LDraw to SimCity 3000 Unlimited Tutorial - Revision history

Michael Horvath: edit discloaimer

2016-01-22T00:13:59Z

edit discloaimer

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:13, 22 January 2016
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{OldArticle}}		{{OldArticle}}
	''This article was written for POV-Ray version 3.6 and L3P version 1.3, and has not been updated to the newer software.''		''This article was written for POV-Ray version 3.6 and L3P version 1.3, and has not been updated to reflect the newer software.''

	By: [[User:Michael Horvath\|Michael Horvath]] ([[User talk:Michael Horvath\|talk]])		By: [[User:Michael Horvath\|Michael Horvath]] ([[User talk:Michael Horvath\|talk]])

Michael Horvath: mention that the listed tools are out of date

2016-01-22T00:12:55Z

mention that the listed tools are out of date

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:12, 22 January 2016
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{OldArticle}}		{{OldArticle}}
			''This article was written for POV-Ray version 3.6 and L3P version 1.3, and has not been updated to the newer software.''

	By: [[User:Michael Horvath\|Michael Horvath]] ([[User talk:Michael Horvath\|talk]])		By: [[User:Michael Horvath\|Michael Horvath]] ([[User talk:Michael Horvath\|talk]])

Michael Horvath: /* Required Software */

2016-01-22T00:09:26Z

Required Software

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:09, 22 January 2016
Line 7:		Line 7:

	==Required Software==		==Required Software==
	For starters, let's go over the programs involved: '''SimCity 3000 Urban Renewal Kit''' ('''SC3URK''') is a program created by '''Maxis''' that allows you to design and import your own buildings into '''SimCity 3000 Unlimited'''. It is not included on the '''SimCity 3000 Unlimited''' installation disk. Instead, it is available as a separate download from the '''SimCity''' website (see the Links section below). You will also need a paint program, such as '''Windows Paint'''. You will also need a program called '''L3P'' to convert your LDraw model to '''POV-Ray''' format. You will need '''POV-Ray''' to render your 3D model into 2D images.		For starters, let's go over the programs involved: '''SimCity 3000 Urban Renewal Kit''' ('''SC3URK''') is a program created by '''Maxis''' that allows you to design and import your own buildings into '''SimCity 3000 Unlimited'''. It is not included on the '''SimCity 3000 Unlimited''' installation disk. Instead, it is available as a separate download from the '''SimCity''' website (see the Links section below). You will also need a paint program, such as '''Windows Paint'''. You will also need a program called '''L3P''' to convert your LDraw model to '''POV-Ray''' format. You will need '''POV-Ray''' to render your 3D model into 2D images.

	==Links:==		==Links:==

Michael Horvath: /* Required Software */ mention other required software

2016-01-22T00:09:11Z

Required Software: mention other required software

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:09, 22 January 2016
Line 7:		Line 7:

	==Required Software==		==Required Software==
	For starters, let's go over the programs involved: '''SimCity 3000 Urban Renewal Kit''' ('''SC3URK''') is a program created by '''Maxis''' that allows you to design and import your own buildings into '''SimCity 3000 Unlimited'''. It is not included on the '''SimCity 3000 Unlimited''' installation disk. Instead, it is available as a separate download from the '''SimCity''' website (see the Links section below). You will also need a paint program, such as '''Windows Paint'''.		For starters, let's go over the programs involved: '''SimCity 3000 Urban Renewal Kit''' ('''SC3URK''') is a program created by '''Maxis''' that allows you to design and import your own buildings into '''SimCity 3000 Unlimited'''. It is not included on the '''SimCity 3000 Unlimited''' installation disk. Instead, it is available as a separate download from the '''SimCity''' website (see the Links section below). You will also need a paint program, such as '''Windows Paint'''. You will also need a program called '''L3P'' to convert your LDraw model to '''POV-Ray''' format. You will need '''POV-Ray''' to render your 3D model into 2D images.

	==Links:==		==Links:==

Michael Horvath: /* Instructions: */ remove horizontal rule

2016-01-22T00:05:23Z

Instructions:: remove horizontal rule

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:05, 22 January 2016
Line 125:		Line 125:

	That's it! You're done!		That's it! You're done!

