recreations from NYC) and it is uploaded by a sub-team account ABBT on StEX. When you decide to look all that up, let me know, I'll help out :)
MTT9 Thanks :)
noahclem Thank you very very much :)
rooker1 Thank you Robin. About LEX, sure, we're in talks right now ;)

Well, Todd's packaging Plant is being modded and lotted and soon will available for downloading
So some of my friends over at St pointed out some things about Midtown Theater and I've been working on those. They are concerning night views of the canopy and Here are some of my tries to fix that:

This is with omnies placed around the canopy. Strong reflection on chrome bars tho:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg521.imageshack.us%2Fimg521%2F8643%2Fmonies.png&hash=56ff19fdf13f01601a1bb9018eb427646d5c7bf4)

Here I've lit up the ground plane as I figured sidewalk textures are a bit orangy when lit up by night (in game), so I've tried to fit that in:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg715.imageshack.us%2Fimg715%2F8362%2Fgroundplaelit.png&hash=94d7f708f09221e6daeacd90c77ec0c65ec28cc9)

And this is with only letters of announcing shows lit up:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg341.imageshack.us%2Fimg341%2F9843%2Fmorelightnr.png&hash=37a1b6b55d09f11c5679b0d2cff310cf81227b8a)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg443.imageshack.us%2Fimg443%2F5870%2Fsidegj.png&hash=30c98ad701ce04dfeb2fee88a4d18ea7ef1ce504)

What do you guys think? Which one you like best and what direction should I take?

I like the one with the letters of announcing the most. However I must confess to being more of a connoisseur and less of an expert with regard to high quality nightlighting  ;)

I do remember I have seen your name before, but (shame on me) I do not remember from what or where.
But I am sure I won't forget again, because these two projects look great.

Greets,
Frank

Glad to see you have a thread here, my thread was the only one active in this forum. :)

noahclem over at St the people have unanimously said they prefer that option as well so that's the one that will make the cut apparently :)
FrankU Thank you. I know you too from lurking around forums. Both of those are in final stages :)
Aaron Graham yeah Aaronium, hopefully we'll get the things moving here as well ;)

Well both of those projects are in final stages, let's hope for soon release. In the mean time we move on dear gents. This is the deal, I wanted to make a building for someone who shall remain nameless but very special to me. SO this person, that is very fond of me, appreciate an architectural movement from the early 20th century in our lovely dear grandmother Europe. And with me being a bum from New York, I had no option but to mix architectural tendencies noticeable on many Belgrade building's from the late 20s and 30s with my New York aspirations, and we got this little baby here:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg443.imageshack.us%2Fimg443%2F3018%2Fseg03.png&hash=eaf4d047d66bef3b60927161e33c1233167dc2ae)

Still some modeling needs to be done, and materials on the retail floors are just there so you can see what is there, not by any means near final. So what say you populus Devotianus? Yey or Ney?
p.s. I wanted to post the picture here as well, so forgive me, I am tired and have just copied the text from ST here as well. Hope you don't mind :)

Very nice start on the new project  &apls  It's a bit hard to say at this early stage, but my impression is a bit more of New York than Belgrade. That said, it does seem a bit of a departure from your other work and I'm very curious to see how it turns out  :thumbsup:

noahclem thank you for your support. It looks like you're the only one here :) lol but I keep my work on, I added the penthouse, now it should have even more of that NYC appearance :0

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg534.imageshack.us%2Fimg534%2F1977%2F35552024.png&hash=fa02e0c0245c25c03cdf603bc5c153e2361ad7c5)(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg51.imageshack.us%2Fimg51%2F6263%2F34893130.png&hash=db16b77585d3ee318cfcc951a4a6fd7c0b6cc980)

The top of the building is looking good. :)

Oh! Didn't expect that to be there, but it looks nice! :thumbsup:

I love the euromerican style in that building. Great.

Looking great so far! :)

No penthouses in Belgrade?  :D   I do think you've done a nice job with it. While the NYC style is certainly visible I don't think it's overwhelming the Eastern European style by any means. I certainly see some resemblance to some of the nicer SimCity Polska bats with this one.

PS, me being me, I'll have to leave my standard request that you export this guy in HD. Feel free to ignore it though  ;)

Good start on this one, amazing textures are expected :)

Okay, looks great. How about some windows/doors on the sides so it could also fit on a corner?


