Was wondering how people went about it, do you design first then add Habitat walls, or walls then Design?.
What are your way of Building Habitats
- Thread starter stdape2011
- Start date
I tend to start with the barriers and then work from there, though I do, sometimes, end up shifting barriers around as I go. Unless I'm doing a pit as a central part of it, then the excavation part goes first so that I can work the barriers in without messing with barrier heights...really wish there was a one click thing to level off the barriers tops with it.
Both. I normally lay out the barrier (any barrier) first to see the size and compare it with the space requirement I calculate with Planet Zoopedia. That way I prevend building habitats that are waay to big. Then I begin to replace the barriers with null barriers and other barriers and such. If neccessary and I need to to terrain modification close to a barrier, I delete the barrier to avoid restrictions.
The one or two times I do the inside of the habitat before I add the barrier, it always gets too big.
The one or two times I do the inside of the habitat before I add the barrier, it always gets too big.
I'll usually draw the outline in dirt first, including where I want the shelter, viewing areas, and keeper access to be, then I'll build the shelter (I tend to build something resembling a proper 'backstage area', at least on the outside (I usually only do interiors if the guests are going to view the animals from within the shelter as well)), add the gate, and use the gate as a point of reference for the null barrier around the shelter (since the gate can be lined up with the building, and four metre barrier pieces with angle snap on makes it so I can line up the barrier with the shelter). Then I'll do the barrier for the rest of the habitat, decorate the barrier with rocks and such (and actual barrier where necessary) and then I'll design the interior.
Interesting all have your own ways. I tend to build Habitat a little bigger than the Zoopedia, as have come across not enough space. Design is not my forte, but practise makes perfect i guess.
I also build a little bigger. Should have mentioned that. The damned large hit boxes eat up a lot of space
Start with barriers almost every time. Just to get a general impression of your creation (mostly use 10/20m walls for that one)
Then place a regular shelter to lock a part of the ground and then I start landscaping.
I think other ways might be more interesting to do (forcing yourself to work around issues) but it's more relaxing this way.
Then place a regular shelter to lock a part of the ground and then I start landscaping.
I think other ways might be more interesting to do (forcing yourself to work around issues) but it's more relaxing this way.
And when you start putting down rocks and foliage the navigation area gets smaller.
I usually start with putting down the barrier approximately where I want the enclosure to be. Then I start terraforming the terrain and adding water. My process isn't always in this order though because it depends what kind of design I want. Sometimes I'll do one part of the barrier then go to the other side and put a null barrier and start filling it with rocks and I'll raise the ground a little bit etc. So it varies.
For example, for my cheetah habitat I have a cave where they sleep and guests have an underground tunnel where there is also a viewing area. I first started working on the tunnel and then on the rest of the habitat. Sometimes I'll make a hill and I'll decorate it with rocks and foliage before doing anything else.
I think I might be the opposite of most. I usually always do the barrier last. I almost always try to use the null barrier.
Start with terraforming and water to get the shape, then fill in with shelter, rocks, and plants. Usually use rocks or construction pieces for the barrier or walls. When it is all done, put a null barrier around the outside.
Start with terraforming and water to get the shape, then fill in with shelter, rocks, and plants. Usually use rocks or construction pieces for the barrier or walls. When it is all done, put a null barrier around the outside.
I think building with the null barrier usually makes more sense to do last if you place it outside the rock/pieces barrier.
A lot of times I just cover the null barriers with rocks. I want to know how big my habitat will be before adding stuff.
(not a problem if you always build too big)
I would suggest not to use the null barrier when you are covering it up with rocks, use the solid barriers, as they will avoid the guests looking through your rock work at the animals.
Only use the null barrier in locations where you want the guests to look at your animals. It avoids awkward looking positions.
Oh never paid that much attention to it. Mostly do this in sandbox mode with everything switched off. In most franchise zoos i have normal barrier or paths running over the habitat.
But also never paid much attention to the visitors except when they are unhappy with something.
Interesting, thank you.