	~~----~~

	==Alternative instructions:==		==Alternative instructions:==

Michael Horvath: format images

2016-01-21T01:27:33Z

format images

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:27, 21 January 2016
Line 20:		Line 20:
	<li>Convert your model into a '''*.POV''' file using '''L3P'''.</li>		<li>Convert your model into a '''*.POV''' file using '''L3P'''.</li>
	<li>The lighting needs to be modified so that there are a total of six spotlights oriented according to the following scheme:		<li>The lighting needs to be modified so that there are a total of six spotlights oriented according to the following scheme:
	[[Image:ldr_s3kurk_lighting.png]]		[[Image:ldr_s3kurk_lighting.png\|frame\|center]]
	<br/>Open up the '''*.POV''' file in '''POV-Ray''' and replace the light sources with the following code:		<br/>Open up the '''*.POV''' file in '''POV-Ray''' and replace the light sources with the following code:
	<pre>		<pre>
Line 119:		Line 119:
	<li>To render your model, select '''RENDER''' from the '''POV-Ray''' menu. Then, select '''EDIT SETTINGS/RENDER'''. Where it says '''INI FILE''', click on '''BROWSE''' and find the '''LDR2SC3K.INI''' file. Once it's selected, click '''OK'''. Now click on '''SET BUT DON'T RENDER'''. This should bring you back to the main '''POV-Ray''' window. Now, click on the green '''RUN''' icon at the top of the screen. '''POV-Ray''' will now render your model and output the images into the directory you specified in '''LDR2SC3K.INI'''.</li>		<li>To render your model, select '''RENDER''' from the '''POV-Ray''' menu. Then, select '''EDIT SETTINGS/RENDER'''. Where it says '''INI FILE''', click on '''BROWSE''' and find the '''LDR2SC3K.INI''' file. Once it's selected, click '''OK'''. Now click on '''SET BUT DON'T RENDER'''. This should bring you back to the main '''POV-Ray''' window. Now, click on the green '''RUN''' icon at the top of the screen. '''POV-Ray''' will now render your model and output the images into the directory you specified in '''LDR2SC3K.INI'''.</li>
	<li>If you are using '''BAT''' to import your images into '''SimCity 3000''' (i.e., not '''SimCity 3000 Unlimited'''), you will have to crop the images in a paint program so that they properly fit the template images included with the program (you can also find them on the SimCity web site). If you are using '''SC3URK''', instead (as is recommended), you will need to crop your images so that your building is aligned with the sides and bottom, like this:		<li>If you are using '''BAT''' to import your images into '''SimCity 3000''' (i.e., not '''SimCity 3000 Unlimited'''), you will have to crop the images in a paint program so that they properly fit the template images included with the program (you can also find them on the SimCity web site). If you are using '''SC3URK''', instead (as is recommended), you will need to crop your images so that your building is aligned with the sides and bottom, like this:
	[[Image:ldr_yellowcastle_sc3k.png]]</li>		[[Image:ldr_yellowcastle_sc3k.png\|frame\|center]]</li>
	<li>Run '''SC3URK''' and import the images. Make sure you import them in the correct order.</li>		<li>Run '''SC3URK''' and import the images. Make sure you import them in the correct order.</li>
	<li>After you've imported them into '''SimCity 3000''' or '''SimCity 3000 Unlimited''', an in-game screenshot featuring your completed building should look something like this:		<li>After you've imported them into '''SimCity 3000''' or '''SimCity 3000 Unlimited''', an in-game screenshot featuring your completed building should look something like this:
	[[Image:ldr_sc3urk.jpg]]</li>		[[Image:ldr_sc3urk.jpg\|frame\|center]]</li>

	That's it! You're done!		That's it! You're done!

Michael Horvath: edit image format

2016-01-21T01:03:47Z

edit image format

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:03, 21 January 2016
Line 17:		Line 17:
	<ol>		<ol>
	<li>Build a model in '''LDraw''' or '''MLCAD'''.</li>		<li>Build a model in '''LDraw''' or '''MLCAD'''.</li>
	<li>Orient your completed model so that it is centered within the coordinate system, with the bottom of the model resting upon the x-z plane, as shown below:[[Image:ldr_mlcad_axes.png~~]] ''~~In the above image and for demonstration purposes, the x-axis is colored red, the y-axis is colored green, and the z-axis is colored blue. The coordinate axes will not appear when editing your own model.''</li>		<li>Orient your completed model so that it is centered within the coordinate system, with the bottom of the model resting upon the x-z plane, as shown below: [[Image:ldr_mlcad_axes.png\|frame\|center\|In the above image and for demonstration purposes, the x-axis is colored red, the y-axis is colored green, and the z-axis is colored blue. The coordinate axes will not appear when editing your own model.]]</li>
	<li>Convert your model into a '''*.POV''' file using '''L3P'''.</li>		<li>Convert your model into a '''*.POV''' file using '''L3P'''.</li>
	<li>The lighting needs to be modified so that there are a total of six spotlights oriented according to the following scheme:		<li>The lighting needs to be modified so that there are a total of six spotlights oriented according to the following scheme:

