Creating custom BuildingGen packages

BuildingGen is completely extensible with the use of external assets. By importing specific items or comprehensive sets of building models, any architectural style can be achieved.

1. Start by converting external contents into usable unit parts.
2. Click on the Create Package button in the toolbar, or go to Plugins > Building Gen > Create Package.
   

The BuildingGen Packager panel will appear.


3. Enter a name for your package:
   
4. Enter a Unit Size value that is the same for the floor pieces. For instance, if a floor piece measures 2x2 meters, set the Unit Size to 2.0 m.
   
5. Add a building style to your BuildingGen configuration by clicking the Edit Style List button:
   
6. Click the Add button in the Style List to add a new building style.
   Click the close button to exit the Style List window.
   
7. Navigate to Content Manager > Custom > Props > Props. Select the file that contains the custom unit components.
   
8. Drag and drop the floor piece into the Parts section in the BuildingGen Packager panel.
   
9. Select “Floor” within the Type column. This allows BuildingGen to recognize this prop as part of the floor during the construction process.
   
10. Return to the file containing the custom unit components, then drag and drop the remaining components into the Parts section. Remember to also change their types accordingly.
    
11. Select the proper levels for all of the parts (Ground, Middle, Top). Keep in mind that one part can be used across multiple levels.
    
12. For pieces intended for cut-corner constructions, enable the Corner option. In order to activate cut-corner constructions for your style package, you will need to assign all three pieces required to make a complete cut-corner segment: that is, a wall, floor, and pillar.
    
13. If your unit part has other material options, select the part and then drag and drop the material files into the Materials section. Subsequently, the material options within the Custom Style panel will also have expanded when it comes time to construct the actual buildings.
    
    BuildingGen only supports Material Plus (*.iMtlPlus) formats. For detailed instructions on creating and saving Material Plus files, consult this page.
14. In the Child Elements section, import the components you want attached to the selected unit part, by dragging and dropping them from the Content panel.
    
    
15. Assign a suitable tag to the component by opening the drop-down menu of the Tag column.
    
    Note:

    Tags function as important identifiers for child elements within BuildingGen. When a building style is exchanged while the Keep Structure option is active, BuildingGen will substitute the child elements of the previous style with new ones that have corresponding tags. Any child elements that lack tags or possess tags that do not match will be removed from the building.

16. Click the Position Setting button to begin editing the position of the selected child element. Do this for every child element.
    
17. Click the Save iBuildingConfig button to store your building package as a iBuildingConfig file.
    
18. Click the New Building icon in the toolbar to access the New Building panel.
    
19. In the New Building panel, click the Load iBuildingConfig button to load your custom-built BuildGen configuration.
    Adjust the Basic and Detailed settings in the panel and click Build.
    
20. Inspect the newly created building to fix mispositioned pivot points and troubleshoot Z-fighting where necessary.
    
21. After completing the inspection, return to BuildingGen Package and export your customized BuildingGen package by clicking either Archive or Export for Publish.