Tutorials:TS3 HTMG ChapB Preamble

Preamble (i.e. the boring bits)

Pre-requisites:

• Read Wes' 3D Meshing tutorials - this is a MUST - these tutorials will explain all the concept and background material on Milkshape, UV mapping, etc.
• s3oc Object Cloner (hereafter referred as s3oc)
• A package editor like s3pe, Postal
• An image editing program like: Photoshop(proprietary, costly), Gimp(freeware, open-source), Paint Shop Pro(proprietary, costly), Paint.Net(freeware, open-source), etc [NB: must be able to handle png/jpg/dds picture formats]
• DDS plug-in for your image editor of choice
• 3D modeling program like: Milkshape(trialware, cheap), Blender(freeware, open-source), Maya(proprietary, costly), 3D Studio Max(proprietary, costly), Wings 3D(freeware, open-source), etc
• Object Plug-in for your 3D model editor of choice: like Wes' ObjTool to import/export files into/from TS3"s .package files
• UVMapping tool like: UVMapper Classic(free), LithUnwrap(free), UltimateUnwrap 3D(cost, pay version of LithUnwrap, I think)
• and most importantly - a conceptual idea of what you want to create and plenty of patience and perseverance

At time of writing, this tutorial uses the following tools:

• s3oc version 0909-19-1830 & 0910-12-1531
  • get the latest at simlogical's s3oc forum, note some screens and options may have changed in the new version
• s3pe version 0909-12-1009 & 0910-10-1449
  • get the latest at simlogical's s3pe forum, note some screens and options may have changed in the new version
• Gimp version 2.6.7 with DDS plugins for GIMP
• Milkshape 3D 1.8.5 Beta 1 (from here on out called ms3d), with S3 ObjectTool GUI v1.00 and the MilkShape Object plugins v1.00 (hereafter referred to as ObjTool)
• LithUnwrap v13_2002_0211

Who the tutorial is for:

• any person interested in meshing for The Sims 3 with no prior experience in modding and/or meshing;

What this tutorial will tell you:

• how to configure your workspace for modding;
• how to clone an object;
• how to change the texture;
• how to change package data – names, descriptions, STBL strings, price, thumbnails, etc;
• how to overcome uv scaling issues;
• how to correct common issues/mistakes;

What this tutorial will NOT tell you:

• how to use your computer;
• how to install each software component used as listed above;
• how to use your image editing program unless pertinent to our meshing objectives;
• how to use your 3D modeling program unless pertinent to our meshing objectives;
• how to add different animations to your cloned objects;
• why MTS tells you to mod your panties;
• why Delphy lives in a dolphin spaceship.

Credits and gratitude goes to:

• Creators of the utilities used as listed above; especially –
• Peter & Inge Jones for s3oc & s3pe;
• Wes Howe for the ObjectTool and Milkshape plug-ins and his ever-present willingness to and assistance in answering all our questions;
• DeluxeDesign, Jwoods, Numenor, Lethe_s & IgnorantBliss and other modder "pioneers" for their tutorials at MTS – for which this tutorial is based on. I"ve just expanded each part with screenshots and added my own hints & tips from my experiences;
• Authors of the tutorials at modthesims.info and sims2wiki.info and the ever helpful fellow forum residents;
• and last but not least Delphy and the MTS moderators for creating and maintaining MTS.

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			TS3 HTMG ChapB Preamble