The Building Architect Tool allows players to create original
buildings for use in SimCity 3000. It uses a plane for each
dimension (3 of them) with different combinations of block,
each with either 45 or 90 degree angles on different sides.
Each block can be selected as a single block, a line, or a
plane (most useful). The blocks are placed on the selected plane
and the original model is immediately updated. I find this
configuration extremely versatile yet easy to learn.
Textures are placed on the blocks with the paint mode, where there
is a wide variety of wall, ground, rooftop, and solid color
patterns. There are also a variety of details, called decals,
that can be placed on top of the paint (I find the selection
a little small, though).
The completed building can then be swapped in the building
manager with residential,
commercial, industrial, or civic buildings to be exported to
SimCity 3000. The buildings in the building manager are saved
into files that can be used in new or existing cities in
SimCity 3000.
Great Features
powerful and versatile interface
very easy to use
blocks cover every combination of angles
Minor Complaints
not enough decals (Maxis promises more in the future)
could use an option to swap buildings with landmarks
Here are some screenshots of the BAT:
Original Buildings
If you distribute these buildings on your own website, please note the source. Just click on the pic to download. Files not more than 50kb, and are compressed in ZIP format.