Cheers
Willy

Aaron Thank you. Can a person ask for a better friend than you? :)
sunv123 That's me lol. Full of surprises :)
noahclem There are penthouses in Belgrade, just not like this :) There isn't much of a difference between architecture of Easter Europe with the rest of Eu in pre-war architecture. After all, this became socialist country only after WW2. As for HD renderings, I can post you some beauty shots, but we had a discussion about that over at St regarding Midtown theater, and some folks managed to persuade me to avoid HD renders.
Girafe Thanks, hopefully I'll be able to achieve that :)
Swordmaster Willy, I do not plan to add doors on the sides of this one. It is conceived as w2w on both sides, but I will do some corner w2ws later on :)

Now here are the first textures, a lot of work left to be done and a lot of tweaking, but this is generally the direction that I will be taking.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg29.imageshack.us%2Fimg29%2F9542%2Fallzhn.png&hash=335db6719767aa30532de1aeda36ad8f26e40704)

Thank you, I love the model and the textures are looking great, I can't wait to see how the glass texture will turn out.

Okay, could you then add some graffiti, dirt, or any other texture variation on the ground level just in case it grows next to an empty lot?


Cheers
Willy

Looks great! Can't wait to see what happens with the first floors textures :)

I am very excited about your thread here. The NYBT buildings are essential to my city and the 3rd Manhattanville pack is already one of my personal highlights this year. I am looking forward to the packaging plant. I just love this kind of buildings and there is never enough variety.  ;)

Aaron Graham: Thank you AA :P :*
Swordmaster: I promise to do something about it. :)
MTT9: shopping windows should happen down there. :)
RickD: Thank you. And in the meantime, somethings did happen, so here it goes:

As you might have seen, Todd's Packaging Plant is available both on the STEX and LEX.
NYBT Midtown Theater is available on the STEX, but as my godfather on sc4d jmyers2043 had been unavailable for the RL reasons, NYBT Midtown Theater never got to the LEX. I did however submit a candidacy for it, so I'm waiting to be contacted about it. In the meantime you can get it on the STEX:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.simtropolis.com%2Frepository%2Fscreens%2Fmonthly_03_2013%2Fthumb-45e411b8f8aeca76df5a05a8d28410e2-mid.jpg&hash=fa447e3aa5530b76ad43ca4d95448374387d57c1)
http://community.simtropolis.com/files/file/28583-nybt-midtown-theater/ (http://community.simtropolis.com/files/file/28583-nybt-midtown-theater/)

The building I showed before is on hold, because I can't do what I want with it, so it will be a bit while till I get to it. But I have started to work on the Daily News Building from NYC.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FYHoUIuL.png&hash=61704a9da59ff5955723b63c68ba48416ab70ae5) (https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FwFcNHml.png&hash=f0dc46b6eca6c8338ca620ec311527c611f32eec)

And here's a bit of detail that, will not be seen in the game due to the sc4 rendering limitations and level of detail game allows :)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FSTcyhtc.png&hash=6053f85af024f70ed58ce0c2c36aee1fecf32c82)

Sorry to not be so quick to respond here and update you a bit more regularly, but my head's been all over thousand of places :P

Looks promising! And a little bigger. You better render it 1024x1024 though so we can see the painstaking entrance detail you've done  $%Grinno$%

Don't worry about activity, everything here is long term :P

Love it!


Cheers
Willy

I can wait for a good BAT and this one looks very promising.  :)

Thanks folks. Everything you've seen here and in the NYBT OSITM Thread will be finished as soon as possible. But for now, after a month of haitus (because of my academic obligations) I am trying to get back to batting with a very simple and almost complete project :)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fb45aY2B.png&hash=6c0d34959ec2110378431a6af7971111357b776d)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F5uIPqPX.png&hash=8ff8a908a45b4a26f3a92bb6f015e694bdfca9ef)

Hmmm, interesting. But can't judge it fully with that plastic roof :P


Cheers
Willy

Lovely work on both buildings buddy. :D

The new brick building looks great! Only thing that strikes me as odd are the 1st floor corners, where you have garage doors right at the corner on both faces - seems like on at least one face the first door should be farther from the edge. Overall excellent building though!

Very nice BAT and congrats on your new home.....NYBT Place.

Robin

Guys I will reply and explain everything previous but first urgent matter. I'm going to qoute my post from Simtropolis:

Hi everybody. Real life threw some things on me just when I was about to make my comeback. However, I am forced to make this post and statement, due to recent findings.

I know most of us just skip to pictures without reading first but please, I'd like to ask you to read the statement that I'm about to make, because it is of great importance to me.

Back in March 2011, I was working on Manhattanville Project with SimHoTToDDy and Francis90b. While researching historic images of the area I have spotted some very interesting lamp posts from that time in New York. I've researched more and got pretty into them so I made whole bunch of them, hoping some day I will find a way to replace standard lamp posts in game with the ones I've made. I showed them to Todd, Francesco and Amthaak when I made them, but pretty much they sat on my hard drive all this time. I am about to show them to you:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg835%2F5967%2F35773899.png&hash=a15421a55bb94c0a3fc85e26bf9dd29bf02c6994)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg861%2F8379%2Ftypef.png&hash=288ffab308220ba7b551cfb3b8b0f8fc8c253ab9)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg88%2F5624%2Ftype3twin.png&hash=6ff578ab57638825daffd2d214f2c6ca98af3f7e)


Those were 3 basic models that were supposed to correspond with wealth types of lamp posts in game. Other setups were contemplated as well:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fa%2Fimg850%2F773%2Ftwintype24.png&hash=04f498a59ad00763081c941a1885f2531742f198)

At this point I will say it again, all of these models were based on the historic lamp posts from New York.