Michael Horvath: formatting

2015-09-09T17:20:39Z

formatting

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:20, 9 September 2015
Line 15:		Line 15:

	==Instructions:==		==Instructions:==
			<ol>
	# Build a model in '''LDraw''' or '''MLCAD'''.		<li>Build a model in '''LDraw''' or '''MLCAD'''.</li>
	# Orient your completed model so that it is centered within the coordinate system, with the bottom of the model resting upon the x-z plane, as shown below:[[Image:ldr_mlcad_axes.png]] ''In the above image and for demonstration purposes, the x-axis is colored red, the y-axis is colored green, and the z-axis is colored blue. The coordinate axes will not appear when editing your own model.''		<li>Orient your completed model so that it is centered within the coordinate system, with the bottom of the model resting upon the x-z plane, as shown below:[[Image:ldr_mlcad_axes.png]] ''In the above image and for demonstration purposes, the x-axis is colored red, the y-axis is colored green, and the z-axis is colored blue. The coordinate axes will not appear when editing your own model.''</li>
	# Convert your model into a '''*.POV''' file using '''L3P'''.		<li>Convert your model into a '''*.POV''' file using '''L3P'''.</li>
	# The lighting needs to be modified so that there are a total of six spotlights oriented according to the following scheme:[[Image:ldr_s3kurk_lighting.png]]Open up the '''*.POV''' file in '''POV-Ray''' and replace the light sources with the following code:		<li>The lighting needs to be modified so that there are a total of six spotlights oriented according to the following scheme:
			[[Image:ldr_s3kurk_lighting.png]]
			<br/>Open up the '''*.POV''' file in '''POV-Ray''' and replace the light sources with the following code:
			<pre>
	// Warm lights:		// Warm lights:
	light_source		light_source
Line 75:		Line 78:
	point_at <0, 0, 0,>		point_at <0, 0, 0,>
	}		}
			</pre></li>
	# Now, replace the background and camera with the following code: <~~nowiki~~>		<li>Now, replace the background and camera with the following code:
			<pre>
	// Background color		// Background color
	background {color rgb <1, 0, 1,>}		background {color rgb <1, 0, 1,>}
Line 101:		Line 105:
	#end		#end
	}		}
	</~~nowiki~~>Change the '''TILE''' keyword to reflect the width of your building, measured in SimCity tiles. To preserve the proper scale, one SimCity tile should equal one LDraw baseplate.You can rotate the camera around the y-axis by changing the '''ROTATE''' keyword to an angle in degrees. For instance, if the camera normally faces the NW corner of your model, you can change the '''ROTATE''' keyword to equal '''180''' to have it face the SE corner of your model.		</pre></li>
	# Create a '''new text file''' and paste the following code into it: <~~nowiki~~>		<li>Change the '''TILE''' keyword to reflect the width of your building, measured in SimCity tiles. To preserve the proper scale, one SimCity tile should equal one LDraw baseplate. You can rotate the camera around the y-axis by changing the '''ROTATE''' keyword to an angle in degrees. For instance, if the camera normally faces the NW corner of your model, you can change the '''ROTATE''' keyword to equal '''180''' to have it face the SE corner of your model.</li>
			<li>Create a '''new text file''' and paste the following code into it:
			<pre>
	;; SC3URK 128px x 512px Output Bitmap		;; SC3URK 128px x 512px Output Bitmap
	Width = 128		Width = 128
Line 109:		Line 115:
	Final_Clock = 3 ;; Number of frames/views minus one		Final_Clock = 3 ;; Number of frames/views minus one
	Output_File_Name = c:\lego\ldraw\images\		Output_File_Name = c:\lego\ldraw\images\
	</~~nowiki~~>Save or rename this text file as '''LDR2SC3K.INI''' and place it within the '''RENDERER''' directory in your '''POV-Ray''' installation directory.This file determines the height and width dimensions of the final images that '''POV-Ray''' will generate, as well as the '''number''' of images (frames) that will be rendered. A total of four images will be rendered -- one for each direction: NW, NE, SW and SE. The images should be 128 pixels wide if your building is 1x1 tiles in size, 256 pixels wide if it is 2x2 tiles in size -- and so forth, increasing in width by 128 pixels for each additional tile. You will need to experiment in order to determine what values are suitable for the '''HEIGHT''' parameter, as they will vary depending on your building's height.The last line specifies the directory you would like the rendered images saved to. Change this to a preferred location. Make sure you leave a back-slash ('\') at the end of the path.		</pre></li>
