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FAQ Quick Menu





Version française

Full Step-by-Step to install your downloads with a Mac
How to download, unzip and install objects, skins, walls and floors in your game
 

There's another FAQ about Mac and the sims, that is not specific about downloads and installation. If you have questions about Mac that aren't answered here, or if you're curious about the subject, have a look at the FAQ about the Sims & Mac.

 
What do I need?

To use the files offered on this site, you will need to have:
- a Mac (system 8, 9 or X)
- an internet connection
- an internet browser like Microsoft Explorer or Netscape Communicator (but you must have something like that to surf on my site! ;))
- an utility to unzip the downloaded files: StuffIt Expander is the one we'll use as it's installed on your Mac (and if you don't have it, you can still download it).
- the game "The Sims" (you don't need it to download, but you won't be able to do whatever with these downloads without the game! ;))

** Top **
How do I download stuff?

Objects

First, you need to put your cursor on the name of the object you want to download (here: the bathtub). Then, click.
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Skins

The skins found on this site have a particularity: they're distributed without mesh. So it means you have to download the skin AND the mesh. In short, the skin is the texture, and the mesh is the 3D shape. In our example, we're going to download a formal dress that our Sims will be able to buy in Downtown.



You also need to choose the version you want to download:
Some skins come in two versions: one "normal" and one "buyable".
The first one doesn't require any expansion pack; the buyable one means that those skins can be bought by your Sims in shops, on Downtown or Vacation lots. Some buyable skins are made for Hot Date, some for Vacation. The table below will help you to know what expansion is needed for a particular skin:

Ab. Name of the expansion What skins are concerned
Sims The Sims casual wear
no-buyable
HD Hot Date adult buyable pajama
adult buyable formal
adult buyable swimming-wear
SV Sims Vacations adult buyable winter wear
children buyable winter wear
children buyable pajama
children buyable formal
children buyable swimming-wear



Click on the files you want to download. If you download a HD skin, download the HD mesh. At the inverse, if you download a Sims skin, download a Sims mesh.


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Walls and floors

Put your cursor on the "Download the set". Then, click.
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** Top **
How do I unzip and install the objects I've downloaded?


Now, it will depend of the settings of your browser:
It might unzip your files automatically, as soon as files are downloaded, or it might save them on your disk.
If your files are automatically unzipped, you can skip this chapter.
If your files are saved to disk, simply drag the folder where they're stored (or the files themselves) on the icon of StuffIt.
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** Top **
Where do I install the stuff I've downloaded and unzipped?
Objects
Objects (.iff files) can be installed in the Download folder, located in the Sims folder:
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You can put subfolders in your Download folder, (but warning: you can't put subfolders in Walls, Floors nor Skins folders!). Personnally, I have a folder for every site, so it helps a bit when you have tons of downloads:
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Skins
Skins (.bmp, .cmx, .skn) need to be installed in the Skins folder, located in your GameData folder (and the GameData folder is located in the Sims folder):

Don't bother with the "Icon_" file you might find in the unzipped folder; it's there because I zipped the files on Mac, but it's useless for you. You can put it to trash.


The mesh (.cmx and .skn) need to be installed in the Skins folder too:
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Checking


If your skins don't appear in your game (or if you have only hands that apppear in a NPC you have downloaded), be sure that your Skins folder doesn't content any folder. So open your Skins folder and check:

Bad installation
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There's some folders in the Skins folder. Their content won't show up in the game.


Correct installation
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This folder contents only files. It's perfect! =)


This folder should content only files, not a single folder. If you see a folder somewhere, its content won't appear in your game, so you need to open the folder and take the files that are inside and move them in the Skins folder. You can now delete the empty folder.

Floors
Floors (.flr files) need to be installed in the Floors folder, located in your GameData folder (and the GameData folder is located in the Sims folder):

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Walls
Walls (.wll) need to be installed in the Walls folder, located in your GameData folder (and the GameData folder is located in the Sims folder):

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** Top **
Where will I find the stuff I have downloaded?
Objects

You'll find my objects in your Buy mode next time you'll play to the Sims.
Most of the time, my objects are not categorized (except objects for Downtown and objects in sets, for donators), it means you'll find them under the "All" categories. But you can categorize them by yourself with IFF Taxi.
If you have downloaded windows, doors, columns, stairs or fireplaces, you'll find them in the Build mode instead of the Buy mode.

Skins

If you have downloaded "normal" versions of a skin, you'll find it when you create a new Sim or when you change the clothes of an existing Sim, using the wardrobe.
If you have downloaded the "buyable" version, then you'll need to send your Sims to Downtown or to Vacation, on a shop where they will be able to buy their new formal wear, lingerie, swimming-suit...
If you have downloaded the normal version of a skin but would like to use it to replace a default skin, then read the FAQ about skins.

Walls and Floors

You'll find the walls and floors in the Build mode, under "Walls" and "Floors". Warning: if you don't have any expansion pack, the number of walls is limited to 90, and the number of floors to 63.

 


 

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