Why It's Impossible to Recreate Cities in SimCity 4

I haven't gotten around to the BAT, but I did try to fiddle around with WINE, which I wanted to try before jumping into Windows on my Mac. I was disappointed that it wouldn't run stand-alone apps (like, for instance, I Wanna Be The Guy: The Movie: The Game) or when it was "full screen" it wasn't truly full screen (in a demo of Crayon Physics Deluxe, the Dock popped up whenever the mouse went down there).

But I have given thought to SimCity 4, and why it's impossible to recreate major cities.

Aside from the obvious BAT issues...each city has a number of notable buildings in its skyline, but unless you're working with an extremely recognizable skyline (Chicago or New York, for instance) you'll have a very difficult time installing a believable skyline.

Let's look at one of my favorite cities, Houston.

It doesn't seem so bad on the surface...reorient the diagonal northwest-southeast streets to north-south, and you've got a workable area, right? There's even a light rail running through Main Street, which can be easily recreated with something like this.

But the light rail splits up, and parallels two different roads.

And it gets worst. Try recreating this iconic traffic circle near the Museum District, or these spaghetti-strand style interchange.

See that bike trail dissipating into that tan path? That's a former railroad line. It would be practically impossible to get that railroad bridge over a messy highway, a bayou-style river AND a railroad (or a bike trail). And the bayou is so significant, yet hard to do successfully (those LA ditch mods will NOT do the trick).

Worst yet, you have to deal with trademark refineries, and the dozens of railroad spurs that connect to the canal.

The grid also changes orientation constantly. Sometimes it is north-south by default, and sometimes...well, see for yourself.

But Houston is not the only one that cannot be recreated. That's just a good example.

The thing is, city-recreating in SimCity 4 is extremely difficult. The best shot you'll get is to get a collection of buildings from the skyline (or at least something that kind of resembles them), throw in some labels (you know, introduced in SC4RH), and hope for the best. You'll get something contrived, but good enough for a CJ.

Another BAT Post in Honor of Five Years at Simtropolis

At this rate, I'm never going to fully do this BAT.

SimCity Societies Sucks

This image was actually banned from the Simtropolis forums. It's preserved here (I snagged it from Simtropolis back in June 6, 2007!)

Welcome to Pseudo3D's SimCity 4!

THIS WEBSITE LAST UPDATED JULY 7, 2010

Hello and welcome to Pseudo3D's SimCity 4! This is a spin-off of Two Way Roads and focused on SimCity 4. But that's not all! PS3DSC4 will focus on a variety of things, including:

- A BAT showcase
- A compendium of SimCity 4 information, from my own research and others (it will be properly cited, obviously).
- Showcases of cities (both mine and others)
- The history of SimCity (hopefully I will scrounge Archive.org for good stuff)

Enjoy yourself!

--CURRENT BAT PROGRESS--
Note: Overall, everything is suspended due to computer problems.
Wal-Mart: Progress Log

--FUTURE BATS--
As stated in my Simtropolis profile, the following are planned:
Meijer
Payless ShoeSource
bigg's
Stars Over Wellborn/Stars Over SimCity
Auchan

--INDEX--
Articles
Vintage Reviews: SimCity 4 (GameGirl)
CGW May 2002
From Sketchup to gmax...A Brief Tutorial
SimCity 4: Wild World Expansion Pack
Haljackey's Top 10 NAM Requests (and mine)
SimCity Community Magazine
General updates
A Cheer for Progress
Disappointment but Hope for the Future
Reference
In Search of Bobbo662's BATs
Link directory

Wal-Mart Progress Log

July 6, 2010
In 2D Google Earth, I got the numbers for the footprint of Wal-Mart. Four cities were collected. Hearne, Bryan, Caldwell, and Navasota. Hearne's Wal-Mart closed in 1990, Bryan's opened as part of a mall, and College Station's could not be collected as the blurry 1995 photo showed it being expanded (it has since done another expansion).
Started gmax, built footprint, space for overhang (I guessed on it), and built a box for the main store. Took a long time to render.
July 7, 2010
Fiddled with the settings a bit. Realized I had to always launch SC4 BAT rather than gmax. Started a BAT thread.

