Christchurch, VLC

[toprob]

The real test is how it works somewhere flat and boring, like Christchurch... Who said that?
I will mention that I've lived in Christchurch for most of my life, and even now Lyttelton almost counts as a suburb, so this is a good place to check the realism factor.

This is with the urban roads turned off. Although this might not seem logical, this gives a more realistic city, as it allows more autogen to show. One issue with autogen in New Zealand is that we tend to have a lot less 2-storey homes, since we have more space than most places. I've hinted at an autogen update, and although it doesn't fall within the Vector Land Class feature set -- it doesn't involve vectors or landclass -- it will certainly be a worthy update to build on the realism of VLC.

Although these are Christchurch-based, there's Lyttelton Harbour and Akaroa in there as well...

[Ian Warren]

There is only one defining object missing The 'Sugarloaf' TV communications tower ..

[deaneb]

QUOTE (Ian Warren @ Jun 12 2010, 11:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There is only one defining object missing The 'Sugarloaf' TV communications tower ..

Maybe we need to start compiling a list of major NZ landmarks which designers like myself can slowly make for placement into VLC?

[toprob]

QUOTE (deaneb @ Jun 12 2010, 01:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Maybe we need to start compiling a list of major NZ landmarks which designers like myself can slowly make for placement into VLC?

Yes, I'd certainly like to see that. At the moment I'm working on a plan which mixes payware and freeware releases based on airports/airfields which sit within VLC, but include additional features in the area. These will range from airports like Hokitika which may have a fairly heavily customised town included, small airfields like Omarama which will include the Waitaki dams and thermals for gliding, through to full 'Real NZ' airports with the local area developed -- no real details yet, but I am thinking of areas like Queenstown which can do with a substantial airport project, plus town/Wakitipu/Earnslaw etc.

There are some really attractive features for developers -- for example, dropping the TV tower on Sugarloaf in the default doesn't do much for realism, but within VLC it is the icing on the cake. Mmm, sugarloaf and cake...

So VLC lays the groundwork, which makes it a lot more attractive for individual developers to customise, as most of the work of making the local area look realistic has already been done. There are other features which I'm looking at, including a local NZ object library, and of course the autogen I mentioned, which any developer can use to enhance an area.

[Splitpin]

Oh yesss.....red and black country.....beautiful Robin

[tdale]

H Rob

Are the CHC shots just FSX and VLC? No CHC addon scenery?

Cheers

Tony

[toprob]

QUOTE (tdale @ Jul 4 2010, 05:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

H Rob

Are the CHC shots just FSX and VLC? No CHC addon scenery?

Cheers

Tony

Come to think of it, the NZCH approach shot (#7) might include a small area of RealNZ NZCH, which won't be part of VLC.

[tdale]

QUOTE (toprob @ Jul 4 2010, 07:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Come to think of it, the NZCH approach shot (#7) might include a small area of RealNZ NZCH, which won't be part of VLC.

RealNZ NZCH? upcoming FSX release?? [drools]

[toprob]

QUOTE (tdale @ Jul 4 2010, 06:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

RealNZ NZCH? upcoming FSX release?? [drools]

Yeah, but don't hold your breath. I've mentioned this before, although this was a major project a year ago, it was also this time that I was hospitalised, and by the time I was well enough to get back into a serious project like this, I had spent all my cash reserves while I recuperated. It's a fact that the bigger the project, the more expensive it is to put together. So there will be a number of smaller projects first, until I can afford to get back into NZCH.

I find it hard to believe, but it is now just on a year since my surgery (1st July), and it has really taken me most of that year to get to the stage where I can work a reasonable amount. I would think that one medium release, on top of VLC, would be enough to finance the completion of NZCH, but really I can't promise anything. The trick is to keep well, and a permanent heart condition doesn't make this easy:) so a number of smaller projects makes a lot more sense to me for the time-being.

[tdale]

[quote name='toprob' date='Jul 4 2010, 07:46 PM' post='8261774']

NZCH will be great when it arrives

The main thing Rob, and this goes from ALL of us, is for you to keep well for your own sake.

Cheers
Tony

[Syncop8r]

Whilst I am very impressed with VLC overall, I am sorry to say I don't like how those urban areas have turned out in Christchurch.
Ducking for cover... now.

[toprob]

QUOTE (Syncop8r @ Sep 2 2010, 11:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Whilst I am very impressed with VLC overall, I am sorry to say I don't like how those urban areas have turned out in Christchurch.
Ducking for cover... now.

No need to duck, there's only so much you can do with urban and city landclass, these are really screaming out for a texture upgrade, plus some real New Zealand autogen and library objects, which will come soon.
VLC is first and foremost land class (Vector Land Class -- I told ya!) but there are other ways to improve our New Zealand, VLC is the framework to build it on.

[mfraser]

QUOTE (Syncop8r @ Sep 2 2010, 11:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Whilst I am very impressed with VLC overall, I am sorry to say I don't like how those urban areas have turned out in Christchurch.

I agree - but also with Robs reply and reasonings...... its just a start, its been reasonably priced and is a hell of a lot better than the Microsoft desert wasteland that was New Zealand.

Sadly for me, She who holds the purse strings has told me I have to wait til Fathers Day before I'm allowed to download it!!

In any case, great screens Rob..... I think it shows the power of VLC to good effect and will set the stage well for things to come...

Keep well,
Mat

[Timmo]

QUOTE (Syncop8r @ Sep 2 2010, 11:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Whilst I am very impressed with VLC overall, I am sorry to say I don't like how those urban areas have turned out in Christchurch.
Ducking for cover... now.

haha No need to duck for cover at all- But would you be able to give some reasons why? It may be something we can fix in the patch if it is a specific issue etc

[Ian Warren]

QUOTE

haha No need to duck for cover at all- But would you be able to give some reasons why? It may be something we can fix in the patch if it is a specific issue etc[/quote]

I can Timmo, there was an old burger bar I used to go to at 2:00am in the morning after working at the Papanui Tavern (showing my age here) down Cranford St .... you have made no attempt to model this!

[Ian Warren]

Dave , what ever happened to that photo entering the Viscount lounge , the Vickers Viscount . You don,t have it do you ?

[frostynz]

s**t Ian, I am actually old enough to remember seeing the Vickers Viscount in the flesh.

[Ian Warren]

Me to , Dave with the VLC add Mikes Photoreal CHCH and that AFCAD and you be rocking

[frostynz]

QUOTE

I can Timmo, there was an old burger bar I used to go to at 2:00am in the morning after working at the Papanui Tavern (showing my age here) down Cranford St .... you have made no attempt to model this![/quote]

I know Anderton made a bit of a twit of himself saying that it would take a quake to help incumbent mayor Bob Parker.

But I guess I have to put my hand up as well, this would seem to be the building that they kept showing on telly and has since been totally demolished. Probably no need to model this now Timmo.