Apartment Lot

[Cloudburst]

Hi, so I'm building this house right now and overall I'm pretty happy with it. It's set up as an apartment at the moment, and the biggest house on the end is the livable one, the others being NPC houses.

My main question is how I should go about uploading it. I want to give people the option of having the other houses as livable buildings (for big/multiple families, or a legacy or something) but also, having NPCs live there (with the outside bits, front building, and underground always remaining public areas) Should I:
-Upload two versions or the house, one with all the houses accessible and furnished, and one with just the main house useable?
OR
-Just have one version and give instructions on how to make the other houses livable if people want (and therefore furnish the other ones, even though they'll be hidden unless the player chooses otherwise)?

I haven't finished furnishing it yet, but some general advice about how it looks would be appreciated as well (such as the windows, which I'm not sure about).

I've tested everything that I've finished and so far everything is accessible, and I haven't found and routing issues with the basement/underground passage thing yet (more info here (http://linna.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=430919)) :)

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/cloudburst666/front-7.jpg
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/cloudburst666/front2-1.jpg
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/cloudburst666/side-1.jpg
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/cloudburst666/top.jpg
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/cloudburst666/floor0-1.jpg

[heaven]

I think that this is a really neat concept. I like the structures and could see this being used as an apartment. I don't know about uploading two versions as I can't imagine using the whole thing as one house. However, others might. I just have an aversion of large houses, I lose Sims. :)

As for the house itself, there are a few suggestions I can think of. Expand the octagonal roof; right now the wall is sticking through a bit. Also, maybe change up the exterior a bit so there is some variety in wall covering. It looks great so far.

[Cloudburst]

I think that this is a really neat concept. I like the structures and could see this being used as an apartment. I don't know about uploading two versions as I can't imagine using the whole thing as one house. However, others might. I just have an aversion of large houses, I lose Sims. :)

As for the house itself, there are a few suggestions I can think of. Expand the octagonal roof; right now the wall is sticking through a bit. Also, maybe change up the exterior a bit so there is some variety in wall covering. It looks great so far.

Yeah, I prefer playing smaller houses as well, but I figure I would be good to give people the option of having all the houses available, (although technically it would still be an apartment lot as the rest would be public areas).

Hmm.. I tried having a bigger octagonal roof before and it looked bizarre, but I just tried it again and it looks okay. :D

I was worried someone was going to say that, since I'm terrible when it comes to wall coverings. Would you mind giving some suggestions, because I really am clueless (hence why all my lots end up being a bit monotone) :)

[heaven]

I think your lots are lovely. Maybe just doing different colors. Same style but one apartment more brownish, maybe one with more gray, and then one that is red but more maroon than orange undertones. I think the paper itself is nice, just cast it so there is a little variety.

[xNikki]

I like it!

As for uploading it as a whole or just one part livable: I've uploaded three apartments, and what I did was just upload with the livable part and if people asked for it just
tell them how to make the whole lot theirs. You can put instructions in your download, but I suggest you just upload it as an apartment.

I'm reading that the rest is public area? Didn't you use room hidden marks or did I missed something? xd

About uploading two versions: I think the staff would ask you to change it in just one version, because people can easily change the markerstuff. So it's not necessary to make two versions.

[Johnny_Bravo]

It's really neat so far, and I agree with H_S_181 (short'ned :p) All oragne brick is a bit, meh. Maybe make one or 2 ''buildings'' with a plain wall in different colors? :)

[Cloudburst]

I like it!

As for uploading it as a whole or just one part livable: I've uploaded three apartments, and what I did was just upload with the livable part and if people asked for it just
tell them how to make the whole lot theirs. You can put instructions in your download, but I suggest you just upload it as an apartment.

I'm reading that the rest is public area? Didn't you use room hidden marks or did I missed something? xd

About uploading two versions: I think the staff would ask you to change it in just one version, because people can easily change the markerstuff. So it's not necessary to make two versions.

Thanks, I've decided to just do one then with instructions. That way people can decide how many of the houses are usable, and gives to option to make the entire lot residential.

The way I've got it now, is the the non-main houses are (or at least will be in a second) furnished with basic stuff (kitchens, bathrooms etc) but with hidden markers in, which can be taken out later, and the main building is fully furnished. The building at the front (with the octagonal roof) has the mailbox in, as well as a bathroom and social coffee room thing upstairs. That building is public, and so is the entire outside and underground. However I might change the front building if I can think of something better put in it. I just don't feel like it's destined to be a residential house so I though something communal would be good.

Okay, so I've changed the colours to something a little more interesting:

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/cloudburst666/newcolour.jpg

Too much? Too little? I've been looking at it for too long, so I can't tell. :D

[AdonisPluto]

Nice building you have. Most of the things I wanted to say have been said. But I just have one suggestion. See the reattached picture marked . The demarcation line is clearly seen so I would suggest you use a plane wall cover.Whichever wall covering you use should be a single color so that the line does not show. Apart from that you have a great work going.

[xNikki]

Those different colors look way better! This way you can see the difference between the buildings way better. And it gives a sort of rainbow feeling too it, which I like.
I agree with adonispluto: You should cover it up, anyway you like (I use ivy all the time, but it doesn't seem right with this building. Using a plain color would work good.

[heaven]

Actually, I tend to disagree. It is showing but it doesn't look too horrible. Especially with the stairs going the other way. I'm not the biggest fan of the purple coloring though, but that's just me. Also, I think, but could be totally wrong, that the childs' play building looks out of place. There is really nothing else there for them; everything else on the lot seems to scream elegance and then that's there...it seems like almost an afterthought. I would try to find a way to blend it better (maybe some sand and other children-y things) or find something else to replace it.

