SC4 Devotion Forum Archives

City Showcase (All games welcome) => Mayors' Diaries => Inactive Best Sellers => Topic started by: calibanX on May 17, 2009, 06:46:37 PM

Title: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on May 17, 2009, 06:46:37 PM
Welcome to my City Journal chronicling the fictional history and current events of Monument Valley. This journal will focus on my favorite aspect of Sim City, and that is cool pictures of the game presented in an artful way. Comments are of course welcomed. Your criticism is encouraged as well as your kind words. If you see something you would like done differently please speak up. I just might change it per your request. If you have suggestions on how I can improve something please let me know. That's partially what this journal is all about. I've admired many of your journals out there and I'm inspired by them every time I log on. I'll mention some of my inspiration along the way. Some of you may have seen me posting in your journals. I'll also mention the amazingly creative people out there from whom I've downloaded and to whom I owe thanks for hours of enjoyment. And for those who I don't mention, Thank You! I mean no slight. Right off the bat I want to thank Jeronij and all of the talented moderators out there for creating and maintaining such a vibrant community.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg51.imageshack.us%2Fimg51%2F1240%2Fshenandoahheader.jpg&hash=e98efb6315ff43b4da934094c402dde62ed0937b) (http://img51.imageshack.us/my.php?image=shenandoahheader.jpg)

Here lies the region of Monument. The first European settlement in this region was near what is now known as the town of Shenandoah Valley. The city is approximately 20 miles (30 km) from downtown Big Fork and straddles the Rock River. Another settlement that fueled early interest in the area was the outpost at Big Fork, which was constructed from 1820 to 1825 at the confluence of the Monument River and the Rock River.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg198.imageshack.us%2Fimg198%2F1328%2Fmonumentvalleymap.jpg&hash=3481aec15ea35f8e6a937a0e97f797ad016e2063) (http://img198.imageshack.us/my.php?image=monumentvalleymap.jpg)

The Fort at the confluence of those two rivers held jurisdiction over the land North and South of the Rock River, thus a town known as Rock River grew along its banks to the South and the city known as Big Fork grew to the North. For several years, the only European resident to live on the South bank of the river was Colonel Edmund D. Peters, who operated a ferry service across the river. With the safety and security the Fort provided new settlers began flocking across to the new village of Rock River. The town grew quickly, and Big Fork and Rock River eventually merged. On the eastern side of Monument River, a few villages such as Arthur's Landing and Kimball's Ferry developed and would soon grow to become the Eastern metropolitan region of the city of Big Fork.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg198.imageshack.us%2Fimg198%2F6418%2Fbigforkmap.jpg&hash=14ddddab5a5450217afad5adb22a4640c03d35c0) (http://img198.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bigforkmap.jpg)

With names such as Spine Ridge, and One-eyed Pete's Peak, trappers and game hunters found bountiful harvests throughout the area. To this day hunters are taken in and cared for by the descendants of original settlers to Shenandoah Valley and the Big Fork area. Lodges are found throughout the numerous small mountain ranges.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg41.imageshack.us%2Fimg41%2F8937%2Fshenandoahcabinzoomedou.jpg&hash=b9a11e06bb6254d247da8ddc6e9b05fc3feb81f9) (http://img41.imageshack.us/my.php?image=shenandoahcabinzoomedou.jpg)

Welcome to Spine Ridge Hunting Lodge, a hunting camp for the hunter that expects to receive more from his hunt than to be treated like a number. By traveling a short distance from home, a hunter can leave behind his everyday cares and enjoy nature at its best by matching wits with game in a true wilderness setting. Professional hunters, trappers and guides will assure you an exciting and memorable hunt in the mountains of Monument.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg43.imageshack.us%2Fimg43%2F7361%2Fshenandoahcabinmediumzo.jpg&hash=82d14ab154df0d966d6a4212157b8de1aeb85088) (http://img43.imageshack.us/my.php?image=shenandoahcabinmediumzo.jpg)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg42.imageshack.us%2Fimg42%2F7772%2Fshenandoahcabinzoomedin.jpg&hash=ab9dae27469f1203fffeaa2eb18cfa558671a9cc) (http://img42.imageshack.us/my.php?image=shenandoahcabinzoomedin.jpg)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg268.imageshack.us%2Fimg268%2F9171%2Fshenandoahcanneryzoomed.jpg&hash=efa05f13ff21d168639d31aa591af2757e23cfa1) (http://img268.imageshack.us/my.php?image=shenandoahcanneryzoomed.jpg)

Shenandoah Valley's Mill and lumber industry are connected to its markets via rail and long-haul trucking. In the 'Old Town' section is a still operating cannery. Edward Stuart Mill established the first canning factory in Monument Valley in 1912, using improved tin-plated wrought-iron cans for preserving meats, fruits and vegetables. The main market for the food during this time period was the Army and Navy.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg37.imageshack.us%2Fimg37%2F5779%2Fshenandoahcannery.jpg&hash=87e7e3bdd6cd704cffe37ad92d3d8baabe78115b) (http://img37.imageshack.us/my.php?image=shenandoahcannery.jpg)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg33.imageshack.us%2Fimg33%2F4669%2Fshenandoahcannery2.jpg&hash=692dc75a2bf24a9bf35f5c6e05a26d56e7ccd7ce) (http://img33.imageshack.us/my.php?image=shenandoahcannery2.jpg)

That's an introduction to Monument Valley. Regular updates will be coming soon.

Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: owlsinger on May 17, 2009, 07:10:10 PM
Looks like a keeper!  :thumbsup:

Very nice pics!

Kendra
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Nexis4Jersey on May 17, 2009, 09:16:18 PM
Looks promising and very detailed  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: thundercrack83 on May 17, 2009, 11:31:20 PM
What a stunning start here in Monument Valley, calibanX!

Your maps look fantastic, and the pictures in-game are wonderful, too! I can't wait to follow along as things develop, my friend.

Keep up the great work!

Dustin
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: BarbarossaS on May 18, 2009, 02:39:10 AM
Superb start of your MD, I'll be following this one closely!  :thumbsup:

-Stijn-
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: io_bg on May 18, 2009, 02:52:04 AM
Great start, I really like the forest scenes! Can't wait for more!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: sebes on May 18, 2009, 10:17:31 AM
Excellent start. You show some wonderfull fresh pictures here CalibanX :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Simpson on May 18, 2009, 10:32:42 AM
That's a nice start of MD  :thumbsup: Also the city is looking really magnificent  &apls
I'm looking forward to the next update.

Take care,

David
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on May 19, 2009, 11:04:18 PM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg36.imageshack.us%2Fimg36%2F1516%2Frepliesheader.jpg&hash=493cb9ef0b71df7e36049b1400065713a101f550) (http://img36.imageshack.us/my.php?image=repliesheader.jpg)


Kendra: Thanks for the thumbs up. I'm glad you like it.

Nexis4Jersey: Thanks for the vote of confidence.

thundercrack83:
Nice of you to stop by Dustin. I appreciate the enthusiasm. The Commonwealth of Marathon actually introduced me to the lot editor. But with much less success.

BarbarossaS: Thank you for the compliment Stijn. I'm glad to have you join me here.

io_bg: Thanks for the great compliment. There is a lot more to come.

sebes: I appreciate that very much. Thank you.

Simpson: Your kind words are well received. Thank you David.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg36.imageshack.us%2Fimg36%2F7952%2Fheaderdyz.jpg&hash=76c07cebcefa1a18c0b5322cef14ed8b56e1fcf3) (http://img36.imageshack.us/my.php?image=headerdyz.jpg)


Shenandoah's earliest industries were fur trading and agriculture. Forestry remains strong, including logging, pulpwood processing and paper production.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg39.imageshack.us%2Fimg39%2F9295%2Fshenandoahloggingindust.jpg&hash=7e34f8258c61ee3bc136a46651ab4f08c4fa22c9) (http://img39.imageshack.us/my.php?image=shenandoahloggingindust.jpg)
2.1

Agriculture is Shenandoah's primary industry. While much of the economy of Monument Valley has diversified, Shenandoah Valley has remained largely a rural agricultural community. Culturally and economically Shenandoah has remained much the same for it's roughly 200 year history.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg40.imageshack.us%2Fimg40%2F6817%2Fshenandoahfeedandseed.jpg&hash=0c919af0380c066cb8334ac457930d2b699ad723) (http://img40.imageshack.us/my.php?image=shenandoahfeedandseed.jpg)
2.2

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg195.imageshack.us%2Fimg195%2F4993%2Fshenandoahrailroad.jpg&hash=313cfa6e814abcd385c9d917a52f4918135ba211) (http://img195.imageshack.us/my.php?image=shenandoahrailroad.jpg)
2.3

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg38.imageshack.us%2Fimg38%2F9665%2Fshenandoahmainstreet.jpg&hash=39f391c9c8bf7f1d9ad052df282d65ca1e31d31d) (http://img38.imageshack.us/my.php?image=shenandoahmainstreet.jpg)
2.4

The old business district at the intersection of Main Street and Mable Road. Stop by Maxine and Lester's for the best food around.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg41.imageshack.us%2Fimg41%2F2198%2Fshenandoahearlysettlers.jpg&hash=7f7630f6e7106ac66d1cb8464472d80c909d6f15) (http://img41.imageshack.us/my.php?image=shenandoahearlysettlers.jpg)
2.5

The local journal of Monument Valley brings news and events into sharper clarity. Shenandoah's family farms currently suffer from a crisis of generational flight to the cities and corporate invasion. The true calamity though is that the Monument Granite football team seems to be losing its toughness...so to speak.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg42.imageshack.us%2Fimg42%2F1144%2Fmonumentjournal1.jpg&hash=316945070820c1a6d31dca96bc9041695ee909a7) (http://img42.imageshack.us/my.php?image=monumentjournal1.jpg)
2.6

So long for now.

Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: BarbarossaS on May 20, 2009, 12:28:29 AM
Very lovely update, and great use of the STR in pic 2.3
I also like the Monument Journal, it's great to have some background info, really excellent work!  &apls

Keep it up!

-Stijn-
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on May 22, 2009, 03:34:14 PM
Nice start!  I like the terrain you're using for the region!   That's a pretty nice looking little town you're building there! 
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Nexis4Jersey on May 23, 2009, 11:23:07 AM
Reminds of a small town in any rural American Countryside  :)
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: just_a_guy on May 23, 2009, 11:42:29 AM
Quote from: Nexis4Jersey on May 23, 2009, 11:23:07 AM
Reminds of a small town in any rural American Countryside  :)
Exactly!

Nice looking region overall and nice start!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: NASCAR_Guy on May 24, 2009, 07:45:29 AM
wow this is has potential,but I am not clear on something.

What state is this located in?
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on May 27, 2009, 01:06:34 AM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg7.imageshack.us%2Fimg7%2F724%2Frepliesh.jpg&hash=d2508dbc81e6bea3a02f6050e006bf9412396db6) (http://img7.imageshack.us/my.php?image=repliesh.jpg)

BarbarossaS: Thanks for the compliment Stijn. Nice to see you stopping by.

Battlecat: Thank you. More towns to come!

Nexis4Jersey: Exactly what I was going for. Thanks for keeping in touch.

just_a_guy: Thank you very much. Good to see you here just_a_guy.

NASCAR_Guy:
Thanks for stopping NASCAR_Guy. Good question. I've actually made an edit to the introduction in this journal. I've added the word 'fictional'. I haven't the talent nor the patience to recreate an actual city or region. If I remember correctly it was JerseyDevil who created an exact replica of Edmonton, Alberta? This CJ will make reference to its region within the U.S. through the Monument Journal and other news articles. I'll refrain from claiming to be recreating an existing city though. Stay tuned. 

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg7.imageshack.us%2Fimg7%2F5232%2Fheaderhkv.jpg&hash=cf704f638907f07d724a73a3c0ca626aa6603e12) (http://img7.imageshack.us/my.php?image=headerhkv.jpg)

The city of Big Fork began its existence as a fort at the confluence of the Monument and Rock Rivers. Fort Big Fork provided protection along the length of the rivers from the indigenous Indian population. This allowed the area to thrive as a trading center for hunters and trappers. It also served as a jumping off point for settlers moving West across the Appalachian mountains.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg29.imageshack.us%2Fimg29%2F3921%2Fdowntownbigforkzoomedou.jpg&hash=ee91b273e734ad98fe9b2228ff5c6e8b93869b02) (http://img29.imageshack.us/my.php?image=downtownbigforkzoomedou.jpg)
3.1

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg33.imageshack.us%2Fimg33%2F6228%2Fbigforkdowntownzoomedou.jpg&hash=53625ca66aab4848a3892fc1f2b91bdebc0b935f) (http://img33.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bigforkdowntownzoomedou.jpg)
3.2

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg32.imageshack.us%2Fimg32%2F1705%2Fbigforkeasternsuburbs.jpg&hash=3e3416fce1718207532bb409622bbead5c2d5032) (http://img32.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bigforkeasternsuburbs.jpg)
3.3

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg33.imageshack.us%2Fimg33%2F664%2Fcapitalbuilding.jpg&hash=cbc47e480a5d45c3219dd3995975850133e39952) (http://img33.imageshack.us/my.php?image=capitalbuilding.jpg)
3.4

The original town hall stands today along the banks of the Rock River overlooking the Tom Brown Bridge. The municipal government of the city of Big Fork has long since moved. The new City Hall is located two miles North.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg35.imageshack.us%2Fimg35%2F6343%2Fblurredtowers.jpg&hash=8519ffab7d7c6cdccc1822f22251a222beb7a149) (http://img35.imageshack.us/my.php?image=blurredtowers.jpg)
3.5

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg41.imageshack.us%2Fimg41%2F9646%2Fmarquee1k.jpg&hash=effc743377b74cbda82b481c1a87f605a4e03020) (http://img41.imageshack.us/my.php?image=marquee1k.jpg)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg37.imageshack.us%2Fimg37%2F6848%2Fmarquee2.jpg&hash=59ad75fe0151e650e73beacfb7235585531fc6f2) (http://img37.imageshack.us/my.php?image=marquee2.jpg)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg36.imageshack.us%2Fimg36%2F812%2Fmarquee3w.jpg&hash=d7687eea0c19f9542c2e5f056b976dafd9f3e7aa) (http://img36.imageshack.us/my.php?image=marquee3w.jpg)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg35.imageshack.us%2Fimg35%2F9575%2Fmarquee4.jpg&hash=1a9cb1ffce5e77d50a8bfc154f43f3a21b874e67) (http://img35.imageshack.us/my.php?image=marquee4.jpg)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg34.imageshack.us%2Fimg34%2F8743%2Fmarquee5.jpg&hash=08dc9ba1d9f948407f5e84cf8f5d261f3fa671ce) (http://img34.imageshack.us/my.php?image=marquee5.jpg)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg33.imageshack.us%2Fimg33%2F2973%2Fmarquee6.jpg&hash=926249602b058936363128443a0474125d008a57) (http://img33.imageshack.us/my.php?image=marquee6.jpg)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg154.imageshack.us%2Fimg154%2F6968%2Fmarquee7.jpg&hash=93633bd0f0d8d37e08d609c060d7e64b999398d7) (http://img154.imageshack.us/my.php?image=marquee7.jpg)
3.6

Happy Memorial Day to all.

Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on May 27, 2009, 09:04:50 AM
Nice set of pictures, that's a cool looking Business District.  Nice job of transitioning from highrise buildings through to suburbs! 
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: antimonycat on May 27, 2009, 09:50:48 PM
I love your forest screens and like how Cannery Row looks exactly like what I imagined a small forest town by a river would look like. The curvyness of the 2 rivers by the Central BUsiness District makes for a great overview too!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on June 03, 2009, 12:10:41 AM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg413.imageshack.us%2Fimg413%2F8651%2Freplies.jpg&hash=4e774184f86dd950cef59862c4dc24cfe4f9d687) (http://img413.imageshack.us/i/replies.jpg/)

Battlecat: Thank you for the compliments. Nice to have you here.

antimonycat: Thanks for stopping by. It's great to see you take precious creative time from Endora to visit.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg80.imageshack.us%2Fimg80%2F2031%2Fheaderb.jpg&hash=14eaf2a136de99f9aa93493734c07f67656e825c) (http://img80.imageshack.us/i/headerb.jpg/)




(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg193.imageshack.us%2Fimg193%2F9053%2Fscenicmonumentriverroad.jpg&hash=a54f76c0225637e4fd06435451c30228cd369724) (http://img193.imageshack.us/i/scenicmonumentriverroad.jpg/)
4.1

A short ride up scenic Monument River Road brings motorists past the great river that helped build the city of Big Fork.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg259.imageshack.us%2Fimg259%2F9053%2Fscenicmonumentriverroad.jpg&hash=e1a83d29e2e3c19863e6562077f2240819e8a0a9) (http://img259.imageshack.us/i/scenicmonumentriverroad.jpg/)
4.2

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg261.imageshack.us%2Fimg261%2F2553%2Fnuclearplant.jpg&hash=1ffc2eb4885c11a2ccac525bbcd144d355a7c090) (http://img261.imageshack.us/i/nuclearplant.jpg/)
4.3

The Big Fork nuclear generating plant located along the Monument River was built in 1973. It generates 575 MWe of power supplying half of the Big Fork areas power needs.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg8.imageshack.us%2Fimg8%2F7921%2Fnortheastsuburb.jpg&hash=3fb09b09856df3031f8a5f24540000f015d4d723)
4.4

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg521.imageshack.us%2Fimg521%2F4994%2Finterchange2.jpg&hash=55a8f30ad6bede7be908033d0cc6cd3222033871) (http://img521.imageshack.us/i/interchange2.jpg/)
4.5

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg370.imageshack.us%2Fimg370%2F6789%2Feasternsuburb2.jpg&hash=89a4f6e2a715ef016a91321ddf9f81fb82992800) (http://img370.imageshack.us/i/easternsuburb2.jpg/)
4.6

The first ring suburbs are older and more affordable, and they offer easy access to Downtown Big Fork. In the newer suburbs, there's a population explosion, and more and more old farming communities are slowly becoming part of the metro area.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg20.imageshack.us%2Fimg20%2F7361%2Frockriverresidential2.jpg&hash=8bc6f23d731a311ede308a004c0eb640fb6c868a) (http://img20.imageshack.us/i/rockriverresidential2.jpg/)
4.7

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg200.imageshack.us%2Fimg200%2F6212%2Fbusinessreport.jpg&hash=efcc87a2cf2662cced6a8b62504b13975ee72626) (http://img200.imageshack.us/i/businessreport.jpg/)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg198.imageshack.us%2Fimg198%2F9199%2Fbusinessreport2.jpg&hash=28c2bd4b41d525597073d1e80b8700c9c800445e) (http://img198.imageshack.us/i/businessreport2.jpg/)

Thanks. See you all soon!

Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Splime on June 03, 2009, 06:34:07 AM
Wow, this is a great MD! I really like how you used the street curves in your residential neighborhoods, and I like how you plant those trees.
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on June 03, 2009, 08:42:36 AM
Continuing to look excellent!  It all looks great.  The muddy ponds in the highway interchange are a nice touch, they remind me of storm water detention ponds used in the real world.  The suburban wide angle curves are a great touch as well! 
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on June 10, 2009, 10:33:03 PM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg191.imageshack.us%2Fimg191%2F8651%2Freplies.jpg&hash=6b9efefd0cbf43316e758c160c34bfdfefd2d62d)

Splime: Thank you Splime. Glad you stopped by. I've been keeping an eye on Barsalargonia and you seem to enjoy placing your trees as well.

