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SimCity 4 Devotion Custom Content Showcase => BSC Creations => BSC Place => Team Custom Content Projects => cal's BAT Cave => Topic started by: callagrafx on October 30, 2008, 04:06:22 PM

Title: Something new to play with
Post by: callagrafx on October 30, 2008, 04:06:22 PM
I've been wanting to do something like this for a while now.....This is but the start, a playground for only the most discerning of Sims

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi95.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fl151%2Fcallagrafx%2Fmarina_1.jpg&hash=d9670d35c9d6332378a1ddbe13dda101e0dc8523)

there will be boats  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: BarbyW on October 30, 2008, 04:11:50 PM
Oooh, nice :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: TheTeaCat on October 30, 2008, 04:16:02 PM
Quote from: BarbyW on October 30, 2008, 04:11:50 PM
Oooh, nice :thumbsup:

I second that  :thumbsup:

:satisfied:
TTC
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: rooker1 on October 30, 2008, 04:25:24 PM
This does look great and will be a great addition to the game.

Robin  ()stsfd()
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: nerdly_dood on October 30, 2008, 05:36:54 PM
Ohh NOW i get what you meant! I actually seriously thought that was a RL photo of some docks :D Silly me... That is not bad now that I realize it's actually a 3D model! That'll be much better than the in-game marina (as far as wooden structures on water level go)

&apls

Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: callagrafx on October 31, 2008, 02:20:48 AM
This will be more real-world scale...the amount of boats will depend on the size of the marina.  I had toyed with making it modular but dismissed that as too much like hard work  :D :D

Quote from: nerdly_dood on October 30, 2008, 05:36:54 PM
Ohh NOW i get what you meant! I actually seriously thought that was a RL photo of some docks :D Silly me...

The beauty of 3dsmax, mental ray and architectural texturing  :thumbsup:  Bit of a shame that the game will spoil it  :D :D
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: art128 on October 31, 2008, 02:33:53 AM
Quote from: BarbyW on October 30, 2008, 04:11:50 PM
Oooh, nice :thumbsup:
Nice ? It's Awesome !!  &apls
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: callagrafx on October 31, 2008, 04:33:59 PM
Managed to do a little more

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi95.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fl151%2Fcallagrafx%2Fmarina_2.jpg&hash=5449667cca84883807a4a24978163ce16cd2b41a)

PLEASE NOTE: THE BOAT MODELS ARE NOT MINE.  I've bought a load of pleasure craft models (specifically for this).
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: TheTeaCat on October 31, 2008, 04:37:19 PM
Oh my word  :o

Um... em.... ahhh.....

errr.......

WOW

:satisfied:
TTC
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: BarbyW on October 31, 2008, 04:55:12 PM
ook, shiny new toys, ook ;D
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: callagrafx on October 31, 2008, 05:00:51 PM
OOK indeed  :D :D. 

Now, I have a question....Do I render the boats separately from the pontoons?  Part of me says yes as it will be a whole lot easier to LOD but at the same time I'll lose any decent shadowing.  Then again, the game graphics will probably kill all detail anyway  ::)

Also, is it better to overhang or to make this a land/water lot?  If I overhang, I can't put any props on the pontoons (people etc) but if I make a water LOT do I need to make the LODs skin tight?
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: callagrafx on October 31, 2008, 05:17:23 PM
Looking from the other way....

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi95.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fl151%2Fcallagrafx%2Fmarina_3.jpg&hash=6401d1e215813df279c02535410ad62f292ec125)

I'd probably go for a land/water LOT to be honest, offset people would be too fiddly to place in LE
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: un1 on October 31, 2008, 05:18:16 PM
 ??? :o :o :thumbsup: ;D

Wow! Wow!  Wow!!!

-un1

Edit: New picture... Wow again!
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: jmdude1 on October 31, 2008, 06:54:19 PM
wow! this looks amazing! this would be a huge improvement for our waterfronts.  i like the yachts, nice and modern.  excellent work!
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: Pat on October 31, 2008, 07:03:53 PM
Lee all I got to say is I think I ummmmmmm WOW!!!!

