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Oz's Bar & Grill

Posted: 21 Mar 2006 12:15
by Oz
Hi, all! Rather than continuously hijacking the threads for the various projects that I've been contributing to, I wanted a place that I could accumulate the graphics that I'm currently, have been, or want to work on.

For those unfamiliar with my work, thus far, I've posted examples below. Largely, I've worked on the US and Canadian sets, but I've also tried to lend a hand, and help out wherever I can.

I would be remiss if I didn't give a shout-out to two great coders: Oracle and Aegir, both of whom have brought my graphics to life. Also, obviously, to the Patch coders, Patchman, eis_os, et. al., with whose tireless, creative work has made the TT game and community as vibrant as it is today. Lastly, I want to give a thanks to all who have critiqued my drawings. I truly take criticism to heart, and I feel that their help has improved my graphics immensely.

So, belly up, have a beer, and shoot the breeze for awhile. Do you want some pretzels with that?

Cheers!

Posted: 21 Mar 2006 12:24
by Oz
Right, so....... my first post in my own thread. Nifty! :)

I've been hacking away at some early 20th century skyscrapers with a North American feel. Particularly, I want to focus on the following architecture styles: Chicago School, Richardsonian Romanesque, Neogothic, Art Deco, and Art Moderne.

Currently, I have five (of a projected 8-10) Chicago School buildings drawn. All are based on actual buildings located in Kansas City, St. Louis, Detroit, Cleveland, and, Duh!, Chicago. Take a look, and tell me what you think.

Cheers!

Posted: 21 Mar 2006 12:29
by CPCNMAN007
Very very look look :shock: :D

Posted: 21 Mar 2006 12:36
by SAC
About time you finally collected all these absolutely marvellous creations in one place! :P

Posted: 21 Mar 2006 12:51
by Hyronymus
Very nice work Oz. Those early shops/appartement blocks really look good. Too bad it's not something European to have around in a city. (I finally discovered a positive thing about city grids \o/)

Posted: 21 Mar 2006 12:57
by SAC
Hyronymus wrote:Very nice work Oz. Those early shops/appartement blocks really look good. Too bad it's not something European to have around in a city. (I finally discovered a positive thing about city grids \o/)
Don't know about that really. Put together in blocks I'd say they could very well fit a European citystructure - as long the height are somewhat proportional! :P

Nevertheless, real work of art you got there!

EDIT;

Oops...just realised we're talking about two different building structures. I was referring to the ones below the shops/apartment buildings :oops:

Posted: 21 Mar 2006 13:22
by Wile E. Coyote
Oz wrote:Chicago School buildings
WOW! :shock:

Posted: 21 Mar 2006 14:07
by VIPStephan
DAMN is this great work!!
I love those city stations (especially the one in the middle with the "onramp"). What stations are that (the Toronto Union Station I know already)?

Yeah, you earned your beer and pretzels alright. 8)
Reading the title of this thread... why don't you really make a "Oz's Bar and Grill"? A building somewhat looking like a diner (that's the picture europeans have of America :D)? That would be really cool and is still missing in a north american set (in my opinion). You could, of course name it "Oz's Diner" if you want... :)

Posted: 21 Mar 2006 15:01
by lifeblood
I'm speechless! :shock:

Great work, as always, Oz!

Posted: 21 Mar 2006 15:57
by lobster
that great early 20th century feel of your buildings is amazing. cheers Oz, i'll have a beer on your work. or a couple. :wink:

Posted: 21 Mar 2006 15:57
by Purno
Certainly looks very nice! :D

Posted: 21 Mar 2006 20:26
by RSpeed tycoonfreak
I REALLY like those stations!!! :D :D

GREAT WORK!!! :D :D :D

Posted: 21 Mar 2006 21:23
by Aegir
Marvelous stuff, Oz.

Posted: 22 Mar 2006 04:24
by Oz
Thanks, everyone. :oops:

Have one on the house. Buffalo wings are the special tonight. Have some on the house.

Cheers!

(Drunk as a Mug! GF's birthday! You have NO idea how long it took me type this!) :)

Posted: 22 Mar 2006 05:33
by stevenh
Here is my 2c.
These buildings are fkn amazing...
*flicks coin towards Oz* :P
When do we get to see the American/Canadian Buildings Set?

Posted: 22 Mar 2006 05:39
by mtwist
Those are really really good looking sprites. Awesome. Which way did you create those nice buildings? Drawing every single pixel by hand? Which program are you using? I tried t draw some sheds. The problem are the textures. It is not easy to make them look realistic!

Posted: 22 Mar 2006 10:33
by Caelan
These buildings are a good inspiration for European ones as well. I am thinking about Paris, London, Berlin, Vienna, Budapest, Prague etc...

Maybe I can find some time someday to focus a bit more on types of buildings like that. Keep up the good work indeed!

A little question about the stations though: What flexibility do players have in putting such a station down?

For the rest I would just say WOW thats amazing!

Posted: 22 Mar 2006 11:57
by Oz
mtwist: It's all pixel pushing. I use Photoshop 5.5, but rarely use any of the built-in effects.

Caelan: All of the stations that I've drawn are expandable/contractable just like the Toronto Union Station. Because of the size of the buildings themselves, the minimum length is, generally, three or four tiles. I kinda think that's one of the features that makes drawing stations so challenging and fun.

Cheers!

Posted: 22 Mar 2006 12:10
by Aegir
stevenh wrote:When do we get to see the American/Canadian Buildings Set?
You already can, I'm a working on it. Check my projects thread, link in my signature. I'm picking up whatever sprites Oz throws at me and getting them in-game ;).

Posted: 29 Mar 2006 03:46
by Oz
Just a quick update on the early Chicago School buildings that I've been working on. I've added four more to the already drawn buildings, and I'm probably going to leave it at that. Still have to add doo-dads to the roofs, and some other small brush-ups, then onto construction stages. Before I get too far ahead, though, I though that some feedback /suggestions /concerns are in order.

I've also posted a quick sample of the variations that can be made from just nine buildings. I plan on picking about 10 favorites, as well as 10 of the reverse views. Are there are any that you guys particularly like? If so, I'll be sure to include them.

Wish me luck guys. My thesis proposal committe meeting is in two days. There's nothing like having two years of your research picked apart by five faculty members, and then having to defend every step you've ever made. Yeah, about as pleasant as getting your teeth drilled. Ugh! :?

Cheers!