Curate, connect, and discover
Ts2 - Blog Posts
GUID Database Revival
I've finished setting up a way to revive the GUID database, albeit not an automatic one, it is low-key, but rather simple. Instructions are on the pinned post. [It's a Dreamwidth community, basically one webpage where people can dump their GUID info, straight from Excel or a list].
It is searchable with multi search add-ons for browser. Search for multiple entries in one go.
Avoid conflicts with originally registered GUIDs (Not foolproof; assuming GUIDs where assigned in a certain way).
Avoid conflicts with new random GUIDs (that are in the DB).
Creators are indexed - see if your favorite active creators are on there.
Everyone can join, but only members can post. Happy Simming! https://sims2-guid-database.dreamwidth.org/ Example:
Obligatory CCR music:
Index
Preparing For a Tumblr Shutdown Scenario - Where to Find Me Elsewhere.
Resources for Creating: My Go-To things: The Updated List on DW. Retired Post on Tumblr.
Resources For Playing.
GUID Database Revival.
Sims 2 Databases Database.
SimPE Material Definitions Index.
UV Maps Thread.
Game Fuckery Help and Linux List.
List of People's Experiments with Replacing Sims' Face Mesh. Other posts are organized by tags.
SimPE Material Definitions Index:
DW link for a more legible layout. Another thing I made for myself and might as well share. Definitions have links to wiki. If I made any errors feel free to let me know.
Further Reading:
Texture Mapping – Wikipedia.
Materials in general – Unity Manual.
In SimPE – PixelHate's Guide to Material Definitions [TXMT].
Definitions:
Material Type: StandardMaterial (stdMat).
alphaRefValue – (I forgot)
deprecatedStdMatInvDiffuseCoeffMultiplier (idk)
reflectivity
stdMatAlphaBlendMode – Alpha Layer Settings (Responsible for Transparency).
stdMatAlphaMultiplier
stdMatAlphaRefValue – Reflection?
stdMatAlphaTestEnabled
stdMatBaseTextureAddressingU – Base Texture Settings (The Main Texture).
stdMatBaseTextureAddressingV
stdMatBaseTextureAlphaReplicate
stdMatBaseTextureEnabled
stdMatBaseTextureName
stdMatCullMode – Backface Culling Mode.
stdMatDiffCoef">0.8,0.8,0.8< - Diffuse Reflection – Coefficient [pretty sure. Isn't that Albedo?].
stdMatEmissiveCoef">1.00000,1.00000,1.00000< - Emissivity Coefficient.
stdMatEnvCubeBlurFactor">0.000000< - Environment Cube Map Definitions.
stdMatEnvCubeCoef">0,0,0<
stdMatEnvCubeLockedToCamera>0<
stdMatEnvCubeMode>none<
stdMatEnvCubeTextureName
stdMatFillMode>solid<
stdMatLayer>0<
stdMatLightingEnabled">1<
stdMatMinLightRangeHint">4<
stdMatNormalMapTextureEnabled – Normal/Bump Map Settings.
stdMatNormalMapTextureAddressingU
stdMatNormalMapTextureAddressingV
stdMatNormalMapTextureName
stdMatSpecCoef">0.53,0.53,0.53< - Specular Reflection & Specular Map Settings.
stdMatSpecMaskTextureEnabled
stdMatSpecMaskTextureName
stdMatSpecPower">1e+002<
(Not in SimPE - Albedo Map)
stdMatTextureCoordAnimMode">none<
stdMatTextureCoordAnimNumTiles">1.000000,1.000000<
stdMatTextureCoordTfAnimOrigin">0.500000,0.500000<
stdMatTextureCoordTfAnimRotSpeed">0.000000<
stdMatTextureCoordTfAnimRotStartEnd">0.000000,1.000000<
stdMatTextureCoordTfAnimRotWaveform">triangular<
stdMatTextureCoordTfAnimScaleSpeed">0.000000<
stdMatTextureCoordTfAnimScaleStartEnd">0.000000,1.000000<
stdMatTextureCoordTfAnimScaleWaveform">triangular<
stdMatTextureCoordTfAnimTransEnd">0.000000,0.000000<
stdMatTextureCoordTfAnimTransSpeed">0.000000<
stdMatTextureCoordTfAnimTransStart">0.000000,0.000000<
stdMatTextureCoordTfAnimTransWaveform">triangular<
stdMatTextureCoordTileAnimSpeed">0.000000<
stdMatUntexturedDiffAlpha">1<
Sims 2 Databases Database
(Alright it's an index, I just had to)
Made it for myself, I might as well share. If there's something I've missed please let me know. This list is being updated, Tumblr is being a pain and updates won't show up on re-blogs. Visit the original post to view the most current version. Mirror: Dreamwidth.
CC:
By Type:
Sims 2 Object Default Database [Discontinued - DW].
Sims 2 Object Default Database [Active - Spreadsheet].
Sims 2 Default Database [CAS].
Sims 2 Hair Database.
Sims 2 CC: Afro Hairstyles.
Sims 2 Shoes Database.
Sims 2 EA Store Items 2016.
Sims 2 The Maxis Match Repository Project [CAS] [Pinterest Ver.]
Sims 2 Repository Finds [Objects] [sorted into categories].
Sims 2 Functional Finds [Sorted by function].
Resource list: Clutter and decorative items [massive index at GoS].
Sims 2 Lot Database [Maxis ones emptied out].
Sims 2 Lot Makeover Database [Maxis Lots] [Note the Uploading Tutorial].
SkyBox/Horizons/Skylines Database.
Maxis Career Conversions TS1+3+4 to TS2 [Sorted by Game&EP - Under Downloads].
Fractured Moonlight's Stone Super Set - Database [Creator Unknown, let me know if you know].
By Theme:
List of Maxis Lost & Found Objects Converted into Usable Items.
Stories to Sims 2 Conversion Database. [DW Backup]
TS1 to TS2 Conversion/Recreation Database.
TS1 Catalog Conversions [Active, Include OG Object Descriptions].
TS3 to TS2 Conversion Database [DW Backup].