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dogbreedinfo.com%2Fimages21%2FBrunoBoxerPuppy26WeeksTongue.jpg&hash=8c195d724891d7438485585dab4c0ee100774cf3)

thats all I got to say  &apls
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: CasperVg on November 01, 2008, 01:00:47 AM
This project certainly caught my attention, can't wait to see more  :)
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: threestooges on November 01, 2008, 01:26:49 AM
Amazing work with this new project. I know what the game does to details, but just seeing it like this will be enough for me to appreciate how it will look in game all the more. If you haven't already made up your mind, I would suggest rendering the boats separately (they would be nice additions to other lots).
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: art128 on November 01, 2008, 02:37:47 AM
that is just amazing  &apls &apls very nice details !!  &apls
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: zero7 on November 01, 2008, 04:35:31 AM
That looks fantastic at those angles - let's hope it doesn't lose too much in the transition to the game.  As far as the boats are concerned why not render some along with the pontoon pieces so that you can get the lights and shadows, but also have some as ploppable at different angles to add some life to waterways?

Do the boat models you've bought include yachts (sail) as well?  A marina should be a forest of masts.


E2A:  As another thought - have you considered rendering a couple of extra canal pieces with some of the smaller boats.



Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: callagrafx on November 01, 2008, 05:54:22 AM
That's right, add to my workload  :D :D :D

The models do include yachts (only a couple, but easily tailored) so the majority of the marina will have yachts....the long outside edges will have large cruisers and smaller cruisers on the inner edges.  The problem with rendering them with the pontoons is any that are placed in LE will look different in terms of lighting...I may have to sacrifice reality for playability.
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: toxicpiano on November 01, 2008, 10:41:16 AM
niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice

were the models expensive?
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: callagrafx on November 01, 2008, 01:13:46 PM
Quote from: toxicpiano on November 01, 2008, 10:41:16 AM
were the models expensive?

Not overly, especially considering the number of them  :thumbsup:

Quote from: zero7 on November 01, 2008, 04:35:31 AM
That looks fantastic at those angles - let's hope it doesn't lose too much in the transition to the game.

Actually, what makes it look real is the water....and that will be eliminated for the final model.  Here's what SC4 will see at zoom 4

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi95.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fl151%2Fcallagrafx%2Fmarina_4.jpg&hash=6dadc0dae906c0eb73bd88aaa26fa65128c8325f)

Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: Pat on November 01, 2008, 01:16:34 PM
OMG Lee sooo verry breath taking!!!!  :thumbsup: &apls
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: papab2000 on November 01, 2008, 01:18:22 PM
Wow, that is sweet  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: jmdude1 on November 01, 2008, 03:08:02 PM
again, this project is looking excellent. cant wait to see those docks full of yachts and cruisers. is that a concrete breakwall going around the outside and will it be part of the final product? if so, i was just wondering about the space at the bottom of the pic, between the wooden dock and the concrete pier. if there were any oncoming boats in this channel, it would be a really tight squeeze. or maybe its just the angle of the pic. anyways, thats just something small i noticed.  great work on a top notch marina/yacht club!
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: Fatsuhono on November 01, 2008, 08:12:43 PM
Callagrafx-san: WOW! :thumbsup: I was looking at the your 'first' pictures from the start of this thread, and I see max used to its full potential! ;D I know reflections (raytrace), but how exactly did you manage to create the water effect, ripples, distorted reflections, etc....?
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: callagrafx on November 02, 2008, 01:27:19 AM
Quote from: Fatsuhono on November 01, 2008, 08:12:43 PM
Callagrafx-san: WOW! :thumbsup: I was looking at the your 'first' pictures from the start of this thread, and I see max used to its full potential! ;D I know reflections (raytrace), but how exactly did you manage to create the water effect, ripples, distorted reflections, etc....?

