Backstage Megapack

With the completion and success of the air conditioning megapack, I'm pleased to announce the next megapack of blueprints! While the AC megapack covered the large amount of possible items for everything related to air conditioning, the backstage pack looks to fill in the gaps of basically everything else. While not strictly limited to backstage areas, the general scope of this megapack is themed on what kind of items you might find in a backstage area of a real zoo. For this megapack, I increased the range of references using 50 real life zoos and aquariums from north america, europe, and australia. Obviously the pack will be north american leaning because the best google earth textures are north american and my needs of north american items over say european. I will include several dedicated european packs and will include them when I can into general packs.

I'll list the planned blueprints here in a spoiler, if anyone can think of any specific blueprints let me know and I may include them.
  • Power Series
    • Generators
    • Transformers
    • Electric Boxes
    • Solar Panels
  • Water Series
    • Water Storage Tanks
    • Water Filtration
  • Clutter Series
    • Containers
    • Dumpsters
    • General Clutter
  • Building Series
    • Greenhouses
    • Staff Buildings
    • Storage Buildings
    • Gates and Fences
    • Building Accessories
    • Skylights
    • Rooftop Accessories
    • Rooftop Access
  • Construction Series
    • Construction Clutter
    • Construction Vehicles
  • Vehicles Series
    • American Trucks
    • European Trucks
    • American Trailers
    • European Trailers
    • Delivery Vehicles
    • Zoo Vehicles
    • Tractors
    • Emergency Vehicles

Starting off with the power series of blueprints first:

Power Series - Generators

The first blueprint of the megapack is external generators. External generators are backup power sources for critical buildings and processes throughout your zoo in a power outage. Every single real zoo I have researched included at least one generator of sorts, often placed near large buildings like aquariums, tropical houses, , large backstage staff buildings, elephant houses etc. Even smaller staff buildings may have a small generator, they are not just limited to large buildings. However, buildings like animal shelters for animals who don't need temperature regulation will not need a generator near the shelter since little power is needed for these kind of buildings.

The generators pack contains:
  • 13 exterior generators to choose from
  • All generators are from the 4 most common north american generator companies however these are global brands so most of these generators are realistic for almost any zoo.
  • Large generators have a transformer inside them which means they can function as a power source, however if you are wanting realism, these generators are extremely rare to find in zoos as these are heavy duty industrial generators. Out of all zoos and aquariums I researched ONLY 2 featured large generators. San diego zoo and the vancouver aquarium were the only ones to feature these.
  • For realism, the medium and small generators should be used as non-functioning scenery items.

Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.23 - 12.21.27.48.png

Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.23 - 12.16.09.01.png

Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.23 - 12.45.20.12.png
 
Last edited:
Power Series - Transformers

Transformers much like most main electrical equipment is a staple of zoo backstage areas, transformers take high voltage electrical energy and convert it into usable energy for general use throughout your zoo. Seeing a huge substation transformer like the game's transformer building is very unrealistic as zoos will be at the end of a distribution line of electrical energy.

A simple distribution line will look like this: Power Station > Transmission Substation > Transmission towers for long distance delivery > Power Substation > Distribution Lines such as Utility/power poles > Distribution Transformers > Residental or commerical building

Planet zoo's transformer belongs in a substation not a zoo! Zoo's will not have a substation in their backstage area. Distribution transformers are much smaller often either as a grey box/cylinder on a utility pole or a green or grey box on the ground on a concrete pad. This pack covers mainly the distribution transformers on the ground, these are called Pad Mounted Tranformers or Ground Transformers. There are also 3 versions of the large substation style transformer to allow anyone interested in using the game's transformer to allow them to function.


