SC4 Devotion Forum Archives

SimCity 4 General Discussion and Tutorials => SimCity 4 General Discussion => General Custom Content Discussion => Topic started by: Traff on May 15, 2007, 05:23:25 AM

Title: Issue with my First Bat
Post by: Traff on May 15, 2007, 05:23:25 AM
I am having a problem getting my bat into the lot editor properly. I spent some time messing with the Bat trying to learn some basics, and had no problems making a few test lots (1x1 park) with some models on it.

I decided to try and make some houses, and the first one I think is nearly finished.
Here is the first one.. (please give opinions and advice)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi130.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp278%2FTraffSC4%2FDalewood%2FThePatton2.jpg&hash=0151ac68e541d576f0af2d6e63db08e6d7c3180a)

The first problem I had was when I picked a R$$lot and went to replace the building, it was floating... and the gardens, driveway(dont know why I made this), porch and rear patio were missing.. hmmm
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi130.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp278%2FTraffSC4%2FDalewood%2FPattonLotIssue.jpg&hash=e919ad063f7b3908789d63e0c75ee986e02ae569)

So I read on and found that the LODs were most likely my problem. 2 more times I tried to export...
Once after removing the LODs and cameras and resetting them,
and second after copying/merging the house into a new clean scene..
But now the house wont show up on the lot in the LE at all.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi130.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp278%2FTraffSC4%2FDalewood%2FPattonLotIssue2.jpg&hash=c3493a6610abc72ad1cc8b093e6e88b6e679cf3e)

Am I doing something wrong? Im still a noob at all this.
Any help would be appreciated..
Title: Re: Issue with my First Bat
Post by: kwakelaar on May 15, 2007, 05:54:35 AM
This does indeed look like a problem with the LODs, the building is cut off at strange angles. Have you downloaded all the BAT patches and fixes from the EA site?
Is the model set on 0,0 (X,Y axis) and no part of the model is below 0 on the Z axis?

The second image from the LE: did you remove any old desc files and lots of this model before you made this new lot in the LE? This could be a building from an earlier lot and the model is removed from the plugins but the desc or lot is still there.

The model looks good by the way, I would never include the driveway though but that is just my opinion.

Title: Re: Issue with my First Bat
Post by: Traff on May 15, 2007, 06:29:50 AM
I have all the DL from the EA site as of Jan/Feb.. I should see if there are more.
The Driveway will be removed.

The funny thing was, the first LE pic... At export the model was x53 y44 and z82.
Then I set it to x0 y0 and z0 and in the BAT it looks like the whole house is under the imaginary ground plane (thick black line) which I thought was 0, it was at around z=82.

Since I grouped the house, how do I get it to sit on the z=0 plane. I'm not sure how tall it is exactly with the roof.. the walls are 4m.
If I punch in z=0 will the center of the grouping be at 0 or the bottom of the group be at 0. Still a little confused.

Thank you for you help.
Traff
Title: Re: Issue with my First Bat
Post by: kwakelaar on May 15, 2007, 04:25:22 PM
Quote from: Traff on May 15, 2007, 06:29:50 AM
If I punch in z=0 will the center of the grouping be at 0 or the bottom of the group be at 0. Still a little confused.

Center of the grouping will be at 0.
When I want to get a group exactly on the z=0 line I set the snap to grid option on in the Grid and snap settings window which you can find in the customize menu.

You should be ok with all your patches then, as far as I know all of them are older than that.

If you can't find a solution, you can send your file to me and I will try to render it on my PC.
Title: Re: Issue with my First Bat
Post by: Traff on May 15, 2007, 10:16:15 PM
Thanks for your help kwakelaar
The LODs and the Z height combination just wasn't right.
The whole house showed up in lot editor with patio planters and all.

The building (box) and where the house showed on the lot were a little apart, kinda floating.
But after placing some tricky placing of flora and testing it in game it looks right, I think. :)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi130.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp278%2FTraffSC4%2FDalewood%2FPattonGrow1.jpg&hash=523e7ec01cad4d88ec7721bb830ba8e3f6e4e897)

Title: Re: Issue with my First Bat
Post by: HabLeUrG on May 15, 2007, 10:20:49 PM
wow! those are really beautiful homes, very well detailed, thats is simpley perfect for to be a first BAT, excellent work  :thumbsup: &apls
Title: Re: Issue with my First Bat
Post by: kwakelaar on May 16, 2007, 01:57:33 AM
Quote from: Traff on May 15, 2007, 10:16:15 PM
The building (box) and where the house showed on the lot were a little apart, kinda floating.

Then the building is probably not centered (x=0,y=0) in gmax.

It is a nice house with good details and the flowers and patios are giving this bat something real.

I see the roof texture has different sized rooftiles on the house and on the garage. You also might want to darken your white texture as it has become very white in the render.

If you still want to use your drive way you can always render it as a prop, but then you will need to make custom LODs for your house.
Title: Re: Issue with my First Bat
Post by: Traff on May 30, 2007, 06:15:20 PM
I was having some growing problems...
Well I fixed up some textures, scaled it up a bit and lotted it on a 2x2.
Any other thoughts/advise??? I think the lot is missing something..
Thanks again for the help!!!

I want to do some variants of this house, maybe 5 or 6.
And then some other Med-Wealth home designs on 2x3 or 3x3 lots.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi130.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp278%2FTraffSC4%2FDalewood%2FMeyer-Nov.png&hash=c40afefd73a4f875bd8fe210df3799d96f9667c2)

Title: Re: Issue with my First Bat
Post by: wouanagaine on May 31, 2007, 12:33:13 AM
I think your lot is missing some fences, be it in wood or made by plants
and maybe add some flowers prop in the back
Other than that I don't think your lot need to be over decorated
good job
Title: Re: Issue with my First Bat
Post by: kwakelaar on May 31, 2007, 12:41:14 AM
And maybe some trees and a car in the driveway.

This is looking nice, look forward to see what else you come up with. :thumbsup: