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SimCity 4 Devotion Custom Content Showcase => BSC Creations => BSC Place => Team Custom Content Projects => Tag_one's Place => Topic started by: tag_one on July 12, 2008, 03:01:43 AM

Title: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: tag_one on July 12, 2008, 03:01:43 AM
Hi there,
In this topic I'll show and discuss my newest shops and office buildings. Please feel free to comment or give advice!
                                                                       

My holidays started so I've got some time to bat again. I was thinking about making a small reward that counts the amount of BTE enabled CS buildings you have in your city. The building will be 3x4 big and about 5 to 6 stories high.
Here's a picture of what I've got so far:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg213.imageshack.us%2Fimg213%2F4926%2Fbte1tq3.jpg&hash=d02e837698217a68aec2a30c48f48a7d2960d1f1)

I don't really have an example for this building. So I'm not sure how the end result will look like  :D
I'll post an update soon :)
Title: Re: BTE Traders Retail Association
Post by: vester on July 12, 2008, 03:04:05 AM
Looks like a good start.


Good to see you back.
Title: Re: BTE Traders Retail Association
Post by: tag_one on July 13, 2008, 01:08:49 AM
^^ Thanks Arne :)

Got a nice update of the building. It still needs some more roofjunk like pipes and chimneys on the roof but the building is nearing completion. Whenever I look at the building I keep getting the idea I'm missing something, but I dunno what ()what(). So some advise is more than welcome :)
Here's picture of the back side of the building:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg180.imageshack.us%2Fimg180%2F4400%2Fbte1zk6.jpg&hash=5a71024a6709633901a270da55f83a5677df1531)
http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/4400/bte1zk6.jpg (http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/4400/bte1zk6.jpg)

edit: Imageshack is annoying so I pasted the link to the picture as well


Title: Re: BTE Traders Retail Association
Post by: BarbyW on July 13, 2008, 01:13:30 AM
Imageshack is down at the moment so I can't see the update but the start is interesting and I look forward to seeing the finshed article.
Title: Re: BTE Traders Retail Association
Post by: Unassigned on July 13, 2008, 02:12:14 AM
Quote from: tag_one on July 13, 2008, 01:08:49 AMWhenever I look at the building I keep getting the idea I'm missing something, but I dunno what ()what().
Well it's not a fortress, is it? (1) What is on the ground floor level since that has no windows? Archives? van Goghs? (2) Isn't that a rather large building to have the front doors only? How do you go about moving furniture and stuff in and out of the building? If no doors @ ground level, perhaps add those hoisting thingies like there is on many Dutch buildings.

I like your building and would like if you made a growable version, commercial offices, perhaps?
Title: Re: BTE Traders Retail Association
Post by: tag_one on July 15, 2008, 01:27:02 AM
Barby Thanks  :)

Unassigned Thanks for your advice! The first floor of the building is a half-sunken basement with archives and mechanical installations like heating, air conditioning and water pumps for the sprinkler installation. You've made a good point about the amount of entrances. I'll add some stairs and stuff on the back side of the building.
I shall make a growable CO$$$ version for you as well :)

Title: Re: BTE Traders Retail Association
Post by: tag_one on July 16, 2008, 07:54:53 AM
Time for an update. Today I finished the details on the building and the night lights. Since 3DS MAX renders quite fast it took me no more than a few minutes to render this building. Before I start with the reward version I made a growable CO$$$ building with about 400 jobs as requested by Unassigned. When I entered the game the first one grew within a minute and some others grew a little while later :)
If anyone got some ideas or advises to improve the look of the building, please tell them. Re-rendering the building takes only a few minutes ;)

Enough text, time for some pictures :D

This is the main entrance of the building:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg172.imageshack.us%2Fimg172%2F2861%2Fbl3tr0.jpg&hash=92c6584cc211c50f67eacdd1297e168998096f11)

At night:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg172.imageshack.us%2Fimg172%2F7238%2Fbl6ps2.jpg&hash=76310bd02ffacc103e6f6ea9374f6c90b7f52647)

Back side of the building:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg244.imageshack.us%2Fimg244%2F1593%2Fbl4ge2.jpg&hash=32fad90c57bfb03ac570172bc34da83dec956363)

One of the 3 back doors at night:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg515.imageshack.us%2Fimg515%2F9519%2Fbl5pb8.jpg&hash=4e24a302951fb137c5bdb237c84044c49a35eb04)

And the last one, the side of the building:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg329.imageshack.us%2Fimg329%2F8597%2Fbl2rz5.jpg&hash=52147e024dd7f5c649ace32f43a4da0c5b00ef9d)
Title: Re: BTE Traders Retail Association
Post by: Unassigned on July 16, 2008, 08:35:38 AM
 &apls
Any estimate on when this will be available? I really like it.
Title: Re: BTE Traders Retail Association
Post by: tag_one on July 18, 2008, 06:57:48 AM
^^ Thanks, I don't know when I'll upload this to the public LEX. The growable and the reward versions are finished by now and only need some small tweaks. I think I can place this in beta somewhere tomorrow. Than it depends on the scrutinizers how long it will take. Sometimes it's tested within a few days, but it can also take more than a month if there's nobody who wants to test.

Anyway I said I finished the reward version. So here's a picture of the lot:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg210.imageshack.us%2Fimg210%2F4122%2Fbl7bx7.jpg&hash=e7f4abc8ca7b8ef09936dd106115d534bf184f8e)

Its size is 4x4 and it has about 20 CO$$$ jobs. Apart from that it lifts the demand caps for CO$$ by 20.000 and CO$$ by 10.000 jobs. It also have a slight landmark and park effect.
The custom query of the reward version provides information about the amount of BTE enabled lots:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg210.imageshack.us%2Fimg210%2F741%2Fbrtaqcul6.gif&hash=e3ca4a2763bbe24da8afa39ad94ded892c9322f7)

:)
Title: Re: BTE Traders Retail Association
Post by: Alfred.Jones on July 18, 2008, 07:48:37 AM
That is awesome Tag :thumbsup:

Very nice Query :)
Title: Re: BTE Traders Retail Association
Post by: Unassigned on July 31, 2008, 01:28:31 PM
Yay for this building finally hitting the LEX! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: Also I am very pleased that you did a growable version, I owe you one.
Title: Re: BTE Traders Retail Association
Post by: tag_one on July 31, 2008, 11:15:15 PM
Thanks Alfred.Jones and Unassigned I'm glad you like it  :)
Title: Re: BTE Traders Retail Association
Post by: Simpson on August 15, 2008, 04:44:26 AM
Your bat is looking very good  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: BTE Traders Retail Association
Post by: bat on August 15, 2008, 08:32:31 AM
Really fantastic work there on your buildings!
They are looking wonderful! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: tag_one on October 10, 2008, 06:12:25 AM
The last couple of weeks I worked on a new office building. Not that it was very hard to make, but with 10 to 15 per session progress was very slow. Anyway I rendered the building and made a growable CO$$ of it. A few minutes ago I got the first one to grow in one of my beta-cities. Here are some pictures:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg513.imageshack.us%2Fimg513%2F7366%2Foffice1xu3.jpg&hash=b49f7ee07ece626955bc62b706960b56640c7fab)

and at night:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg513.imageshack.us%2Fimg513%2F4072%2Foffice2sa4.jpg&hash=b482e87f4db602b45a118e621c9353d76faa8af9)

Tell me what you think, suggestions are always welcome ;)
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: art128 on October 10, 2008, 08:13:44 AM
that's awesome my friend  &apls :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: Pat on October 10, 2008, 08:45:40 AM
tag just stunning detail and the lot is perfect if you ask me!!!
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: tag_one on October 11, 2008, 02:50:22 AM
Arthur, Thanks I'm glad you like it  :)

Pat, Many thanks! The secret behind the beauty are Simgoober's wildflowers. They are perfect to add some color to a large area. Besides that they are only a a feet high so they will fit underneath most buildings without LOD problems ;)
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: tag_one on November 01, 2008, 08:47:09 AM
Hi there, after two weeks of learning and making exams it's time to BAT some new buildings. During my summer holidays I was secretly experimenting with old German timberframe buildings. Here's something I created today:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fxs433.xs.to%2Fxs433%2F08446%2Fst7358.jpg&hash=991d4faf1eb6ff7adb246fc21e10653ce7053a54) (http://xs.to)

suggestions and comments are welcome :)
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: baconrocky on November 01, 2008, 09:23:14 AM
 &apls Very Nice, one suggestion though - you should model the lot like kwakelaar's European buildings then they will fit nicely with his set, and then your Timberframe buildings becoming MUCH more valuable ;) because they look like they would fit nicely in any old towne. :D
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: CasperVg on December 15, 2008, 01:01:51 AM
Looks great, I've always been a fan of German timberframe buildings. Am I guessing right if the blue rectangles on the roof are solar panels?
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: toxicpiano on December 15, 2008, 02:52:40 AM
It looks good but it looks like it was built yesterday rather than 400 years ago.
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: tag_one on December 21, 2008, 01:35:54 AM
baconrocky Thanks for your suggestion. Imo it already fits nicely with Kwakelaar's models.

caspervg Thanks, the blue rectangles are indeed solar panels :)

toxicpiano Thanks. It indeed doesn't look that old, but if you walk through a German downtown you will be surprised how good the buildings are maintained. For example this building:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm3.static.flickr.com%2F2011%2F1734656743_13ff273116.jpg%3Fv%3D0&hash=da1b9a12d43583202515ebc302e026cb402fe6b5)

With some regular paint jobs any building looks like it was build yesterday  :D
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: tag_one on March 22, 2009, 04:04:20 AM
I've got some new commercial projects :)
Let's start with two new commercial services. The brightly night lighted building is a large CS$$$ mall. The building next to it (with the colorful nightlights) is a stage 11 CS$$ hotel. I've also a higher version of the hotel with 30 stories (stage 15 ;D), but I haven't been able to grow that one. Here are the pictures:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fxs137.xs.to%2Fxs137%2F09120%2Fcome1737.jpg&hash=09156403e3d99a9e03fa1030e79f74f091146efc) (http://xs.to)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fxs537.xs.to%2Fxs537%2F09120%2Fcome2616.jpg&hash=d4b22d848adad4de786b2194a1206ad6cd9b4088) (http://xs.to)

While I'm writing I'm re-rendering the mall. Imo the nightlights on the facade are a bit too bright.

And if those new buildings are not enough, here's a CO$$ skyscraper I once made. It finally grew, so it's worth a picture :)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fxs537.xs.to%2Fxs537%2F09120%2Fco293.jpg&hash=bf53920a9fa2af181f926553cfbf0d4dfe146b99) (http://xs.to)

Do you guys like it a bit?
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: jeanmi on March 22, 2009, 07:09:35 AM
I really love the building with the curve  :thumbsup: the other are great to  ;)
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: iamgoingtoeatyou on March 28, 2009, 03:59:33 PM
These buildings are great, perfect for my current project! Keep it up ;D
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: io_bg on March 28, 2009, 04:12:31 PM
Great job as always! The mall looks great. I think we need more buildings of this size. And you mentioned that the hotel's stage is 11 so it's only for CAM, isn't it? If so, can you make a non-cam version?
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: tag_one on March 29, 2009, 01:22:41 AM
Jeanmi Thanks

iamgoingtoeatyou Thanks, I'm glad you like them.

io_bgThanks
The hotel is indeed, like many of my high rises, a CAMeLOT which needs the CAM to grow. You are not the first one who asks for a non-CAM version of one of my building. I'm not sure yet, but I think I'll upload a non-cam version on simtrop. I have to experiment a bit first with some other CAM building which are unCAMed. If everything works out well, I'll upload an unCAMed version of one of my older CAM building (probably the Paloma tower) to the STEX later today. I'm not going to upload unCAMed buildings to the LEX, as I can't ensure the quality of it (the building isn't beta tested, and the stats of the building are not made for a non-CAM version). I will only upload it, if I get one to grow in my city.
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: Pat on March 29, 2009, 02:57:16 PM
OMG Arne simply awesome new commercial here!!! WOW!!!
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: tag_one on June 07, 2009, 05:08:33 AM
Thanks Pat!

