Hidden Springs Revived - 03/05/14 - NEW LOT!!! - Salon and Tattoo!!! Page FIVE!!!

Moodbeamy · April 2014

Introduction

Hello and welcome to my Hidden Springs Revived forum thread! I initially began this project with the intention of rebuilding Sunset Valley but I quickly switched to Hidden Springs primarily because I prefer the world overall. I also find Hidden Springs is much easier to divide up and designate specific areas to. On this thread you'll be able to track my progress as I rebuild Hidden Springs from the ground up and you'll also have the opportunity to give feedback and input into the lots I will be creating. I'll also be uploading the lots as I complete them and you'll be able to find them all collected here so that you too can rebuild Hidden Springs.

Contents

1. Plan
2. Updates
3. Downloadable Lots
4. Proposed Rabbit Hole Builds
5. Proposed Community Lot Builds
6. Maps

Plan and Progress

1. Demolish all current lots (Progress: Completed 10/04/14)
2. Divide map into manageable areas (Progress: WIP)
3. Decide Proposed Lot Placements:
- Downtown (Progress: WIP)
- Commercial (Progress: Incomplete)
- Residential (Progress: Incomplete)
- Woods (Progress: Incomplete)
4. Rebuild Rabbit Hole Lots (Progress: 0/15)
5. Rebuild Commercial Lots (Progress: 2/38)
6. Rebuild Residential Lots (Progress: 0/0)

Updates

03/05/14 - Second lot completed and uploaded. Community, (Salon), Central Sq Salon and Tattoo
23/04/14 - First lot completed and uploaded. Community, (Java Hut), Central Sq Coffee and Clothes
13/04/14 - First WIP images are posted
10/04/14 - All existing lots deleted, proposed lot placements for Downtown area begin planning stage
10/04/14 - Project restarted

Moodbeamy · April 2014

Downloadable Lots

23/04/14 - Central Sq Coffee and Clothes

Get a whole new look down at Central Sq Salon and Tattoo! Visit the top stylists in Hidden Springs brand new salon before getting some ink. We provide everything you need to reinvent yourself!

This lot is designed to fit in the place of 11 Diopside Lane in the World of Hidden Springs.

More information on this lot is available on page five of this thread.

Download link: http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=8197613

23/04/14 - Central Sq Coffee and Clothes

Central Square Coffee and Clothes houses both 'Latte Than Life,' Hidden Springs' premier Coffeehouse, and 'Bella's Beautique,' Hidden Springs' newest and trendiest fashion outlet. Enjoy a frothy Mocha in Latte followed by a shopping spree in Bella's. Unique lot features utilize the 'Seasonal Lot Marker' to update this lot throughout the seasons.

This lot is designed to fit in the place of 7 Diopside Lane in the World of Hidden Springs.

More information on this lot is available on page four of this thread.

Download link: http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=8175851

Moodbeamy · April 2014

Downloadable Lots

Moodbeamy · April 2014

Moodbeamy · April 2014

Proposed Community Lots

1. Art Gallery (Downtown)
2. Big Park (Central Park, Downtown)
3. Fishing Spot
4. Graveyard (The Woods)
5. Library (Downtown)
6. Gym + Pool + Dance Studio (Store Content) (Suburbs)
7. Small Park (The Woods)
8. Nectary (The Woods)
9. Consignment Store (Downtown)
10. Fire Station (Suburbs; The Hills)
11. Hangout (The Woods)
12. Junkyard (The Woods)
13. Laundromat (Downtown)
14. Salon + Tattoo (Downtown)
15. Dance Club (Suburbs; The Coast)
16. Disco Club (Outskirts)
17. Dive Bar (The Woods)
18. Exclusive Lounge (Suburbs; The Coast)
19. Local Watering Hole (The Woods)
20. Vampire Lounge (The Woods)
21. Daycare (Downtown)
22. Horse Ranch (The Woods)
23. Pet Store (Downtown)
24. Big Show Venue (Suburbs; The Coast)
25. Coffeehouse (inc stage) (Downtown)
26. Live Show Venue (Downtown)
27. Private Venue (Downtown)
28. Elixir Consignment Store (The Woods)
29. Supernatural Hangout (The Woods)
30. Arcade + Comic Store (Downtown)
31. Java Hut (Downtown) - COMPLETE - 23/04/14
32. Bowling Alley (Outskirts)
33. Roller Rink (Outskirts)
34. Toy Store (Store Content) (Downtown)
35. Bakery (Store Content) (Downtown)
36. Resort
37. Casino (Store Content)
38. Wedding Venue

Moodbeamy · April 2014

Maps

Downtown

Key:

Red:

1. High Rise (Tower) (Residential)
2. High Rise (Tower) (Commercial)
3. Steve's Offices and Restaurant (Business + Bistro Rabbit Hole)
4. Grocery Store (Grocery Rabbit Hole)
5. Tattoo Parlour + Salon
6.
7. Coffeehouse + Clothes Store
8. Library
9. Central Park
10. City Hall
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20. Spa (Spa Rabbit Hole)
21.*Bookstore (Bookstore Rabbit Hole)

*This lot is completely new to Hidden Springs. It is simply a 20x20 lot added via the in-game World editor.

