Some Jazz-Age Ballparks

[spanky8992]

these are works of art

[Braden]

I use some of these for my Negro League games. Are the sketchup files available for these parks? If so, where and what version of sketch up are they?


Thanks,
Braden

[asrivkin]

Hi all,

I hope you've had a good end to your 2022 and a great start to your 2023!

I've put together a Google Drive directory with (most of) the Sketchup files I used to make the parks in this thread. I didn't do a comprehensive pass and I've switched computers since I started making these so it's possible that some have slipped through, but I could try to track one down if you can't find it. I've also got a few in there that I haven't posted here for whatever reason--too niche or never quite what I wanted, or just slow. Finally, I'll note that I sometimes played fast and loose with some of the names, since I hadn't originally intended to post these when I started making them. For instance, Red Elm Park in Memphis is under its Russwood name, and I switched back and forth between Pelican and Heinemann Park for New Orleans. Since I tend to give file access rather than directory access, hopefully I've done this correctly!

Link to Google Drive directory with Sketchup files

Let me know if you have any questions! I've been scarce but hope to be a bit more attentive here, and hopefully post a few more parks!

[Braden]

Originally Posted by asrivkin

Hi all,

I hope you've had a good end to your 2022 and a great start to your 2023!

I've put together a Google Drive directory with (most of) the Sketchup files I used to make the parks in this thread. I didn't do a comprehensive pass and I've switched computers since I started making these so it's possible that some have slipped through, but I could try to track one down if you can't find it. I've also got a few in there that I haven't posted here for whatever reason--too niche or never quite what I wanted, or just slow. Finally, I'll note that I sometimes played fast and loose with some of the names, since I hadn't originally intended to post these when I started making them. For instance, Red Elm Park in Memphis is under its Russwood name, and I switched back and forth between Pelican and Heinemann Park for New Orleans. Since I tend to give file access rather than directory access, hopefully I've done this correctly!

Link to Google Drive directory with Sketchup files

Let me know if you have any questions! I've been scarce but hope to be a bit more attentive here, and hopefully post a few more parks!

When I open, save and export OBJ with Russwood sketchup in the park folder the park is messed up. You can see by the attached pics, with sketchup and without that the trees are black boxes that the signage is messed up. This happens whether I fix the mound.

Apparently, sketchup is not finding all the files in the Texture folder.

[asrivkin]

OK, let me have a look...

[asrivkin]

Originally Posted by Braden

When I open, save and export OBJ with Russwood sketchup in the park folder the park is messed up. You can see by the attached pics, with sketchup and without that the trees are black boxes that the signage is messed up. This happens whether I fix the mound.

Apparently, sketchup is not finding all the files in the Texture folder.

OK, I can see a few things to try. As I understand it, the textures for most of the objects are fine--the walls, the grass, the ads, the houses in the background, etc. It's just the trees? It looks to me on my machine like the relevant Sketchup textures are "Image2.png" and "Image3.png". So first question would be whether those images are in your russwood6_Textures directory, and if they look like trees.

If so, open the ruswood6.mtl file and see if the relevant textures are pointing to those images. So, there should be a line "newmtl Image2", and then a few lines down something that says "map_Kd russwood_Textures/Image2.PNG", or something similar, and a similar one for Image3. If not, edit so that it says that.

If those PNG files aren't in the russwood6_Textures directory, you should be able to take the old textures directory that came with the original ballpark zip file and copy the PNG files from there. In fact, I think you should just be able to use the .obj file you make from Sketchup and use it with the entire old textures file as long as you didn't add any new textures or change the name of the Sketchup file from the original one.

Alternately, since you're editing the Sketchup file it looks like you could just delete the trees if you're willing to do without them, though that might not be as satisfying an approach.

[Braden]

Originally Posted by asrivkin

OK, I can see a few things to try. As I understand it, the textures for most of the objects are fine--the walls, the grass, the ads, the houses in the background, etc. It's just the trees? It looks to me on my machine like the relevant Sketchup textures are "Image2.png" and "Image3.png". So first question would be whether those images are in your russwood6_Textures directory, and if they look like trees.

If so, open the ruswood6.mtl file and see if the relevant textures are pointing to those images. So, there should be a line "newmtl Image2", and then a few lines down something that says "map_Kd russwood_Textures/Image2.PNG", or something similar, and a similar one for Image3. If not, edit so that it says that.

If those PNG files aren't in the russwood6_Textures directory, you should be able to take the old textures directory that came with the original ballpark zip file and copy the PNG files from there. In fact, I think you should just be able to use the .obj file you make from Sketchup and use it with the entire old textures file as long as you didn't add any new textures or change the name of the Sketchup file from the original one.

Alternately, since you're editing the Sketchup file it looks like you could just delete the trees if you're willing to do without them, though that might not be as satisfying an approach.

Those two images (2&3) are in the .mtl file and show up in the sketchup picture and when I save the and OBJexport they are there also. But when I put the folder in the Models folder it still looks like this picture. You will also notice the right field signage to the right of the Goldcrest sign is messed up. It also looks okay in sketchup so there is no way to fix it by moving stuff. I can't post the .mtl file but image 2 & 3 are. in there so I can't fix it. I tried coping the .mtl from the original to the folder with the Sketchup and that didn't work. Somehow, when the file is opened with sketchup things get screwed up.


All I want to do is lower the mound so the pitchers feet, and other running over the mound, are not cut off.

[asrivkin]

OK, I've made a flat mound Russwood/Red Elm Park.

The zip file is here: Google Drive Link to zip file with relevant OOTP pieces. If you want the Sketchup file I made it from, it's here: Sketchup file for Russwood/Red Elm.

