Hi all

Probably this isn't a good way to have your first post based on common questions. But I am new to this modding business, so bare with me guys.

1) I am a Max user, I did couble of 3d models that I would like to see inside my sims 2 world. Some of the stuff is is located here:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v.../FC_image04.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...FC_images03.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ojects/bike.jpg

Where can I read the rules of modding sims 2, things like the poly limits, texture sizes, etc. or it would be nice if you could help too.

I noticed you have to somehow convert your models into .package format. How does that work too?

2) I downloaded couple of stuff from here, from hand held phones to hand help game consoles (psp, DS etc) to furnitures, I put them in my download folder in my document, EA folder, but they don't show up in the game. How do I do this.

Thanks in advance

Meanwhile I'll search around. Thanks

An object package is a lot more than just the mesh and a texture. There are several tutorials in the tutorial section under the Object Creation & Texturing forum for cloning and meshing objects for the game. Also Pandora Sims has a tutorial specifically for 3D Studio Max.

Edited to add: The Maxis recommendation is a maximum of 800 vertices per each tile of an object. This is not a definite rule, but something like several thousands of vertices per tile is definitely too much. And texture size should be in relation to the size of the object. For a small decorative object, a texture bigger than 256x256 pixels seems like a waste. For bigger objects, you will need bigger textures. You can get an idea by looking at the existing Maxis textures for different objects.

For the problem with the downloaded files, I suggest you take a look at the FAQs section under Game Help, there is a full section of help for downloads.

Last edited by IgnorantBliss : 22nd Jul 2006 at 03:35 PM.

thanks for the link m8

it looks like I have few downloadings to do. Framework, SimPE etc. So skimming through that tutorial I assume there isn't any coding involved. But that makes me wonder, when I manage to put my models inside the game, how will they know what to do, for example the bike, how will they know to sit and peddle, do I need to modify/update their skeleton animations or...

I think its better not to start of with interactive models as tredmills and stuff.

Custom animations are still a very new area, and most object animations are just about retaining existing ones, or taking existing sim animations and adding them to objects' interactions. Actual new custom animations are still just being "discovered". I would recommend starting off with simple, non-animated objects, and then moving on to objects where you need to retain existing object animations.

Ow I see. Wicked

Finally, what is an avarage polygon count on a object

cheers again

The Maxis limit I mentioned earlier is an average of 800 vertices per tile. So, for a 1-tile object, 800 vertices, for a 2-tile object, 1600, and so on. But it depends on the type of object, also. Something that you're likely to have several on a lot, like a dining chair, should have stricter limits than something like a shower that you probably only have one or two at a time. Usually around the same limit is recommended for polygons from what I've seen.

ow I didn't see that earlier post. 800 Verticles is pretty decent.
So lets say I do a double bed. Will I varify that its a bed through SimPE, so my sims will know its a bed and they can sleep on it.

srry if I'm asking "dump" questions. I am at work and not at home so I can't try this

cheers

You will clone an existing bed and import you own frame mesh and textures into the package. The tutorials will explain this in more detail .

a good (bit old) tutorial for using 3d max and the sims 2 is here: http://www.pandorasims.net/tutorials2.html