Guide to Installing Custom Content

[Ermie]

This guide is aimed at people who haven't installed custom content into their Sims 2 games before. I will cover installing Maxis objects, clothing, sims and houses from official Sims 2 websites and also from other fansites.

Contents
1. How to Install Official Downloads
2. Installing .Sims2Pack/Skin files
3. Installing items from Sims 2 Fansites
4. Unzipping with WinZip
5. Extracting with WinRar
6. Finding your Downloads in game
7. Troubleshooting - Common Problems
8. Suggestions For Safe Downloading
9. Useful Links

[Ermie]

How to Install Official Downloads

By official downloads we mean those you download from official Sims 2 websites such as here, TheSims2.com - Home - Register Your Game To Join The Community and from the Exchange.

Step One - Check your expansion pack!
Make sure you check which expansion packs you need for the object to work. If it's for The Sims 2: University and you don't have the expansion the item will not work. This is the same for all expansions.

Step Two - Downloading the content
Once you've found what you want to download from the exchange select 'Download this object'. Choose to save the download to a location you'll remember on your PC. It's a good idea to set up a Sims 2 Downloads folder or similar in your Documents or a remembered location so you have a back-up of your downloads and a reference for filenames etc. I'll describe this more in the Suggestions For Safe Downloading section.

Step Three - How to install the downloads
If you have a .Sims2Pack file you need to double-click the icon and the installation process will then start. Follow the on-screen instructions. This file is usually found on items downloaded from the exchange or official websites.


.Sims2Pack icon

If you have a .Sims2Skin then again you need to double-click the icon and the installation process will start, follow the on-screen instructions. This icon looks the same as the .Sims2Pack icon. The installation is detailed more below;

[Ermie]

Installing .Sims2Pack/Skin files

Installing .Sims2Pack files is extremely simple and is just a case of following on-screen instructions.

1. Firstly you find where you downloaded the .Sims2Pack file to on your PC. Once you have located the file double-click the icon to start the installation.
2. A blue screen will appear asking if you want to install the file or not, select 'Install'



3.The file will then install and it will prompt you when it has been installed successfully!


See I told you it was easy!

[Ermie]

Installing items from Sims 2 fansites
Most people will download from Sims 2 fansites as they offer a mass of clothing, objects, houses, pre-made sims, genetics and more! Some are recolours of existing Maxis made objects and some require new meshes. I will look at object, clothing and genetic downloads including those that use new meshes. Pre-made sims, walls and floors and houses are installed the same as if they were downloaded from the Official Site. Just check the file extension (after the full stop).


.zip icon - this needs to be extracted.


.rar icon - this also needs to be extracted.


.package icon - this can be placed directly into the Downloads folder (see below for more instructions).

Step One - What will I need to use content from fansites?
As before you will need to check that you have the required expansion packs.

***Secondly you will also need to install the Colour Enabler Package from Sims Ambertation. Without this new recolours will not work in your game so make sure you get this first!***

Step Two - How do I unzip files I have downloaded?
If the file you have downloaded from a fansite ends in .zip or .rar it means that these files have been compressed to be easily downloaded from websites. It also means you'll need to uncompress or extract the files included in the .zip or .rar before adding them to your game. If your downloaded file extension is a .zip you will need WinZip. Windows XP users will already have this installed, if you don't you can download a free trial at Winzip.com or you can use 7-Zip.

There is also a great program for downloaders called Sims 2 Filemaid, this program is free to download and extracts .zip AND .rar files as well as double-clicking the .Sims2Pack/Skin files for you as well! It's easy to use and will put all your downloads in the right locations. You can get it here

[Ermie]

Unzipping with WinZip (.zip files)
This step follows for XP users with Winzip and .zip files (most common), but it will be similar for others.

1. Firstly locate the .zip you downloaded and right-click the file. This will bring up a menu next to the icon, you'll need to select 'Extract all Files'.



2. This will start WinZip, select 'Next' to begin the extraction process.



3. Now we have to select the location we want the downloads to be extracted to, click Browse and find the location:

My Documents/ EA Games/ The Sims 2/ Downloads - this is the default location for the majority of downloads but check the website you're downloading from incase they have specific instructions, especially if they are hacks.