Nothing could be simpler.  Set your renderer to Mental Ray, create an Arch&Design material and choose "Water" from the template list.  Add a UV map to a plane (in this case the map is 20m square) and apply the material.  Using MR sun/sky rig with MR Physical sky and MR Photographic exposure controls, it's so much easier to simulate water.  The effect only works in perspective & camera views, as you can see from the orthographic render above
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: Diggis on November 02, 2008, 01:37:06 AM
Quote from: callagrafx on November 02, 2008, 01:27:19 AM
Nothing could be simpler.  Set your renderer to Mental Ray, create an Arch&Design material and choose "Water" from the template list.  Add a UV map to a plane (in this case the map is 20m square) and apply the material.  Using MR sun/sky rig with MR Physical sky and MR Photographic exposure controls, it's so much easier to simulate water.  The effect only works in perspective & camera views, as you can see from the orthographic render above

Yeah, simple.
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: threestooges on November 02, 2008, 01:38:57 AM
I know you mention loss of detail when in the game and all, but I have to say, that looks very, very good.
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: kimcar on November 02, 2008, 06:47:22 AM
 &apls &apls Wow that is look just amazing very great work. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: art128 on November 02, 2008, 07:32:03 AM
that look amazing  &apls great work  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: callagrafx on November 02, 2008, 07:41:53 AM
Quote from: Diggis on November 02, 2008, 01:37:06 AM
Yeah, simple.

You mean it's not?   :D :D
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: zero7 on November 02, 2008, 09:02:39 AM
Quote from: callagrafx on November 01, 2008, 01:13:46 PM
Not overly, especially considering the number of them  :thumbsup:

Actually, what makes it look real is the water....and that will be eliminated for the final model.  Here's what SC4 will see at zoom 4

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi95.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fl151%2Fcallagrafx%2Fmarina_4.jpg&hash=6dadc0dae906c0eb73bd88aaa26fa65128c8325f)


That's what I expected - the MR water looks textureless and flat at game angles.  But once the pontoons are in game they'll be showing against a Pegasus water mod in all likelihood and will look fine.  The only things that we'll miss are reflections and light-spill from the boats which doesn't seem to affect other water based models too much.  I think this will be a great addition.

Are you going to use the MR car paint shaders for the boats?

Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: callagrafx on November 02, 2008, 09:10:11 AM
Quote from: zero7 on November 02, 2008, 09:02:39 AM
Are you going to use the MR car paint shaders for the boats?

I doubt it...much of the detail gets lost as they have to be rendered against black to get a semblance of decent AA, so a carpaint shader will not reflect very well in that instance.  I'll probably stick to an alter arch&design plastic effect, which is as close to real as I think the game can cope with  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: Youcefk69 on November 02, 2008, 09:27:04 AM
WOW ! It's very awesome !  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: Geronimo on November 02, 2008, 09:34:49 AM
Looks amazing, great work!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: jacqulina on January 16, 2009, 12:39:18 PM
amazing work lee as allways &apls &apls &apls
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: Ennedi on January 16, 2009, 01:56:29 PM
Quote from: callagrafx on October 31, 2008, 05:17:23 PM
(...)
I'd probably go for a land/water LOT to be honest, offset people would be too fiddly to place in LE

Lee,
Would it be possible to make a set including water/land entrance(s) and some modular water lots?
It would be something quite different from the PEG's piers with boats, they look very nice but it's impossible to build a larger pier  :)

Here's an example

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg209.imageshack.us%2Fimg209%2F5281%2Flseboatswu1.jpg&hash=dd0840a70a94ec1f3b79dcfd478c2aead1173ad9)

PS. You have a fantastic idea! :thumbsup:

Adam
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: Pat on January 16, 2009, 03:42:45 PM
Hey Lee any update at all on this project? Just wondering since the last shown was looking very good!!!!
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: callagrafx on January 17, 2009, 01:38:19 AM
Unfortunately this project is now inactive/abandoned....However I have rendered the boats and will be releasing a prop pack that Citynut/Barbyw will be using to create an addon Marina to his WFK set.
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: Ennedi on January 17, 2009, 03:00:30 AM
Quote from: callagrafx on January 17, 2009, 01:38:19 AM
Unfortunately this project is now inactive/abandoned....However I have rendered the boats and will be releasing a prop pack that Citynut/Barbyw will be using to create an addon Marina to his WFK set.

The prop pack will be very useful too. It will be possible to make ploppable boats and use them in many ways. I have some ideas...
Thank you Lee! (No rush of course)

Adam
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: Pat on January 17, 2009, 08:46:26 AM
aww shucks Lee that bites but I understand!!!  I will however look foward to the prop pack when it comes avaible though!!!
Title: Re: Something new to play with
Post by: kant01 on January 19, 2009, 06:35:56 PM
Sorry to hear that this will be left incomplete...I was really looking forward to it. But the boats will still be nice. :)