JWE fencing tool in PC?

[ST01]

Hey there,

sorry if someone else has already created a topic about this (feel free to link me to it if that's the case), but I couldn't immediately find one.

After watching the gameplay footage for JWE I was wondering if we could get that fencing tool in PC too? Kinda annoyed me seeing it the same day I'd been painstakingly adding fencing to my paths piece by piece lol (I know it's probably been out a bit, I'm always late to the party). So do you think they'll patch this in for us too? Cause it'd be a great great tool to have to quickly and painlessly add fencing to your paths / scenery pieces / etc. Or do you think it wouldn't work for PC for some reason?

Have a good one everyone!

 

[wowman]

I (and others) have mentioned this in a different thread (sorry can't find which one it was in now). We can only hope that some of this technology can be shared across games at some point.

 

[Rhuloe]

This is a massively requested feature. JWE perfectly highlights how the tool could work!
Hopefully there is something in the works

 

[ST01]

This is a massively requested feature. JWE perfectly highlights how the tool could work!
Hopefully there is something in the works

Yeah agreed. When I saw it I just thought "hang on a minute, why don't we have this??" It would just be nice to be able to draw a fence, or for that matter a wall, more simply. I understand that piece by piece building is a huge draw for some people, but if you're not brilliant at it or, more importantly, simply don't have enough time to invest in learning everything, it can get frustrating. I don't want to use other people's creations all the time but I kinda lack the patience to build every single thing myself (although in some areas this has arguably improved). So having a tool like this at our disposal to simplify at least those things would really be appreciated.

 

[mr.sugar]

I´m one of those who are wondering, why we cannot draw not only fences, but also walls? Whole building could be so much more intuitive. PbP is very nice, but I think basic stuff like walls shouldn´t be PbP. It feels like something... from RCT1... And doesn´t go well with the freeform 3D environment...

 

[ST01]

I´m one of those who are wondering, why we cannot draw not only fences, but also walls? Whole building could be so much more intuitive. PbP is very nice, but I think basic stuff like walls shouldn´t be PbP. It feels like something... from RCT1... And doesn´t go well with the freeform 3D environment...

Yup not a huge fan either.. Especially because the grid can feel rather limiting to me at times. It's one of my least favourite things about PC, as it can really really stifle my creativity when I sit there redoing the same thing 3 or 4 times before it actually works the way I want it to Again, yes, it's gotten better over time, and I can see how these tools might enable other people to build some really cool stuff (the workshop is evidence of that after all), but I don't count myself among them. Just looking at Silvarrett's vids can make me (slightly PC-)depressed. Because even if I had a really great vision for a park, if building a simple fence or wall takes me this long, I will never be able to execute it ^^ Now, I get that one can argue against this that part of playing this game is becoming better at building, but sometimes I just want to play a game and relax. One thing that would also be fine, to me (even if I'd prefer different wall/fencing tools), would be if they uploaded far more blueprints (like some of every style currently in the game) for us to use. You know, so that if you just wanna plop something down and play, you can, without first trying to find matching pieces in the workshop and/or complementing them with some of your own.

 

[Ddef12]

Yes! I saw the video of the tool in action in JWE and got so sad that it still has not been implemented in PC yet. This is probably the top feature request on my personal list. I can’t even calculate how much time I’ve spent placing fences and lining them up etc.

As for the comment on using this for walls, I would not be opposed to this either. I love the system we have and the amount of detail we can add to our buildings. But I feel it definitely could have been revamped for PC to be more intuitive and fresh.

 

[KickAir8p]

I´m one of those who are wondering, why we cannot draw not only fences, but also walls? Whole building could be so much more intuitive. PbP is very nice, but I think basic stuff like walls shouldn´t be PbP. It feels like something... from RCT1... And doesn´t go well with the freeform 3D environment...

Yup not a huge fan either.. Especially because the grid can feel rather limiting to me at times. It's one of my least favourite things about PC . . .

And it's some people's favorite thing about PlanCo, the ability to create building-block-like on a grid -- it can easily be considered to define the genre. But these do not need to be mutually exclusive! There's no reason not to have both methods implemented in-game. It may need to wait till PlanCo2, but it's still reasonable to expect, especially if it goes well in JWE.

 

[mr.sugar]

And it's some people's favorite thing about PlanCo, the ability to create building-block-like on a grid -- it can easily be considered to define the genre. But these do not need to be mutually exclusive! There's no reason not to have both methods implemented in-game. It may need to wait till PlanCo2, but it's still reasonable to expect, especially if it goes well in JWE.

I don´t think it´s good to have both. I think PbP should be dropped. Because I don´t get what advantage it has? If we got the fencing and wall tools properly implemented, you can achieve the same thing, just faster (and maybe even better). Toggleable grid could be still there, but that´s all I would leave in the game. Rest of the tools could be completely scrapped.

By the way, from what I saw, there is no PbP in JWE, it´s completely gone. Buildings are pre-built models now (hence now they can add rain to the game).

Fencing tool will go... Well, as it did go well in other games in the past. There is nothing to thing about or do research about. This feature is wanted from almost everyone and it would simply work... How could it not work?

 

[Helena]

I have said before but I am saying again, we can have both!

For the objects that are "off-grid"-based. Basically everything but the building walls etc:

Add another checkbox to place with Spline based tool.
Or really, option box: one box = traiditional piece by piece. one box = vector.

Then you would make the vector line with your mouse (start and end, maybe more to it so you can make curves too)

Then the engine would assign the chosen object along the vector line. And then you would by a dial adjust the frequency of the objects.. So you can have tight side-by-side to make a good fence. or you could dial down the frequency to make very spaced out like trees and geometric garden plants. Or lamps along a street.

 

[ST01]

I have said before but I am saying again, we can have both!