TS3 to TS2 Traits Project Mod Tracking Sheet [Blog Ver.]
TS4 to TS2 CAS Conversion Archive [EA].
TS4 to TS2 CC Clothing Conversion Database [Custom - ts4 only?].
TS4 to TS2 Build/Buy Conversion Database [EA].
TS4 to TS2 CC Build & Buy Database [Custom].
The Sims spin-off games to the PC TS2 [&3+4].
TSM-to-TS2 Conversion Database [DW Backup].
Sims 2 Historical Finds [CAS&Objects] [Sorted by Era/Period].
Grunge Masterlist Project 2025.
List of Asian Sims 2 Sites With Working Downloads [As of 2017?].
CC Archives:
Sim Archive Project, at The Internet Archive [Introduction Post].
Sims Cave.
Sims Graveyard.
Liquid Sims - Community Archives.
The Booty, at PSMBD.
Sims 2 Packrat, on Tumblr [Watch out for the recent SFS Hacking problem].
Ekrubynaffit (a.k.a bestbuild4sims) has re-uploaded a lot of archives of defunct creators. Albums with DL on her pinterest. Mainly build and buy mode, thanks a lot!
Resources:
CEP-Extras List, Huge Lunatic at Sims 2 Artists.
The Sims 2 Tutorials Database [Active] (Really needs a backup outside of Tumblr).
Several Lists of Maxis Resources for Modding,Pick'n'Mix Mods, own website, under Notes.
Sims 2 GUID Database Revival (Yes I'm shamelessly promoting it).
Sims 2 Trait GUID Database, by FireFlower.
Sims 2 Painting Sizes Database.
List of all Color Actions, With DL, ZeroDark/Graphic at GoS.
List of all WSO Actions, by Blue Heaven Sims, under Resources.
List of Hacks & Mods That Use Tokens, Bulbizarre at MTS.
Update notes are under the cut:
Update: Custom Clothing Conversion db [4t2], by @brandinotbroke/ Hair db, by @krabbysims/ Sims 4t2 CAS Conversion Archive [EA], by @mdpthatsme/ CEP-Extras List, by @hugelunatic/ Lists of Maxis Resources for Modding, by @picknmixsims/ Sims 2 Tutorials db [Active], by @sims2tutorials/ Sim Archive Project at The Internet Archive, by various - see @simnostalgia. Update 1: added EA ts2 store items at GoS/ Painting sizes db/ Tutorials db, by @sims2tutorials. Update 2: GUID db Revival. Update 3: believe it or not, there's more - Shoes db/ Sims 2. Functional Finds [sorted by function], by @sims2functionalfinds. Update 4: Resource list: Clutter and decorative items, at @gardenofshadowssims. Update 5: added archives section. Update 6: added @ekrubynaffit's Pinterest Archive. Update 7: Fixed TSM link, added Stories db/ Afro Hairstyles db, by @letomills/ SkyBox/Horizons/Skylines Database, by @simmergetic/ Grunge Masterlist Project 2025, by @pixeldolly/ and DW backup links (Everything that's exclusively on Tumblr/LJ should be backed somewhere else). Update 8: List of Asian Sims 2 Sites With Working Downloads [as of 2017?] by @0201-sims. Update 9: added Sims 2 Repository Finds [sorted into categories], by @sims2repositoryfinds. Update 10: added Sims 2 Object db [Discontinued], because the more the better. Update 11 Yet another (!): The Maxis Match Repository Project [CAS], by @whattheskell [how did i forget?]/ TS3 to TS2 Traits Project Mod Tracking Sheet, by Rowena Sims & @noodlebelli. Update 11: Maxis Career Conversions TS1+3+4 to TS2 [Sorted by Game&EP - Under Downloads], by @sims2idea-lientebollemeis2i. Update 12: HS I found another one: List of all Color Actions - Names, Creators, and Download Links. Maintained for over a decade by @zerographic at GoS :P Update 13: separated by type & theme. added Sims 2 Historical Finds [CAS&Objects] [Sorted by Era/Period], by @ts2history. Update 14: added to resources Trait GUID db, by @fireflowersims. Update 15: I shit you not, there's more - Sims 2 Lot Makeover db [Maxis Lots], by @ts2lotmakeoverdb/ List of Hacks & Mods That Use Tokens, Bulbizarre at MTS/ TS1 Catalog Conversions [Active], by @kitteninthewindow/ WSO Action Masterlist, by Blue Heaven Sims under Resources. Update 16: List of Maxis Lost & Found Objects Converted into Usable Items, @kirlicues. Update 17: Sims 2 Lot db [Maxis ones emptied out], by @mikexx2 @mrsktrout @ts2lots.
Recent finds I really like: Different Colour Standards into hexes, here's RAL:
Royal Skies' fast tutorials for Blender. He has playlists full of knowledge, here's one.
Ambient CG, a website for free & ready to use materials. Has really good stuff.
Nvidia’s vMaterial Library, it's fantastic. It’s free but requires registration, 2gb~ of textures.
Free section at Poliigon has some good stuff as well.
22.04.25: Free 3D models at CG Trader's free section. Really interesting stuff.
Resources for Creating: My Go-To things.
Update: I’ll be updating the list on this page from now on, since Tumblr can’t handle so many hyper-links in one post, on Dreamwidth - right here, so I won't have to update it multiple times. Please note: I keep updating this list, and updates aren't showing up on reblogs. Please check the original post for the most up to date list.
Sooo this is going to be a long comprehensive list. I got back to this game after a long time and with a different computer, with a dedicated graphics card, hurray! It made me want to return to making things, so while gathering back all the necessary stuff, I've complied this list. It might be is updated as I go along, but these are the main things I use. Maby one day i'll even finish something. So here are my go-to resources & tutorials; I'm posting it here for safekeeping, and hopefully others will find it helpful. Everything that's listed is here free. So many wonderful things for free under the cut.
Programs – General:
Creating: Blender. Blender Addons: 3D Print Toolbox – comes with blender, enable it from within the program. Originally for 3d printing. Good for fixing flipped normals, and some quick general repairs. Source Tools And source tools wiki – for exporting as SMD!!!! (SimPe: to enable bump maps for the mesh on import). GMDC Addon for Blender 4.0+ by Nopke.