Yellow:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5. Film Studio (Film Studio Rabbit Hole)
6. Cinema (Theatre Rabbit Hole)
7. Exclusive Lounge
8. High Rise Tower (Casino + Live Show Venue)

Moodbeamy · April 2014

Yes Lucy, I've deleted EVERYTHING. That way I HAVE to rebuild everything from scratch lol. Anyway, my plans for the yellow areas on the map are out of the window on account of the fact I can't find the rabbit holes onto the lots I've designated. So, back to the drawing board for that area. I'll be keeping the cinema in that area on one of the 60x60 lots but the Binder Clips will most likely be moved to 73 Subalpine Blvd. although it's not really my preferred lot. The only other place I could see it going is Downtown but I don't really want it in that area because it will just overshadow everything and the lot it would be on is the lot I have designated for the public library (which will be huge).

I'm also gonna start the project by rebuilding all the rabbit holes first. This not only ensures I can put them all on lots on which they will fit but it will also setup the architecture for the specific areas of the world.

anettesb · April 2014

did you see my post in your old thread about hidding rabbit holes?

as you use moo any way they do Work even when bigger than the lot...

also if you have LL you can use that Towns small rabitholes...

I surgest you combine as many lots as you can....

a day care is great but as no sim will man it... maybe have it as a section of the library

for city hall use a combo rabit hole (so you got both police and military there aswell...

if you look at my thread you can see that I have the movie studio fare out to the left... the rabithole is actually over the lots site... but it still Works... same goes for my stadium...

thread looks good

rosemow · April 2014

Your Hidden Springs Revived project is great

It looks great how you have set up this thread. Your plans are great. I will enjoy visiting the thread and seeing your progress.

anettesb · April 2014

Yea moo is to be used carefully....

I don't uploade the lots with rabitholse to big for them....

Moodbeamy · April 2014

Hey everyone! Sorry that I haven't replied here in a few days I've been really busy with work (and it's only gonna get worse; my only day off over the next fortnight is Easter Sunday).

Anette I have seen what you've said about hiding the Rabbit Holes but as I don't download mods or CC it's not really something I can consider unfortunately.

The Daycare lot will be a residential lot with a Daycare built in somewhere; it won't function unless the player chooses to own the lot and run the Daycare themselves (it's a fun career right? lol).

Thank you Rosemow it's great to see you here in the new thread and I look forward to reading your feedback on my new lots!

Lucy I won't be burying the Rabbit Holes because to be honest, if I'm having a lot marked up as something, I'd rather it just have the Rabbit Hole there and visible. There's no reason I can't use the Rabbit Holes to create nice lots, it's all about how they're placed.

Don't worry, I use MOO very rarely and when I do I'm very careful to use it only for aesthetic purposes; I won't use it to combine pieces of furniture or anything of the like and anywhere I use it on my builds gets tested before I upload the lot (I used MOO very, very slightly on the glass dividers in Bella's and even tested that). It's not something I particularly like using because of the routing issues you mention. It's easier just to build things the way we're supposed to (even though it often doesn't look as nice).

Anyway, a quick update. I've started on the Rabbit Hole builds and provided I'm happy with the buildings I put on the lots next to them I will be uploading the Downtown Rabbit Holes at some point tonight. However, I want to ensure I can get them to look right next to my own buildings before I upload any of them.

anettesb · April 2014

Moodbeamy wrote:

Anette I have seen what you've said about hiding the Rabbit Holes but as I don't download mods or CC it's not really something I can consider unfortunately.

I think you misunderstood me....

there is no need for mods or cc to hid the rabbit holes... and it is a space saver... (sure there is the cc rugs... but they not needed)

but yes the rabit holes can be used as they are

Moodbeamy · April 2014

Ah sorry Anette I did slightly misunderstand you. I think I'm still gonna stick with having the Rabbit Holes visible just because I want everything to be as realistic as possible.

I've decided to place an apartment building opposite the Office/Restaurant building. I'm not sure if having two high rise buildings so close will look okay or if it will look odd that they're the only two but we'll soon find out!

