Xiahou's BAT Showcase

[XiahouDun]

I've been playing around with the notion of "how big is too big" for the HD renderings, and where "smaller props" ends and larger buildings begin (if that makes sense, it did typign it in my head ). Basicly a similar approach to Ennedi's post on the same page where he lists some things that should be in HD. I could actually get some test lots together of all the houses I've made and share them, since I have a copy of all of them in SD and HD. Houses in terms of file size still stay pretty modest in HD. An example would be the house previewed on this page. In SD it is 64kb, while HD does see a jump to 160kb. Almost triple the size yes, but in a ultimately not too large of a difference. To give a comparison, The last image Ennedi posted on the page you linked is 192000 bytes. Its definately something I want to play around with more to see if I can find what I feel is the best looking. Thank you for the information you posted.

And yes, I do realize the file size difference is referencing one house growing that much, so there would be an impact on the overall plugins folder.

[Pat]

Hey Eric don't forget that you can always DAT Pack everything to make it a better size...

[XiahouDun]

Yup, I know. I was planning on packing each individual download, instead of doing a megapack with all my houses, so people can opt out of certain houses if they'd like.

[Pat]

sweetness there Eric, I just wasnt certain if you remembered you could do that to save some space... So are you at a point to even pack a model house at all? Just wondering what size it would be?

[XiahouDun]

Ok, have the SD and HD side by side comparisons ready:

HD is on the right. In my opinion, textures look cleaner in the HD version even at zoom 5. Porch details (like the hand railing) show some of the jagging issues that the SD version doesn't, but they are also more visable than the SD version. Roof antenea on the SD version appears as a grey blob while the HD version it looks crisp (ground texture kind of blended with the HD version on the screenshot, so going off my own observation on a different lot tested). Please not, the chimney on the HD version has been improved to make use of the better details.
File sizes: SD=77.8kb, HD=202kb


Same house from the rear. Seems like the same story here, textures look better on the HD (on the left), but show the jagged edges a little more.


HD on the right again. To me this one is a strong sales point for going HD. Doesn't show the jagged edges as bad except on the roof at the top of the image, textures on the HD version are more detailed. AC unit on the SD version suffers from blurring while the HD version it still looks detailed.
File sizes: SD=64.1kb, HD=160kb


Final house tested, HD on the bottom. Like in the others, HD version suffering from some jagged edges unlike the SD version, however the details on the HD version continue to look better.
File sizes: SD=50.9kb, HD=120kb

[Pat]

oooh wow Eric there is a great diffrence there for sure!!! Size aint that much of real issue at all and the comparission is just amazing...  I like the HD versions of the house soo much better even with the small defect that I honestly cant see...

[jacqulina]

nice work

[XiahouDun]

Thanks guys I'll wait for more import before I make my decision.

So then, about my question on the last page. Can anyone tell me of some prop packs that have light cone props in it?

[BarbyW]

BSC MEGA Props Misc Vol02 - on the LEX

[XiahouDun]

Thank you Barby I've reworked my parking lot props, and wanted to have the readme be more detailed than last time. Expect me in the LEX Candidacy forum again soon

[BarbyW]

Excellent news, XD

[just_a_guy]

I really like the way some details look with the HD textures, but on the long run maybe it won't be to good because our plugins folder may be too big.

Maybe some textures can stay in SD. For example, the porch on the second picture looks better in SD. The wood on the walls of the house on the last pic also look better in SD. Maybe if you only use HD on some props (like the air conditioner, chimeny, etc) it would still look better and the size wouldn't be to drastic.

Just my thought there. Other than that, I really like the houses, we can never have enough!

[Pat]

Hey Eric that is awesome and I am sooo sorry I thought I gave you some links to the light cones?? My bad there...

[XiahouDun]

So, sent off the HD parking lot props for scrutineering. How about I finally get back to work on my prop pack for the houses? It will only take what, 2 years to release them?

[beutelschlurf]

moin XiahouDun,

How about I finally get back to work on my prop pack for the houses?  It will only take what, 2 years to release them?

... hope not, there looking great!

b_schlurf

[Albus of Garaway]

Those houses look fantastic! That choice between SD and HD will certainly be a difficult one. They both have their strong points and weaknesses. Either way, they're going to look great.

[XiahouDun]

moin XiahouDun,
... hope not, there looking great!

b_schlurf

I started working on them two years ago already I procrastinate too much. Time to get serious about working on my stuff.

[Pat]

LoL Eric that sounds about right for the house pack... But hey you know what good things come to those who wait right?

[whrm33]

Hey Xiahou,

I'm having trouble using your parking lot pack, I can't find it anywhere in game. I used the auto installer and the file is in my plugins folder, but won't show up when I play SC4. 

Any help you can give me is appreciated. 

[XiahouDun]

The parking lot props and textures are dependancy files, not actual lots for in game. There are a few releases out there that use my props and textures though.