Simple object modding tutorial

[whoden]

I'm not sure if I should be posting this here, or in the WCIF forum.
I was wondering if there was a simple tutorial for changing the type of an object to another type without modifying the mesh or texture. For example, turning the Nearly Perfect Pedestal into a dining or end table, or an end table into a chair.

[HugeLunatic]

Nope doesn't belong in CFF, but in Object Creation.

Simple is a rather relative term. LoL What is simple for one is impossible for another.

You can change the object behavior a bit by changing the script class in the OBJK. This is somewhat limited if you don't intend on changing the mesh or even slots/routes. A chair has a different type of slot and routing than a table. There is a small overview of slots by cmomoney. Not sure if there is one for changing the script class as all it consists of is copy/paste.

[whoden]

By simple I just meant short, like less than 10 steps. So, for the OBJK, basically you're saying it's all trial-and-error? Where would I find the slots overview? Also, I'd like to recolor the Nearly Perfect Pedestal as well. Could I just follow the basic steps in the tutorial orangemittens wrote for custom paintings to do that? I've already tried to, but it didn't work. Maybe I just wasn't changing the right IMG file?

[cmomoney]

So, for the OBJK, basically you're saying it's all trial-and-error?

No. It means that changing the OBJK will change the identity and functions of the object, but you would also need the to change things that the class depends on to function i.e. footprints, slots ect.


Where would I find the slots overview?
Here. (http://modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=401814)

[orangemittens]

For recoloring objects in S3 there are two options and they are not mutually exclusive. There is the option to make something recolorable in CAS, like I believe the Pedestal is, and the option to provide custom texture recolors as is usually seen in paintings. Are you trying to do the first, the second, or both? Both can be done for objects and both can be in a single object.

As far as instruction here goes there is no tutorial on how to change a table of any type into a chair...if there were we would now have chairs with glass parts here which we don't have.

As far as turning the the Nearly Perfect Pedestal into a dining or end table goes I'm not sure what the point of that would be. If you want a dining table or an end table that is the shape/size/slots of the Pedestal that is completely do-able with the tutorials that have already been posted.

[whoden]

Are you trying to do the first, the second, or both? Both can be done for objects and both can be in a single object.

Both. But mostly the second. Like I said, I'm just not sure which IMG file to use.


As far as turning the the Nearly Perfect Pedestal into a dining or end table goes I'm not sure what the point of that would be.

I wanted a set of crate furniture to go along with a hobo lot I was planning to build using Hekate999's decorative train. I found some chairs at TSR that were just cubes, but no suitable table.
I just thought that it might be easier to change the pedestal to a table rather than build one from scratch.

[cmomoney]

It would be easier to use a table and mesh the crate IMO. You would have to do much more the other way around. And the pedestal isn't really "square" enough to be a suitable crate. Every meshing program makes cubes, so really wouldn't be any real mesh work involved.

[whoden]

So, I would need a meshing program, obviously; Milkshape seeming to be the one of choice, though I'll have to buy a license eventually. As for tutorials, would you recommend JWoods' Start to finish object creation or ellacharm3d's Basic Step-by-Step Guide?

[cmomoney]

Isn't the JWoods one a TS2 tutorial? Ellacharm3d's tutorial should work nicely(plus she supports it).

[whoden]

Yeah, JWoods is a Sims2 tutorial, but it's also in the Sims3 Section.

So, I've downloaded all the programs, applications and plug-ins. Now my question is which MLOD and IMG files do I need to export? Or do I export all of them?

[orangemittens]

The easiest way to give an object a real texture, as opposed to having it be entirely CAS-able, is to clone an object that has an overlay IMG to start with. I think there are dining tables which have an overlay IMG so it shouldn't be a problem for you to find one for your project.

The Pedestal Cube, if I'm recalling correctly, doesn't have an overlay IMG so that explains why trying to use the painting tutorial to re-texture it didn't work. EA paintings all have an overlay IMG...it's the one that has the painting image on it.

Anyway, read through the EllaCharm tutorial before starting. She has carefully detailed what each of the MLOD's and the MODL are as well as explained what each of the IMG's is for. The tutorial covers most of the basic questions people have when they first start out meshing for S3 and it has pictures illustrating the important points and steps. Once you've gone through that you'll have a good idea of what you're gonna need to export for your project.