Moodbeamy · April 2014

Okay, as far as the plans are going things are moving along quite nicely. I've always had a mindset as for the wooded area of Hidden Springs; to put it bluntly, it's the poorer side of town where the Supernaturals like to hang. For Downtown I've always wanted a town square that encompasses that small town feel you get when watching The Simpsons or South Park. I'm still keeping that feel for the central town square however the surrounding area will reflect the modern and richer side of Hidden Springs. Primarily the four of the lots which surround the exit of the Downtown area (to the left of the town square on the map) will now feature tower block buildings; one will be Steve's (being a Rabbit Hole this lot would have always had a taller building), one will be residential, and the final two will be commercial. This isn't only to allow more options for the player but it also builds up the area a little and means there won't be one solitary high rise (Steve's) which would have, quite frankly, look odd. This does mean I'll have to move the gym which is quite unfortunate because it was actually one of the few lots where I was firmly set on the location.

I have updated the map key to reflect these changes and some changes I've also had to make to the coastal area (due to the fact that the Rabbit Holes I wanted to place in that area won't fit).

Moodbeamy · April 2014

Okay guys I'm gonna pose some questions it would be extremely helpful if you could answer them as honestly as possible. I'm struggling with my decisions on the aesthetics and a little help goes a long way.

I know that there part of the process is incredibly boring for everyone apart from me so I've added some early WIP images to whet your appetite as for what is to come. (It's also a cheeky bit of bribery for you to answer the questions :P)

1) For the Downtown area of Hidden Springs I will be lining the streets with tree guards containing trees. I was going to go with small Aspen Trees; they prefer a winter climate and they're skinny enough to allow the Downtown to still look like an urban area. I'm now looking at Ornamental Pear Trees to replace them. Which do *you* think would look better? To help you decide I've added a WIP screenshot from HSR showcasing both trees. The Aspen trees are the tall, skinny trees lining the front of the buildings; the Pear trees are the short rounded top trees around the benches.

Of the proposed community lots, which do you feel could be combined and still work well? Ie, there is more than one building on a particular lot; which community features (primarily stores) could be placed on the same lot. I'm pushing towards having the comic store on the same lot as the internet cafe for example.

To help you think I've added a WIP image of the grocery store Rabbit Hole (which has absolutely nothing to do with this question).

3. Which community lots do you want to see kept solely on their own lots? For instance, would you rather the toy store have it's own dedicated lot (and not share a lot with buildings featuring other stores) so that it's cheaper for your Simmies to purchase and run?

To help you think of sole lots I've added a very WIP image of the bakery, which is a lot facing this very question; I want it to have it's own lot; it looks better on a shared lot. Note that the screenshot is a very early WIP image of me testing the basic shape and size of the building; wall coverings and colours are set to change.

Moodbeamy · April 2014

lucyvp86 wrote:

There isn't a ton of room in HS, so I think the more lots you can combine then the better. Besides, most areas have strip malls and that is what these can become.

As far as the trees, the aspens are too tall and make the buildings look small in comparison. I think the ornamental pears give a better balance and help with the illusion of taller buildings.

The comic book store, internet cafe, and an arcade would work well together on a lot. I think the theater and bistro would go well together so people could catch a show and then sit outside to eat.

Bookstore, spa, grocery store are usually combined but you could make it a long strip mall and some other rabbit holes.

I was thinking of having the pear trees in the areas surrounding the Downtown and the Aspens in in the square itself but you're right, they do make the buildings look shorter.

I certainly agree with the comic store, the internet cafe, and the arcade. The cinema is having it's own huge large lot on the coastal road; I want that area to have a tourist/entertainment feel. Are there any other venue/store type units that you think could be combined on one lot? And which venues do you think need their own specific lot?

I most likely won't be combining those three Rabbit Holes (I was going to initially) because I've placed them on the smallest lots in the Downtown area and I think they actually work well placed where they are. It means that instead of combining Rabbit Holes on one lot I'll combine commercial units instead, as with the comic store lot we've mentioned.

I've found, now that I've totalled up the numbers on the Rabbit Holes and commercial lots, that I'll still have about thirty lots free for houses. I'm quite happy with that, it's a good population size.

Thank you for the feedback so far Lucy, it all counts towards the final builds.

rosemow · April 2014

I think that that ornamental pear trees look better with the buildings. The aspen trees would look good there as well but i think the ornamental pear looks better. Your WIP of the grocery rabbit hole is looking great! Great colour you have used for the exterior.

anettesb · April 2014

I like the mix of the 2 type of trees

agree that mixing comic store, acade, internet thingy is great

the backery I might keep alone (and 1 level) if you don't use mods... jsut to keep it easy running (and posible to repalse it with a full bakery with out haveing to bake more easy...

the idea of a shop stripe or mall is great....
combining the toy store with other lots very likly ... could even be in the same building as the comic book shop....

I would combine the casine elemets with 1 of the Show time or Late night venues....

oh and I love these thought throwint things....

thats actually what I try to get going in my own thread....

Moodbeamy · April 2014

Thank you Rosemow! It seems these Pear Trees are popular...

