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Author Topic: Need advice for megaproject design  (Read 1306 times)

RantingRodent

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Need advice for megaproject design
« on: March 28, 2010, 10:44:52 am »

Now that I've learned to handle a decent number of dwarves, I'm considering my first megaproject. The design viewed in 3D will be relatively complex. Are there any good 3D sketching tools out there? I tried LEGO creator and it caused some really strange graphical problems whenever it was running.

There's also a few different auto-designation tools out there, which one is the best for megaprojects? This one is going to span a few embark tiles.
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Naz

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Re: Need advice for megaproject design
« Reply #1 on: March 28, 2010, 12:20:24 pm »

Hmmm, dunno what to tell you about that. I've been using a combination of stonesense and visual fortress but those dont let you designate.
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EliDupree

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Re: Need advice for megaproject design
« Reply #2 on: March 28, 2010, 12:31:58 pm »

Physical three-axis (isometric) graph paper?
« Last Edit: March 28, 2010, 12:59:50 pm by EliDupree »
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Sir Broccoli

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Re: Need advice for megaproject design
« Reply #3 on: March 28, 2010, 02:46:47 pm »

Physical three-axis (isometric) graph paper?
It's called LEGO
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BigD145

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Re: Need advice for megaproject design
« Reply #4 on: March 28, 2010, 03:50:39 pm »

I think DF Designer is the program to use.
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Akhier the Dragon hearted

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Re: Need advice for megaproject design
« Reply #5 on: March 28, 2010, 03:57:42 pm »

my advice is to first before all that complicated stuff decide exactly what you want to build and make a clear mental image. The go and figure out the highest point from top to bottom and the widest part on both forward to back and side to side. This will allow you to find where you want to build easier and also help when you make the floor design because it can prevent silly mistakes like making it a few z levels to short and have the project come out looking to squat. Also because you say you want a complex 3d shape figure out which Visualizer you will use for it and find out how it makes the squares look because your project could be distorted if it doesn't have each grid point be perfectly square.
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RantingRodent

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Re: Need advice for megaproject design
« Reply #6 on: March 28, 2010, 08:11:23 pm »

DF Designer looks good to me. Thanks!

I already know precisely what I'm making. I even have it worked out in a 2D side view, I just need to plan it out floor by floor now.
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