GIMP. GIMP Addons: G'MIC-Qt. Resynthesizer. Nvidia dds?. Doesn’t it come with Gimp?
Other: Nvidia Texture Tools Exporter (iirc it works with all graphic cards that are compatible, doesn’t require Nvidia). For making Normal / Bump / Cube Maps. For high quality compression.
NormalMaps - Online, For making all types of maps, has good setting menus. A very cool tool.
Converting: Umodel, for Unreal Engine (Static meshes: export as gtlf.2. Animated meshes: export as psk. Requires Add-on). AssetStudio, for Unity. AC Viewer, self implied (+ USD Addon for blender). QuickBMS* and support forum, for basically everything else. (don't forget the required scrips, down the same page). *I haven’t tested it fully yet, but it was recommended here. A tutorial for it is listed further down. Works like a charm.
UV Mapping: UV Mapper, Classic (free) and the most recent Demo (for visualization).
Programs – Sims:
Never Mind the Bollox, Here's Osab and MAGIkarp to the rescue!
Latest version of SimPe, works with a non-default installation path. Chris Hatch's updates.
Home Crafter installation, Post by Huge Lunatic at Sims2Artists.
Repository Wizard, by Pick'N'Mix Mods. A game changer.
DBPF Compare, by Pick'N'Mix Mods.
Object Relocator, also by Pick'N'Mix Mods.
SMD Tools, by Lazy Duchess.
The Compressorizer, by JFade – Lazy Duchess's edit.
Bulk Rename Utility, to change file names in well, bulk. As explained by io here.
Lot Adjustor, by Mootilda at MTS.
Tutorials:
Override the game's graphic settings via Nvidia, as explained by iCad. The settings to Nvidia Profile Inspector she linked to at MTS have been deleted for some reason, here they are via WebArchive.
Meshing in Blender:
Mesh Optimization Info (and links), by Crisps&Kerosene.
Additional - Reducing Polycount:
Tutorial, by Flaming-Chickens (another username on other sites perhaps?)
Edge – Un-subdivide, a quick one by CG Link.
Transfer high poly details to low poly object in Blender, by 3Dnot2D.
Shrinkwrap Modifier - Blender Tutorial for Beginners - Basics, by in2vert.
Placeholder for this Addon that I want to try but haven't found, something for AR that was on facebook's defunct AR.
Scaling tips, by Blender Secrets.
How to fix inverted/ flipped normals, by ipaintsmallthings.
Converting: How to Extract 3D Models, Textures, Music from Unreal Engine Games, by iwanMods.
Extract 2D/3D/SFX Unity Assets fast & easy from your Unity Game, by iwanMods as well.
How to use QuickBMS, by darkhorse.
Guide to Converting 3t2 and 4t2 Part 01 and Part 02, by Chiaroscuro/tenlittlepandas.
Converting TS4 Windows and Doors, by Crisps&Kerosene.
Using Different Material Maps as Shading/Details for Base Texture, in Gimp or Blender, by Pineapple Forest & Crisps&Kerosene: https://www.tumblr.com/crispsandkerosene/764893644571525120/great-info-thats-the-reason-some-conversions?source=share
Texture Editing in GIMP:
Using Gimp Add-ons: G'MicQT. Resynthesizer. Both by Davies Media Design. This guy's channel for Gimp in general – here's a good one to begin with. And another one about layer masks.
Making a texture Tile Seamless: 1. My favorite - How to Make Seamless Textures for Cinema 4D - 3 Levels of Photoshop Wizardry using iPhone Photos, by School of Motion.
2. Simple Trick for More Realistic Texture Patterns in GIMP, by Davies Media Design – Quick and simple, using the Resynthesizer plugin. Good for patterns.
Making walls in SimPe out of a square texture, with minimal quality loss. To be written.
SimPe: Cloneable Objects: A List of Good Objects for Cloning, by IgnorantBliss at MTS.
Huge Lunatic's Tutorials, Her website.
Object Creation for Absolute Beginners, by Moune.
Sims 2 start to finish Object Creation Tutorial, by JWoods, Numenor, Lethe_s & IgnorantBliss.
The Material Definition (TXMT) Guide, by PixelHate – very comprehensive. Part 5 is about Bump/ Normal maps.
Null (Texture-less) Groups, by Skell. For bodyshop, for Objects see an elaboration by Midge the Tree below.
Crisps&Kerosene discovered how to add specular maps to objects! It's incredible there are still new things to discover in this ancient game.
More on Specular Maps, by Pineapple Forest.
Making new flooring & walls with SimPE, by Charisa. Includes adding Bump/Normal maps. She added a file to clone from in the comments below. It works for normal maps as well. Here's cool discovery in the game files.
Expanding footprint: a mini tutorial, by Deedee.
How to add correct drop shadows to objects, by Yuxi, via Wayback Machine.
Making Objects Viewable in Neighborhood View, by iCad.
Making Objects Visible In Build/Buy Mode, Invisible In Live Mode, by Midge the Tree.
Making Seasons-Friendly Trees, by Echo.
Io/ Serabiet's resources list, mainly for Bodyshop but not just.
Pineapple Forest's Tutorials, useful tips for efficiency and optimization.
MTS modding forum in General.
The Sims 2 Tutorials, on Tumblr. A database, is more updated.
Sims2Artists tutorials section.
LeeFish modding forum.
Garden of Shadows, Tree of Knowledge section.
Troubleshooting: What to do if you get a System.OutOfMemoryException Error, SimPe Forum, via WayBack Machine. Thank you @fanseelamb for the find.
How to read object error logs: I just want to know what causes it!!, by Episims.
Common TS2 errors, by Midge the Tree.
General game fuckery: How to Stop Sims 2 Crashing (Memory Allocation Fix and 4GB Patch Repair), by Jessa.
Graphics card problems, LeeFish forum.