Since I didn't have the skill (and I still don't) to transfer them into game they just kept laying around. That is until there came Light Replacement Mod. About a year or more ago, I asked LRM creator, mandelsoft [Maarten] if there is a way to get these into the game and showed him the images of the models. I also offered to finish up the models and give them to him so that he can use them in LRM (with crediting me). He has told me that he is not interested in my lamp posts and that he can help me to learn how to create my my own mod and get them into the game.

Today, I have found out, by looking at the image Bipin has posted, a certain model of a lamp post:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg849.imageshack.us%2Fimg849%2F7350%2F46my.jpg&hash=d88b8a280c14495fd7b91846e642f4660cc13449)

Than I have found out that this lamp post is a part of LRM created by mandelsoft! I confronted him in the chat and he told me that it was faster to make them by himself and that he has changed his mind about the lamp posts.

This is certainly the first time I am in this situation, and I felt like I had to say something about it. This is unfair and unjust stealing of my idea. I am not writing this seeking credits, as models used in LRM are not mine but his, but with circumstances I do believe that this is stealing of intellectual property, and by that I do not mean the lamp posts, but the idea of these particular types of lampposts being used for this particular purpose.
And I do find it disrespectful that I have offered my, original models, to him just to be said that they're not suitable for this case, only for them to be recreated and used in that very case.

I am not seeking any credits now, but I do need this clarification to be out there.

Someone might think that we tend to have multiple models of the same objects so why is this such a big deal? It is because this is not the kind of thing where everybody do their Sears Tower version. It's widely known building. These particular types of lamp posts and the idea to bring them into the game wouldn't be around hadn't I made them for the game and showed them to him. So there were models, almost ready for the game, offered to the mod creator to use them, he declined by saying those types of lamp posts are no good for the game, only to go back on that, and without notifying me, to recreate them and use them.

That is hypocrisy, and direct deception. Stealing if you will.

This is very wierd coming from Maarten, but those lamps certainly look like yours. Hopefully he can explain this himself and, if he made up his mind about it, use your models instead (which look awesome).

Well, I explained to Vlasky over at the SimTropolis chat that at the time he asked this, I wasn't revising the LRM yet. So in the intermediate time between that conversation and the creation of the actual LRM, I decided to pick that style of lamppost anyway. I created the lamp posts again from scratch, as you can see that these lamps have a bit less detail than Vlasky's ones (I mean, my models are missing those fancy curly ornaments). Also, my lamp posts are black instead of green, so in that way you can see they are really different models.

There are also the following reasons for it why I used my own models:

- At the time I created the lampposts (in April 2013) themselves, Vlasky was hardly on the chat. If he was there, I could've asked him.
- LRM models ask a bit more than just simple BATting. I need to know where the lamp is (for the flare), I need the model to be in a certain rotation and I need very specific TGI IDs, which is the most restrictive aspect of the LRM.

The LRM v5 USA Set has been out for exactly five months now (since April 14). Why this complaint has risen right now, is a bit oblivious to me.

Stealing someone's idea is quite an acquisition to me, but ithe line between stealing an idea and just take inspiration from it. One can always wander around on Streetview looking for streetlights. Does that mean that I'm stealing someone's idea? Did I stole the idea for the Highway Re-Styling mod from a development thread I saw years ago which turned out to be a hoax in the end? Did I steal some Google Earth models just because I used them as a reference model to make my more advanced building models? Did I "steal" the LRM-idea from that same person who came up with that hoax, while she never came to a release at all? Did I steal the idea of making an asphalt MHW mod? Did I steal the idea for making Euro Textures? Did I steal the idea of making signage for SimCity 4? Did I hijack Project Symphony? And if so, is that really that bad? Think about that...

Anyway, that's my point of view, and I think this clarifies the case a bit ;)

Best,
Maarten

QuoteThis is unfair and unjust stealing of my idea. I am not writing this seeking credits, as models used in LRM are not mine but his, but with circumstances I do believe that this is stealing of intellectual property, and by that I do not mean the lamp posts, but the idea of these particular types of lampposts being used for this particular purpose.

While I understand you felt bypassed when you saw the light poles which bare a strong resemblance to yours, it's somethings else to wager theft of intellectual property. If only for the fact that the actual intellectual property (i.e. the design) isn't yours. You made a virtual copy of it, which is not to take away from you batting skills in anyway.

