JBSimio Inc.

[GrizzlyBuilder]

Westlake is looking awsome and I am really looking forward to the modular lots.  My personal opinion is that the pond could be part of these modular lots, rather than right next to the dorm.  It's all up to you.  Keep up the good work on Westlake and the Swan(s)!

[threestooges]

My, but you have been busy. If you haven't made a final decision on it yet, I like the pond in it's last shown, large state. The flowers in front of the main building are great like that. Not too wild, but certainly full. Unless you've alreayd changed it and I haven't noticed, the pool covering when shown next to the deck looks really good. I know you said you made some changes around the back of the main building, but if the lamps and benches are still the way they are in the pic with the shaded areas, I would suggest switching the lamps with the benches (such that from the back entrance there is a bench in front of each of the stairs). I hope that made sense, but if not, please let me knwo and I'll be happy to clarify my rambling. Hope things are well for you.

[Pat]

Jon you are Smokin okin today OMG man..... I can barley keep up on the updates lol..... Actually i was in St Paul in 94 for my grandpa's 50 reunion for the 91st infantry division... Anywho you know vester does have a good point about Centennial Hall looking like a prison wing... Hmmm I have a thought, are you turning the mod academy into a singular dat or are doing all the buildings separate???  I wouldn't mind turning Centennial Hall into a prison complex and using the Boy's dorm as part of it as well lol...

[JBSimio]

GrizzlyBuilder:  Welcome to the thread!  I'm glad you like what I'm up to.  I can definitely include a "pond lot" for the modular.  I'd really prefer to keep in on this campus, if for no other reason than it fills that space so well.  Because of where it's situated, that area doesn't lend itself well to anything "functional" and this is the best option I've come up with so far.

Matt:  Regarding your suggestion for the back of the academic building, I ended up flanking the steps with one of the white flowering bushes on either side.  The lamp posts shifted to the outside of those bushes and the benches slid over just a touch to make space.  I hope that makes sense?  I have changed the pool and deck area, but you won't see it until I get done typing this... 

Pat:  I could always slow down a little...    Packaging for the Academy will be a chore to say the least.  Most likely, I will release a prop pack before hand which includes all the models for Westlake and possibly condenses the loose prop dats from School Packs 1-3.  That's my plan right now, but it's hard to say for sure as I have no idea how large that file might be.  Everything is still loose right now, although I can tell you that my current Westlake folder sits at 3MB with more still to be added!

See what happens when I get a day off?  The monkeys in the basement have gotten quite a workout today... thank goodness they've been unseccessful at unionizing!  That's right... one more picture to look at tonight!



I think this should just about wrap up the major work back here.  I have a few tweaks to make, but I think most everything I wanted for the deck area is there now.  I still need to put some vents and such over the parking garage.  I also haven't lit the pool area yet.  The rest of the lighting is basically done from the first version and will just need some pieces moved here and there.  It's possible I'll get the modeling finished before I leave for Thanksgiving.  Even if that happens, lotting won't begin until afterwards.  Then again... I have tomorrow off too!   

JB

[Pat]

Jon didnt i just stop in here lol.... WOW them monkeys have to be exhausted after the work out you given them today lol.... 3MB already wow!!! So have them monkeys thought of a name for the "Swan _____________" if not i have a small brain fart of "The Swan Royal"?

[threestooges]

That actually makes perfect sense. Those bushes seem like they would fit in quite well there. The pool deck area looks amazing (do you model those planters and such yourself, or do you have some source for them? Either way, it all looks really good. To add to pat's suggestion, I would just add an 'e' to the end: Swan Royale (James Bond springs to mind for some reason). One other thing that I noticed that the hotel could use (unless I missed it...) is access to the side of the roof area above the parking garage for maintenence (a door from the pool area or something). In case you don't get a chance to swing by here before Thanksgiving, have a happy one and I'll see you next time.

[bat]

Really nice looking buildings there! Also the newest is looking fantastic! Great work!

[EDGE4194]

 
wow jon- you have been on quite a roll! Everything is looking good. I love the addition of the furniture to the hotel deck.
Westlake is looking awesome and can't wait for the modular set. 

[JBSimio]

Pat:  Fortunately, my work position gives me access to large cases of bananas at a pretty good price!     I kind of like the Swan Royale (adding in Matt's idea as well)... I think we're down to The Swan Royale or The Swan Plaza now.

Matt:  Thanks!  The plants themselves were modeled by SimGoober (as were the tables and chairs actually).  I just pick my own textures and resize as necessary and then build the boxes around them.  I haven't done the roof access yet, but I will.  I'm hesitant to put that off the pool area, but we'll see what happens.

Bat:  Thanks for stopping in!  Glad you like everything.

Edge:  Thank you!

