Design Problems

[otusasio451]

Well, I love making zoos, and I have the expansion, and I love playing the game. But I have problems with it. It's not the function or the graphics or the stupid people and messages that bother me. My real problem is one that comes from the heart, one that comes from the essence of the ZT2:ES portion of my soul. This problem is:

HOW DO YOU DESIGN IT! You see, that's my problem. I look around at all your fancy zoos, and I think "WHY CAN'T I DO THAT??? So, how do you design your zoos? How do you get ideas? How do YOU do it? And OTHER people that sympathize with me: do YOU have this problem? Do YOU need help?...WELL, IF YOU DON'T I DO!!!!!!!! HEEEEELLLLLLLP!!!!

[mitzibear]

I also never design any really great zoo's But here is what I think most people probably do and I could be wrong but I figure they plan it ahead they see it in their heads as to how they want it to look and go from that. I built my first themed zoo the other day and I must say its the first zoo I truly love of mine Its still a work in progress but I just when like Jungle theme, safari etc theme. Only used those items to build that part and well I must say I am proud of it. But I do see zoo's that are many many times better then mine and one day hope to do a zoo just as good

Mitzi

[caro_caribou]

I know how you feel.  Every zoo of mine looks pretty much like all the others.  My enclosures tend to be rectangular, my paths follow the same uninteresting layout, and it just looks BORING.  When I try to change things my guests hate it.  If I make a themed area then I end up changing animals and the themes don't work out.  (One thing I hate about ZT2 even though I know it's more realistic is animals aren't available all the time).  I also try to use different paths etc but I never like how they look.  Exterior designers, help us please!  Where do we start, what should we try, should we forget about the guests and just make what we like?

[AlCracka]

I don't know why I'm answering since I'm too lazy to post my zoo anyway, but here's some stuff that I picked up from looking at other, better zoos than mine:

- The guest thing is individual preference, but certainly if your main interest is design, shutting out the guests will help you keep your focus.

- Z-axis is HUGE for zoos.  That means height and depth.  Take a look at some of your favorite zoos and I'll bet you realize that some of your favorites (like zoohio's brilliant zoos, for example) have some sunken exhibits, some raised plateaus and other areas in exhibits...also pathways that go up and around and all over.  It's really hard to make your zoo have areas of different height, but it makes it look great.

- Cheap shot: Waterfalls almost always look good.  

- Mitzi's got a good point: I almost always plan my exhibits.  Sometimes I try to think one up while I'm walking somewhere, for instance.  It helps to have an idea in your head before you go and start laying walls.  But they never go exactly the way I pictured them.  That's okay: sometimes they're even better.  In fact, sometimes I've sorta overplanned zoos; the ones where I won't let myself change the plan along the way have tended to be kinda boring.

- Mitzi's also got a great point about themes.  Mix up your walls and your paths a lot.  Use some solid walls, and some walls with windows, and turn that section into a viewing area.  Maybe put some canopies up.  Maybe indent the viewing area into the exhibit a little.  Before you know it you'll be getting away from rectangular exhibits.

- And always use the rubber band tool when you're building walls!  It'll automatically direct you away from simple geometric shapes, and you'll end up with some really interesting exhibits as a result.

Any of our other mighty designers have any other tips?

[Doooot]

Oh yeah, also planing things like making a special playground area, food court etc. And also the design of each exhibit can be made special. For example if an animal needs water - the design of the pool doesn't also have to be a circle. And maybe a waterfall, have seen some people making it in zt1, but not zt2, don't know if the animal get's upset, haven't tried yet myself. But if you're only into designing, this isn't a problem. But location for every object can be individual made, and be a part of designing exhibits.

[Ramin_Raptor]

Now im not a master designer myself but heres a little tip. If u dont listen to the guests and just think about what u want u can worry about the guest after. all i ever do is listen to myself because if your going to listen to everything a computer says and not be creative u really need a live. The guests can be fixed once your done building what u want.

[zoohio]

Great tips from everyone, but here are some tips from my perspective.

-I agree about the guests in the zoo. Lock the gates and ignore them, at least until you learn more about zoo building.
-Get a plan and start maping it out in your head.
-Think outside of the box. What I mean is never make all your exhibits square. Make some fun corners and viewing areas.
-And use great landscaping. Add trees and plants, rocks in the middle of a the path, etc. Be creative.