As for 'the idea of these particular types of lampposts being used for this particular purpose'. Sorry to say but I'm hard pressed to call this 'your' idea. Rather it's a variation in execution. The idea itself, to bring light poles in game has been around for some time. Heck, it's a game feature of which Maxis holds the intellectual property rights. The particular models you recreated are just a variation on a theme (which again is not to degrade them in anyway. There're very pretty).

That said, Maarten, despite the legitimate reasons for creating your own models rather than use Vlasky's, it still would've been nice if you had contacted him beforehand. Not being on the chat is a poor excuse as you could've easily send Vlasky a PM to ask if it was okay. It's unfortunate Vlasky had to learn you did use his models as inspiration after the fact. On the other hand, Vlasky, it means your models were so good it made Maarten change his mind.

Now kiss and make good you two.  :D

Those are some lovely lamp post models  :thumbsup:  It's unfortunate that things turned out this way but I'm quite confident it is only a misunderstanding. While he perhaps could have handled things a bit better Maarten is a very good guy and certainly wouldn't attempt to steal and take credit for your idea. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and it appears you've been flattered here  ;D

That all being said, I do hope your lamp posts make it into the game--they're really top-notch models.

On previous topic,

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.muumuse.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F04%2Ftumblr_lxthd6e4vl1r14zyro1_400.gif&hash=68e71b70fb18d9bc2a9792b3f2be3ca348d73e51)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs3.favim.com%2Forig%2F44%2Flady-gaga-look-it-up-madonna-reductive-Favim.com-369148.gif&hash=1f4fae737468e33114502aebbabc8121d596ccf8)

lol :P

Anyhow, yet another start for me. This time it should be different. In my attempt to get back into BATting I started another NYC recreation, Maritime Exchange Building on 80 Broad street, lower Manhattan. I need to add few more details and the model will be finished. Than I'll start texturing it, and after it's finished, I plan on getting back to the sea walls firstly and than on finishing up Daily News building. Here's my progress:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F7bLnpA1.jpg&hash=fe01d2c044c6555c922d80f0ac7977ef3146c56b)

Hope you like it.

I do like it, indeed. :D

It looks like a very interesting model, I can't wait to see how it turns out. :)

I already know that this gonna be great! No doubts the finished model will be as detailed and stunning. And it's going right into Selbring once you release it :P

Looks great buddy!!! :D

RepublicMaster: for the modeling part, you won't have to wait for too long :)
Republic: I'm glad you like it. I like Selbring and I'm happy this BAT will find its place there :)
Aaron Graham: Thank you my friend!

Here's the quick update. Modelling is done. Little bit of roof junk will be added, but for now, I'm working on the materials and hopefully, I'll have something new to show soon!

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F6XflQSs.png&hash=76b50eb1cd81101c71a401528b34e3f0b0effd2d)

Lovely BAT, can't wait for the textures :)

Looks great buddy!!! :D

Great model  &apls  I'm looking forward to the textures  :thumbsup:

Girafe: Thank you very much!
Aaron Graham: I appreciate your support! Thank you friend.
noahclem: Thank you Noah! Textures are coming.

So these are the preliminary textures. Hopefully you like them. I will be however tweaking them to achieve better results. But I wanted to show you what direction I'm taking.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fc00As33.png&hash=dab33b55da3dddb0ac00e4149b342896f2ffcb49)  (https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FpbHqpXU.png&hash=45dc6eb2cd4d33cf5398d27e5429360bfcf5a01f)

Great work ;)

Very nice work, as always!

Looks great  :thumbsup:  The textures are quite light and quite clean so if that's not your goal you may want to consider darkening and/or dirtying a little.

Yeah the textures looks too light, but this is a first aproach :) and this building will be an awesome Art Deco piece in the game  ;)
I can't wait the next update. As always, good job buddy  &apls !!

I agree with the people above. :P

Looking great though. :D

MTT9: Thank you.
Bipin: Thank you Bipino!
noahclem, darknono35 and RepublicMaster: I've addressed the too light textures issue, hope you like it better now.
Thank you for comments and here comes the update.

I need to work more on glass and shops and few little changes on the textures wil be done. I hope I'll finish this fast, I went trough tons of changes with textures and it's taking it's toll on my patience lol

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FPcRreGa.png&hash=561c63b3e00415a3861e6ae44e1602939348d5d1)

and let's not forget the zoom 5 :)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FoI6bH9M.png&hash=146dcd09a75b0f71d577341c7e8de06ba8181d68)

Looks awesome man  &apls  The texture patience seems to have paid off  ;D

These textures look much better!

Wonderful work buddy!!!! :D

Looking great from here, though we'd need an in game render to tell for sure :P    (and while you're at it, some nightlights . . .  $%Grinno$%)


Cheers
Willy

I second that. Beuatiful! Beautiful! (spelling is so hard...)
It would be perfect if you could add some stuff on the terraces and balconies. A bit of greenery, a bench, maybe a sunshade here and there...

