MTS2:Creator Guidelines/Meshes - Revision history

Leesester: /* Screenshots */

2013-11-30T23:20:23Z

‎Screenshots

Leesester: /* Screenshots */

2013-11-30T23:20:00Z

‎Screenshots

HystericalParoxysm at 20:29, 29 November 2013

2013-11-29T20:29:50Z

HystericalParoxysm at 09:06, 29 November 2013

2013-11-29T09:06:43Z

HystericalParoxysm at 10:56, 27 November 2013

2013-11-27T10:56:08Z

HystericalParoxysm at 10:53, 27 November 2013

2013-11-27T10:53:47Z

Show changes

Leesester at 11:46, 26 October 2013

2013-10-26T11:46:39Z

Leesester: /* Creator Guidelines: Meshes */

2013-03-19T15:58:49Z

‎Creator Guidelines: Meshes

Whiterider: Protected "MTS2:Creator Guidelines/Meshes" (‎[edit=sysop] (indefinite) ‎[move=sysop] (indefinite))

2013-02-26T11:13:34Z

Protected "MTS2:Creator Guidelines/Meshes" (‎[edit=sysop] (indefinite) ‎[move=sysop] (indefinite))

Phaenoh at 21:06, 23 February 2013

2013-02-23T21:06:28Z

@@ Line 81: / Line 81: @@
 * '''Show all recolor options:''' You will need pictures of each and every recolor, but you can use a swatch to show the colors. The picture to the right where the names of the colors and the texture effect in game using a portion of the object is a great way to do this.
-{| class="nicetable" style="width:100%"
 {{Guidelines-ScreenshotsBigClearEtc}}
-|}
 {{Guidelines-Screenshots-Tips}}
 |}

@@ Line 81: / Line 81: @@
 * '''Show all recolor options:''' You will need pictures of each and every recolor, but you can use a swatch to show the colors. The picture to the right where the names of the colors and the texture effect in game using a portion of the object is a great way to do this.
 {{Guidelines-ScreenshotsBigClearEtc}}
+|}
 {{Guidelines-Screenshots-Tips}}
 |}
 ==Files==

@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 * '''Texture Quality:''' Your textures should have some detail to them - not just a flat single-colour bucket fill, but with highlights and shadows in the right places.  Even for flat, smooth items, you should have some detail.
-* '''Crisp, unpixellated textures:'''Your textures should look as clear and crisp as textures from the game (or better!). There shouldn't be any blurriness or pixellation to your textures.
+* '''Crisp, unpixellated textures:''' Your textures should look as clear and crisp as textures from the game (or better!). There shouldn't be any blurriness or pixellation to your textures.
 *'''UV Mapping:''' Ensure your texture is correctly scaled and not distorted. Avoid seams in your recolor texture.
@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 *'''Materials:''' Most objects have more than one part to them. Make sure you take a good look at the object before you start texturing and use appropriate materials.
-* '''Not Too Bright:''' Do not use over-bright colors.
+* '''Not Too Bright:''' Do not use over-bright colors.  Even items meant to look neon in-game do not need to use full saturation on the texture.
 * '''Black & White:''' For black you use dark grey, and for white you use light grey. That way you can still add lighter or darker for shadows and highlights, and your item will look right in the game - true black just looks like a dark hole, and true white is far too bright.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-=Guidelines for Sims 2 Object Meshes=
+=Guidelines for Sims 2 Meshes=
 Have you made a spiffy new object for your sims to use? This guide will walk you through every step of what we require on MTS. This information is relevant for all of Buy Mode, much of Build Mode (pretty much everything not wallpaper, floors, and terrain paint), and also for neighborhood decorations. Please make sure you read these guidelines carefully, as our standards have changed over the years, and there may be some items you weren't aware of before.
@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 * '''Crisp, unpixellated textures:'''Your textures should look as clear and crisp as textures from the game (or better!). There shouldn't be any blurriness or pixellation to your textures.
-*'''UVMapping:''' Ensure your texture is correctly scaled and not distorted. Avoid seams in your recolor texture.
+*'''UV Mapping:''' Ensure your texture is correctly scaled and not distorted. Avoid seams in your recolor texture.
 *'''Materials:''' Most objects have more than one part to them. Make sure you take a good look at the object before you start texturing and use appropriate materials.
@@ Line 32: / Line 32: @@
 * '''Color Enabled and Subsets:''' Very few objects should not be recolorable (foods, 'hood objects and fences), so please make sure that yours is. We have a [http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=103379 great tutorial] for how to make objects CEP ready. Also consider giving your object two subsets, especially if the object has different materials like a wood chair with a cloth cushion.
-* '''Unique GUID and Script Numbers:''' New meshes need to have a unique GUID number. Some of the Build Mode items do not use GUIDs, instead they are installed with a unique script file. Modular stairs and Fireplaces with chimneys require a scriptfile. Check out the [[#Helpful_Links]] for more information.
+* '''Unique GUID and Script Numbers:''' New meshes need to have a unique GUID number. Some of the Build Mode items do not use GUIDs, instead they are installed with a unique script file. Modular stairs and Fireplaces with chimneys require a scriptfile. For more info, see: [http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=MTS2:Creator_Guidelines/Modular_Stairs_Numbers_Repository Modular Stair Number Repository] and the [http://www.modthesims.info/download.php?t=192613 Scriptorium]
-*'''Proper shadows''': Objects should have the same number of shadows as the corresponding EA object. Particular attention should be paid to the shadow shape actually matching the object. See [[#Helpful_Links]] for making a shadow.
+*'''Proper shadows''': Objects should have the same number of shadows as the corresponding EA object. Particular attention should be paid to the shadow shape actually matching the object. For a tutorial, see: [http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=146169 Creating an Accurate Shadow for your Object]
 * '''Duplication:'''Search MTS and see how many meshes have already been done for the particular type of item you're creating - do not duplicate items.  We would, however, accept the same kind of thing if your version had significantly improved features (better textures, uv mapping, etc.) than an existing item.
-* '''Polygon Counts:'''  If you have created a new mesh it needs to have a polygon count (SimPE's 'facecount') which is reasonable for what it is. A curvy, complex item that would be used rarely can have a higher count than a blocky/boxy item that would be used frequently. Look at EA/Maxis items similar to the type you're making to get a good idea of what a reasonable poly count is for the game. Items with excessively high poly counts for no good reason will not be accepted at MTS.
+* '''Polygon Counts:'''  If you have created a new mesh it needs to have a polygon count (SimPE's 'facecount') which is reasonable for what it is. A curvy, complex item that would be used rarely can have a higher count than a blocky/boxy item that would be used frequently. Look at EA/Maxis items similar to the type you're making to get a good idea of what a reasonable poly count is for the game. Items with excessively high poly counts for no good reason will not be accepted at MTS.  For tips on keeping poly counts low, see: [http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=289974 Low Poly Modelling: How and Why]
 |}
@@ Line 120: / Line 120: @@
 * '''Mesh:'''You have created or edited the 3D shape in a 3D editor such as Milkshape or Blender.
-|}
+* '''UV Mapping:''' The way the flat, 2D texture is applied to the 3D mesh is its "UV Mapping"
-−
-−
-−
-==Helpful Links==
-{| class="nicetable" style="width:100%"
-|-
-−
-−
-* For more information on making low-poly meshes, see: [http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=289974 guide about low poly modeling]
-−
-* Modular Stairs Scripts Repository :[http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=MTS2:Creator_Guidelines/Modular_Stairs_Numbers_Repository Modular Stair Number Repository]
-−
-* Scriptorium: [http://www.modthesims.info/download.php?t=192613 Scriptorium]
-−
-* Making correct shadows : [http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=146169 Creating an accurate Shadow for your Object - Tutorial]
-−
 |}

