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| − | * '''Textures:''' Textures should be clear, crisp, and not pixellated. They shouldn't be too bright or too dark, and you usually shouldn't use pure black or pure white for your textures to look their best. | + | * '''Textures:''' Textures should be clear, crisp, and not pixellated. They shouldn't be too bright or too dark, and you usually shouldn't use pure black or pure white. |
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| | * '''Channels/recolourability:''' Whenever possible, an item should be made versatile to recolour with the Create-a-Style tool, with multiple channels for customization. | | * '''Channels/recolourability:''' Whenever possible, an item should be made versatile to recolour with the Create-a-Style tool, with multiple channels for customization. |
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| | * '''Logos and Stencils:''' Stencils should generally only be used for extremely complex items that cannot be split easily into recolourable channels for Create-a-Style. Simple two or three colour logos, text, line art, etc., should generally be done with channels, not stencils, so that they can be styled with Create-a-Style. | | * '''Logos and Stencils:''' Stencils should generally only be used for extremely complex items that cannot be split easily into recolourable channels for Create-a-Style. Simple two or three colour logos, text, line art, etc., should generally be done with channels, not stencils, so that they can be styled with Create-a-Style. |
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| | + | * '''CAST Presets:''' Create-a-Style presets must be done as a useful, versatile set: carefully thought out and with some sort of theme (for example, a full set of natural hair colours, or a range of basic recolours of mens' shirts). |
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| | + | * '''Adult skintones:''' Skintones uploaded to MTS must be "barbie" below the waist - that is, you may include nipple details but not genitals or pubic hair. Such items are welcome at our adult site, [http://www.sexysims2.com Sexy Sims]. |
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| | + | [[Image:RightArrow.gif]] Tip: You can find great info on making quality textures in the [http://www.modthesims.info/wiki.php?title=Tutorials:TS3_CAS_Tutorials TS3 CAS Tutorials]. |
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| | ! style="text-align:left" | Expansions Required | | ! style="text-align:left" | Expansions Required |
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| − | | When uploading your sim, you'll be asked to tick which expansion packs (EPs) and stuff packs (SPs) are required for your sim. This should almost always be base-game only, no EPs or SPs required. All sims packaged in .sim format will require the base game only. The main exception to this is if your sim is an occult who can be created in CAS; in those situations Supernatural is required. Otherwise, only tick EPs/SPs as required if the content you have used on your sim is absolutely essential to their overall look (for example, an item of clothing or hair that is needed to make a sim look like a certain cartoon character). If your sim could have that content changed to something similar and still look basically the same, do not tick the EP/SP requirements, but please make sure to mention it in the text of your post ("Hair is from Supernatural, clothing from Late Night"). | + | | Make sure to select only the expansions needed for the content you're uploading. New meshes usually require only the base game. Retextures/CAST Presets of Expansion pack (EP) or Stuff Pack (SP) content will require that EP or SP. If you are unsure about what EPs/SPs your content requires, ask before uploading in the [http://www.modthesims.info/forumdisplay.php?f=597 CAS Parts Forum] on MTS. |
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| − | ! style="text-align:left" | Saved with default skin
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| − | | As noted above in the section about saving your sim, you must remember to put a note somewhere in the text of your post when you upload, "This sim is saved with default skin," so the moderators know the sim has been saved properly, and downloaders know they will have to choose the proper skin.
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| | ==Screenshots== | | ==Screenshots== |
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| | ! style="text-align:left" | Screenshots | | ! style="text-align:left" | Screenshots |
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| − | | Take some nice big (600 pixels or more on the smallest side is a good size to aim for), clear pictures of your sim. Your pictures should be in-game (not in CAS), and you should take your required screenshot indoors, with good lighting. | + | | You will need to include certain screenshots with your creation. You must: |
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| − | You will need to include at least:
| + | * Have '''at least one picture of each item''' you are sharing, showing the whole thing from the front, and focusing on the item you're sharing (example: for shoes, you need to zoom in on the feet, not a take a full-body pic. |
| | + | * '''For new hair or clothing meshes''', you should also show your creation from other angles - at least the back and sides. |
| | + | * '''For creations with recolouable channels, show how they work taking a picture using different colours on the parts in Create-a-Style. |
| | + | * '''For CAST presets''' where all the items are variations on the same textures, it's okay to show decent-sized swatches of each preset, rather than full-size pics of everything. |
| | + | * '''For skintones: If you're uploading a skin, please blur or otherwise cover the butt crack and crotch of both genders, and the female nipples. Sims can wear extremely skimpy clothing, or you can blur or cover those areas in a photo editor. You should show your skin's colour range, and pics of each age and gender it's for. |
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| − | * A '''close-up picture of the sim's face''', from the front, with the sim wearing a neutral face expression (like a mugshot) - not smiling, laughing, etc.
