Request for building advice

[Oyne]

So I'm making an entrance building designed to fit in the map corner rather than the edge.

I discovered I hadn't allowed space for guest spawn points, so decided to make a couple of foliage heavy greenhouses to hide these near the entrance.

I've ended up with this creation, but since a lot of the walls are on different grids, I'm getting a bit stuck with the roofing to make it not look like arse.

Would like to do glass roofs on the bits that are not roofed, can anyone offer some advice on the best way to achieve this?

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2538238268

[grampers62]

The concept is really cool but the square roof tiles make it rather difficult. I would tend to suggest using flat tiles with a multi level roof system that might accentuate the flow of the building.

[Eekhoorn]

Stay on the world grid at all time when building a project.

Use different layers. Group 1 for the building, 2 for the roof and so on. Thank me later.

Don't build on the spot. This makes your life so much easier. Just make some measurements where it needs to fit and build the thing you want on a large empty spot on the map.
When done merge the groups and then move it in place.

[Oyne]

Originally posted by grampers62:

The concept is really cool but the square roof tiles make it rather difficult. I would tend to suggest using flat tiles with a multi level roof system that might accentuate the flow of the building.

I think you're spot on here. For what I'm trying to do the building pieces aren't flexible enough, so I should probably consider building this freehand with non-grid items.

[Oyne]

Originally posted by Eekhoorn:

Stay on the world grid at all time when building a project.

Use different layers. Group 1 for the building, 2 for the roof and so on. Thank me later.

Don't build on the spot. This makes your life so much easier. Just make some measurements where it needs to fit and build the thing you want on a large empty spot on the map.
When done merge the groups and then move it in place.

I'll thank you now. To be honest most of that is Planet Zoo Building 101, which I have foolishly neglected!

I'm going to have a bit of a remodel, think part of the problem is I'm trying to apply the logic of making a dome to an inverted curve. Silly me.

[Eekhoorn]

It's true for all 3D design :)

The editor took me a while to get used to too. I'm now at the point where I know what to expect and how to think ahead. This means I either need to start a new zoo or fix all the problems I created during my learning process. Not really looking forward to throw away my save, but it would be the smart thing to do.

The path layout is the most tricky thing to master. Best is to plan way ahead and draw paths everywhere. Removing an unused path is never a problem... placing one between other stuff is. I think this is the most valuable thing to learn when it comes to successful designing in this game.

[Oyne]

Originally posted by Eekhoorn:

The path layout is the most tricky thing to master. Best is to plan way ahead and draw paths everywhere. Removing an unused path is never a problem... placing one between other stuff is. I think this is the most valuable thing to learn when it comes to successful designing in this game.

I've never had much of a problem with the path system. It has its quirks, but once you figure out the limitations you learn to work with it rather than fight against it and can usually produce something that's pretty close to what you're imagining. Most important thing I learned is to allow for more space than you think you need.

So, I redesigned a bit, looks a little boxy at the moment, but with some nice decoration I think I can cover most of that up :)

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2539244357

[grampers62]

I can't help but wonder if you gave up on your original plan too soon.

[Eekhoorn]

Making paths was ok in the beginning, but once you need to alter them between habitats or building they can become a menace. I have complete pathways that are 100% uneditable (despite having flat land for miles on one side) because they are too close to a cliff for example. It's aggravating :) but the game doesn't allow a junction there. Basically this means I have to tear down entire sunken habitats or reshape their borders.

[grampers62]

Yes, there is a one meter buffer zone required for paths along barriers and cliffs.

[Oyne]

Originally posted by grampers62:

I can't help but wonder if you gave up on your original plan too soon.

Well I tried squaring off the original greenhouses, but once I got the roofs on they looked out of place and seemed to dominate the area more than I wanted.

I'm a fan of varied elevations in my enclosures, so yes paths can be a big issue there, I find it best to meticulously make sure the pathing is absolutely perfect before building anything else around them.

My usual trick is to use raised paths where it gets difficult, and fill in the ugly bits with rocks/plants etc

[grampers62]

You're on the right track!

[Varick]

Oyne - since you asked. :) I like your building shapes (the solid and glass) but they look
like two separate structures. Maybe skylights in the large solid building roof and the narrow one on the opposite side to "tie into" the glass structure? Just a thought.

[Oyne]

Originally posted by Varick:

Oyne - since you asked. :) I like your building shapes (the solid and glass) but they look
like two separate structures. Maybe skylights in the large solid building roof and the narrow one on the opposite side to "tie into" the glass structure? Just a thought.

Thanks for that input. It eventually became a deliberate choice to have two contrasting types of architecture right next to each other.

Skylights do sound nice, but I plan on hiding staff buildings under there so my personal preference is to have them remain concealed for the most part.

I'll post another screenshot tomorrow, but I'm currently spending my time covering the "solid building" in plants as an attempt to make an eco roof.

I'm now thinking of the contrast between 19th century glass house i.e Kew Gardens (Brits will know it) and more modern eco structures, placed directly next to each other.

Well this zoo has got complicated already, and it doesn't even have any animals. Just a weird blocky building and a greenhouse!

I should probably turn this into a blog thread :P

[Varick]

An eco roof sounds great! :)

[MattLangWrites/TTV]

Instead of building and throwing away your save - I've ended up using a sandbox for building and then port the blueprint into the zoo I really want to play in. Doesn't work with all building types, but it can definitely save you a lot of demolishing and trying to fit things around existing habitats.