Threestooges and the BAT

[Chrisadams3997]

I'm not entirely sure what you mean by turning it into a 'patch object' but I'll look into it to see what I can find.

Instead of extruding the spline shape, when you've got it made, right click on it.  In the lower right quad I believe, it'll have convert to... and have editable spline(which it already is, will be grayed out), editable mesh, editable patch, and editable poly.  A patch is flat like a spline, but can be divided up into more surfaces and thus edited more readily by a modifier like bend than an extruded spline.  Plus it'll be flat, so you don't have the dark edges on the sides of the leaf.  

Once it's a patch, there'll be a spot in the geometry box of the modify panel that'll say something like 'propagate surfaces' that'll give it more faces to work with.  It's might not be necessary, but it's an idea.

Chris

[threestooges]

Replies:
-City Builder: I'm reasonably familiar with the shaggy palm look, and I may just give those a go too. First thing's first though. This is my first try messing with something along the lines of flora. It's interesting trying to model nature... trying to get it to look... well, natural, and not repetitive. I will give it a shot though, once I figure out (more or less) what I'm doing with the basics.

-Chris: Thanks for that. I fiddled with it a bit and I see what you mean about it. It makes the bending effects and all easier, and it does take care of that dark edge thing. I went ahead and added a bit to the frond shape to add some detail and added another layer of leaves to attempt to get a sense of depth.

A bit of a change. I think I'm starting to get the hang of this, but again, comments are greatly appreciated.



-Matt

[Chrisadams3997]

The leaves are looking much better   The main thing I'll say now is that the top is a little flat looking.  Take a look at some RL images to see how the leaves connect, as well as how they layer.  Here's a good example I found(that is... actually a 3D model, go figure...)



I don't know if it's the same type of palm you're making, but you get the picture.

Chris

[Pat]

Matt that is looking good there and I shall later tonight post a pic of development of MDK...

[threestooges]

Just some quick...
Replies:
Chris: It's funny what happens when you start getting used to the Google Earth view of things. I completely forgot to include some upward growing fronds. I wish I could model like that pic you showed, but perhaps at some point... At any rate, I've been working to try to get rid of that flat feeling to it. I think I'm getting closer, but right now, all I've been able to do is create odd shadows or other such things.

Pat: Thanks. I think I might actually be getting an idea of how to use this thing. I'll be looking forward to that preview of the MDK. Take it easy, and it's always good to see you here.

-Edit-
Some new developments, I think it might be starting to get there.



-Matt

[Pat]

Matt those Palms are looking real good there!!! Also for anyone else following along check in my BLaM thread for the development pics of MDK...

[threestooges]

Reply:
-Pat: Thanks for the compliment.

First I should again thank Pat for his work on the MDK building. You can see his work HERE and I highly recommend that you do so, it keeps getting better.

Secondly, thanks to some suggestions and a little help from Chrisadams3997, I have fine-tuned the fronds of the palms a bit. I think there is still some work to be done, but I'm getting there. I would show you the in game pic, but right now I'm having export issues (it shows up as something different in the game). I remember knowing how to fix it at some point, now I just need to remember how. At any rate, here are the preview pics from the BAT.



As always, comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated.
-Matt

[Alfred.Jones]

Those look excellent Matt They would look fantastic along a waterfront or beach

[threestooges]

Reply:
-Alfred.Jones: Thanks. It is largely due to Chrisadams' help that these things look like the do now. Now I just have to figure out what to do with them.

No new updates on the palm trees, but that is partly because that trestle bridge I was working on earlier may be making its way onto the LEX at some point soon. I decided to take the opportunity to start work on a new bridge. I know there has been some talk about lift bridges (and making them actually lift) so I thought I would take another stab at it (making it, not making it lift). This is just a progress pic of the tower section, but I would like suggestions now as it is easier to make adjustments before having built things up too much. Let me know what you think.



-Matt

[Pat]

Hey Matt Congrats on joining ITC!!! 

