Basement building flexibility?

[tomomi1922]

I realize basement is not as flexible as I had hoped.

CFE (ConstrainFloorElevation) doesn't seem to work at all, as I am unable to either build modular stairs or use the Bunkbed building method (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CtmmYRMapE) to get bunk beds. In fact, not even clearing the floor tiles to create a double height wall with balcony possible, as deleting the floor tile will actually delete basement on the spot (and you get a big column instead). In short, I feel basement is another swimming pool, without the water.

Anyone is able to extend the depth of basement using the CFE method to make pool deeper? I don't mean adding more basement level, I mean to make a single level of basement higher/deeper. Any other experience dealing with basement you have, please share. :bunny:

I am experimenting with building a lot of "hidden" lots disguise as community parks. So living underground is essential.

[Volvenom]

basement and foundation tool is 2 very different things. I have a feeling you're actually talking about basement tool here.

[tomomi1922]

Yes I am talking about basement tool, as the title says. I was trying to build a modular stair (usually done by foundation tool) in the basement!

[Tee Hee Hee]

Modular stairs are only possible if you're happy for the tops of your basement walls to be lower than the ground in parts (ideally away from your stairs to ground level where you could see into the void because of this) but you can make them using cfe.

Another point you raised was not being able to delete flooring and make balconies/grand rooms, well you can do this by building another level of basement below and then instead of deleting the floor you want gone with a sledge hammer delete it by using picking any flooring from the menu and using ctrl to delete the floor. That should leave you with an open hole into the basement below!

(if any of this doesn't make sense I can make some brief pictures to demonstrate)

[Volvenom]

Tee Hee Hee thank you for the open room in the basement tip.

For me the basement tool is not very useful. Rather useless actually. I guess it comes down to how much struggle I like to have when I build. One change by using cfe in basements I have seen, is the building two basements overlap each other from different levels to make the walk-in-basement. Don't know if that technic can be used in other areas though.

[tomomi1922]

Modular stairs are only possible if you're happy for the tops of your basement walls to be lower than the ground in parts (ideally away from your stairs to ground level where you could see into the void because of this) but you can make them using cfe.

Another point you raised was not being able to delete flooring and make balconies/grand rooms, well you can do this by building another level of basement below and then instead of deleting the floor you want gone with a sledge hammer delete it by using picking any flooring from the menu and using ctrl to delete the floor. That should leave you with an open hole into the basement below!

(if any of this doesn't make sense I can make some brief pictures to demonstrate)

I think, if all possible, can you make a few screenshots as a mini tutorial. It is good for keepsake and the rest of the players to learn without having to post the question again.

About the floor, I think I really have to try it. Oh, any trick to get swimming pool against the wall of a basement? I know we can build swimming pool in basement, but I have to allow tile border from the pool's wall to the basement wall.

[Volvenom]

Pool against a basement wall LOL. I have a house with a pool like that. It was just that in the middle of creating it I downloaded a patch, and then suddenly I couldn't continue on that.

[Tee Hee Hee]

Pool against a basement wall LOL. I have a house with a pool like that. It was just that in the middle of creating it I downloaded a patch, and then suddenly I couldn't continue on that.

Patches have changed how you make basements and pool walls meet. It used to be that basement sort of "trumped" pool wall in essence you would build your pool first, then remove the side wall you wanted the basement to touch by placing basement while pressing ctrl (ie deleting basement) up to the pool wall and then place the basement.

Now however pool seems to trump basement and it's reversed. You build your basement first then delete the wall you want to contact the pool by using the pool placement and ctrl and then place your pool to fill the gap.

So it can still be done...just slightly differently, and pool walls look funny compared to basement's walls (in my opinion it was better pre-patch)

Anyway, rambling aside it is still completely possible to do :)

[Tee Hee Hee]

OK, quick picture tutorial here on basements attached to pools!

Here we go! (picture heavy so I've put it all in a spoiler)


http://i56.tinypic.com/2vx4lqx.jpg
http://i56.tinypic.com/14b19hi.jpg
http://i54.tinypic.com/nd0f7n.jpg
http://i56.tinypic.com/3305tl4.jpg
http://i52.tinypic.com/11vtiyc.jpg
http://i53.tinypic.com/2mwtlc5.jpg
http://i53.tinypic.com/ftczmc.jpg
http://i54.tinypic.com/huiwjn.jpg

[tomomi1922]

Omg, you went way overboard. Although I was hoping you would show the modular stair. Because it is much easier to understand the pool/basement integration just by reading what you said earlier.

But either way, your screenshots are way clearer than most tutorials out there. Hope you didn't spend too much time working on them.

[Tee Hee Hee]

Omg, you went way overboard. Although I was hoping you would show the modular stair. Because it is much easier to understand the pool/basement integration just by reading what you said earlier.

But either way, your screenshots are way clearer than most tutorials out there. Hope you didn't spend too much time working on them.

Oh don't worry! It didn't take long, but thanks for the praise :)