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SC3K/SC3KU building tools: explained
Author: Peshi Date: Saturday, May 25 2002 SimCity 3000 and SimCity 3000 Unlimited/World Edition have tools which allow us to create our own buildings. There are now 4 tools in total so people are bound to get confused. Below are the 4 tools, together with an explanation of each. Building Architect Tool (BAT): BAT was made before SimCity 3000 Unlimited was released and most of the current BAP (see below) architects have used BAT. BAT while simple and easy to use has allowed users of SimCity 3000 to create their own buildings. BAT is a free download available at simcity.com for owners of SimCity 3000. Buildings can be made in 4 different sizes. BAT has 3 simple building tools: Blocks/Bricks: Chosen from a menu, a set of bricks are available to make your dream building. Each brick can be painted and "decaled", but there are limitations. There are only a few bricks available, which make the buildings appear quite blocky. You can not create your own custom bricks. Paints: There is quite a nice collection of paints which come with BAT. They are sperated into categories, but you don't only need to use them for that purpose. Unlike the bricks, you can have your own custom paints created by you or others. These custom paints will appear in your custom paints "folder" Decals: Decals are like stickers for your buildings. They can be logos, windows, doors. Anything really. Like paints, custom decals can be added to BAT so you can make better (and more detailed buildings). The default selection of decals can be useful, but just like paints, there will come a time when you need something else. Sometimes, the background of a decal can be painted using the paint tool which can make an interesting pattern. The above tools are used in conjunction with a workspace. There are 4 different sizes each with a height limit: 1x1, 2x2, 3x3, 4x4 BAT can only be used with SimCity 3000 (windows version), but buildings made with BAT can be opened (and edited) by BAP users. Buildings created with BAT can be used in both SC3K and SC3KU. Building Architect Plus (BAP): BAP is the little brother of BAT. It is only available with SimCity 3000 Unlimited/World Edition, but if you are serious about making buildings you might be interested. BAP works (and looks) the same as BAT, but it has 1 bigger size (5x5) and one more tool (props). In total there are 5 workspace sizes and 4 tools for you to work with: Blocks/Bricks: Chosen from a menu, a set of bricks are available to make your dream building. Each brick can be painted and "decaled", but there are limitations. There are only a few bricks available, which make the buildings appear quite blocky. You can create your own custom bricks as props. Odd from Sweden has made a set of steep roof props available here at SimArchitect. Paints: There is quite a nice collection of paints which come with BAP. They are sperated into categories, but you don't only need to use them for that purpose. You can have your own custom paints created by you or others. These custom paints will appear in your custom paints "folder" Decals: Decals are like stickers for your buildings. They can be logos, windows, doors. Anything really. Like paints, custom decals can be added to BAP so you can make better (and more detailed buildings). The default selection of decals can be useful, but just like paints, there will come a time when you need something else. Sometimes, the background of a decal can be painted using the paint tool which can make an interesting pattern. Props: Props are the new tool which is included in BAP. Props are 3d "sprites" which can be placed anywhere on your building. These can be trees, cars, flags, fences. Anything you want. Some architects have even made a complete buildings as a prop! BAP comes with quite a nice set of props for you to use, but custom props can be made. Custom props are available at SimArchitect to name one site. You can also makes props yourself. The above tools are used in conjunction with a workspace. There are 5 different sizes each with a height limit: 1x1, 2x2, 3x3, 4x4, 5x5 BAP is included with SimCity 3000 Unlimited and is not available any other way (so don't ask me to E-Mail it to you). BAP buildings can not be used with SimCity 3000 unless you convert them into landmarks (see below). SimCity 3000 Rendering Kit (SC3URK): SC3URK is named after SCURK (for SimCity 2000) and is based on the same theory. A SC3URK building is made up of 4 images (one for each angle) which is created in an external paint program. SC3URK buildings are the most detailed and creative buildings available because of the enormous amount of tools available. Any program from a 3d rendering program (ex. 3d studio max) to a simple paint program (such as windows paint) can be used. SC3URKs can replace a building in SimCity 3000 Unlimited/World Edition or it can be made into a landmark. Landmarked SC3URKs can be used in SC3K and SC3KU. SC3URK is a free download available at simcity.com for registered users of SimCity 3000 Unlimited/World Edition. SimCity 3000 Unlimited MUST be installed for SC3URK to work. Landmark Converter: The landmark converter is a free download at simcity.com for registered users of SimCity 3000 Unlimited/World Edition. BAT and BAP buildings can be converted into landmarks for use in both SC3K and SC3KU. SC3KU must be installed for the landmark converter to work. Those are the 4 tools currently available for users of SC3K and SC3KU. |