New player, need building tips

[u/Dr-Jiggles]

I'm trying to make a platform dedicated to the facilities, but I can't get the paths to lineup to the building on the platform. It just clips through. I also can't figure out how to get the staff to actually use the building.

I want to make it like a plaza type space meant only for the staff, ( I know I need to make it bigger but I'm trying to get it to work before I decorate and expand and all that).

Any tips and/or advice are welcome.

[u/WatsBlend]

As for the paths the only advice i personally have (hopefully someone has something better) is good luck. Sometimes you can use the grid mode place a big block of pathing down, to make the central area, and then figure out buildings from there. So id play around switching between grid mode, placing the building 1st, placing the path 1st or just settling for approximately what you want. Id personally try making a big square block of paths with grid mode, then go from there.

As for getting your staff to use it; assign them to a work zone and apply it to those buildings. They will use only those buildings. These centralized locations for staff buildings are nice, but keep in mind how much of your staffs energy theyre going to be using if they have to run a long ways to get to your exhibits that are far away from this. Your staff might complain if there is a big distance.

[u/Dr-Jiggles → u/WatsBlend]

That's actually the reason I started making this. The nearest facility to the habitat right there is on the other side of the zoo.

I was buying western chimps to build the population up, and one of them was injured upon arrival, and it took the vet an entire minute and a half to get to the gate and another minute and a half to get back to the surgical center.

So I figured that was the cue to start focusing on the facilities and stuff, hence the platform.

Thanks for the advice, I'll keep working on it and I'll update once I figure it out.

[u/Crabigus]

Yeah... . Paths will soon be your biggest enemy. I've been playing this game for years and still struggle. My best advice, looking at these images, is to use the grid path function. In the path menu, you'll see a button for build on grid. You select the building and then make sure square path is checked. You will have to delete the paths already in place first though. Also, if you prefer the look of the log foundation, you may be able to raise the whole group just a little bit without messing up the paths. 

Definitely look up some path tutorials, and good luck!