Builders' Boulevard

http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/203033.page

Covering for Addict this week since she is swamped!

I can't post my entry since the sims 3 forum is down

Should we just wait to post our entries until the forums come back up or should we post them here? Thanks!

Just post your entries when the forums come back up. No worries, guys!

I haven't been able to post my results for a few days now with the forums being down for me. In any case, I am posting the results here, and I will keep trying for the forums, but if anyone else wants to post them on my behalf, please feel free to copy/paste.

Intermediate- Week 50 - Spookerific

Great work by all entrants. Judging was especially difficult this week. Here are the fantastic lots by the Intermediate builders.

Gcube

Link to the posted asset: http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=2382538

Link to media: http://www.thesims3.com/contentDetail.html?contentId=212416

Optional Challenges entered?: None

What was once a peaceful resting place for the dearly departed, is now the playground of grave robbers. Hidden Grove cemetery is a horrific example of what happens when rich people die and leave behind no family to care for their graves. It also serves as a great place to find treasure, if Sims are willing to do a little digging and don't mind semi-decomposed corpses!

diamondgirl141

Link to the posted asset: http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=2403898

Link to media: http://s11.photobucket.com/albums/a154/kitten_1414/BnS%2050/?al

bumview=slideshow

Optional Challenges entered?: none

This garden is a respectful memorial to the families of local Sims. The fencing is orderly, the landscaping is neatly tended, and the shrine is the perfect place to honour one's ancestors. The rich red colours send a wish of good luck and prosperity to both the living and to those in the afterlife.

Molly360

Link to the posted asset: http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=2387517

Link to media: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSQUGJHkgY8

Optional Challenges entered?: yes

Take a tour through this creepy graveyard thanks to the spooky movie skills of Molly360. This cemetery is so unnerving that even the beautiful reflective pool will send a shiver down your spine. The eery green lighting only adds to the goosebump affect, and you'll be craying for your mama before you even step foot into this forsaken resting place.

mryjn1976

Link to the posted asset: http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=2391313

Link to media: http://www.thesims3.com/contentDetail.html?contentId=213518

Optional Challenges entered?: none

If you're looking for a peaceful gander through town, visit mryjn1976's cemetery. The tree-lined paths and colourful landscaping will put a cheerful swing in your step despite the somber residents sleeping six feet under. Who says that a graveyard needs to be so serious?

zenmisery

Link to the posted asset: http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=2398873

Link to media: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v513/zen_misery/...ookerific/?albumview=slideshow

Optional Challenges entered?:yes

Constructive Criticism?: Yes indeed.

The lush landscaping in this lot invites the visitor to meander its paths, and Sims may find themselves paying their respects to a variety of residents in addition to their dearly departed grandmother. Inside the wrought iron fence, the graveyard caretakers are doing their best to turn this cemetery into a garden that honours the town's former leaders. 

Overall suggestions

Terrain elevation: The use of hills, pits, and minor elevation changes can go a long ways to making a lot feel authentic and more visually appealing. Consider adding some depth to the landscaping of your next build with the terrain elevation tools in build mode. See diamondgirl's and Gcube's graveyards for some innovation uses of terrain elevation.

Terrain paints: Changes in path colour, grass shade, or even dirt type are another great way to add visual depth to your landscaping. By adjusting the opacity of different terrain paints and experimenting with layering, builders can turn a bland field or yard into an appealing patio or garden. Try combining terrain paints with your next build. See zenmisery's cemetery for some examples of this technique.

Photo uploads: When Simmers upload their screenshots to the official website, and then use those screenshots to create official stories, two issues can arise.

1) Simmers MUST keep those screenshots in their studio or else the screenshots will be deleted from their stories as well (leaving a empty story which is of little use to anyone).

2) The quality of screenshots is greatly reduced when replaced into a story. This makes it more difficult for fellow Simmers (including judges) to view and enjoy your builds. A better solution (but one that does take some internet skills) is to upload your screenshots to a third party website (such as photobucket, flickr, or others). Builders can then include a link to the hosted photos along with their lot, or builders who have a few more web skills can even embed the appropriately-sized photos into an official thread on the Sims 3 forums. Either of these techniques will enable visitors to better appreciate the quality of your work, and it's more likely that more Simmers will then download and recommend your lot.

And now the results:

1st Place - diamondgirl141 - your multi-layered lot with additional buildings showcases creativity and talent. I recommend that you move up to Intermediate-Advanced for the next challenge.

2nd place - Gcube - your grave-robbing theme was well-executed with the use of a few advanced techniques. Great work.

3rd place - Molly 360 - your l33t movie skills really showed off the creepy qualities of your lot.

Optional challenge winner - zenmisery - your ghosts represented a variety of personalities and I enjoyed reading their clever names.