I'm working on a new office tower. It's my first supertall (>300m). It has 90 stories so far and will grow on a 4x4 lot. Here's a picture of the basic model. I still have to bat a lot of details and will probably change the textures quite a bit. :)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg2.imageshack.us%2Fimg2%2F769%2Flargebuilding.jpg&hash=29fa9efc65f911e4257aab2252c3850a1885dfc9) (http://img2.imageshack.us/my.php?image=largebuilding.jpg)
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: Bobbi on June 07, 2009, 05:50:23 AM
@Tag_one,
The building is very strange. :o

---Bobbi
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: tag_one on June 07, 2009, 09:01:31 AM
Thanks Bobbi!
Here's a picture of the latest development:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg191.imageshack.us%2Fimg191%2F769%2Flargebuilding.jpg&hash=c2b90ffb2f2cbd5a278088462ebfa6a985d4d0ad) (http://img191.imageshack.us/my.php?image=largebuilding.jpg)

I still have to bat a lot of details, but the basic shape should be ready by now. I'll also change the textures of the podium glass. It's way to saturated now, but it's a good placeholder :)
Any suggestions or comments? ;)
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: Jack_wilds on June 07, 2009, 02:20:24 PM
Hello Tag one, Jack wilds here...

A rather interesting design, it has an appearance of a socialist country attempts to impress the western architectural sensibilities. 

Where the short towers end I'd place an atrium, covered with a pitched or peaked glass roof over the lobby for the 'tallest atrium' in the 'claim-to-fame-place'...
or remove one of the short towers to be able to see the inside lobby then maybe one of the towers would have a glass elevator or two up/down from the lobby... 
or maybe the short tower to 'removed' could be shorter or set-back for a grand entry and then opposite it with an other entry that is more or less grand. 

When lotting it, perhaps under structure parking, a really nice fountain at the grand entry, w/ benches around it... 
Place national flags on the roofs of the short towers, perhaps the tall towers might have a different roof treatment, slope flat or pitched keeping the short tower roof feature waved... 
A short tower might have a resturant-cafe with a roof top dining area with conopy or tables with umbrellas...
At some proper height on the tower there needs to be a horizontal line to help visually break its height, an architectural element or different material or color or something...

Well, ideas for thought, perhaps inspire, have fun with it...

Jack
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: SimGoober on June 07, 2009, 07:05:22 PM
Frankly not too sure about this one. The design almost looks too tall for the facade design. May be that I've seen the concept on a shorter building somewhere, so that is stuck in my head.  Anyhow, you might want to try adding a central tower up the middle to connect the outer ones. Hate to have to go all the way to the ground to send a donut to the next tower over..  ;)
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: Air6 on June 08, 2009, 11:45:18 PM
Looks great. Beautiful work !
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: tag_one on August 30, 2009, 05:16:25 AM
I've been trying some new night light techniques for my buildings. To test those techniques I made a small blocky midrise building. I thought it might be useful as there're not that many midrises on the STEX and LEX.
Here some images:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg82.imageshack.us%2Fimg82%2F1701%2Fmidw.jpg&hash=e8c8aebee38fe7d081256629e6628156b0c7f47b) (http://img82.imageshack.us/i/midw.jpg/)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg132.imageshack.us%2Fimg132%2F8686%2Fmidwn.jpg&hash=e7cc025888fb297e03f92870830773d68854c94b) (http://img132.imageshack.us/i/midwn.jpg/)

What you guys think of my new way of night lighting? Pass or epic fail?
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: Scarton on August 30, 2009, 05:33:45 AM
I like that new style, it makes it look like there are actualy lights inside the building, instead of a window that lights up.  :thumbsup: BTW, what happened to the supertall tower?
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: SimGoober on August 30, 2009, 06:11:45 AM
Looks very interesting. Like the lighting.