	# To render your model, select '''RENDER''' from the '''POV-Ray''' menu. Then, select '''EDIT SETTINGS/RENDER'''. Where it says '''INI FILE''', click on '''BROWSE''' and find the '''LDR2SC3K.INI''' file. Once it's selected, click '''OK'''. Now click on '''SET BUT DON'T RENDER'''. This should bring you back to the main '''POV-Ray''' window. Now, click on the green '''RUN''' icon at the top of the screen. '''POV-Ray''' will now render your model and output the images into the directory you specified in '''LDR2SC3K.INI'''.		<li>Save or rename this text file as '''LDR2SC3K.INI''' and place it within the '''RENDERER''' directory in your '''POV-Ray''' installation directory.This file determines the height and width dimensions of the final images that '''POV-Ray''' will generate, as well as the '''number''' of images (frames) that will be rendered. A total of four images will be rendered -- one for each direction: NW, NE, SW and SE. The images should be 128 pixels wide if your building is 1x1 tiles in size, 256 pixels wide if it is 2x2 tiles in size -- and so forth, increasing in width by 128 pixels for each additional tile. You will need to experiment in order to determine what values are suitable for the '''HEIGHT''' parameter, as they will vary depending on your building's height.The last line specifies the directory you would like the rendered images saved to. Change this to a preferred location. Make sure you leave a back-slash ('\') at the end of the path.</li>
	# If you are using '''BAT''' to import your images into '''SimCity 3000''' (i.e., not '''SimCity 3000 Unlimited'''), you will have to crop the images in a paint program so that they properly fit the template images included with the program (you can also find them on the SimCity web site). If you are using '''SC3URK''', instead (as is recommended), you will need to crop your images so that your building is aligned with the sides and bottom, like this:[[Image:ldr_yellowcastle_sc3k.png]]		<li>To render your model, select '''RENDER''' from the '''POV-Ray''' menu. Then, select '''EDIT SETTINGS/RENDER'''. Where it says '''INI FILE''', click on '''BROWSE''' and find the '''LDR2SC3K.INI''' file. Once it's selected, click '''OK'''. Now click on '''SET BUT DON'T RENDER'''. This should bring you back to the main '''POV-Ray''' window. Now, click on the green '''RUN''' icon at the top of the screen. '''POV-Ray''' will now render your model and output the images into the directory you specified in '''LDR2SC3K.INI'''.</li>
	# Run '''SC3URK''' and import the images. Make sure you import them in the correct order.		<li>If you are using '''BAT''' to import your images into '''SimCity 3000''' (i.e., not '''SimCity 3000 Unlimited'''), you will have to crop the images in a paint program so that they properly fit the template images included with the program (you can also find them on the SimCity web site). If you are using '''SC3URK''', instead (as is recommended), you will need to crop your images so that your building is aligned with the sides and bottom, like this:
	# After you've imported them into '''SimCity 3000''' or '''SimCity 3000 Unlimited''', an in-game screenshot featuring your completed building should look something like this:[[Image:ldr_sc3urk.jpg]]That's it! You're done!		[[Image:ldr_yellowcastle_sc3k.png]]</li>
			<li>Run '''SC3URK''' and import the images. Make sure you import them in the correct order.</li>
			<li>After you've imported them into '''SimCity 3000''' or '''SimCity 3000 Unlimited''', an in-game screenshot featuring your completed building should look something like this:
			[[Image:ldr_sc3urk.jpg]]</li>

			That's it! You're done!

	----		----

Michael Horvath: add category

2015-02-04T10:15:59Z

add category

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:15, 4 February 2015
Line 135:		Line 135:
	# Select the '''*.INI''' file from the '''POV-Ray''' '''RENDER''' menu (see step 6, above). Render the images by pressing '''RENDER'''.		# Select the '''*.INI''' file from the '''POV-Ray''' '''RENDER''' menu (see step 6, above). Render the images by pressing '''RENDER'''.
	# Crop and import your building images into '''SimCity 3000''', as described in steps 7 and 8, above.		# Crop and import your building images into '''SimCity 3000''', as described in steps 7 and 8, above.


			[[Category:Tutorials]]

Michael Horvath: remove email address

2015-02-04T10:03:55Z

remove email address

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:03, 4 February 2015
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{OldArticle}}		{{OldArticle}}
	By: [~~mailto~~:~~mikh2161@gmail.com~~ Michael Horvath]		By: [[User:Michael Horvath\|Michael Horvath]] ([[User talk:Michael Horvath\|talk]])

	==Introduction:==		==Introduction:==