Battlecat: Thanks again Battlecat. Nice to have you back.

Sorry for the delay in posting updates. I got a little busy and the spare time went into map making. I hope this update will be worth the wait for those who are stopping by. I love map making and had planned this map for the CJ right from the start. I'll add detail as we go through the region, but there's quite a bit to look at as it stands right now. As always please give me your thoughts.



(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg31.imageshack.us%2Fimg31%2F6418%2Fbigforkmap.jpg&hash=98f327144dcbb2116e426d8477a115030983bfdf)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg14.imageshack.us%2Fimg14%2F4787%2Flegendnsp.jpg&hash=8fcc8b5a4912d80c7c43e1a9a2b7b4f1946c6225)
5.1

Just a short update this time. I'll post the entire map shortly.

Thanks again to all for stopping by. For those who lurk, feel free to say hi. All are welcome here!

Take care.

Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: thundercrack83 on June 11, 2009, 01:53:38 AM
Wow! What a map!

Amazing work, Geoff--the amount of details on it are outstanding! Would you mind sharing which program you used to create it?

Can't wait to see what's next!

Dustin
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on June 13, 2009, 07:01:00 AM
Dustin, I'm glad you enjoy the map. The short answer to your question is that I used Adobe Photoshop and Adobe InDesign to create the map. The process is pretty easy actually. I was looking for a way to make a map of the entire region I was working on. I then wanted to be able to take snapshots of parts of the map to show the features I wanted to display in the forums. The map is pretty big, and a second objective was to keep the file size to a minimum so I could work with it fairly easily. So here is a little tutorial to show my solution:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg523.imageshack.us%2Fimg523%2F8544%2Fdataview.jpg&hash=a9ea00c6380e8927eef36f8d278f3f31938a1d2e)
6.1
The Data View with all of the information displays off gives a very nicely detailed land formation display. I just cropped the image and pasted it into Photoshop.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg8.imageshack.us%2Fimg8%2F382%2Felevationmap.jpg&hash=fdb03a474120d84c31efa65d303b05c5acaa3221)
6.2
When assembled in Photoshop the tiles join to reveal the region.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg23.imageshack.us%2Fimg23%2F383%2Felevationoutline.jpg&hash=fa285d616e36f142cc2861a6b7f8e3379df97741)
6.3
If you use the Bezier tool to draw around the base of the land formations you can create a crude relief map.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg25.imageshack.us%2Fimg25%2F5938%2Felevationoutline2.jpg&hash=3deb6f6f74b3aa62389f78a246abd7a306b12f60)
6.4
Drawing around the land formations at increasing elevations will give you more land detail when the map is finished.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg31.imageshack.us%2Fimg31%2F3954%2Fcontourmap1.jpg&hash=b70340792caf74ed552e84bcf05fd975f1318255)
6.5
This is the first layer I created in Photoshop after tracing around the land formations at the lowest level.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg30.imageshack.us%2Fimg30%2F228%2Fcontourmap2.jpg&hash=71e02bbeb0d7af3e6555a8a5f07ffe7abf754a8d)
6.6
I wanted to keep the land formation information to a minimum. The map is primarily a road map. Two levels of elevation are what I settled on.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg132.imageshack.us%2Fimg132%2F9739%2Fcontourmap3.jpg&hash=678484b4633b13a70f70b976f49ffd877f2f92c5)
6.7
Add the water.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg188.imageshack.us%2Fimg188%2F6734%2Fmonumentroadmap.jpg&hash=a8f8cb6307e2b77b9a00ed636f0b55ff016c7d59)
6.8

The roads were done entirely in Adobe InDesign. I don't have Illustrator or Freehand. Once the roads are completed I exported the InDesign file back to Photoshop as an EPS file and cropped it to show only the individual tiles that make up the region.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg31.imageshack.us%2Fimg31%2F6418%2Fbigforkmap.jpg&hash=98f327144dcbb2116e426d8477a115030983bfdf)
6.9
This is the final cropped image showing the individual tile called Big Fork.

Take care and happy mapping!

Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: JBSimio on June 13, 2009, 09:56:11 PM
I'm really enjoying this, Geoff!  There are any number of great pictures here already.  I especially liked the railroad picture (2.3 I think it was) and the newspaper in update number two.  The maps look great... I wish I would have thought to add even a couple elevation levels to mine.   &mmm  You're off to a great start and I'll be looking forward to the next update!

JB
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on June 15, 2009, 11:34:26 AM
I like the technique you used for your map there.  Nice simple way to reduce the complexity of your terrain map. 
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: art128 on June 15, 2009, 11:15:18 PM
Thanks you for that little tutorial, that will help me with the map I'm created. Also, You have a beautiful region. The pictures you're showing to us are just fantastic ! Your mix of maxis trees and CP's one, outstanding !
Take care,
-Arthur.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on June 20, 2009, 09:05:26 PM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg200.imageshack.us%2Fimg200%2F8651%2Freplies.jpg&hash=3b2550da8f1874d2385676ff1d4e63cf741f061a)

Jon (JBSimio): Nice to see you here. I owe you a great big thanks for your work. Without your Smalltown USA series of buildings and your schools I wouldn't have nearly the interest in doing small towns. What fun those have brought! I'm thoroughly enjoying Covington too. I recently went into one of my old regions and thought about retrofitting it with the new RHW and curved roads. I thought about it for about .000001 seconds before I threw the idea out. Kudos to you my friend.

Battlecat: Thanks for the encouragement on the map. I'll try more in the near future. I love the new maps you've posted too. I think I see the resemblance ;)

Arthur (art128): Thank you for that Arthur. I'll be keeping an eye out for your map. Congrats on 500!

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg10.imageshack.us%2Fimg10%2F8551%2Fheaderhcf.jpg&hash=2767586f2791ca22ae12ad0f815cb408fc31311a)



Monument Valley is a leader in the high-tech industry. Technology represents a major part of the economy in the region.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg5.imageshack.us%2Fimg5%2F7408%2Fmonumentjournalissue2.jpg&hash=1bd2eb289080feb0617b1064092c3d481483264d)
8.1

Monument Valley has invested heavily in education, and its highly educated population has made the area a mecca for the high tech industry. Many of the technology industry's cutting edge names have come to take advantage of the brainy Monument Valley sims. A few of those firms are listed below.

Initek – Software Engineering Firm.
Initek is a small software engineering company specializing in mobile applications. The team at Initek will work with their clients to develop software solutions for any mobile device. Small and large corporations have benefitted from the expertise at Initek. Initek takes a structured, engineering-based approach to developing business solutions, whereas others may take a more incremental approach, where software evolves as it is developed piece-by-piece. Initek's development cycle is outlined below.

•   Market research
•   Gathering requirements for the proposed business solution
•   Analyzing the problem
•   Devising a plan or design for the software-based solution
•   Implementation (coding) of the software
•   Testing the software
•   Deployment
•   Maintenance and bug fixing

Initek has benefitted recently from a restructuring of personnel which brought great efficiency to the organization. An outside consulting firm trimmed staff and payroll costs. The firm, run by a pair of experts in cost-cutting known as 'The Bobs', brought Initek the efficiency it needed for it's great success. Initek recently recovered from a disastrous fire which nearly brought the company to its end.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg530.imageshack.us%2Fimg530%2F1728%2Finitek.jpg&hash=45211ca94085e7a06e22eaf63560d7595017d5ae)
8.2

Molecular Nanosystems – Nanotechnology Engineering Lab

Molecular Nanosystems is a Nanotechnology Engineering Laboratory. Engineers at Molecular Nanosystems work at designing and handling nanoobjects at a nanometric scale. Engineers work to design functional molecules and supramolecular structures. The current focus is autonomous molecular self-assembly and self-organisation. The ultimate goal of the engineering efforts is to create self organizing machines. Recent breakthroughs are rumored to be quite extraordinary.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg31.imageshack.us%2Fimg31%2F8150%2Fmolecularnanosystems.jpg&hash=e7fee10a221995141287ab6785d71888f16345b6)
8.3

MVA Technologies Corporation – Avionics Design

MVA Technologies designs aviation electronics for commercial, business, and military aircraft, artificial satellites and spacecraft. It's systems comprise communications, navigation and the display and management of multiple systems. It also includes the hundreds of systems that are fitted to aircraft to meet individual roles, these can be as simple as a search light for a police helicopter or as complicated as the tactical system for an Airborne Early Warning platform.

There are several major vendors of flight avionics, including Honeywell (which now owns Bendix/King, Baker Electronics, Allied Signal, etc..), Rockwell Collins, Thales Group, Garmin, Avidyne Corporation, and Narco Avionics. Monument Valley's high level of education in technology and engineering make it an ideal location for MVA Technologies.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg132.imageshack.us%2Fimg132%2F5589%2Fmvatechnologies.jpg&hash=e003f088a638b4d7ff7200c2c86df0da1b77b327)
8.4

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg8.imageshack.us%2Fimg8%2F9906%2Fmvatechnologiesflightte.jpg&hash=7ee61dd7d35a13361d3ceab46505b0e57227738e)
8.5

Take care my friends.

Geoff

Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: danielcote on June 21, 2009, 07:45:01 AM
Nice job how did you get the fighters looking like they're taking off?
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: art128 on June 21, 2009, 01:17:25 PM
Excellent new update Geoff, I really love those two military planes taking off the ground on the picture of the airport. Also, the newpaper is greatly done my friend. Also, those threes BATs of technologies research are goodly choose.
Take care,
-Arthur.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Nexis4Jersey on June 21, 2009, 03:56:53 PM
interesting update , i love the 2 fighters taking off!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on June 22, 2009, 11:58:39 AM
Nice update!  The fighters taking off is a really cool effect!  Nice variety of buildings in this update as well. 
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: girlfromverona on June 23, 2009, 06:12:48 AM
I love the way you've laid out your towns, especially the suburbs. Thanks for the map tute, also - it's very inspiring.  ;D
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Tomas Neto on June 25, 2009, 06:50:40 AM
Yeah,very nice update!!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: dedgren on June 26, 2009, 03:56:40 PM
Extraordinary mapping of beautiful terrain to begin with.  Professional grade stuff, my friend.

One to watch here, that's for sure.


David
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on June 26, 2009, 10:42:23 PM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg193.imageshack.us%2Fimg193%2F8651%2Freplies.jpg&hash=0ab48295a8d1554abb34c675753c49b59d0976d5)

danielcote: Thank you, but I have an admission to make. I Photoshopped 'em. Don't think badly of me  ;)

Arthur (art128): You're very kind my friend. Thanks for the compliments.

Nexis4Jersey: I'm glad you liked the jets. Great to see you again.

Battlecat: Thank you for the great compliments. It seems that the jets are quite popular. The airport is coming up soon, and I'll try to do something unique there as well.

girlfromverona: It's great to see you here. Suburbs and small towns are my favorites. I'll post lots of suburban sprawl, I promise.

Tomas Neto: Thanks for the encouragement!

David (dedgren): I'm glad you stopped by David. Thank you for your kind words, and for taking time from your remodeling project. Your maps inspired mine.


(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg41.imageshack.us%2Fimg41%2F240%2Fregionview.jpg&hash=4276cee3fda13ed876602a0173458697c0b7d34d)
9.1

A final look at the city of Big Fork. We'll soon be moving on to the rural Township of Arcadia.

Thanks again!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: art128 on June 27, 2009, 01:32:34 AM
That's a nice overview of Big fork, I like where is placed the downtown, looks excellent.
Looking forward to more.
-Arthur.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Nexis4Jersey on June 27, 2009, 02:18:41 AM
Interesting preview , looks like Pittsburgh or Portland  &apls
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: kwakelaar on June 27, 2009, 03:03:25 AM
You have made some very beautiful maps, and Big Fork is looking quite impressive from a distance. I like that you seem to be zooming in and out. Always nice to get both details and an overview.
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: jmyers2043 on June 28, 2009, 06:16:50 AM
Hello CalibanX

At first I moused through the diary quickly. At the end I thought, Wow, this is different. I was left with a good feeling deep inside me so I back tracked to the beginning and read every single word and examined every picture. All I can say? This truly is a wonderful diary.

Example is the picture with your logging industry. You've lotted some trucks parked along the road much like real life. Your dead end street trails off with those Chris Adams dirt tracks. Your attention to those and similar small things are what makes each and every picture come to life. Head over heels is all I can say about your first banner with the placement and selection of the trees. A good depiction of Monument Valley at the very beginning. The real life 1905 photo and your attempt to create and mimic a similar Sim City is well done. The mini tutorial on how you did your maps has inspired me to try the same. Gee - seems so easy. Why didn't I think of that?

Cheers - Jim Myers


Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Tomas Neto on June 28, 2009, 08:08:26 AM
Nice teaser and very beatiful city!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Schulmanator on June 29, 2009, 07:31:25 AM
Impressive work! You have a great city laid out well and lots of other good stuff going on. Hats off to you!  :satisfied:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: thundercrack83 on July 01, 2009, 02:02:07 PM
Congratulations, Geoff!

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi119.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fo134%2Fthundercrack83%2FOSITM%2F2009-07-Monument.jpg&hash=4a1014bd7200d80fd16867becd129bef24211a8c)

- The Staff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Nardo69 on July 01, 2009, 03:57:05 PM
Congratulation for the OSITM!

That mapmaking of yours is quite nice, maybe I'll follow you with my stone-age PSP 5.01 ...  %confuso

Bernhard  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Jmouse on July 01, 2009, 04:07:45 PM
Congratulations, calibanX! You've definitely earned a month in the spotlight. That's very nice work on the maps, and a really helpful tutorial you posted. Looking forward to seeing what develops in the weeks to come - it's bound to be impressive! :)

Later...
Joan
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: KoV Liberty on July 01, 2009, 05:52:31 PM
Yes you have! Great job!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: art128 on July 02, 2009, 02:46:20 AM
Congratulations, Geoff. This award is very well deserved for all the hard work you've done in your MD !  &apls &apls
Can't wait to see more develoment.
Take care,
-Arthur.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Glowbal on July 02, 2009, 02:58:26 AM
congratz! Deserved, for sure.  &apls
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on July 03, 2009, 11:19:16 AM
Congratulations on the well deserved OSITM!  I like that shot of your entire city in the last update, it looks great!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: TheTeaCat on July 03, 2009, 12:17:39 PM
Hi Geoff

Just caught up on your MD and what an impressive one it is :thumbsup:
Great attention to details,great tutorial, fabulous pics and topped off by the award
very nice indeed. I'll be back for more for sure.

Enjoy your OSITM it's very well deserved &apls

:satisfied:
TTC
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on July 03, 2009, 05:17:06 PM
Wow, this is just too cool. Spending time with the SC4Devotion community has been great fun. Thank you all for the hospitality and kind words. I started out building cities on flat maps. I would build them edge to edge because I thought that was the point of the game. I then came across ST and its forums. I saw amazing works of art being created there. I was inspired.

I began fully participating in the forums when SC4Devotion came online. You folks have helped me to get every last drop of creativity and fun out of this game, and I've enjoyed the humor and the back and forth with all of you who write. Thanks for your support and I wish you all the very best. Come back often, you're always welcome in Monument Valley.

Happy Independence Day!




Arthur (art128): Thank you Arthur. I'm curious to see what you do with the map. Please post some pics when you have some.

Nexis4Jersey: You've got me curious. I'll have to look at those cities on Google Earth. I had no real plan other than the map, which is not much of a plan.

kwakelaar: I'm glad you like the variety. I'll continue to try and vary the shots and the content so as not to bore anyone.

Jim (jmyers2043): Thank you for your thoughtful comments Jim. I'll try to bring more of the same as I work through this map. I always fret that I post too infrequently, but I figure quality over ferequency right? I'll be watching for your map :thumbsup:

Tomas Neto: Thank you for the comment. I'll try to bring you more cities. There should be a nice mixture of rural, small town, and big city life.

Bruce (Schulmanator): Thank you for those words. Oh, and thanks for the laughs over on Monkey Island. Too funny!

thundercrack83 & the Staff: Thanks for the support. July is a perfect month for OSITM. My birthday is on the 25th!

Bernhard (Nardo69): Thank you for the thumbs up my friend!

Joan (Jmouse): I appreciate that Joan. Thank you for stopping by. I look forward to seeing you around.

Driftmaster07: Thank you very much! Great to see you here.

Arthur (art128): Thank you my friend. I can't wait to show you more.

Glowbal: Thank you for the words of support. I appreciate them more than I can bring across in a typed post.

Battlecat: Thank you friend for the compliments throughout this endeavor. A lot of people are commenting on my maps. I would direct them to take a look at your topographic maps in Adara. I still envy your GIS software.

Derry (TheTeaCat): Welcome back, and thank you for taking time to stop by. Your thumbs up is very much appreciated. I certainly am enjoying this OSITM. Take care.

Be well all, and stay safe for Independence Day.

Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on July 05, 2009, 07:29:20 PM
Arcadia is a small town that once had a bright future. During the early part of the twentieth century Arcadia saw a boom in the development of it's natural resources and with it a middle class was able to thrive. Merchants came to sell their wares to a large work force. In the latter half of the century Arcadia saw its fortunes fall. A new generation began to see it's future in the cities. The cities provided a better education and a life beyond what previous generations could achieve.

What is left is a quaint town who's population is on the decline.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg10.imageshack.us%2Fimg10%2F2319%2Fheaderczy.jpg&hash=3ed2cdcaf1cd95479b36816aa93e745e90fc9dda)





(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg32.imageshack.us%2Fimg32%2F8003%2Farcadiamap.jpg&hash=7807d358148de85c2552f7ac31baa9cd8e0eb2a1)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg8.imageshack.us%2Fimg8%2F4308%2Flegendp.jpg&hash=cd8e7fcf1af0afdd22f5968ce082dde982f785a9)
10.1

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg32.imageshack.us%2Fimg32%2F9049%2Farcadiaz.jpg&hash=2c356a89f740a18c2a9b967ad95c2e378f5687d4)
10.2

Arcadia stradles the Rock River with its East side being primarily residential. The West bank is what is left of the mills and lumber industry that brought Arcadia its early success.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg10.imageshack.us%2Fimg10%2F228%2Fcentralbusinessdistrict.jpg&hash=c6e7c1f8605baef5a4dd9588a489a4cb5fe4798d)
10.3

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg10.imageshack.us%2Fimg10%2F1514%2Feastbank.jpg&hash=a1800f6ba3ab6f98f59e88f9a22ce4f54b4be047)
10.4

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg132.imageshack.us%2Fimg132%2F2425%2Ffurniturefactory.jpg&hash=d492fc9b67c9502bc20338061d87c5dff3c61275)
10.5
The Arcadia Furniture Factory is the largest employer in Arcadia. It still produces some of the finest furniture available.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg22.imageshack.us%2Fimg22%2F121%2Farcadiafurniture.jpg&hash=2406917d57a6401e4cf0defec0761f35aecd3db7)
10.6

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg22.imageshack.us%2Fimg22%2F3552%2Fstatehighway9.jpg&hash=b5d449e2a6574e1c88fc861054696d3339968871)
10.7

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg8.imageshack.us%2Fimg8%2F2122%2Fstatehighway92.jpg&hash=34d8bb43de5af4acd0cda84c6805ce67c0d1031a)
10.8

Take care friends.