The window texture needs a minor tweak I think.  I like it, had to look twice though.  Just so happens that the reflection you are using lines up almost perfectly with the angle of the side wall (Left side of your picture).  Looks a little like you are seeing through it to the walls of that side...Makes the building look hollow... lol.  Had to look at it a few seconds to figure it out.. Probably just blurring it a bit more would fix that or moving the UVW map.
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: sithlrd98 on August 30, 2009, 06:25:57 AM
I like it! Looks very good , roof junk and all ;D  I hope to see this one soon!

Jayson
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: Glowbal on August 30, 2009, 06:36:36 AM
That building looks good! The nightlight is difendly a pass.

Hope to see it on the LEX soon, since I would love to use that building! ;D

Cheers!
;)
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: io_bg on August 30, 2009, 06:58:47 AM
I also like the lights, and am (im)patiently waiting for the building to be released ;D
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: SC4BOY on August 30, 2009, 07:01:48 AM
Quote from: tag_one on August 30, 2009, 05:16:25 AM
I've been trying some new night light techniques for my buildings. To test those techniques I made a small blocky midrise building. I thought it might be useful as there're not that many midrises on the STEX and LEX.

Looks fine.. perhaps a batch of stage 6 CS buildings to offset the constant (and much complained about) appearance of the COIT BUILDING... :)
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: tag_one on August 31, 2009, 11:02:12 AM
citycapitalizer, Thanks! The supertall is currently on hold. I'm not very happy about the design and the textures, so I put it in the dungeons of my harddisk for some time :)

Jeff, Thanks! I haven't spotted that one. I had to read your post several times and give my building a close look, but than I discovered it too. It looks indeed very hollow that way. I changed the textures a bit and it shouldn't look hollow anymore :)

Jayson, Thanks! I'm planning to post this on the priLEX tomorrow

Glowbal Thanks! I'm glad you like the new night lights.

io_bg Thanks, great to hear you like it :)

SC4BOY The good old Coit Building, I'm so glad I can manage the iLive reader. It only grew once  ::)
I'll keep your suggestion in mind ;)

Yesterday I exported the building to the game and got the first one to grow. Got a bit of a nasty surprise as the textures didn't worked out the way they should. I had some annoying diagonal dark lines covering the building. Changed its texture today and exported it again. I'm much happier this time  :D
Here some images:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg25.imageshack.us%2Fimg25%2F8429%2Farvis3.jpg&hash=92596411db2c7887093f6f4910f9f5df09c75580) (http://img25.imageshack.us/i/arvis3.jpg/)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg98.imageshack.us%2Fimg98%2F3568%2Farvis1.jpg&hash=1baaf9b7224cfcee18d6d2721ad290876389701e) (http://img98.imageshack.us/i/arvis1.jpg/)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg403.imageshack.us%2Fimg403%2F1584%2Farvis2.jpg&hash=f71ffb954809bc3affada263cc897777c75992f5) (http://img403.imageshack.us/i/arvis2.jpg/)

:)



Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: zero7 on August 31, 2009, 11:16:18 AM
I really like that.  Very simple design that's extremely common all over the world and great attention to detail.   &apls
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: TheTeaCat on August 31, 2009, 11:51:47 AM
Wow that looks wikked in game.


Really like the nightlighting and the roof + junk looks magnificent &apls &apls

Definitely looking forward to the release of this one :thumbsup:

regards
Derry


Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: SC4BOY on August 31, 2009, 01:19:06 PM
Way too grungy looking for me.. Looks dilapidated already.. but some people like that.. I guess they live in the coalfields of yesterday.
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: SimGoober on August 31, 2009, 04:14:39 PM
Looking good!  I had a hard time placing a finger on it before; it was almost an optical illusion...  ::)

Love that roof.  Makes me think of a few ideas for other ideas about ideas I had...  :-\

You might try another version of this one just for fun.  Make it green or orange... one of those garishly ugly buildings that someone though would look good in the 70s... lol...
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: pingangster on August 31, 2009, 07:23:43 PM
I really like this building. The day version has a great reflection effect, and the night version is very neat also. You should do more buildings of this type, you're quite good at it :D
-Pingangster
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: sithlrd98 on August 31, 2009, 07:31:32 PM
Well , I probably shouldn't be saying this , but that looks perfect! I like these mid size as much if not more than those HK monsters!

