Struggling with SimPE and replacing Maxis default skins

[Ferret-kun]

I have been back and forth from the tutorial here at MTS2 (which has broken images for me D: Is it just me?) to the tutorial at MATY to Genesims -- in short, I've googled and googled and I'm really frustrated at this point! What I'm trying to say: don't redirect me to a tutorial, I'd like some hands-on advice. xD

So, I have gone into Body Shop, exported the textures I want as defaults, turned them from .bmps to .pngs, have double checked that I'm using the .pngs, but I'm at a complete loss as to how I'm to go about replacing textures in SimPE. What am I supposed to open to place the replacement textures? HOW am I supposed to open it? I'm completely new to using SimPE. I've poked around on it before, but I've never replaced Maxis defaults.

I'm using the latest version of SimPE, with the M&G patch. I have all EPs and SPs. I do have the DDS Utilities and all that jazz. I'm stuck on the last step, pretty much. xD

Screenshots or step-by-step instructions for this fracking idiot would be much appreciated. If anyone has the time, a little walkthrough over IM would be nice. :P Just to make sure I don't waste more time staring blankly at SimPE, STILL not knowing what to do, ahahahaha.

Thank you to anyone who can give this helpless idiot a hand.

[HystericalParoxysm]

http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=194390

That should help ya. Has templates and stuff too. Basically, you open the template (or any existing default replacement that replaces the tone you want), open the TXTR resource, and use Build DXT (by right-clicking on the image) to bring in your textures. Repeat for all the rest of 'em till you've replaced everything. BTW, bmp/png does not matter one bit. You can use either and get exactly the same outcome.

[Ferret-kun]

That's the tutorial with the broken images, like I mentioned in my post. xD Are the images only broken for me...? Apparently. : / I tried opening them in a separate window and tab... to no avail. D:

I'm using the most recent SimPE, and I literally need step-by-step instructions on what I'm supposed to open. I understand I need to open the template, but I have no idea where that would be.

From what I read, translating the files into .png makes them smaller, which can only be good for my overloaded game. xD

Thanks, HP.

[Phaenoh]

The templates are included in that post. You should download both the 'Default Skin Templates' and the 'Default Skin Tutorial'. The tutorial one should have the images still in place and it might make it easier to understand.

I fixed the image links in that tutorial, can you see them now?

[Ferret-kun]

THANK YOU, thank you, Phaenoh. My problems are solved!!

...I think this may have entirely been my idiocy at fault, but thank you for spelling it out for me.

And yes, the pictures work now! Thanks a ton.

EDIT: One last question: upon completing replacing the textures, where do I put the files so they will show up in my game?

[Phaenoh]

Save only the files you have replaced in their own separate little package and save it as YourName_DefaultsofWhateverYouReplaced.package
then stick it in your Downloads folder.