2 problems: props disappear under building and building overlaps

[philipp-3108]

hi
i got 2 problems with my bats 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/63404328@N07/5768652654/lightbox/
i don't have a clue on what to do. the violet building is shining thru the grey building. it looks totally stupid
here is another pic
http://www.flickr.com/photos/63404328@N07/5768187257/lightbox/

and

http://www.flickr.com/photos/63404328@N07/5768115053/in/photostream/lightbox/
the second problem is that props like cars and trees disappear under or in the building when i'm trying to place them in front of the building. it looks like the building is flying or something like that..
thank you

[cogeo]

And the shadows look very weird, I would add. I would suggest using hardware rendering vs software (you can change these settings from within SC4).

As for the overlapping buildings and disappearing props, I think this has to do with the shape of the models' LODshell(s). Are these BATs yours? You can examine the LODshell in the reader, select the model you are interested in and in the preview area choose Both Wireframe and Textures.

[philipp-3108]

my bats. but not my models.
okay i'm tryin to do this LODshell thing..
thank you

[philipp-3108]

okay i looked it up in the reader.
dunno if this is what you meant but my model looks like this.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/63404328@N07/5768602663/in/photostream/lightbox/

if i compare it to the brandenburger tor which looks like this
http://www.flickr.com/photos/63404328@N07/5768602483/in/photostream/lightbox/
there is a pretty big difference :/
how can i edit this white grid?

[cogeo]

my bats. but not my models.

okay i looked it up in the reader.
dunno if this is what you meant but my model looks like this.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/63404328@N07/5768602663/in/photostream/lightbox/

Yes, this is what I meant. From the image, it is clear that the LODshell is MUCH bigger than the set of the buildings it encompasses, ie than it had to. Such a big LODshell will hide any other model (prop) placed behind its front and upper faces. Pls note that the LODshell is the actual 3D model displayed ingamem, not the textures; all other "objects" (those buildings) are projected on the LODshell's faces.

There's no trivial way to shrink the LODshell without affecting the buildings. If you do have the models (BAT scenes), you can refit the LODs and re-export.

[philipp-3108]

i got the models of the buildings from the internet
and i solved the problem now
http://www.flickr.com/photos/63404328@N07/5769844788/lightbox/
thats how it looks right now.
not perfect but i got a base
you can close or delete the topic
but thank you for your help