Jayson
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: Leodido on September 01, 2009, 12:11:02 AM
Very nice tower, I like it very much :)
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: tag_one on December 22, 2009, 05:44:16 AM
Hi all, I'm back with a small project. I've created about 8 small CS$ timber frame building. I'm planning to do some more later today. Here's a picture of what I made so far. Please don't look at the lotting, they're just temporary lots to see how the building look ingame  :D

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg36.imageshack.us%2Fimg36%2F5148%2Fsmallcoms.jpg&hash=a02e1505b895ff137a1ed1e0e2b426ae5aab8193) (http://img36.imageshack.us/i/smallcoms.jpg/)

They are all W2W, slope friendly and BTE enabled. Hope you like them :)
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: manchou on December 22, 2009, 08:52:03 AM
Great it's very nice  :thumbsup:  &apls &apls
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: SimNation on December 22, 2009, 01:05:10 PM
Fantastic looking nightlight tag. I hope you one day share its technique with the masses so that even a novice can make some good night lite buildings.
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: thingfishs on December 22, 2009, 09:05:46 PM
some nice houses :thumbsup: although it's clear most of them have the same texture on their roofs.
I really like that Arvis building as well, the roof, reflections and nightlighting look really good &apls
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: tag_one on December 23, 2009, 01:04:20 AM
Manchou, Thanks, great to hear you like them  :)

SimNation, Thanks! I'll write a little tutorial later today ;)

Thingfishs, Thanks for your comment. The roofs indeed contain some repetition. I think I'll rerender some with some darker textures :)

latest news. There now 10 versions rendered. After I rerendered some of them I'll pack them and upload them for beta testing. I'll expect them on the public Lex by the end of this week, or early next week.
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: benvoliothefirst on May 01, 2010, 08:53:16 PM
Count me among the fans of your new technique. Looks very convincing in both day and night modes and blends into the existing style better than some attempts at lighting/reflections that were more ambitious. Keep up the great work!
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: tag_one on May 03, 2010, 12:27:06 PM
Thanks Benvoliothefirst! Glad you like it :)

I made a new tower last weekend. I had some small strips on 1x1 commercial lots in my city that grew nothing but low rise buildings. I wanted some more density over there so I made a small 27 story tall 2x1 high rise building. Here are some renders:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg718.imageshack.us%2Fimg718%2F7218%2Ftowerq.jpg&hash=1f39cff54201abf112bd3a2465af19f1bdd30c5b)

The facade is made of aluminum panels. It took me some time to tweak them but overall I'm happy with the color. Now I'm not sure if I should make this a CO$$ or a CO$$$ building. Hopefully one of you can help me out :)
Advise to make the building nicer and comments like 'beautiful building' or 'OMGROFL.EINZ.1!1!1! ThIz Iz HiDe0uS' are also welcome  :D
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: zero7 on May 03, 2010, 01:26:09 PM
Good work on the panels and a very useful size of building.  I'd make it CO$$ as it is, but with a more distinctive entrance it could also work as a CO$$$.
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: turtle on May 03, 2010, 01:41:55 PM
Hi Merijn,
I like the building. The panels look pretty convincing. Even though it could work as either, I think it looks a bit too generic for a CO$$$. I agree with Zero7.

Great work :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: Jack_wilds on May 03, 2010, 03:17:34 PM
Hey Tag-one, Jack wilds here...

glad to know your still around and building neat stuff worth 'plopping' -via the Buggis cheat  :D

I also think as a CO$$ its good but as a CO$$$ the entry needs more... ie a bowed out window wall, a modern 'bare' structure canopy, maybe a drive up or thru port-e-co (spelling), an upscale stone or similar material at the door or...

sit the structure higher -not alot just for effect using an architectural concrete texture and a grounding effect but in an slight offsetting color; allowing for an elevated entry with patio, ramp/stairs approach, a neat tree specimen (a tree that maybe a part of the company logo) in the patio, patio would have a signature appearance, postmodern/con-tempo pedestrian friendly facade at street  level -afforded by the lifting of the structure, 

the pedestrian entry approach from the street would meet the architectural retain wall with the company name on it (in some really neat font/material) as the pedestrian ascends the stairs/ramp to the patio and then on to the entry then thru the window wall in to a pleasant awesome lobby...