Graphics help - DIY, by Kiri. How to fix faulty Texture Memory allocation, and the problems that stem from it. Tumblr can't handle anymore hyper links so here it is: https://celebkiriedhel.tumblr.com/post/189431721483/graphics-help-diy
General: Switching between save folders without renaming them, by Nopke.
Resources:
3D Models Online*: Various furniture designers' websites: Porada, Zanotta, Muuto, Hay, Poltrona Frau, many luxury furniture designer basically.
3D Warehouse, belongs to Sketchfab (get the Collada files).
Scan the World.
Wikimedia Commons. And more.
*(NOT OPTIMIZED).
Textures: Architextures.
Fabrics & Wallpapers: Natural Stones: Wall Plasters:
iCad's Woods. Shastakiss's Cluedo Metals, Yeti Metals, Pirate Woods. Goat's Woods.
Textures from other games: Dishonored, Thieve and much more, by Saricoya at GoS. Dreamfell by io.
Resource sharing threads at Garden of Shadows.
SimPe - General: CEP Extras list, HugeLunatic at Sims2Artists.
TXMT settings for different materials, by Hafiseazale.
Extended SimStandardMaterial Shader for the Sims 2 + Optionally Brighter Sims, by Crisps&Kerosene.
Custom CubeMaps, by Crisps&Kerosene.
Shiny TXMT Settings & Cube Maps Packs, by Pineapple Forest.
Build/ Buy: Templates for Recoloring Maxis items; MTS Templates sction, Hafiseazale (+cc), ZeroDark.
Template for Seasonal Trees, Gwenke at Sims2Artists.
Making Roof Recolors, Tutorial & template by Numenor, great template by iCad.
Pack for making food clutter usable, by DeeDee.
CAS: Default Makeup Packages - BYO Packages, by Huge Lunatic.
Body shape, Io/Serabiet on Tumblr.
Skin template, Io/Serabiet on Tumblr.
Hair texture, iCad.
Color Actions, Pooklet on Tumblr.
That's it for now.
Edit: forgot about CEP extras. Added more links. Edit 02: Added Troubleshooting section under tutorials.
The Internet Archive needs your help.
A coalition of major record labels has filed a lawsuit against the Internet Archive—demanding $700 million for our work preserving and providing access to historical 78rpm records. These fragile, obsolete discs hold some of the earliest recordings of a vanishing American culture. But this lawsuit goes far beyond old records. It’s an attack on the Internet Archive itself.
This lawsuit is an existential threat to the Internet Archive and everything we preserve—including the Wayback Machine, a cornerstone of memory and preservation on the internet.
At a time when digital information is disappearing, being rewritten, or erased entirely, the tools to preserve history must be defended—not dismantled.
This isn’t just about music. It’s about whether future generations will have access to knowledge, history, and culture.
Sign our open letter and tell the record labels to drop their lawsuit.
I didn't know about the guid database at MTS, does anybody know if it's still being updated?
Sims 2:
Because I'm working on a simple solution, but idk if its still an issue.
Sims 2:
Because I'm working on a simple solution, but idk if its still an issue.
This Blender manual has a good demonstration of projections & their effect on textures, here are a couple:
Understanding UV Mapping - How Map Projections Work.
Back to Geography with this one; I've seen in some places people say they don't like/understand UV Mapping or unwrapping. Well, I love mapping and had this video saved, It's short and light and explains very clearly how projections work. It helped me catch up on the issue. Unwrapping from what I understand, is basically the first part in the video where the guy is fighting the globe.
Got an answer from lovely Pooklet. I will change the sims' narrow face and scrawny neck one day...
Hey, i ran into your recent post [Anonymous asked Do you mind people editing sims you’ve put up for download?] in which you talk about editing sims' faces in milkshape. would you mind elaborating on how you go about it? mainly what do you export and how do you import back? I have in mind putting a mesh from another game as a sim's face, that's the goal anyway. I use blender if that matters. Thanks in advance, and have a great day/evening.
hey friend! i posted a semi-tutorial a while back on editing faces in milkshape here, but i'm not actually sure if it would be possible to do what you're talking abt in sims 2, unfortunately. i know it is possible to import other head "objects" (like monitors or helmets or anything that will completely cover the head) as an accessory or hair. that's how we have stuff like screen heads and lord woot.
but ☝️ i don't know if anyone has had success replacing the existing head mesh. from what i have heard, it just breaks the mesh, because sims 2 is so so ancient and not compatible with anything ever. you could possibly do something similar to Drachenfels's skeleton skin which i believes makes the default head invisible with a skin and then you equip the skull as an accessory/hair (don't remember which in this case), but it won't have any facial rigging/animations and would basically be a static object. that's how i understand it anyway.
full disclosure: i could definitely be wrong abt this now or in the future. for a very long time we thought custom sliders were impossible but that is obvs no longer the case. could be that there is a way to replace head meshes and we just haven't found it yet.
Wip: Assassin Sims continues. Got my computer fixed and so the project continues. The picture is from AC:B, not sims yet, I'm just admiring how this game looks, and I'm not even in Rome yet :) Does anybody happen to know a good texture mod for this game? as much as I like photo editing, it would be nice to not do all of them one by one.. haven't found a mod to my liking yet.
Speaking of photo editing, here are my favorite G'MIC-QT filters [an add-on for GIMP]:
P.S., not sure if I got Nvidia to override the game's settings correctly, I'm having this problem with ts2 where it doesn't smooth the edges.. Maybe it's fine here and I'm exaggerating, but the lines look a bit jagged here as well, when zooming in...
Preparing For a Tumblr Shutdown Scenario - Where to Find Me Elsewhere.
After reading the news about Tumblr I finally set up other accounts elsewhere. I'll open a Dreamwidth as well. Links are also in the profile description. Right now it feels a bit empty out there for sims 2, I'd like to find people from over here, over there.
Dreamwidth - I'll be posting downloads and such over there and on forums, the other (anti)social media accounts will reference it. Pillowfort - Felidae. BlueSky - @felidae-sims.bsky.social. Garden of Shadows - Felidae. Mod the Sims Felidae_Sims. Simblr.CC - Felidae.
