Commonwealth of Marathon

[Heblem]

Dustin thats a nice work in LE, where did you got that overlay base for tree, that would come handly on my MD 

Also like how youre developing that area. Sorry for my last PM yesterday

[art128]

Hey Dustin, that's a pretty great lot there my friend, good work on it.
It looks splendid with these tables in a center piece.
Congrats on 800 (+) posts
Arthur.

[metarvo]

Your LE work keeps getting better and better, Dustin.  You have also done a nice job on the rail tunnel.

[paroch]

Hi Dustin,

I know I've not been as active as before, so thought I'd pop in to check out what's been happening recently.  Great work on the raliway station there - that surely is the mother of all tunnels!  Nice to see your LE work as well, there is certainly something quite theraputic about fiddling around with props and textures to produce something that's just right for your own city.

Big congrats on 800 posts and here's to the next 800.

All the best

Paul

[bat]

Congrats on 800 replies and over 20000 views...
That lot looks beautiful!

[Sheep49]

Yay! The dual celebration: 20,000 views and 8,000 comments!

Seriously though, congratulations on those two big milestones! It's not easy to achieve them, especially in less than five months. That must mean something. I know what: that your MD is awesome!

Now, first of all, hope you're happy with your new computer. It's awful to work on the one which just doesn't seem to be OK for you. But it seems everything's good, hence the look of the newest custom lot of yours. It looks really nice with all those tables and people around them. Good choice of trees, too! Not too short, not too tall. I'm pretty sure it will be fitting in the area it's supposed to be plopped (around the railway's tunnel entrance)

Keep up the great work, Dustin!
Piotr

PS. Glad you liked the Seal of Quality stamp

[deathtopumpkins]

Congrats on 800 posts, and that is a nice lot there!

Oh, and that's cool that you got a new computer, what are the specs?

[Jmouse]

Congratulations, Dustin. You've managed to set astounding records that may never be broken - somebody needs to notify Guinness at once!

Appreciate the tutorial on underwater tunnels. As a child, I rode through the Washburn Tunnel under the Houston Ship Channel a few times, and the eerie color of the lights in that tile structure is my strongest memory.

Later...
Joan
.

[thundercrack83]

Alfred.Jones: Hello, my friend! Thanks so much for ringing the bell on #800! I'm glad you like the lot, too! Thanks for stopping in!

Heblem: Thanks! The overlay texture ID number is 0xf0b0621a. Unfortunately, I'm unsure which pack it's in, though. Hope that helps!

Arthur (art128): Thank you so very much, Arthur!

metarvo: Thanks! I'm really starting to get comfortable in there now, thanks to some help from Robin (rooker1), who's been teaching me tricks here and there. Thanks for coming by!

Paul (paroch): Hi, Paul! It's great to see you again, my friend! Your definitely right about the therapeutic nature of a finished product in the LE. For as much toiling as there is over a lot, the satisfaction of getting it done and looking how you want it to far outweighs it. Hope to see you again soon!

bat: Thanks!

Piotr (Sheep49): Thanks so much, Piotr! I'm glad you like the lot so far, my friend! I don't want to lose that "seal of approval!"

deathtopumpkins: Thanks a bunch, my friend! As for the computer specs—2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 500GB HD, 6GB DDR2 SDRAM, nVidia GeForce 9600M GT with 512 MB DDR2 dedicated graphics memory, 17" widescreen, high-definition display...oh, and a webcam! I won't lie to you, I'm not really sure what a lot of that means, I just copied it off the box. But judging by the fact that I can get from start-up and into a game tile in less than a minute with a 2.0 GB plug-ins folder, I think I'm in decent shape for now!

Joan (Jmouse): Thank you so much, Joan! I've always been quite fond of bridges and tunnels. I remember the first time I went through the Lincoln Tunnel as a child—coming up into New York City left me pretty awestruck as a kindergartener. It's always a pleasure to have you here, my friend!



We're still chugging along on the train station lots. I've got the north side of the tunnel finished for the most part. Here's how she looks in the LE—

It's a 5x21 lot. I was going to break it up into sections, but then I figured that I could maintain a bit more continuity if a made it one big one. It was rather tricky navigating in the LE, though, I have to admit!

Here it is in place...

...by the tunnel. You can see the restaurant section to the right from the earlier pictures, as well as a fountain area in the center, and a small marketplace at the left.

Here's the restaurant...

...and the area around the fountains.

I'm not entirely sure if I want to keep all those lampposts in the line on each end of the lot. I have to play around there, I think. Finally...

...the marketplace.

All that's left to do is add in some kind of fence/divider on the side next to the embankment and it should be finished!

