Sydney Opera House - For one night only!

BarbyW · February 09, 2013, 12:02:11 PM

Got them and will use them tomorrow. I'll post an LE pic.

BarbyW · February 10, 2013, 07:51:13 AM

Picture just from LE. I've had to remove the embankment pieces until I have done the rest of the propping. Three different lamp posts too as I can't decide which to use.

noahclem · February 10, 2013, 08:14:08 AM

Great continued work both of you

I'd prefer the smaller lights from the picture. While I like the new table/umbrella props a lot the difference in scale between them and the people, benches, and lights seems pretty large. Perhaps the new props could be enlarged a bit? namspopof has some excellent and well-scaled props of people over on TSC that could also help with the scale discrepancy

callagrafx · February 10, 2013, 09:15:19 AM

hmmmm I see what you're saying, so I've made the props bigger and sent to Barby. In terms of the lighting, I would also be inclined to use the smaller twin lights rather than the other two... I think it's more in keeping. I'd also space the tables out a little more, fill the LOT with space

BarbyW · February 11, 2013, 07:31:02 AM

Missed this yesterday, I'll use the excuse of the excitement of seeing Kristina again

. Got the new props and will use them a bit later. The lampost you seem to like is the one from the farmers' market and it has a wastebin attached so I can save a prop.

I deliberately clustered the tables together as that is how they appear on the real thing but intend to add some more round the lot. This was just a very small part for initial comments.

callagrafx · February 11, 2013, 08:31:38 AM

Quote from: BarbyW on February 11, 2013, 07:31:02 AM
I deliberately clustered the tables together as that is how they appear on the real thing but intend to add some more round the lot. This was just a very small part for initial comments.

Yep, I realised that...

BarbyW · February 12, 2013, 05:35:04 AM

Same small part redone with the new props for comments on scale etc. I have done some more lotting but am more interested in us getting these new props right before showing anything else.

I also hope that our Australian friends will give me some leeway on the complete lot as it is a large space to fill with basically very little in the real thing

callagrafx · February 12, 2013, 07:00:36 AM

Looks good to me... everyone knows the SC4 people are way too tall

The props are in scale with the other ones and not too far off the building scale. And you don't have to fill it if you don't want to... it's called "creative licence"

Andreas · February 12, 2013, 02:27:53 PM

Yeah, the Maxis people are way too tall, unfortunately. I'd say if you want to use them on the lot, keep them away from those umbrellas.

Looking at some photos of the opera house, the open space is pretty empty, so maybe using an interesting base texture will allow you to keep the number of props relatively small without making the lot looking too "boring".

BarbyW · February 17, 2013, 01:19:30 PM

I have a completed lot which has 4 prop packs and 2 texture packs as dependencies. Not a lot for an 8x14 lot.

I have tried to be true to the real thing although it is difficult. Comments from all and sundry before I continue, please.

A view of the road end of the lot with some car parking.

The sea side of the lot with a couple of boats offset.

Close up of Lee's new props at the front of the lot

A zoomed out view of the complete lot.

callagrafx · February 17, 2013, 03:53:30 PM

The only thing I'd say is the base texture is too similar to the building... do you have a texture that is more "grey pavers"? Also I'm not 100% sure about the lorries... How about making that area another "al fresco" cafe area, like the front... maybe 2 rows of tables only? BTW, the parasol & tables lights up at night too

mattb325 · February 17, 2013, 04:31:14 PM

Looks good

I agree about the Lorries; is it possible to run a street underneath the very end steps which have the open archway (as it does IRL where it functions as a porte cochere) and possibly remove that little car park at the rear?

Also those tables and umbrellas appear underscaled. Lee, is the base of the umbrella section at least 4.2m - 4.5m high?

callagrafx · February 18, 2013, 05:46:00 AM

Quote from: mattb325 on February 17, 2013, 04:31:14 PM
Also those tables and umbrellas appear underscaled. Lee, is the base of the umbrella section at least 4.2m - 4.5m high?

They're actually overscaled... if you look at the size compared to the base texture 16m grid, you can only really fit three table/parasols per grid at a squeeze. The disporportionate size of SC people doesn't help. The viewing angle also means the parasol appears closer than it actually is.

BarbyW · February 25, 2013, 04:59:44 AM

I've been playing with the base textures and trying to run the road under the end steps. I don't like the road on to the lot as it looks clunky so have decided not to try to do that. As for the change of base textures, I tried many different ones and I have taken a picture with three different ones for your comments. I'm not sure how well any will work on the whole of the lot but before making major changes I'd like Lee's comments.

weixc812 · February 25, 2013, 06:45:47 AM

I prefer the left light grey base tile, for it's neither complex nor strange

callagrafx · February 25, 2013, 08:00:57 AM

Definitely the plain grey one... it matches in with the Marrast walls and will provide a contrast to the building. Could you add some flora to break it up? And I shouldn't worry about trying to run the road under the steps... it might have worked if they weren't at an angle.

BarbyW · February 25, 2013, 03:19:38 PM

OK I'll go with the left hand grey texture and start again tomorrow. I'll also leave out the attempt at running the road underneath as even though I have two offers of new textures - thanks you Diggis and Geoffhaw - I don't think it would work properly.

I can add flora and also some prop flowers etc. I won't be true to the original but will look better I think.

callagrafx · February 26, 2013, 06:26:17 AM

It seems there's some impatience with this being released... so let me just state, for the record.

It will be released when, and ONLY when, Barby has finished LOTing it and is happy with it.

After all, it's been 10 years of gameplay without it and no-one has ever seriously taken it on before, so let's all just take two Fukitol^TM, chill and kick back

BarbyW · February 26, 2013, 12:21:38 PM

Base texture changed for the plain grey and some more props added - a couple more al fresco cafes etc and some potted trees. In game pics instead of LE ones as well.

This is the overall image of the lot in game zoomed out to show the whole thing. The embankments are not showing as the water is deep.

A closer view of the righ hand side:

The front - I did place some offset boats but they aren't showing for some reason. Have to check that.

The left hand side:

And finally the rear of the lot.

The shadows in the rear area are bothering me but it may just be me.

I shall also do a couple of canal versions which will have more florals and trees on. Not correct but then neither is a canal.

noahclem · February 26, 2013, 01:19:02 PM

Excellent progress

I've been following the project here quite closely and should apologize for not offering more feedback. Obviously the BAT is something fantastic but it presents a heck of a challenge lotting. So much space to fill and such an unusual type of lot, not to mention the icing on the cake that is the functional reward component. The new props, the incorporation of the old ones, and even boats on the way?! Kudos BarbyW and callagrafx--you're truly doing something exceptional.

News:

Sydney Opera House - For one night only!