So I offer these thoughts for consideration...

Jack  :satisfied:
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: tag_one on May 08, 2010, 04:39:07 AM
Thanks for all the comments guys! Much appreciated  :thumbsup:

I changed the entrance a bit to make it look a more wealthier. After that I first made a CO$$ office out of it. For the alfa testing and to get a picture of it I opened city and waited... and waited... and waited... After an hour without growing it I became annoyed and grabbed the SC4 manual. What seems, a CO$$ building can only grow a empty or a CS$ lot. Since most of my 1x1 commercial strips are CS$$ or CS$$$ nothing was upgraded to the office tower. So I deleted the lot and made a CO$$$ instead of it. It now grows on empty, CS$ and CS$$ lots. After the change it grew within minutes :)

Here are some new images of how it looks in game:

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg686.imageshack.us%2Fimg686%2F1632%2F57630574.jpg&hash=1d6e483f04941bf934560aa45523336456b0ff1b) (http://img686.imageshack.us/i/57630574.jpg/)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg263.imageshack.us%2Fimg263%2F4268%2F12788326.jpg&hash=85059ded559fbe89a202841caa00b4f4c8f42578) (http://img263.imageshack.us/i/12788326.jpg/)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg11.imageshack.us%2Fimg11%2F9576%2F89343238.jpg&hash=51187f5638a0eb63e2e60e1f33f172e355c319d8) (http://img11.imageshack.us/i/89343238.jpg/)

I'm quite happy with the result. Time the make a readme and pass this on to the scrutineers.
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: manchou on May 08, 2010, 04:46:27 AM
Wow, it looks great  &apls Verry beautiful  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: zero7 on May 08, 2010, 05:00:23 AM
Looking very nice in-game.  The entrance definitely has more presence in this version.  &apls
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: Jack_wilds on May 10, 2010, 02:32:02 PM

...I like how it turned out too... however the graphics and writing are on the foundation/retain wall being in scale and too small; so what did you put there?

Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: tag_one on May 11, 2010, 02:15:56 AM
Thanks all  :)

@Jack, the base doesn't contain very interesting details. There some small vents for the water & sprinkler pumps and the fuse boxes. Apart from that there's a connection for the sprinkler installation and the standpipe (bellow the 'B')
Making those details bigger would look real imo :)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg64.imageshack.us%2Fimg64%2F8260%2Fcomtechbase.jpg&hash=0971b1cf668ec125727c1f8122eebf5871ae99d9) (http://img64.imageshack.us/i/comtechbase.jpg/)
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: Jack_wilds on May 11, 2010, 02:52:23 PM
thanks for for the close-up...  :thumbsup: I see the 'satellite' logos as well and the color also and the texture on the wall better...  :thumbsup:

and yes I know scale is scale and yes I realize it would all look weird and large and yes having done architectural models in the past and that one might not see everything... :P  $%Grinno$% 

...wasn't harping on that, just wanted what you did -a close up, Thank-you; it looks fine and appropriate for a pencil office tower...  :)

Jack  :satisfied:
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: tag_one on February 13, 2011, 02:25:34 AM
Right.. To keep things short, I'm back. Last months were months I wish to forget. Things happened that shouldn't happen, problems accumulated in a pace even worse than a nightmare and I hurt great friends that don't deserve to be hurt. I wished I could turn back time, but things are as they are. And I have to live with the mistakes and failures I made. Luckily good things come as fast as bad things and things are kind of alright now (at least they are stable). I have a great GF now. She's a lovely girl and I know her since my high school time :). Now that things are stable I can try to work on the bad memories of my youth (basically the cause of all problems I have now) and it's time to catch up my life and my passions again. Even though most of you live far away, I'm happy to have you as my friends and it's time to share buildings with you again.

