Techniques for street generation in cities

[RobA]

I decided to jump the topic started in this thread:

Eneini: A new city map

to here to cover some experimentation on creating street/buildings in cities.

-Rob A>

[RobA]

I discovered another GIMP plugin, that created Voronoi diagrams. These might be more suited for creating mid sized streets in cities than mosaic filters and the such.

The plugin is here:
http://trific.ath.cx/software/gimp-plugins/voronoi/

Attached is a sample created using the "random" grid and everything else default.

Even better than a random pattern would be one where you could set the nodes to represent population density. I found a java applet here
http://www.diku.dk/hjemmesider/studerende/duff/Fortune/ (bottom of page).

I have attached a sample of how you might seed this to represent a city in a radial pattern, but still random:

[ravells]

Very interesting. That almost looks like the mosaic filter in psp/photoshop. With a bit of playing around you could build organic looking cities very quickly.

Thanks for the tip, Rob.

Ravs

[pyrandon]

Speaking of using a mosaic filter, here is a link to a ginormous map that does just that--although still keeping them basically circular:

http://savageearth.net/Tallon-Rendered.html

I'm not overly fond of many aspects of the map, but I certainly see uses for that style of "building" generation--especially if the buildings are so small that variations in color are all that are required!

[RPMiller]

Speechless... I bet there is some adventure to have in that city.

Is there a link somewhere to the artist's commentary or "how it was created" content? That appears to be a monumental undertaking.

[pyrandon]

I'm not sure about any links or even the author, etc.; I was directed to it from another click.

[Robbie]

http://savageearth.net/tallon-mapped.html

[RPMiller]

Um... I feel really bad and a little stupid... I should have recognized that URL... I know the creator of that map! I'm going to tell him that we are impressed and have questions and invite him over here.

Here is a link to some of his other maps:
http://savageearth.net/KACurtis/TLMaps.html

[keithcurtis]

Hi folks. I got RPMiller's heads up a couple of days ago, but wasn't registered/approved till this morning.
Thanks for the kind words about the Tallon map. That one is an ongoing personal project. I'd be happy to answer any questions or take any critique regarding it.

I'll post an official "Hello Forum" message elsewhere.

[pyrandon]

Keith, can you just say a few words about how you created the building "fill" in the map? I like the pinpoint size of them & the color variations; they suggest buildings well & yet don't distract the eye. Did you follow a process much as the gentlemen above have been hashing out, or is it a different process?

I'd also like to know how you achieved the streets & side streets: they are so smooth & believable. In the original thread of this discussion we were playing with ideas of automating side street & alley creation; did you create your by hand?

Really, I'd like to hear anything you can say about the streets & buildings to help/give ideas! Thanks a lot,