Planning Board: Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart



Description: A small-town Wal-Mart.
Potential in SimCity 4: Every small town in the South needs a small Wal-Mart.
Location in RL: Caldwell, Texas.
Building Exists?: Yes
Hazards in Modeling: Not too many.
Wikipedia: Wal-Mart
Official Website: Walmartstores.com
Current Equivalent: Someone tried to make something similar to this a few years back.
Photo Credit: BurlesonTexas.com
Variation: Can come in tan (recently repainted to be so) and dark brown
Embellishments: The sound effect will be the stock "cashier" sound.

Actual Tips and Advice

I finally reinstalled SimCity 4 and have gotten back to the point of 2005-2006, when I had a Mac and was optimistic about BATting.

I noticed that the graphics were "tearing" (lines between tiles, even when the tile grid was turned off).

I determined that the tearing was simply the result of a bad porting job. Here's what I did.

1) First, I turned off all the mods I had (which admittedly, wasn't much) and restarted.

2) Next, I switched the resolution to 800x600. Not only did this make everything really ugly, but it didn't fix the problem.

So that's when I chalked it up to a bad port job. Thanks a lot, Aspyr. And a big real thanks to Apple for switching to Intel and making Boot Camp available.

Now all I need is a copy of Windows.

EDIT: It's possible I need the other graphics.sgr file, but I'll have to look into that.

More news...

No progress on an improved 3DS export script yet (maybe it's time to talk to NYCJ) but other news...

• Cities XL picked up by Focus Home Entertainment (which MAKES TrackMania!)
• SimCity was on the App Store so I bought it for 99 cents. I had money left, and I wanted to play SimCity with least fuss and less money going to EA's coffers.

No, this hasn't been forgotten

In light of new updates on Two Way Roads and its promised updates, the rejuvenation of my newest blog, College Station Roads and Retail, and more, I wanted to give progress of this blog. As a test, we are going through a conversion process from a SketchUp document (not mine) which is the ALICO building. If you'd like to know more, the SketchUp link is here and the Wikipedia link is here.

The reason ALICO was picked, is because, first off, it's a cool building that I would've considered building myself, second off, it was a mostly-complete model. Here's the method I used.

First, I made sure I had gmax on my PC, and Blender (open-source) and SketchUp (the regular version is freeware) and I downloaded the model.

Then I exported it as .dae (Collada), the only export available in regular SketchUp. This unfortunately stripped the textures by putting them in a new folder. That was OK.

Blender then did the job of importing the .dae file. It was stripped of textures, but the red ALICO letters were still visible.

Then I exported it as .3ds, through Blender's unfamiliar interface.

Unfortunately, the file is 4KB, which seems VERY low for a 3d model. Hopefully, we could just chalk that up to a few missing walls, low 3ds overhead, and lack of textures. Still worries me, though, as the original was 8.8MB and the DAE was 1.2MB.

We'll need to do some retexturing work anyway for it, as well as a few other things. Hopefully this will all work out.

EDIT: Gah, the 3DS file was indeed unusable through a Mac 3DS tool called "3D Toolbox" (it can read/write SketchUp and 3DS, but I'd have to pay). I found a script designed for 3DS export to a game called "TrackMania. Then I found out that I had to import the script into an invisible folder, or so says this thread. I haven't worked with invisible folders since Yoot Tower.

I might write a tutorial on all this when it is done. Or I can just give up and use someone with a Pro license to port my file.

Suggestions?

I Knew It!

Monte Cristo, maker of the controversial Cities XL, is calling it quits! If they hadn't have been greedy and tried to demand money for "Planet Offer" and "GEMs", then this wouldn't have happened!

http://www.simtropolis.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=370&threadid=115299

Google Earth, Near Downtown Houston

Found on Google Earth: in downtown Houston, we spotted 3D models of a Fiesta grocery store, a Payless ShoeSource (standalone), and the downtown Houston Sears department store. Good thing the three of them were all on the "short list" (really about three front-and-back pages) to be BATted. We'll be downloading these in SU and modifying them so they aren't blocky textured polygons.

Building Maker, Huh?

This looks intriguing and definitely worth a revisit. It might help me model the more complicated buildings, and I'll then I'll try porting buildings to SimCity 4. How does that sound?

EDIT/UPDATE: Turns out that Building Maker is only available in about 30 or 40 U.S. cities...which doesn't sound bad until you consider that Bing Maps has much more, and also when you consider that Building Maker really only covers the city center (i.e. downtown). Back to the "traditional" method, I suppose, but I'll try one more thing.

