Commonwealth of Marathon

[Jmouse]

Dustin, proportions are like beauty - strictly in the eyes of the beholder. I see numerous structurally disproportionate examples in games which apparently are ignored or tolerated, so it's a matter of personal choice, not necessarily a fault.

I think you did a great job of solving the underpass dilemma - the little white fence was a perfect choice. IMO, it would not have looked as good if you'd tried to match the stone/iron fence. And I've always been especially fond of that particular variety of tree.

Later...
Joan

[thundercrack83]

Arthur (art128): Thanks!

Matt (threestooges): Hello, Matt! As I said to Joan, scale is not something that I've delved into very much, because I have a poor barometer for it. I've thought long and hard about trying to do things "to scale" with the region, but it started to make my head hurt, so I just gave it up. As for that rail switch, I didn't put it in there, it came up automatically. Whether it's actually Maxis or not, though, I'm unsure. Thanks for stopping in!

Driftmaster07: Hello! I've been a bit occupied by this train station area for a while. Perhaps it's time to revisit the sports complex and see how things are coming along there! Hope to see you again soon!

Battlecat: Thank you! You make a good point about not putting civic space under the overpass for ease of maintenance. I like that explanation!

bat: Thank you, bat!

Joan (Jmouse): Thank you, Joan! You're correct on proportion being subjective, too—but whether it's subjective or objective, I know I've got a horrible eye for it! I'm glad you'd like the solution for underneath the overpass. It was originally designed as a temporary one, but I think I may keep it after all. Thanks for coming by, my friend!



Well, Daylight Savings Time has officially begun here in Pennsylvania for 2009...as if my sleeping schedule wasn't already messed up enough, now it's an hour later than it normally is! Oh, well...I sleep some other time, I guess!

But right now, I've been toying with the surrounding area for the train station...

I made a 3x4 lot to go in front of a yet-to-be-delegated Commonwealth of Marathon government builiding (really the Bourse des Commerces by xannepan), which is to house the entrance and exit for a metro station.

Still more to come from this area and, hopefully the sports complex, too!

Take care!

[Alfred.Jones]

That looks like a nice plaza Dustin!
Looks fantastic!

[tooheys]

Very nice Dustin, looks great.   So when is the Thundercrack Mega Pack making an appearance 

[art128]

Fantastic plaza there Dustin, great choice of props and textures.
Nice work with the highway and the "la bourse" building.
Nice lot and L-E work my friend.

Arthur.

[Jmouse]

Another attractive lot has materialized in front of another stunning BAT. I really like that brown texture you used, and the details you've included fit in perfectly. Overall, that's a really nice pic with a lot of interesting detail, right down to the little paths in the grassy area above the freeway.

Well done...
Joan

[bat]

Great picture there!

[kimcar]

  Great lotting once again.  Keep up your great work

[deathtopumpkins]

Whoa, Dustin, excellent choice of BATs! I really like how that area is coming along! 

[KoV Liberty]

Cool surrounding area! I especially love the Sunken Highway. Great Job! Can't wait to see the complex.

Driftmaster

[thundercrack83]

Alfred.Jones: Thanks, my friend!

Dave (tooheys): Thank you, Dave! As for the Thundercrack Mega Pack...I don't know if I'm good enough for that yet! Maybe some day, though. Thanks for coming by!

Arthur (art128): Thanks, Arthur!

Joan (Jmouse): Thank you, Joan! I'm glad you like the picture, though I can't take credit for the little paths on the grassy area. They're part of the tunnel pieces that I used. Take care!

bat: Danke!

kimcar: Thank you so much!

deathtopumpkins: Thanks, my friend!

Driftmaster07: Thanks! I'm happy you like the area!



Thanks to Dan (dsrwhat316) and his incredible tutorial How to Texture NAM Curves...

...this! While I'm not 100% completely sold on my texture choice—I chose the first thing I saw that looked remotely close so I could try out the tutorial—I really like the results using Dan's excellent technique.

Oh, and at the request our newest friend to Marathon, Driftmaster07, MBBQ-TV12 sent its traffic helicopter over to the sports complex area a little while ago to check out the progress...

Unfortunately, there was a bit of a precipitation at the time! Sorry about that!

In all seriousness, though, this train station section has really monopolized a lot of my time recently, and I do apologize for beating a dead horse with things like a picture of some empty rails and a grey texture. In my defense, a lot of what I've been doing, I've been learning to do as I've done it, and when it works out (or when it doesn't!), I like to share my results. If things are becoming a bit tedious, please feel free to just give me a good slap!

Fortunately, development of this area is reaching the denouement soon, and the next step is to see it all in its entirety, and simultaneously get some more progress done on the sports complex.

Thanks for hanging in here with me, friends. I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart!

[Alfred.Jones]

Looks good Dustin.
Can't wait to see the sports complex!

[JoeST]

Oh my.... Oh my, oh my

THAT IS GOOOOOOOD

[Battlecat]

Fantastic job.  I'm obviously going to have to look at the same tutorial more carefully because the effect is superb! 

Honestly, that's a pretty good texture already, railway beds are one of the most inhospitable places for plant life, particularly if the railway is well used.  Just to help you with a texture, here is a shot of a rail yard in my area on a sunny day.  Looking at this picture, I'd say you could possibly make the texture a touch lighter and a touch coarser, but that would depend a lot on the local rock supply.  You could always consider trying to match the texture to the rock texture you're using in your region since it's quite likely the rail bed material would be quarried locally. 

You also might notice the wider area in the middle of the picture.  There happens to be a power line running along that area, but I think it has a lot in common with that central area you cleared out to put in the pillars on the overpass.  It's likely you'll have to fill it in anyhow to make the under rail textures work, but at least it's realistic!  Anyhow, didn't mean to babble on, just wanted to give you some thoughts on the texturing.  Looking forward to seeing what's hidden in the fog there! 

[Pat]

Dustin you are doing a damn good job here so don't worry about

[bat]

Yes that looks really good! Looking forward to more...

[thundercrack83]

Alfred.Jones: Thanks, my friend!

Joe (JoeST): Hi, Joe! Thank you!

Battlecat: Hello! Thank you so much for your input, my friend! The picture of the rail yard near your home helps out a lot! Thanks again and take care!

Pat: Thanks, Pat!

bat: And thank you, bat!



Well, I've taken things in a whole different direction for the rails...

This is just the preliminary stage so far, so development is still in progress. Oh, and I realized that I don't think I've shown any of the other section of the quay yet. Here's a taste—

Back in a bit!

[dedgren]

That direction looks majorly underground, my friend.  Marathon looks as great as ever, and it's a wonderful thing to watch you spin off new ideas.


David

[Alfred.Jones]

Interesting idea using the underground pieces Dustin!
Any particular reason for using them rather than conventional tunnels?

Looks good either way

[art128]

What a good looking garden there Dustin. 
the sort of trees used are really nice and go together well in that area.
The flora used is a great touch.

Arthur.