Difference between revisions of "MTS2:Creator Guidelines/Sims"

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=Sims 2 Sim Upload Guidelines=
  
So you've made a Sim and you want to share it on MTS2. Below are guidelines you need to follow before you can share your Sim here at MTS2 in our Downloads section.  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=
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When uploading a sim 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.
  
MTS2 is committed to excellence, and thus we have high standards for uploads.  Please read these guidelines carefully to make sure your sim upload is up to our standards.  Uploads which do not meet MTS2 standards may be rejected.
 
  
==Sims Based on a Person or Character==
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==Quality==
  
The following are the quality standards for any sims based on real people, celebrities, anime characters, cartoon characters, or characters from books.
 
  
===Celebrity Sims===
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{| class="nicetable" style="width:100%"
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* '''Likeness:''' Sims based on a person or character must be recognizable as who they are meant to be. 
  
[[Image:UdontKnow Jake.jpg|thumb|300x300px|[http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=234920 Jake Gyllenhaal by UdontKnow]]]Celebrity sims are those that are modeled after real people - actors, musicians, politicians, etc.
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* '''Uniqueness:''' Any "other" sim, not based on an existing person or character, must have a unique, interesting face sculpt with all the features sculpted, not resembling the default faces. When it comes to sims, having a pretty sim or one with nice content is not enough. Anyone can take a basic face with a few tweaks here and there, add some pretty content, and make an attractive sim - we're looking for unique, interesting sims with unusual facial features. We would rather see sims that look more like real people - not so pretty but interesting - than another "hot model" type sim with a bland face that anyone could make. There is no reason for anyone to download a random sim that they could have made themselves with a few minutes and the same content. Please make a real effort to make interesting, unique faces that not just anyone could put together. This includes anime/cartoon sims, and some effort should be made to give them a unique look, and to differentiate characters by more than just content.  
<blockquote>
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: See this excellent tiptorial on creating unique sims:  [[Game_Help:Creating_Sims]]
====Quality Standards====
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Celebrity sims must bear an immediately recognizable and accurate resemblance of to who it's supposed to be or it will be rejected. We are aware of the limitations of Body Shop's sliders, but it is also possible to [http://www.modthesims2.com/member/showthread.php?t=207836 3D edit sim faces] to get an even more accurate sculptSome faces are harder to make into sims than others - if you choose a hard face to sim or you are not an experienced celebrity/character sim creator, be prepared to spend a long time working to get it just right.
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{| class="collapsible collapsed nicetable" style="width:100%"
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|-
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! style="text-align:left" | More Detail regarding Sim Uniqueness
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|-
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When it comes to sims, having a pretty sim or one with nice content is not enough. Anyone can take a Maxis face with a few tweaks here and there, add some pretty content, and make an attractive sim - we're looking for unique, interesting sims with unusual facial featuresWe would rather see sims that look more like real people - not so pretty but interesting - than another "hot model" type sim with a bland face that anyone could make.
  
====Custom Content for Celebrity Sims====
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There is no reason for anyone to download a random sim that they could have made themselves with a few minutes and the same content. Please make a real effort to make interesting, unique faces that not just anyone could put together.  This includes anime/cartoon sims, and some effort should be made to give them a unique look, and to differentiate characters by more than just content.
  
* Some people with more interesting faces may require you to make or to find texturing for the face to make them seem more like themselves.  We do not require that all celebrity sims have masks/skins, but if they don't have an immediate likeness without a mask/skin, you will likely need to do some adjusting to the texturing to help the likeness.
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Here are two illustrative comparisons (male and female) of what we are looking for in sim uploads (please click for larger versions):
  
* If you are making a face mask or special skintone for your celebrity so they bear a closer resemblance through texturing, please consider doing it via the [http://www.modthesims2.com/member/showthread.php?t=268944 Dependent Skintones Method] which will greatly reduce the filesize of your upload and will reduce the amount of bloating of peoples' Downloads folders!
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<center>[[Image:Simfacesfemale.jpg|300x300px]] [[Image:Simfacesmale.jpg|300x300px]]</center>
  
* Do not use someone else's mask or skintone to make a sim of the same person that they did originally - make your own skin or find one that was not originally of that same person.  Using someone else's content to make the same person is rather lazy and extremely bad form, and you will find your sim rejected for it.</blockquote>
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:'''Sim 1:''' An attractive sim, with all custom parts, and an interesting, unique facial sculpt that took a lot of tweaking and playing with to create. This is a good example of what we are looking for in terms of uniqueness, and assuming all other guidelines were followed, a sim like this would likely be accepted.
 
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===Anime and Cartoon Sims===
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[[Image:Eclipse-DilandauMiguel.jpg|thumb|300x300px|[http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=282381 Dilandau and Miguel by Lunar Eclipse]]]Anime and cartoon sims are those from an animated series, animated movie, or cartoon.  This can also include computer-generated characters.
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<blockquote>
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====Quality Standards====
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Anime and cartoon sims are some of the most difficult sims to make, due to their strange faces and need for a lot of content.  In many cases, it may not be possible to use existing content or utilize the regular sim face sculpting tools to create an accurate representation of an anime or cartoon sim.  It may require creating a whole new set of meshes to truly do them right, especially in cases of characters that are extremely inhuman in shape.  For example, see the way these sims have been done:
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* [http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=147353 Powerpuff Girls by @Stefan]
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* [http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=150944 Bender by the Dynamic Duo]
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For anime sims, some effort should be made to give them a unique look, and to differentiate characters by more than just content.  There's a lovely [http://www.bogsims.com/tutorials/mangasims.htm article on making anime sims at Bogsims] which has great illustrations of how to create human-looking anime sims.
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====Custom Content for Anime and Cartoon Sims====
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* We understand that anime and cartoon sims may need quite a bit of custom content to look right (especially clothes and hair) but as with using someone else's mask/skin for making the same celebrity sim, using someone else's hair/clothing/etc. to make the same anime sim is considered very bad form.  Please try to keep use of others' content for the same sim to a minimum - one or two pieces at most, and remember that all of the rest of the sim including the face sculpt must represent a unique and accurate version of the character you are trying to make.</blockquote>
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===Book or Novel Characters===
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These are characters from a written story or book.
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<blockquote>
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====Quality Standards====
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Depending on how the author has described their character, two people may have wildly different views of how the character looks.  Therefore it is important that you:
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* Post a short excerpt from the text of the book or novel with the author describing their character's physical appearance and personality OR if you don't have a copy of the text handy or cannot find a concise description, post a short description of how the character was described in the book in your own words.  The character's personality should be something that comes through in their face - a determined set of the jaw, a compassionate look in the eyes, etc.
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* If the book has been made into a movie, please make sure to specify that you are creating the book version of the character and it is not meant to resemble the celebrity which played the character in the movie.
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* Make a distinct effort to make the character look like a unique person.  Please read the information below for the "Other" category - in addition to the points above, book and novel characters will be judged based on the standards for "Other" sims.</blockquote>
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=="Other" Sims==
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These are sims which do not fit into the above categories - random sims you have made yourself that are not based on anyone real or any existing characters.  The "other" section is generally the most difficult to get your sims accepted to, so please make sure you have read and fully understand all of the guidelines below before submitting to that section. 
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MOST sims uploaded to that category get rejected for quality reasons - with literally thousands of "Other" sims already uploaded, we only accept the very best of the best, sims that represent a unique overall look as well as an interesting face.
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<blockquote>
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====Quality Standards====
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[[Image:Simfaces.jpg|300x300px|right]]Anyone can make a pretty sim with some nice content.  It takes true effort and skill to make a unique, interesting face.  "Other" sim uploads don't have to be pretty - in fact, sims that look more like real people - not so much pretty or interesting - are greatly preferred to yet another "hot model" type sim.  Your sim's face sculpt should not resemble any of the Maxis faces whatsoever, and even without custom content should be obviously unique.
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There is no reason for anyone to download a random sim that they could have made themselves with a few minutes and the same content - and there is no reason for MTS2 to host this sort of sim, as we already have about 2000 "other" sims on the site. Please make a real effort to make interesting, unique faces that not just anyone could put together.
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Creators of sims are highly encouraged to strip their sims down to all non-defaults (take out your default replacement eyes and skin), no makeup, and all Maxis content... and see if the sim really has an interesting, unique face... or if they just look special because of the content they're wearing.
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To the right are two illustrative comparisons (male and female) of what we are looking for in unique faces (please click for larger versions):
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:'''Sim 1:''' An attractive sim, with all custom parts, and an interesting, unique facial sculpt that took a lot of tweaking and playing with to create. This is a good example of what we are looking for in terms of a unique face, and assuming all other guidelines were followed, a sim like this would likely be accepted.
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:'''Sim 2:''' An attractive sim, with all custom parts, with a face that is mostly Maxis, with a little tweaking here and there. Anyone could make this sim with the same content and a few minutes in Body Shop. Even if the other guidelines were followed, a sim like this would likely be rejected.
 
:'''Sim 2:''' An attractive sim, with all custom parts, with a face that is mostly Maxis, with a little tweaking here and there. Anyone could make this sim with the same content and a few minutes in Body Shop. Even if the other guidelines were followed, a sim like this would likely be rejected.
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:'''Sim 3:''' Sim 1, but with all Maxis parts and no makeup. Perhaps not as attractive as Sim 1 or Sim 2, but still quite interesting. With a little makeup and a custom part here and there and the rest of the guidelines followed, this sim is still unique in facial shape and would likely be accepted.
 
:'''Sim 3:''' Sim 1, but with all Maxis parts and no makeup. Perhaps not as attractive as Sim 1 or Sim 2, but still quite interesting. With a little makeup and a custom part here and there and the rest of the guidelines followed, this sim is still unique in facial shape and would likely be accepted.
  
:'''Sim 4:''' Sim 2, but with all Maxis parts and no makeup. Just... a sim. All the custom content on Sim 2 doesn't make this sim acceptable, as the face shape is very plain and not unique.<br style="clear:both" />
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:'''Sim 4:''' Sim 2, but with all Maxis parts and no makeup. Just... a sim. All the custom content on Sim 2 doesn't make this sim acceptable, as the face shape is very plain and not unique.
  
====Tips for Creating Unique Sims====
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Creators of sims are highly encouraged to strip your sims down to all non-defaults (take out your default replacement eyes and skin), no makeup, and Maxis content... and see if the sim you created really has an interesting, unique face... or if they just look special because of the content they're wearing.
  
We've compiled a guide with tips from many simmers on how they create unique, interesting sims.  See: [[Game Help:Creating Sims|Game Help: Creating Sims]].
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'''Please do not be offended if your sim uploaded to the Other category gets rejected for a bland face sculpt.'''  MOST sims uploaded to that category get rejected for that reason.  We only accept the very best of the best....  If you like making sims, we highly encourage you to branch out into creating Celebrity or Character sims or to try making some content for your sims.  "Other" sims wearing content made by the sim creator do have a greater likelihood of being accepted than sims where you've just put a bunch of other peoples' content on a pretty face.
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====Custom Content for "Other" Sims====
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* '''Other content:''' If you have made content for your sim, 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 what we require for [[MTS2:Creator Guidelines/Body Shop|Sims 2 Body Shop Uploads]].  Tip: Consider uploading content you have made separately first, to the appropriate section (clothing, hair, 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 sim. 
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|}
  
[[Image:RobertKamikitten.jpg|300x300px|thumb|[http://hideki.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=271326 Robert Hawkwood by Kamikitten]]]Sims uploaded to the "Other" category must not only have an interesting face, but represent a unique overall look in their custom content.
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==Files==
  
'''This means you will need to create some custom content for your sim.'''  You may use some existing custom content made by others, but some of the custom content on your sim must be made by you.  This doesn't mean to just recolour a set of eyes or blush in hopes of getting your sim accepted, but to make some items which truly add to your sim.  If you could switch out the item for any other and have basically the same sim, it's not yet unique enough.
 
  
* For great examples of what we mean by this, see Kamikitten's fantastic [http://hideki.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=271326 Robert Hawkwood] and [http://hideki.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=271929 Emily] or Zombiejill's [http://www.modthesims2.com/member/showthread.php?t=273861 Jill], which all have several pieces of content made by the sim creator especially for those sims (as well as nice unique face sculpts too).  These are the kind of "Other" sims we are looking for on MTS2 - not just a pretty face, not just some nice content, but an excellent combination of the two.<br style="clear:both" />
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{| class="nicetable" style="width:100%"
</blockquote>
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|-
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! style="text-align:left" | Packaging your sim
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| Your sim must be "packaged" (placed correctly in a .sims2pack file) to upload to MTS. This needs to be a .sims2pack of just the sim itself, not the sim living on a lot (as importing sims on a lot can cause major, permanent, unfixable issues in downloaders' games!).
  
==Quality of Your Custom Content==
 
  
If you have made your own content for your sims (for any category), please make sure you have thoroughly reviewed the [[MTS2:Creator Guidelines/Body Shop|Body Shop Creator Guidelines]] as the included custom content you have made is expected to follow the same guidelines and be up to the same quality standards as if you had uploaded it separately, not on a sim.
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'''Step 1: Sim born in-game/from CAS?''' If you have created your sim in Create a Sim, or if your sim was born in-game, you will need to follow [http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=94489 these instructions] on how to extract your sim using SimPE, so they are accessible to you in Body Shop. Do that before you go any further, and then do the below instructions to actually package the sim.  ''If you have made your sim in Body Shop, you can skip this step.''
  
==Use Creator Feedback==
 
  
Please utilize our [http://www.modthesims2.com/forumdisplay.php?f=473 Creator Feedback Forum] for great tips on how to get your sim looking perfectNote that using the Creator Feedback Forum is not a guarantee of acceptance, but it is helpful to have other people offer tips and suggestions.
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'''Step 2: Run Body Shop:''' Body Shop is a utility that comes with your game, used for creating and packaging sims (among other things).  You already have Body Shop on your computer if you have The Sims 2 installedTo run Body Shop, click Start > Programs > EA Games > The Sims 2 (or the latest released expansion you have installed) - The Sims 2 Body Shop.  If you are having trouble with Body Shop not loading, crashing when loading, or other issues, please see: [[Game Help:Body Shop]]
  
  
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'''Step 3: Ready the sim for packaging:'''  [[Image:Readyforpackagingsim.jpg|300x300px|thumb|Readying your sim for packaging.]]''If you have extracted your sim using SimPE (in Step 1)'', you will first need to clone the sim to make sure all of its content comes along with it properly. Click Build Sims, then Build or Clone Sims. Find your sim that you extracted with SimPE and select them from the list. Click the button toward the bottom to Clone Selected Sim, then click the checkmark (Done Building Sim) to make a clone of the sim.  ''If you have created your sim in Body Shop'', you do not need to clone the sim. Just click Done Building Sim to save the sim how you want them, if you haven't already.<br style="clear:both" />
  
=Screenshots=
 
  
In addition to overall quality standards, you will need to show pics of your sim so people know what they're downloadingHere's what we're looking for:
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'''Step 4: Package the sim:'''  [[Image:Packagesim.jpg|thumb|300x300px|How to package your sim.]]You should be back looking at a bunch of sims. Click the X at the bottom to Close Sim Bin. Now click on Package Sims. You'll be seeing another list of sims. Find your sim here and select them. If you have just cloned your sim or made multiple copies of the sim, it will be the first one in the list. Click the little box icon at the bottom to Package Sim to File. You'll now be at a different screen, where you can type the filename for your sim and enter a description. You can put custom content credits here, a description of your sim, your name, your web address, whateverThen click the checkbox at the bottom to Accept and save your sim as a sims2pack file.<br style="clear:both" />
  
==Screenshot Basics==
 
  
For instructions on:
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[[Image:Packagedsim.jpg|right]]You'll get a message saying that your sim was saved to your computer's Desktop with the filename you gave it.  That sims2pack file is the file you will upload when sharing your sim at MTS.
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* Taking large, clear pictures (bigger than the game will allow)
 
* Changing your in-game settings for best graphics quality
 
* Camera controls
 
  
See: [[MTS2:Creator Guidelines/Screenshot Basics|Screenshot Basics]]
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{| class="nicetable" style="width:100%"
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|-
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! style="text-align:left" | Removing custom content
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| You will need to remove custom content from your sims2pack file if it is:
  
You need to make sure you have nice big, clear pictures that show off what you've madeThey 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.
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* '''Content that cannot be redistributed:''' In checking the file for contents and locating all the parts, you may come across some pieces whose creators' policies do not allow for redistribution with simsPlease respect the creator's wishes and remove that content.  You can still link to the content in your post and say that it is "required but not included", so that if people download it separately and install it along with your sim, it will properly show up on your sim. If the original site is permanently offline, you can assume that the creator is happy for their content to be redistributed.
  
==Required Screenshots==
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* '''Content you cannot find:''' If you just cannot locate a link for a piece of content after searching and searching, then you should re-package your sim using different items you can find instead.
  
These screenshots are a requirement when uploading sims and you will not get your upload accepted without them!
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For instructions on how to remove unwanted content from a sims2pack, including content that cannot be redistributed, please see [http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=202574 this mini-tutorial by Tiggerypum]. The tutorial explains how to remove unwanted meshes if you have the Pets expansion, but the exact same method works for removing any content from a sims2pack file, not just meshes.
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===Neutral Face Closeup (Required for All Sims!)===
 
  
[[Image:Comparisons.jpg|300x300px|thumb|A good neutral face closeup and body shot.]]Show a close-up of your sim's face with a neutral expression.  While it may look a little boring, sims' faces distort quite a lot when they make expressions so having a good idea of what your sim actually looks like normally is necessary.  Extreme facial expressions like big smiles, open mouthed animated talking, laughter, etc., can distort the face and can make an interesting sim just look like another goofy sim.
 
  
If your sim normally wears a mask, veil, or other item that covers their face, please remove it for the required face closeup shot.
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{{Guidelines-InfoFiles-ZipRar7z}}
  
===Body Shot (Required for All Sims!)===
 
  
Show a further-away shot of your sim from a distance.  This can be from at least their hips and up or you can show the sim from head to toe.  If you have made the sim's outfit, make sure to show them head to toe, to show off the outfit you've made.<br style="clear:both" />
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==Information==
  
===Comparison Pic (Required for Celebrity/Character Sims!)===
 
  
[[Image:CelebComparison.jpg|300x300px|thumb|A good celebrity sim comparison pic]]If your sim is based on a celebrity, anime character, cartoon character, game character, etc., then you need to include at least one picture of the original person or character for comparison purposes.
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{{Template:Guidelines-InfoFiles-TitleDescription}}
  
Please provide at least one plain basic comparison pic  of the character or celebrity - just a photo of them.  Simmerized (combining the sim's face with a photo in Photoshop) or divided pics (left side is sim face, right side is real face split down the nose) provided for comparison are not acceptable.  You can, however, put two pics side-by-side like the below example with similar poses and expressions as this will best show how close your likeness is.<br style="clear:both" />
 
  
===Adult Comparison (Required for Child Sims!)===
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{| class="nicetable" style="width:100%"
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|-
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! 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.  Unless the content used on your sim from an EP/SP is absolutely essential to the overall look of the sim and they would look totally wrong without it, do not tick any EPs/SPs.  This is because all sims can be used in the base game if installed with [http://modthesims.info/d/409950 Clean Installer], and if someone is browsing MTS to show only uploads that use the EPs/SPs they have ("compatible" uploads) then they will not see your sim, even though they could still use it with just a change of hair or clothes.  You can still mention "Hair is from Open for Business, clothes are from Apartment Life" etc., so people without those packs aren't surprised when they go to use your sim in-game.
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[[Image:EmilyKamikitten.jpg|thumb|300x300px|[http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=271929 Emily by Kamikitten]]]If your sim is younger than a teen (that is, a child or toddler) please include one picture of your child sim as an adult.  This is simply so downloaders know what to expect when the child sim grows up - sometimes adorable children and toddlers become hideous adults.  A child sim that becomes a hideous adult is not a disqualification for approval - it merely lets people know that they probably shouldn't let your child sim age.  :)<br style="clear:both" />
 
  
==Big Enough==
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{| class="nicetable" style="width:100%"
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|-
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! style="text-align:left" | Credits and links for custom content
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|-
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| You are responsible for providing accurate descriptions, links, and credits for all pieces of custom content included with or pictured on your sim.  This is to give credit to the creators for their hard work, and to make sure downloaders can get anything that isn't included by downloading it separately.
  
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 picturesSee the information above under "Screenshot Basics" for info on taking larger pics than the game will normally allow.
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You must look inside the .sims2pack file to see what is included. You will need to remove any content that the creator says you can't share. You will also need to collect credits and links for any content you have included in your screenshots, even if it didn't package with your sim (like default replacement skintones or eyes), as well as any required meshes for hair, clothing, or accessoriesThis is usually the most labor-intensive part of uploading sims, so it may be a good idea to organize your content before making sims to share, so you know all the custom content you might want to use is is shareable and identifiable.  
  
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.
 
  
==Close Enough==
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'''Look inside the sims2pack:'''
  
[[Image:Toofar-pets.jpg|right|300x300px]]Make sure your screenshots are taken nice and close - your sim should fill up most of the picture, without a lot of space on the sidesPictures taken close-up show your sim much better than ones taken from far away.
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To see what's inside your sims2pack file (look, you'll need to get [http://modthesims.info/d/409950 Clean Installer], a free program which is safe and easy to useOnce you install Clean Installer, it should associate itself with .sims2pack files, so when you double-click on any one of them to open it, Clean Installer will come up and tell you what is inside.
<br style="clear:both" />
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==In-Game==
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[[Image:Opensims2pack.jpg|right]]To open your sim in Clean Installer, go to your Desktop. You should find a new file there, with the same name that you gave your sim in Body Shop when packaging. It should have an icon like the one shown. Right-click on this file and choose Open.<br style="clear:both" />
  
[[Image:Sims-ingamevsbodyshop.jpg|right|300x300px]]In order to see what your creation looks like in-game, we require in-game screenshots.  You must actually load the game and take your screenshots there.  We do not accept Body Shop pics, texture pics, SimPose, 3D program pics, etc., without the required in-game pics too.  Please don't try to cut out backgrounds or fake in-game pics.  We can definitely tell the difference.
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[[Image:Simcontentsci.jpg|right|300x300px]]Clean Installer will open and you will see a list of the contents of the sims2pack file, including what description the creator may have entered when they made the file, in the "Name" column.<br style="clear:both" />
  
For best results, put your item on a sim on a lot. Create-a-Sim screenshots are acceptable, but the lighting in CAS is pretty bright and you may not be able to get detail pics and that sort of thing, too.
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[[Image:Citooltip.jpg|right]]You can check the filename for a particular item by floating your cursor over it.<br style="clear:both" />
<br style="clear:both" />
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==Enough Light==
 
  
[[Image:LightandDark.jpg|right|300x300px]]Don't take your pics at night or in a dark room!  Take your sim outside in the sunlight (make sure they're facing the sun - light comes from a certain direction on the lot!) or put them in a well-lit room.  At the same time, make sure you don't use too much light: Create-a-Sim screenshots can sometimes be too bright.<br style="clear:both" />
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'''Crediting and Linking:'''
 
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==Inline/Attached Screenshots==
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When posting images that appear in the text of the thread (these are called inline screenshots), please make sure to limit these images to no larger than 800x600 pixels (so it doesn't create a horizontal scroll on the page for people on lower resolutions).
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Please also do not post more than 4 inline screenshots - having a lot of images that have to load on the thread makes browsing downloads very slow and can make the thread jump around as they keep loading.
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You may host your inline screenshots elsewhere like Photobucket.com - however, these screenshots hosted elsewhere must be additional screenshots, and you must make sure to actually attach your required screenshots to the thread itself.  If your Photobucket account runs out of bandwidth or you delete the pics, people still need to be able to get the required screenshots on your thread.
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You can attach up to 8 screenshots to the thread itself, with the 4 additional inline screenshots hosted elsewhere (or attached) for a total of 12 possible screenshots.  This should be plenty to show what you've made, even for fairly large sets.  Remember, you can always collage several different images together into one image if you have a bunch of stuff to show off.
+
 
+
==No Pay Content==
+
 
+
'''Do not use pay content in your screenshots!  Do not use pay hair in your screenshots!'''
+
 
+
You MUST use free or Maxis hair in your screenshots!  MTS2 promotes and supports free content, and using pay content in screenshots is basically like free advertisement for paysites.  This includes pay content you found elsewhere for free - if it was pay originally, it's still promoting pay content.
+
 
+
As of 21 July 2007, MTS2 no longer allows the use of pay content in screenshots.  This includes (but is not limited to) hairstyles. You must use free or Maxis hairstyles on your sims! Do not use pay or donation hairstyles on your sims when uploading here. For more information, please see the [http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=240944 Site News article] on the subject.
+
 
+
MTS2 has an extensive collection of free hairstyles in our Downloads section, and you can look in the [[Hair Gallery|Sims2Wiki Hair Gallery]] for more free hairstyles. You'll be able to find something you like.
+
 
+
 
+
=Packaging Your Sim=
+
 
+
Whether your sim is born in the game, made in Create a Sim, or made in Body Shop, you'll need to package it properly as a sims2pack file so you can share it.
+
 
+
==Born-in-Game Sims==
+
 
+
If you have created your sim in Create a Sim or if your sim was born in-game you will need to follow [http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=94489 these instructions] on how to extract your sim using SimPE, so they are accessible to you in Body Shop. Do that before you go any further, then come back to these instructions.
+
 
+
==Packaging with Body Shop==
+
 
+
===Run Body Shop===
+
 
+
Body Shop is a utility that comes with your game, used for creating and packaging sims (among other things).  You already have Body Shop on your computer.  To run Body Shop, click Start - Programs - EA Games - The Sims 2 (or the newest expansion you have installed) - The Sims 2 Body Shop.
+
 
+
* If you are having trouble with Body Shop not loading, crashing when loading, or other related issues, please see: [[Game Help:Body Shop]]
+
 
+
===Ready the Sim for Packaging===
+
 
+
[[Image:Readyforpackagingsim.jpg|300x300px|thumb|Readying your sim for packaging.]]'''If you have just extracted your sim using SimPE''', you will first need to clone the sim to make sure all of its content comes along with it properly. Click Build Sims, then Build or Clone Sims. Look for sim you packaged from the game in the list of sims - they may not be first in the list, so you may have to scroll to find them. Click the button toward the bottom to Clone Selected Sim, then click the checkmark (Done Building Sim) to make a copy of the sim.
+
 
+
'''If you have created your sim in Body Shop''', you do not need to clone the sim. Just click Done Building Sim to save the sim how you want them.<br style="clear:both" />
+
 
+
===Package Your Sim===
+
 
+
[[Image:Packagesim.jpg|thumb|300x300px|How to package your sim.]]You should be back looking at a bunch of sims. Click the X at the bottom to Close Sim Bin. Now click on Package Sims. You'll be seeing another sim bin. Find your sim here and select them. If you have just cloned your sim or made multiple copies of the sim, it will be the first one in the list. Click the little box icon at the bottom to Package Sim to File. You'll now be at a different screen, where you can type the filename for your sim and enter a description. You can put custom content credits here, a description of your sim, your name, your web address, whatever.
+
 
+
When you have your filename and text written in, click the checkbox at the bottom to Accept and save your sim as a sims2pack file.<br style="clear:both" />
+
 
+
[[Image:Packagedsim.jpg|right]]You'll get a message saying that your sim was saved to your desktop with the filename you gave it.  That sims2pack file is the file you will upload when sharing your sim at MTS2.<br style="clear:both" />
+
 
+
 
+
==Credits, Policies, and Removing Content==
+
 
+
You've got your sim packaged as a .sims2pack file, but now you need to take a look inside that .sims2pack file to see what is included.  You will need to remove any content that the creator says you can't share and remove any meshes that you have not recoloured yourself (or that you can't share).  You will also need to collect credits and links for any content you have included in your screenshots.
+
 
+
This is usually the most labor-intensive part of uploading sims, but if you ensure that the content you use on your sims is shareable and identifiable before you ever make the sims, it helps a lot.
+
 
+
 
+
===Looking Inside the Sims2Pack===
+
 
+
To see what's inside the sims2pack file, you'll need Clean Installer. [http://sims2pack.modthesims2.com/ Click here] to go to the Clean Installer website, where you can download it for free. There is also a Quick Start Guide, FAQ, and Manual at the Clean Installer site to help you get started using it.
+
 
+
Once you install Clean Installer, it should associate itself with .sims2pack files, so when you double-click on any one of them to open it, Clean Installer will come up and tell you what is inside.
+
 
+
[[Image:Opensims2pack.jpg|right]]Go to your Desktop. You should find a new file there, with the same name that you gave your sim in Body Shop when packaging. It should have an icon like the one shown. Right-click on this file and choose Open.<br style="clear:both" />
+
 
+
[[Image:Simcontentsci.jpg|right|300x300px]]Clean Installer will open and you will see a list of the contents of the sims2pack file, including what tooltips are used.<br style="clear:both" />
+
 
+
 
+
===Custom Content Links/Credits===
+
  
 
Now you need to:
 
Now you need to:
  
* Figure out what everything inside is, and track down who made it so you can give them credit for their creation, and a link back to their site, their profile, or the original thread where you downloaded the item.
+
* Identify everything inside the sims2pack file, and track down who made it so you can give them credit for their creation, plus and a link back to the original post, thread or webpage where you downloaded the item. A proper link and credit should look like this: "Long Wavy Hair by Nouk: http://www.modthesims.info/download.php?t=427745" - what the item is, the creator's name, and a link.  If you cannot link directly to the item, it is acceptable to link to the creator's site or profile. It's okay to link to dead sites if the creator's site is offline and you can't find an alternate link through Google.
* Provide links to any custom meshes used by any clothing, hair, or accessories.
+
* Check everyone's terms of use and make sure that you can indeed share their work in sim uploads.
+
  
You will be asked to provide this information in MTS2's upload wizardWhile the wizard does save links entered previously by other creators, some of those links may not be correctIt is your responsibility to make sure that all of the links for your upload are working and correct.
+
* Provide links to any custom meshes required for the included clothing, hair, or accessoriesWithout the mesh, the item will not work properly in-game.  The mesh may or may not have packaged in the sims2packIf the mesh is not included, you must link to where the mesh may be found for free.
  
Start a text file on your Desktop where you can type everything out as you locate the parts. This can be the hardest part, depending on how descriptive the original creators were in their tooltips and filenames. They are generally good clues, though.  Generally it's good to start your text file by organizing it by item, so you know when you have a credit and link for each item, and then a section for any required meshes and the links to those.  Then you can begin filling in each item as you find out where it came from.
+
* Check everyone's terms of use for the content on your sim, and make sure that you can indeed share their work in sim uploads. If someone doesn't have a policy or their site is permanently offline, you can assume they're happy for their content to be shared.
  
For example:
 
  
::'''Recolours:'''
+
You will be asked to provide the links, credits, and descriptions in the upload process. While MTS does save links entered previously by other creators, some of those links may not be correct. It is your responsibility to make sure that all of the links for your upload go to the right places.
::Skintone: Ren/Louis <nowiki>http://www.modthesims2.com/member/Ren</nowiki>
+
::Eyes: Barcelonista <nowiki>http://www.modthesims2.com/member/Barcelonista</nowiki>
+
::Eyeshadow: Corvidophile2 <nowiki>http://www.sironasims.com</nowiki>
+
::Eyeliner: Ren <nowiki>http://www.rensim.com</nowiki>
+
::Clothing (Top): HystericalParoxysm <nowiki>http://www.modthesims2.com/member/HystericalParoxysm</nowiki>
+
::Clothing (Bottom): Migamoo <nowiki>http://www.modthesims2.com/member/Migamoo</nowiki>
+
::Hair: Nouk <nowiki>http://www.noukiesims2.net</nowiki>
+
  
::'''Meshes:'''
+
Start a text file on your computer where you can type everything out as you locate the parts. This can be the most tedious part, depending on how descriptive the original creators were in their descriptions and filenames. They are generally good clues, though. It's a good idea to start your text file by typing in the custom items you know are on your sim (skin, hair, lipstick, etc.), so you know when you have a credit and link for each item, and then also make a section for any required meshes and the links and credits for those meshes. Then you can begin filling in each item as you find out where it came from.
::Clothing (Top): HystericalParoxysm <nowiki>http://www.modthesims2.com/member/showthread.php?t=228762</nowiki>
+
::Clothing (Bottom): Migamoo <nowiki>http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=249704</nowiki>
+
::Hair: Nouk <nowiki>http://noukiesims2.net/wp/?p=294</nowiki>
+
  
You can check the filename for a particular item by floating your cursor over it:
 
  
[[Image:Citooltip.jpg|center]]
+
* Search MTS or [http://www.google.com Google] with the information you can find on the item (from the description or filename) to track down the source.
  
Use the tooltips and file names to track down where you found the items originally to check the policies and provide credits and links, and in some cases, to see whether a mesh is needed. There are several ways to do this:
+
* The [[Content Lists|Table of Custom Contents]], on the SimsWiki can be useful in finding content, especially if it's in a particular theme.
  
=====Search MTS2=====
+
* If all your searching fails and you can't find the item on your own, try the [http://www.modthesims.info/fd.php?f=556 Where Can I Find Forums] at MTS. You can search the forum in case someone has asked about the same item before, and if you can't find what you're looking for, you can post a new thread to ask if someone knows where the content came from. Give as much information as possible, like a screenshot, the description, filename, and any other info you can to help people help you track it down.
 +
|}
  
[[Image:Mts2search.jpg|right]]MTS2 has four different search types that may be of use to you:
+
==Screenshots==
  
* Downloads search, which will search download titles and keywords.
 
* Google search, which will use Google to search MTS2 text.
 
* Advanced search, which can search particular forums and uses a different way to search to find different results.
 
* Member search, to search for usernames.<br style="clear:both" />
 
  
=====Google=====
+
{| class="nicetable" style="width:100%"
 +
|-
 +
! style="text-align:left" | Screenshots 
 +
|-
 +
| You will need to include at least:
  
[[Image:Google.jpg|right]]Second, go to [http://www.google.com Google] and try searching there with the clues you've gotten from the filenames and tooltips.<br style="clear:both" />
+
* 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.
 +
* 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.
 +
* 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).  
  
=====Content List=====
+
{{Guidelines-ScreenshotsBigClearEtc}}
 
+
[[Image:Tocc.jpg|right|300x300px]]The [[Content Lists|Table of Custom Contents]], the [[Content List|Content List]] on the Sims2Wiki, can be extremely useful in finding content, especially if it's in a particular theme.<br style="clear:both" />
+
 
+
=====Where Can I Find?=====
+
 
+
[[Image:Wcif.jpg|right|300x300px]]If all your searching fails and you can't find the item on your own, try the [http://forums.sims2community.com/forumdisplay.php?f=37 Where Can I Find Forum] at Sims2Community.com. You can search that particular forum, which is a great resource of previously asked-for content, and if you can't find what you're looking for, you can post asking if someone knows where it came from. Give as much information as possible, like a screenshot, the tooltip, filename, and any more info you can to help people help you track it down. You will need to register separately from MTS2 to post there.<br style="clear:both" />
+
 
+
 
+
====When to Remove Content from the Sims2Pack====
+
 
+
'''Content That Cannot Be Redistributed:''' In checking the file for contents and locating all the parts, you may come across some pieces that cannot be redistributed. Creators have a right to say what can and can't be done with their custom content, and if they say you cannot upload it with full sims, please respect their wishes and remove that content.  If you have a link for a file that the creator has asked that you not distribute, you can provide that link to downloaders and say that the item was not included - if they download it separately and install it along with your sim, it will properly show up on your sim.
+
 
+
'''Content You Cannot Find:''' If you just cannot locate a link for a piece of content after searching and searching, or if the particular item cannot be redistributed, then REMOVE that content from the file, or repackage your sim using items you can track down/can share.
+
 
+
'''Meshes:'''
+
If you have the Pets expansion (or any later expansions), the version of Body Shop that comes with Pets and later expansions will also include meshes for any custom hair and clothing in the sims2pack file. Please do not include these meshes with your full sim upload unless:
+
* They are your own meshes which you have made yourself.  In this case, please include a numeric [[Game Help:Poly Counts|poly count]] for your mesh somewhere in the post.
+
* You have recoloured the item the mesh is required for yourself, and if the creator allows redistribution of their meshes with recolours.
+
 
+
Please do not include meshes that are uploaded on MTS2, even if the creator says it's okay - this creates redundant uploads.  Also do not include meshes that the creator says not to include, or if the creator doesn't say.  If you get special permission to include a mesh that normally cannot be included (or the creator's policies don't say anything) please say in the text of your upload post that you have permission - we can't read your mind!
+
 
+
If you do include the mesh, make sure you include a credit and link in the text of your post - and make sure you state that the mesh is included!
+
 
+
 
+
====How to Remove Content from the Sims2Pack====
+
 
+
For instructions on how to remove unwanted content from a sims2pack, including content that cannot be redistributed and meshes, please see [http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=202574 this mini-tutorial by Tiggerypum]. The tutorial explains how to remove unwanted meshes if you have the Pets expansion, but the exact same method works for removing all content from a sims2pack file.
+
 
+
 
+
 
+
 
+
 
+
[[MTS2:Creator_Guidelines/Sims/Quality|Quality]]
+
 
+
==Screenshots==
+
  
[[MTS2:Creator_Guidelines/Sims/Screenshots|Screenshots]]
+
Please remember, for your required pictures:
  
==Packaging Your Sim==
+
* '''As packaged:''' Your pictures should show your sim as you have packaged them, so that what downloaders see is what they'll actually get.
 +
* '''In-game:''' You must actually load the game to take your pictures - pics from Body Shop are not sufficient as the lighting is not very good.  Create-a-Sim pictures are not allowed, you must show your content in-game, on a lot.
  
[[MTS2:Creator_Guidelines/Sims/Packaging_Your_Sim|Packaging Your Sim]]
+
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.
  
==Credits for Included or Pictured Content==
 
  
[[MTS2:Creator_Guidelines/Sims/Credits_Etc|Credits for Included or Pictured Content]]
+
{{Guidelines-Screenshots-Tips}}
 +
|}
  
==Adult Content/Nudity==
+
==Other==
  
[[MTS2:Creator_Guidelines/Sims/Adult_Content_and_Nudity|Adult Content and Nudity]]
 
  
==Right Info/Right Files==
+
{{Guidelines-NotAllowed}}
  
[[MTS2:Creator_Guidelines/Sims/Right_Info_and_Right_Files|Right Info and Right Files]]
 
  
==Checklist==
+
[[Category:MTS2 Creator Guidelines]]

Revision as of 10:18, 24 February 2017

Contents

Sims 2 Sim Upload Guidelines

When uploading a sim 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.


Quality

  • Likeness: Sims based on a person or character must be recognizable as who they are meant to be.
  • Uniqueness: Any "other" sim, not based on an existing person or character, must have a unique, interesting face sculpt with all the features sculpted, not resembling the default faces. When it comes to sims, having a pretty sim or one with nice content is not enough. Anyone can take a basic face with a few tweaks here and there, add some pretty content, and make an attractive sim - we're looking for unique, interesting sims with unusual facial features. We would rather see sims that look more like real people - not so pretty but interesting - than another "hot model" type sim with a bland face that anyone could make. There is no reason for anyone to download a random sim that they could have made themselves with a few minutes and the same content. Please make a real effort to make interesting, unique faces that not just anyone could put together. This includes anime/cartoon sims, and some effort should be made to give them a unique look, and to differentiate characters by more than just content.
See this excellent tiptorial on creating unique sims: Game_Help:Creating_Sims
  • Other content: If you have made content for your sim, 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 what we require for Sims 2 Body Shop Uploads. Tip: Consider uploading content you have made separately first, to the appropriate section (clothing, hair, 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 sim.

Files

Packaging your sim
Your sim must be "packaged" (placed correctly in a .sims2pack file) to upload to MTS. This needs to be a .sims2pack of just the sim itself, not the sim living on a lot (as importing sims on a lot can cause major, permanent, unfixable issues in downloaders' games!).


Step 1: Sim born in-game/from CAS? If you have created your sim in Create a Sim, or if your sim was born in-game, you will need to follow these instructions on how to extract your sim using SimPE, so they are accessible to you in Body Shop. Do that before you go any further, and then do the below instructions to actually package the sim. If you have made your sim in Body Shop, you can skip this step.


Step 2: Run Body Shop: Body Shop is a utility that comes with your game, used for creating and packaging sims (among other things). You already have Body Shop on your computer if you have The Sims 2 installed. To run Body Shop, click Start > Programs > EA Games > The Sims 2 (or the latest released expansion you have installed) - The Sims 2 Body Shop. If you are having trouble with Body Shop not loading, crashing when loading, or other issues, please see: Game Help:Body Shop


Step 3: Ready the sim for packaging:
Readying your sim for packaging.
If you have extracted your sim using SimPE (in Step 1), you will first need to clone the sim to make sure all of its content comes along with it properly. Click Build Sims, then Build or Clone Sims. Find your sim that you extracted with SimPE and select them from the list. Click the button toward the bottom to Clone Selected Sim, then click the checkmark (Done Building Sim) to make a clone of the sim. If you have created your sim in Body Shop, you do not need to clone the sim. Just click Done Building Sim to save the sim how you want them, if you haven't already.


Step 4: Package the sim:
How to package your sim.
You should be back looking at a bunch of sims. Click the X at the bottom to Close Sim Bin. Now click on Package Sims. You'll be seeing another list of sims. Find your sim here and select them. If you have just cloned your sim or made multiple copies of the sim, it will be the first one in the list. Click the little box icon at the bottom to Package Sim to File. You'll now be at a different screen, where you can type the filename for your sim and enter a description. You can put custom content credits here, a description of your sim, your name, your web address, whatever. Then click the checkbox at the bottom to Accept and save your sim as a sims2pack file.


Packagedsim.jpg
You'll get a message saying that your sim was saved to your computer's Desktop with the filename you gave it. That sims2pack file is the file you will upload when sharing your sim at MTS.


Removing custom content
You will need to remove custom content from your sims2pack file if it is:
  • Content that cannot be redistributed: In checking the file for contents and locating all the parts, you may come across some pieces whose creators' policies do not allow for redistribution with sims. Please respect the creator's wishes and remove that content. You can still link to the content in your post and say that it is "required but not included", so that if people download it separately and install it along with your sim, it will properly show up on your sim. If the original site is permanently offline, you can assume that the creator is happy for their content to be redistributed.
  • Content you cannot find: If you just cannot locate a link for a piece of content after searching and searching, then you should re-package your sim using different items you can find instead.

For instructions on how to remove unwanted content from a sims2pack, including content that cannot be redistributed, please see this mini-tutorial by Tiggerypum. The tutorial explains how to remove unwanted meshes if you have the Pets expansion, but the exact same method works for removing any content from a sims2pack file, not just meshes.


Zip, Rar, or 7z
To upload your file(s) to MTS, you will need to compress them into an archive file, which makes them smaller and allows you to include many files in one download. The archive file formats we currently accept are .zip, .rar, and .7z.

For instructions on compressing your files into an archive, please see: Creator Guidelines: Creating Archive Files.

  • Do not include multiple archives with the same contents - that is, please don't put your files in both a .zip as well as a .rar because some people only want .zip files. Choose one format.
  • Do not double-compress your files... a .rar file inside another .rar file (or any other archive inside another) doesn't compress it anymore, and it makes it so we can't see the contents without downloading, and also just makes an extra step for the people downloading.
  • The file size limit on MTS is 50 mb. If you exceed this limit you will need to split your archives. This should probably never come up except for large worlds for The Sims 3, or huge sets of smaller items.


Information

Title & Description
Give your upload a descriptive title and write a text description for your upload, describing what you're uploading. Your title and description must be in English or provide an English translation. If you are not a native English speaker, using Google Translate is okay. You can also ask for help writing your description in the Creator Feedback Forum.


Expansions Required
When uploading your sim, you'll be asked to tick which expansion packs (EPs) and stuff packs (SPs) are required for your sim. Unless the content used on your sim from an EP/SP is absolutely essential to the overall look of the sim and they would look totally wrong without it, do not tick any EPs/SPs. This is because all sims can be used in the base game if installed with Clean Installer, and if someone is browsing MTS to show only uploads that use the EPs/SPs they have ("compatible" uploads) then they will not see your sim, even though they could still use it with just a change of hair or clothes. You can still mention "Hair is from Open for Business, clothes are from Apartment Life" etc., so people without those packs aren't surprised when they go to use your sim in-game.


Credits and links for custom content
You are responsible for providing accurate descriptions, links, and credits for all pieces of custom content included with or pictured on your sim. This is to give credit to the creators for their hard work, and to make sure downloaders can get anything that isn't included by downloading it separately.

You must look inside the .sims2pack file to see what is included. You will need to remove any content that the creator says you can't share. You will also need to collect credits and links for any content you have included in your screenshots, even if it didn't package with your sim (like default replacement skintones or eyes), as well as any required meshes for hair, clothing, or accessories. This is usually the most labor-intensive part of uploading sims, so it may be a good idea to organize your content before making sims to share, so you know all the custom content you might want to use is is shareable and identifiable.


Look inside the sims2pack:

To see what's inside your sims2pack file (look, you'll need to get Clean Installer, a free program which is safe and easy to use. Once you install Clean Installer, it should associate itself with .sims2pack files, so when you double-click on any one of them to open it, Clean Installer will come up and tell you what is inside.

Opensims2pack.jpg
To open your sim in Clean Installer, go to your Desktop. You should find a new file there, with the same name that you gave your sim in Body Shop when packaging. It should have an icon like the one shown. Right-click on this file and choose Open.
Simcontentsci.jpg
Clean Installer will open and you will see a list of the contents of the sims2pack file, including what description the creator may have entered when they made the file, in the "Name" column.
Citooltip.jpg
You can check the filename for a particular item by floating your cursor over it.


Crediting and Linking:

Now you need to:

  • Identify everything inside the sims2pack file, and track down who made it so you can give them credit for their creation, plus and a link back to the original post, thread or webpage where you downloaded the item. A proper link and credit should look like this: "Long Wavy Hair by Nouk: http://www.modthesims.info/download.php?t=427745" - what the item is, the creator's name, and a link. If you cannot link directly to the item, it is acceptable to link to the creator's site or profile. It's okay to link to dead sites if the creator's site is offline and you can't find an alternate link through Google.
  • Provide links to any custom meshes required for the included clothing, hair, or accessories. Without the mesh, the item will not work properly in-game. The mesh may or may not have packaged in the sims2pack. If the mesh is not included, you must link to where the mesh may be found for free.
  • Check everyone's terms of use for the content on your sim, and make sure that you can indeed share their work in sim uploads. If someone doesn't have a policy or their site is permanently offline, you can assume they're happy for their content to be shared.


You will be asked to provide the links, credits, and descriptions in the upload process. While MTS does save links entered previously by other creators, some of those links may not be correct. It is your responsibility to make sure that all of the links for your upload go to the right places.

Start a text file on your computer where you can type everything out as you locate the parts. This can be the most tedious part, depending on how descriptive the original creators were in their descriptions and filenames. They are generally good clues, though. It's a good idea to start your text file by typing in the custom items you know are on your sim (skin, hair, lipstick, etc.), so you know when you have a credit and link for each item, and then also make a section for any required meshes and the links and credits for those meshes. Then you can begin filling in each item as you find out where it came from.


  • Search MTS or Google with the information you can find on the item (from the description or filename) to track down the source.
  • The Table of Custom Contents, on the SimsWiki can be useful in finding content, especially if it's in a particular theme.
  • If all your searching fails and you can't find the item on your own, try the Where Can I Find Forums at MTS. You can search the forum in case someone has asked about the same item before, and if you can't find what you're looking for, you can post a new thread to ask if someone knows where the content came from. Give as much information as possible, like a screenshot, the description, filename, and any other info you can to help people help you track it down.

Screenshots

Screenshots
You will need to include at least:
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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).

Keep the following in mind for your screenshots, especially the required ones:

  • Size: 800 pixels wide by 600 pixels tall is a good size for the smallest pic you would want to upload. Your images can be up to 2560x1440 pixels, and 800 kb, so you have lots of space to work with!
  • Lighting: For most things, it's best to take pictures in an interior room with good lighting. For lots, pictures should be taken during a nice sunny day, for floorplans, take the pictures with the lights ON.
  • Clarity: Neither blurry, nor pixellated/crunchy. Do not size up small pictures to make a large one as this will blur them, and make sure not to use too much compression/too low quality when saving your images.
  • Distance: Take your pictures so that your creation fills the screen without anything cut off at top or bottom - neither zoomed in too close, nor zoomed out too far.
  • Distortion: If you resize your images, retain the aspect ratio so they don't get stretched or squashed. Take care when zooming in and out with the camera that you do not create a fisheye effect on your pictures.
  • 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.
  • Attached: All required images must be attached directly to the MTS upload, not just inserted using the img tag, so that even if the pics get deleted from your Photobucket (or other host), the upload on MTS is still complete.
  • Show all items: For most areas, if you are uploading a set, you must take all the required pics for each item in the set. If there is an exception, it will be noted.
  • Picture limit: You may upload up to 100 pictures for a single upload thread, so feel free to add some additional pictures just to show off your work to its best. Of course, keep it reasonable - nobody needs 50 pics to show off one sim or hair.
  • Inline pictures: Inline pictures are those that use the [img] tag to show up in with the description text. So that it doesn't take too long to load, please keep this to no more than 4 pictures done inline, unless you put them inside an [infobutton] tag. To do this, see our guide on post formatting.

Please remember, for your required pictures:

  • As packaged: Your pictures should show your sim as you have packaged them, so that what downloaders see is what they'll actually get.
  • In-game: You must actually load the game to take your pictures - pics from Body Shop are not sufficient as the lighting is not very good. Create-a-Sim pictures are not allowed, you must show your content in-game, on a lot.

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.


Other

Uploads not allowed on MTS
These items are not allowed on MTS in any category.
Pay/Pirated Content

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.
Other content not allowed
  • 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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