Revision as of 01:17, 6 July 2010

This page was last modified 9:06, 29 June 2010

Sims 3 Custom Patterns

Introduction

Have you created some neat new custom patterns using Delphy's Pattern Packager or the Create-A-Pattern tool? Here's MTS's guidelines for sharing custom patterns!

Quality

Must be TRULY custom!

We only allow uploads of REAL custom patterns - that is, ones that you have made with a pattern creation tool. Please do not upload saved pattern presets made from within the game itself - anyone can make those themselves with very little time and effort.

Aesthetics

Is the pattern you've created useful? Does it look nice? Can it be used on a decent range of different types of items? Remember, just because you CAN make something into a pattern doesn't mean you SHOULD - stuff that looks like Myspace backgrounds should not become custom patterns.

No Logo's

Please make sure your pattern is an actual pattern, that can be used in more than one occasion. Logo's and single, isolated pictures of, for instance, cartoon characters may look lovely on a shirt, but will not be good for wallpaper. To make a shirt with a logo or picture, please use Delphy's Clothing Unitool instead. You can find it here: http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=348082

Seamlessness

Your patterns should always be fully seamless, able to tile in multiple pieces without the edges being visible.

Good Default Colours

Please show your pattern in the default colours, so people can find it in-game. And please choose some good default colours - nothing too bright or garish, or too dark and hard to see. You can always take additional pics of your pattern in other colour options.

Screenshots

People want to see what they're downloading! Your screenshots sell your upload - if people don't like the look of your screenshots, they're not going to download - and if your screenshots are too bad, you won't get your upload approved.

All of the screenshot images below can be clicked for larger versions. You wouldn't want to upload them with as small of pics as are displaying here anyway - we're just using smaller pics so this thread loads quickly and is easy to read.

Required Screenshots

• Show Everything (2x): You need to show at least one picture of EACH and EVERY pattern included in your set, showing them on at least two items.

• Multiple Colours: You will need to show your pattern in the DEFAULT colours and at least one OTHER set of colours.

• Tiling: On at least one of those items, the pattern must be obviously tiling/repeating. Bedspreads, walls, floors, and rugs are all good options. You may show your patterns on additional items such as clothing if you choose, but such images will not be sufficient for the required shots!

One of your required screenshots MUST display your pattern on a 4 tile or longer wall. That way the downloaders can get a clear shot of how the pattern will tile. However, this rule may be bent if you are uploading a pattern that obviously would not belong on a wall--such as carpet. In this case, you may display the pattern on a large floor.

• Appropriate: Please make sure you use appropriate items upon which to display your patterns. A plaid pattern may look good on clothes and bedspreads, but would be silly on a car.

Create-A-Pattern Tool

The Create-A-Pattern Tool has a built in "preview" feature that allows for you to test your patten on various objects. However, these simulations are NOT permitted as part of your required screenshots for your upload. You must take all pattern screen shots in the actual game.

Screenshot Basics

You need to make sure you have nice big, clear pictures that show off what you've made. They can't be too blurry or pixellated, and you need to know how to use the game's camera controls properly, so make sure you review the information on that link thoroughly before continuing. Do not use the in-game camera (using the C key) to take your pictures!

Tip:

For instructions on:

• Taking large, clear pictures (bigger than the game will allow)
• Changing your in-game settings for best graphics quality
• Camera controls

See: Screenshot Basics

Big Enough

Your pics should be large enough to see the detail of what you've made.

Tips:

MTS allows images up to 1280x1024 pixels and 195 kilobytes so you should be able to upload nice big pictures. See the information above under "Screenshot Basics" for info on taking larger pics than the game will normally allow.

Don't take small pics and just make them larger in your graphics program - this just gives you a blurry pic that's bigger in dimensions with no additional detail.

No Over-Photoshopping

While it can be tempting to get artistic with your screenshots in Photoshop, please don't. Screenshots need to be just as things look in the game, with no extra filtering such as contrast, sharpen, blur, saturation, etc. Also, please don't go too crazy when it comes to adding text - make sure your text is in blank areas of the picture or covers an absolute minimum of your creation. Remember, you're showing off what you've made for the game, not your skill in Photoshopping your pics.

Enough Light

Your main screenshots should always be daytime screenshots, as they make it much easier to see what your lot looks like. Make sure your lights are turned on, and your game options are turned up enough that light makes a difference.

Distance

Please take your screenshots so that your pattern fills the screen, not zoomed out too far or zoomed in too close.

Angle

When taking your main front view picture, drop down to a low level with the camera, so that you are taking your pictures basically from a sim's perspective. Many beginners make the mistake of taking pictures from high above, from the normal perspective one would have as a player, which really doesn't show off your creation very well.

Uploading

Once you have your creation made and screenshots taken, you need to make sure you have all the fiddly bits in order when uploading.

Package Files Only

Please upload your patterns as .package files. If you use Delphy's Pattern Packager tool, then you have nothing to worry about. However, if you use the Create-A-Pattern tool then you'll need to extract the .package file from the .sims3pack.

ZIP or RAR

You will need to put your .package file(s into a RAR or ZIP file to upload here. Please see here for instructions on doing so. Please do not include both a ZIP and RAR with the same contents - just choose one.

Please do not double-compress your files - you should not have a ZIP inside a ZIP or a RAR inside a RAR. This does not compress the files any more and just makes an extra step for downloaders.

Upload in Sets

If you have created several items in a set, or similar items in the same sort of theme at the same time, please upload these together in a single set, all on one thread (instead of all separately, one by one, on different threads). This is easier for everyone: on our upload moderators, as they only have one thread to review rather than several... on you, as submitting a single thread is much quicker and easier than several... and on downloaders, as they can get everything they want all in one place rather than having to hunt around.

In-Game Picture as Main Thumbnail

If you include pictures of just the texture you used for the pattern, please make sure to pick an in-game picture as your default thumbnail in the upload wizard.

Good Title

You'll need a good title for your upload – something descriptive, like "Textural Knit Fabrics" or "Art Deco Inspired Retro" work well for a title. "My first upload!!!" or "stuff by simmer121!!!" is not.

Good Description

You'll need to write up a little basic description of what your upload is... you don't have to get too fancy, but you do need to write something to get people interested.

For instance, "These patterns are suitable for all manner of fabric items - bedspreads, upholstery, and clothing. Some are bold, and some are subtle, but all will look lovely in your homes or on your sims," is a good description.

"This is my first upload! I don't know what to say here. My English is not good" is NOT a good description.

Number of Palettes/In-Game Category

Make sure to mention the number of colour palette options (1-4) your pattern(s) have, and what category or categories they show up under in-game!

Additional Stuff

• If your upload is rejected or marked as changes required and you're not sure why, ask in Creator Issues.

• If you're not sure whether your lot is ready for uploading, use the Creator Feedback Forum to get feedback on it.