Planning Board: Payless ShoeSource

Payless ShoeSource



Description: A stand-alone Payless ShoeSource store.
Potential in SimCity 4: You can place this in small towns, or if you are highly allergic to malls.
Location in RL: Huntsville, Texas. Similar examples exist elsewhere in Baton Rouge and Fort Worth.
Building Exists?: Yes
Hazards in Modeling: I need all four views, for one
Wikipedia: Payless ShoeSource
Official Website: Payless Shoes
Current Equivalent: There are a number of malls on the STEX, so it's assumed that a Payless would be in one
Photo Credit: Bing Maps
Variation: none
Embellishments: The sound effect will be the stock "cashier" sound. The old-style Payless ShoeSource logo will be superimposed when queried.
Final Notes: This concludes the first session of the Planning Board. I'll start on them.

Planning Board: bigg's

bigg's

Description: One of the first of what I call the "80s hypermarkets". bigg's was headquartered in the Cincinnati area and sold groceries, general merchandise, and much more. The stores were at least 200,000 square feet. Unfortunately, expansion plans for the western USA were axed, and for the rest of bigg's life, it was only in Cincinnati. Even after remodeling stores to more of an upscale supermarket/general merchandise hybrid, bigg's was not able to stay as-is. bigg's will close soon. More info here.
Potential in SimCity 4: I've been fascinated with bigg's for a few years (before it announced that it would go dead). I mean, where else can you find a hypermarket willingly attaching to large shopping malls? Plus, it's a hypermarket that's NOT Wal-Mart Supercenter!
Location in RL: Mason, Ohio, though there are others in Cincinnati
Building Exists?: For now, yes. It may be one of the ones sold to Remke Markets.
Hazards in Modeling: Well, I want to model it to its original form, not the current "Premium, Fresh & Healthy" form. I'm pretty sure the Bing Maps form has been updated since its original pictures...maybe it exists in its original form!
Wikipedia: bigg's
Official Website: Discover Something bigg's
Current Equivalent: None! That makes it all the more unique!
Photo Credit: Wikipedia article of the same name, taken by user "Joekid"
Variation: Could be it in its current Premium, Fresh, and Healthy form.
Embellishments: The sound effect will be the stock "cashier" sound. The bigg's logo will be superimposed when queried.

Planning Board: Stars Over Wellborn

Stars Over Wellborn


Description: A seasonal fireworks stand located in Wellborn, Texas. This is where we got things like everything from sparklers to new novelties that made many a boom and flash. It was only open for July 4th and New Year's. The rest of the year it was shut up like this.
Potential in SimCity 4: I'd always wanted SC4 to resemble the area where I lived. And what more Texan is a fireworks stand? This is a local example, but I've seen "Mr. W" fireworks stands everywhere else. For the complete experience, put this in a kind of rural area but close to a major road.
Location in RL: Wellborn, Texas
Building Exists?: Sadly, as of December 2009, it was not there. It will be missed.
Hazards in Modeling: Unusual shape.
Wikipedia: None
Official Website: None
Current Equivalent: Boomland Fireworks. Unfortunately, it's a little off-scale (as it was released, again, long ago). Furthermore, Boomland isn't JUST a fireworks stand. It's a Missouri-only (and three locations in MO, at that) that sells not only fireworks, but home decor, gasolines, ice cream, cigarettes, collectibles, etc.. It's an eclectic one-of-a-kind convenience store. Sort of like Buc-ee's in the Houston area.
Photo Credit: Chrisadams3997 of SC4D
Variation: Could be renamed "Stars Over SimCity" for generic use
Embellishments: The sound effect will be the stock fireworks sound. And the flammability will be artificially jacked up...

Planning Board: Auchan #2

Auchan #2

Description: Auchan, the popular French hypermarket, opened a second location in Houston in 2000. Although Auchan had a previous 1988 location in Houston that was larger (230k square feet compared to this one's ~180k) and a short-lived Chicago location. The location is a former Target which closed in the 1990s due to the depressed part of town (Gulfgate). Regrettably, both locations of Auchan in Houston (and America) closed in 2003. More information on my blog here.
Potential in SimCity 4: I think cities in SimCity should look realistic and also fairly-comfortable places to live (unless, of course, you try to avoid that) so Auchan would be a good fit. After all, Sims need hypermarkets besides Wal-Mart Supercenter to thrive. It would do great in a Houston CJ or possibly a European CJ (it could do double-duty as a European location...but I could make a Euro version if necessary).
Location in RL: Houston, Texas
Building Exists?: Yes, but it's been a vacant shell since 2003.
Hazards in Modeling: I heard it had a dollar store in part of the building at least part of its life.
Current Equivalent: A STEX model was released in 2004. I left a comment that sums it up: "While this must have been innovative and amazing in 2004, sadly, it has not surpassed the test of time. Proportionally, it is sized to be the end-all of hypermarkets, but in Real Life, that's just not the case. Furthermore, there are textures are missing. Bummer, because I was looking forward to this one."
Wikipedia: Auchan
Official Website: Groupe-Auchan
Photo Credit: sam59 from forum-auto.com
What is This Stuff, Anyway?: This is a new feature where I outline my plans for "Batting Through SketchUp". It serves as a catalog for my plans (work would begin this summer, I think) that allows for comments (feel free to leave one!)