Oh, and the Telegraph sent another photographer out to the sports complex construction site again...

...and wouldn't you know it? Again, that blasted unpaid intern copy-boy struck again! This time it looks like he tried to turn it into a kaleidoscope or something!

More from the train station, the sports complex, and other points Marathon when we return!

[Alfred.Jones]

Those lots are fantastic! Much better than any attempt I can make

I love all the people and props such as toilets, lamp posts and kiosks! Makes it look much more busy

And that blasted unpaid intern copy-boy!! I think i can make out the Toyota Center from Houston though

[dedgren]

Center the "kaleidoscope" pic on your screen and run the mouse wheel up and down, Dustin.  The effect is mesmerizing provided you don't throw up on your keyboard.

Can this man LOT or what?  And the Sheep49 Seal of Approval to boot.  I want one of those!

I'm about ready to send the girlfriend a sympathy card, 'cos I can't imagine she sees that much of you.


David

[art128]

Dustin, These lots are just excellent my friend, the props used looks wonderful there.
One only thing, It's that :


I think you should turn the toilets by 90° to look better (I think people can't use it cause the door is just too close...  Or even if they can go in, I think they cant exit... )

Also, Where you get the triangle shaped things in the same pic ?

Arthur. 

[rooker1]

Dustin,
Awesome work on the LOTs.  And blast that copy-boy.
From what I can see, I think the Stadium area is going to look great.

Robin 

[Battlecat]

Nice looking custom lot there!  You've put a lot of work into the details throughout it.  Can't blame you for doing a huge lot like that, you're absolutely right about the benefits of continuity throughout the lot.  Looking forward to seeing what's the rest of the station will look like!

[bat]

Nice restaurant there! The fountains are also really great! Also wonderful pictures of your lots!!

[deathtopumpkins]

Wow, sounds like a nice new PC!  I don't know what some of that means either, but that load time is impressive on its own.

And that is some nice lotting! I can't wait to see the area finished, I have a feeling I'll be impressed.

[dsrwhat316]

Your lotting skills are coming along quite nicely, Dustin. As always, I do have a few suggestions/critiques 

I suggest you use some more overlay textures. Some grass strips would break up the monotony of the base textures. Also, a "walkway" texture will give the lot more depth. Since you are making such a large lot, be careful not to use too many props, base and overlay textures. There is a limit, a lesson I learned (Click Me!).

A great source of inspiration for my lots came from Badsim's amazing MD, Antigone. Whenever I'm stuck creative-wise, I check out his MD and draw from the pics. Of course, if you want to use me as a source of inspiration, you could do that, too 

Remember, if you are ever stuck or need advice, I'm just a PM away (this goes for anyone else, too!).

~ Dan

[thundercrack83]

Alfred.Jones: Thanks! You have to have those toilets, otherwise the masses are in a bit of a spot! Oh, and no...you...don't see...the Toyota Center...at...all. It was an...illusion... Thanks for coming by!

David (dedgren): Hi, David! I did your kaleidoscope trick—you're right, my stomach's not doing to hot now! It's always a wonderful day in Marathon when you drop in, my friend! Hope to see you again soon!

Arthur (art128): Oops! Thanks for catching that one, Arthur! I didn't realize where the doors were. That could have gotten somewhat messy, eh? Take care!

Robin (rooker1): Thanks, Robin! That intern is in a whole heap of trouble this time!

Battlecat: Thank you so much, my friend!

bat: Thanks!

deathtopumpkins: Yes, I am so happy I don't have to sit and wait for three days just to open the game up, then another two to get into a tile!

Dan (dsrwhat316): Hi, Dan! Thank you so much for all you hints and tips, my friend, especially the one about having too many props and things. I never would have guessed that were an issue, but now I know! I will be heading back into the LE to play around with your other suggestions, too. If I can get them to look half as good as your work, I'll be mighty happy! And, of course I use "The Source" as a source! It wouldn't be right if I didn't, right? Take care my friend!



Well, that miscreant unpaid intern was sent on assignment to Albuquerque, NM, to wait for a thunderstorm—he can't even get pictures right, how will he know that Albuquerque is in an arid climate! Anyway, with the intern away, the Marathon Telegraph was able to get back to work as scheduled. Here's today's issue...

More to come!

[Alfred.Jones]

Very professional looking newspaper Dustin

Love the image for the Prizefight article

[art128]

Oh, I forgot : /!\ Welcome to page 42 of this incredible MD /!\


Hey Dustin, this newspaper looks wonderful my friend.
I really love that design, it look very professional  like AJ said.
Bad news for the Blizzard... 

Arthur.