Sim-Antics Object Re-color Tutorial

The wonderful people at SimPE have done it again. They have added to SimPE the ability to color Sims 2 objects. Here is a very simplified version of how it works. Keep in mind that this only allows you to change the appearance of current objects available from Maxis in the game, the ability to create new objects is still being worked on.

TIPS: These helpful tips will answer a majority of your questions that you will have. We advise you to read through them before you get started and refer back to them if needed at any time.

• Some objects have multiple parts. To edit some of these parts you may find them attached to another object. For example, there are several different beds, you modify each of them using the directions below, however, if you wish to change the bedding (sheets, pillows, blankets) you need to edit the Colonial Ironwood Bed.
• All objects you create will go in the Downloads folder. Make sure that you are in the correct Downloads folder. It will look like this: My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\Downloads ; and not like this: C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\The Sims 2
• This cannot be stressed enough, when you create your object you be will asked to give it a name, please make this very unique so that your object does not conflict with somebody elses object. For example: use your username or nickname plus the description (i.e. JluiReallyCoolObject) Somebody else may make a ReallyCoolObject but chances are they are not named Jlui.
• Remember, these are not NEW objects, they are re-colors of existing objects. So you will not see any new objects in your game. To use them, look for the original object and you will then see your added color in the list of colors.

Okay the tutorial - This assumes that you have downloaded and installed SimPE version 0.14a or better. If you don't have it yet, go get it.

This also assumes you have image editor software that supports the PNG format and you know how to use it. Photoshop, Picture Publisher, Paint Shop Pro, Fireworks, Etc. all support PNG. If you use MS Windows (any version) you can also use Microsoft Paint to edit your images. It is not as professional as the others but it is FREE and already on your computer.

1. Open SimPE (Simpe Package Editor) and from the menubar at the top click Plugins then select Object Workshop... (it may appear that your system stalls at this point, it hasn't, it takes awhile to load all the information - once loaded and while SimPE is still running, this step runs much faster)

2. Once the Object Workshop box appears it has a list of Ingame Objects. If you know the name of the object you wish to change type it in the space provided, otherwise scroll through the list until you find it. The objects you can work with have * asterisks in front of them, when they are highlighted you will see a thumbnail image of them below. Select your item by highlighting it and make sure you see its thumbnail image.

Make sure that Color Options and not Clone is selected and that there is a check mark next to Create Color Extension Package under the Color Options tab.

3. Click Start. You may see a disclaimer dialog box appear which tells you the risk of doing this. Click OK. A Save dialog box appears.

IMPORTANT: give your object a unique name/description such as your nickname or username plus description such as RodgerDodgerPinkStripedToilet and leave the file type as .package and click Save. The system takes awhile to locate the files and create your package. Once it is done the Object Workshop screen disappears and you will see new files in the main part of SimPE.

4. In most cases you will see 3 files in the Packed Files box (upper right). You only need to be concerned about the Texture Image file. Highlight the Texture Image file by clicking it once.

5. Now choose the Plugin View tab below. A lot of information apears as well as the files image. We are only concerned with them image. Do not touch anything else.

6. Right-click on the image and a menu will pop-up. Select Export. (alternatively, you can click the Export button above the image)

7. A Save File dialog next appears. You can leave or re-name this file as it will not matter in the end result. The main thing here is to save the file somewhere that you can easily find it with your image editor program. I created a folder on my desktop just for these files and I rename them based on the object to help me locate them.

Make sure that you save them as PNG (which it defaults to) as SimPE only saves PNG files at this time. After you saved the file we have completed the first part. Minimize SimPE and run your image editor.

8. Now locate and open the image file in your image editor and edit it. There is no set rules here as this is new ground so you will have to figure each piece out on your own through trial and error. Once you are satisfied with your image save it (make sure to save as a 24 bit BMP or non-interlaced PNG file) and you are finished with the second part.

9. Maximize SimPE again and you should still see the original image. Right-click the image and in the menu that pops up select Import.

10. Locate your edited image in the Open File dialog box and click Okay. You will see your image change from the original to your new one.

11. Right-click on this new image and select Update all Sizes.

12. Above the image, click the Commit button. After a few seconds a box will confirm it is done. Click the Okay button.

13. Now click File from the top menu bar and select Save and not Save As.

14. Locate your newly saved package file and place it in your The Sims 2 Downloads folder and you will now be ready to use it. See TIPS above if you do not know where to put .package files.