For the objects that are "off-grid"-based. Basically everything but the building walls etc:

Add another checkbox to place with Spline based tool.
Or really, option box: one box = traiditional piece by piece. one box = vector.

Then you would make the vector line with your mouse (start and end, maybe more to it so you can make curves too)

Then the engine would assign the chosen object along the vector line. And then you would by a dial adjust the frequency of the objects.. So you can have tight side-by-side to make a good fence. or you could dial down the frequency to make very spaced out like trees and geometric garden plants. Or lamps along a street.

Oh yes I kinda like this idea actually! Could also work for placing certain other repetitive scenery options like lights etc.

 

[Wagi]

Not to put down the idea, but exactly how would this work with walls?

Most buildings on the Workshop are not four rectangular walls with a roof sitting on top, so how would you add multiple stories? Angled walls? If doors, windows, balconies, signs and trim aren't still pnp, how are they going to be added? Because without stuff to personalize and make your structures unique, I'd think this game would soon become cookie-cutter boring. So how would it work? How would you create a brick Victorian standing right next to a modern glass-walled highrise next to a log cabin? How can you switch textures, or make those structures 3D with interiors? As I said, I'm not knocking the idea per se, I just don't undesstand how it would work exactly.

I can see the value in spline based fences, even something like adding street lights, benches or street trees, but how would this would work for structures?

 

[Helena]

It is less ideal for the building, yes. But for everything else!

Also you could use this method to add deco to buildings.

 

[Helena]

As for building parts:
You could only be allowed to draw a straight line and the peices would go there as long as you draw. So from one point to another, you drag, it inserts 1 piece, then you drag more, it insert 1 more piece.

 

[bwdrum]

Not only that, but....

I have said before but I am saying again, we can have both!

For the objects that are "off-grid"-based. Basically everything but the building walls etc:

Add another checkbox to place with Spline based tool.
Or really, option box: one box = traiditional piece by piece. one box = vector.

Then you would make the vector line with your mouse (start and end, maybe more to it so you can make curves too)

Then the engine would assign the chosen object along the vector line. And then you would by a dial adjust the frequency of the objects.. So you can have tight side-by-side to make a good fence. or you could dial down the frequency to make very spaced out like trees and geometric garden plants. Or lamps along a street.

Great ideas, Helena. I've also been thinking about a "snap to path" option with a slider that adjusts the offset distance of the fence or wall from the path edge. Would be especially useful for long, curved paths. Would also like to see bench/lamp/trash can placement automation along paths. Maybe with a frequency dial and/or a randomizer button [big grin] One can dream!

 

[Helena]

Random painter would be lovely too for the tree and bushes placement!

With built in vertical snap to surface so it will attach properly to uneven landscaping without doing the funny "sideways" thing.

 

[ST01]

Not to put down the idea, but exactly how would this work with walls?

Most buildings on the Workshop are not four rectangular walls with a roof sitting on top, so how would you add multiple stories? Angled walls? If doors, windows, balconies, signs and trim aren't still pnp, how are they going to be added? Because without stuff to personalize and make your structures unique, I'd think this game would soon become cookie-cutter boring. So how would it work? How would you create a brick Victorian standing right next to a modern glass-walled highrise next to a log cabin? How can you switch textures, or make those structures 3D with interiors? As I said, I'm not knocking the idea per se, I just don't undesstand how it would work exactly.

I can see the value in spline based fences, even something like adding street lights, benches or street trees, but how would this would work for structures?

I think it's mostly important that it's not mutually exclusive. Obviously there are instances where the grid system will be better suited to create things than a wall or fencing tool similar to the one in JWE.

And yes, agree that a snap to path tool could be pretty neat. Curved paths can actually be difficult to create nice fences for in my experience (but again, that may have more to do with my lack of skill lol). And I'll keep trying to learn and get better, but I kinda hope the devs may be reading these suggestions (especially yours Helena) and perhaps keep updating the system over time.

 

[FunrirWoulfe]

How about the spline stuff is in it's own menu, like how walls are in one menu, fences in another menu & so on
Icon could be a wavy line like so > [ ~ ] < that's a rough idea mind you, best I could do on short notice ;-)

Spline, Spline, Everywhere a Spline, Breaking up the scenery, invading my mind...

- Edit To Add -

also two words

TREE BRUSH

 

[mr.sugar]

I have said before but I am saying again, we can have both!

For the objects that are "off-grid"-based. Basically everything but the building walls etc:

Add another checkbox to place with Spline based tool.
Or really, option box: one box = traiditional piece by piece. one box = vector.

Then you would make the vector line with your mouse (start and end, maybe more to it so you can make curves too)

Then the engine would assign the chosen object along the vector line. And then you would by a dial adjust the frequency of the objects.. So you can have tight side-by-side to make a good fence. or you could dial down the frequency to make very spaced out like trees and geometric garden plants. Or lamps along a street.

Why develop both? PbP is old, restrictive and I believe (even though devs didn´t admit that) is one of the reason this game has no weather implemented. The other way is faster, more flexible, easy to use (can also have supportive grid to be more accurate), if done right, would be more optimized and also I would guess there would be no problem with blocking the light. Similar system to The sims or other similar games could work.

I also don´t see a problem with multiple stories someone brought. It´s all matter of giving a though at first and design this tool properly. If this tool was working great, I don´t see a single reason to have PbP then.

And yes, you can always have everything you want. But you also do not forget that it costs money, time and energy, so you never get everything. That´s why there will be always either PbP or the "vector based" building.

At this point, I would be happy just for simple fencing, since I realize the other is pure fiction.

 

[Chems]

They could easily implement a feature that allows us to place scenery objects along a spline and it can perfectly coexist next to piece by piece building. Just look at Cities Skylines for example.