Went out on the back porch this morning and thought this would get a chuckle...



As the weather turns colder, all the swans on this lake (about 13 last year) seem to make their way over to my end.  They usually stay fairly spread out during the summer, with a pair on the north tip... a couple pairs on the west end, etc.  For reasons I haven't yet figured out they all get together in the late fall and spend the winter primarily over here on the east end.  Maybe it's just because all the geese have finally left... I don't know.  The swans and ducks seem to get along fine together, but the Canadian geese seem to be disliked by everyone (myself included).  It looks like we may be up to 15 now as the two on the right are definitely young swans.

JB

[tag_one]

whoa that are a lot of updates with beautiful pictures. I love the envy on the jail uhh Centenial Hall 
Also great to see some people on the paths of the university. It looks very great now. can't wait to download it.
The bar on the Swan looks also great. The only thing that caught my eye is that there are a bit to much chairs imo.

[JBSimio]

Tag_One:  Thank you!  I was wondering about the number of lounge chairs, too.  I'll thin them out a little bit more.

I think I might be done with the full campus lot for Westlake!      Unless there are any major things that just flat out don't work, this might just be it.  Here is a day and night overview:





This next one doesn't show anything different really, but it's probably one of my favorite night shots for the campus:



Finally, as a way to show some individual views of things... keep and eye on your mailbox.  The recruiterment department has begun accepting applications for the next school year.




JB

[Strechnitz]

The final result for the full lot is amazing JB. simply wonderful and in tune with your hard work on it.
I look forward to seeing it in the LEX.

Great to see the centennial building again

I will have to check if the Westlake is the right place for my little nephews. they deserve only the highes standard in education of cours (the little spoilt brats)  LOL!

Strechnitz.

[DFire870]

Woohoo! Westlake looks fantastic. I like the smaller pond with the gazebo on the left side as well as all the trees. I already have an area planned out for it in my region. The hotel looks great too, I think "The Swan Royale" would be the perfect name for it.

And you better not work those monkeys too hard, they might go on strike.

-- John

[cammo2003]

 

Great to see the lot's practically done for Westlake. 

I do have one suggestion though: it'd be nice if you were to use the BSC Parks base texture, if only for the sake of flexibility.

[Fledgeling]

  It looks great. I cant think of anything that could improve what you have done with the campus

[Andreas]

Looking grand! When I saw the first pics, I wondered "Hopefully he used seasonal trees.", but now that I've seen the promo pic, I know that you did. The ponds fit in really well, and I also like that night closeup shot you posted a lot! Personally, I'd probably change a few minor things, but it won't make the lot "better" or anything, just a bit different.

[Vandy]

Hello, Jon.

I must say that I am quite impressed with your Westlake Academy!  You most certainly have the gift of BATting bestowed upon you.  I must be honest and tell you that I envy your being able to BAT and have most certainly learned its intricacies and idiosyncrasies.  I really do believe that Westlake will be the perfect compliment to make SmallTown USA the perfect University Town -- at least those are my plans once you release this jewel.

Thank you for all of the pain-staking work of creating this beautiful set of models as well as for setting them in such a very nice lot.  I do look forward to your releasing it and placing it in my region.

Regards,

Gary

[JBSimio]

Strech:  Thank you!  I'll discuss your brats... er, nephews... with the headmaster.

John:  Thanks!  I gave the monkeys a bit of a break this afternoon.   

Cammo:  Thank you!  It is BSC park compliant... not to worry.   Actually, that was always the intention, I just grabbed the wrong texture by mistake.

Fledgeling:  Thanks!

Andreas:  Thank  you!  I'd honestly be surprised if people with the know how didn't make their own tweaks really.  I've finally come to the realisation that my lots aren't going to work perfectly for everyone, but that there are also more than enough people that now can fix that themselves.  It kind of takes the pressure off a little bit! 

Gary:  Thank you!  You have such a great way with words... I'm always happy when you stop by.  I'd love to see your mix of the Smalltown buildings with this someday.

I was getting ready to make some of the modular lots when a (not really new) idea popped back into my head.  I'd like some input, if you would please.  Most of the buildings for the modular set will be non-functional anyway.  There will be the main academic building which will function like a private school or university.  Beyond that, everything else is honestly eye candy which only makes sense as part of the whole school.  So the question is which makes more sense for you, the end user:  Make all the "outbuildings" plain landmarks that will always be in the menu?  or  Make them rewards triggered only after you have placed the first piece... the school in this case?

Any thoughts?
JB

[GrizzlyBuilder]

I guess I always assumed that the modular lots would be rewards triggered by the main building.  I can't think of any examples right now.  Do you know what buildings will be modular buildings will be, and can you tell the breathless crowds?

[Bluebeard]

Looks awesome JB.
  I say go with the Landmark idea.