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| − | * For sims based on a person or character, a '''comparison picture''' of the real person, ideally similar to the close-up picture of your sim.
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| − | * If your sim normally wears a mask, goggles, sunglasses, etc., you should also include a picture of your sim uncovered as well, if their face is too covered to tell whether the sculpting of the face is unique and interesting or accurate to the person they're based on (if applicable).
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| | Please remember, for your required pictures: | | Please remember, for your required pictures: |
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| − | * '''No photoshopping:''' Do not apply filters like sharpen, contrast, etc. to the required pictures, as downloaders want to see what your sim will look like in their game, not your skills at using Photoshop. | + | * '''No photoshopping:''' Do not apply filters like sharpen, contrast, etc. to the required pictures, as downloaders want to see what your creation will look like in their game, not your skills at using Photoshop to edit your pics. |
| | + | * '''In-game:''' You must put a sim on a lot and take pictures of them there, not in Create-a-Sim, as the way it renders textures is different and doesn't show what you really get in-game. |
| | + | * '''Uncovered:''' You should take pictures of sims modelling your content in basic poses without arms or legs in the way, hair pulled back if it's covering a clothing item you've made, no plants or dogs or anything obscuring the view of your content (except for skintone censoring, if you've made a skin). |
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| − | * '''As packaged:''' Your pictures should show your sim as you have packaged them, so that what downloaders see is what they'll actually get.
| + | Tip: You may, of course, include additional other pictures presenting your creations however you like, and you can get as creative with them as you want. :) |
| − | | + | |
| − | Tip: You may, of course, include other pictures like a full-body picture, posing pictures, whatever, to show off your sim how you like, and if your sim is a toddler, child, or teen, you may want to include a picture of how they'll look when they grow up, just so downloaders aren't surprised when if your cute kid turns into a weird-looking adult. | + | |
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| | {{Guidelines-Screenshots-Tips}} | | {{Guidelines-Screenshots-Tips}} |
| | |} | | |} |
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| − | show skintone in variety of colours/all ages
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| | ==Other== | | ==Other== |
When uploading a Create-a-Sim content for The Sims 3 to Mod The Sims, we have some basic requirements to ensure that your upload is good, shown well, and has the correct info and files needed for people to use it in their games. This allows both moderators to check your uploads for quality, and for downloaders to see if your item is something they want to add to their games.
| Screenshots
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You will need to include certain screenshots with your creation. You must:
- Have at least one picture of each item you are sharing, showing the whole thing from the front, and focusing on the item you're sharing (example: for shoes, you need to zoom in on the feet, not a take a full-body pic.
- For new hair or clothing meshes, you should also show your creation from other angles - at least the back and sides.
- For creations with recolouable channels, show how they work taking a picture using different colours on the parts in Create-a-Style.
- For CAST presets where all the items are variations on the same textures, it's okay to show decent-sized swatches of each preset, rather than full-size pics of everything.
- For skintones: If you're uploading a skin, please blur or otherwise cover the butt crack and crotch of both genders, and the female nipples. Sims can wear extremely skimpy clothing, or you can blur or cover those areas in a photo editor. You should show your skin's colour range, and pics of each age and gender it's for.
Please remember, for your required pictures:
- No photoshopping: Do not apply filters like sharpen, contrast, etc. to the required pictures, as downloaders want to see what your creation will look like in their game, not your skills at using Photoshop to edit your pics.
- In-game: You must put a sim on a lot and take pictures of them there, not in Create-a-Sim, as the way it renders textures is different and doesn't show what you really get in-game.