Geoff



Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: art128 on July 06, 2009, 12:38:34 AM
Geoff, Acadia looks great my friend, I really love the town center you done. Also, nice combination of maxis default trees and CP's ones, you make that looking extremely realistic. And i like the area of the train station with the freight building beside the passenger station. Good farms land and great use of fences and walls. Also, nice work on the map as usual !
Take care,
-Arthur.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: beutelschlurf on July 06, 2009, 12:46:15 AM
moin calibanX,
that's a really nice city there, looks real, too!  :thumbsup:
can't get enouth of pics like those ...

b_schlurf
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: io_bg on July 06, 2009, 12:47:47 AM
I agree with the above, this update is really great, everything is realistic and the mixture of the Maxis and CP's trees is really well done! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Tomas Neto on July 06, 2009, 08:10:20 AM
 &apls &apls &apls Calibanx, my friend, congratulation for the OSITM!!!
Fanstastic update, really you are a master playing SimCity!!! &apls &apls &apls
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on July 06, 2009, 08:15:54 AM
That is a beautiful little city!  I've seen a number of small towns that look like that, complete with the river right up the middle. 
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: rooker1 on July 06, 2009, 11:05:31 AM
It's your creativity and obvious fun you have with the game that got you into the OSITM. Congrats on the move! &apls

Robin  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: nedalezz on July 06, 2009, 02:03:13 PM
A bit late, but congratulations are in order for the award! Truth be told, you deserve it...this is a great piece of MDing. Arcadia reminds me of a typical midwest town/city sitting on the banks of a river. Very nice work.
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Jmouse on July 06, 2009, 06:38:49 PM
Arcadia looks great, Geoff. The neighborhoods are really inviting – I always love an abundance of open spaces and lots of trees. You've done a marvelous job of laying FAR and FARR, too. It fits right in with the landscape and atmosphere of the town. Looks like you're doing well with the farms, too. Definitely looking forward to seeing a lot more of Monument Valley.

Later...
Joan
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: danielcote on July 10, 2009, 03:58:08 PM
Arcadia looks great and you're station does too!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: adroman on July 10, 2009, 04:19:18 PM
That FAR looks quite amazing in your pictures!

The furniture factory 'fits into' that spot.

The town center looks extraordinarily realistic.

Great work!
Adrian
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on July 20, 2009, 03:35:39 PM
An update is badly needed here. Real life is unfortunately taking a great deal of my time. The bits of time I have been able to spend have been productive however. Here is Monument Valley's International airport located in a region of the valley called Astoria.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg24.imageshack.us%2Fimg24%2F8651%2Freplies.jpg&hash=64f34e3ed48940c52127ecbae87b0735f5c9edfc)

Arthur (art128): Thank you Arthur. I'm glad you enjoyed it. If you liked the trees I've got a lot of trees coming up in the next couple of updates.

b_schlurf: Thanks for the nice compliment. I'm glad you like what you're seeing.

io_bg: I'm getting a lot of comments on the trees. I've always thought they were an underused element of the game. They make such nice scenery even without buildings and roads. Thanks for the compliments.

Tomas neto: That's a fantastic compliment. I love the game and I love learning new tricks about the game. I hope I never actually become a master. I might have to find another game  ()sad()

Battlecat: Thanks again! I wish there were more riverfront and boardwalk options. I would do more riverfront in my cities and towns. I feel like there's something missing when I'm designing riverfront property now. Always nice to see regular faces here. Take care.

Robin (rooker1): Well you're right about my extreme enjoyment of this game. I really enjoy the community online as well. This kind of interaction is great fun. Thanks for visiting.

nedalezz: Thank you for the great compliment. I hope to see you again in Monument.

Joan (Jmouse): I'm glad you like the open spaces. I think I've brought you just that in the next couple of updates. I find that the cities pretty much build themselves but the countryside is where I can have the most fun creating in this game.

danielcote: Thank you for stopping by. I'm glad you liked it. Hope to see you soon.

Adrian (adroman): Thanks for those observations and compliments. I'll try to bring you some more of the same. Stay tuned!

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg140.imageshack.us%2Fimg140%2F5719%2Fheadervwy.jpg&hash=d1008b3ca8409054d4f405e730eee6b3629c566e)


(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg140.imageshack.us%2Fimg140%2F548%2Fairportoverview.jpg&hash=6fd28cb67d35bb8938b448a1d284f13667bd65f3)
12.1
The Astoria area has seen its pastures and forested valley begin to give way to suburban sprawl. Large tracts of farmland have disappeared to make way for developers. The fifty year old airport located in lush Monument Valley is a mere twenty minute drive from the city it was meant to serve.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg10.imageshack.us%2Fimg10%2F4641%2Fairbase.jpg&hash=5d86fcc040b511216c3855ede0bbe2ac3d7c8fcd)
12.2

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg33.imageshack.us%2Fimg33%2F402%2Fcontroltower.jpg&hash=8c241d9fa8e4fff5ad9f8c044ac9300d3777e904)
12.3

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg140.imageshack.us%2Fimg140%2F6735%2Fcommunicationscenter.jpg&hash=febdd65bc1074ca38f3184926be347cd12dc82af)
12.4

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg12.imageshack.us%2Fimg12%2F9163%2Fairfieldhelicopters.jpg&hash=85f7e242a6810d89ed7622f79cdbe46159236504)
12.5
Snake Canyon is located to the North of the airbase. In addition to its air wing Snake Canyon airbase has served as a training center for Air Force Fire Rescue personnel.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg24.imageshack.us%2Fimg24%2F8440%2Fbombingrange.jpg&hash=56441b3f6762be347659042c5c09eb306ef45e55)
12.6

There's more to come soon from Astoria. Stay tuned. Thanks as always!











Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: meinhosen on July 20, 2009, 05:41:40 PM
I think that bombing range now qualifies as a singularly unique picture.  Monument International has a nice look to it, great work!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on July 20, 2009, 08:48:33 PM
Hey, that's an awesome airport!  Great job on all the details there.  I really like the shot of the bombing run, looks very cool!  Keep up the great work!

Also, with regards to this:

QuoteThanks again! I wish there were more riverfront and boardwalk options. I would do more riverfront in my cities and towns. I feel like there's something missing when I'm designing riverfront property now. Always nice to see regular faces here. Take care.

Have a look at www.simpeg.com, Pegasus has created a fairly nice selection of boardwalks and other waterfront style lots which might be exactly what you are looking for.  Someday I'll be using them in my diary as well, it's just most of the lots require game water to work!

Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: art128 on July 21, 2009, 01:50:41 AM
That's a stunning airport there Geoff ! Nice place for it and its surroundings looks good ! Great work on that military base and on the structures itself. Also, the symmetry of the terminals is a fantastic touch my friend ! Even if I found the airport control tower a bit small for this beautiful airport with 4 runways..
Take care,
-Arthur.  :thumbsup:

( and i'm always impressed by your tree planting method ! )
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Tomas Neto on July 21, 2009, 06:29:36 PM
Awesome again!!!  &apls &apls
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: bob56 on July 21, 2009, 06:33:21 PM
looks like youve got a little tree fire problem on your hands after the bombing :D

Nice job with the airport. I always find it takes lots of time trial and error, but yours turned out perfectly!
Also love the three entrance points for the airport.
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: MTT9 on July 21, 2009, 09:40:16 PM
Nice work calibanX!
I really like the Control Tower and the Comunications Center. They are both great.
Keep it up!

Matt
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: woodb3kmaster on July 21, 2009, 10:35:05 PM
Nicely done, Geoff! Looks like you've found a new use for the volcano disaster, if I'm guessing right. The airport/base looks terrific, too. Keep up the outstanding work!

Zack
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Schulmanator on July 22, 2009, 08:28:49 AM
Nice looking airport. And I like the bombing range - an unusual and pleasing twist.  :satisfied:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on July 23, 2009, 11:07:39 AM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg36.imageshack.us%2Fimg36%2F8651%2Freplies.jpg&hash=399d95ddd2749f02c29f4c2e7f2aa618276dba52)

meinhosen: I'm glad you like the bombing run pic. I had braced myself for negative feedback. I'm still waiting on the protesters and the tree huggers to tell me I can't bomb the grassland and the forests. Maybe that's one for the next update  &idea

Battlecat: Thanks Battlecat. I completely missed the release of those boardwalk sets. I have limited access to the internet for a short period of time and haven't had time to browse like I generally do. Thanks for the heads up. Those are what I'm looking for.

Arthur (art128): Thanks for your fair critique. I agree with you wholeheartedly. I've met with the metropolitan airport commission here in Monument Valley and we've fast tracked the construction of a much more appropriate structure for our facility. You'll find the redesign posted above. The air traffic controllers have asked me to pass along their appreciation to you for looking out for their well being.

Tomas neto: Thank you for the applause. I need that once in a while.

bob56: Yes, we've killed off most of the wildlife in the bombing range. The trees and vegetation are all that we have left to bomb  ::)

Matt (emmotic): Thank you for stopping by and for the nice compliments. You're always welcome here.

Zack (woodb3kmaster): Actually, I used the meteor disaster. It works perfectly although you have to time your photo just right to get the explosion. Thanks for stopping by.

Bruce (Schulmanator): I'm glad you enjoyed it. I enjoy trying something different and throwing it against the wall. Sometimes it sticks sometimes not. Thanks for stopping in.


Here's an overview of the progress I've made so far. There are six more tiles to develop in Monument Valley which means we're half way through the map. We're certainly not half way through this journal though. If you folks are enjoying it half as much as I am then my mission is accomplished. Thanks again to all!


(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg195.imageshack.us%2Fimg195%2F1517%2Fregionoverview.jpg&hash=22b844088e6f2a59f222fdbdbecaeeabf273c4bd)


Take care all.

Geoff

Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: art128 on July 23, 2009, 11:46:41 AM
That's a fantastic overview there Geoff, I like all these trees, and i don't have anymore to say  :D !
Take care,
-Arthur.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on July 24, 2009, 11:40:27 AM
Looking great, nice to see a region overview! 
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: io_bg on July 24, 2009, 02:36:15 PM
I can only confirm what Arthur and Battlecat said, great overview! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Glowbal on July 25, 2009, 03:40:43 PM
Nice overview. It looks, well, almost realistic.
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: bat on July 26, 2009, 09:16:34 AM
Great work on that region! And nice overview of it! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: djvandrake on July 27, 2009, 10:05:01 AM
Wow.  This diary is woderful.  Your landscapes look very realisitc and picturesque.  That airbase and airport is awesome too.  :thumbsup:

Very nice!  &apls
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on July 28, 2009, 01:54:31 PM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg9.imageshack.us%2Fimg9%2F8651%2Freplies.jpg&hash=212b469f95d2877876e02808f7d92aee3b025f4f)

Arthur (art128): Thank you for your enthusiasm Arthur. Your comments are, of course, always encouraged here.

Battlecat: Thanks for the compliment Battlecat. Good to hear from you.

io_bg: Thanks for stopping by. It's always good to see you stop by Monument Valley.

Glowbal: That's a great compliment Glowbal. I appreciate it.

bat: Thanks for the thumbs up bat. It's nice of you to drop in.

djvandrake: Thanks for the enthusiastic thumbs up. I appreciate it very much.


Welcome to the Monument Valley demographic overview. In this section we at the Monument Valley Bureau of Statistics have compiled information about our sim citizens which is most relevant to their sim lives. In the following informational displays you will find statistics regarding:

·   Population
·   Education Quotient (E.Q.)
·   Life Expectancy
·   Commute Time (measured in minutes)
·   Air Pollution (measured in particles per million)
·   Water Pollution (measured in particles per cubic meter)
·   Crime (measured as arrests per crime in hundreds)
·   Regional Income Disparity

This information gives us a qualitative snapshot of the lives of the sims we govern.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg197.imageshack.us%2Fimg197%2F2345%2Fdemographicoverview.jpg&hash=210e18c7f46a434973634fe0e5b3618603c9e030)
14.1
The first informational display shows three critical demographics. Those indicators are population, education, and life expectancy. Notice the low education level in the city of Astoria. This directly relates to the low income indicated in the income graph below for that community. In contrast, Big Fork's expenditure on an excellent education system has given its citizens an average income two and a half times that of the citizens of Astoria. However, that high-powered education, or lack thereof, does not have an impact on our citizen's longevity as is indicated by the high life expectancy rates across the entire region. It seems that in Monument Valley ignorance really can be bliss so long as you see your doctor regularly.


(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg9.imageshack.us%2Fimg9%2F9271%2Fqualityoflifeoverview.jpg&hash=c19f1df42948a393f9c1eea3eac9e7c9a543cf79)
14.2
Our next display reveals the conditions which define our sims quality of life. Those conditions are commute time, air pollution, water pollution, and crime. An interesting condition exists in the city of Arcadia. Very little has been done to curtail the use of chemical fertilizers or to clean up waste left by careless industrial activity. This factor combined with a substandard education system has resulted in stunted commercial and high tech growth. These factors have brought about the flight of young people to the city in search of opportunity and have brought on the stagnation of the community.


(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg9.imageshack.us%2Fimg9%2F4295%2Fincomedisparity.jpg&hash=f016c19084d9dd46ac187ac2809fddddc406435c)
14.3
The last display shows the average incomes being earned from community to community throughout the valley. The disparity can often be explained using the demographic and environmental statistics displayed above.

Take care all.

Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: beutelschlurf on July 28, 2009, 02:19:34 PM
moin calibanX,

thanx for the information ... looks great! i still think it's a really beautiful map! ... but am i right, or is this just a part of that area you have shown to us once?
keep it up!

b_schlurf
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: kbieniu7 on July 28, 2009, 03:20:58 PM
Very nice region shot and statistics  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: dedgren on July 28, 2009, 09:30:08 PM
Geoff- A good solid month in OSITM for MV.  The stats update is really well-presented, and your mapping is first rate.  I'm sure you've picked up a following with work of this quality (shows in the great comments!) and I'll go out a little bit on a limb and guess that this won't be the last time your MD will be singled out by the staff as being of special interest.

Best of luck with your work here in the months ahead.


David
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: nedalezz on July 29, 2009, 06:10:02 AM
Completely agree with dedgren. On a personal note, I love the graphs and information you present. It adds so much to the region one tries to present when one features tidbits and information the way you do. I truly believe its what seperates a good MD from a great one, and yours falls in the latter territory :)
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Tomas Neto on July 29, 2009, 01:20:01 PM
I'm completely agree with all!!!  Great work my friend!!!  &apls &apls &apls :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Scarton on July 29, 2009, 02:30:22 PM
Interesting charts. About the region, did you terraform it yourself or did you download it? It looks great, and if you created it, could you upload it? Also it seems like some sims don't go to school (E.Q. 23). ()what() %confuso Overall, nice job! &apls :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: rooker1 on July 30, 2009, 05:19:49 AM
A super month with a super MD.  Great pics and very interesting stuff all around! &apls
Seeya,
Robin  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: djvandrake on July 30, 2009, 10:13:22 AM
Those statistics shots are very interesting.  A very good way to keep track of things and know where to improve.  :)
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on July 30, 2009, 10:24:02 AM
Brilliant idea!  That's a nice way to present those statistics and to show the differences between various areas. 
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: art128 on August 03, 2009, 04:23:33 AM
Welcome back for the OSITM Geoff, also nice stats there ! very interesting to read.
Take care,
-Arthur.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: danielcote on August 04, 2009, 04:23:47 PM
I'd like to live in big Fork. Better commute time, better education and a pretty good life expectancy.
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on August 13, 2009, 11:05:36 AM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg36.imageshack.us%2Fimg36%2F7991%2Frepliesq.jpg&hash=aedb000b350873857253834f206103d956f742c9)

beutelschlurf: You have seen this area covered in the pages of this journal. You haven't, however, seen the entire map revealed in this fashion until now. Is that what you're asking? I hope that answers your question. I can't take credit for the beautiful map, but I appreciate your kind words. Thanks for stopping in!

kbieniu7: Thanks for the great compliment. I'm glad you liked them.

David (Dedgren): Thank you for the opportunity to gather those loyal fans. I hope I have brought something to the community that folks will enjoy as much as I do. That brings great satisfaction as you well know. Thank you for the kind words and the well-wishes. To you as well, my friend.

nedalezz: Truely a great compliment. Thank you very much. I'm glad the statistics were well received. It paves the way for similar ideas for the future.

Tomas Neto: Thank you my friend for the applause. If only I had that now and again in my RL endeavors.

citycapitalizer: I can't take credit for the region, unfortunately. It's available on another site for download. If you search 'South Korea' you'll find it. I'm enjoying playing it immensely. I use a lack of high schools and colleges in my regions once in a while to grow communities of low and medium wealth homes. If you keep your sims education level on the low side you can control the growth of high wealth Res, Com, and Ind lots. I do it purely for aesthetic reasons when I'm taking photos of my cities for upload into this journal. I have areas of high wealth residential sprawl and I'm not particularly fond of how it looks. Thanks for your enthusiasm!

Robin (rooker1): Thanks to you for your support. You guys make it a lot of fun.

djvandrake: I'm glad you like the statistics. I'll try more in the future as the region grows. A comparison over time might prove interesting.

Battlecat: Thank you for the great compliment my friend. Always nice to see you.

Arthur (art128): Thank you Arthur! It's nice to be back. I'm glad you found it interesting.

danielcote: You're welcome any time. We'll find you a big spread with a great view of the river.


(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg25.imageshack.us%2Fimg25%2F7940%2Fheaderslo.jpg&hash=b072edc374d2937915d85a17bc5f7bef7ac54dd4)

Welcome to the tranquil town of Mill Creek. Bring your waders and plenty of your beverage of choice and stay a while. The people move a little slower and tell a great story. Most folks work at the mine or in the mill and everybody knows everybody's else's business.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg8.imageshack.us%2Fimg8%2F2163%2Fblyriverbluffs.jpg&hash=4c97f5af721ea2c5ee4de3e39ec6a473d3afac3c)
15.1

The rolling hills and plentiful wildlife provide a hunter's paradise. Drake Lake and Mill Creek are the best fishing around.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg32.imageshack.us%2Fimg32%2F9031%2Fdrakelake.jpg&hash=8b3522e393642e7ad6ef14d002a729bb4bcbb115)
15.2

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg39.imageshack.us%2Fimg39%2F5812%2Fdrakelakebridge.jpg&hash=c5b0bfaf15610e644df228245b08da76ef33dde7)
15.3

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg8.imageshack.us%2Fimg8%2F452%2Fdrakelake2.jpg&hash=a3e1d5229c65a80b11abb71b852c413c12ce162a)
15.4

Thanks for stopping by. Come on back now ya' hear.

Geoff




Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: art128 on August 13, 2009, 11:26:46 AM
Nice work on these pictures, Geoff. The mix of CP's and maxis trees is a great touch and it's realistic. These waterfalls to the lake are impressionant and the highway layout is well thought.
Take care,
-Arthur.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on August 13, 2009, 11:40:03 AM
Beautiful as always!  I love the character of the natural landscape here, it's quite different from what I'm accustomed to here in BC.

Those waterfalls in the last shot are particularly impressive. 
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: djvandrake on August 13, 2009, 03:07:25 PM
Beautiful landscape!  The waterfalls are fantastic.