4. Once you've selected and checked you've selected the right location click 'Next' and the extraction will begin, WinZip will inform you when it is complete, you can view the files you've extracted to make extra sure they're in the right folder!

Once you have unzipped your files check that they are directly in the Downloads folder and not in any subfolders. Then restart your game and they should appear!

[Ermie]

Extracting with WinRar (.rar files)

WinRar is the program used to extract .rar files:

WinRar can be downloaded here for a free trial. However the program seems to work even after the trial has expired.

1. Locate the file you've downloaded on your PC and double-click the .rar icon to start WinRar.


2. Select the Extract To button to start the extraction. This will open a new window where we choose the location to extract the files to:


Select the location of My Documents/ EA Games/ The Sims 2/ Downloads by selecting the folders in the window or typing in the location to the Destination Path. This is the default location for all downloads but you might need to check the website you're downloading from incase they have specific instructions, especially if they are hacks.

Once you have selected the right location select OK. You might want to open your Downloads folder to make sure they've been extracted correctly. Then restart your game and your downloads should appear.

[Ermie]

Finding your Downloads in Game

Lots
Lots are found in the Lots Catalogue in the Neighbourhood Screen. Once you're in a chosen Neighbouhood (Pleasantview for example) click the lots icon on the control panel (the house) and the lots you have downloaded (houses and community lots) will appear in the catalogue, choose a house to place in your neighbourhood.

Whole or Pre-made Sims
These are found in Create a Sim or Bodyshop, when making a new sim on the first panel where you type in the sims name there is an icon of 6 body outlines together, click this for all the pre-made sims of that age and gender to appear. Therefore if you're looking for an adult female sim you've downloaded you'll need to have the right age and gender already selected for those to appear.

Genetics
Genetics are again found in Create a Sim or Bodyshop, when making a sim you can choose their skintone and eye colour, the downloaded content will be in these categories for genetics.

Clothing
Clothing is found in Create a Sim or on a Community Lot where you have the option to buy new clothes. When making a new sim make sure you've got the right age and gender the clothing was made for and are looking under the right categories (everyday outfit, top or bottom, formalwear etc) to find the downloaded clothing. When taking a sim shopping for new clothes again make sure you're looking under the right age, gender and categories to find it. You'll need a dresser in your sims home to 'Plan Outfit' to wear the new clothes you've brought.

Hair and Make-up etc
Hair and Make-up can be found in Bodyshop, Create a Sim and on the 'Change Appearance' menu of the mirrors in the game. Custom hair needs to have the right age and gender changing their hair and custom hair is found under the 'snowflake' icon (what shows what is custom content in the game) which is to the right of the hair colours. All make-up can be work by children and upwards, toddlers can wear only a selection. Make sure you look under the right type of make-up (eyeliner, lipstick etc) to find the custom content.

Objects with Meshes
Objects with new meshes are found under the right categories in 'Buy Mode' when on a lot. If you've downloaded a chair it's most likely under Seating and Chairs. The object will appear in the catalogue with its own icon.

Objects without Meshes (Recolours)
You'll need to have CEP installed firstly for these to appear (see above). These recolours will not have their own icons like new meshed objects do but will appear as colour-options on furniture included with the game. When buying the furniture make sure you've selected the right object that has been recoloured and click and hold the icon of it in the object catalogue to open up the colour options for it. The recolours will have the 'snowflake' next to them.

Walls and Floors
These are found in 'Build Mode' inside a lot under wallcoverings and flooring. If you've having trouble finding them try selecting the 'show all' icon (figure 8 on its side) and looking out for the snowflake on the icons for custom content.

[Ermie]

Troubleshooting - common problems
1. I've followed these instructions but my downloads still aren't appearing in game.
Firstly make sure you have succesfully unzipped your downloads to the right location. If you have then check on the website you downloaded them from incase there are any specific instructions. If not perhaps the object requires a new mesh, again go back to the website and see if you are required to install a new mesh, usually shown by a link to a download location or a website where you can get the mesh.