That looks awesome! Will be in the NORO plugins folder, I'm sure.

Robin

noahclem: Thank you Noah.
MTT9: Thank you.
Aaron Graham: Thanks buddy!
Swordmaster: Shhhhh, for your eyes only Willy, but don't tell anyone! http://i.imgur.com/oYThCCi.png (http://i.imgur.com/oYThCCi.png) :P
FrankU: lol I will see what I ca do, what is there in RL., but with this being an office building, not much is on those terraces. It says a lot that there aren't even doors to them, lol. But I might need your help actually. In addition to orthogonal and diagonal, I wan't to render this BAT at an angle at which NYC recreators can use it in their recreations. I think I've see that you've done WFC recreation so, if you have some advice, I'd be very thankful and so will other ppl who are recreating NYC.
rooker1: Thank you Robyn! I'm happy to hear that. ANd just so you know, I follow Noro, so I'll be watching ... lol

First of all, a thank you for someone is long overdue. Jasoncw has always been helping me with whatever I do. Whenever I'm stuck, in a rush, or a dead end, I go to him and he always helps me. He's a great friend and a masterful teacher. He helped me a lot with this building as well as all the previous I've done, and much of my achievements with this BAT are thanks to him, so thank you Jason!

As for the BAT, well the modeling part of this building is done (unless someone comes around at some moment giving me good reasons I should do huge HVACs on top). I did shops and entrance, added lamps which can't be seen, HVACs on the back, changed ground map, added bump maps, and tweaked materials. All in all I think it's a good change and apart from the glass which I still don't like, all else should be final.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Ft0dfGuf.png&hash=a15ba62f1616eb0fa353015c1708e363104ca8e9)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FMLvtg1B.png&hash=fc16c0293261418514c60ee9c642e498ab68e04d)

That's an interesting in-game render, Vlasky... *cough*

The rest of the work looks very nice, and even those windows, though I'm guessing it's because they're too blueish?

Thanks, I'll keep it to myself that it's a great picture!! $%Grinno$%

Well done.


Cheers
Willy

Looking great  &apls  Seeing your work I'm not surprised jasoncw has influenced and helped you. Indeed his work is fantastic and I'm glad he was able to help your work get so great  :thumbsup:

APSMS: thank you and yeah, too blue too flat. Working on it :O
Swordmaster: Thanks Willy!
noahclem: without Jason, I'm really in the dog house of BATting. That guy has superpowers when it comes to modelling!

Now, I must show you my break from the frustrating glass issues. It's the adaptation of HINDENBURG!! Hindenburg anyone? :P

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fpy8h0wM.png&hash=ff354f6b5cee0dedf8eb61afd3c35d92f7f94519)

Yes Hindenburg!!!  :thumbsup:

Je suis pour!

That's awesome  &apls  Not sure what inspired you to create such an obscure thing but I'm glad it did  :D  I could have all kinds of fun with this!

EDIT: By obscure I meant zeppelins in SC4, not that the Hindenburg is itself an obscure thing  &mmm

As far as the subject matter goes for BATs, this is quite unique. Thus, I love it!

Quote from: Vlasky on October 29, 2013, 07:43:40 AM
Now, I must show you my break from the frustrating glass issues. It's the adaptation of HINDENBURG!! Hindenburg anyone? :P

Absolutely! There is a large Zeppelin BAT on the STEX now, but it's shaped weird and has some flat textures (I know its an airship and is gray and all, but the textures on the existing one compared to preview you just showed us don't even compare). Thanks for filling the gap.

Delecto: Je suis un petite chemize  :P
noahclem: I just love zeppelins. I think they're hot and futuristic and needless to say impressive. Always wanted a good one in game.
Bipin: TY Bipino!
APSMS: Thank you and you're welcome. Yeah the ones on STEX are done eraly on, so not quite up to today's standards, but I'll try to fix that. I have some more work to do on it so that it doesn't looks like low poly thing, but I expect it to be done soon :)

Now, you guys over here at sc4d might have or have not heard of NYBT's Art Deco Month over at the Simtropolis.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FfEjxUVHl.png&hash=f20fc1a43eeabb0e387725274c9c054707f1f837)

In case you haven't seen it already, visit here for info about it: http://community.simtropolis.com/topic/60268-nybt-art-deco-month/

Now as a part of it I am finishing (and hopefully uploading by the end of the month) Maritime Exchange. I have done some work on the little corner building next to it (so that we have a nice full w2w lot):

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FFmu5OW4.png&hash=83d66eaa5269388895ce63ecaed300df08be2e1d)

Also, especially for this event, I've started to work on the Squibb building, also known as 745 Fifth Avenue. This is my progress so far:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FTnJfnPc.png&hash=59fdeb1fc871e9c0e6f80cc483f30c2073b1fd63)

Wonderful work!!!! :D

Thank you Aaron!