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:56, 27 November 2013
Line 1:		Line 1:
−	=Guidelines for Sims 2 Meshes=	+	=Guidelines for Sims 2 Object Meshes=

	Have you made a spiffy new object for your sims to use? This guide will walk you through every step of what we require on MTS. This information is relevant for all of Buy Mode, much of Build Mode (pretty much everything not wallpaper, floors, and terrain paint), and also for neighborhood decorations. Please make sure you read these guidelines carefully, as our standards have changed over the years, and there may be some items you weren't aware of before.		Have you made a spiffy new object for your sims to use? This guide will walk you through every step of what we require on MTS. This information is relevant for all of Buy Mode, much of Build Mode (pretty much everything not wallpaper, floors, and terrain paint), and also for neighborhood decorations. Please make sure you read these guidelines carefully, as our standards have changed over the years, and there may be some items you weren't aware of before.

@@ Line 38: / Line 38: @@
 |}
-{| class="collapsible collapsed wikitable" style="width:100%"
+{{Guidelines-NotPerfect}}
-|-
-! style="text-align:left" | Mesh Problems
-|-
-−
-* Let the people know if there are unavoidable issues or weirdness with your object that downloaders should be aware of. Nobody's perfect, but you need to let your downloaders know if they're something odd to watch out for.
-|}
 ===Textures===

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 |-
+|
-*You must include full, numeric polygon (SimPE's 'facecount') for all meshes in your upload. Try to weigh the uniqueness and usability of your item against its poly count: creators that upload extremely high poly items that could be lower poly will be asked to reduce them or the items will be removed. Even if you just modify a Maxis mesh and don't add/remove anything, you still must list a numeric poly count. The rule of thumb is 800 polys per tile. However, if it's a simple object, the poly count should reflect that. Consider making smaller details part of the texture, and don't forget the power of bumpmaps! There is a tool in Milkshape called Direct X Mesh Tools which lowers poly counts, try it out. We also have an excellent [http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=289974 guide about low poly modeling].
+*You must include full, numeric polygon (SimPE's 'facecount') for all meshes in your upload. Try to weigh the uniqueness and usability of your item against its poly count: creators that upload extremely high poly items that could be lower poly will be asked to reduce them or the items will be removed. Even if you just modify a Maxis mesh and don't add/remove anything, you still must list a numeric poly count. The rule of thumb is typical 1 tile object should be between 500-2,000 polys, depending on its size and complexity. Aim for as low as possible. Objects with poly counts deemed ridiculously high for what they are (eg. an 8,000 poly crate or 50,000 poly car) will not be accepted. If it's a simple object, the poly count should reflect that. Consider making smaller details part of the texture, and don't forget the power of bumpmaps! There is a tool in Milkshape called Direct X Mesh Tools which lowers poly counts, try it out. We also have an excellent [http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=289974 guide about low poly modeling].
 |}