My newest piece of candy for you. A CS$$$ boutique. It's already in beta so this will soon be released :)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg703.imageshack.us%2Fimg703%2F1796%2Fannapubl.jpg&hash=9bf9c53f05f831d724e54e3bc9ab4d286d581745) (http://img703.imageshack.us/i/annapubl.jpg/)

- Merijn
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: Terring7 on February 13, 2011, 04:19:15 AM
Welcome back my friend, glad to see that everything is fine :) :)
I'm going to download this building, it looks great :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: mave94 on February 13, 2011, 05:33:51 AM
Good to see you back, Merijn!
I've always enjoyed your stuff.
And not everybody lives far away ()stsfd()

Hope you will upload more in future and I know you will.
Don't resume too fast and take care!

-Matthijs
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: io_bg on February 13, 2011, 05:50:18 AM
Looks great, Merijn! And it's great to hear your RL situation is getting better :thumbsup:
Take care,
Ioan
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: MandelSoft on February 13, 2011, 05:57:06 AM
Glad to see you back here, Merijn! I'm happy to hear everything has turned out better in RL  :thumbsup:
And your new BAT is also looking nice.

Best,
Maarten
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: Ciuu96 on February 13, 2011, 06:39:48 AM
Nice to hear that things have turned better again, it's great to see you back here! :)

Very nice building you got there too, gonna fit my new city perfectly!
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: cogeo on February 13, 2011, 07:55:28 AM
Glad to hear that you are doing well Merijn!

Your BATs are as always excellent!

I have some ideas, considered making them myself, but never found the time: How about some CS$ midrises (5-8 stories)? Simcity has CS$ buildings with up to some 150 jobs, and these grow only on high-density lots (1x3 and 1x2), and require some good traffic (customers) too, and this would rather grow higher-wealth buildings. As a result it's almost impossible to satisfy CS$ demand (imo it's better than ID), unless you zone a huge commercial area. So I'm considering CS$ midrises, growing on medium-density 2x3 lots, and maybe 2x2 high-density too, providing some 300-400 jobs The 2x3 lot-size is very convenient, as it can easily be upgraded to CO$$ and CO$$$, or aggregated into 4x3 (in high-density) if the area gets more desirable. This won't harm realism a lot I think, as such buildings do exist in real cities.
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: tag_one on February 13, 2011, 08:10:08 AM
Thanks for all the comments my friends! I'm glad you like the building  :)

Quote from: cogeo on February 13, 2011, 07:55:28 AM
Glad to hear that you are doing well Merijn!

Your BATs are as always excellent!

I have some ideas, considered making them myself, but never found the time: How about some CS$ midrises (5-8 stories)? Simcity has CS$ buildings with up to some 150 jobs, and these grow only on high-density lots (1x3 and 1x2), and require some good traffic (customers) too, and this would rather grow higher-wealth buildings. As a result it's almost impossible to satisfy CS$ demand (imo it's better than ID), unless you zone a huge commercial area. So I'm considering CS$ midrises, growing on medium-density 2x3 lots, and maybe 2x2 high-density too, providing some 300-400 jobs The 2x3 lot-size is very convenient, as it can easily be upgraded to CO$$ and CO$$$, or aggregated into 4x3 (in high-density) if the area gets more desirable. This won't harm realism a lot I think, as such buildings do exist in real cities.

On the list... I've many pictures from my trip to the Bronx, so plenty of inspiration  :D ;)
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: peter007 on February 13, 2011, 12:11:37 PM
That building is sweet!

I'm glad to your you're back merijn. SC4D isn't something without you  :satisfied:
Title: Re: Commercial Offices and Retail
Post by: Jack_wilds on February 19, 2011, 02:28:53 PM

like the building even if I'm not a big Tudor fan myself, yet I can appreciate it for what it is, as Tudor has its merits...

One step -piece, at a time Merijn...

times of reconciliation and restoration will come later... just keep a peace and your wits about you... the sorting out of ones past and coming to terms with it can be messy, be patient, however don't obsess in what was past...

find the courage to confidently let the past go... forgiveness is one of the major means of doing that... remember forgiving is more for your benefit than theirs, as it empowers you to let go and move on with a clean slate, it also will put to rest what you can't fix; there-in, giving up the baggage that drags you down into dark places...

well, off the soap box and on to other things... like the model of the latest project...  :thumbsup:

Jack