[threestooges]

Thanks Pat, glad to see you're keeping busy with LBT. I figure this'll be a good way to get more feedback (in addition to the great stuff I've received so far).

-edit- I figure this would be a good time to make my first official post here with the ITC team. I have the basic pieces modelled for the lift bridge and I've cobbled them together to give the basic idea. Next up is texturing unless anyone has any suggestions (or I'll take suggestions for texturing too... I'm not picky).



-Matt

[Chrisadams3997]

It's a nice start, but I think it needs a bit more 'machinery'.  In south Louisiana we had lift bridges all over the place, but there aren't any pictures of any of them anywhere , so I went looking around for something that would make a good example of what I'm talking about and found quite a few good images of this bridge that offers some good direction.





There's a number more HERE

And Here's another with lots of good pictures.

The structure itself looks fine, but there needs to be the mechanical housing on top, with the large chains coming down(out of the two large nose looking appendages in the pics) and the counter weight(right underneath the mechanical housing)

The Orange painted structure over the middle of course isn't necessary, but it would be cool , and this is just an example of the types of elements that could be added of course.

Also, since I've just made a new color corrected road texture, I'll attach it here for you(or others) to use if you'd like, it's a much better match to in-game roads I find.  Comparison pics in This Post

Chris

[deathtopumpkins]

Hey Matt! Excellent work here. That lift bridge is something that is severely lacking in this game. If I were you though, I would build the orange-colored structure over the roadway from Chris's pic though. They seem to usually have it in RL. Also, I agree about adding the machinery.

About that rail bridge (last posted May 29th), would it be possible to do a version of it that is a solid wooden trestle, without the arch? Like this: 


All of the work you've shown on here is truely fantastic!  (even the palm trees! )

[threestooges]

Replies:
-Chris: Thanks for the pics. I'll certainly take what help I can get. I haven't figured out the mechanics of the top part yet, but these give some good ideas. As I mentioned over in your thread, this is nowhere near done yet, just the basic structure to make sure it looks ok. I think I may stick with the undertruss for this bridge as a change of pace from my other ones, but who knows... it's easy to make a couple versions (and some fun LODs too).

-dtp: Thanks for the compliment there. I don't know if I should call it a lift bridge as it won't actually lift (unless timed props are possible, but then that may just result in cars visually disappearing instead of stopping when the bridge is up) but yes, that is the basic design idea. The rail bridge is still under works too, but I can certainly make a solid wooden trestle version. It would actually be easier than the arch version (no custom coding/RULing). I need to find something to do with those trees too... maybe I'll just try to bundle it into an ITC prop pack if one goes out or something like that.


I just wanted to post here to let everyone know I'll be out of town this coming week. I don't know if I'll have much internet access available, but I think I will have a bit of BAT time, so I'll try to have something new to show when I get back on Saturday. Thanks again to everyone who has commented here so far. The thoughts and encouragement are always greatly appreciated.
-Matt

[deathtopumpkins]

You're welcome. Timed props are definately a possibility. Pegasus made a couple different lift and draw bridges for his canal kit that open using timed props, but yes, the cars do just disappear. I actually think the solid version would be a wise choice because it seems to have been used more in RL (correct me if I'm wrong). I don't believe I've ever seen an arched version.
Just stick the palms in some prop pack. I'm sure people will find uses for them.

[Pat]

Matt looking real good here!!! Cant wait to see further progress here and Love those bridges....

[threestooges]

Sorry this won't have all replaies and all, I'm up around Lake Tahoe and am barrowing the local library computer. I have made some progress on a bridge and wanted to share:

[Chrisadams3997]

Very cool, obviously the LOD's are in an early state, but the model itself looks good.  The texture could certainly use a little desaturation however.

[Pat]

Matt that is very sweet so far and I cant wait to get ahold of the finished product!!!

[deathtopumpkins]

 

You made my idea. It looks great, but I would alter the color a bit if I were you. I think it looks to reddish-brown, and should look more old wood-ish.
It looks really good though.