Diagonal Bus Props

[dsrwhat316]

Does anyone know if any diagonal bus props exist? I have diagonal bus stops, but not bus props. Any help would be appreciated!

~ Dan

[Gwail]

Dan, if you've got a functional buildings you like, you can always make the props using Plugin Manager. If you have a SC4model, just use PM. If not (the model is merged into the dat file), you have to separate the FSH and S3D files of one model into a new .dat file (best using Ilive's Reader) and rename it to *.SC4model. Then you use PM to make a prop as usually.
The second way is to duplicate any existing prop exemplar, make unique Instance, change the Resource Key Type property to refer the TGI of the model you want to use and tweak any other needed property (IsGroundModel, OrientToSlope, Light etc.) - the existing functional diagonal bus stop sc4model / .dat file will be a dependency.

[dsrwhat316]

@ Gwail: Thanks for the help, but that wasn't what I was looking for; my post was a bit misleading. Sorry!

Here's what I mean:



Shown here is the lot I'm making. The bus props I'm looking for are to be on an angle, preferably to be parked within the parking spots shown above. Does any one know if such props exist?

~ Dan

[Gwail]

Bus props, bus stops, indeed, I've got you wrong .

It would be difficult, as it isn't simple 45 degree. If you like any of my NYC MTA buses and you won't find any other buses, let me know, I can render them as props with BAT tool, I was planning it, anyway.

[dsrwhat316]

My search turned up nothing

I'll take you up on your offer, Gwail. Are you able to render them at an angle (22.5 or 45 degrees)? Sorry if I'm asking too much... 

~ Dan

[cogeo]

Here's what you can do:
- First pick some bus automata (the ingame or any other one). Not only there are loads posted on the STEX and LEX (often called "skins"), they are also much better textured, as the BAT renderer is not involved in the process. Then you have to turn them to props.
- Locate the S3D model for the automaton. Unlike BAT models, there is only one S3D file (used in all zooms/rotations), with "full geometry" (back faces included).
- Make a copy of the S3D file and assign it a different ID (beware of conflicts). The FSH texture does not need to be changed.
- Use PM to create a new prop exemplar. You have to use another BAT model (located in your plugins folder), drag it on the "Prop" node. Assign the correct values, eg  Appearence Zoom Flags, Flammability etc.
- Close PM and open the .sc4desc file in the reader. Change the Resource Key Type 1 property to Resource Key Type 0, and enter the T, G and I address of your own S3D model in the value fields.
- Also add the kSC4BuildingModelRotationProperty in the prop exemplar, this is needed to make the prop rotating together with your city view (remove it and you will see what I mean). Weird, but the value of this property is ignored, it can be true, false or empty, it makes no difference. Only its presence is required.
- DL my utility, named SC4 Model Tweaker from the LEX. You can use it to modify the model as needed. The model has one Zoom/Rotation view and full geometry, and thus it can be rotated by any arbitrary angle. Experiment to find the best possible fit.
- After you are done, delete the XML from the .sc4desc file and set the Occupant Size property to a value that matches the size of your prop.

Hope this helps. Pls let us know the results.

[WC_EEND]

thanks for this mini-tutorial cogeo

[Gwail]

I'll take you up on your offer, Gwail. Are you able to render them at an angle (22.5 or 45 degrees)? Sorry if I'm asking too much... 

Sorry fo the delay. Sure I can render at these angles. The problem now is only lack of time, especially that I have to tweak the textures - automata textures imported directly are way too bright, so I have to make some tests first. Have you perhaps tried cogeo's tutorial?

Very nice tuto, cogeo, many thanks.

[dsrwhat316]

No problem, Gwail. I'm not in too much of a hurry for them, so it's okay

Have you perhaps tried cogeo's tutorial?

I haven't had the opportunity yet to try it, but I will as soon as I can. I've been busy with my MD lately and the Lot Editor is always running hot 

~ Dan

[Gwail]

Dan, here you are a New Flyer C40 at desired angles (45, 22.5 CW and 22.5 CCW), no nitelite, only daytime version (with rotated LODs for bet fitting, of course). Check it out and let me know if everything is ok and if you want some another bus.

[dsrwhat316]

The props are perfect, thank you very much gwail

I wish i could give you a karma point for taking the time to make something for me. Perhaps someone who can will drop by and do so on my behalf... Thanks again!

~ Dan

[RippleJet]

Perhaps someone who can will drop by and do so on my behalf...

Yes, perhaps that can be arranged!

Also, cogeo... that tutorial should be reposted in the tutorial section!

[Gwail]

The best prize will be to see my buses in your magnificent mosaics, Dan  .

Glad I could help, nevertheless thanks!

[cogeo]

Also, cogeo... that tutorial should be reposted in the tutorial section!

The tutorial is almost ready. Is there some way to upload some pics in the SC4D server (so that they are not deleted by ImageShack or Photobucket)?.

[RippleJet]

Unfortunately no.
Photobucket seems reliable though.
I haven't seen a picture disappear from there yet.