Since this is my first attempt at 'installing' Modular Stairs - and 'something' sure didn't work - I need a little guidance. First of all, I downloaded a couple sets of Modular Stairs including some gorgeous ones by Brasstex. I followed the instructions To The Letter and double checked them a dozen times. The text is right, but, not a one of them are showing up. Which leads me to a couple questions: My TS2 came in the form of "Double Deluxe". When I opened it up, I went to the "Base" game folder, and followed along with the instructions from there. And yes, I saved the 'modularstairs.txt' file after adding the new text at the bottom as instructed. Was the 'base' files the correct place to start? The instructions said not to install it in any EP's, so I had to assume 'base' meant the original game. Does it need to be installed anywhere else that the instructions didn't mention? Also, the instructions from Brasstex said that after the new text had been added, there was one other step. Go to the top of the folder, to the "BuildTipIndex" line and make the number match the number of stair files match the number in the folder. For instance, if you have installed five sets of text, the line should read 'buildtipindex 5". But, I've checked other modular stairs instruction files, and I haven't found anothing about changing the buildtipindex number in them. They simply state, add the text, save, and you're good to go. Just wondering which way is the correct way? Obviously something is wrong, but so far I haven't been able to figure out the problem. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Bonnie

Yes, the modulat staits file that you modify should be the basegame file located at:
(Program Files)\EA Games \The Sims 2 Double Deluxe \Base \TSData\ Res\ Catalogs\ Scripts.
I've never had to amend the Build tip index. Can you perhaps attach a copy of the modularstairs.txt file to your post? Also, are these stairs not suitable for install with the Scriptorium?

I'm going to attach the Instructions Txt for one of the sets of modular stairs I'm working with today. It shows the txt as well as the note about the build tip index. As for Scriptorium -- I admit, I know nothing about it. I've heard it mentioned a number of times, but if you can tell me more I'd definitely appreciate it. Would Love an easier way to add modular steps without all mumbo-jumbo. :-) btw - if the attachment doesn't make the trip, I'll put it into the text on a separate reply.

Bonnie

"Yes, the modulat staits file that you modify should be the basegame file located at:
(Program Files)\EA Games \The Sims 2 Double Deluxe \Base \TSData\ Res\ Catalogs\ Scripts.
I've never had to amend the Build tip index. Can you perhaps attach a copy of the modularstairs.txt file to your post? Also, are these stairs not suitable for install with the Scriptorium?"

That doesn't help a lot- let me see your modularstairs.txt to see what is wrong with it. I'm guessing those stairs were made before the Scriptorium was 'invented'!

Yes, those stairs predate Scriptorium. Brasstex did stairs before anyone. I asked Numenor about the build tip index some time ago, because I was converting the stairs for use with Scriptorium, and he said we know more about stairs now, and changing the build tip index should not be done. I do not know why Brasstex has never opted to make a Scriptorium file for his stair sets, but he hasn't. If you want to use the stairs with Scriptorium, the instructions on how to convert older stairs instructions is in the description. Before you install Scriptorium, you will want to delete just the extra text you have already added to the file as Brasstex had instructed, and save it, or restore your original file if you were clever and backed up. If you have any other custom stairs in there, you will probably wish to convert them to Scriptorium scripts also so you don't have a messy hybrid installation. Most stairs have been updated for Scriptorium now.

This *should* work. To make a script for the notsosteadysteps in Scriptorium, create a new plain text file, paste this into it, and be careful not to leave extra spaces:
modularStairs 75
objectID landing 0xEC156877
objectID placeholder 0xEC156878
objectID step 0xEC156876
objectID topStep 0xEC156879
objectID bottomStep 0xEC15687B
catalogTextIndex 76

Now save the file with this name:
75_STEPS_75BTXnotsosteadysteps.txt

That should work for your Scriptorium script. Follow the directions to install the new script to the Scriptorium folder. You can look at that file to figure out how to do the others. Basically you just put the stair number in front of the name of the file like this #_(name).text, and you paste the script into it. Ignore the catalog text index. The stair number is the first number, in this case, 75.

The catalog description may be blank since I don't think back then people knew how to edit those. I am unsure if the icon might also be blank. I seem to remember back when I used those stairs, an icon did show up when I made a Scriptorium script for them a long time ago. If it shows up blank, try placing the stairs anyway. It should work. It's a nice set.

Scriptorium is well worth having and makes installation of stairs extremely simple and much safer. It's spiffy! You can grab it here:
http://nene.modthesims2.com/download.php?t=192613

Last edited by Jaedle : 19th Nov 2008 at 03:15 PM. Reason: adding Scriptorium link for convenience

Thank you so much for the info on Scriptorium! I found it in the MS2 files yesterday and it certainly looks much easier to work with than what I've been doing. :-) As for the Build Tip Index - any thoughts on whether I should convert the number back to what it was originally, or leave it at the updated number that matches the files. I'm going to leave what I have there and work with Scriptorium from now on.

Bonnie

From what I remember if you install the stairs the way Brasstex recommends, there will be invisible icons in the catalog and you can't see which stairs are which. I did not try to change his script so I can't tell you, but Numenor did say changing the build tip index was probably not something you should do in Scriptorium, so it may be ok to change it back. It didn't hurt anything doing it Brasstex's way. However, in those days, everyone was doing it Brasstex's way, and I cannot be sure if his stair installation method might mess up other modern stairs you pasted in there or not. You mentioned none of them show up. Are they showing up as blank windowlets in your catalog when you select modular stairs? If so, click them and try to place stairs. If it does not work, then you might want to delete those additions and start over with Scriptorium. When converting old stairs to Scriptorium, you can ignore build tip index. You do not need to and should not alter the game file with Scriptorium once you have it installed. It does everything by itself.

When Scriptorium first came out, I did briefly play with old scripts in the game file, and new ones in Scriptorium. It works, but there is a problem that it makes it very hard to notice if you have two custom stairs with the same number, or if you might have duplicated the stairs both places. Either can cause problems. So I took a deep breath and just converted my old ones, and never looked back. It's also very easy and safe to remove stairs you no longer use. You just find the text file with the script for those stairs and delete it and the package with the stairs. Very much simpler than editing a game file again.

I do not know what other stair sets you have, but if they need converting, that same method would apply. Let us know how it goes. It's a big scary step the first time, I remember, but you definitely have the logic skills and caution to do this stuff safely. It gets addictive, trust me.