JBSimio Inc.

[Pat]

LoL Jon I know aint it scary me with some Ideas lol... Gaaah what is this world coming to hehehehe  Anywho I like the idea there about the "Maybe on of the complexes could switch color schemes half way through as if they just got a new paint job?" now that would be interesting to say the lease...  But other then switching models on that point how would it work to change the coloring?

[rushman5]

How about all the $$$ are one lot size, such as 9x9, all $$ are one size like 9x10 and all $ are one size like 10X9.  This way they would be "compatible?"  I dunno, but the issue you raised is certainly a head scratcher.

[JBSimio]

We'll come back to this shortly, but in the meantime...

The Rookery Building

Enjoy!
JB

[spa]

Beautiful JB. The night lighting turned out really well, especially on the first floor. It really looks like there is something in there and that it's not just a texture on the floor.

[Pat]

Jon simply amazing!!!!!

[Jmouse]

JB, that building is just superb - like all your work! The night lighting is exceptionally good - shows off the detail in the windows and especially at the entrance. In fact, the entry reminds me of some oldies but goodies that once ruled downtown Houston. Too bad they're gone in RL, but wonderful to have things like that in game!

Later...
Joan

[JBSimio]

Swamper:  Yeah... I know that plops don't really present a problem for making the driveway TE.  I just meant that never remember to do it! 

XiahouDun:  I agree that is would certainly look better... especially, as you say, for something so large.  Unfortunately, it's just not going to happen in this case.

Pat:  To be honest, switching the building models is exactly how that idea would work.  Camalot Apartments would be the exception, but all of the other apartments I've made for this set have at least two color schemes... so it would be fairly simple to just swap them out somewhere along the line.  (It would also save a little work in that I wouldn't have to make double the number of lots to cover each color) 

Rushman5:  Making different sized lots would certainly work, but it would also limit the usability of the lots somewhat.  (Experts like Ripplejet or Barby can correct this next part if I'm wrong, but...)  The main reason for making different growth stages and different wealth levels on the same lot size is so that the lot is still viable regardless of how the city evolves around it.  If I made a 12x12 lot that was only low wealth, then it would never be able to adjust to its surroundings if everything around it grew into high wealth.  That lot would always remain "poor" even though the rest of the neighborhood got better.  In most instances, we don't really have to think about it much because there are so many different buildings which use the same lot size.  (Consider how many 1x2 residential lots have been made over the years)  Because I'm intentionally trying to use lot sizes that haven't been filled much yet, I need to pay a little bit more attention to the extra possibilities.

Spa:  Thank you!  The first floor texture is a bit of a new one which worked out really well.  I think all the bay windows and columns helped create extra shadows and things down there too.

Pat:  Thanks!

Joan:  Thank you!  Considering that there were several things with the lighting that just never ended up going my way, it still turned out pretty well.  Sadly, buildings like this are getting harder and harder to find in the US... I wonder if we'll ever learn that bulldozing is not always the best way to grow.

I haven't had a whole lot of time lately, so there isn't a lot in the way of updates right now.  I did make up some very basic test lots to experiment with the idea of Phases for the apartment complexes.  I've run a couple tests so far, but until I get a little further in the process, there isn't much to be said.

I also started in on the roof of the Hunter-Dulin Building.  Depending on when I can get back home today, I'm hoping to have an update of that later tonight.  I haven't started on the base yet, mainly because I'm still debating which base to do.  The original building has a base which uses the same shape and size as the floors above it, which would put the building somewhere in the 4x2 or 3 size.  However, there is a later addition which left the front pretty much unchanged, but added quite a bit to the back (including a roof garden) and ultimately filled the entire block.  I like the new version quite a bit, but it would make the overall lot more of a 4x5 or even 4x6.  Any votes?  (Please don't ask for both... I'm not ruling out the idea of both just yet, but that answer really wouldn't help me much!  )

JB

[rushman5]

4x5.  Although there aren't any 4x6 lots, the 4x5 lot is more common and there are less lots available for download as a 4x5.  In addition, a 4x6 is unnecessary because of the abundance of 4x4 and 2x2 lots, which would make it square.  That is my thought and current problem in the city I'm playing in right now.  Good to hear you aren't just wingin the stage growth thing and really planning it out.  That kind of effort makes a download worth the wait.

