RadicalOne's BAT Thread - Current Topic: Pool

[RadicalOne]

I noticed the park menu was missing something rather ubiquitous to real cities. Community pools.
So, here is my attempt. How is it?

It is not easily seen in this image, but the pool is complete with two ladders, a lifeguard chair, a diving board, and light fixtures. And I will be honest. The pool fixtures are modeled after those in RollerCoaster Tycoon 3.

[Girafe]

good work but you have a "bizarre" wave effect  seems to be too fuelish

[art128]

I agree about the waves of the water, it looks kinda weird. Anyway that's a nice pool.

[RadicalOne]

Is this better? I made a new water texture - inspired by the existing SC4 one - and made the seams in the tiles more obvious.


One thing:
How will I get this to dig a hole into the ground like a pool should, and like the NDEX GLR-Subway transition does? I do not want only the above-ground part visible, with grass going through the rest.

[jmyers2043]

How will I get this to dig a hole into the ground like a pool should

While the pool model is at ground level - the LOD has to be extend to about .3 meters above ground level.  I found that the ground shows through the pool otherwise. Therefore the spring board has to be .4 meters or higher if it's a separate prop. The LOD should fit the sides fairly tight too if you have an irregular shaped pool.

The only pool I've done.

[RadicalOne]

OK, I got it to work.

But yours beats the hell out of mine...how did you get the swimming Sims and the water-refraction pattern?

[jmyers2043]

I adjusted the opacity of the water surface until it looked right to me. The bottom and walls of the pool are Caribbean Blueish.




I'll send you a PM ...

- Jim

[Diggis]

I noticed the park menu was missing something rather ubiquitous to real cities. Community pools.

Great start.  Just a note thought, SG has done a set of 5 community pools. (what hasn't he done really... ) Was looking for a link but couldn't find it.  Will update if I do.

[WC_EEND]

Was looking for a link but couldn't find it.  Will update if I do.

Actually, if you do a STEX search for "pool" you'll find them

[Diggis]

Actually, if you do a STEX search for "pool" you'll find them

My computers don't like going there and slow up too much for me to even consider it. I checked on the LEX, but they may not have made it there yet.

[RadicalOne]

Are these better?

[madhatter106]

Interesting lesson in pools and textures here.

Though I must say this, even though it may not be my place to do so - is there a reason that for every idea or BAT you have, you need to open a separate thread for it?  This forum has six different BAT thread idea posts from you, RadicalOne.  It's fast becoming the RadicalOne BAT Project forum, and not the BAT Project forum...

[RadicalOne]

is there a reason that for every idea or BAT you have, you need to open a separate thread for it?  This forum has six different BAT thread idea posts from you, RadicalOne.  It's fast becoming the RadicalOne BAT Project forum, and not the BAT Project forum...

Yes, two main ones, plus a couple minor ones.
1) Most of my BAT threads tend to die after a few days, with zero new hits and zero replies after about a week. None of my BATs would ever be seen if I posted to a dead thread. Indeed, this thread is lasting far longer than most of mine do.
2) The Grave-digging rule. I can - and have before - go(ne) months with no BATing. Which would mean re-posting - often double-posting - in threads months old, buried on page 12 or something like that, a clear violation of the gravedigging rule.
3) It keeps things organized; if it was all together I would have people commenting on one BAT while I was working on and thinking about the other, leading to a lot of confusion.
4) Six topics? I am sure there are others with equally many.

[Buzzit]

Yes, two main ones, plus a couple minor ones.
1) Most of my BAT threads tend to die after a few days, with zero new hits and zero replies after about a week. None of my BATs would ever be seen if I posted to a dead thread. Indeed, this thread is lasting far longer than most of mine do.
2) The Grave-digging rule. I can - and have before - go(ne) months with no BATing. Which would mean re-posting - often double-posting - in threads months old, buried on page 12 or something like that, a clear violation of the gravedigging rule.
3) It keeps things organized; if it was all together I would have people commenting on one BAT while I was working on and thinking about the other, leading to a lot of confusion.
4) Six topics? I am sure there are others with equally many.

@1 you should update those then and revive them i'm doing the same thing works like a charm and alot of views. even if it starting to die again i just update it etc.

@2 alot of batters have that including me. for me i sometimes have a gap to make something for bat quickly so i really don't have this problem. but still like rule one just update it it shows up again people watch it comment it you happy people on sc4d happy because of the new things you created everyones happy!

@3 good that you worked organised but making multiple bat threads isn't the only option here. you see at my starting page i keep everything organised and i show exacly what im working on and some information in general. works pretty well! you should try it!

@4 well you do have alot of threats here

just to help you out if you wanna work on your way thats fine but i just want to help 

[RadicalOne]

OK....

I suppose we can start now. This thread will be my new "main" thread. (Please leave the others intact, for reference.)

I will change the topic to "RadicalOne's BAT thread - Current Topic: Pool"

Anyways, how is the new pool?

[Diggis]

OK....

I suppose we can start now. This thread will be my new "main" thread. (Please leave the others intact, for reference.)

I will change the topic to "RadicalOne's BAT thread - Current Topic: Pool"

Anyways, how is the new pool?

Would you like them all merged into one? 

As for your pool, it seems a bit skinny.  Double the width or shorten it.  I'd suggest double the width.

There also isn't much room between the fence and the end of the pool. I'd suggest widening at least doubling the space at both ends.

The colour looks pretty good.  And maybe add some people in it.

[jmyers2043]

Anyways, how is the new pool?

I think you're the best to answer that question. I think that I'd do a quick render of the pool. Make it a prop ... put it on a bare bones park lot. Plop it in the game to get a sense of scale and color palette. Keep on going if your happy or make adjustments if you're not and before you get too far along.

- Jim

[RadicalOne]

Would you like them all merged into one?

Can you do that and preserve the order and dating on the posts? I would love that.

As for your pool, it seems a bit skinny.  Double the width or shorten it.  I'd suggest double the width.

I wanted to make it small - 1x2 tiles - so that I could fit it in little gaps in the zoning. I guess I will be making more than one pool. (More on that in a second)

There also isn't much room between the fence and the end of the pool. I'd suggest widening at least doubling the space at both ends.

Same reason as above - I am currently making an "expanded" version, and I guess I can make a larger-pool version as well.

The colour looks pretty good.  And maybe add some people in it.

People are on their way.

I think you're the best to answer that question.

Actually, no. Because when I do release this and it is not up to others' standards, I will face extreme criticism of them, especially considering I post to that other fileexchange that is not to be mentioned.

While the pool model is at ground level - the LOD has to be extend to about .3 meters above ground level.  I found that the ground shows through the pool otherwise.

Can it go higher? I have that light which is approximately five meters tall.

[RadicalOne]

OK, I made a version with a larger deck and more poolside accessories. How is it?

[jmyers2043]

Hey Rad

I like lounge chairs - nice shape! What's the black thing around the pool? The umbrellas or canopies over the tables look low - what's the height? Sometimes making things more narrow also gives it the illusion of height. Speaking of the covers - are you trying to mimic a metal canopy? You might have to drop the brightness to drop the shine if you're going for canvas. Another way to accomplish a non reflective surface would be to clone another circle above the cover, texture it with the same material but give it a 10% opacity. Position it a smidgen above the 'real' surface. That will cast a shadow and remove bright spots caused by the in game light rig. Adjust the opacity until you get the effect you want. At least, that's what I have to do in gmax.


- Jim