Here's what the average pad-mounted transformer looks like in a zoo. These look like electric boxes with cooling racks behind them, the actual transformer is inside the box so it is tiny compared to a substation transformer.
Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.24 - 13.36.58.46.png


The selection of the blueprint shows mainly small pad mounted transformers that will fit in any zoo without looking odd. They are colored dark green or grey to blend in with the environment.
Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.24 - 13.28.23.26.png


Power transformers on the other hand do not blend in with the environment, these are large bulky transformers for substations.
Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.24 - 13.39.22.45.png


As we can imagine the power transformers hide the transformer building nicely but do have a higher piece count, this is the lowest piece count one below at 210 pieces
Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.24 - 13.28.57.74.png


The next step up featuring substation suitable coils that would be attached to a greater cable network comes in at 410 pieces
Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.23 - 19.33.29.65 (1).png


The largest transformer shell at 460 pieces comes in at 8 x 4 metres big
Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.24 - 13.39.52.22.png
 
Last edited:
Power Series - Electrical Boxes

We now have generators and transformers for the power series bringing realistic large electrical equipment to zoo backstage areas but an essential part of the power series of blueprints is electrical boxes. Electric boxes are used to provide shelter from weather where electric wires/cables are connected in this box or there may be switches for an electrical network. The electric boxes pack contains two types of boxes - standing and wall mounted. The names are pretty simple to what they mean. Standing boxes are self contained electrial box enclosures that are free standing, these can be next to a wall, next to generators, a fence or in a foliage area for example. Wall mounted boxes on the other hand are built into a building wall or attached to a wall.

The electric boxes pack contains:
  • 71 total boxes to choose from
  • 36 standing boxes, of these there are 9 different types. Each type comes in 2 colors (dark green or grey) and either a choice of an electrical warning label or unlabelled
  • 35 wall mounted boxes, of these there are 12 different types of boxes, each type comes in white or grey. There are also 6 different types of pre-built electrical wall sets to give an idea what a complex set of electrical boxes can look like, also these come in white or grey options.


Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.25 - 13.29.06.76.png

Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.25 - 13.20.27.52.png

Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.25 - 13.22.35.39.png

Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.25 - 13.17.07.86.png
 
Power Series - Solar Panels

The last blueprint of the power series is solar panels. A rather simple and effective way of detailing roofs and empty backstage areas could be placing several solar panels to generate all that green energy that your zoo conservation boards are telling your zoo guests all about. Solar panels are becoming an increasingly common sight on zoo buildings whether these are backstage buildings, on top of large elephant shelters or a row of ground mounted solar panels in your backstage area.

The solar panels pack includes:
  • 56 solar panels to choose from
  • 50 of these are rooftop, again these come in 2 colors - either blue or black. Black solar panels are much more common to see in zoos. 2 variants of a flat rooftop panel, and a variant for each angled roof size - 1,2 and 4 metres.
  • 6 Solar panels for ground mounted types, 3 different types in the same blue or black.

With the power series complete (unless someone really wants me to make power lines like utility poles or transmission towers which really don't belong in a zoo), the next series is the water series. The difficulty of each series will increase as making water tanks and filtration pipes is a whole lot harder than making a bunch of electric boxes or solar panels. The water series will look at water storage/holding tanks such as rainwater collection tanks in one blueprint and the other is the water filtration systems.

Water filtration will be focused on exterior filtration so you can actually see your impressive water filtration tanks and pipes instead of being locked away inside a building. I am also considering including another blueprint or 2 which will include pre-built water filtration systems as I know just how difficult it is to assemble a complex network of pipes.

Images of the solar panels pack:
Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.26 - 15.08.37.41.png

Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.26 - 15.18.35.37.png

Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.26 - 13.52.00.72.png

Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.26 - 15.07.31.03.png

Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.26 - 15.10.42.10.png
 
I've got a special request for you, (don't worry, it's not power lines!)
It's these Solar Flowers they have at Franklin Park Zoo. I would love to use some in my new project, but they are pretty complex and you've proven that you can handle the detail, Also it could theoretically be an addition to a pack. They move to position themselves to the sun to get maximum energy
1711470461584.png

(This is just an idea, you by all means can choose not to do it, It's up to you 😁)
 
I've got a special request for you, (don't worry, it's not power lines!)
It's these Solar Flowers they have at Franklin Park Zoo. I would love to use some in my new project, but they are pretty complex and you've proven that you can handle the detail, Also it could theoretically be an addition to a pack. They move to position themselves to the sun to get maximum energy
View attachment 387799
(This is just an idea, you by all means can choose not to do it, It's up to you 😁)
Thats a cool idea, solar flowers and maybe other odd solar panels shapes could be the next blueprint.
 
