Creating city symbols requires a knowledge of symbol creation and editing. If you want to know more, click here.
If you want to make a symbol from a building you have created using the HOUSE command click here
Drawing the outline
1 Start a drawing based on the blank template in the Symbols\Cities directory.
2 Draw the outline of your building on the STRUCTURES (OUTLINE) layer. Use a black, hollow polygon id possible. Use grid and snap to make sure that everything is closed precisely.
3 If you are using complex outline, like Thatched, you will have to draw a simple shape inside the main shape (a frill track).
Drawing the solid area
Each symbol has a solid silhouette used by Color Buildings to give each building a color according to its layer.
1 Copy this outline and change its layer to the STRUCTURES (COLOR) layer. Change the fill style of the copy to Solid.
2 If you are using an outline consisting of more than one entity, you will have to use multipoly then change the layer of the multipoly to the STRUCTURES (COLOR) layer).
3 Select Symbols > Change to SymColor, select the filled area. This changes the color of this area so that when you insert the symbol this area appears in the current color.
Add the Shading
1 Set the layer to the STRUCTURES (SHADING) layer. Add the roof shading over the outline using one or more polygons.
2 If necessary, use multipolies created from the outline with any internal lines added.
Add Roof Hatching
1 Set the layer to STRUCTURES (FILL STYLE). Add any roof hatching, such as tiles.
Arranging the layers
The layers should be arranged in the following order:
STRUCTURES (COLOR) at the back
STRUCTURES (SHADING) next
STRUCTURES (OUTLINE) next (except any frill track)
STRUCTURES (FILL STYLE) last.
Finally, if you have drawn a complex outline, you will have to send the frill track to the back.
Use FRONT and BACK to order the layers
Defining the symbol
If your symbol is a frill, click here
1 Rotate the building so that the side that would face the road is facing down the screen.
2 Select Symbols > Control Points. Add Control Points. Select a point in the bottom left corner of the symbol’s extents, then the bottom right corner of the symbol’s extents (You can work out the symbol’s extents by imagining a box drawn round the symbol that just encloses it.
3 Select Align on Insertion, Keep DynTrack Scale, and Offset from Place point. The other options should be unchecked.
4 Select Symbols > Define Symbol. Type a name then select an origin point on the midpoint of the control point you just added.