When I build an exhibit, I drop into guest/zoo keeper mode and look around. I look it from the guest point of view and then how the animal sees it. Can I see the animals? If I were an animal, would this be a fun place to be?; those are important issues.
I never use the forest part of the Biome. I use the basic terrain as I can add my trees later. This is super important when you are working  a campaign or challenge and money is limited.
After I get the basic layout of an exhibit, I place the shelter that is required. Then I add the trees and plants that I want. Start around the shelter, and mask it with trees. Hide fences with trees and plants. Make it look natural.

Think of it this way, when you walk in your favorite park or zoo, what do you see! Trees and plants. Even along pathways, there should be shady areas. By making odd shapes, you also create hidden areas that make you want to explore around the next corner.

Remember, think outside of the box!

[Quicksilver77]

Thanks for posting your tips, zoohio.  I love your zoos so it is nice to hear your thoughts (and those of everyone else   ).

I've found that it really is artistry.  I am a terrible artist and cannot formulate what I see in my head down on paper when I try to draw, and a lot of times the same goes for my zoo building.  I also have the problem of rushing through it too fast.  So a lot of times I will whip up an exhibit and then go right on to the next without changing and modifying things to make it look more attractive.  I agree with what Alcracka said about the height and depth....I would LOVE to build more like that but I am not any good at it.  They say, "Practice makes perfect."  As if I don't spend enough hours playing.  You'd think I could be dubbed the da Vinci of Zoo Tycoon by now.  HA!!!   :lol

[Bengal]

I'm not one of those people that can plan things out on paper well, but it may help. Try drawing an outline on paper, deciding what theme goes where, where the guest areas should go, etc. It can help if you're not so organized.

Me; I'm more of a spontaneous person. I'm not good at assigning places for particular things before hand. I just build and go from one square to the next, randomly deciding what goes where.

The trees, plants, rocks, and scenery objects do wonders for the game. Don't leave many spots bare..fill it with a patch of flowers and a pretty tree. A measley square of grass can be transformed into a beautiful square with a neat tree and pretty flowers.

Don't be afraid to get creative! Remember: you always have the bulldozer option if you mess up. Don't be afraid to make curvacious paths that wind through foliage, hills, and rocks. Viewing areas are by far one of my favorite areas to build. Theme it to the exhibit it offers a look into. Add viewing areas, benches, donation boxes, and don't forget...TREES!

Exhibits are a great opportunity to unleash your creativity. Depending on the animal you have, just think of it's original habitat, and even some real life exhibits you have seen. I find building a two story watefall dropping down in sections is a wonderful visual! Remember to add hills to your exhibits as it will make them look more natural. Leave an area for guest's eyes and fill it with the enrichment objects and food the animals prefer.

Hope my two cents helped somewhat  

[zoohio]

Sounds awesome Bengal and Sheila77. Bengal, you are right about the hills, it adds so much more to look at.

Another option is to download someone elses zoo from the sight. Look around, or even edit it to your liking. Some of the zoos that are out there are awesome and have so many great ideas.

The expansion also has a great Junior Map in it that may help you get started> I believe it has the exhibits built and as always, this can be modified

[otusasio451]

I often sink my exhibits, and I don't use rectangular exhibits EVER, but I'm still design impaired. Thanks for your tips, guys, they really help! I haven't been able to put them in action yet, but I still like your tips.

[AlCracka]

I don't know if this is the right place to ask this, so apologies in advance.  There are a couple of things I'd like to do, but it looks like the game can't do them (so far, at least).

- Have a jeep track go over a bridge between exhibits instead of through a gate in the wall.  It seems like when I do that, I get messages that the animals aren't contained.  Anyone else get that problem?

- I had this idea to sink a penguin exhibit into the ground and then connect the ground-level path to a raised path out over that exhibit.  (Does that make any sense?  So the path is all the same level, but the ground sinks.)  Can't get it to work.

- I miss the Marina Mania feature where you could sink a path down next to a swimming tank and guests could watch the polar bears from underwater...it looks like we can't do that no mo'.

Anyone have any tips or things I might be missing there?

[zoohio]

Originally posted by AlCracka@Nov 3 2005, 10:22 AM
I don't know if this is the right place to ask this, so apologies in advance.  There are a couple of things I'd like to do, but it looks like the game can't do them (so far, at least).

- Have a jeep track go over a bridge between exhibits instead of through a gate in the wall.  It seems like when I do that, I get messages that the animals aren't contained.  Anyone else get that problem?

 

This one I can answer at least:

This is super simple, just place a Tour gate on the on the bridge across the road.
I forgot to do this once and an Ostrich was on the bridge.

You can also place fencing on either side of the road at the bridge entrance and then place a gate across the road