I have revealed that I am working on the Empire State Building. Here's my 'study' of the massing and also my first detailed work:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FfYg7hNf.png&hash=421704c4ffa27c0b96e253a257f1e6afe6d02502)


(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FcmchiNS.png&hash=9d6d958a52fe8bcac4cdcd463814a6407f29d8a6)

You must be kidding...  :o I can't wait to see more progress of this masterpiece, Looks perfect so far...

Yes! Very, very good!


Cheers
Willy

Great news that you'll be applying your considerable talents to one of the greatest buildings in the world!

ESB! Finally we'll  have another version than Maxis' that is of incresbily high quality!

Little question concerning it: When you'll be at the night lights. Do you think it'll be possible to make different illumination for the top? Like how it is light differently around the year (St Patrick, Halloween, Christmas,4th July  etc)

Perhaps a timed or seasonal prop might allow this to happen?

It would/should be far simpler than trying to make an animated windmill BAT. Of course, I have yet to learn how to make in-game models/mod stuff, so this could be more involved...

Still, implementation shouldn't be too complicated with some help from more knowledgeable members. It'd definitely make it a distinctive BAT, for sure!

I'm posting again but I just realized. . . zeppelin and ESB on the same page. . .  ;D ;D


Cheers
Willy

Oh my I hope to see more of this. :O

Quote from: Swordmaster on November 24, 2013, 04:56:57 AM
I'm posting again but I just realized. . . zeppelin and ESB on the same page. . .  ;D ;D

ESB ? Extra Special Bitter ?


Empire State Building looks great.

Well some ESB for the ESB and the zeppelin:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi40.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fe242%2Fvester_DK%2FDiv%2FFullers-ESB-six_zps4fc0aecd.jpg&hash=3f726d3024fa7a514a6ce9b944a9d9319645a1af)

A new Empire State Building and Zeppelin?

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F_vv5SDGCiuso%2FSP3veEMnDNI%2FAAAAAAAABZo%2FxDB64FuvcJ4%2Fs400%2Fairship01.jpg&hash=0c436f561b479b1161322463ec41b93769a6bc8b)

Let me get a sit and watch :thumbsup:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1.kym-cdn.com%2Fphotos%2Fimages%2Foriginal%2F000%2F297%2F329%2Fda9.gif&hash=b2559d0ca5ee8ff1f10e035144c5e848785c604a)

Well isn't this an amazing surprise. Just after I though nobody cares (little response after initial post) this truly amazing response happens. Thank you sc4devotion for making my day! :)

kelis: thank you!
Swordmaster: Willy, in this short time I have realized you are a true friend. Your support is very appreciated.
noahclem: Thank you Noah for your compliments.
art128 and APSMS: Yes that shouldn't be very hard to do. It requires simply changing the color of the light that have to be there anyhow. Now rendering so many models eill require much more additional time, but I might even have solution for that. And yeah, seasonal props are the answer I believe. So, I can't promise 100% but I will try my best to do that. :)
Aaron Graham: Thanks buddy

Now, zeppelin and ESB, where do you guys Terring7, vester, Swordmaster get these cray cray cray ideas??
This one's for ya Willy!

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F0mti64x.png&hash=b17a6ab53d10595b1b4ad4c90d6ae75e1c802d5e)

ps Willy, this posting of 'secret' pictures is becoming our thing, isn't it? :P lol
I made that render immediately after I finished that 'study'

I don't have progress on the ESB, but I did work on the Hindenburg in the mean time. This is very close to how it will look in game. I think I'm almost done with it:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FJBJEden.png&hash=17635c1ff65f2ff5655c56485d1e15f9c887ec63)

ANd I think I'm done with the day version of Maritime Exchange building as well. I couldn't pull of the blinds, but I think glass looks much better. If you have any advice how to make it look even better, please say so:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FgvyLthT.png&hash=47fcda26c936402de9d1885a8bf939f99794b743)

Oh yeah, that means that its little neighbor is completely done. Here it is at zoom 5:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F40rXtI1.png&hash=9980e831ecd3c576c82d4d064f8f4040dd8e8ba9)

YES   :satisfied:

You get my vote for most awesome SC4 BAT idea. Ever. (There are a good many contenders in this category, I should add.)