Edit: Changed account at MTS, typos.. Added Dreamwidth account.
Understanding UV Mapping - How Map Projections Work.
Back to Geography with this one; I've seen in some places people say they don't like/understand UV Mapping or unwrapping. Well, I love mapping and had this video saved, It's short and light and explains very clearly how projections work. It helped me catch up on the issue. Unwrapping from what I understand, is basically the first part in the video where the guy is fighting the globe.
Look what I found! This tool is so good.
Found it through github, it produces all types of maps. Haven't seen it being mentioned anywhere... I used a Maxis floor as an example. It produced very nice results on images of floors I got online.
These bloody conversions.
tempted to call this Assassin Sims in Paris.
Wip: Assassin Sims.
Since i've shared my resources list, I might as well share this too. Nothing is finnished, hence the wip. Ezio's outfit was converted by Daislia at GoS. Working dl at page 3.
I don't want to unfreeze this frame. In the pictures: some cafe furniture from Unity. Roofs, plants and wall from Brotherhood. The wall will be a 3 parter, and seamless of course, in the picture it's just one part. Not ideal but otherwise the texture would shrink badly. None of the materials is ready yet, the end result will look nicer, I hope.
Resources for Creating: My Go-To things.
Update: I’ll be updating the list on this page from now on, since Tumblr can’t handle so many hyper-links in one post, on Dreamwidth - right here, so I won't have to update it multiple times. Please note: I keep updating this list, and updates aren't showing up on reblogs. Please check the original post for the most up to date list.
Sooo this is going to be a long comprehensive list. I got back to this game after a long time and with a different computer, with a dedicated graphics card, hurray! It made me want to return to making things, so while gathering back all the necessary stuff, I've complied this list. It might be is updated as I go along, but these are the main things I use. Maby one day i'll even finish something. So here are my go-to resources & tutorials; I'm posting it here for safekeeping, and hopefully others will find it helpful. Everything that's listed is here free. So many wonderful things for free under the cut.
Programs – General:
Creating: Blender. Blender Addons: 3D Print Toolbox – comes with blender, enable it from within the program. Originally for 3d printing. Good for fixing flipped normals, and some quick general repairs. Source Tools And source tools wiki – for exporting as SMD!!!! (SimPe: to enable bump maps for the mesh on import). GMDC Addon for Blender 4.0+ by Nopke.
GIMP. GIMP Addons: G'MIC-Qt. Resynthesizer. Nvidia dds?. Doesn’t it come with Gimp?
Other: Nvidia Texture Tools Exporter (iirc it works with all graphic cards that are compatible, doesn’t require Nvidia). For making Normal / Bump / Cube Maps. For high quality compression.
NormalMaps - Online, For making all types of maps, has good setting menus. A very cool tool.
Converting: Umodel, for Unreal Engine (Static meshes: export as gtlf.2. Animated meshes: export as psk. Requires Add-on). AssetStudio, for Unity. AC Viewer, self implied (+ USD Addon for blender). QuickBMS* and support forum, for basically everything else. (don't forget the required scrips, down the same page). *I haven’t tested it fully yet, but it was recommended here. A tutorial for it is listed further down. Works like a charm.
UV Mapping: UV Mapper, Classic (free) and the most recent Demo (for visualization).
Programs – Sims:
Never Mind the Bollox, Here's Osab and MAGIkarp to the rescue!
Latest version of SimPe, works with a non-default installation path. Chris Hatch's updates.
Home Crafter installation, Post by Huge Lunatic at Sims2Artists.
Repository Wizard, by Pick'N'Mix Mods. A game changer.
DBPF Compare, by Pick'N'Mix Mods.
Object Relocator, also by Pick'N'Mix Mods.
SMD Tools, by Lazy Duchess.
The Compressorizer, by JFade – Lazy Duchess's edit.
Bulk Rename Utility, to change file names in well, bulk. As explained by io here.
Lot Adjustor, by Mootilda at MTS.
Tutorials:
Override the game's graphic settings via Nvidia, as explained by iCad. The settings to Nvidia Profile Inspector she linked to at MTS have been deleted for some reason, here they are via WebArchive.
Meshing in Blender:
Mesh Optimization Info (and links), by Crisps&Kerosene.
Additional - Reducing Polycount:
Tutorial, by Flaming-Chickens (another username on other sites perhaps?)
Edge – Un-subdivide, a quick one by CG Link.
Transfer high poly details to low poly object in Blender, by 3Dnot2D.
Shrinkwrap Modifier - Blender Tutorial for Beginners - Basics, by in2vert.
Placeholder for this Addon that I want to try but haven't found, something for AR that was on facebook's defunct AR.
Scaling tips, by Blender Secrets.
How to fix inverted/ flipped normals, by ipaintsmallthings.
Converting: How to Extract 3D Models, Textures, Music from Unreal Engine Games, by iwanMods.
Extract 2D/3D/SFX Unity Assets fast & easy from your Unity Game, by iwanMods as well.
How to use QuickBMS, by darkhorse.
Guide to Converting 3t2 and 4t2 Part 01 and Part 02, by Chiaroscuro/tenlittlepandas.
Converting TS4 Windows and Doors, by Crisps&Kerosene.
Using Different Material Maps as Shading/Details for Base Texture, in Gimp or Blender, by Pineapple Forest & Crisps&Kerosene: https://www.tumblr.com/crispsandkerosene/764893644571525120/great-info-thats-the-reason-some-conversions?source=share
Texture Editing in GIMP:
Using Gimp Add-ons: G'MicQT. Resynthesizer. Both by Davies Media Design. This guy's channel for Gimp in general – here's a good one to begin with. And another one about layer masks.
Making a texture Tile Seamless: 1. My favorite - How to Make Seamless Textures for Cinema 4D - 3 Levels of Photoshop Wizardry using iPhone Photos, by School of Motion.
2. Simple Trick for More Realistic Texture Patterns in GIMP, by Davies Media Design – Quick and simple, using the Resynthesizer plugin. Good for patterns.
Making walls in SimPe out of a square texture, with minimal quality loss. To be written.
