Snapping Buildings and Fences, and pathways

[ESKJ1990]

Ever since I first purchased this game when it was brand new, I play for a little while and then I stop out of frustration. I then return a year or so later, only to get frustrated again and leave. Today I have just restarted the cycle again and it boggles my mind now again that I remember my main issue with this game, the inability to Snap items. This game is all about customisation, finding fluidity and creating a world that looks real and vibrant. And I can’t do it in this game!

I find it incredible that there is an option in the path customisation to select a grid, but instead of having a customisable grid that spans the entire map, it’s specific to a small area. I can modify the length of fences, and they snap together, but God forbid they are shorter or longer than a meter unless its auto-fill's the gap! Or God forbid they meet an already existing fence at a right angle, that last panel has to snap to a nearby post. I can’t click on a fence and drag a square, or drag a line, or drag a circle. It behoves them to allow you to drag a straight fence line to a curved path and then follow that path cleanly by snapping to it. I can’t draw out a square of paths and then just click one button in the middle of the area to auto fill a fence that is snapped to the path. You have to fiddle for hours to get things to work together, you have to waste so much time making sure your fence is actually parallel to the road otherwise there will be an “object too close” to allow you to build a gate. And I can’t snap buildings or stores nice and square to one another either! Nuts! It’s completely nuts.

Suddenly the game is not about zoo-keeping, it’s about placing assets nicely and not blowing your budget while doing it. It’s such a hugely missed opportunity. The challenge is supposed to be in tycoon management. Decoration is a secondary component that comes after you’ve achieved a steady pace towards your goals.

[grampers62]

There is a bit of a learning curve to creating really dynamic barriers for habitats. It's not a perfect system but patience and practice will get most players to the point they understand what can be done and just as importantly, what cannot be done. Learning how to use the snap settings and how to disable them is key. Also learning to click an existing post and move it is often something to consider. Also learning to use the null barrier to lay out the habitat can help as those cost nothing and may be changed to the barrier type one desires later. Adding to that, null barriers are the way to create custom barriers from scenery pieces to give a zoo a really immersive look. Once we start creating custom barriers we get into the habit of understanding how to make four meter sections that seem to flow around curves and hills.
So don't let it get too stressful and study how things work to get the most out of the system. It's just another little mini game within the big game with little puzzles to solve.

[abrothers2]

I have a bunch of hours playing franchise, and just doing zoo-tycoon system management of my park and animals. Making money isn't too hard, especially if you set up some exhibit animals like stick bugs, snails, or frogs that breed quickly so you can sell them. The fun and challenge comes from accruing conservation credits by either releasing the animals you raise in your zoo to the wild or putting them up on a live market for other zoos to adopt. Most animals do perfectly fine in box-style habitats that fit their size needs, and the ones that are more shy just need 1-way glass and couple spots to hide. If want the game to be about zookeeping, you can play it as such.

If you want your paths to line up nicely with your habitat fences, try building the fences first and running the path along side them. The path should snap to the side of the habitat. If the pathing isn't doing what you want, the ctrl and z are your friends. ctrl will stop the paths from auto completing and snapping together and z with turn an unsightly and awkward connection into a smoother right angle.

There is another grid system with walls and other hard shelter objects. In construction look for the items with a hashtag in the top right corner. This video has a guy doing a walk through video showing step-step instruction for making more intricate and pretty habitats - and he actually uses the grid system for a lot of it. So even if you don't want to try the build, you can see a bit how the grid system works. However, I followed along doing a build in sandbox and it wasn't too hard to get something that looked nicer and more interesting than my normal habitats. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_11Lyvx14U

I will say that your comment about 'fiddling for hours to get things to work together' is not totally off base. Even with all the tricks and some practice, it seems that making these kinds of habitats is a matter of hours and not minutes. It's not like parkitect where you can just throw things up quickly, but you also have a lot more creative freedom.

[Varick]

grampers is correct when he says there is a mini game to paths and barriers. I think the problem most people run into is not knowing there is a placement order and direction when
dealing with paths and barriers. I rarely use the game given guest gate but here is an example as to order and direction. The fencing on the left was quickly placed and is very near the main path while the fencing on the right runs into obstruction due to placement and direction.
I have not seen any you tubers cover this; I think it would be helpful it if it was covered.
It is a fun game; it just has some quirks. :)

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3408607819