Blank buildings and lots

[puresim]

Hi all,

Over the last few weeks I've started creating IM lots using a blank building (Blank_IM). The screenshot below has the 'building' selected:


Are there any issues with using the same blank building for multiple lots?

[RippleJet]

Are there any issues with using the same blank building for multiple lots?

There are issues with using RalphaelNinja's blank lots in the first place.
For more information, read Growing Empty Lots and How to Correct them.

Instead of using blank lots (where the properties are all preset and unrelated to the size of the building),
I'd recommend that you download and use SC4PIM.
Please also download the User Guide, and the updated new properties XML file as well!

[puresim]

Thanks RippleJet

I installed the SC4PIM, XML properties, and User Guide yesterday to do exactly that, however I was unable the work out where to proceed from there. The SC4PIM tutorial didn't mention what to do if there was no building bat to start with, although I did read on the forums that it provides some kind of blank building template?

[RippleJet]

The SC4PIM tutorial didn't mention what to do if there was no building bat to start with, although I did read on the forums that it provides some kind of blank building template?

Under Resources -> Other Models you would find Maxis' own blank model, which they used e.g. for parks.
You can drag that to any category to create an "empty lot".

Note however that you will have to recompute with a rather high filling degree to get appropriate property values.
The blank model is only 8 m wide, 8 m deep and 1 m tall.

[puresim]

Great, thanks for the directions - I'll make a start on transferring my lots. I'm not sure what the filling degree is but I'll work it out by searching on the forums.

I also made a number of transit enabled lots using the blank Maxis park in LE (and then SC4TOOL). They are just a plopable road with added props, or a rail track with parked carriages. Would you recommend I redo them in SC4PIM too?

[RippleJet]

I'm not sure what the filling degree is but I'll work it out by searching on the forums.

• Setting the Filling Degree and Recomputing
• SC4PIM How to make a neighbourhood or mega lot

...or read the readme...

I also made a number of transit enabled lots using the blank Maxis park in LE (and then SC4TOOL). They are just a plopable road with added props, or a rail track with parked carriages. Would you recommend I redo them in SC4PIM too?

Depends on what kind of a lot you want them to be.
If they currently are based on a park lot by Maxis, then you should find them as park lots in SC4PIM as well.
You can try to recompute them as such, but I'm not sure if you want them to provide park effect and residential CAP relieves...
In order to avoid those park related properties, you should remake them as neutral lots (also found under Park descriptors).

[puresim]

Thank you RippleJet, your help is much appreciated

Once I work out how to import models from Blender into Gmax I won't rely so heavily on blank lots...

[RippleJet]

Once I work out how to import models from Blender into Gmax I won't rely so heavily on blank lots...

You can also use any model created by anyone as the building on your own lots.
For an "empty" I-M lot, you could drag the model for any of the props to the I-M category,
and use that model (be it a shed, a truck, a train, whatever) as the building.

[puresim]

In the SC4PIM? I didn't know I could do that

[wouanagaine]

In PIMX

[puresim]

Just working with it now, and I must say PIMX is great!

Took me a bit of time to work out that the ploppable IM building descriptors were under landmarks, but it's all part of the fun