- Uncovered: You should take pictures of sims modelling your content in basic poses without arms or legs in the way, hair pulled back if it's covering a clothing item you've made, no plants or dogs or anything obscuring the view of your content (except for skintone censoring, if you've made a skin).
Tip: You may, of course, include additional other pictures presenting your creations however you like, and you can get as creative with them as you want. :)
| Screenshot tips
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| Camera Controls:
Take some time to just play around with the camera. It can take a while to get used to the camera controls, and even once you are experienced in their use, it may be challenging to get the shot you want with the constraints on the controls.
If you haven't taken many sim pictures before, here is a list of camera controls:
- TAB : Puts the game into Cameraman mode, allowing better and more control of the camera, and removing the blue user interface. Make sure you are in live mode before going into Cameraman mode or you will see grid lines on the ground and floating where floor tiles may be placed. TS3 Note: You will only be able to go into cameraman mode once per load if you are in buy/build mode (without a family moved in). You can either exit to the neighborhood and return to take more pictures, or instead just move a family in for taking your pics.
- W and S : W moves the camera forward. S moves it backward.
- A and D : A moves the camera left. D moves it right.
- Q and E : Q lowers the camera. E raises it.
- + and - : Zooms in and out.
Windowed Mode:
- TS2: In order to take your pictures using the methods described here, you will need your game running in a window, so you can easily switch to other applications without causing major instability and lag. Instructions on setting up Windowed Mode for Sims 2 may be found here: Game Help:Windowed Mode. Windowed mode should be perfectly safe - in fact, some users actually report better game performance when running in a window. Your mileage may vary.
- TS3: In Sims 3, you can use windowed mode by simply choosing it in your game's options. Full instructions can be found in Game Help:TS3 Windowed Mode. Windowed mode will allow you to use Print Screen or FRAPS or whatever screenshotting program you desire, without getting dark pictures. If you choose to NOT use windowed mode for TS3, you must use the C key to take pictures using the in-game camera - taking pictures fullscreened in TS3 without using the C key will result in icky dark screenshots.
C Key vs. Print Screen:
- TS2: In order to take nice big pics, you should not use the game's screenshot system, using the C key or the camera button on the game's controls to take your pictures. Even on the highest picture settings, pictures will still be small, with a very high level of JPEG compression, making them blurry and crunchy. Instead, use Print Screen or a screenshot program.
- TS3: The C key camera is much improved in TS3, making it possible to use to take pictures for upload and still have nice big, pretty pictures. You can still use a screenshot program or print screen if you desire, but you will need to run your game in Windowed Mode (see above) to keep your pictures from getting dark.
Using Print Screen: If you have enough RAM to run Photoshop or another graphics editing program at the same time as TS2/TS3, you may want to take screenshots yourself, without the use of a program to store them for you.
To do that, simply press the Print Screen or PrntScn key on your keyboard - it's usually off toward the right, over the arrow keys, above Insert and Delete. This will copy your current screen to your Windows clipboard, as if you had selected and copied it as an image.
Then open any graphics editing program, create a new document the size of your monitor's resolution, and paste into that document. Your screenshot should appear in the document.
Screenshot Programs:
There are many programs available, free and pay, that will take screenshots for you by using a hotkey, and save them to a folder - just like The Sims 2 with the C key, but with options for much better quality settings.
A quick Google search for 'free screenshot program' will also bring up many other options, which may have other features that are of interest to you.
Optimizing, Editing, and Compressing Images:
Many simmers struggle with getting their images to be clear, crisp and under the maximum file size while keeping the image size larger than 800px by 600px. After getting your images from the in game camera or using a print screen program you will need to resize them and compress them into a jpeg image. Many graphics programs have a built in optimizing feature. Here are a few common ones:
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| Uploads not allowed on MTS
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These items are not allowed on MTS in any category.
| Pay/Pirated Content
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Everything required or recommended for an upload must be freely available, without having to pay.
- No uploads requiring pay content: We do not host content (for example, recolours of a pay hair or object mesh) that absolutely require pay content to function in-game.