Without lying, this weekend is was thinking I was really missing solar panels. Guess who is gonna use your solar panels!

Thanks a lot for these, they are looking perfect!
 
man - I can't keep up with all these packs....they are so awesome.
Thanks! I'm going to lose count myself at the rate of how many blueprints there will be.
Without lying, this weekend is was thinking I was really missing solar panels. Guess who is gonna use your solar panels!

Thanks a lot for these, they are looking perfect!
Perfect timing lol, I'll be updating the blueprint with the solar smartflowers that @Orkan suggested hopefully later today.
 
Water Series - Water Filtration Main Pack

The main pack of the water filtration packs features all the needed items to build a water filtration system. This is mainly a whole bunch of different water tanks but also pipes, valves, connections and control panels to build a simple water filtration tank or a very complex industrial style filtration system. All of course depending on if you want a 100 piece filtration area or say 10,000 piece. The main pack obviously hints at various other packs which will include pre-built real life water filtration systems from a variety of different habitat areas. Those pre-built packs should hopefully include working water/heating pumps in the larger scale systems.

The water filtration pack includes:
  • An impressive 119 item collection to choose from (keeping in mind basically half of this is water tanks)
  • 64 water tanks of all shapes and sizes, 15 of these are detailed ready to place tanks and another 15 is supports for both horizontal and vertical tanks
  • 33 pipes, valves, connections and everything needed to build filtration systems
  • 17 control panels for extra realism
  • 5 water pumps

Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.28 - 21.59.00.75.png

Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.28 - 22.00.47.87.png

Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.28 - 22.01.29.27.png

Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.28 - 22.04.30.92.png
 
Water Series - Covered Filtration Station

Let's start the pre-built filtration blueprints with the largest, Houston zoo's filtration station for the large pantanal habitat area features a unique covered filtration system that very few zoos seem to have. The filtration station is a complex build with multiple water tanks, many pipes and connections and I managed to include a working water pump that is disguised as a very large water pump. The station also utilises my method of custom corrugated roofs, all together the blueprint comes to 2100 pieces which is actually a lot less than interior filtration room from the penguin filtration room in my calgary zoo build which was just under 5000 pieces.


Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.30 - 16.20.40.56.png

Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.30 - 16.21.05.97.png

Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.30 - 16.21.37.36.png

Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.30 - 16.22.22.25.png
 
Water Series - Pre-built filtration blueprints

Well I have bombarded the workshop with filtration blueprints today but lots of realistic pre-built filtration blueprints which covers basically every kind of filtration need a zoo requires. Unlike the air conditioning pack, no industrial sized filtration is built but using the main filtration pack anyone can build one if they wish. Meeting my target of 10 pre-built blueprints (including the above covered station), 9 blueprints have been uploaded today.

This covers pumping stations, tiny to large filtration stations, non functional water tanks, building shells for the water pump buildings. Basically every kind of filtration need possible as this completes the filtration stage of the water series.


Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.31 - 16.21.36.75.png



Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.31 - 16.34.11.59.png



Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.31 - 16.44.25.42.png



Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.31 - 16.52.20.84.png



Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.31 - 17.01.49.91.png



Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.31 - 17.11.42.48.png



Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.31 - 19.12.35.54.png



Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.31 - 19.22.20.67.png



Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.03.31 - 19.35.59.65.png
 
Water Series - Pre-built filtration blueprints

Well I have bombarded the workshop with filtration blueprints today but lots of realistic pre-built filtration blueprints which covers basically every kind of filtration need a zoo requires. Unlike the air conditioning pack, no industrial sized filtration is built but using the main filtration pack anyone can build one if they wish. Meeting my target of 10 pre-built blueprints (including the above covered station), 9 blueprints have been uploaded today.