SimPe: Cloneable Objects: A List of Good Objects for Cloning, by IgnorantBliss at MTS.
Huge Lunatic's Tutorials, Her website.
Object Creation for Absolute Beginners, by Moune.
Sims 2 start to finish Object Creation Tutorial, by JWoods, Numenor, Lethe_s & IgnorantBliss.
The Material Definition (TXMT) Guide, by PixelHate – very comprehensive. Part 5 is about Bump/ Normal maps.
Null (Texture-less) Groups, by Skell. For bodyshop, for Objects see an elaboration by Midge the Tree below.
Crisps&Kerosene discovered how to add specular maps to objects! It's incredible there are still new things to discover in this ancient game.
More on Specular Maps, by Pineapple Forest.
Making new flooring & walls with SimPE, by Charisa. Includes adding Bump/Normal maps. She added a file to clone from in the comments below. It works for normal maps as well. Here's cool discovery in the game files.
Expanding footprint: a mini tutorial, by Deedee.
How to add correct drop shadows to objects, by Yuxi, via Wayback Machine.
Making Objects Viewable in Neighborhood View, by iCad.
Making Objects Visible In Build/Buy Mode, Invisible In Live Mode, by Midge the Tree.
Making Seasons-Friendly Trees, by Echo.
Io/ Serabiet's resources list, mainly for Bodyshop but not just.
Pineapple Forest's Tutorials, useful tips for efficiency and optimization.
MTS modding forum in General.
The Sims 2 Tutorials, on Tumblr. A database, is more updated.
Sims2Artists tutorials section.
LeeFish modding forum.
Garden of Shadows, Tree of Knowledge section.
Troubleshooting: What to do if you get a System.OutOfMemoryException Error, SimPe Forum, via WayBack Machine. Thank you @fanseelamb for the find.
How to read object error logs: I just want to know what causes it!!, by Episims.
Common TS2 errors, by Midge the Tree.
General game fuckery: How to Stop Sims 2 Crashing (Memory Allocation Fix and 4GB Patch Repair), by Jessa.
Graphics card problems, LeeFish forum.
Graphics help - DIY, by Kiri. How to fix faulty Texture Memory allocation, and the problems that stem from it. Tumblr can't handle anymore hyper links so here it is: https://celebkiriedhel.tumblr.com/post/189431721483/graphics-help-diy
General: Switching between save folders without renaming them, by Nopke.
Resources:
3D Models Online*: Various furniture designers' websites: Porada, Zanotta, Muuto, Hay, Poltrona Frau, many luxury furniture designer basically.
3D Warehouse, belongs to Sketchfab (get the Collada files).
Scan the World.
Wikimedia Commons. And more.
*(NOT OPTIMIZED).
Textures: Architextures.
Fabrics & Wallpapers: Natural Stones: Wall Plasters:
iCad's Woods. Shastakiss's Cluedo Metals, Yeti Metals, Pirate Woods. Goat's Woods.
Textures from other games: Dishonored, Thieve and much more, by Saricoya at GoS. Dreamfell by io.
Resource sharing threads at Garden of Shadows.
SimPe - General: CEP Extras list, HugeLunatic at Sims2Artists.
TXMT settings for different materials, by Hafiseazale.
Extended SimStandardMaterial Shader for the Sims 2 + Optionally Brighter Sims, by Crisps&Kerosene.
Custom CubeMaps, by Crisps&Kerosene.
Shiny TXMT Settings & Cube Maps Packs, by Pineapple Forest.
Build/ Buy: Templates for Recoloring Maxis items; MTS Templates sction, Hafiseazale (+cc), ZeroDark.
Template for Seasonal Trees, Gwenke at Sims2Artists.
Making Roof Recolors, Tutorial & template by Numenor, great template by iCad.
Pack for making food clutter usable, by DeeDee.
CAS: Default Makeup Packages - BYO Packages, by Huge Lunatic.
Body shape, Io/Serabiet on Tumblr.
Skin template, Io/Serabiet on Tumblr.
Hair texture, iCad.
Color Actions, Pooklet on Tumblr.
That's it for now.
Edit: forgot about CEP extras. Added more links. Edit 02: Added Troubleshooting section under tutorials.
Just re-signed at MTS after years and went to uppdate profile. This gives some proportions..
Sims 2: What do you consider as a reasonable amount of polygons for a tree?
Maxis Match Buffet Platters and "Grand Rotunda" Banquet Table
If you don't care for the text exposure of how this set came to be, you can just go straight for the Neocities download page (Check it out, it has a gallery now too!!):
Download
and now, for the context
Early this week Lord Crumps released a 4t2 conversion of the Luxury Party stuff pack, that included this nifty custom functional serving platter, courtesy of Lamare.
However, since a lot of straightforward sims 4 conversions don't match the visual style of my game much, I decided to clone the serving tray and use Pineapple Forest's Restaurant Cloche default mesh and textures to replace it with, but then, the project escalated (Not as much as other projects), and I decided to also include a Banquet Table that matched The Rotunda Table from Celebrations, and instead of sticking of one size of party platter, how about two, and make it recolorable and repositoried while I'm at it!
So This is what you get, 3 Objects and 1 recolor
Again, special thanks to @lordcrumps @lamare-sims for the original objects, and @pforestsims for the mesh and textures of the cloche.
PS: I do recommend the mod edit that comes with the party pack to make the sims make more use of the buffet platters.
Potions A Plenty - Potion Brewing Set
Pulling from most every other set of Sun&Moon for potion ingredients, this set gives the sims the ability to brew various potions that affect moods, skills, life states, aging, pregnancy, health, and a variety of other mostly harmless effects.
The Quick Feature Review/Set Breakdown below the cut.
Download - SFS
View Use/Instruction Manual
The Potion Crafting Bench - The heart of the set itself, the potion bench is where components are stored, prepared, and combined into batches of potions. At this station, sims can do the following.
Practice potion making and brew a total of 56 potions that have varying effects when drank by sims
Earn Logic Skill and Science Enthusiasm
Stock materials
Order Supply Bundles to facilitate quicker potion making
Obtain a Writ of Mastery in potion crafting
Keep a tidy workstation by keeping things clean
A set of “basic” potions, and their ingredients will be considered REQUIRED for function. Do not remove those files. Let the manual guide you.