I really like the placement of the bridge; that little slice of land makes things more visually interesting.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: danielcote on August 13, 2009, 09:02:21 PM
Yay! river view river view!!!!!!!  $%Grinno$%
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Yan077 on August 14, 2009, 12:29:08 AM
great job, very very beautiful landscapes   &apls

an advice : please remove the effect wave, it's not very realistic on a river  ;)
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Scarton on August 14, 2009, 06:26:02 AM
That nature is beautiful! &apls Looks like a great place for a few cabins or something. It looks good enough for a National Park! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Tomas Neto on August 14, 2009, 03:01:35 PM
Whenever I´m in your MD I stay impressed with your talent! Beautiful update!  &apls &apls &apls
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: soulchaser on August 16, 2009, 06:46:52 AM
This is so photorealistic, great job!

I love those hills and the arrangement of the trees. &apls
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Boernie on August 17, 2009, 02:32:06 AM
a really good terraforming and landscape-arrangement!! Keep goin' on!!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on August 21, 2009, 08:27:13 PM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg132.imageshack.us%2Fimg132%2F8651%2Freplies.jpg&hash=68d1d14721733ec234cc05cd2ab7323b713bf158)


Arthur (art128): I'm glad you liked the trees and the waterfalls. I get so many comments on the trees that I might do a tutorial. Thanks for stopping by. Always nice to see you.

Battlecat: Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed my trickling water. Next I need to try a dam. Know anybody who builds dams?  ;)

djvandrake: Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

danielcote: Thanks for your enthusiasm Daniel. Good to see you again.

Yano77: Coming from an artist such as yourself I appreciate that very much. I never really thought about that goofy wave along the river until you mentioned it. I'll do some experimenting. Thanks for pointing that out.

citycapitalizer: A national park sounds like a great idea. I think I'll use that. Thanks! Look for something like that in the future.

Tomas Neto: That's a great compliment. I appreciate it very much.

soulchaser: Thank you for the great compliment. Thanks for stopping by.

Boernie: I promise to do just that. Thank you very much!


(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg40.imageshack.us%2Fimg40%2F4818%2Fheaderoej.jpg&hash=85944f582c63e2127102dadfbe1b66ed12643fe1)

Those that live year-round in Mill Creek are hearty folk. The Winters are harsh, and those folks have a need for the peace and the nearness to nature.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg39.imageshack.us%2Fimg39%2F9474%2Fblyriver2.jpg&hash=c64e3dbbab376d457c3bc98670e7c528a52f7a2c)
16.1

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg38.imageshack.us%2Fimg38%2F1355%2Fdrakelakebridge2.jpg&hash=5a5a47e2999d073ba92ca679658b96ba50a6f680)
16.2

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg35.imageshack.us%2Fimg35%2F6373%2Fblyriver.jpg&hash=ff4e8d5e5a9e8997f83488ce02bf393d2f9379d6)
16.3

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg8.imageshack.us%2Fimg8%2F7071%2Fmillcreek.jpg&hash=b69ed59013bc6238f68acbc2974c93c949c17f4c)
16.4

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg32.imageshack.us%2Fimg32%2F6480%2Foverviewi.jpg&hash=12add8bfb384c9af353c38736da60720c40cc548)
16.5
The isolated Mill Creek.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg27.imageshack.us%2Fimg27%2F5238%2Fmaphbe.jpg&hash=b3d3b6384e5caa6d9cd390a5a4912ff2d64a9841)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg38.imageshack.us%2Fimg38%2F8320%2Flegendt.jpg&hash=5f83ee208ed94e4da04ae3e53141b2d3e4c373c3)
16.6

Thanks for taking the tour of Mill Creek. We'll be moving on in the next update. Stay tuned for something a little different.  ;)

Take care all.

Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: meinhosen on August 21, 2009, 09:15:02 PM
Very nice work Caliban!  Love the landscape- the roads and rails wrapping through the hills: perfect.


*Edit*
100 replies!  And welcome to your 6th page!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Tomas Neto on August 22, 2009, 04:03:08 AM
Geoff, my friend, great update again!!!  &apls &apls
Welcome to the Best Sellers!!!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: djvandrake on August 22, 2009, 04:43:24 PM
Quote
Thanks for taking the tour of Mill Creek. We'll be moving on in the next update. Stay tuned for something a little different. 


Wonderful lanscape.  &apls

Mill Creek was great, and now I'm really curious.  Definitely staying tuned.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Scarton on August 23, 2009, 06:11:08 AM
Glad you liked my Nat'l Park suggestion! Another fantastic update!  &apls
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: chibytuga on August 23, 2009, 10:56:49 AM
Good stuff.

I like the mix of CP's trees and the default Maxis deciduous trees. Do you plant all your trees by hand or is there some combination of tree mods you're using?
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: danielcote on August 23, 2009, 06:11:37 PM
you have a beautiful land scape!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: ldvger on August 25, 2009, 02:09:21 PM
calibanX/Geoff-

Returning the favor of your interest in my MD, I have read yours from start to present this afternoon and am very impressed, very very nice region.  I have a couple of questions for you, though.  Are you BATting your custom content, like your airport?  If not, where can I download the puzzle pieces, they could come in most handy as I have several large airports to build myself in the future.  Same with your golf course...are those puzzle pieces?  I have several golf courses to build, too, and if those are puzzle pieces, they would really be wonderful additions to my plugins folder!

Lora/LD

Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: kbieniu7 on August 26, 2009, 01:55:13 AM
Beautiful view  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: art128 on August 26, 2009, 02:26:08 AM
Hi Geoff, that update is, like the others ones, absolutely fantastic ! The town of Mill Creak looks wonderful and we can see the rural ambiance there !
Take care,
-Arthur.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on August 26, 2009, 12:08:59 PM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg30.imageshack.us%2Fimg30%2F8651%2Freplies.jpg&hash=a4ebaf92bc50906c834aed065d3f30e8e9062b42)

meinhosen: Thank you for the great compliment. I'm glad you enjoyed Mill Creek.

Tomas Neto: Thank you for the round of applause, and the warm welcome into the Best Sellers. I appreciate it very much.

djvandrake: I'm glad you liked the landscapes. This update will see Monument Valley take a temporary detour off the beaten trail. I hope you like the surprise.

citycapitalizer: Thank you again. I appreciate the applause.

chibytuga: I 'paint' the Maxis trees onto the landform in God mode then I place the pine trees by hand when I'm done growing the city. There are a couple of mods that allow you to change out the God mode trees but I use a different tree than is used in those modds. The process is a pain but the effect is what I'm looking for.

danielcote: Thank you for the thumbs up. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Lora (Idvger): I actually put the airport together using the ACB/VLT terminals and planes available for download. They are excellent. There were some custom lots I made using TABI's military aircraft and his large hangar. If you need those I'd be happy to get them to you. You can do a search for TABI and find his props quite easily though.

As for the golf course, that's Joerg's golf course set. It's quite a fantastic piece of artwork.

kbieniu7: Thatns for the thumbs up. I appreciate that.

Arthur (art128): Thanks for your continued support Arthur. Good to see you enjoying Monument Valley. Take care.

And now for something completely different...

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg31.imageshack.us%2Fimg31%2F5730%2Fheaderzds.jpg&hash=25524185c27a197b770c9112759f62c65fd87425)

Here is where we take a brief pause from our tour of Monument Valley to focus on one of its citizens. This is a very unique citizen. We will pick up where we leave off here after a short while to finish the Monument Valley overview but for now let me introduce you to Tiko Shore...

Episode I

Tiko Shore was exhausted. There were dark circles under his eyes, his body ached, and his mind was so utterly fatigued he couldn't concentrate. Sleep would come early tonight, and it would be a deep sleep. It would be a sleep he hadn't had in nearly two years. Everything he wore weighed heavily on his frame like an anchor. Yet, he felt satisfaction....and a little fear.

There had been some trouble at the Tide Corporation. It had been a big job, a dangerous and important job. Nearly two years of collecting information and putting the pieces together had resulted in a big find for Tiko and his investigation. His job was almost over. He had learned along the way that executives at the Tide Corporation had been involved in every crime in the book. They had also been investigating him. An intimidation campaign had been waged on his investigating team. It had been a good one too. Planted evidence and false charges had led to the arrest of one of Tiko's investigators. There were threats and men following his team. The Tide Corporation was connected. But Tiko had new evidence that would put the Tide Corporation out of business for good. It would soon be over.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg30.imageshack.us%2Fimg30%2F6347%2Fcitytrain.jpg&hash=8d2bc6e76603eaf6f57b4c5543307b8f9035e747)

The City Line train ran as smooth as velvet. Tiko reclined in the spacious seat. It would be forty five minutes before he reached his destination. That left plenty of time for a nap. Tiko was soon asleep.

He eventually opened his heavy eyelids. How long had he been out? He didn't know. It was dark. All he saw were stars, lots of stars.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg30.imageshack.us%2Fimg30%2F806%2Fgoldplanet.jpg&hash=e111426d4f5815430950a8940166522e81cd51eb)

Take care and stay tuned...
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on August 26, 2009, 12:45:18 PM
Man, I obviously wasn't paying any attention when you slipped the last update in!  Nice job on that one, Mill Creek is looking very nice already! 

Intriguing story in this latest update, I'm looking forward to seeing what's up. 
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Tomas Neto on August 26, 2009, 04:38:37 PM
Woowww Geoff!!! Your updates are phenomenal, as always!!!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: djvandrake on August 27, 2009, 10:15:44 AM
Oh!  Interesting cliffhanger there.  :thumbsup:

I very much like the sunken train line.  Looks great.  &apls
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on August 28, 2009, 09:33:49 AM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg5.imageshack.us%2Fimg5%2F8651%2Freplies.jpg&hash=2197fa84eace27f9a04171b40f27ee0a8677faa9)

Battlecat: I'm glad you enjoyed Mill Creek. I hope you enjoy the story diversion.

Tomas Neto: Thank you for that. I'll try and keep them that way.

djvandrake: Glad you like the cliffhangar. Much more to come.


(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg188.imageshack.us%2Fimg188%2F605%2Fheaderzeg.jpg&hash=68a07b4ccd29097f683152ce5b0347e58350172e)


Episode II

Had he been on a......train......a ship? A transport of some kind. The Tide had been after him. That was for sure. The visions were back, or were they memories? Always the same they were. They faded quickly. Like a dream the details were becoming harder to remember. Oh well, it wasn't important. Reality is the here and the now. There is no past. Fear does not exist, nor does joy. Those are the teachings.

The transport hung frozen in the blackness of space. It's once smooth hull torn and scorched with the characteristic scars left by a Linx Cannon. A few feet aft of the port airlock was a gaping cauterized hole through which could be seen the light of the nearest sun, L-4.

It was from a planet orbiting L-4 that a salvage ship was coming, bearing directly down upon the shattered transport. The ship grew closer until, while still a few thousand kilometers off, it cut its engines and floated in gracefully, to hover like a giant insect over its prey. After a moment a port slid slowly open, framing two figures in its red light. Pushing off, they swam down to the transport as the bay closed behind them. They landed gracefully using their hand magnets to attach themselves and then to climb about. When the figures reached the hole back of the port bay, they paused for a minute then continued on to the transport's tail and around to the other side.

From the salvage ship's deck, they looked like divers on a sunken galleon, at least that's what Ni-Admiral Tiko Shore thought. He realized, scowling, that not one of the other twenty crewmen could know what a diver was, much less a galleon. Those were of pre-Tide history which was strictly forbidden. His expression darkened still further; what good was his knowledge of seven languages if no one else could speak them? If in fact speaking them was a primary offense against Tidal code?


Take care all. See you soon.

Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: peter007 on August 28, 2009, 11:13:48 AM
great update I like it
NICE  &apls &apls &apls &apls
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: ldvger on August 28, 2009, 08:31:53 PM
Geoff-

Enjoying your story about Tiko Shore, wondering what happens next.

Also, I am having trouble downloading the BSC MegaProps_JES Vol01 dependency needed for the airports.  My wifi connection (grrrr) cuts out at about 1.5 MB of the 7+ MB download, so I have to start over and hope the whole thing downloads the next time I try.  However, I've tried 3 times and never got the entire download.  Now the LEX won;t let me attempt to download the file anymore...seems there is a 3 download limit for each person for any one file.  I have not been able to find the file on the STEX, so I am wondering if you could attach a copy of the zip file to a PM and send it to me. 

I also found the golf course set you used and while it looks great, I found another one I am going to try first made by doctorgonzo that is supposed to be realsitically scaled to RL, which will make them very large, but might fit better with my region than joergj's set. 

Keep up the good work!

Lora/LD
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on August 31, 2009, 09:22:40 AM
Fascinating story, can't wait to see where this is going. 
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Tomas Neto on August 31, 2009, 04:11:34 PM
Wow Geoff, fantastic story!!!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on September 01, 2009, 06:38:19 PM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg188.imageshack.us%2Fimg188%2F8651%2Freplies.jpg&hash=440d6fa227cbd95d2485c2aafd27ce3e0577048f)

peter007: Thank you for the applause. I can always use it.

Lora (Idvger): My apologies again for not being more helpful with the prop pack. I'm always willing and able to help out when I can. Feel free to ask again. I looked at gonzo's golf course holes and I agree they are quite nice. I'm going to play around with them as well. They are scaled differently and it looks great.

Battlecat: Thanks for that. I know it's not everybodys thing but I was needing something a little different and I thought what the H***.

Tomas Neto: Thanks again. I'm glad you like it. Stay tuned for more strangeness!


(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg188.imageshack.us%2Fimg188%2F3205%2Fheadermqw.jpg&hash=4efbf59d694b734c97540e47fd359db1669b9f36)

Episode III

Tiko awoke to a loud chime. His stop was just ahead. The city outside still moved quickly past his window. How long had he been asleep? Seemed like seconds but his watch told him forty five minutes. It wasn't enough by a long shot. What did he dream? Was it a shipwreck?

"How strange." He said softly.

The train was slowing. It rolled gracefully alongside its platform and stopped, emptying hordes of human cargo. The mass of humanity made their way out into the city. Tiko Shore moved purposefully among the crowd toward his vehicle's resting place. Fatigue dulled his senses, which otherwise might have alerted him to the figure watching his every move.

He slept well that night. Images from recent events mingled with distant memories in his unconscious mind. They somehow made sense together. Dreams were funny like that. It was sometimes a disappointment when those dreams became false in the moments after waking. This night would not be so. Tiko Shore would again see his own end in a strange place.

An alarm rang. A transmission was coming in. Tiko had been drifting again.

"Sir?" The voice focused Tiko's attention.

That would be Carlson, the one with the strange eyes and the soft voice. A disquieting fellow; eerie the way he looked at you, but he seemed okay. It was always difficult getting used to a new crew.

"Okay Carly, what do you have?"

"Sir, it says on the hull..." Carlson paused meaningfully, "It says, The Velveteen Rabbit, dedicated March first 2629. That's pre-Tide sir."

"Jesus! 2629!" Tiko exclaimed. "That predates the Tide by at least four thousand years."

"Jesus, sir?" Carlson quipped.

"Nothing, just a stupid expression." Answered Shore.

"Yes sir...of course." Carlson answered curiously.

"Stay there Carly. We'll have you guys up in a minute."

"Yes sir."

The grappler was already pulling the transport closer as Shore switched off the transmitter and let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. A pre-Tide starship! His fingers trembled on the keypad as he left the deck and started toward the hangar.

See you all soon!

Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Scarton on September 02, 2009, 04:09:35 AM
An interesting storyline. I'm coming back for more! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on September 12, 2009, 10:02:39 PM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg193.imageshack.us%2Fimg193%2F4607%2Frepliesp.jpg&hash=c1ddda52b5d8f1ff54101cce807ef0ef3592454f)

citycapitalizer: I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Thanks for the thumbs up!

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg199.imageshack.us%2Fimg199%2F2084%2Fheaderoz.jpg&hash=60a4ae0b8e329b4bcdd00baf09b39efb926e3c4c)

Episode IV

With the Velveteen Rabbit secured its journey to Monument was underway. The salvage value of a modern craft with its technology intact was immense. A craft the Rabbit's age and condition was only as valuable as its primary metallurgical components. The structure would barely be worth the effort. The very fact of its existence, in another age, would be fantastically valuable. However, under the watchful eyes of the Tide the artifact would be destroyed in the most efficient manner possible and the process carefully monitored by trusted Tidal officials. Information contained in its ancient data banks would not be allowed to corrupt the population.

Once on the planet's surface Ni-Admiral Shore and his crew began the process of stripping the Rabbit of its components. Tiko Shore had been trained in the art of human programming and indoctrination but as this was the first time an artifact of this size and importance had been discovered, he had been ordered to oversee the operation.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg199.imageshack.us%2Fimg199%2F6894%2Fmosaic1.jpg&hash=77b0c8448f7d9c7c39587e3e08c8d432cebfbbca)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg183.imageshack.us%2Fimg183%2F9118%2Fmosaic2.jpg&hash=6d972b227eaf9594d17d5af53529fa1e9eb24a26)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg21.imageshack.us%2Fimg21%2F8360%2Fmosaic3.jpg&hash=c5d91182ea47960c8391cccc35f36929690e9b4f)

"Beautiful." Tiko breathed, climbing into the cockpit. He was accompanied by Carlson on a closer inspection of the wreck, which rested inside a cavernous hangar deep under the city. The dark cockpit was a treasure trove to him, with all of its instruments and screens and, and well, it was all so magnificently archaic. His eyes shone as they drank in the history which he loved so dearly. Carlson's eerie gaze followed him, crawling up and down his back until, distracted, Tiko sent him in search of a piece of equipment. Finally alone, he bent down to a vac-suit webbed into the pilot's seat and his lamp gleamed off the white skull within.

Thank you friends. See you soon.

Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: jmyers2043 on September 13, 2009, 06:18:47 PM
Hello Goeff

I was reminded of the movie, Logan's Run when I saw the picture. The craters, bluffs, and futuristic buildings all work together to make a nice Sci-Fi scene. 
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on September 14, 2009, 08:33:50 AM
Fascinating story, sorry I missed the last page!  The terrain does an excellent job of conveying the feel of some sort of war involving meteorites, and those buildings are amazing!  Looking forward to the next page!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Tomas Neto on September 16, 2009, 01:18:43 PM
Hi Geoff!!! This update made me to remember also of a film, the machine of the time!!! That beautiful image, with this watercolor effect, and the story is impressive too!!!  &apls &apls &apls
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on October 05, 2009, 10:12:39 PM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg203.imageshack.us%2Fimg203%2F8651%2Freplies.jpg&hash=7948fb256c92f5dcb3afd08b5290e1b2cea5355c)

jmeyers2043: That's a great compliment. I love that movie. The T.V. series didn't quite cut it however. Great to see you!

Battlecat: I'm glad the alien world came through as such. I was hoping it would look alien enough.

Tomas Neto: Yes, the Time Machine. Fantastic story. Thanks for stopping by. Always good to see you here.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg17.imageshack.us%2Fimg17%2F2347%2Fheaderrt.jpg&hash=0a0cd9925dd9dcdc0e4ba09a342fdddbb665daac)


Episode V

The skull's empty sockets stared back at Tiko Shore lifelessly from within their protective suit. He became suddenly uneasy. He felt he had been here before, at this very place. But that couldn't be possible could it? The skull seemed to be smiling at him.

At that moment a flood of memories came rushing into his mind. Vivid pictures raced through Tiko's mind's eye.

He saw a city. It was an old city, unrecognizable if compared to the cities of Tiko's world. The memories would not reveal the name of this city. It was a beautiful place full of life and vigor. The smells and sounds came to him as though he were there. Vehicles moved quickly through the corridors between the giant structures. Those structures reached toward the sky and housed tens of thousands within their bulk. The inhabitants moved through the cityscape in the millions.