This covers pumping stations, tiny to large filtration stations, non functional water tanks, building shells for the water pump buildings. Basically every kind of filtration need possible as this completes the filtration stage of the water series.


View attachment 388177


View attachment 388178


View attachment 388179


View attachment 388180


View attachment 388181


View attachment 388182


View attachment 388183


View attachment 388184


View attachment 388185
Ohh yes this is what i needed. Thank you!
 
Water Series - Detroit Zoo Water Tower

Anyone need a 45 metre/150ft tall water tower that is visible from any point in the map? I think this truly is the definition of going too far with my blueprints but the journey continues to make everything backstage. Although this water tower isn't exactly backstage in real life, it's right next to the parking lot because you can't exactly hide away a 45 metre by 20 metre water tower. The detroit zoo water tower is probably the most well known zoo water tower there is so a great way to start off the water towers with the largest.

Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.04.04 - 11.29.16.37.png


The water tower comes in 3 versions - blank, classic and modern. Each with an increasing amount of pieces which starts at 1900 pieces since making a massive water tower is naturally going to be very piece heavy. The water tower features tons of details like ladders, a raised walkway, 2 water pipes (one large, one small), and an extensive tower support with girder beams and metal rod supports inside. Also featured are some spotlights to light up the water tower at night/

Blank Version:

The blank version is what the real water tower currently looks like while it awaits a new design somepoint in 2024, no design on the tower at all but pure white. Even with no design on the tower, it still comes to 1900 pieces with all the details. The blank version does allow anyone to create their own design or add their own zoo name.


Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.04.04 - 11.34.18.99.png

Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.04.04 - 11.32.25.91.png


Classic Version:

The classic version includes the 1980's era design of the water tower. The zoo name is written 3 times around the water tower each in their own color (red, blue, green). Animal silhouttes also are placed around the zoo names to give a simple and clean looking design.


Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.04.04 - 11.54.27.55.png

Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.04.04 - 11.55.55.30.png


Modern Version:

The modern version is a much more complicated design but easily the most impressive. A sunrise mural with an animal parade around the water tower is the theme of the design in the modern version. Gradient color design is used to show a purple sunrise setting with silhouttes of animals walking around the water tower. The design for this is very piece heavy bringing the modern version up to 3600 pieces.


Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.04.04 - 12.06.21.91.png

Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.04.04 - 12.07.58.38.png

Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.04.04 - 12.11.59.67.png
 
Water Series - Metal Water Tanks

Moving onto more manageable sizes of water tanks for those who don't need a massive 3000 piece water tower, the metal water tanks pack is a collection of 8 different types of metal water tanks. These water tanks do look similar to the filtration tanks but the purpose of these is to store large amounts of water usually rainwater, optionally those who like making gutter pipes on their building can use the conservation gutter pipe pieces to connect these tanks to the gutters.


Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.04.06 - 00.18.22.99.png

Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.04.06 - 00.18.45.32.png

Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.04.06 - 00.19.47.67.png

Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.04.06 - 00.20.16.75.png
 
Water Series - Wooden Water Tanks

Wooden water tanks are probably as common as metal water tanks, if not more common to see in zoos. Zoo train stations, water tanks placed next to large pools such as elephant pools, on rooftops, general backstage areas or even a western themed area can all have a wooden water tank without feeling too out of place unlike the metal water tanks.


Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.04.07 - 20.06.47.76.png

Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.04.07 - 20.08.07.28.png

Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.04.07 - 20.07.35.92.png

Planet Zoo Screenshot 2024.04.07 - 20.09.03.78.png
 
Back
Top Bottom