-sean

[JBSimio]

Rushman5:  I'm not sure if going all the way down into the 4x (or even 6x) lot size will work all that well for this.  Lots that size wouldn't allow for very many buildings... and even fewer options for arrangement.  No, I'm definitely not winging it... this is a pretty new concept for me that I really want to make sure I understand before I go messing around with it too much. 

Back to the Hunter-Dulin Building just for the fun of it...  I've been tinkering with the roof the last couple evenings.  It's coming along slowly, but things are shaping up fairly well.



I think I may have gotten the pitch wrong.  It really should be steeper... which I'm hoping will also make enough room for the dormer I'm currently missing on either side of the front elevation.  It shouldn't be a difficult fix, but it will probably take some time... again...   The details along the roof lines just aren't showing up very well at all right now, but that should get much better when they're textured.  But for now, that's about it... 

JB

[rushman5]

lol, i actually meant 4x5 for the Hunter-Dulin, but thats ok.  I especially like the steep roof pitches.  Its good to see your highest building to date being heavily detailed.  How big of a file, 5mb?  ya know what, it doesn't matter.  Size doesn't matter, its the quality that counts.

[deathtopumpkins]

Ooh, nice roof on that there building!  I disagree about its slope though. I think it's fine just how it is.  But hey, it's your building.

[JBSimio]

Rushman5:  Oops... sorry about the confusion, then!    Heavily detailed?  Yeah... I got a little carried away (again!)  I have no idea what the model file size may end up.  The GMAX file is just under 23MB right now... but that doesn't mean much of anything really.  The GMAX file for the Rookery Building was 19.5MB... the model file ended up around 1.1MB.  I'm glad you like it!

Deathtopumpkins:  Thank you!  I changed the slope to make things fit as they were intended (for the most part... )  It wasn't a huge change, but just enough to make the difference I needed.

The roof... the roof... the roof is all finished!  We don't need no water, let the... um, nevermind.  Actually, the roof is far from finished, but it is closed up at this point.  Lots of final detail trim to add, but that's for another day (or two or three).



Not much to say really... so I think I'll just quietly ease my way out of here...
JB

[threestooges]

The roof... the roof... the roof is all finished!  We don't need no water, let the... um, nevermind.  Actually, the roof is far from finished, but it is closed up at this point.  Lots of final detail trim to add, but that's for another day (or two or three).

Heh, should I call Pat in then? In all seriousness though, this building is turning out great. So much detail spread around it. In regard to the (not sure what to call them) the little peaks that stick up whose roofs extend into the main one. What method do you use to get them? The easiest way I can figure leaves a flat spot on top, and I haven't found a fast way to get quick ones with a peak. Nice work as usual. Take it easy Jon.
-Matt

[rooker1]

As I have said before Jon, this is going to be a great one.

Robin 

[Pat]

hehehehee hey now I heard me being called lol     looking good there Jon....

[deathtopumpkins]

OK, changed my mind!  The roof looks even better now!  And the level of detail continues to amaze...

[JBSimio]

Matt:  Thank you!  Are you asking about the roof peaks themselves or something to do with the trim?  If you can circle what you're looking at somewhere, I'll gladly explain how I made it. 

Robin:  Thanks!

Pat:  Thank God you got here when you did!  The whole place was about to go up in some kind of wierd graphic smoke!  I'm glad you like it.

Deathtopumpkins:  Thanks!

A couple people keep mentioning details on this one.  I have to say that the more I study pictures of the real building, the more and more I really love it.  Not only are the details astounding, but the overall fit and flow of the building is just incredible.  I'm beginning to think that this is the most perfectly designed older high rise I've ever come across.  (And considering some of the beauties I grew up near in Detroit and Chicago, that's saying something!)  But enough babbling... the roof really is finished this time!  Still a few minor "roof junk" type things to add at some point, but there will be very little of that anyway.  Here's another nifty little mosaic for you...

I have some fixes to make on the lowest floor seen here (which is actually the 3rd or 4th floor) and then I'll finally get started on the base for this one!

Til then...
JB

[Jmouse]

Superb, JB!

Later...
Joan

[threestooges]

Jon,

I suppose a pic would help. There are other examples in the pic, but they are covered with the green decorations. I am basically wondering how you create the roof pieces to get the crisp point to the roof that is circled there.



Now then, in regard to your recent pic, that is amazing. If that is just the tower, I am really looking forward to seeing the base. Amazing work on an amazing building.
-Matt

[Pat]

LoL Jon hehehe I guess I still got it in me to save the day aye    Looking good!!!  Oooh you said smoke hmmm,