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| − | =Lots and Houses= | + | =Sims 2 Lot Upload Guidelines= |
| − | __NOTOC__
| + | |
| | + | When uploading a lot for The Sims 2 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. |
| | | | |
| − | ==Introduction==
| |
| | | | |
| − | So you want to share your lot that you've slaved over decorating and building for all to bask in your greatness? It's easy to do as long as you comply with all the necessary requirements. The less guesswork, the better! Please take the time to read through these guidelines as some key items have changed and may affect your upload. Pay close attention to what is required, and your upload will spend less time in the moderation queue and the more likely it is to get approved. Thanks!
| |
| | | | |
| | ==Quality== | | ==Quality== |
| | | | |
| − | ===Uniqueness/Effort=== | + | {| class="nicetable" style="width:100%" |
| − | | + | |- |
| − | Is your lot special, unique, and different? Is it something that anyone could build?
| + | | |
| − | | + | * '''Realism:''' Lots based on an actual building type or specific building should look like what it supposed to resemble (for example a castle should not just be a huge building with stone walls, but should look like an actual castle). Lots not intended to be realistic can be more fanciful, but should still have some logic to them, and be aesthetically pleasing. |
| − | This is probably the hardest one to quantify, but it's something that is obvious whenever upload moderators look at an upload: have you really expended some serious time and effort on your lot? You can't just crank out a bunch of stuff in a short amount of time and expect it to be good. Nor can you spend a while just fiddling with something but not really trying and expect a good result either.
| + | * '''Architecture:''' The way the lot is built should be unique, interesting, and more than just a basic box with four walls and a roof. |
| − | | + | * '''Playability:''' The layout of the lot should make sense and allow sims to get around easily, with access to all the items they would want to interact with. |
| − | Most good creators spend hours upon hours on even simple creations. We understand that not everything has to be that difficult, but we do expect you to not just slap together something in 15 minutes and upload it and expect it to get accepted. Really try to put some serious effort into what you create, and it will show through in the quality.
| + | * '''Roofing:''' The roof pieces should connect each other nicely, and not leave gaps or connect at odd angles. The roof should fit the structure, look nice, and not just be an auto-roof (or resemble one). |
| − | | + | * '''Furnishing/decoration:''' While we strongly encourage you to give lots at least basic furnishings (bed, toilet, shower, sink, fridge, lighting, etc.), it is not absolutely required to upload to MTS. Your lot can be an empty "shell" but should have a fully built structure, wall and floor coverings, and landscaping. You may include both a furnished and an unfurnished version of your lot separately in your upload. |
| − | For tips, info, and tutorials on how to make your lot unique, interesting, playable, and desired, see:
| + | * '''Apartments:''' When uploading apartments for The Sims 2, they should all be at least lightly furnished - that is, all the furniture required for a Sim to live (bed, toilet, fridge etc.) without the downloader having to use cheats to keep their Sim alive. |
| − | * [http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=229779 What are people looking for in a house?] | + | * '''Landscaping:''' Your lot should have some landscaping - but not just randomly placed trees or plants, some thought needs to go into it. |
| − | * [[Tutorials:Better_Houses_-_Tips_and_Tricks|Better Houses Tips and Tricks]] | + | * '''Flat lot:''' Please make sure to start your building on a flat, level lot. You can still sculpt the terrain to your liking to make hills and valleys or whatever you wish, but the edges of the lot need to be level. If, for some reason, the design of the lot that you want to build absolutely requires an unlevel lot, you must make it VERY clear in the text of your post that it is an unlevel lot and thus should not be placed adjacent to any other lots, and that it can cause your neighborhood map to become unusable or have holes where it is placed. |
| − | * [[Tutorials:Build_Mode_Tutorials|Build Mode Tutorials]] | + | * '''Other content:''' If you have made content for your lot, you must also provide additional pictures and/or information for your custom content (like polygon counts if you've made a mesh). Make sure you see check the appropriate category from the [[MTS2:Creator_Guidelines|Creator Guidelines]] to see what we require. Tip: Consider uploading content you have made separately first, to the appropriate section (buy mode, walls and floors, etc.) so people looking for that type of content can more easily find it, and so you can show it off better with its own separate pics and info. Then you can just link it as credit to yourself when uploading your lot. |
| − | | + | |} |
| − | ===Aesthetics===
| + | {| class="nicetable collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%" |
| − | | + | |- |
| − | Does your lot look nice? Does it have a good flow to it? Is the way it's laid out attractive, interesting, and enjoyable to look at?
| + | ! style="text-align:left" | Quality-Related Tips |
| − | | + | |- |
| − | | + | | |
| − | ===Playability===
| + | * If you're not sure whether your lot is ready for uploading, use the [http://modthesims.info/forumdisplay.php?f=611 Creator Feedback Forum] for guidance. |
| − | | + | * You can always explore our [http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Tutorials:Building_Tutorials Tutorials section] for ideas and learning techniques for creating your lot. |
| − | Is your lot going to be good to play with? Does it have a good layout that won't have sims stomping and complaining every few seconds? Strive to make lots that are not only nice to look at, but actually good to play with. Remember that while a lot may look big and grand, it may be extremely frustrating to players that sims have to spend two sim hours hiking from the front door to the kitchen just to make a sandwich.
| + | * If you are struggling with or have questions about technical aspects of building, you can post in [http://modthesims.info/forumdisplay.php?f=21 Building forum]. |
| − | | + | * It's often a good idea to rename your "The Sims 2 [Ultimate Collection]" folder in Documents when building lots. This will allow you to build in a completely empty neighbourhood in a clean environment. This avoids corruption caused by mods, makes it easier to keep track of what CC you've used in building, and prevents recolours you didn't use from unexpectedly packaging with your lot. |
| − | Exceptions to this rule are lots that are not meant to be played with - mazes, lots designed primarily as decoration for neighborhoods, and movie or picture sets.
| + | |} |
| − | | + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ===Realism===
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [[Image:Castles.jpg|right|300x300px]]Does your lot look like what it's supposed to look like? Not all lots have to be realistic, and fanciful ones certainly shouldn't look like your everyday house, but if your lot is based on a real building or real type of building, it should look like what it's supposed to look like.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | For example, a castle should not just be a huge building with stone walls, but should look like an actual castle, and supermarket should look like an actual supermarket. You can look up pictures of the type of lot you're trying to build on Google Image Search for some good ideas.
| + | |
| | <br style="clear:both" /> | | <br style="clear:both" /> |
| | | | |
| | + | ==Files== |
| | | | |
| − | ===Roofing=== | + | {| class="nicetable" style="width:100%" |
| | + | |- |
| | + | ! style="text-align:left" | Packaging your lot |
| | + | |- |
| | + | |Once you have finished building your lot in the game you will need to save it, and then exit the lot to return to the neighborhood view to package it to a file. |
| | | | |
| − | [[Image:Roofs.jpg|right|300x300px]]Though roofing is usually one of the more difficult parts of building, your roof should look right for the lot, and pleasing to the eye. Sometimes you may have to redesign part of a lot, or choose a different type of roof to make a roof that looks right. Don't just use the autoroof tool all the time - actually work on designing your own roofs using the different roof tools. And if you have later expansions, you can use [[Game Help:Cheats|cheats]] to change the angle of your roof so it's not so steep.
| + | 1) To package the lot, simply click on the lot from Neighborhood view, and click the '''*''' button as indicated in the screen shot below. This is also the perfect time to make note of the lot size and price |
| − | <br style="clear:both" />
| + | |
| | | | |
| | + | 2) Then select "Package lot to a file" and click the check mark |
| | | | |
| − | ===Landscaping=== | + | 3) You'll get a confirmation screen telling you the name of the file, and where it has been saved.<br style="clear:both" /> |
| | | | |
| − | [[Image:Landscaping.jpg|right|300x300px]]With the exception of starter lots, all lots should have some type of landscaping - and even starters can deal with a tree or maybe a shrub and a little bit of work with terrain paints. A few trees, flowers, or bushes plus a bit of work with the terrain paints can make all the difference. This doesn't mean just throwing down a tree or two randomly to just have some landscaping, but taking care and making it work with the lot. Look at some real landscaping websites for ideas.
| |
| − | <br style="clear:both" />
| |
| | | | |
| − | ==Screenshots== | + | [[Image:3steps.jpg|center|800px]] |
| | + | |- |
| | + | ! style="text-align:left" | Custom content in the sims2pack |
| | + | |- |
| | + | | |
| | + | [[Image:Savecleansims2pack.gif|right]]Before uploading your lot, you MUST scan it with Clean Installer. Many people do not realize that by having custom content in your Downloads folder, it can attach itself to your lot files -- even if you didn't USE that content in the lot itself! |
| | | | |
| − | 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.
| + | '''Sims: Only upload lots which have never had sims on them. Lots which have had sims on them at any time before the lot was packaged (even if you have moved the family out) should not be shared, since downloading such lots may cause save corruption. If you want to play-test your lot before uploading, create a copy of the lot and play-test on the copy.''' |
| | | | |
| − | '''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.
| + | The image is demonstrating using a sim in a sims2pack but the same works for lots - uncheck the unwanted content (in our example two unwanted meshes are being removed) and then click Save As and save a new sims2pack file with a new name. |
| | | | |
| | + | '''Never save over your original sims2pack file - there's a bug in Clean Installer with that and you'll just end up with a corrupt file. |
| | | | |
| − | ===Screenshot Basics=== | + | *For more information on using Clean Installer, please see the guide on the Clean Installer site, [http://sims2pack.modthesims2.com/index.php?page=4#4 here]. |
| | + | *If you are having trouble using Clean Installer, including errors or issues with empty packages, please see MTS2's [http://www.modthesims2.com/forumdisplay.php?f=441 Clean Installer Support Forums] for help. |
| | | | |
| − | For instructions on:
| + | '''Using a Mac? On Vista and it won't run? Your options are, unfortunately, pretty limited: |
| | | | |
| − | * Taking large, clear pictures (bigger than the game will allow) | + | *You can ask a friend who can use Clean Installer to clean the lot for you (and hope they do it right). |
| − | * Changing your in-game settings for best graphics quality | + | *You can take out your Downloads folder when building lots and make them with no custom content. |
| − | * Camera controls
| + | *Another option is to have two or more different Downloads folders that you swap in and out as needed -- for example, one with everything you need to play your game, another one with just a few wallpapers for building simple lots, another one with medieval items for building castles, and so on |
| | | | |
| − | See: [[MTS2:Creator Guidelines/Screenshot Basics|Screenshot Basics]]
| + | If you are in this situation, we're sorry, but we cannot risk people's games just to allow people to freely upload randomly-CC-filled lots. |
| | + | |- |
| | + | ! style="text-align:left" | Crediting your custom content |
| | + | |- |
| | + | |style="color:#000"| |
| | | | |
| − | 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.
| + | '''You may include items of the following types with your upload: |
| | | | |
| | + | *'''Free, Redistributable Content:''' You must check the creator's policy to see if they allow redistribution. If the creator's policy doesn't say anything about including content in lots, or if the original site is permanently offline, you can assume that the creator is happy for their content to be redistributed. For a quick list of policies for a lot of major sites, see: [http://simswiki.info/Creator_Policies Creator Policies] |
| | + | *'''Content You Have Made Yourself:''' If you have made content yourself that you have used, you certainly may include that item as well. If it is a new mesh you need to include all of the regular information in the text of your post (poly counts, where it shows in the catalog, etc.) you would expect for a new mesh. |
| | + | *'''Terrain Paints:''' Do NOT remove any terrain paints from your sims2pack. This is the one exception to the non-redistributable policies/pay/must provide credit rules. If you remove terrain paints from a lot it can cause it to crash for downloaders. Due to this, all terrain paint creators should expect their content to be included no matter what. Please provide a link and credit for these items whenever possible, but if a terrain paint is not clearly marked with a creator's name/website, you may still include it and it will not be grounds for rejection. |
| | + | *'''TS2 Store Content:''' Since the TS2 store is no longer available, TS2 store content that is required for your lot may be included with the lot upload. This does not apply to preorder content which came on discs. |
| | | | |
| − | ===Big Enough=== | + | {| class="nicetable" style="width:100%" |
| | + | |- |
| | + | |'''Credit where credit is due''' |
| | + | *If your upload contains custom content, you MUST include a LINK and CREDIT for EACH and EVERY custom content file included in the upload. |
| | | | |
| − | Your pics should be large enough to see the detail of what you've made. Remember, MTS2 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.
| + | *When uploading to MTS, the custom content wizard will require that you indicate the creator of each item, enter a description, and provide a link to the original post, thread, or page where each item came from. |
| | | | |
| − | And please don't take smaller 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.
| + | *If you cannot find a way to directly link to the item, please link to the creator's site if they have a site of their own, or if the creator posts at a forum site, link to the original upload thread or the creator's profile. You may NOT link to "ModtheSims" for items uploaded at MTS - you need to provide a more direct link to the item. |
| | | | |
| | + | *Please note - if your lots contains CC that the original creator doesn't want shared, your lot will be removed at their request. Feel free to re-upload a version without that content. |
| | + | |} |
| | | | |
| − | ===Required Screenshots===
| + | '''Items You Cannot Credit/Link: All items included with your upload must be properly credited. If you don't know where something came from, use something else. |
| | | | |
| − | We require certain screenshots for lot uploads - if you do not include these screenshots, your lot will not be approved!
| + | *If you cannot remember where you got an item, consider asking at our Where Can I Find? Forum to see if anyone knows where it is from. |
| | + | *If you still cannot find where it was from, you need to remove it from your upload. However, please try to make sure that it is not an item that is fundamental to the look of your lot. |
| | + | *Try replacing the missing item with something else - but remember to re-take your screenshots. |
| | + | *Please see the note under "Content that CAN be Included" under "Terrain Paints" for the exception to this rule! |
| | | | |
| − | ====Exterior Shot==== | + | |- |
| | + | ! style="text-align:left" | Items that cannot be included |
| | + | |- |
| | + | |style="color:#000"| |
| | | | |
| − | [[Image:ExteriorShot.jpg|right|300x300px]]Show the entire lot from the outside. Make sure you show it with all levels visible, and the roof on.
| + | '''Hacks:''' A lot with a hack or multiple hacks in the Sims2pack file will not be accepted. |
| − | <br style="clear:both" />
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | ====Interior Floor Plans====
| + | '''CEP Files:''' A lot with CEP files included in the Sims3pack file will not be accepted. |
| | | | |
| − | [[Image:FloorPlan.jpg|right|300x300px]]Show a basic layout or floor plan of the lot. This is best done with an overhead shot. You may label each room so it is obvious that a particular room is meant as the master bedroom, another as a bathroom, etc.
| + | '''Careers:''' A lot with a career or multiple careers in the Sims2pack file will not be accepted. |
| | | | |
| − | Make sure you show the floor plan for each level if your lot has more than one floor.
| + | '''Sims:''' A lot that contains Sims in the file will not be accepted. You must move your sims out '''before''' packaging the lot. |
| − | <br style="clear:both" />
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | ====Comparison Picture====
| + | '''Redundant Recolours:''' If when you scan you lot with Clean Installer it contains unused recolours, please remove them from the Sims2pack file. |
| | + | |} |
| | | | |
| − | If your lot is based on a real building (for example, a particular castle, a particular chain of supermarket, a house from a movie), then please include a comparison picture of the real building. We understand there are some major limitations in the build tools and lot sizes, so it may not be possible to reproduce a building exactly, but it should bear a close resemblance as best as can be achieved with the tools available.
| + | {{Guidelines-InfoFiles-ZipRar7z}} |
| | | | |
| − | ===Screenshots as Packaged=== | + | ==Information== |
| | | | |
| − | Please make sure your screenshots show your lot as you have packaged it. Downloaders want to see what they're actually getting. You may show an additional shot or two of the lot fully furnished if you have uploaded it unfurnished, but make sure you mention that those are not how the lot is packaged, and include a list of the items you show in your furnished pictures so people may get those items if they like. Make sure not to include pay content in any of your screenshots or in your packaged lot.
| + | {{Template:Guidelines-InfoFiles-TitleDescription}} |
| | | | |
| | + | {| class="nicetable" style="width:100%" |
| | + | |- |
| | + | ! style="text-align:left" | Required information |
| | + | |- |
| | + | | |
| | + | * '''Lot size:''' The lot's size, for example 2x3 |
| | + | * '''Lot price:''' The price to purchase the lot |
| | + | * '''Included custom content:''' List custom content that has been included within the lot file or the archive, with links to the download page. Items that should be listed as included are: |
| | + | ** Package files you have manually added to the archive alongside your sims2pack lot file (usually content you yourself have made) |
| | + | * '''Required, but not included custom content:''' List custom content you have used on the lot, but not included within the lot file or the archive, with links to the download page. This is a "shopping list" for your downloaders and is just the Package format content that you have used on your lot. |
| | | | |
| − | ===Enough Light=== | + | Every item used on your lot - included or not - must have a link and credit to the creator, and if the item is not included, your link must go directly to the place where the item can be downloaded (not just the main site or the creator's profile). This should look something like: "Wood Pattern 3 by Armiel: <nowiki>http://www.modthesims.info/download.php?t=511126</nowiki>" - what the item is, the creator's name, and a direct link to where the item can be downloaded. |
| | | | |
| − | [[Image:Daynight.jpg|right|300x300px]]Daytime shots preferred for your screenshots, as it is much easier to see what your lot looks like during the day. We will only accept nighttime screenshots if they are sufficiently light enough to see your lot clearly, and you should include daytime shots anyway. Nighttime shots should be additional, extra screenshots, not your main shots. Make sure to place lights on the lot if you try a nighttime shot and turn them on. If you click the "Day/Night" toggle and place lights during the night they will automatically be switched on.
| + | If you haven't used any CC, then obviously there is no list to make - adding a note like "No CC" is not compulsory, but nice to have. |
| − | <br style="clear:both" />
| + | |} |
| | | | |
| − | ===Close Enough=== | + | {| class="nicetable" style="width:100%" |
| | + | |- |
| | + | ! style="text-align:left" | Required EPs/SPs |
| | + | |- |
| | + | |style="color:#000"| |
| | | | |
| − | [[Image:Lots-CloseEnough.jpg|right|300x300px]]Please take your screenshots on the lot, not zoomed out too far or zoomed in too close.
| + | When it comes to required Expansion Packs, all of the Packs that you have installed when building the lot will be required. For Stuff Packs, only the ones that are essential to the look of the lot (for example, you used a certain chair for a certain SP all over the house) are required. The only exceptions are that University Life is treated as a Stuff pack by the game, and Mansions and Gardens is treated as an Expansion Pack. |
| | | | |
| − | Screenshots of lots taken from neighborhood view are low detail and often have holes in the walls and are missing objects. They have a poor angle, too high up, and really don't show off your lot very well.
| + | |} |
| − | | + | |
| − | Screenshots taken on the lot should show the whole lot, at a sufficient zoom level that the lot is centered in your view. You shouldn't have a lot of blank space on the sides, and you shouldn't have the edges of the lot cut off in your picture because you're zoomed in too far.
| + | |
| | <br style="clear:both" /> | | <br style="clear:both" /> |
| | | | |
| | + | ==Screenshots== |
| | + | The only way people can see your lot before downloading and checking it out in game is from the screenshots you take for your upload. Taking clear, large screenshots (as a rough guide you should aim for at least 600 pixels on the smaller side) will encourage people to look at and download your lot. |
| | | | |
| − | ===Centered=== | + | {| class="nicetable" style="width:100%" |
| | + | |- |
| | + | ! style="text-align:left" | You'll need to include at least: |
| | + | |- |
| | + | | |
| | + | * '''Front view:''' A picture of the front of your lot with all levels showing, from a low enough angle that it shows the structure well. |
| | + | * '''Floorplans:''' An overhead picture of each floor. |
| | | | |
| − | [[Image:Centered.jpg|right|300x300px]]Make sure that your building is the main focus of your screenshots, and adjust your camera angle show that the lot fills the whole image, in the center of the image. Don't take your pictures at an angle that shows something irrelevant like the sky, the street, or the house next door, while cutting off your lot.
| + | If your lot is a '''makeover of a pre-built Maxis lot''', we also need comparison pictures from the original unmodified version: |
| − | <br style="clear:both" />
| + | * '''Front view:''' A picture of the front of your lot with all levels showing, from a low enough angle that it shows the structure well. |
| | + | * '''Floorplans:''' An overhead picture of each floor. |
| | | | |
| | + | {{Guidelines-ScreenshotsBigClearEtc}} |
| | | | |
| − | ===Angle=== | + | 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 lot will look like in their game, not your skills at using Photoshop. |
| | + | * '''As packaged:''' Your pictures should show your lot as you have packaged it, so that what downloaders see is what they'll actually get, or need to download, for the lot to look the same in their game. |
| | + | |} |
| | + | {| class="nicetable" style="width:100%" |
| | + | |- |
| | + | ! style="text-align:left" | Nice to have, but not mandatory: |
| | + | |- |
| | + | | |
| | + | * '''No user interface on pictures:''' Use cameraman mode to take pictures for upload. |
| | + | * '''Unobstructed views:''' If your lot has dense foliage blocking the view of the house. |
| | + | * '''Comparison pictures:''' If your lot is based on a real building. |
| | + | * '''Back picture:''' Showing the lot from the rear. |
| | + | * '''Other pictures:''' Showing the rooms, landscaping, etc. from a sim's eye view, to give an idea of the feel of the lot. |
| | + | |} |
| | | | |
| − | [[Image:Angle.jpg|right|300x300px]]When taking your pictures, 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 the lot, from the normal perspective one would have as a player. This gives mostly a picture of the roof and not the lot itself, and really doesn't show off the lot very well.
| + | {{Guidelines-Screenshots-Tips}} |
| | <br style="clear:both" /> | | <br style="clear:both" /> |
| | | | |
| | + | ==Other== |
| | + | {{Guidelines-NotAllowed}} |
| | | | |
| − | ===Shadows Off===
| + | {| class="nicetable" style="width:100%" |
| − | | + | |- |
| − | [[Image:Shadows.jpg|right|300x300px]]Before taking your screenshots, go into your Game Options under Graphic Options and turn the Shadows option Off. While shadows may look nice for some things, usually having shadows off creates a much cleaner, nicer look for your lot.
| + | ! style="text-align:left" | Tips: |
| − | <br style="clear:both" />
| + | |- |
| − | | + | | |
| − | | + | * If your upload is rejected or marked as changes required and you're not sure why, ask in [http://www.modthesims.info/forumdisplay.php?f=492 Creator Issues]. |
| − | ===No Gridlines or User Interface===
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [[Image:GridlinesUI.jpg|right|300x300px]]When taking your screenshots, you should take them in Cameraman Mode (using the TAB key) so that you don't get the User Interface (the blue control panel) in your shots. You also have better control of the camera in Cameraman Mode.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | If you press R on your keyboard before hitting Tab, it will also temporarily remove the gridlines, making for a much better screenshot.
| + | |
| − | <br style="clear:both" />
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ===Detail Pictures===
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [[Image:DetailPics.jpg|right|300x300px]]Detail pictures are not required for your upload to be approved, but they can help show downloaders what your lot will look like a bit better. These pictures don't show the whole lot, but show individual rooms through a "sim's eye view". Do not add extra content to these pictures. Users will want to see what they are downloading, not what it could have looked like.
| + | |
| − | <br style="clear:both" />
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| − | ==Packaging Your Lot==
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| − | Once you have finished building your lot in the game, you will need to save it, and then exit the lot to return to the neighborhood view to package it to a file.
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| − | To package the lot, simply click on the lot from Neighborhood view, and click the * button as indicated in the screen shot below:
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| − | [[Image:Packaginglot.jpg|center]]
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| − | Then select "Package lot to a file" and click the check mark:
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| − | [[Image:Packagingtofile.jpg|center]]
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| − | You'll get a confirmation screen telling you the name of the file, and that the file has been saved to your: My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\PackagedLots directory.
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| − | [[Image:Packagingconfirmation.jpg|center]]<br>
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| − | Congratulations! You have packaged your lot into a Sims2Pack file.
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| − | ==Credits and Links for Included or Pictured Content==
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| − | ===Check/Remove Content with Clean Installer===
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| − | Before uploading your lot, you MUST scan it with [http://sims2pack.modthesims2.com Clean Installer]. Many people do not realize that by having custom content in your Downloads folder, it can attach itself to your lot files -- even if you didn't USE that content in the lot itself! Clean Installer can scan your file, list the contents of it, and allow you to remove those contents.
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| − | [[Image:Savecleansims2pack.gif|center]]
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| − | The image above is demonstrating using a sim in a sims2pack but the same works for lots - uncheck the unwanted content (in our example two unwanted meshes are being removed) and then click Save As and save a new sims2pack file with a new name.
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| − | '''Never save over your original sims2pack file - there's a bug in Clean Installer with that and you'll just end up with a corrupt file.
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| − | For more information on using Clean Installer, please see the guide on the Clean Installer site, [http://sims2pack.modthesims2.com/index.php?page=4#4 here]. If you are having trouble using Clean Installer, including errors or issues with empty packages, please see MTS2's [http://www.modthesims2.com/forumdisplay.php?f=441 Clean Installer Support Forums] for help.
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| − | * '''If you cannot use Clean Installer:''' Using a Mac? On Vista and it won't run? Your options are, unfortunately, pretty limited. You can ask a friend who can use Clean Installer to clean the lot for you (and hope they do it right) or take out your Downloads folder when building lots and make them with no custom content so you don't have to worry about things being included (see the below info under "Clean Lot" for more info on why this actually may be a good thing. We're very sorry if you're stuck in this situation and would like to use custom content in your lots, but we cannot allow users to freely upload lots with whatever content happens to have been included. | + | |
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| − | ===Content that CANNOT be Included===
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| − | '''Please use Clean Installer to remove all items of the below types from your sims2pack file before uploading.'''
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| − | * '''Hacks:''' Lots containing [[Game Help:What are Hacks?|hacks]] are not accepted. Most Sims 2 players do not realize that lots can contain hacks. Usually they are meant for just one game version and can cause problems if users have later expansions that the hack(s) are incompatible with. Users also usually do not want hacks they did not mean to download as they can change major elements of gameplay in undesired ways.
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| − | * '''Careers''': Lots containing careers are not accepted. They can cause similar problems to hacks due to incompatibility, and users generally want to download only the careers they want - not ones you happened to pack along with your house.
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| − | * '''Pay Items''': As per the news item July 2007, do not use pay items in your lots. A pay item is an item that if you went to the original creator's website, you would have to donate money for access to the item (it doesn't matter if you can get it for free through a file sharing site - it's still a pay item). Do not use pay items in your photos of the lots, even if they are not included. Links for "optional" or "recommended" content may be included as long as they are free sites only. See this news item for more details: [http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=240944 Site News - New Creator Rules re: Paysite recolours, General Rules and Others]
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| − | ** '''This includes ALL items from TSR - whether they are currently free or not''' - due to the regular changes of what is free or pay on TSR. Featured Artists are under paid subscription, and Select Artists or Non-Select Artists have their own terms of distribution, most of which are not clearly posted. Select Artists or Non-Select Artists can become Featured Artists at anytime, therefore preventing their items from being downloaded freely in the future. This includes all FA's free items. If a TSR artist has uploaded the same/similar item here or elsewhere, and they have allowed redistribution, please credit the appropriate thread and not the profile. This is subject to change in the future.
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| − | * '''Non-Redistributable Content:''' Even if an item is free, certain creators do not wish their content included in lot/house uploads. This may be due to the content being experimental, problematic, or requiring additional instruction, or they may simply not wish to have their content distributed that way. It is your responsibility to check the policies of each and every creator whose content you are including to see if it may be included. Items where their policy is not clear/does not exist are not allowed - if you get specific permission from the creator for such items you need to state it in the text of your post. If you cannot include an item due to policies, lack of permission, or ambiguity in the policies, you need to remove it, even if it's free. Free, non-redistributable items MAY be linked to in the post in a section you can put in bold called "Required but Not Included" - if you remove these items from the sims2pack file and then link downloaders to where they can be found, if they download and install the required items, they will show up properly on your lot. For a quick list of policies for a lot of major sites, see: [http://www.sims2wiki.info/Creator_Policies Creator Policies]
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| − | * '''Sims''': Lots containing sims are not accepted. If your lot has a family in it, please remove it with Clean Installer. Most people don't want to download a lot that is infested with someone else's sims, and there's actually a lot of problems that can come along with downloading other peoples' sims if they have not had their memories cleaned properly before packaging. If people want to download sims, they can download them separately.
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| − | * '''Redundant Recolours:''' If you scan your lot with Clean Installer and find that it has 50 recolors for the same item, remove the recolors that are not used in the lot. When you use other people's custom content, remember that you are literally borrowing it from them. Don't borrow 50 recolors when you're only actually using one. There's also no need to give someone tons more files than they need to fill up their Downloads folders - they can do that just fine on their own.
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| − | * '''Items You Cannot Credit/Link:''' If you cannot remember where you got an item and cannot provide a link to it, you can try asking at our [http://forums.sims2community.com/forumdisplay.php?f=37 Where Can I Find? Forum] on Sims2Community (sister site of MTS2 - separate registration required) to see if anyone knows where the item is from - make sure to provide a picture and a description of the item so people can help you track it down. If you still cannot find where it was from, you should remove it from the sims2pack. After doing this, please verify that it is not an item that is required for your house to look right - temporarily cut and paste the contents of your Downloads folder elsewhere, double-click on the sims2pack file to install it, and see what it looks like in-game after you have removed the content. If the lot looks different without the content you removed, you should replace it with something else - either a Maxis item or something you can include, and re-take your screenshots. Remember, what people see is what they need to get, or what they can get following your links! If you don't know where it came from, use something else!
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| − | ** Please see the below note under "Content that CAN be Included" under "Terrain Paints" for the exception to this rule!
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| − | ===Content that CAN be Included===
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| − | '''You may include items of the following types with your lot/house upload:'''
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| − | * '''Free, Redistributable Content:''' If a creator says that you may include their items in lot/housing uploads, and the item is a free download, you are welcome to include that item in your sims2pack file for upload on MTS2 if you have used it on the lot. For a quick list of policies for a lot of major sites, see: [http://www.sims2wiki.info/Creator_Policies Creator Policies]
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| − | * '''Content You Have Made Yourself:''' If you have made content yourself that you have used in the lot, you certainly may include that item in the lot as well. If it is a new mesh you need to include all of the regular information in the text of your post (poly counts, where it shows in the catalog, etc.) you would expect for a new mesh.
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| − | * '''Terrain Paints:''' Do NOT remove any terrain paints from your sims2pack. This is the one exception to the non-redistributable policies/pay/must provide credit rules. If you remove terrain paints from a lot it can cause it to crash for downloaders. Due to this, all terrain paint creators should expect their content to be included no matter what. Please provide a link and credit for these items whenever possible, if a terrain paint is not clearly marked with a creator's name/website, you may still include it and it will not be grounds for rejection.
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| − | '''If your lot contains custom content, you MUST include a LINK and CREDIT for EACH and EVERY custom content file included in the upload.'''
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| − | When uploading to MTS2 the custom content wizard will require that you indicate the creator of each item, enter a description, and provide a link to the creator's site, profile, or original upload thread. The beauty of this system is that once one person has entered the info for an item (or if it was uploaded to MTS2 originally) then nobody else has to enter that info again - it automatically gets added as credit if that item is included later. You are, however, responsible for making sure the links and credits are correct, even if the custom content wizard fills in the wrong information (due to someone before you entering the wrong info).
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| − | As builders, we must all show the utmost respect for the people who create our furnishings for us. Providing a simple credit and link is the least we can do to show our appreciation for including someone else's hard work in our files. Nobody wants their work stolen, used without permission, or used without being credited.
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| − | Keep in mind that if your lot contains content that someone else made, and that artist does not approve due to their policies not allowing your usage, your lot will be removed at their request. You would be allowed to upload a new version of the lot that does not contain their content. For a quick list of policies for a lot of major sites (including an easy reference on ones that freely allow including their content), see: [http://www.sims2wiki.info/Creator_Policies Creator Policies]
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| − | ===Clean Lots===
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| − | It's sometimes easier if people choose to upload clean lots. A clean lot, simply, is a lot with no custom content whatsoever - or a bare minimum of custom content.
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| − | '''Why upload a clean lot?'''
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| − | * If you've only used a small amount of custom content but you couldn't include it, so a small shopping list will be easy for downloaders to follow
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| − | * If the content you have used is very popular content - stuff from Holy Simoly, or MaryLou's Independent Expressions expander set windows for example, and everyone already has it anyway, or will want to go get it, and the rest of the set.
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| − | * If you are on a Mac or cannot use Clean Installer so you cannot be sure your lots are free of unshareable/unwanted custom content.
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| − | * Many users prefer downloading clean lots as they like to download custom content separately, and tend to remodel/redecorate houses when they get them anyway. They'd prefer a nice, well-built clean slate that they can customize without a bunch of random custom content that they aren't going to use anyway.
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| − | * The files are smaller so it's quicker for you to upload and quicker for people to download.
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| − | * It's a lot easier on you in uploading - you don't have to check a ton of policies and track down links for everything.
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| − | * It's a lot easier on the staff that moderate house uploads - it takes a lot of time to check all the content links and policies and stuff on included content, and houses with little to no custom content often get approved quicker as a result.
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| − | To create a clean lot, use Clean Installer to rid your lot of ALL custom content - '''except terrain paints''' (see above under "Content that CAN be Included" under "Terrain Paints"!). OR you can simply remove your Downloads folder before building and use all Maxis items. If you intend to create clean lots this second option is likely best in most circumstances.
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| − | If you remove content from the sims2pack, you still need to provide links and credits for all those items which are''' Required but Not Included''' for your lot when it was built. Basically, you'll need to make a shopping list for downloaders. Otherwise, if you used custom wallpapers and floors they'll have bare walls and floors - and if you used custom objects they'll have Maxis defaults in place of those objects (random statues and plants and ugly Maxis furniture everywhere! eeww!). Downloaders want to get what they came for - tell them what they'll need so the lot will look as you intended it! If you've used a lot of custom content, you don't want to have a HUGE shopping list for downloaders so please don't pack your lot with tons of custom content, remove it with Clean Installer, and then make people download a whole bunch of stuff separately - they're likely to just skip past your lot to find something easier to download.
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| − | ==Right Info and Right Files==
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| − | Once you have your creation made and screenshots taken, you need to make sure you have all the fiddly bits in order.
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| − | ===Right Files===
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| − | Your lot upload should be a .sims2pack file, packaged from in-game. Please make sure you upload the correct file, following the instructions given above under "Packaging Your Lot" to make sure you have the correct file.
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| − | With later expansions, recolours of Maxis objects may not package properly with the lot. In this case, you will need to go into your Downloads folder and find these recolours yourself. You can put them together in the same ZIP or RAR with your .sims2pack file, and if you get all the needed recolours put with your lot, if users put both your lot and the recolours in their game, your lot will show up properly without any additional work.
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| − | ===ZIP or RAR===
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| − | You will need to put your .sims2pack file(s) (as well as any additional .package files for custom content that did not package with the lot) into a RAR or ZIP file to upload here. Please see [http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=148592 here] for instructions on doing so. Please do not include both a ZIP and RAR with the same contents - just choose one.
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| − | If you are uploading multiple lots on a single thread, please package these separately, one ZIP or RAR file for each lot. This ensures it goes through our custom content checking process properly, and makes it easier for people downloading who may only want certain lots and not everything you've uploaded.
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| − | 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.
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| − | ===Upload in Sets===
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| − | 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.
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| − | ====Multi-Post Lot Uploads====
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| − | In the case of lots, because of the many screenshots required for particular lots, and large lists of custom content credits, if you are doing a large set of lots all on one thread, it may be easier to create a thread that has no actual lot downloads in the first post, and then has the downloads further on in the thread. For an example, see [http://www.modthesims2.com/member/showthread.php?t=280424 this upload by plasticbox].
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| − | If you would like to do a thread that way, then create a new thread in the [http://www.modthesims2.com/forumdisplay.php?f=492 Creator Issues] forum. Only you and moderators will be able to see your thread in that forum. Use the first post for general information. Be sure to include at least 1 screenshot as well as one actual attached file (you can put a readme.txt file in a zip or rar for this attached file) on the first post so that your thread will show up properly on your profile once it is finished.
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| − | You will have to compile the custom content lists yourself - you will not go through the upload wizard this way, so it is up to you to make sure you have a link and credit for every single custom item included.
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| − | When you have finished organizing your thread and you are ready to have it go into the upload queue, contact any moderator listed at the bottom of the Creator Issues forum and ask them to please move your download into the upload queue for moderation. There it will go through normal moderation, and can be approved, rejected, or asked for required changes.
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| − | ===Content Required But Not Included===
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| − | When you went through all of the custom content which packaged with your lot, you may have found some items which you could not include, and had to remove them from the .sims2pack file.
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| − | For these items, you can make a "shopping list" for downloaders - create a section in the text of your post, starting in bold, saying, "Content Required But Not Included" and then list each item which you had to remove, with a credit and a link to where it can be found. That way, people downloading your lot can get those items separately. If they download them separately and get your lot which was packaged with those items included, then the removed items will show up properly on your lot when people install it.
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| − | ===Expansion/Stuff Packs Required?===
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| − | Lots will generally require all expansion packs that you had installed when you created and packaged the lot. Even if you did not use items from those expansion packs, the lot will still require those expansions.
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| − | The exception to this is University - if you did not use any items from the University expansion, then your lot will not require University. This works the same for Stuff Packs - if you did not use any items from a particular stuff pack, then your lot will not require those stuff packs.
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| − | '''Please make sure you mark the correct expansions required when uploading lots!''' If users install lots that require more expansions than they have installed, it can cause their game to crash when they click on the lot in the lot bin. To be safe, mark the lot as requiring all of the Expansion Packs and Stuff Packs you had installed when you created and packaged the lot.
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| − | If you would like to create lots which require less expansion packs than you have currently installed, requiring only the expansions actually needed for the features you build, you can use [http://www.modthesims2.com/member/showthread.php?t=250555 Numenor's AnyGameStarter] to run the game with only the expansions that you need.
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| − | ===Good Title===
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| − | You'll need a good title for your upload - something descriptive... like, "Cozy Tudor Cottage" or "Ultra-Modern Mini-Mansion" is good. Something non-descriptive like, "My First Upload!" or "Nice house" is not.
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| − | ===Good Description===
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| − | 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.
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| − | For instance, "This 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath split-level Tudor cottage will be perfect for a small family home with room for expansion. It features a small garden, with room for adding a garage if you choose." Something like, "This is my first upload... I don't know what to put here..." really doesn't make it sound like you've put any effort into it - and will reflect poorly on your creation.
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| − | You don't have to write a novel, just something that makes it sound like it's worth taking a closer look at.
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| | + | * If you're not sure whether your lots are ready for uploading, use the [http://www.modthesims.info/forumdisplay.php?f=473 Creator Feedback Forum] to get feedback on it. |
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| − | ===Lot Size===
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| − | Please include the lot size in your upload description. Later expansions include a little round "i" icon in the top left when building on an uninhabited lot which will include the lot size.
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| − | ===Lot Price===
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| − | Please include the lot price in your upload description. Later expansions include a little round "i" icon in the top left when building on an uninhabited lot which will include the lot price.
| + | [[Category:MTS2 Creator Guidelines]] |
| | + | [[Category:Sims 3]] |
When uploading a lot for The Sims 2 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.
The only way people can see your lot before downloading and checking it out in game is from the screenshots you take for your upload. Taking clear, large screenshots (as a rough guide you should aim for at least 600 pixels on the smaller side) will encourage people to look at and download your lot.