Tiko fell deeper into the memories. More revealed themselves.

Tiko awoke in his bedroom. He was in bed with his head nestled deep in a white pillow. He opened his eyes. A large window let the morning sunshine lay across his face and he welcomed its warmth. Pulling himself out of his slumber he rose and climbed from the bed, keeping the sunlight from his tired eyes. Only moments ago he had been somewhere very far away. The image of the skull smiling at him lifelessly was still with him. Wherever his dream had taken him it felt more real than the bedroom he now stood in. That feeling and the images wasn't fading this time as he moved about.

Sorry for the long delay my friends. I won't let that happen again. Thanks for your enthusiasm.

Take care.

Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on October 06, 2009, 08:20:54 AM
Very interesting story!  I went back and reread it, it's very well written!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Dreamcat on October 08, 2009, 06:19:05 PM
Wow!  Simply amazing!  I am really liking the story you've written here!  Very well done.  :thumbsup:

However, I have know what those buildings are in the last update's picture.  Where did you get them?  And if you tell me they're photoshopped in I think I'm going to cry...
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on October 08, 2009, 09:40:17 PM
Thanks for your enthusiasm Dreamcat. I'm glad you like the story.

As for your question. Try this [linkie] (http://www.yuhisa.com/cgi/c-board/c-board.cgi?cmd=one;no=107;id=). I think it's what you're looking for  ;)

Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Tomas Neto on October 09, 2009, 03:33:26 AM
Fantastic story, really fantastic. I looking forward to the next update.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on November 15, 2009, 11:23:23 PM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg41.imageshack.us%2Fimg41%2F7991%2Frepliesq.jpg&hash=1801638ff32125f86c7d079a05b52814e263b79b)

Tomas Neto: I'm glad you're enjoying it. I'm getting a lot of region building done during this little experiment into storytelling. There is a method to this madness :)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg692.imageshack.us%2Fimg692%2F3836%2Fheaderou.jpg&hash=20b02f2a9fa336aa35382e5bd279cd9cc28ba668)

Episode VI

Today Tiko planned to see his friend, Carlson. Carlson had been framed by the Tide Corporation during the investigation. The frame was a simple one. Documents unrelated to the case had been surreptitiously placed in the very well hidden safe at Carlson's home. His home was searched after a 'complaint' was filed and the documents were discovered. The documents were then claimed to be proprietary information and highly valuable. It was quite an impressive operation. One for which there was no defense. The point being made was that they could reach anyone. The point was well taken. Tiko's investigators had been looking over their shoulders for the remainder of the case. Some even moved their families out of the city. Carlson was now free from his temporary stay behind bars after being charged but his legal problems had only just begun.

Carlson contacted Tiko immediately after being released on bail. When they last spoke Carlson had said he had important information to add to the case. He needed to see Tiko in person...urgently. Tiko was anxious to reveal his own break in the case. A meeting place was agreed upon.

Over the years Tiko and Carlson had been followed, spied upon, bugged, and otherwise monitored in numerous ways. A secure location was required to counter prying eyes and ears. One site was chosen among the rest.

Carlson would be waiting for him at the airport.


Take care all.

Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Tomas Neto on November 16, 2009, 01:57:37 PM
The strange life of Tiko Shore it's the appropriate title for this history, and really is a fantastic history! I'm liking very much! It's a pity that your updates has a space of time very big between them!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on November 16, 2009, 02:08:33 PM
Very interesting developments here!  Looking forward to seeing where you're heading!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on November 18, 2009, 10:42:15 PM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg690.imageshack.us%2Fimg690%2F8651%2Freplies.jpg&hash=e2559254ec7f780e871bed2e8fabe1e68936be0e)

Tomas Neto: Thank you very much for your enthusiasm! I'm hoping to wrap up the story pretty quick and get back to some Monument Valley!

Battlecat: The developments will come fast and furious now. Good to see you back Battlecat!

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg190.imageshack.us%2Fimg190%2F9823%2Fheaderjx.jpg&hash=19aaa9eb3249e62fdffb8297973f31d32bd8ac9c)

Episode VII

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg20.imageshack.us%2Fimg20%2F4568%2Fairportterminal.jpg&hash=1cef7d3839a59f66fe7ed2d49d08c3d71653c644)

The skies around the airport were restricted and monitored. Movement by vehicle was slow and easy to monitor. Once inside the terminal the masses of people were a perfect cover and security was total. Stand in one spot too long and you attracted attention. Using the airport as a secure meeting spot was sound counter surveillance strategy. It worked.

Tiko entered the terminal after parking his vehicle in one of the airport's massive cement ramps. Carlson would be monitoring his entrance and looking for any potential unwanted scrutiny. Tiko quickly made his way to one of the many small shops along the retail promenade. The racks held all the current bestsellers and the most prominent magazines. Trinkets and small gifts were well represented. Carlson had positioned himself in front of a small rack of children's books and pretended to leaf through a hard copy of 'The Velveteen Rabbit'.

Carlson said, "We had better make this short. The information I have is dangerous and I don't trust that we're safe here, however we won't be safe anywhere."

"What have you found?" Tiko asked.

"As we know the Tide Corporation is global. Its leaders are politically connected." Carlson glanced over his shoulder nervously. The bookstore was now empty but for the two friends. "Those relationships are being formed in parallel with a terrible agenda, an agenda more dangerous than anyone could imagine."

"We knew they had a secret, Carlson. What is the secret? That was always the unanswered question."

Carlson continued. "The Tide Corporation has been forming relationships with military leaders all over the world. They're working to set off dramatic acts of violence. The violence would be the most spectacular terrorist acts imaginable. This violence is intended to provoke chaos and to destabilize governments. When the chaos becomes intolerable, it would be their excuse to march in military units and assume the controls, initially with martial law.''

"That would be consistent with my findings." Tiko said. "I've discovered that the Tide Corporation has been making deposits of large sums of money into banks all over the world. That would make those deposits payoffs."

Carlson pulled an envelope from the book he was still holding and handed it to Tiko. "There's one more thing Tiko. It is extremely important that you read this. Don't open it now. Wait until you're alone."

"What is it?" Tiko asked.

"It will determine whether you live out the day." Carlson abruptly left and was quickly lost in the crowded terminal.



Thank you all for stopping by. See you soon.

Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Tomas Neto on November 20, 2009, 06:20:49 AM
Impressive!!! I feel a similarity with some series that I like very much, such as Flash Foward!!! You have great talent to make fantastic stories!!!  &apls &apls
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on November 20, 2009, 09:49:43 AM
And the plot thickens!  Very cool to see another update so quickly, looking forward to the next episode!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on November 26, 2009, 12:55:57 PM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg28.imageshack.us%2Fimg28%2F8651%2Freplies.jpg&hash=91408cfe68f117263e265208dff87342b170f4f4)

Battlecat: Thanks for stopping by and posting Battlecat. I'm glad you're enjoying the story. The end is near, I promise.

Tomas Neto: I've never seen Flash Forward. I've wanted to check it out. I'm a huge fan of Lost though. The X-Files is a big influence too. The Twilight Zone is another. I'm glad you're having fun with the story.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg522.imageshack.us%2Fimg522%2F1072%2Fheaderkw.jpg&hash=978fc2c40837c7de962098d94f11d85b9896e0e7)

Episode VIII

Tiko was now acutely aware of the myriad of faces in the crowd as he walked past them in the hundreds and thousands. He waited for a sign that an anonymous form in the crowd might be more than just that. They all seemed to be watching him. In reality one solitary set of eyes was set upon him. Those eyes watched him leave the terminal and walk toward the parking ramp.

He picked up his pace and was soon within sight of his parked vehicle. An airport security patrol car passed him slowly, the officer briefly looking Tiko over before moving on. It was a cool afternoon and the smell of the exhaust as the car passed was sweet and strong. Tiko pulled the envelope from his pocket as he walked, anxious to know its ominous secret. He quickly ripped the short end and the note slid out into his hand. The message was brief and cryptic.


(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg222.imageshack.us%2Fimg222%2F1702%2Ftextimagey.jpg&hash=f7072028e3d494f4ed5caf0a69937028c94d5ba8)



The message was enigmatic. It shed no light on their situation and Tiko was befuddled. He didn't have long to ponder its importance. As Tiko walked the last few steps and was readying his keys he noticed a human form that was suddenly before him. The broad-shouldered man wore a dark coat and turned slowly in Tiko's direction. Tiko froze.

"Hello Rabbit" The man said with a smile.

Tiko paused, speechless. He recognized the nickname his Father gave him as a child. As a young boy he would beg his Father to read the story of the rabbit that longed to be real.

"Dad?" He finally uttered. "How can this be?"

Memories flooded Tiko's mind. Images and events that had been buried or lost since his youth came quickly and vividly. There was confusion though too. Reality seemed to blur. His Father standing before him looked exactly the same as the images of the same man in the distant past. The memories of his Father wasting away came too. It was a long journey toward death that his Father rode from the tumor deep inside his brain. By the age of twenty Tiko had lost his Father.

"What are you doing here?" Tiko asked.

With a comforting smile his Father said, "I've come to say goodbye Tiko."

There was a brief, sudden movement in the corner of Tiko's left eye. Before he could react he felt the impact at the base of his skull.

His world went dark. There was blackness.


Happy Thanksgiving all! Have a safe weekend.

Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on November 26, 2009, 01:05:45 PM
Crazy and interesting.  No worries, I'm looking forward to seeing how this ends!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Tomas Neto on November 26, 2009, 01:52:26 PM
Wow, on every part of the story that I read, more and more I feel how you can enchant us with your way of write!!! This story is fantastic and magic too!!!  &apls &apls
Flash Foward, X Files, Lost, Twilight Zone, Fringe and the Mentalist are great series, in my opinion!
Awesome update my friend!!!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on November 28, 2009, 03:06:24 AM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg37.imageshack.us%2Fimg37%2F8651%2Freplies.jpg&hash=7091fd4bf8daaa5210c2cca7f829dff82cf6785f)

Battlecat: The end has arrived  :)

Tomas Neto: Thanks for your continued support Tomas. You're a trooper.



Episode IX

"Greetings" Came a voice from the void.

The voice brought Tiko out of his dream. The white skull still stared at him impassively from within its tomb. The dream remained vivid in Tiko's mind, whereas they had faded in the past. He remembered his father saying goodbye.

"Carly? I thought I told you to...."

The voice came again. "Greetings. My name is Howe, Johnathan Peter Howe. Lieutenant, Queen's Royal Air Force. As you can well see, I'm dead. Before the transport was attacked I piloted the Rabbit for all of her thirty-seven years. We loved each other, the ship and I."

"Wha...wha...but," spluttered Tiko, "but how, if you're dead, can you be speaking to me?"

"Well you see, it's really quite complicated, but I'll explain it to you as best I'm able. Basically, I programmed my history, my experiences, and my personality into the ship's artificial intelligence software. Over time the ship adopted my personality to a startling precision. This was something that occurred slowly, mind you, over all our years together. When my body was shot through in the attack, the artificial intelligence shared my pain. The ship's computer IS me, so to speak, just a bit more intelligent. What you're hearing is my voice transmitted through my suit's receiver. I tell you lad, it's a strange and lonely thing to stand by for thousands of years, watching your body turn to dust."

"It's just that this is such a shock. Never before have we documented such an occurrence. You pre-date even the Tide."

"Forgive my ignorance, but since I've spent the past several thousand years floating in space I do not know of the Tide."

The Tide! How could he have forgotten! It was of utmost consequence that the computer be updated at once. "You must listen to me now. What I'm about to tell you could make the difference in whether you live out the day. This is not the society you knew. Things have changed, our children are taught, 'for the better'. No human has participated in a war since the Tide came to power three-and-a-half-thousand years ago. There is no religion, no metaphysics, no imagination. Since the Tide's ascent all knowledge and studies that are judged to have been detrimental to humankind were made illegal. All languages were outlawed except the standard tongue. Families, cultures, and even the races have been melded into a single humanity without difference so that we might live in peace, so that philosophy might catch up with science. All pre-Tide history was banned. Through twenty years of education I never heard spoken the word God, nor war, nor money. Only in the dark of night was my father able to tell me the stories his father told him and his father him; stories of old Earth. We have achieved peace, though at such a cost."

His summary was met with a long silence.

Finally Howe replied, "And so I'm in danger of losing my life...again."

"I'm not sure. Did you make your presence known to Carlson while he was aboard?"

"No. You're the only one I've talked to."

"Then there's a chance. If we can 'record' you, then I could remove you from the ship and hide you away until I could download you onto another computer. Of course, you would have no consciousness or sense of time-lapse during the interim, but it's that or face certain destruction."

Howe sighed. "I don't like the idea of being unplugged even for a short while, but obviously I've no other choice. I've already recorded myself onto a data chip that originally held our flight plan. Take it. I will turn myself off."

Tiko reached for the small data chip which had ejected from a panel on the control board. Slipping it into a cargo pocket on his suit's hip, he smiled once at the helmeted skull and then left the Velveteen Rabbit.

Tiko thought about what he was doing. He knew it was illegal, but he didn't care. The Tidal Code was wrong. It was that simple. Was he doing the right thing? Yes. It had to be. Knowledge could not be evil. It was only evil in the ways which some people used it to hurt and cheat each other. Knowledge by its very nature was good. It was people who were evil. He made his way toward the ship's open airlock. He would soon be in the hangar. Stepping through the doorway he saw a flash of movement behind him and to his right. Then the world exploded white and the ground rushed up to meet him.

There was a pink haze. After a while, two bright lines of light appeared in the pink and gradually grew wider. Darker lines began to be discernable within the white. The lines darkened and assumed more definition as the minutes passed. Suddenly it occurred to him that he was alive and he was looking into the face of his colleague, Carlson. But Carlson was no longer wearing his uniform. He was dressed in the maroon of a Tidal officer. Carlson was looking down at him with a hateful sneer spread across his lips. He spoke as though he were a recording being played slowly.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg515.imageshack.us%2Fimg515%2F4787%2Ftidalofficer.jpg&hash=a0a2fde346c2c348aaed4e25d8e6ecb0ace5ad62)

"I just wanted to wake you up so that you would know exactly what's been done to you...and what will be done." Carlson sneered again. "We have suspected you of having subversive thoughts for over a year now. We can not tolerate that in a fleet officer of your rank. Indeed, we cannot tolerate it in anyone of any rank, but yours made you a priority for investigation. The Velveteen Rabbit was devised and built solely as bait in a trap which, I might add, you fairly jumped into. I and the rest of your new crew, all of which you shouldn't be surprised to learn are Tidal officers, have reviewed your case and have come to a conclusion. We have found you guilty of treason against the state and the human race. You are to be reconditioned. Just in case you don't know what that means I should be happy to explain. Perhaps 'describe' would be a better word. Either way the result will be the same. You will have no self-will. Your eyes will stare glossy and mindless. You will have no pride, nothing but a tendril of drool hanging from the corner of your mouth. You will be unfit to do anything but the simplest of tasks. The process will be excruciatingly painful." Carlson was preparing a syringe. "Know then, as your last complex thought as a human being, that it is your fault and no other's. I bid you goodbye, Tiko Shore."


End
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Tomas Neto on November 29, 2009, 05:11:01 AM
The narrative is so vigorous that I can see a movie in my mind! This image that you put in the middle of the text made still more sensational the update of this story!    &apls &apls

I'm really enjoying, very much! And a fatal end to the Tiko. What a pit!!!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on November 30, 2009, 09:52:55 AM
A very interesting story indeed.  You've done an excellent job of crafting an interesting world in your short story! 
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on December 01, 2009, 09:36:25 PM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg22.imageshack.us%2Fimg22%2F3742%2Frepliesm.jpg&hash=0a1a8746acc31a8797c505b7d0217ab39a4aae5e)

Tomas Neto: I'm glad you enjoyed it Tomas. It's back to Sim City for a while. Monument Valley still has a lot left to show.

Battlecat: Thanks for indulging me Battlecat. Now to some city building!

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg217.imageshack.us%2Fimg217%2F3905%2Fheaderjy.jpg&hash=9081c9baa501c3602eaa21c1d73e6623df207eb7)


Monument Valley hasn't escaped the recent outbreak of Swine Flu (H1N1). In fact, it's hit the Valley pretty hard. Fortunately, Monument Valley has a pretty good health infrastructure. There are a few holes that need to be plugged though as the statistics will show.


(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg403.imageshack.us%2Fimg403%2F5144%2Fmonumentjournal.jpg&hash=c0a828b325f8d0c83e45f997ec338bb34cd04979)
27.1

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg10.imageshack.us%2Fimg10%2F3000%2Fmedicaloverview.jpg&hash=d90cd45dff155678d4cca9d1df66c6797755353c)
27.2

The statistics above show a system that is keeping Monument Valley healthy but is under some stress.

Astoria
The statistic that stands out most throughout the valley is Astoria's 5/1 patient-doctor ratio. That ratio is making the residents of the area the healthiest in Monument Valley. With 132 doctors serving a population only slightly larger than Arcadia's, only 15% of the area's total capacity is being used by Monument Valley Sims, by far the lowest in the valley.

Shenandoah Valley
In stark contrast to Astoria, Shenandoah Valley has serious problems. 97% of its medical care capacity is currently being used. Shenandoah Valley is served by a single clinic and the flu is seriously taxing its resources.

Big Fork
Big Fork is weathering the crisis moderately well. With a population just over ninety thousand, it maintains a patient-doctor ratio of just 16/1. Only 35% of the area's resources are currently employed. The cost of employing 539 doctors and specialists in the system, however, is incredibly high.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg412.imageshack.us%2Fimg412%2F7545%2Furgentcareclinic.jpg&hash=8d804479adfcf17f4d59bb876794a025720382a6)
27.3

Monument Valley's clinics provide ambulatory care to patients outside of the hospital emergency room system, usually on an unscheduled, walk-in basis. Urgent care centers are primarily used to treat patients who have an injury or illness that requires immediate care but is not serious enough to warrant a visit to an emergency room. Often urgent care centers are not open on a continuous basis, unlike a hospital emergency room which would be open at all times.

Of the twenty five health care facilities in the Monument Valley area nineteen of them are walk-in clinics.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg687.imageshack.us%2Fimg687%2F9006%2Fbigforkmedicalcenter.jpg&hash=dec78bbb40ec4cab90b5356d60bc10c06c67c92b)
27.4

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg412.imageshack.us%2Fimg412%2F3151%2Funiversitymedicalcenter.jpg&hash=f9b3f9f1c8d260a9043415460cd159417169153b)
27.5

Monument Valley's system of Medical Centers and Hospitals provide for patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment, and often, but not always provide for longer-term patient stays. There are five Medical Centers in Monument Valley. These facilities are generally funded by the state, by health organizations, (for profit or non-profit), health insurance companies or charities.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg207.imageshack.us%2Fimg207%2F436%2Fcdca.jpg&hash=348a8b16001620a074f18aef6ac227944c61e297)
27.6

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (or CDC) is a United States federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services based in Atlanta, Georgia. It works to protect public health and safety by providing information to enhance health decisions, and it promotes health through partnerships with state health departments and other organizations. The CDC focuses national attention on developing and applying disease prevention and control (especially infectious diseases), environmental health, occupational safety and health, health promotion, prevention and education activities designed to improve the health of the people of the United States.