The only way to become even more awesome than this is to make a King Kong version. ;D

Here (http://www.interestingamerica.com/2011-02-04_Empire_State_Building_at_80_by_R_Grigonis.html)'s an interesting read about the building, the zeppelin mooring and its lights.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.interestingamerica.com%2Fimages%2FNY_images%2FManhattan%2FEmpire_State_Building%2FEmpire_State_Building_Mooring_Mast_412_426.jpg&hash=c1eff7010e92ad5f42b3291443d8a602bdba9f36)


The Hindenburg looks amazing. I'm really curious as to how the two will combine in game, practically as well as aesthetically. Hindenburg as part of the same BAT? Separate BAT, overhanging prop? On its own LOT? I think the second option would be best. Also, are you gonna make a version of the ESB with antenna?

Excellent ground level detail on the Maritime Exchange building as well. :thumbsup:


Cheers
Willy

The Maritime building is looking great! I can't wait to see it uploaded! :D

Maybe a historic ESB version with King Kong and the Hindenburg as seasonal props. Then the modern version with the antennae and all the colored lights.

Looking great on all three either way!  &apls

This file here (http://community.simtropolis.com/files/file/12140-empire-state/) demonstrates that while this idea (of the Hindenburg + ESB) is not perhaps a new idea, it is still an awesome one.

Not to mention the fact that these promise to be some absolutely awesome BATs, unlike the upload from 8 years ago, which reused Maxis buildings and doesn't look very high quality. That is one very nice looking zeppelin. Steampunk city here I come!

Also, I'd forgotten how big the Hindenburg was, though it seems a mite too long compared to the height of the ESB. Maybe the ESB just hasn't been vertically scaled up yet for the game? (Hindenburg was ~900 ft (~275m) long; ESB is 1250 ft (381m) tall.)

I just love this project  &apls &apls

QuoteAlso, I'd forgotten how big the Hindenburg was, though it seems a mite too long compared to the height of the ESB. Maybe the ESB just hasn't been vertically scaled up yet for the game? (Hindenburg was ~900 ft (~275m) long; ESB is 1250 ft (381m) tall.)

Scale seems right to me, although it's not the easiest to tell with the game's perspective.

Quote from: whatevermind on November 25, 2013, 07:03:16 PM
Maybe a historic ESB version with King Kong and the Hindenburg as seasonal props. Then the modern version with the antennae and all the colored lights.

I think the best way to go would be to implement the antenna as a prop as well. Having both versions would be really cool but I don't see any need for two whole separate building models.

Spent hours today reading about ESB, then zeppelins, then skyscraper history, then NYC....thanks to you and Willy  :D

The people suggesting that anybody would walk down a gangplank from a zepplin swinging freely at the top of the ESB...onto what can only be described as highly dangerous 103rd floor deck cannot be considered intelligent in the least.

Did you see that picture in that article of the woman standing on the 103rd floor deck?  You couldn't pay me enough $$$ to step out onto that if there was any wind what so ever.

Swordmaster: The plan for ESB and Hindenburg is for now this: Have pre 50s version, that is only mast. And have a modern day version that is mast + antenna + crazy LED colors. For Hindenburg I'd like it to be MMP. And it can also be timed prop on pre 1950s ESB. King-Kong, lol, never occured to me, but if someone is willing to model him, yeah, he can appear as timed prop as well :P
RepublicMaster: your wait is over :P
whatevermind: we seem to be on the same page :)
APSMS: Everything on that render (height and length wise) is up to scale. I made sure of that :) Also both had been vertically scaled by 133%
noahclem: welcome to the club :P I just love 1930s vision of future. Somehow it looked more futuristic than present day vision of future :P Those folks really wanted the future and went for it. Yeah that whole thing is crazy once you get dragged into it. Zeppelins, Art Deco and glamourama :D As for versions, there will have to be two, since original floodlights were plain white. And today we can imagine ESB without its colors :)
jaredh: yeah I saw that picture and it looks crazy to me as well, but they did have plans for stairway to go directly inside. But if it's to any consolation they did add additional  height there so that celebrities that visit feel more safe.

Anyhow, NYBT Art Deco Month is over and NYBT Maritime Exchange building is on the STEX (both DN & MN). Get it here:

I also spent the most part of the day reading up on ESB.....great read.
Awesome work, great to hear it's finished.
Why not upload it to the LEX as well? ;)

Robin :thumbsup: &apls

Wonderful upload buddy!!! :D

rooker1: Thank you Robin. I'm glad you were inspired to investigate a bit. About Lex upload, I don't know, we haven't really discussed that on the team. But I'm sure that now we will. I'll let you know.
Aaron Graham: Thanks buddy

We in the NYBT kinda agreed that we should pay a bit more attention to the international style buildings, therefore it inspired me to do this:

American Machine and Foundry Building, currently known as 261 Madison Avenue

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FhMDt0u3.png&hash=cc1b30995b2073c92b910398d414e2878160389a)

Any comment on how to improve the model is welcome :)

Love the detail you have added to the windows, that's what helps make building like this looks great. :)

Thanks Aaron!!