Yes Anette, I too am thinking of keeping the bakery on a sole lot. I don't think putting it with other stores will work because people don't want to be lumbered with useless bits of building pushing up the price of the lot when they want to own and run the bakery. I'm wondering whether the toy store fits the same scenario.

The casino will feature a stage to make it a live show venue.

I thought the best way to assemble everyone's opinions was to have a bit of a brainstorming session.

anettesb · April 2014

feel free to come and brainstorm in my thread to...

didn't think about the ricetag on the bakery lot... but thats an other good reason

you could say the same for the toyshop (or any shop) but the difrent (in my eyes) is that thoese you don't need to work at your self... it could "just" be investments... and investing in a mall isn't that unlikly for the rich sims... + when I play I like the 1 stop got it all (or a lot of difrent things)

like the idea of casino being the live show venue... where will it be? what style... I think the venues are a perfect chance to use the more special items.... the cultural and the futuristic...

Moodbeamy · April 2014

Sorry everyone I'm so busy with work at the moment but I'll try and post here as much as I can. I'm off today and I'm hoping to start completing some of the lots I've been working on. Right now I'm trying to get all the buildings in the central square correct; they all need to slot together so that none of them look odd or out of place. This is the hardest part of the project because of that very reason; other areas don't have lots so close to one another and it doesn't matter if the style of architecture of the buildings on those lots don't match the surrounding lots; with the Downtown area it really is important to ensure all the lots look right together. I'll post some more WIP images soon so that you can all see how I'm getting on.

Anette, I promise I'll drop by your thread soon when I have a bit more time on my hands.

I think I'll mostly be keeping the business lots such as the toy store and bakery on their own sole lots; I'll still be combining other community builds though.

I'm actually thinking of going quite art deco with the casino. I have an idea for the placement of the venue and what type of building I want to house it... let me just say it will surprise you. However, on the subject of the more... stylized items I'm wondering what I could do with them in HSR and which venues would suit them best. Some things are obvious; the Haute Hacienda set would work well in a Mexican restaurant. But then other sets I'm not so sure of, for instance the African set. Really nice looking set, I just can't see where I could fit it into the World.

rosemow · April 2014

I will look forward to seeing your WIP images. The Art Deco styled casino sounds great. Enjoy working on the lots!

anettesb · April 2014

moodbeamy

fusion lounge for the african set... have a african danceclub (just the inside)

Moodbeamy · April 2014

Thank you Rosemow! I'm hoping I'll start enjoying this a bit more once the Central Square planning is out of the way.

Anette that's a good idea.

There are quite a few different lounge venues so there's quite a few store sets I should be able to (finally!) make some use of.

As for progress, things have moved along very nicely so far today. I've got two of the lots complete in regards to the building placed on them. Now that I can see what I'm working with it's becoming easier to designate each lot; as such I have updated the map key on the first page of this thread to reflect the new lot placements.

Moodbeamy · April 2014

Hey everyone! Sorry that I haven't posted here for a while; I've been super busy with work. Got tomorrow off though so I'll be working on Hidden Springs Revived for most of the day. I've also treated myself to Roaring Heights through Origin (50% off right now!) which is a World I've wanted since it was announced; I'm yet to play it so I might spend a little time there tomorrow; it's such a beautiful world! I'm also going to treat myself to a new venue but I'm still undecided on which one. I'm leaning toward the Prism Art Studio mainly because of the L-shaped stairs and the possibilities the glassblowing set opens up. My second choice would be the Boardwalk (which would obviously fit RH) but I'm not sure I could really utilize it very well in HSR. I also claimed a few free sets via the sale and CYS meaning I know own several more compilations and more importantly the Regency Arcade. That one's important because it's got the Gumball Machine AND some art deco buy mode items I'll likely be using in the eventually casino build for HSR. Oh, did I mention that I bought Grandpa's Grove a few days ago? Not 100% sure I can fit a large enough farm in HSR to make the most of the set but at the least I can use the tractor in the festival lot (that is provided the tractor and the tracks work along the seasonal lot marker; I haven't tested it yet) during Fall as it'll go very nicely with the harvest theme. I'm also hoping to start filling up some of the buildings I've built so far in the Downtown area of HSR so that I can begin uploading them. I've completed one side of the square in regards to the buildings themselves and it's really making it easier for me to see what will fit where which is something you'll see if you check out the updated map key.

rosemow · April 2014

It is great that you have bought Roaring Heights. It is a very nice world! I am glad that you were able to get some free sets with the sale and CYS . Enjoy simming in Roaring Heights and working on your Hidden Springs Revived project world tomorrow

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Hidden Springs Revived - 03/05/14 - NEW LOT!!! - Salon and Tattoo!!! Page FIVE!!!

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