The CDC Center in Monument Valley has one of the few Biosafety Level 4 laboratories in the country, as well as one of only two official repositories of smallpox in the world. The second smallpox store resides at the State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology VECTOR in the Russian Federation.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg27.imageshack.us%2Fimg27%2F1088%2Fairlift.jpg&hash=9d434b692ddddc2fb0e7cb1189972dcbb0b58eee)
27.7

Air National Guard C-17s loaded with generators, cargo vans, trailers, pickup trucks, bottled water, meals ready to eat and medical supplies landed in Monument Valley to support a particularly severe outbreak of the H1N1 virus.

Teaming with the C.D.C. and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the on-going medical support efforts are a total-force mission being carried out by the 16th AW; 512th Airlift Squadron; 716th Air Mobility Squadron; 101st Medical Group; Monument Valley Air National Guard.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg37.imageshack.us%2Fimg37%2F807%2Fsolhistory.jpg&hash=5a5028364d37024bc0816ee5dfe04a9228696f38)
27.8

The Star of Life.


For those that read and enjoyed 'The Strange Life of Tiko Shore', I appreciate your enthusiasm and your patience. We'll now come back down to terra firma for a bit and rejoin our tour of Monument Valley and it's less extraordinary citizens. Another story may be in our future, however. Who knows where this journey will take us.

Thanks for stopping in.

Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on December 02, 2009, 08:58:43 AM
I'll quite happily indulge some good story writing!  I went back and read the works in one sitting, it's very well done. 

Those are some very awesome hospitals there.  Nice use of current events to highlight it!  The one in 27.4, the Big Fork Medical Center is pretty impressive, where did you track that one down? 
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Tomas Neto on December 02, 2009, 02:25:21 PM
Your style is unmistakable!!! Monument Valley is a stunning and beautiful place! I'm impressed with each update that you do, Geoff!!! Awesome!!!  &apls &apls
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: ecoba on December 02, 2009, 02:25:59 PM
It's good to see a new update from Mounument, Geoff.

I like that hospital and the area around it, I also like the statistical region view!

Ethan
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: danielcote on December 02, 2009, 03:30:23 PM
Nice photoshoping and I see you put them in order from smallest to largest facilities.  ;)
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on December 03, 2009, 09:29:04 AM
Quote from: Battlecat on December 02, 2009, 08:58:43 AM
Those are some very awesome hospitals there.  Nice use of current events to highlight it!  The one in 27.4, the Big Fork Medical Center is pretty impressive, where did you track that one down? 

Battlecat, I found that hospital on a Spanish Sim City site. It's worth the time to browse their BAT's. Lots of stuff I don't see in anyone else's MD'ing. Here's the [link]  (http://descargas.capitalsim.net/?sitio=csc&descarga=1044)to their site.
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: soulchaser on December 04, 2009, 11:27:03 AM
This Hospital is a part of a pack....you can also find it on the Stex, if I remeber right...


Great MD, CalibaX, by the way...impressive statistics!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on December 06, 2009, 11:26:12 PM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg43.imageshack.us%2Fimg43%2F5534%2Frepliess.jpg&hash=219a9e9b3f7ad0ebf486cdaccd7d7a8df1d87145)

Battlecat: I hope you were able to find what you needed Battlecat. Soulchaser is probably correct regarding the Stex. I never did get around to looking to see if those hospitals were on the LEX or on the STEX.

Tomas Neto: Thank you Tomas. I love your enthusiasm! I also love those paths that wind through your mosaics. I've copied that idea and put them into this update. It would seem that it is not quite as easy as you make it look ;) I'll continue to work on the technique.

Ethan (ecoba): Thank you for the compliment Ethan. I'm glad you're pleased with the update. Stop in again.

danielcote: Thank you daniel. Yes, you're correct about the smallest to largest ordering of health care facilities. The larger the buildings were the more visually interesting they became. It would have been somewhat anticlimactic to end the update with a small clinic. It's nice to see you here again.

soulchaser: Thank you for that soulchaser. I'm glad you liked the statistics.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg199.imageshack.us%2Fimg199%2F8953%2Fheadervg.jpg&hash=3e5a060a5ba6fb9b982205f134622b4dc5bb2bd1)


Welcome to the city of Valley Junction. We're continuing our tour of Monument Valley with a short stop in this small manufacturing town. Lumber from Mill Creek to the South is hauled by road to the mills and factories here in Valley Junction. The town is overwhelmingly blue collar and has a thriving industry. Located along a major highway and only forty five minutes from Monument Valley International Airport, Valley Junction is perfectly situated within the valley.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg692.imageshack.us%2Fimg692%2F8035%2Friverfront.jpg&hash=49cb4806f699fd75fa2bcd1b8e74dd0d3699c93d)
28.1

The Old Riverfront District is dominated by large factories. Much of Valley Junction's industry has moved to the city's outskirts however.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg198.imageshack.us%2Fimg198%2F8485%2Fmainstreetpark.jpg&hash=ef43002eb931db111881f650c96d9754e88211f6)
28.2

Old Main Street remains the center of Valley Junction's social life. As the city grew to the East of the Bly River Old Main Street ceased to be the city's business center.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg21.imageshack.us%2Fimg21%2F5554%2Fchemicalworks.jpg&hash=fdf849c7827ce3898a8d2d8f91ea4b668e01af47)
28.3

The West side of the Bly River is forested and largely undeveloped.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg98.imageshack.us%2Fimg98%2F4654%2Fresidential2.jpg&hash=e83192424334bfab555a298fb03e3b9731864960)
28.4

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg21.imageshack.us%2Fimg21%2F3386%2Fresidential1.jpg&hash=ea6b7a264e3c114a929609f8ba20c0529fcf1f6f)
28.5

Let's get an overview of Monument Valley as a reference.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi923.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fad80%2Fcalibanx%2Fmonumentroadmapjpg.jpg&hash=dafa4b33d6695037c7e30769eac09cfb32b4eb3b) (http://i923.photobucket.com/albums/ad80/calibanx/MonumentRoadMapcopy.jpg)
28.6 -Click to Enlarge-

Stay Tuned. More is in store from Valley Junction.

Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: amapper on December 06, 2009, 11:39:23 PM
I really like that little river. What a great small town this is. Very nice.
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Delecto on December 07, 2009, 01:30:54 AM
Remarkable area Caliban, I cann't wait to discover the continuation.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on December 07, 2009, 08:34:09 AM
Great little town there!  Love the little details, particularly the pathways you've got winding around town. 
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Tomas Neto on December 07, 2009, 02:33:19 PM
Geoff, the paths are great, really a nice work!!! Fantastic!!! I adore a lot your suburbs, because they're very realistic, and beautiful too!!! Awesome update my friend!!! Impressive landscape!!!  &apls &apls &apls
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Yan077 on December 08, 2009, 12:39:50 AM
wow, your last updates are awesome my friend  :o
I particulary like the region overview, it's very impressive and so realistic.
Your mix of landscapes and low density urban areas is also fantastic !
Congrats Geoff  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Nexis4Jersey on December 08, 2009, 12:48:25 AM
Awesome update , looks like a typical American Suburb :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: io_bg on December 08, 2009, 01:02:34 AM
Great update, I love these suburbs! Really nice layout and detailing on the river! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: ecoba on December 08, 2009, 04:27:37 AM
I too, am in love with that river. Is it game water? If so, then that is the best game water I've seen detailed.

The way that the suburbs are layed out really is unique, I don't think I've been in one like it. Also, I was wondering how you got a diagonal road to connect to a diagonal street. I've never been able to do this.

Hope to see more of Valley Junction and Monument soon!

Ethan
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Schulmanator on December 08, 2009, 01:53:57 PM
Another great update! Your detailing is awesome and it all blends together so well.  &apls
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: ManuelR on December 10, 2009, 12:33:04 PM
Two nice new updates I nearly missed. :P :) Really great job on Monument Valley. I especially like the region views, they look very realistic. ;)
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: kwakelaar on December 12, 2009, 08:30:56 AM
Really a very nicely done river and banks and the detailing along your paths are great.
The map at the end of your update is wonderful, I think you are very good at making those, I like the combination of colours and symbols.
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on December 13, 2009, 05:48:41 PM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg691.imageshack.us%2Fimg691%2F8651%2Freplies.jpg&hash=acedfb23eac61ce37ce24f87ba18e6f4b23009ee)

amapper: Thanks for stopping in. I appreciate your kind words.

Delecto: Nice to see you here. Thanks, and stop by again.

Battlecat: Thanks Battlecat. I have to thank Tomas Neto for the inspiration he gave me to make those paths. Now that I've started making them I can't seem to stop  &mmm

Tomas Neto: I'm glad you like the paths, since I basically lifted the idea from you  ::) As for the suburbs, I've got a whole bunch more below. Thanks again.

Yan077: Thank you for the great compliment my friend. Always nice to see you here in Monument Valley.

Nexis4Jersey: Thank you very much. I design those suburbs similar to what I knew growing up in the midwest U.S.

io_bg: I enjoy making the burbs and the river both. I'm glad you like the results. Thank you for the nice compliment.

Ethan (ecoba): Thank you very much Ethan. That is game water. This region's game water is very shallow, and as a result I've had the opportunity to play with the rivers where in other regions in this MD I have not. Most of the game water in Monument is a bit too deep to be able to work with.

Schulmanator: Thanks for that Schulmanator! I appreciate your applause.

ManuelR: Thank you for your support Manuel. It's nice to have you here.

Gjermund (kwakelaar): Thanks for the great compliment. You make a pretty mean map yourself. I'll continue to post maps from time to time.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg192.imageshack.us%2Fimg192%2F1787%2Fheaderke.jpg&hash=e8305980ed85015f742d308f0620b9ce29595ec1)


Valley Junction is a rural manufacturing town ideally located. It is reliant on lumber from the South and on markets throughout Monument Valley.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg189.imageshack.us%2Fimg189%2F662%2Fvalleyjunctionfurniture.jpg&hash=180e92e26ef747a60df2fd6588aa2024e86d7546)
29.1

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg193.imageshack.us%2Fimg193%2F5872%2Fashleyfurniture.jpg&hash=ff4a128df64b59533e1e7cb270ca20cec8278ea9)
29.2

Ashley Furniture is nationally known for it's fine craftsmanship.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg97.imageshack.us%2Fimg97%2F9564%2Findustrialneighborhood.jpg&hash=c695dc3e47ca88be34e8c0876f2bb70301c08bc8)
29.3

Valley Junction brings resources from the vast forests that surround it. Fine furniture is sent from it's factories to distribution centers across the country.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg697.imageshack.us%2Fimg697%2F6373%2Fblyriver.jpg&hash=ec819c9dd8a09ca90b3b5e0157f15813492b0e0b)
29.4

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg691.imageshack.us%2Fimg691%2F6704%2Friverfrontneighborhood.jpg&hash=654b429aa316fa48e8ec1429ce1d1a996e0c09e9)
29.5

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg41.imageshack.us%2Fimg41%2F9474%2Fblyriver2.jpg&hash=694049a569d36acfa044acf7989bdbc42d9203f6)
29.6

More from Valley Junction coming soon. Thanks for stopping in!

Here is a little preview of Timberland, the next city on our tour of Monument Valley.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg707.imageshack.us%2Fimg707%2F9140%2Frailyard3.jpg&hash=75803e7b4e0192d95888632f01983e86402a6f14)

Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Ennedi on December 13, 2009, 06:15:14 PM
What a beautiful place, I would love to live there!  :thumbsup:
You are a real master Geoff, all details are perfect, but everything looks very natural. The city is very well harmonized with the surrounding greenery. Great work!  &apls

Adam
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: ecoba on December 13, 2009, 06:30:16 PM
Monument Valley is so very beautiful, Geoff, and it becomes more and more obvious each update!

Ethan
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: amapper on December 13, 2009, 08:19:21 PM
The little river and the rail yard turned out superb!  &apls Nice use of rocks and other details too. It really shows a lot of attention on your part.
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: metasmurf on December 13, 2009, 08:31:39 PM
Absolutely stunning work. Very realistic region and city layout.
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on December 14, 2009, 08:44:02 AM
Excellent update!  Valley junction is quite inspiring, I really like how you've laid out your various subdivisions.  Also, the river looks particularly nice, great detailing in that area!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Tomas Neto on December 14, 2009, 08:59:57 AM
I stay speechless every time I see your updates! They are very beautiful! Fantastic update again my friend!!!  &apls &apls
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on December 24, 2009, 02:22:34 PM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg33.imageshack.us%2Fimg33%2F9623%2Frepliesl.jpg&hash=02bfdc0ece7f3f9a3a1a8a4423e8a48399b9544c)

Adam (Ennedi): Thank you Adam. You would be welcomed with open arms in Monument Valley.

Ethan (ecoba): Thank you for that. I'll try to live up to that.

amapper: Thank you for the applause. I appreciate it. Glad you liked the details.

metasmurf: Thank you for the nice compliment metasmurf.

Battlecat: Thanks Battlecat. I'm always appreciative of your enthusiasm.

Tomas Neto: Thank you very much Tomas!

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg685.imageshack.us%2Fimg685%2F9357%2Fheadercm.jpg&hash=fe88bda9b8b32bb71a1705d62db890058f9dd088)

Here's a short Christmas update.

The Valley Junction region along the Bly River is part of the Bly River National Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park Service.

Fort Bly, originally known as Fort Steele, is a former military fortification located along the Bly River in Monument Valley, United States. The Historic Fort Bly, run by the Monument Valley Historical Society, is located on top of the river bluff. The land at the bottom of the bluff is protected as Fort Bly State Park, run by the Monument Valley Department of Natural Resources.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg12.imageshack.us%2Fimg12%2F6414%2Ffortbly.jpg&hash=1fb8d604bbf8794a119e5e9abad00f2c8e7c2107)


Be safe and enjoy your holiday. Merry Christmas and a belated Happy Hanukkah.

Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: scott1964 on December 24, 2009, 10:12:42 PM
Your cities looks great.  :D What lots are you using for your retail outlets?  :o
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on December 25, 2009, 07:44:47 AM
This is a very nice touch for your region.  The ruined fort looks fantastic! 
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: danielcote on December 25, 2009, 09:08:01 AM
Looking Great! I like you're peaceful neighbourhoods.
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Tomas Neto on December 25, 2009, 09:58:33 AM
Really Monument Valley is a fantastic MD!!! Awesome update Geoff, great work!!!  &apls &apls
Merry Christmas!!! 
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on December 25, 2009, 01:07:33 PM
Quote from: scott1964 on December 24, 2009, 10:12:42 PM
Your cities looks great.  :D What lots are you using for your retail outlets?  :o

Thanks Scott. I'm using so many that I lose track, but I'm using a lot of Spa's buildings, Deadwoods, and of course Simgoober. They all make very recognizable national retail stores. I hope that helps!

Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on January 05, 2010, 01:57:26 AM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg262.imageshack.us%2Fimg262%2F8651%2Freplies.jpg&hash=c47203462d96a96ccc71fcdcd9e2df95202dd6a2)

Battlecat: Thanks Battlecat. I'm glad you liked the fort.

danielcote: I'm glad you liked the peaceful neighborhoods. You should like this update as well. It's focus is on Timberland's suburbs.

Tomas Neto: Thanks again Tomas. I'm glad you enjoy Monument Valley. I appreciate your continued support.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg441.imageshack.us%2Fimg441%2F2654%2Fheaderzq.jpg&hash=a34a87fb50df13baec9912d0ba66ea13e83d77dc)

Timberland is a thriving city. It is a transportation hub and a center for business. Goods from all over Monument Valley make their way by rail, road, and air to Timberland and are routed to the rest of the country and to the world.

The population is primarily middle to upper-middle class. Timberland's suburbs are sprawling and stretch far and wide.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg441.imageshack.us%2Fimg441%2F9228%2Fhwy624.jpg&hash=22acf7ff22d692badb08ebb79effcbe8268df055)
30.1

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg441.imageshack.us%2Fimg441%2F154%2Fhwy6242.jpg&hash=0acac9d6f4bcda376b76880414b34136ccc84751)
30.2

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg441.imageshack.us%2Fimg441%2F1445%2Fmonumentriver.jpg&hash=e9a08b3283c7b60210afe9b4aa5094e096cddabd)
30.3

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg441.imageshack.us%2Fimg441%2F4406%2Fmonumentriver2.jpg&hash=d591c5dcb97c6c0ab267f5fa4809d1720845cb60)
30.4

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg441.imageshack.us%2Fimg441%2F1552%2Feastbank2.jpg&hash=6a430dfe1451d030c248ce900775736dd9ef55a4)
30.5

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg41.imageshack.us%2Fimg41%2F3386%2Fresidential1.jpg&hash=082f589f80737a6d47330a4f0b50fde5be5503b9)
30.6

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg41.imageshack.us%2Fimg41%2F6338%2Fschoolzoneres.jpg&hash=fb68a31f0e0e3a83f7e4cdce75186c5f31dbcf02)
30.7

The merchants in the city of Timberland have made fortunes through the buying and selling of the resources of Monument Valley. Their hard work and ambition have created a vibrant and successful city.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg441.imageshack.us%2Fimg441%2F5290%2Fgalleria.jpg&hash=3d8aa921caaf8d320ed306b0084db2fc825398e9)

Stay Tuned for more from Timberland!

Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Ennedi on January 05, 2010, 02:10:46 AM
Again great pictures Geoff!  :thumbsup:
I like winding streets and the RHW layout!

I have one question: Did you do something with base textures of small homes? They blend so nicely with terrain textures  :)

Adam
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on January 05, 2010, 10:59:24 AM
Looks great.  I like the wide radius curves through your residential area, looks very nice indeed!  It's a great looking town all around, looking forward to what's next!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: bat on January 05, 2010, 11:06:36 AM
Fantastic pictures of the river and the areas around it! Great work on your city! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Evillions8 on January 05, 2010, 03:55:32 PM
Looks nice!  &apls
(Sorry to be off topic, but you play EVE?)
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on January 05, 2010, 06:44:52 PM
Quote from: Ennedi on January 05, 2010, 02:10:46 AM
Again great pictures Geoff!  :thumbsup:
I like winding streets and the RHW layout!

I have one question: Did you do something with base textures of small homes? They blend so nicely with terrain textures  :)

Adam

Thanks Adam. When I take the pictures into Photoshop I turn up the contrast and that blends the different grass textures together and covers up the edge. It's not something I did intentionally, it was an accident really.

Quote from: Evillions8 on January 05, 2010, 03:55:32 PM
Looks nice!  &apls
(Sorry to be off topic, but you play EVE?)

Thank you for the nice compliment Evillions8. I played EVE Online for quite a long time actually. My character is still sitting in storage waiting to be reactivated. You've obviously noticed the picture I'm using is a character from the game  ::)
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Tomas Neto on January 06, 2010, 03:25:09 PM
Timberland is an fantastic city, with a suburb very well planned and the very active commercial center!!! Your cities are very incredible, Geoff!!!  &apls &apls
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: KoV Liberty on January 06, 2010, 05:06:02 PM
Can't believe I haven't been here before! Very good job!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: sc-4 on January 07, 2010, 04:20:53 AM
OMG It's just fantastic  &apls
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: kwakelaar on January 23, 2010, 02:51:40 AM
Some great looking updates. The ruins of Fort Bly are looking mighty impressive, a really nice image you made for us.
The Timberland update is beautifully done. I like the way the river turns and the bridges do look like they are in the perfect spot. The combination of river front textures are nice, going from sand to grass.
The suburbs are also very nicely done, lots of variation and almost no straight lines.
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: girlfromverona on January 23, 2010, 03:05:11 AM
You have a really great way of laying everything out realistically! Look forward to your next update. :)
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on February 05, 2010, 01:21:09 AM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg515.imageshack.us%2Fimg515%2F8651%2Freplies.jpg&hash=91646d8e61038f21190006c62cb4c892f38da666)

Battlecat: Thanks Battlecat. I love the tools that are so quickly changing the game. I think the curved roads are probably the most effective way to get away from the 'grid'.

bat: Thanks for the compliment on the river, and thanks for stopping by.