I gave the files in the zip file the same names as the version with a mound, mostly because I forgot to change it. :| On the other hand, it should mean that they can be dropped in where the other version is (while OOTP isn't running) without needing to repoint OOTP at the new files.

I haven't played a game with this version of the park, but I did load it in OOTP in place of my previous version, go to the 3D model pane and pan around/zoom in, and it all looks right (see screenshot). Hopefully this works for you, if not we may need to think some more about details.

[Braden]

Originally Posted by asrivkin

OK, I've made a flat mound Russwood/Red Elm Park.

The zip file is here: Google Drive Link to zip file with relevant OOTP pieces. If you want the Sketchup file I made it from, it's here: Sketchup file for Russwood/Red Elm.

I gave the files in the zip file the same names as the version with a mound, mostly because I forgot to change it. :| On the other hand, it should mean that they can be dropped in where the other version is (while OOTP isn't running) without needing to repoint OOTP at the new files.

I haven't played a game with this version of the park, but I did load it in OOTP in place of my previous version, go to the 3D model pane and pan around/zoom in, and it all looks right (see screenshot). Hopefully this works for you, if not we may need to think some more about details.

The new version works great. No more missing feet. I have no idea why the problems with the Sketchup and old version. I have done a lot of work with sketch up and never ran into that kind of stuff.



Thanks for fixing the mound.

[asrivkin]

Sure, happy to help and glad it works! No matter how much I use Sketchup I still get surprised by random things like this (and random crashes), and the OBJ exporter I have is clearly a gum-and-bailing-wire affair...

[asrivkin]

While I'm posting things today, I might as well add something new!

So here's Duluth Athletic Field, home of the Zenith City's baseball (and NFL!) teams from 1903-1940. In the top photo it's seen abutting its successor, the still-standing Wade Stadium.

Google Drive link to Duluth Athletic Park

This is a bit more ramshackle looking than some of the other parks of the time, but I suppose it also had to deal with much harsher winter weather...

Enjoy!

[Braden]

Originally Posted by asrivkin

Sure, happy to help and glad it works! No matter how much I use Sketchup I still get surprised by random things like this (and random crashes), and the OBJ exporter I have is clearly a gum-and-bailing-wire affair...

Here I am again!

As I mentioned before, I like to use some of your parks for my Negro Leagues.


Using your Sketchup for Bugle, I was able to make some changes. I fixed the lights that were shown up black in OOTP (there were .BMP and I changed them to .JPG), I added a background and changed the dugout pictures. However, the infield dirt keeps showing up black in OOTP as you can see the pics. It looks fine in Sketchup. I tried every thing I could think of the fix it but nothing worked. The .MTL file has Groundcover_Sand_Smooth2 in it.

[asrivkin]

Very weird, but as noted I don't claim to understand Sketchup no matter how much I use it. A few things you could try (recognizing that you may already have done so):

1) I always copy and paste the infield/bases/mount/foul lines as a component from previous ballparks. You could go into the Bugle Park Sketchup file you're working with, delete the infield component and copy/paste one in from a ballpark that works for you in OOTP. As long as you put it where the old component was, I'd expect everything should still work OK in the new .obj file and the existing .ootp3d file. You probably know this, but the tip of the home plate pentagon should go right at the origin, with the two edges coming from that tip aligned with the red and green axes in Sketchup, and then lift the whole component a small amount (I tend to just go with 1/16") because it doesn't like having the component coincide with any other plane there.

2) Alternately, you could edit the infield component and repaint whatever texture you prefer for the infield dirt and mound. It may be that it'll have an easier time finding that texture if you put it in the system yourself?

3) Otherwise, I'm happy to do another flat-mound version if you like.

[Braden]

Originally Posted by asrivkin

Very weird, but as noted I don't claim to understand Sketchup no matter how much I use it. A few things you could try (recognizing that you may already have done so):

1) I always copy and paste the infield/bases/mount/foul lines as a component from previous ballparks. You could go into the Bugle Park Sketchup file you're working with, delete the infield component and copy/paste one in from a ballpark that works for you in OOTP. As long as you put it where the old component was, I'd expect everything should still work OK in the new .obj file and the existing .ootp3d file. You probably know this, but the tip of the home plate pentagon should go right at the origin, with the two edges coming from that tip aligned with the red and green axes in Sketchup, and then lift the whole component a small amount (I tend to just go with 1/16") because it doesn't like having the component coincide with any other plane there.

2) Alternately, you could edit the infield component and repaint whatever texture you prefer for the infield dirt and mound. It may be that it'll have an easier time finding that texture if you put it in the system yourself?

3) Otherwise, I'm happy to do another flat-mound version if you like.

I tried all of those and a few other things but nothing worked.

[asrivkin]

OK, generating and posting a flat-mound Bugle Park is now on this weekend's to-do list!

[Braden]

Originally Posted by asrivkin

OK, generating and posting a flat-mound Bugle Park is now on this weekend's to-do list!

Thanks.

[asrivkin]

OK, here's Bugle Field with a flat mound

You'll need to change the .mtl file for the animated crowd--I forgot to do so before making the .zip file...

[Braden]

Originally Posted by asrivkin

OK, here's Bugle Field with a flat mound. You'll need to change the .mtl file for the animated crowd--I forgot to do so before making the .zip file...

Nothing happens when I click on it.

[asrivkin]

Ugh, where is my head? OK, try now with the link in the post above. Sorry.

[Braden]

Originally Posted by asrivkin

Ugh, where is my head? OK, try now with the link in the post above. Sorry.

No problem. Thanks. I would suggest that you make all the mounds flat, as normal raised mounds don't work in OOTP. Maybe they will in version 24, but I doubt it.