[HugeLunatic]

The different colored buildings look much better. I don't see the sloped wall covering as a huge issue, it's common in any sims building that has any type of staircase shaped as an L or U. In this case it really looks good with the top/bottom trim following the slope so I wouldn't change that. What you could do is change the brick part to stucco, that I think would look really nice. As for the childrens area, it just seems out of place on this lot. For some reason this seems to me like it would be an adults home, someone without children.

[xNikki]

I agree with HL: The childrens area doesn't fit there very well.
Because it's all stone and so, it looks very adult and very city-like. A childrens playground doesn't fit very well in that scene.

As for the purple color 'issue': You could also give the purple a bit greyish tone to it. Make it a bit more grey-blue-purpleish. I think that would look good, without 'overpowering' the purple part.

[Redhead Creations]

I think the architecture of this complex looks great! I'm not really digging on the "easter egg" look of the colors, though. Because everything looks like you went with a "realistic" approach, if you want to make the buildings look different, just color each building with a different shade of red or brown bricks. Keep it looking more natural. That's just my own opinion. =)

[Cloudburst]

Thanks for all your replies! :)
I've changed the colours round completely so the main house and other end are now more neutral orange colours, and the two inside ones are more random. I've also changed the brick type (they had a weird green tinge) and gave them a gradient effect.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/cloudburst666/colour2.jpg

I got rid of the children's thing as well, although I'm not sure what to replace it with now. The only thing I can think of is more seating but that seems a bit monotonous.

[gobot101]

I really love how this looks, I can't wait to download it.

As for what to do in the former children's area, how about maybe a nice grill and outdoor dining area, or maybe a small community garden? Or, if you have Outdoor Living stuff, you could use the outdoor kitchen items in that area.

[Cloudburst]

The sides of the building have been bugging m for ages now, and I realised it was because they didn't have any edges. So I've put some on and I think it looks better now.

I've also put a sitting area in the empty space and I hope I've avoided it looking monotonous by adding a roof.

gobot101: I'm trying to make this just a base game and late night lot, so I'm not using content from any other pack. I liked the idea of a community garden, but the area's a bit too small for that.

Here's a couple more screenshots to show how it's coming along.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/cloudburst666/edges.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/cloudburst666/seating.jpg

[ChaoticNeutral]

Looking great, Cloudburst! I liked the color scheme on post #7 more, though, with the purple building on the right - it's too orangey for my taste right now. But probably everyone will have a different opinion on the colors. That last picture you posted is very nice, loved the textures and colors! Maybe you could post a picture showing the other side of the building too? The one you posted (it's the second pic on your first post, right?) is too close, imo.

[Cloudburst]

Looking great, Cloudburst! I liked the color scheme on post #7 more, though, with the purple building on the right - it's too orangey for my taste right now. But probably everyone will have a different opinion on the colors. That last picture you posted is very nice, loved the textures and colors! Maybe you could post a picture showing the other side of the building too? The one you posted (it's the second pic on your first post, right?) is too close, imo.

I kind of agree about it being too orangey now, but I prefer having the purpley one in one of the smaller houses. Also, because of the edges, changing the overall colour on a house is a hassle now. I'll think about how I could change it though. :)

Here's some more shots then. I'm posting another front shot because I've changed the ground somewhat, since I thought it was a bit bland.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/cloudburst666/ground-1.jpg

Side shot:

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/cloudburst666/mainside2.jpg

And a back shot. It's not particularly interesting so I might try and improve that later.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/cloudburst666/back-5.jpg

[gobot101]

I totally understand trying to make it base game and Late Night only. I love that seating area though, it looks great. Though, personally, I wouldn't have the floor tiles there, but rather have it open, sorta like a lattice roof.

[Cloudburst]

I totally understand trying to make it base game and Late Night only. I love that seating area though, it looks great. Though, personally, I wouldn't have the floor tiles there, but rather have it open, sorta like a lattice roof.
I was going to have it open, but you have the problem that it looks as if the fence is floating above the columns.
Update: I just tried getting rid of all but the corner tiles and it looks alright actually. :D

[~Dee~]

Quote: / Also, because of the edges, changing the overall colour on a house is a hassle now. I'll think about how I could change it though. /Quote

It's easy to change the color, just use the CAST tool and pick a color from the color wheel and hold down ' Shift' or is it 'Ctrl', forgotten now.
That way you can color one story in one hit.

Great work by the way ... love it.

[Cloudburst]

It's easy to change the color, just use the CAST tool and pick a color from the color wheel and hold down ' Shift' or is it 'Ctrl', forgotten now.
That way you can color one story in one hit.
I tried, but it just changed the colour of the coverings of the same type, so the edges still have to be done separately.

Okay, so I've finished furnishing the insides now, and I think that's everything I need to do. Here's some shots of every floor, I'd appreciate any one's thoughts on the furnishing. I hope I've not missed anything out but I probably have. :D

The insides of the other houses won't be visible of course, although that's how they'll look if the hidden room markers are taken out.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/cloudburst666/735191b7.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/cloudburst666/1.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/cloudburst666/2.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/cloudburst666/3.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/cloudburst666/4.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/cloudburst666/5.jpg

[xNikki]

I like it! Do the apartments already work or haven't you tested that out yet?

[Cloudburst]

I like it! Do the apartments already work or haven't you tested that out yet?
Last time I tested it, everything worked as it should, although that was a while ago so I'll test it again soon. :)

[Cloudburst]

Question- Am I allowed to post a test version here to get some feedback and make sure it works properly in other people's games?