Devotion really doesn't like 50s New York architecture, huh?
Anyhow, here's the update:

Well I have quietly been working on 261 Madison Ave, and I can't believe trough how many changes I have already been with it and not posted in the meantime :) So first of all I'm going to show you a full zoom 5 render which is OLD but I'm showing it so that you can see (literally) the bigger picture

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FuFME5nR.png&hash=f7389167257074f5c45229d9c67fab6e452eb8ec)

and than this is also a zoom 5 render but due to long long time it takes to get a full render I have reduced the rendered area, but you can still see the changes I've made. This is the most recent render:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FwsF8BJV.png&hash=10bba717547d674e3517a3f47208b3cdbc258a9a)

Quote from: Vlasky on December 20, 2013, 12:00:31 PM
Devotion really doesn't like 50s New York architecture, huh?

Please, don't jump on this stupid conclusion. Even if being ironical.
Trust me there are players here that are interested in such architecture.
If there's less replies here than on ST (which you are obviously making the comparison) is because the activity around SC4D has been very low recently.

Your BATs are great, really great. I won't use them because they clearly don't fit in my building style, but still a good modeling/texturing job. :)

Quote from: Vlasky on December 20, 2013, 12:00:31 PM
Devotion really doesn't like 50s New York architecture, huh?

It's naught to do with your excellent BATting skills, fear not! I don't think there's much love for the New York ziggurat style in general. They make good background buildings, but they're not usually much to look at. That said, they're just as much an iconic part of NYC as the landmark buildings, so it's good to see them getting some attention.  :thumbsup:

It's just hard to follow the ESB with anything at all :D

Love the glass work, though. I can definitely see myself using this building (and I'm rather picky :P)


Cheers
Willy

Looks great!!! :D

art128: just for a second there I was thinking of being offended, but I admire your work so much that I couldn't take any of your comments the wrong way. Thanks for compliment :D
whatevermind: Yeah thanks for clarification :) On part we agree and on part we disagree. I do think there is a lot to look at and I also think that those transitional building built from the end of the Deco era till monolithic glass box era fit really good into the game. Because instead of having wast flat empty roof surface domineering the BAT to look at, this way you have a much more active and busy BAT to look at.
Swordmaster: Thanks Willy. Well, now I'll show something and follow it with ESB so, I hope for the best :)
Aaron Graham: Thanks buddy.

I don't understand why I haven't published here in such a long time, but to be honest a took a little break from batting in general. But here is what I have published on Simtropolis in the mean time.

A long time ago, Aaron Graham, Anotn and I have started a Civil BAT Unit as a part of NYBT. Our first project were fire stations. With Anton being M.I.A., Aaron and I have decided that we need to finish what we've started. THese stations have been exported and and modded and Aaron and I will release them very soon:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FLpKyv84.png&hash=3a39f95d1c7289c3b03746f93f19d8f878ef4571)

and NYBT CBU FDNY Ladder 21 Engine 34

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FkPjlGRs.png&hash=ef42773ccc72cbf9534c1a47303bcaaaa21d7d66)

Apart from that I have also worked on New York World's Fair of 1939 Theme exhibit Trylon and Perisphere. The water was problematic for me to achieve caustics effects so my dear friend Pierre aka Amthaak is working his majic on the water. I expect to finish and release this soon as well.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FS3kuzqb.png&hash=d14e8f73ae17968cd939c1d12c7c0ae4228dcb5f)

And finally, I gave in to the pressure :P (if that's the correct expression) and went back to the ESB real quick. This is my latest progress on it:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm3.staticflickr.com%2F2825%2F13309919894_0d12d8aaf2_o.jpg&hash=4313ddde1423745caea72ed9a270c1055dfa4de8)

awesome promising stuff... abbt additions will much appreciated  luv the empire state taking shape...  :thumbsup:

Really interesting projects  &apls &apls &apls

Quote from: Girafe on March 22, 2014, 12:07:04 AM
Really interesting projects  &apls &apls &apls

Yep, totally agree ! Looking forward to see more progress with the Empire State building  :thumbsup:

Very nice work Vlasky! Did that water material I sent you ever happen to work out? If you wish, I can package it as a .mat + textures.

Thank you guys!
Bipin: no, unfortunately it didn't work out for me. I handed the scene to Amthaak and he did wonders with acoustics.

So I had some technical issues, but as soon as I fixed them, I got back to the Empire State Building. Here's the latest render and a little bonus - timelapse GIF of my ESB :D

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FQCZu7Qj.png&hash=15ea8e04479cc76c108555cb16359e48d21b64e5)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F13SuHK5.gif&hash=29ba643e60dc79c18584ab164360c3e2f2a3f0b7)

Very nice. One could even say "epic".

Great building and cool gif  &apls

Wow,simply wow!
There is no other word than "Epic" for this awesome piece of art.Love the timelapse idea...