If you already have the mesh you may have missed downloading the texture files or recolours for the mesh to work. Again go back to the website you downloaded the items from and check.

If you are still having problems it is best to either get in touch with the webmaster of the fansite you got it from and ask them for help or post on this forum.

3.I don't like the objects i've downloaded, how do i delete them?
You can delete the objects by deleting the downloaded files in your Downloads folder. Also you can use the delete custom content option ingame for clothing, lots, walls and floors etc (shown by the 'bin icon). If deleting from your Downloads folder make sure you delete the correct files by referring to the filenames of the object. This is why it's handy to download the files to a seperate folder on your computer so you can check back against them later.

***There is also an official tool from EA called The Sims 2 Content Manager. It sorts through all your ingame downloads and highlights and problematic downloads in red. You can choose to either delete or disable all or some of your downloads with this tool too. The Content Manager is available to download here and comes with instructions.***

4. I don't have a Downloads folder in my Sims 2 Folder.
Sometimes the Downloads folder isn't created on installation, if you don't have one you can create a new one in the right location. Simply go to your Sims 2 Folder in My Documents and click; File - New - Create New Folder. Then name it Downloads including the capital letter. You can now put your downloads in here and they should appear in game. If they don't make sure you've created the folder in the right place.

[Ermie]

Suggestions For Safe Downloading
These are just a few of my personal tips i've picked up from various places and people from downloading and creating for The Sims and Sims 2. It covers basic downloading safety and ideas to help back-up and protect your Downloads.

1. When downloading anything from the internet it is always best to use anti-virus software to scan the file before you download, this stops you getting virus's and installing harmful files. You should see your anti-viruses instructions for how to do this, a lot of software does it as you download.

2. In case of problems with downloads or game crashes it's important that you keep a back-up or documentation of what you've downloaded and where. This is especially important if for whatever reason you ever have to reinstall your game, it can save a lot of hours of headaches if you've got all your Downloads safely tucked away to reinstall again!

When downloading files for your Sims game keep the files in a specific folder. This is handy as it keeps track of all the files you have recently downloaded. I've got a Sims 2 Downloads folder within my Received Files folder on my PC for example. This allows you to check new objects work in game and if they don’t or stop game-play (cause the game to crash back to desktop when trying to view an object/skin/etc) you can easily look up the filename in the zip against one's in your downloads folder. When you have several hundred objects in your game it is easy to get confused which is which (believe me!) and doing this saves you accidentally deleting your favourite downloads. Having this folder also means that if you ever lose your Downloads folder in the game you've got everything safely to put back in!

3. If you don’t want to mess around with your Downloads folder then you can also use the Sims 2 Content Manager to disable or delete bad downloads, or one’s you don’t want anymore. This tool lists all the custom content in your game and highlights possible problem ones in red. The tool comes with instructions on how to fully use it.

4. Regularly back-up your Sims 2 folder! Just by copying (right click, copy) your Sims 2 folder to your desktop (go to desktop, right click, paste) you can keep your game safe. If it ever happens that something drastically goes wrong with your game and you have to do the dreaded re-install you'll still have all your downloaded content, neighbourhoods and sims safely backed-up on your computer. ). Once you've reinstalled all you have to do is copy and replace the Sims 2 folder and all your content is restored! If you have a CD-R drive you can even create a hard copy on to CD which is always highly recommended. For more information see Hermit's How to Back-Up Your Game Files.

Although this guide is lengthy don’t let it put you off downloading custom content for your game, there are some fantastic artist's out there and extra objects can really enhance your game-play (it's what Maxis has been living off all the years Sims has been out). I warn you though; once you start you'll find it hard to stop!

[Ermie]

Useful Links:
The Sims 2.com Help page - TheSims2.com - Help - Home
CEP Download Page
Microsoft's WinZip Tutorial
The Sims 2 Content Manager from EA
The Sims 2 Filemaid
7-Zip
WinZip
WinRar

I hope this guide has helped, if you have any further questions or comments please post them below

[The_Doctor]

Great little tutorial for noobs, well done.