Problems with terrain using canals/streams/rivers

[projectadam]

I am thinking this is being posted in the right forum but maybe not. I am wondering if there are good canals/rivers/streams whatever you want to call them tutorials. I think they add a great dimension to the game but the only problem is I believe that the major ones are not slope friendly so you have to have them the same elevation over the entire use of them. The problem I am running into them is the slopes around them, are either too high or too low in certain areas. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on how to fix this or work around this problem. Thanks for any advice.

[callagrafx]

Pretty hard to have a slope friendly waterway....all the water would flow away    And most of the canal sets have locks, which allow the "stepping" of water courses, just as in reality

[dedgren]

Adam, there are a number of stream terraforming posts in 3RR-ST during the period September, 2006, and December, 2006.  These are pages there in the 40s.  Unfortunately, I have not yet moved these into the archives yet here, so they are only accessible over at Simtropolis, and can be a hassle to hunt down.  I do plan to work my way into the 40s over the coming weekend, and will PM you if I find a post that would seem particularly close to what you are looking for.


David

[projectadam]

The water would flow away, I love it. I would want the water to flow away but maybe these pictures will illustrate what I am trying to say a little better. If you just plop the pieces wherever you get the little slope differences popping out (Left Picture). Therefore, I solve that by using the road tool and smoothing out the entire area that the pieces are going to be laid on (Right Picture).



Unfortunately by doing this, 100 squares or so later where there has been a change in elevation due to hills, to keep everything level requires significant changes to the surrounding area.



Is there a way to solve this issue or work around it? I have an idea to cut the stream off using the bridge end piece one away from the road so that the elevation can change from road segment to road segment.

[Diggis]

Most of the pieces are slightly slop friendly, as long as there are no bumps, which are whats causing your problem there.  drag the avenue tool over the length of the run you want and it should smooth is better.

[projectadam]

Most of the pieces are slightly slop friendly, as long as there are no bumps, which are whats causing your problem there.  drag the avenue tool over the length of the run you want and it should smooth is better.

Diggis, thanks for the info that really It looks like I am off to try to correct the large region I have messed up 

[Vandy]

Hello, PD.

For what it is worth to you, I can give you the benefit of my experiments in this area.  I am replying from work and cannot see the picture you've posted as the imageshack Website is blocked by my employer.  Nonetheless, I believe I have a general idea as to what your problem may be.

As Diggis already pointed out, if you attempt to lay "water' over bumpy terrain, you'll see some graphic anomalies.  For example, if you lay down one of  Pegasus' streams pieces on bumpy terrain, you'll probably see part of the stream piece "banded" -- that is, alternating strips of black and stream.  This is because of the bumpyness of the terrain.

Diggis' idea of using the avenue tool over the length of your waterway run is a good idea.  I would take it a step further.  Try the below and see if you like the results:

1)  On your terrain, determine where you wish to place your waterway from one end to the other.

2)  Using either God Mode or Mayor Mode tools, select the Valley tool and create a shallow valley from one end of your proposed waterway to the other.

3)  Shape the valley as desired as well as widen it as desired.

4)  Using the Avenue road tool (or any other road tool; you'll have to experiment), start at one end of the waterway and  C - A - R - E - F - U - L - L - Y  drag the road tool over the middle of the valley created in Step 2), above.

5)  While dragging the road tool, you can make small left and / or right turns to emulate the wandering course of the waterway.

6)  Using the canal / stream / river / waterway piece of your choice, start laying the waterway in the middle of the flattened area.

7)  Finish by adding any appropriate or desired flora, rocks, etc.

I hope this information will be helpful to you.

Regards,

Gary (Vandy)

[callagrafx]

But won't a road or avenue follow the terrain when you drag them? Surely they don't carve the terrain but climb up it (until the incline is too much and it tries to form a tunnel.

[Diggis]

But won't a road or avenue follow the terrain when you drag them? Surely they don't carve the terrain but climb up it (until the incline is too much and it tries to form a tunnel.

What the avenue will do if you drag it is smooth off the bumps so it's level, although it may be on a grade.  This will alow you to do shallow slopes on the ponds.

[wouanagaine]

And you'll need the correct slope mod for that effect. My self I'll go for ennedi slope mod with rail tool which really clear out any bump