Access to these is dictated by logic skill level as well as a writ of mastery/Creature Life State/Traits.
This station has 28 decorative slots, as well as a decorative mode to enable/disable effects and an "in use" look at will.
Story Mode Enabled - Skip all the ingredients and steps, just enjoy the end products, or just run the animations on a station for the ease of taking pictures.
*New Feature* - Station Cleanliness. As the station is used, it will obtain dirty points. This dirty level affects the outcomes of potion crafting and increases failure chances. Make sure to keep the cauldron clean to ensure quality products!
*New Feature* - Supply Ordering. For a flat rate, sims can buy a bulk order of various materials needed for any potion. They will be added directly to the station's crafting counts.
All potions can be found in Hobbies/Logic. Complete Danish and Portuguese translations. If you'd like to translate into your native language, please share your strings with us and we'll update the set proper!
Inventory Tools & New Items
Botanical Book - Pretty and useful. Inventory Tool.
Writ of Mastery - Apothecary Version. Inventory Tool.
Crate of Jars - 6 glass jars needed for potion making.
Cauldron Dregs - Waste produced from cleaning the station or failing in potion making.
Bonus Items
Reference Tome - In game recipe book for all potions
Counter Split OMSP - Give maxis counters a chance to hold more things!
Display Shelves - 9 decorative slots, two versions.
Apothecary Todd Cart and Pavilion - Previously released sets bundled into this set; they have been optimized and renamed, please remove the old versions.
Potion Specifics
Potions come in 5 types: Basic, Folk Remedy Potions, Arcane Potions, Creature/Lifestate Potions, and Poison Potions. The more fantastical the potion, the more complex it is to make.
Please be aware that depending on your playstyle you will have to add more files from other sources or you can delete certain files from this set without worry; For example, if you do not play your game with creature life states or custom creature life states, you may delete anything related to those potions, provided it is not used in another “basic” potion.
Potions are NOT recolorable and will not be made so in the future. If you wish to alter the bottle/potion colors yourself, this may be done in the properties/categorized properties tab of each subset txmt in SimPe, using the stdMatDiffCoef line.
Potions Vs. Teas: You will notice that many potions have the same effects as previously released teas from the Quali-Tea set. So what’s the difference?
Teas are based on cooking and logic skills only. Potions function more on Logic skill level and a Writ of Mastery, OR Witch/Warlock state, and other traits.
Teas are single cup per crafting interactions (except basic hunger teas). Potions will always produce in a batch of 6.
In some cases, Teas require MORE ingredients to make, whereas Potions require LESS ingredients but higher Logic skill and rarer/less natural ingredients.
While potions can have the same effect as a similar tea, more risk is involved with taking them and sims can experience adverse/opposite of intended effects.
Eorzean Imports - All Saints' Wake
🎃 Happy Halloween, Simblreen and All Saints' Wake!! 🎃
Download at the Plumb Bob Keep
For someone who struggles to understand sometimes what a given block does inside a specific BHAV, this might be useful!
BHAV to Diagram Tool
I've just released a web tool for The Sims 2 modders that converts SimPe BHAV code to Mermaid diagrams. It's intended to make BHAV functions easier to understand, especially the big ones.
BHAV to Mermaid diagram (cosmatevs.github.io)
Yeah, like, it makes sense when a large boat uses a larger texture, an hourglass that you see for like... 10 seconds.. not so much, if you can encompass details in smaller textures to the point none of them would be lost... better to do that than have 2k Textures for a piece of deco clutter that's gonna be used a lot but barely occupies the space of a slot
I was curious and decided to summarily investigate the base game's heaviest textures.
Most are 1024x1024. However, the urn sculpture is 512x2048:
Also, the Grim Reaper's hourglass' texture is uselessly big:
His ass is not respecting "texture size roughly matching the size of the object on the screen" !! lol
Edit: I initially did not look at EPs. PineappleForest pointed out the Bon Voyage pirate ship uses two 2k textures. Looking through EP files, I also found three for the Freetime basketball courts. Considering the sizes of these objects, a fair use.
(In general I find that the textures from later EPs are better in general 🤔 like you don't see the flat floodfilling you have in some base game textures.)
20th Anniversary of Sims 2 Gifts!
We are at two whole decades of this amazing game! May we get many more to come, because my love of this game will not run out. I still do something sims 2 related every single day and I wouldn't change it for the world! Thank you for the years of fun, and thank you sims 2 community for making the experience even better! :)
As so many are doing, I wanted to share some gifts for this happy occasion. I come bringing treats, literally and metaphorically! I have something for you, for the sims, and for the pets! Yay!
Gift for Players - Posebox function that remembers last used pose
Gift for Sims - Updated Simslice Beer Keg
Gift for Pets - Functional Pet Treat Bucket
Original plan for pets was easier stray adoption. That will be coming but I was not able to finish testing in time, so for now, they get pet treat immersion mod :) I hope you all have had a lovely Saturday with lots of Sims 2 activities and community events. If you have free time, I hope you'll check out the twitch stream train currently going on that is hosted by ChocolateCitySim and Ranabluu!
Heart Balloons by Gayars, shared for anniversary here.
Ok this is the first of my uploads for today (only have two). The first one is my Plumbob Wedding Cake I made a few years ago and finally dusted off and made the recolors for, for this very special event!
Plumbob Wedding Cake
Wordpress post
link to heart balloons
20th Anniversary Gift for The Sims 2 from The Sims Console and The Sims Bustin' Out
Happy 20th anniversary to The Sims 2! I absolutely love The Sims 2 and how this game was treated. Every platform for it provides different, unique gameplay and lore. Out of all the PC versions, this is the one I tend to gravitate towards. There's just something about it. So here's a gift to celebrate it! This gift consists of 9 conversions (+ an extra of the Torchemada Wall Torch to include a flipped version) from The Sims console and The Sims Bustin' Out. This was heavily inspired by the master bedroom at the Goth Manor location, also in spirit of Halloween coming up! Please let me know if there’s any issues!
The Sims console and The Sims Bustin' Out collection file for The Sims 2 can be found on my collection files page: Found Here
Downloads:
20th Anniversary Gift For The Sims 2 - SFS
Alt Download - Patreon
Enjoy my work? Consider becoming a Patreon or buying me a coffee!
Modern Mission Bed Information: The modern mission bedding is included.Mesh and textures were converted by me. Price - §3,000 Category - ‘Comfort > Beds’ Polycount: 1704 (the frame alone is just 196) Texture Sizes - 256x256
Modern Mission End Table Information: Has 9 deco slots, shown in last photo.Mesh and textures were converted by me. Price - §250 Category - ‘Surfaces > End Tables’ Polycount: 68 Texture Sizes - 128x128
Traditional Oak Armoire Information: Mesh and textures were converted by me. Price - §550 Category - ‘Miscellaneous > Dressers’ Polycount: 700 Texture Sizes - 256x256
Faux Bearskin Rug Information: Mesh and textures were converted by me. Price - §4,300 Category - ‘Decorative > Rugs’ Polycount: 231 Texture Sizes - 256x128
Queen Vivanco Roses Information: Mesh and textures were converted by me. Price - §99 Category - ‘Decorative > Plants’ Polycount: 314 Texture Sizes - 256x128
"Eruption of Decadence" TapestryInformation: Mesh and textures were converted by me. Price - §8,100 Category - ‘Decorative > Wall Hangings’ Polycount: 72 Texture Sizes - 256x256
Torchemada Wall Torch (left and right versions)Information: Mesh and textures were converted by me. Price - §250 Category - ‘Lighting > Wall Lamps’ Polycount: 438 Texture Sizes - 128x64
Torchemada CandelabraInformation: Mesh and textures were converted by me. Price - §400 Category - ‘Lighting > Floor Lamps’ Polycount: 455 Texture Sizes - 128x128
Topiary SkullInformation: Mesh and textures were converted by me. Price - §101 Category - ‘Garden Center > Shrubs’ Polycount: 972 (1084 overgrown) Texture Sizes - 128x128
CDK/MoneyMAT: Cashpointe Set
Published: 9-14-2024 | Updated: N/A SUMMARY MoneyMAT is a collection of modified objects for financial operations and storytelling in your game. The series includes functional cash clutter, as well as tools for banking, loans, and investments. #CO2MONEYMAT This is a crossover with the #CO2CDKSERIES. Cubic Dynamics by John B. Cube and Marcel Dusims forged the future with furnishings that were minimalist in design and maximalist in erudite pretension. Generations later, the company continues to produce edge-of-cutting-edge designs. Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Sims 2 (EA/Maxis, 2004) by adding various currencies from the simsverse to your game – simoleons, magicoin, simoles, OMEGA, neo simoleons, simoleon sprouts, war simoleons, and more. Canon currencies and extra recolors allow you to create a color-coded banking/investment system. All items are grabbable, sellable and available in the catalog as well. Watch out for robbers!
The newly enhanced Cashpointe ATM (Honeywell, 2019; Katy76/PC-Sims, 2007) can be used for small loans, currency exchanges, and investments: (1) LOANS of §250, §500, §1K, §5K, §10K, §20K, or §30K with no payment schedule! After repaying in full, sims can take out new loans, (2) GET CASH by converting household funds to individual cash notes, coins, rolls, stacks, cards, or palettes, and (3) INVEST in virtual currencies which increase/decrease in value over time. Children can do everything except take/repay loans.
Collector’s coins can be sold and make great gifts for investors. Simoleon, Magicoin and Simoleon Sprout coins always increase in value over time while NeoSimoleons and other CryptoCoins increase AND decrease daily (sometimes they fluctuate twice in one day). DETAILS Requires Sims2 and all EPs/SPs. §1 - §30K | Buy > Electronics/Misc You need the Company Expo (Mesh Pack) set (Simmons, 2024) for TXTRs to show properly in game. ALL files in the CASHPOINTE set with “MESH” in their name are REQUIRED. Apply a recolor of your choice to cards or cryptocoin piles AFTER purchasing them from the ATM (or select directly from the catalog). Investment objects will NOT change in value while stored in a sim’s inventory – they must be placed on a surface for that effect. IMPORTANT: The individual cash notes (§1, §5, §10, §20, §50, §100, §500, and §1000) share the same GUIDs as those in Honeywell’s Money Jar (2019). The money Jar will use the notes from this set instead. Remove the originals. ITEMS Notes (§1, §5, §10, §20, §50, §100, §500, and §1000) (4-6 poly) Rolls (§1000, §2K, §5K, and §10K) (168-170 poly) Stacks (§1000, §2K, §5K, and §10K) (20-62 poly) Coin Piles (§100, §500, §1000, §5K, §10K) (660-1904 poly) Cards (§100, §500, §1000, §5K, §10K) (4 poly) Palettes (§10K, §20K, §30K) (286-710 poly) Collector Coins (§300, §500, §1000, §2K, §5K, §10K, §20K, §30K) (76-732 poly) Signs (332-376 poly) Card Shelf (9 slots) (104 poly) DOWNLOAD (choose one) CASHPOINTE OBJECTS from SFS | from MEGA RECOLORS from SFS | from MEGA MoneyMAT COLLECTION FILE from SFS | from MEGA
CREDITS Thanks: SimCrafters, Chocolate City, and Sim Shenanigans Discord communities. Sources: Beyno (Korn via BBFonts), EA/Maxis, Offuturistic Infographic (Freepik). Other Sources: Pierre, G. via Jovan, 2014); Applesee, 2023; Cgoodw, 2024; Iamsosha 2024; Kalagoglu, 2023; Olena_Skrypka, 2024; Oliveira, 2023a-b; Sam, 2024; Solsnare, 2024; Katy76/PC-Sims, 2007; D_dgjdhh, 2019/2011; THe Ninth Wave, 2019; Tvickiesims, 2019, Honeywell, 2019.