Status update

Hi. Updates have been slow lately, but I want to say that I can't really update this site until I get a computer that can run SketchUp and play SimCity 4 without horrible, horrible graphical glitches.

The truth is, SimCity 4 is not getting any younger, despite the constant pour of new stuff into it. I listen to SimCity 4 music sometimes (such as right now), I get nostalgic...but then I remember my fondest memories happened nearly five years ago. I wanted to make this a resource for both SimCity and my own buildings, but the fact is Simtropolis and the few other sites have claimed an oligopoly on SimCity 4. So I really don't know what to do right now. I want to start PS3DSC4 back up in summer, coupled with a new "wrapper" website...I also want to update the links, but I doubt that I will ever complete it fully. Anyway, don't consider this the final The End, but it's certainly a dead end as of now, at least until around May.

Thanks,

Pseudo3D

P.S.: Please visit Two Way Roads, my main blog, updated daily!

The Link Directory, Revisited

I found on Simtropolis a "Sim-link directory" and got permission from the creator to revise it. Luckily, I've managed to dump it all on one HTML (Simtropolis has a nasty habit of deleting older posts).

SimWebsites link.

PS3D's SC4 is also still at an identity confusion and has not released any BATs. Plans are being made, however. The problem is the computer I'm using (Internet and user configuration) has major graphical problems (caused by the motherboard) and does not let me render SketchUp stuff. So I'll try to use SU on other computers. Then I'll use the SketchUp Pro demo to export it to gmax.

Link Directory

Simtropolis
Description: The ultimate SimCity fansite!
Language: English
Type: General
Downloads: Yes
Quality: Varies
Register for Downloads: Yes
Forums: Yes
Forum Updates: Daily
Features: Forum, file exchange, "Omnibus" tutorials
Site Updated: Yes
PS3D's Recommendation: It's good fun to be on Simtropolis, but stay away from the General Off-Topic and Current Events forum sections. There is no distinction for the "way off topic" type discussions!!!

SC4 Devotion
Description: A major SimCity site, second to Simtropolis.
Language: English but support for other languages
Type: General
Downloads: Yes
Quality: High (Private)
Register for Downloads: Yes
Forums: Yes
Forum Updates: Daily
Features: File exchange, forum, Wiki, tutorials
Site Updated: Yes
PS3D's Recommendation: Mostly for the "pro users" (BATting, modding, and city building). There are awesome buildings, however...

SimCity 4 at SimCity.com
Description: The official SimCity 4 website
Language: English and many more languages
Type: General
Downloads: Yes
Quality: High
Register for Downloads: Yes
Forums: NO
Features: Downloads, tips & tricks, patches
Site Updated: No
PS3D's Recommendation: Visit it once, download necessary things, and never again. Mac users don't even have to visit it.

SimPeg
Description: The official website of SimCity independent "Pegasus"
Language: English
Type: BAT downloads
Downloads: Yes
Quality: High (Private)
Register for Downloads: Yes
Forums: NO
Forum Updates: Daily
Features: Forums, BAT buildings
Site Updated: Yes
PS3D's Recommendation: BSC BATs and PEG BATs reportedly do not "play well". This is unconfirmed by me. One thing I definitely don't like is the fact that things cycle out on SimPeg.

more coming soon

SimCity Community Magazine published

Recently, the SimCity Community Magazine, a Flash-based zine has published its first issue. While it is good and has information on both ST and SC4D, it's a good measure of what I want this blog to be someday. One notable absence I noticed is a complete disregard for Pegasus Productions, possibly because of the "rogue textures" issue that distanced him from the other two bigger sites.

Nevertheless, I recommended printing the magazine out for your own copy.