Residential LES Dumbell Tenement Pack 2.0

Compatible:

• CitiesXL 2012
• CitiesXL Platinum

Now working in CXXL

This mod is a major collaboration between many members here at XLNation to bring these wall to wall buildings so common in New York and other major US cities into the game. The project came from a challenge set by Tribeca2012 and you can follow the whole story from conception through to release here: LES Tenement Project . Version 2.0 is a major overhall which adds much improved bump maps , nightlighting , specular and reflection maps to give realistic window reflections. No file names have been changed so you can delete any previous versions and replace with these latest files, any previously placed models in your cities should update to the new improved versions.

Installation: Download the Base Model 5 Storey and Base Model 6 storey patch files as a minimum and install them in your mods folder. The Base Model set is 18 models in total. Please note you need a minimum of XL User Interface Mod 1.78.3 or the latest version of the Community Mod if using CXXL to use these patch files since it uses a custom tag that was only introduced by Altiris in version 1.78.3

The texture variation patch files for models 2, 5, 6 , 7 and 8 can be downloaded individually at the users discretion. You can use all of them , some of them or none of them , its up to you. They all offer a different style and have been chosen for the initial release to provide as much variety as possible. The full set is 81 models in total.

Alternatively you can download the ZIP file containing all the patch files in one ZIP from the external link listed under Pre-requisites.

USAGE:

At the moment the files are accessed via the custom content button under the Residential - Unskilled Worker - Medium Density tab:



The menu gives you an initial choice of 5 storey models. They are divided into 3 categories, those for individual placement in both residential and retail versions, and a selection of block of 5 models in residential or retail versions. There are also 2 specialist corner pieces - however these are 5 storey only at the moment. Once you have made your initial choice and placed a model in the game , click on it so you can see the upgrade button as in the picture above. Use this menu to convert the model into a 6 storey variant or add a basement or any combination of these.






There are 54 different shop fronts included in all the model variants in a diversity of styles to enable you to create a neighbourhood with a different feel.

Single shop front with 3 upgradeable variations:



Corner shop with 2 variations




5 and 6 storey shop front variations




Unfortunately I was not successful in getting the residential buildings with retail on the ground floor to function as job providers or to produce retail resources If I can work out a way to do this I will patch all the files accordingly. At the moment they are decorative only.

Please note the individual models are only 8M wide and are very sensitive therefore to elevation changes in the ground. As ever with wall to wall buildings, for best results use flat terrain wherever possible.

Model 2 is a grimy downmarket variant. 5 storey only models on this one (8 models). The icon for this is turquoise.
Model 5 is a 1 model only 5 storey retail variant in a very distinctive plain render texture submitted by Axel. The icon for this is Light Grey.
Model 6 is a downmarket feel offering often run down /boarded up shops and some graphitti. The icons for this model are brown.
Model 7 is more upmarket , with a selection of smart shops and boutiques. The icons for this model are mauve.
Model 8 is some where between the two. The icons for this model are yellow.
The base models are also a mixture of styles. The icons for this model are dark blue.

For each icon on all models, the number in the bottom left corner denotes the number of storeys (currently 5 or 6) .
The black staircase icon denotes a model with a basement.
The white shopping basket icon denotes a model with shop(s) on the ground floor.

Enjoy the mod, I hope you have fun creating some more realistic downtown areas with these models.


CREDITS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

Tribeca2012 for posting the intial challenge, contributing some textures and general encouragement.

Snick25 For contributing essentail reference material, for creating some awesome textures, for hours of testing and quality feedback, for general encouragement.

Br41ns70rm For hours of high quality feedback to eliminate loads of minor texturing errors in the models.

Kennyj88 For sourcing some good quality shop facade images and constructive testing feedback.

Axel For contributing some good textures and very useable shopfront images.

Themp3dj Great texture contribution, quality feedback and encouragement.

Altiris For adding a custom tag to the UIM and helping me to get it to work. Without this the contruction menu would have been swamped with 72 icons!!

All those in this wonderful community who have given me the help and encouragement to take on a such a large project and come out with my sanity intact

PJC

Installation Pre-requiste(s):

XL User Interface Mod Version 1.78.3 or higher is Essential