Tomas Neto: I'm glad you like the cities Tomas. Thanks again for your support.

Driftmaster07: I'm glad you stopped by. Nice to see you here, and thanks for the compliment.

sc-4: Thank you for the applause. I never tire of a good round of applause  :)

kwakelaar: Thanks for the very nice compliments. Nice to hear from you.

girlfromverona: Thank you for that. Sorry that the update you were looking forward to took so long   ()sad()

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg515.imageshack.us%2Fimg515%2F9547%2Fheaderza.jpg&hash=b924f9348b6d9f57c8c8518c0df90fcd5aed0b8c)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg64.imageshack.us%2Fimg64%2F1217%2Fcontaineryard2.jpg&hash=117cf059c46a2b7e400d96fe33f1407371559a81)
31.1

Timberland's inland container terminal transfers goods between rail and trucks. The Timberland terminal is roughly fifty miles from one of the largest maritime container ports on the Eastern seaboard. The Timberland terminal also provides storage facilities for both loaded and empty containers. Loaded containers are stored for relatively short periods, while waiting for onward transportation, while unloaded containers may be stored for longer periods awaiting their next use. Containers are normally stacked for storage, and the resulting stores result in vast container stacks.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg97.imageshack.us%2Fimg97%2F1015%2Fcontaineryard.jpg&hash=30ccfdaf0cbfc1dc02baca1242e0da3373bbc163)
31.2

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg64.imageshack.us%2Fimg64%2F2690%2Fcontaineryard3.jpg&hash=551e43c9c1a2a6f3541a3b608c5d55d348c3d9fd)
31.3

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg64.imageshack.us%2Fimg64%2F6558%2Femployeeparking.jpg&hash=407123521b9714eabb042d67bdeb27fb37789cc3)
31.4

The Timberland container terminal is a mid-range terminal which serves as a consolidation point inland from it's sister maritime port. One of it's primary roles is to act as a buffer relieving the maritime port's container stacking areas.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg64.imageshack.us%2Fimg64%2F7757%2Fcontaineryard4.jpg&hash=50085828a69d1cfc80fb8cbaf625c2ceeb40fa43)
31.5

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg64.imageshack.us%2Fimg64%2F6854%2Ftransferstation.jpg&hash=ddc44ed1a585d7775555da417c630b526a041abc)
31.6

Thanks for your enthusiasm! See you soon.

Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: ManuelR on February 05, 2010, 02:50:27 AM
Very nice pictures of your container terminal. :) I guess it was a lot of work, especially the selfmade LE Lots.
This multi-storey car park ist very nice too, can you tell me where I can download it please?

Have a good weekend
Manuel
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on February 05, 2010, 08:49:04 AM
Awesome update!  Very nice looking inland container storage! 
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Tomas Neto on February 06, 2010, 09:35:23 AM
I stayed impressed with the high rank of realism and details in your updates!!! It looks that I'm looking at a picture of the real world!!! Awesome update again!!!  &apls &apls &apls
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: djvandrake on February 06, 2010, 10:29:17 AM
That's a very impressive railyard.  Great job.  &apls
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: TiFlo on February 06, 2010, 12:09:13 PM
Great railyard! I especially like the container yard area.

@ ManuelR
It looks like ill tonkso Multi Story Carpark (http://www.simtropolis.com/stex/details.cfm?id=20318)
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: penguin007 on February 07, 2010, 03:05:53 AM
Awesome industrial estates and railyards there all looks very realistic

Will
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on February 23, 2010, 07:47:54 PM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg707.imageshack.us%2Fimg707%2F8651%2Freplies.jpg&hash=5c8c475b539ac1647107e240d711055928f162c3)

Manuel (ManuelR): You're correct about the terminal taking some time. What really takes time is finding and downloading the exact buildings I wanted for the terminal. For me though, that's extremely enjoyable work. Thanks for stopping again.

Battlecat: Thanks for your continued support. This update should be of particular interest to you my friend.

Tomas Neto (Tomas): Thank you my friend for another round of applause. You're an inspiration.

djvandrake: Thank you for your great compliments. I appreciate it.

TiFlo: Thank you for that, and thanks for helping out with the directions to that carpark.

penguin007 (Will): Thank you very much for that. When visitors to Monument Valley say they feel as though they're looking at a photograph I feel as though my work has been successful.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg707.imageshack.us%2Fimg707%2F6119%2Fheaderiyn.jpg&hash=5bf3738698417644edaa7652c9997a06df87e41f)


I haven't posted images in a while because I've gotten a bit sidetracked on a small Monument Valley mapping project. I'm making a bit of progress on the city building but this post will be a bit of a teaser focused on the maps. These are as yet unfinished but are starting to look promising. I'll post more as the maps approach their completion.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg718.imageshack.us%2Fimg718%2F9356%2Flargemapteaser.jpg&hash=47772a26e2d5308a2379bb794b0d0e1beaed29e1)
32.1

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg718.imageshack.us%2Fimg718%2F7954%2Flargemapteaser2.jpg&hash=687557c68e27ae9e6a8ea4841a6cc0812e3f421a)
32.2

Take care all.

Geoff

Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: djvandrake on February 23, 2010, 09:30:21 PM
Wow, very impressive maps.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: kwakelaar on February 23, 2010, 11:33:31 PM
You have actually mapped the footprints of all the buildings...wow. The map looks beautiful.
Also the update of the inland container terminal is very well done.
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on February 24, 2010, 10:02:31 AM
Very ambitious to put the building footprints on the maps, you're doing a great job here!  I'm looking forward to seeing more of this mapping work, it looks great. 
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: ecoba on February 24, 2010, 04:31:27 PM
They certainly are looking stunning, Geoff. This is a previousy unventured style of mapping from what I know, and I am sure that the final product will look great. Also, sorry for not posting as often in your wonderful MD.

Ethan
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Tomas Neto on February 24, 2010, 05:39:20 PM
Wow, great update Geoff, very nice maps!!!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on February 25, 2010, 08:40:22 AM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg707.imageshack.us%2Fimg707%2F8651%2Freplies.jpg&hash=5c8c475b539ac1647107e240d711055928f162c3)

djvandrake: Thank you very much. Glad you're liking the maps. There's a lot more to add. Keep watching for new updates.

kwakelaar: The footprints are the next step after the last maps I did with the landscape contours. When the map is complete it will have the footprint of every building in the city.

Battlecat: I've been on vacation for the last week so I had some extra time to spend on this. I needed an ambitious project. Thanks for staying in touch.

Ethan (ecoba): I wanted to try something a little different. I'm always looking for new ways to convey more information in an efficient manner. I'm glad you like it.

Tomas (Tomas Neto): Thank you Tomas. I always appreciate your enthusiasm.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg707.imageshack.us%2Fimg707%2F6119%2Fheaderiyn.jpg&hash=5bf3738698417644edaa7652c9997a06df87e41f)


A few more details have been added. The building footprints are all in place. Here's a small teaser showing some of the added detail.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg706.imageshack.us%2Fimg706%2F1747%2Fmapimage1.jpg&hash=cc2d468a8a856a3e0e3f09671d19dd9eb206e028)
33.1


Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: penguin007 on February 25, 2010, 09:48:09 AM
Wow those are really detailed maps there!!! Also the industrial areas in your city look great

Will
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Connor on February 25, 2010, 02:08:04 PM
Fantastic mapping. The footprints of the building really add detail and i love the choice of colours as well.

Great work  &apls
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: BuildingUp on February 25, 2010, 03:44:16 PM
I love those maps, they remind me of when I used to draw out maps on paper when I was younger of cities.

Brilliant!  &apls
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: nedalezz on February 25, 2010, 04:21:47 PM
Very original, and quite eye candyish, maps!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: ecoba on February 25, 2010, 06:14:24 PM
Just wonderful work, Geoff. I like the added detail that the trees on the map provide.

Ethan
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Tomas Neto on February 26, 2010, 09:32:49 AM
Geoff, my friend, awesome again!!! I liked a lot of this way of do the maps!!! Impressive!!! Which programs you utilize to do the maps?
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on February 26, 2010, 01:09:55 PM
Quote from: Tomas Neto on February 26, 2010, 09:32:49 AM
Geoff, my friend, awesome again!!! I liked a lot of this way of do the maps!!! Impressive!!! Which programs you utilize to do the maps?

I'm glad you like the new map. I'm using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe InDesign. The roads were laid out in InDesign and I then transferred the image into Photoshop to do the remainder of the work. I'm really wishing I had Adobe Illustrator. It would have made the process much easier.

Thanks for stopping in Tomas.

Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Engorn on February 26, 2010, 01:20:56 PM
Very nices shots and very nice maps too. I loved them. ;) &apls &apls &apls &apls
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Toichus Maximus on February 28, 2010, 08:22:45 PM
Hey caliban, gotta say, you have a fantastic region going here. Excellent use of maps too!

I do have a quick question. Has the model for fort bly been released or is it one of your own models? I've been poking around for something like that for a while.
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on March 01, 2010, 01:06:47 PM
Quote from: Toichus Maximus on February 28, 2010, 08:22:45 PM
Hey caliban, gotta say, you have a fantastic region going here. Excellent use of maps too!

I do have a quick question. Has the model for fort bly been released or is it one of your own models? I've been poking around for something like that for a while.

Thanks Toichus Maximus. I'm glad you're enjoying Monument Valley. That model has been released on a latin Sim City site. Here is the link; Castillo de San Fernando (http://descargas.capitalsim.net/?sitio=csc&cat=2&start=108)
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Toichus Maximus on March 01, 2010, 01:12:25 PM
Thanks so much! Looking forward to more updates!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on March 01, 2010, 09:30:22 PM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg62.imageshack.us%2Fimg62%2F3427%2Frepliesa.jpg&hash=a54c989b4a26a240a54d9a2fde60be73133c4c85)

Will (penguin007): Thanks Will. I'm glad to have you here in Monument Valley.

Connor: I'm glad you like the colors. Pink and red weren't my first choices but they seem to work well together.

BuildingUp: I used to do the same. Computers have brought incredible capabilities haven't they?

nedalezz: I like your description of the maps as eye candy. That's a good description of what I'm trying to accomplish throughout this entire Mayor Diary. Thanks for stopping by and please come again.

Ethan (ecoba): Thanks again Ethan. More detail to come. I plan on cramming as much information into this map as I can.

Tomas (Tomas Neto): It's always good to see you stopping by with your great enthusiasm Tomas. Thanks again for your continued support.

Engorn: Thank you very much Engorn. I'm glad you enjoyed the map.

Toichus Maximus: Thanks again for stopping by and for your comments. I'll be curious to see your use of the castle/fort.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg62.imageshack.us%2Fimg62%2F5936%2Fheaderzqm.jpg&hash=8ebf1b25a6863bb0ffbc9497d1a3df6c638f20cd)


The details on the map are coming along nicely. I'm hoping to get as much information into the map as I can. This next pic should give an idea as to where I'm headed with the project. Still a lot to do.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg41.imageshack.us%2Fimg41%2F25%2Fmapbbq.jpg&hash=d25af005147b0bbb8f2e6feade55646207d65ead)



See you all soon.

Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on March 01, 2010, 10:12:14 PM
Very professional looking work!  Looking forward to seeing more of these!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: nedalezz on March 02, 2010, 05:03:57 AM
Sigh, if only I had map making talent like that. Seriously, it looks great. Cant wait for the full update.
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: djvandrake on March 02, 2010, 11:48:15 AM
Another fantastic map.  &apls  Are making a legend for key buildings in your city?  If so, Quite a project.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: kwakelaar on March 02, 2010, 12:33:10 PM
I like the relief that you are using for the buildings, but for the trees I am not entirely convinced. To me they are dominating your maps a little. The red buildings are I assume public buildings and are therefore important and the rest of your map is rather subtle.
Still it is looking very nice the way you are making these maps. &apls
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: art128 on March 02, 2010, 12:52:21 PM
Great map there Geoff !

I really love the style you used in that map, very creative. Once again I think I'll take it as an inspiration for my upcoming maps of the my city..  $%#Ninj2  I think the grey points line is a aerial metro line, right ?  Greatly done.

I hope to see more soon !  :thumbsup:

Arthur.
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Tomas Neto on March 02, 2010, 07:55:54 PM
Yeah, fantastic again, Geoff!!!  :thumbsup:
Thanks for telling me the programs that you use to make the maps!!!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: M.M.Malwin on March 04, 2010, 05:55:12 AM
I like the overall presentation of your region. It is very varied and exciting! Your maps are fabulous. Very nice work!  &apls  ;)
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Schulmanator on March 06, 2010, 06:29:20 PM
Great maps!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on March 07, 2010, 06:00:24 PM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg62.imageshack.us%2Fimg62%2F3427%2Frepliesa.jpg&hash=a54c989b4a26a240a54d9a2fde60be73133c4c85)

Battlecat: Thanks Battlecat. Well, here is the map. I may or may not do another one. I'm thinking it's onto something else frankly. The time investment is a bit much. Thanks for your continued support!

nedalezz: Actually, I have no map making training. It only takes a little artistic ability. I've been watching Nesara and artistic talent is something you definitely have in abundance.

djvandrake: I'm definitely making a legend for key buildings. I would love to take it further, any ideas?

kwakelaar: Thank you for your criticism and for your compliments. You made me stop and reevaluate. I made the decision to keep the current design. My thoughts were that the teaser pictures I posted of the map were of small snapshots of the map where the trees were, in my opinion, not as attractive as in other areas of the map. For instance, the downtown area has trees in straight lines. Those straight lined trees draw attention to themselves and are not quite as aesthetic as the tree patterns in other areas. I hope this makes some sense. I guess I'm saying that I agree with you and am hoping that looking at the final product you'll appreciate the overall simplicity of the trees. They were designed to fade into the background.

Arthur (art128): Thanks Arthur. I look forward to seeing your maps. I've always said that imitation is the best form of flattery. Take what you like and go for it. I may have to copy the improvements you make on my maps  :thumbsup:

Tomas Neto: Thanks again for visiting Tomas. I'm always happy to help!

M.M.Malwin: I'm glad you've enjoyed looking through Monument Valley. It's great to have you here.

Bruce (Schulmanator): Thanks Bruce! Great to see you here. I'll see you at the party  :thumbsup:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg62.imageshack.us%2Fimg62%2F5936%2Fheaderzqm.jpg&hash=8ebf1b25a6863bb0ffbc9497d1a3df6c638f20cd)


The Big Fork Metropolitan Area is actually five zones or Counties with the city of Big Fork at it's core. This map shows the city of Big Fork and parts of the five surrounding counties that are socially and economically integrated into the Big Fork metro area.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg29.imageshack.us%2Fimg29%2F3921%2Fdowntownbigforkzoomedou.jpg&hash=ee91b273e734ad98fe9b2228ff5c6e8b93869b02)
34.1
Downtown Big Fork

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg32.imageshack.us%2Fimg32%2F1705%2Fbigforkeasternsuburbs.jpg&hash=3e3416fce1718207532bb409622bbead5c2d5032)
34.2
Eastern Suburbs

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg8.imageshack.us%2Fimg8%2F7921%2Fnortheastsuburb.jpg&hash=3fb09b09856df3031f8a5f24540000f015d4d723)
34.3
Northeast

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg38.imageshack.us%2Fimg38%2F7439%2Fforumimage2.jpg&hash=7f2dcda3aec8dc7e32deac9b4d8503437f1fa88e) (http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/9395/foxrivercitymap.jpg)
34.4
Big Fork Map

Thank you for stopping friends.

Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: BuildingUp on March 07, 2010, 06:49:18 PM
Where to start; I love the map! It's very unique!

I love the downtown area too, it's really good. That tall blue building, what is it?

The suburbs are great, very realistic. I also really dig' the road layout.  &apls
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: adroman on March 07, 2010, 11:10:50 PM
Maps are always a great addition to an MD, and they suit yours excellently!

Your river looks fantastic, and the RHW looks right at home  ;)

Adrian.  $%#Ninj2
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on March 08, 2010, 09:20:20 AM
Maps are a large amount of work on the best of days, but what you've produced here is incredibly detailed!  It's readily apparent you've put a lot of time into this!  It looks fantastic as does the city that's being mapped!  Always looking forward to more!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Tomas Neto on March 08, 2010, 10:36:15 AM
Wow Geoff, more and more you impresses me with your updates!!! My friend, awesome again!!!  &apls &apls
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: ecoba on March 08, 2010, 11:19:06 AM
Looks absolutely...well, gorgeous, Geoff. Monument valley certainly has the most unique maps I have ever seen!

Ethan
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: scott1964 on March 08, 2010, 11:54:59 AM
Very nice maps.  :) How did you do those?  :o
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Engorn on March 15, 2010, 04:34:51 AM
Ey! Didn't see that!

I love that big map. Damn, I want one like this for Mosman... But the fact is that Mosman it's much bigger than Fox River City... :-[
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: antimonycat on April 15, 2010, 05:22:41 AM
Nice maps, not only does it add interest to an MD but an author making a map shows that you've put a lot of thought and care into your city.
That central business district looks great with that river arcing around it.
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: i_love_lamp on April 15, 2010, 08:06:00 PM
OH MY SWEET JESUS. This is totally friggin awesome  &apls x500000000000
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Connor on April 17, 2010, 09:41:59 AM
I'm not sure what looks better - the city or the maps?

Both of course, are fantastic.

Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on October 22, 2010, 01:36:59 AM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg2.imageshack.us%2Fimg2%2F8651%2Freplies.jpg&hash=83b595e62af9ff8f73c0da5aced9e861162cbbf8)

BuildingUp: Thank you for the kind words. I'm glad you like the road layout and the map. I'm not exactly sure what that building is called or who designed it. Maybe somebody out there recognizes it?

Adroman (Adrian): I'm glad you liked the river and the RHW. Thanks for stopping by.

Battlecat: Thanks for the kind words about the map and thanks for your strong support of Monument Valley! Great to have you here.

Tomas Neto: Thanks Tomas! I'm glad you enjoyed the update.

ecoba (Ethan): Thanks Ethan. I'll try to keep the maps coming.

scott1964: I don't think I could explain how I did the map unfortunately. Let's just say there were a lot of steps.

Engorn: You should definitely do a big map. They're great fun!

antimonycat: Thanks antimonycat. I'm glad you enjoyed the C.B.D.

i_love_lamp: I appreciate the nice compliment. That's a big applause!

Connor: I enjoyed making both of them equally. Thanks.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg2.imageshack.us%2Fimg2%2F4838%2Fheaderkz.jpg&hash=a66d710d363824bfd79bd192dad88c83423785a7)

Life in Monument Valley continues despite a pause in our tour. As we continue on our journey through the valley we come upon the small village of Fox River Township. This is an affluent town as you'll see with a diverse economy. Located just an hour from Big Fork, Fox River Township is a quiet hamlet that draws tourists to it's historic landmarks.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg2.imageshack.us%2Fimg2%2F1514%2Feastbank.jpg&hash=46325f2a54dca3d35b191da3ebb5dd4f37cdc28b)
35.1

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg2.imageshack.us%2Fimg2%2F3899%2Fbusinessdistrict.jpg&hash=9022ffa5cf2ff96661d590dbca8514780e4f7037)
35.2

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg2.imageshack.us%2Fimg2%2F4180%2Fruralresidential.jpg&hash=00f50356511c515144bd69efc6ebb81496264754)
35.3

Sorry for the long absence. Thanks for stopping!

Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: djvandrake on October 22, 2010, 01:42:11 AM
Very nice!  The shoreline and the bridge in the first pic look great, and that long red brick building is just right for that spot.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: io_bg on October 22, 2010, 02:53:33 AM
It's great to see you back posting a new great update! You've put JBSimio's buildings into a good use :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: art128 on October 22, 2010, 04:14:55 AM
Nice to see you back with an update, Geoff ! This one was really great, i like the use of the FARR in there. Fox River township looks like a nice and pleasant place to live.

Take care,
-Arthur. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: jmyers2043 on October 22, 2010, 04:28:57 AM
Hey Goeff

I like the first picture. I'm never satisfied with my tree placements nor when I put rocks and flora along a river bank. Yours looks great.

- Jim



Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: RickD on October 22, 2010, 04:56:25 AM
Great comeback update. I hope we will be seeing more of your awesome maps in the future.
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: marsh on October 22, 2010, 01:17:59 PM
Very cool! I just read through your previous updates. I remember this slightly, and used-to be a lurker here. (A while ago that was) It looks great and can';t wait to see more from Monument Valley.

,marsh  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Girafe on October 22, 2010, 01:27:03 PM
Good stuff here  &apls &apls
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: canyonjumper on October 22, 2010, 04:04:54 PM
Awesome return Geoff! Great coastline!

                 Your friend,
                                Jordan :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Schulmanator on October 23, 2010, 06:26:37 PM
Glad to see you back. Your update looks great!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: ecoba on October 23, 2010, 07:34:46 PM
Very nice return, Geoff ! This update was very nice; I really like the way that you build your cities, they are very realistic. :)


Ethan
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Tomas Neto on October 27, 2010, 04:14:09 AM
Monument Valley is a beautiful place, really outstanding!!! I adore to visit your MD, my friend!!! Great update again, Geoff!!!  &apls &apls
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: kwakelaar on October 31, 2010, 12:03:46 AM
What can I say except that your map is looking fantastic and with such detail. Very well done indeed.
Equally your city and the images you present of it are beautiful, a real pleasure to look at.
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on November 15, 2010, 11:09:58 PM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg819.imageshack.us%2Fimg819%2F8651%2Freplies.jpg&hash=c78d79d2d0dd7f4194509510fdf4a4eff30f82b5)

djvandrake: Thank you for that. I'm glad you like the shoreline. I'm glad you like the long building too because I've got that building in two pics. Unfortunately the only good views I could get of the industry in this town both happen to have that building plopped.

io_bg: Thanks for the warm welcome back. I love JB's buildings and you'll see a lot of them here.

Arthur (art128): Thank you my friend. I appreciate the warm welcome.

Jim (jmyers2043): Thanks for the compliment on the river bank. I always feel like everyone else's looks great. I'm never satisfied with mine either.

RickD: Thanks. I'll try another map at some point. I have to come up with something a little different before I do another. Any ideas?

marsh: Thank you very much. I'm glad you posted. It's always nice to hear from those who lurk.

Girafe: Thank you for the applause. I appreciate it very much.

Jordan (canyonjumper): Thank you my friend. Nice to see you back.

Schulmanator: Thank you for the warm welcome. It's nice to be back.

Ethan (ecoba): Thanks Ethan. I'm glad you like the realism.

Tomas (Tomas Neto): Thank you my friend. Great to see you.

Gjermund (kwakelaar): Thank you for the nice compliments. Great to have you back Gjermund.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg819.imageshack.us%2Fimg819%2F9605%2Fheaderqwu.jpg&hash=36dc40da6d620922588c9cf834220d60e2304a7a)

Fox River township is a manufacturing town. It's residents are hearty folks who work hard and play hard.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg819.imageshack.us%2Fimg819%2F701%2Flocalindustry.jpg&hash=1eb73f5d95697ae3d0a89fedb94ff8d6e4b0e42d)
36.1

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg819.imageshack.us%2Fimg819%2F1136%2Flocalindustry3.jpg&hash=2639a6749e7551544c600d3d4b3b290009c5f63d)
36.2

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg819.imageshack.us%2Fimg819%2F2140%2Flocalindustry2.jpg&hash=b82f73ad196adb76a76e76955cc0a625a0fc827e)
36.3

We'll take a look at how the residents of Fox River Township work off the stress of the work week next time. Until then take care all.

Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: rooker1 on November 16, 2010, 06:16:35 AM
Hello Geoff,
Very nice update.  I really like the small town feel and the dirt roads to the industrial areas.
Where did you get the "Cable Company"?

Robin  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Girafe on November 16, 2010, 08:42:12 AM
Use of trees is really good   &apls &apls what we don't see in every MD

Rooker1: cable compagny from Gottago in our LEX I think  :P
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on November 16, 2010, 08:49:54 AM
Great update as always!  That's a fantastic looking manufacturing area!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Tomas Neto on November 16, 2010, 12:23:59 PM
Fantastic again, Geoff!!! Awesome industrial area!!! Very nice city my friend!!!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: marsh on November 16, 2010, 04:56:08 PM
Very nice industries. It's obvious you put a lot of work into all of it.  &apls

,marsh  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: jmyers2043 on November 16, 2010, 05:21:15 PM
Hey Goeff

That 3.6.1 is a nice shot. The patchy dirt/grass and dirt path texture around the industrials gives me an idea for my industrial areas too. My industry grows in clusters. Those Maxis ID mechanical sheds and storage tanks tend to clutter things up. Making the industrial lots bigger would open things up and should be easy to do using that texture idea of yours.  &idea 

- Jim





Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: canyonjumper on November 16, 2010, 07:59:04 PM
Awesome stuff Geoff! I like the coastline in 36.1, looks great!

                   Your friend,
                                  Jordan :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: rooker1 on December 01, 2010, 04:12:07 AM
 Awesome work and super pics is a standard for this MD and this is why it deserves to be in OSITM this month!!

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg256.imageshack.us%2Fimg256%2F9894%2Fmonumentvalley.jpg&hash=363bf3538f044deb3a70b8f8a5d97f0ef7440d28)

Congratulations from myself and The SC4D Staff!!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: io_bg on December 01, 2010, 04:24:17 AM
Congrats on this well-deserved award! &apls The last update is fantastic and I'm eagerly waiting for more! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: art128 on December 01, 2010, 04:36:14 AM
Geoff, Congratulations on the OSTIM award my friend !
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Tomas Neto on December 01, 2010, 05:49:44 AM
Hi Geoff!!! Congratulations on the OSTIM!!! Very well deserved, my friend, Monument Valley is a fantastic MD!!!    &apls &apls &apls
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on December 01, 2010, 08:36:17 AM
Congratulations on your second visit to OSITM!  &apls

The quality of your work here has always been top notch, I'm always looking forward to seeing what you've come up with next!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: canyonjumper on December 01, 2010, 10:33:21 PM
Congrats on OSITM! I'm looking forward to see what you have in store for us ;D

              Your friend,
                              Jordan :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Jmouse on December 01, 2010, 11:29:31 PM
Congratulations on your second appearance in OSITM, Geoff. I've been pretty busy and admittedly haven't kept up with very many MDs, even the good ones like yours. That's about to change, though.

Your industrial area in the last update looks great. For a long time now, I've stubbornly maintained that industry doesn't have to be an ugly, polluted blemish on the face of an otherwise-pleasant city.  I'm glad to see that you agree! :) If I may be so bold as to ask, did you lot the blue building just below and to the left of center in the second photo?

You've done some fine work here and I look forward to seeing more and having a chance to post.

Joan


Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: packersfan on December 02, 2010, 06:19:55 PM
That blue building is from the Barry Sanders Project and I think it was BATed by nofunk, though it might have been jasconcw or one of the other BSP memebers.

I definitely agree, industrial areas don't need to be terribly ugly.  I'm trying in my MD to get the mix of residential, commerical, and manufacturing W2W just right, but hard to get it to work in SimCity.

Nice update and congrats on the OSITM.
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on December 02, 2010, 11:33:12 PM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg822.imageshack.us%2Fimg822%2F8651%2Freplies.jpg&hash=b88318f13629ade0fbd4631247737d09e943622a)

io_bg: Thank you my friend. It's nice to see you.

Arthur (art128): Thank you very much Arthur. I'm glad you stopped in.

Tomas (Tomas Neto): Thank you Tomas my friend. I'm glad to see you, and thanks for all your support.

Battlecat: Thank you my friend. I appreciate all of your support. You are always, of course, most welcome here Battlecat.

Jordan (canyonjumper): Thank you Jordan. I'm looking forward to seeing what I come up with too ;) Thanks for being a regular supporter of Monument Valley.

Joan (Jmouse): It's nice to see you back again Joan. Thanks for stopping in. In answer to your question, no, that is part of the Barry Sanders Project. It is called the Detroit Elevator Company. Batted by SimHoTToDDy and lotted by Nofunk.

packersfan: Thanks for the comment packersfan. The same to you. I like the work you're doing over there in the District of Wenzel.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg52.imageshack.us%2Fimg52%2F2775%2Fheaderzu0.jpg&hash=8f3f5377d39d4e7bd32ed4bdf8db241ca62b3e69)

For the month of December we'll take a brief look back at Monument Valley highlighting interesting places and visiting a few that never made it into the journal.

Thanks to all of you who have visited and posted here. I'm grateful for your support and am thoroughly enjoying this fun community of Sim City builders.

I welcome you all to the valley by returning to Monument's international airport. Here we go...

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg822.imageshack.us%2Fimg822%2F3091%2Fairportlarge.jpg&hash=56d8389b9295e47b479b4d5f769e1bd160b83e74)
37.1

Thank you my friends. See you soon.

Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: RickD on December 03, 2010, 03:04:52 AM
Wow, huge terminal. Great work.
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: rooker1 on December 03, 2010, 05:43:23 AM
Wow....with an airport that big, I wonder how big your city is.
Great work!!

Robin  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on December 03, 2010, 08:23:08 AM
Wow, that's a huge airport!  It looks fantastic!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Tomas Neto on December 03, 2010, 12:23:20 PM
Wooowww, Geoff!!! Awesome airport, really great!!!   &apls &apls
Another fantastic update!!!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Nardo69 on December 03, 2010, 04:53:59 PM
Congratulations on a well deserved OSITM!  &apls

Nice industry. I just wander what will happen to the dirt trails if there's a truck using them on a rainy day ...  &Thk/(

Take care my friend


Bernhard  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Jmouse on December 03, 2010, 04:56:31 PM
Now that's one monster of an airport - well planned and well built. There was an interesting discussion a couple of weeks ago about airports in my friend and associate teammate Matt's (threestooges) MD Greenacre. It starts {here} (http://sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?topic=6621.msg353649#msg353649).

But I must confess it was the winding neighborhood streets, not the airport, that caught my eye first, though. &mmm I'm so pleased to know you'll be taking us on a retro trip this month. Maybe it will help me catch up with Monument Valley a bit faster.

Joan


Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: penguin007 on December 04, 2010, 10:22:25 AM
Ever since you started this diary it has been one of my favourites for realism. I havn't been here for a while but that airport is superb and one of the most realistic I have seen recently

Will
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: marsh on December 04, 2010, 10:39:03 PM
Absolutely love that Day-night transition!  &apls

And Congrats on the OSITM!

,marsh  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: canyonjumper on December 05, 2010, 12:20:02 AM
Awesome Geoff! Love the winding neighbourhood and the night/day transition!

                   Your friend,
                                  Jordan :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: noahclem on December 05, 2010, 07:12:26 AM
Very cool day/night transition and nice airport   :thumbsup:

I really like your shoreline in the previous update! It comes together just perfect!

Congrats on OSITM!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: ecoba on December 05, 2010, 01:29:48 PM
Amazing transition about the airport, Geoff ! Really some creative photoshopping done. :)

And also congratulations for OSITM.


Ethan
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: calibanX on December 08, 2010, 01:02:24 AM
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg683.imageshack.us%2Fimg683%2F8649%2Freplies0.jpg&hash=de7db97358c0cbe2e8f6ba4a6ff42031cce952fa)

RickD: Thank you RickD. Yes, the large airport serves a very large city.

Robin (rooker1): Well, this post should answer that question. I'll zoom out in the next post to show a broader overview. Thanks for everything Robin.

Battlecat: Thank you very much. It is a little large. It serves a large valley and I'll put together another region view soon to show all the tiles in one large composite. It'll be much like those awesome composites you make of Adara.

Tomas Neto: I'm glad you liked the airport Tomas. Thanks again for stopping by.

Bernhard (Nardo69): Well, those are pretty dirty folks to begin with. I have a feeling Bubba wouldn't mind a little more filth. As a matter of fact the rain just means one less shower that week.

Joan (Jmouse): Thanks for the heads up on that airport discussion. One of my favorite uses for Google Earth is to peer down at airports. Monument's airport is actually loosely based on the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport in my home town.

Will (penguin007): Thank you Will. That is the secondary goal of this MD, realism. The first, of course, is to have fun.

marsh: Thanks. I'm glad you like the transition. I might try it again with downtown Big Fork if I can get the right picture.

Jordan (canyonjumper): I've gotten a few comments on the winding neighborhood streets. This update is really a response to you and Joan and a few others who I thought might enjoy some of the suburbs of Big Fork.

noahclem: I'm glad you like the shoreline. Thanks for the compliment on the airport as well. More shoreline coming soon!

Ethan (ecoba): Thanks Ethan. Nice to see you. I appreciate that you like my photoshopping. Unfortunately, I've become quite heavily reliant on it in this MD. I might go a different route the next time around. Thanks for stopping!

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg683.imageshack.us%2Fimg683%2F1331%2Fheaderiss.jpg&hash=066592db98923e29b140f03c7af48eb136b91fb2)


The city of Big Fork is well served by the large international airport located just a few miles to its East. Big Fork sits at the juncture of the mighty Monument and Rock Rivers. Its strategic location made the city's success inevitable.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg683.imageshack.us%2Fimg683%2F6072%2Fbigforkcbd.jpg&hash=45b478f2fe478e744de5deef7daed01320bd9667)
38.1

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg29.imageshack.us%2Fimg29%2F6021%2Fdowntownbigfork.jpg&hash=43710fb69c93436436f4767d67d2ca0ebab7eb77)
38.2

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg683.imageshack.us%2Fimg683%2F5430%2Fbigforksuburbs.jpg&hash=3541e8d2ea75ff1593e1cda2b6e9a3f34f48c5c2)
38.3

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg683.imageshack.us%2Fimg683%2F5576%2Fbigforksuburbs2.jpg&hash=fe849a98cec04e56998d43435dfd7cb7bb822ce2)
38.4

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg683.imageshack.us%2Fimg683%2F7079%2Fbigforksuburbs3.jpg&hash=efc78c093b0216a8b5cc957d8693515706160db2)
38.5

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg683.imageshack.us%2Fimg683%2F2041%2Fbigforksuburbs4.jpg&hash=2c56b88d27d2de1a3d4322cfcb437e7b18c4e0c4)
38.6

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg683.imageshack.us%2Fimg683%2F8646%2Fbigforksuburbs5.jpg&hash=46c49c7a2ed02bcd411bf0f92b9c1c92b8b70b23)
38.7

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg683.imageshack.us%2Fimg683%2F2853%2Fbigforksuburbs6.jpg&hash=f5cbc0d71929572edb2582dff419febbd508dfbf)
38.8

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg29.imageshack.us%2Fimg29%2F3551%2Fbigforksuburbs7.jpg&hash=22ca0028fb215d5217dc8f3a4d67e89b8cd7bc92)
38.9

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg29.imageshack.us%2Fimg29%2F1478%2Fbigforksuburbs8.jpg&hash=6ecf49ddc09e4bc0427dea357b305206b8e0729c)
39.0

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg29.imageshack.us%2Fimg29%2F1445%2Fmonumentriver.jpg&hash=1a18677b357ab38138a787cf192b0bf35ccd1615)
39.1

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg29.imageshack.us%2Fimg29%2F3084%2Fpowertr.jpg&hash=86206bb2c3825baf6b94c29f0d77076c0ba61782)
39.2

More from Big Fork soon. Thanks my friends!

Geoff
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Tomas Neto on December 08, 2010, 01:55:24 AM
Wow, Geoff my friend!!! It's amazing how you builds your suburbs!!! It's very real, like a real photo! And the river is magnificent, very beautiful!!!  &apls &apls
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: rooker1 on December 08, 2010, 05:47:28 AM
Very nice city.

Robin  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Battlecat on December 08, 2010, 01:52:11 PM
Looking great!  I really like the ponds at the highway interchange.  You do a great job detailing your cities, it's very inspiring!

Can't wait to see the composites you mentioned!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Jmouse on December 08, 2010, 04:00:47 PM
CBDs aren't my favorite hangout, but downtown Big Fork looks good. I like 38.2 especially because it comes very close to my own concept of an in-game metro area. A few tall buildings in the center surrounded by shorter ones is ideal by my standards.

I just love the way your suburbs are laid out. You've done an excellent job of breaking the grid without overdoing it. 38.7 is attractive with all that green space inside the feeder roads. The eastern suburbs in 38.8 look great, at least in part because of the trees at the bottom. In case you hadn't noticed, I like plenty of green areas and "relaxed" (uncluttered) neighborhoods. :D

Monument River in 39.1 and 39.2 is very well done. I like the winding road which follows the natural path of the river, complimented by the slightly curvy tracks. The placement of the trees is perfect - not overdone. Unfortunately my own tendencies lean toward not knowing when to stop.

All in all, a very pleasant and enjoyable update... :)
Joan


Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: canyonjumper on December 08, 2010, 04:48:00 PM
Wow Geoff! What great suburbs! I love the large mall and Monument River, well done!

               Your friend,
                              Jordan :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: mightygoose on December 08, 2010, 05:46:30 PM
superb work.
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: cubby420 on December 08, 2010, 11:39:17 PM
Excellent scenic road in the last two pics. Very picturesque.  :)
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: packersfan on December 09, 2010, 10:32:43 PM
WOW WOW WOW.  Incredible day/night picture of the airport, how did you do that?  Such a beautiful scenic city journal, everything is in its place and the nature around the city is superb!
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: noahclem on December 10, 2010, 12:10:16 AM
Another great update  :thumbsup:  The suburbs look really nice and you've made nice use of that giant mall lot. Good and original use of RHW as well, it can do a nice job as a non-freeway route but I think is underused in that respect. The retaining walls and not-at-grade network crossings add a lot to the downtown area. Out of curiosity, do any freeways come near there? And what have you done to your avenue-under-rail underpass to turn it green? The riversides are nicely done and the whole city has a pleasant amount of green. If I could suggest anything it would be more FAR pieces and less "S"-turns along your river road in 39.1 but it's certainly a nice shot as is  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: io_bg on December 12, 2010, 02:34:15 AM
Great work as usual, Geoff. Big Fork seems to be a nice place to live in! On a side note, maybe you should replace that double road overpass with an avenue one on pic 38.7 ::)
And welcome to page 15! ;D
Title: Re: Monument Valley
Post by: Yan077 on December 14, 2010, 12:06:27 PM
A great update and a lovely city  :thumbsup: