Difference between revisions of "Sandbox:Star Practice Page"

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{{GameHelpHeader}}
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==Want to Help?==
  
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We've noticed some of you have been wanting to help out with the Conent List.  It has been locked for some time due to various reasons including vandalism, adding/deleting categories, pages, etc.  We do greatly appreciate any help given, but please do not delete anything or add any new categories or pages.  Also, please stick to the same style of formatting we've been using, which is simply:
  
=='''Downloading for Fracking Idiots'''==
 
  
[[Image:RightArrow.gif]] <font color="purple" style="font-size:1.5em">'''Installing Sims 2 Custom Content:'''</font> <br>
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* Description of item sorted alphabetically: [link Soandso at Suchandsuch]  
  
How do you install custom content for the Sims 2? This guide will show you how to do it, step-by-step.
 
  
 
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You'll see how the other links have been done when you go into the edit page. If you'd like to help further and come across any broken links, fixing them would be a great help also. Thank you.
[[Image:RightArrow.gif]] <font color="purple" style="font-size:1.5em">'''But there's so much to it!'''</font> <br>
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Yes, content for the Sims 2 is fairly complicated... but if you follow this guide and read everything carefully, you should be using your new content in no time!
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[[Image:RightArrow.gif]] <font color="purple" style="font-size:1.5em">'''But I actually know what I'm doing...'''</font> <br>
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Do you? Do you really? If you are good with computers, there is a short version of this FAQ. No nonsense, no coddling, just the facts. Read it here: [[Game Help:Downloading for Fracking Geniuses|Downloading for Fracking Geniuses]].
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[[Image:RightArrow.gif]] <font color="purple" style="font-size:1.5em">'''"Downloading for Fracking Idiots"?'''</font> <br>
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Yeah, I know the name's a bit strange. We had Downloading for Dummies and it just wasn't simple enough, so... this is the rewritten version. Why fracking? Because the new Battlestar Galactica rules of course!
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Anyway, the title's not meant to be offensive, just a bit silly. ;)
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[[Image:RightArrow.gif]] <font color="purple" style="font-size:1.5em">'''Just how stupid do you think I am?'''</font> <br>
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Very! This guide assumes you know how to click a mouse and install programs (you installed the game, right?). However, it will explain everything else in the simplest language possible. If you are confused about something, reread this guide several times. It really can't be explained any simpler than this!
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(image goes here)
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=='''READ about the content!'''==
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[[Image:RightArrow.gif]] <font color="purple" style="font-size:1.5em">'''You need to read!'''</font> <br>
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Before you start getting custom content, you need to read about it. Read the descriptions of the content. What exactly are you getting? Will it work for you? Is there anything special you need to know?
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You need to '''read everything thoroughly!''' Clean your glasses and start looking for these things:
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[[Image:RightArrow.gif]] <font color="purple" style="font-size:1.5em">'''Required Expansion?'''</font> <br>
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Does the item require an expansion or stuff pack to work? Some content will not work unless you have certain expansions or stuff packs. On MTS2, content which requires expansions will have an icon showing which one(s) it requires:
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(image goes here)
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[[Image:RightArrow.gif]] <font color="purple" style="font-size:1.5em">'''Is it compatible?'''</font> <br>
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Are there some expansions the content won't work with? Certain content contains code that modifies the way the game works - this content is generally called "hacks" or "hacked objects." Because of the code in them, they often work only with a certain set of expansions. They may need to be updated by their creator when new expansions are released. If it doesn't say it works with your installed expansions, you may not be able to use that hack or hacked object.
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Are there other hacks that the creator says it does not work with? If you have many hacks, especially ones that do a lot of things, you may run into conflicts. You should read to see if you have any hacks the creator knows their hack conflicts with.
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(image goes here)
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[[Image:RightArrow.gif]] <font color="purple" style="font-size:1.5em">'''Mesh or Recolour?'''</font> <br>
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A mesh is a 3d model, the shape of the object, clothing, hair, etc. A recolour is the texture and colour applied to the mesh. For more information on meshes and recolours, with pictures, to help you understand what they are, read this article: [[Game Help:Meshes and Recolors]].
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Skintones, eyes, eyebrows, makeup, walls, and floors will not require meshes.
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Accessories, hair, objects, and build mode content like stairs and fences may require a mesh. To get the content working, you will need to get a new 3d model that was not included in the game.
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When people share content on MTS2 that requires a new mesh, they must link to it. This makes it clear that you need to go somewhere else to get the mesh. At the bottom of the download thread, look for links like these:
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(image goes here)
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If you need further instructions on finding the mesh on the page or site they link to, check the text of the post.
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Some sites allow meshes to be included with recolours. This means that you will need a new mesh for the content to work, but you don't have to go get it separately. If the mesh has been included, it will say so in the text of the post.
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[[Image:RightArrow.gif]] <font color="purple" style="font-size:1.5em">'''Category?'''</font> <br>
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What category does the item show up in? You will need to know this to know where to look for it in the game.
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(image goes here)
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[[Image:RightArrow.gif]] <font color="purple" style="font-size:1.5em">'''Other Info?'''</font> <br>
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Are there any special installation instructions? Does the creator have information on the content that you need to know? Take the time to read the instructions and the creator's comments. That way, you will know exactly how something will work in your game and how to use it properly.
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(image goes here)
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[[Image:RightArrow.gif]] <font color="purple" style="font-size:1.5em">'''Other Content Required?'''</font> <br>
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Do you need to get anything else besides meshes? Sometimes for sims and houses, someone will package the item without certain content. Instead, they will link to the item(s) instead. If you get the content they link to, it will show up on your sim or in the house properly. Otherwise, if you do not go get that content, certain parts of the sim or house will not display as the creator intended.
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(image goes here)
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[[Image:RightArrow.gif]] <font color="purple" style="font-size:1.5em">'''If you are having trouble when reading about content:'''</font> <br>
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Have you read the creator's text? If some of the details are not clear, read the comments on the thread to see if someone else has asked about the same thing. If you don't see a question like yours, you can post your question to the thread and ask. The creator or someone else who knows the answer will likely comment and answer your question. Be patient, and check back after a while (it could be several days).
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If you're confused about something on another site, try to find an email address, forum, or guestbook where you can ask about it.
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(image goes here)
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=='''Download the file(s)'''==
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[[Image:RightArrow.gif]] <font color="purple" style="font-size:1.5em">'''Downloading:'''</font> <br>
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So, you've read about the content... You know the details about it, whether or not it will work in your game, and if you need to get anything else for it to work. Now, you need to transfer the file from the internet to your computer. This is called "downloading."
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[[Image:RightArrow.gif]] <font color="purple" style="font-size:1.5em">'''Downloading Manually:'''</font> <br>
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This is the do-it-yourself method you can use to download all types of files from MTS2. You can also use much the same method to download from other sites.
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To start, find the download link on the item you would like to get. You can download by clicking on the smiling disk icon on the left, or by clicking the name of the file. If there are multiple files, make sure you're getting the right one(s) - the creator will specify if there are certain files you need to get.
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(image goes here)
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Only click on the link once. Sometimes if the site is slow, it will take a while for it to seem like anything is happening.
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When it has connected to the server and confirmed your request to get that file, you'll get a message that pops up that looks something like this:
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Your computer is asking you what you want to do with that file. Click Save to save the file to a location on your hard drive.
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Now you will get a Save As window. Your computer would like to know where you would like to save the file. You can save it to anywhere on your hard drive that you will know where to find it. Your Desktop is generally an easy place to find it. To save it to your computer's Desktop:
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A. Click on the Desktop button on the left.
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B. Then make a new folder by clicking on the New Folder icon along the top.
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C. Down in the file list, replace the New Folder text with the name you would like to give your folder. We're calling ours Sims 2 Downloads. When you're done, click somewhere other than the name text to finish naming the folder. Click on the folder again to select it.
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D. With the folder selected, this button will say Open. Click it once to open the Sims 2 Downloads folder. It will change to say Save. Click Save.
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(image goes here)
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Depending on the size of the file, how busy the site is, and how good a connection you have, it may take a while to download the file. When it has finished downloading, you'll probably see a message something like this to tell you the file is done:
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(image goes here)
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[[Image:RightArrow.gif]] <font color="purple" style="font-size:1.5em">'''Downloading from MTS2 using Q-Xpress:'''</font> <br>
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If you would like an easy way to download and install content that you get from MTS2, you can use the Q-Xpress Installer program, written by our site owner, Delphy. Q-Xpress will download content and install it to your game with very little effort, and makes it easy to go on MTS2 downloading sprees.
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The "Q" icons on downloads, and the "Download all above items with Q-Xpress" links are only for people who have installed Q-Xpress and wish to use it to install the chosen content.
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(image goes here)
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'''For links to download Q-Xpress, how to install it, and how to use it, please see:
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[http://www.modthesims2.com/article.php?t=135083 Q-Xpress Tutorial]'''
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[[Image:RightArrow.gif]] <font color="purple" style="font-size:1.5em">'''If you are having trouble downloading:'''</font> <br>
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If you are getting error messages when trying to download from MTS2, try again in a few minutes. MTS2 often has more than 3000 people online, and is funded by donations, so it can be a little slow at peak times. If you're still having trouble, try reading the latest [http://www.modthesims2.com/about.php Site News] to see if there are any changes that you need to be aware of. Look for notices at the top of the page that may mention downloads being slow, intermittent, or offline.
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=='''Identifying File Types'''==
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[[Image:RightArrow.gif]] <font color="purple" style="font-size:1.5em">'''Why do I need to know a file's type?'''</font> <br>
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You need to know what type of files you have downloaded, so you know what to do with them. You will install content differently depending on what type of file you have.
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[[Image:RightArrow.gif]] <font color="purple" style="font-size:1.5em">'''How do I find out a file's type?'''</font> <br>
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You can identify what file's type in several ways. Here are the methods of finding a file's type. You can use any of these methods, but we're listing all three here so you will always know how to find out what type of file you have.
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[[Image:RightArrow.gif]] <font color="purple" style="font-size:1.5em">'''Details View:'''</font> <br>
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Rather than just showing you the icons in the folder, Details View allows you to see information on your files when you look inside a folder.
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A. In a folder window, right-click on an empty white space in the window and choose View, then select Details.
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B. Then along the top, in the column headings, right-click and make sure Type is checked. This will give you Type as a column when you view that folder.
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C. You can look at the information under the Type column to see what type of file you have. Depending on what programs you have installed, the name under Type may vary.
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(image goes here)
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[[Image:RightArrow.gif]] <font color="purple" style="font-size:1.5em">'''Show File Extensions:'''</font> <br>
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A file extension is the ending set of letters on the filename. Often this is 3 letters but in Sims 2 and other files you'll sometimes see longer file extensions. Examples of different file extensions include:
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.package, .sims2pack, .zip, .rar, .gif, .jpeg, .jpg, .pdf, .txt, .doc, .bak, .exe
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By default, Windows will not show you file extensions, but it can be helpful to have them viewable so you know exactly what type of file you have. Here is how you turn on file extensions:
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A. When in a folder, click on the Tools menu.
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B. Then click on Folder Options.
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C. When the Folder Options window comes up, click on the View tab.
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D. In the list of items under Advanced Settings, uncheck the box next to "Hide extensions for known file types"
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E. Then click OK.
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F. When the Folder Options window has closed, you'll be back in the folder. If you look at the end of your file's name, you'll see it has now has a .package ending. This is a Package file - .package is the file extension.
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If you would like to have file extensions show every time you go into a folder (so you don't have to change this every time you want to see a file's extension), before you click OK in Folder Options (E, above), click the "Apply to All Folders" button.
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(image goes here)
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[[Image:RightArrow.gif]] <font color="purple" style="font-size:1.5em">'''File Properties:'''</font> <br>
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You can also look at the Properties of a certain file to see what type of file you have.
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A. Right-click on the file in the folder.
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B. Choose Properties.
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C. In the properties window, look at the file extension - the text that comes after the period. In this case, we have a .package file. It also displays the type of file down below next to Type of File.
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[[Image:RightArrow.gif]] <font color="purple" style="font-size:1.5em">'''File Icons:'''</font> <br>
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The icon or picture a file uses is NOT a reliable way of identifying the file type. We're including pictures of them in this tutorial for reference purposes. However, knowing that a file has "a little white page" or a "stack of books" is not a great way of finding out what type of file you have. It may be a clue what program will open that file, but if you really need to know what TYPE a file is, not just its icon.
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Make sure you're using the above methods, especially regarding File Extensions, so you know what types of files you have.
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[[Image:RightArrow.gif]] <font color="purple" style="font-size:1.5em">'''If you're having trouble identifying a file's type:'''</font> <br>
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Carefully re-read the above. If you've tried finding the file's type one way and you're still confused, try a different way - the method to show File Extensions is probably the best.
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(image goes here)
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=='''Extracting from ZIP/RAR Archives'''==
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Revision as of 02:50, 25 May 2007

Want to Help?

We've noticed some of you have been wanting to help out with the Conent List. It has been locked for some time due to various reasons including vandalism, adding/deleting categories, pages, etc. We do greatly appreciate any help given, but please do not delete anything or add any new categories or pages. Also, please stick to the same style of formatting we've been using, which is simply:


  • Description of item sorted alphabetically: [link Soandso at Suchandsuch]


You'll see how the other links have been done when you go into the edit page. If you'd like to help further and come across any broken links, fixing them would be a great help also. Thank you.

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