- No optional pay, pirated, or stolen content: Even for optional or recommended content not absolutely required for the creation to work (for example, hair on a sim or a couch on a lot), this means:
- No content you must pay for. This means you cannot use items that are pay, donation, subscriber only, "special gift", etc. type content, anything accessible only when you pay money or subscribe.
- No content from sites that are repositories of unmodified content when it is still available from the original creator, whether these items are pay or free (no Booty or Simscave, torrents, sites full of stolen content or similar, but the Graveyard and sites that offer recolours or modifications with the mesh are okay).
- No EA content simply converted to base game use with no other changes.
- No pirated EA Store content. EA Store content, linked to the legitimate EA Store, is okay though. TS2 store content may be included, with proper credit, since the store is no longer available.
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| Other content not allowed
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- Items that belong on the adult site: No content posted on MTS can have visible nudity, sexual content, or adult content, and instead must be posted on our adult site, Sexy Sims. This means on MTS, you may not post:
- Content that contains nudity, which we define as exposing the female nipples, or the butt crack/genitals of either gender, including semi-transparent stuff like a sheer bra. Items that are merely "sexy" like skimpy miniskirts or string bikinis are fine on MTS. Transsexual/transgender items are also not considered adult content unless they contain nudity.
- Skintones containing genital details - female nipples are okay on MTS but see below regarding screenshots.
- Images of skintones with uncensored female nipples. Please blur or cover the nipples, butt crack, and genital area when taking screenshots of your skintones.
- Fine art uploads containing visible nudity.
- Items with specifically sexual content (sex toys, sexual poses).
- Items containing swear/curse words
- Items relating to illegal drugs. Prescription and over-the-counter drugs, alcohol, and tobacco are okay on MTS though.
- Sexualized children: We do not allow any sexy/sexualized content for baby, toddler, or child sims in any way - no breasts whatsoever on child sims, no "sexy" outfits, etc. If you want to make preteens, make a less developed body for teen sims. Sexualized child content is not allowed at our adult site either.
- Offensive content: Racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, bigoted, hateful or otherwise offensive content will not be allowed. Again, also not allowed at our adult site.
- Gore/violence: We do not allow uploads which feature prominent, graphic violence and/or gore. Examples of things we do not allow would include items centred around mass shootings, images showing explicit violent imagery, cannibalism, and infanticide. Limited violence and gore may be featured if not the dominant focus of the upload, and not excessively graphic. Think a PG-13 movie. If uncertain whether your upload crosses this line, we suggest making a thread in the Creator Issues forum asking for feedback from a moderator before uploading.
- EXE installers: Creators are not allowed to post exe (or other executable) files for any area of the site but Modding Tools. If your content needs to be installed to a certain directory, you can compress your files and leave the directory structure intact, so you can tell people to just install to Program Files, for instance, and the files will go where they need to. Executable installers can easily hold viruses, and are generally not needed for installing most content.
- Preorder bonus content: Certain items were only available if you preordered certain expansions or stuff packs from certain retailers. It's unfortunate if someone missed out on getting them, but they can't be redistributed here as EA has made it clear that they do not allow it.
- Unmodified EP/SP/Store content: While it is common practice to modify and use bits and pieces of game content to create custom content, extracting content from an expansion, stuff pack, or Store item and uploading it unmodified is not allowed on this site. You are welcome to upload significantly modified versions of expansion, stuff pack, or Store content, but you can't just be ripping it and changing one tiny thing (or nothing) just so people who didn't purchase it can still use it.
- Stolen/reuploaded content: This should go without saying, but do not upload content made by others and claim it as your own, in whole or in part. Don't upload the work of someone else without their permission... if they wanted to share it at MTS, they can easily upload it here themselves.
- Uncredited content/violating permissions: If any part of what you have uploaded (mesh, textures, alphas, bump maps, coding, etc.) comes from somebody else's work, you MUST provide a link and credit in the text of your post, for the original author. State what you've used of theirs, the author's name, and give a link back to them. You must check the author's policies to see if you can use their content in the way you want, and you may not violate any policies stated. If there are no policies or they don't disallow your type of usage, or the site is permanently offline, then you can assume it's okay. Please see here for more details: Updates and Remixes of Creations.
- Redirects: If you want to move a creation to another site, please remove your upload from MTS, don't just edit the text to point to a different site.
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