Site Suggestions - Creator Style

[whiterider]

We've had a general Site Suggestions thread recently, in which a bunch of suggestions were put forward and changes made for general site features, profile stuff, and download browser features; however right now we'd like more suggestions on another important function of the site: Creation.

Modding resources are central to MTS, so if you have suggestions for or issues with the Create forums and tutorials, Creator Feedback Forum, Creator Issues, upload wizard, or moderation process - please do fire away. Anything to make the whole system more intuitive and easier to use, as well as more efficient and more helpful to creators; even simple things like adding an explanation if something is vague, are considered potentially Good Ideas. :)


There are a few things this thread is not for:

Do not post requests for content here. The staff don't make the uploads.

If your suggestion isn't specifically related to creation and uploading, please use the General Site Suggestions thread (http://modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=370088).

We know that some parts of the moderation queue can get slow. Please don't comment on this, since we're aware and we're working to speed things up.


Otherwise, all mostly-reasonable ideas are welcome, and we will try to respond to every post. :)

[joninmobile]

Oh thanks for this WR!

I would love, love, love to see even more possible topics in CFF. Just jamming everything into Sims 3 or Sims 2 other section doesn't really help.

Maybe

Sims 2 and 3 Game Mods
Sims 2 Bodyshop items, Sims 3 CAS items
Sims 3 patterns
Sims 2 and 3 Build Mode items
Sims 2 and 3 Buy Mode items

along with all the other topics that are already there.

[bluetexasbonnie]

In regard to Sims2 only (I don't have 3 yet) -- don't know the solution, but the whole object modding/creation organization is very confusing. Do I go to the Wiki Tutorials or the normal Tutorials? Are they the same?

How do I get to the Wiki list of TXMT parameters? How do I find Pixelhate's TXMT stuff? Of course I have them bookmarked now, but I never seem to be able to get there by logic. (There are rumors that my 'logic' resembles chaos theory.) What other treasures are buried there that I haven't stumbled on?

When I hit a particular detail problem I always try to use the search function for answers. I suspect many answers are already in the repair section or discussed somewhere, because I'm not doing anything very advanced or esoteric. However, I rarely manage a sucessful search.

For me, once I completed the "START here" phase of creation, finding answers/info became difficult. The "Start Here" basic tutorials are WONDERFUL and clearly identified. Easy to get started, not so easy to continue on.

[joninmobile]

I agree, I think many of the tutorials should be in the actual tutorial section as well instead of spread out all over the creation discussion forums. There are so many helpful things in there that you wouldn't come across just by clicking the tutorials link.

[mustluvcatz]

I know that the last 2 posters already said it, but I agree about the tutorials. Once you get past the basic, starter tutorials finding more advanced ones is confusing. This has a lot to do with the fact that posts were moved/merged and clicking on links in one post often brings you right back to something you just read.
In fact, right now I've got 4 tabs open with tutorials. I started with one and that lead to another, which led to..you get the idea. If someone were just starting out creating, they might run away screaming in terror. :lol:

[Delphy]

bluetexas The link for Tutorials in the Create -> Sims 2 menu is the wiki link, and this should be used for your starting point for whatever you want to do. Probably the reason the TXMT stuff isn't in the list is becuase, well, nobody has added it. The wiki can be edited by users, to add new tutorials or to link in existing ones if need be, or adding them to the category etc.

Half the problem is that the tutorials lists have been built up over years, but when somebody posts new info or a new thread here, they dont get updated that often becuase people are afraid of the wiki. If people actually updated it more, or added new links and so on, then I think this would cover many of the issues with the advanced stuff.

[joninmobile]

Also, I've said before many times that we desperatley need more creator challenges. What do the staff have against them recently? There was a time, long ago, when they were very common around here, and a lot of fun to participate in.

[MogHughson]

I would like to be able to only see *all* the Sims 2 threads in the CFF. Especially if we add more subsections, then you'd have to work through even more of them to see all the Sims 2 related things.

Even better would be the possibility to have a sticky "Sims 2" selection across the whole site - but I'm sure that's very difficult. I'm beginning to recognise Sims 3 things before I click on them, but not everytime. "Hey, what a cool looking insert download type in the featured box" <click> "Damn it's Sims 3". :)

I second the creator challenges.

Upload process is good already I think - although I have had a few people PM me and ask me how to upload - to which I've answered click on the upload wizard it tells you all about how to upload. Dunno how to make that more obvious? I suspect first timers don't want to click on the upload wizard until they have read about it, but I find it the easiest way to get at all the relevant info.

[pegasaus]

I think that everything is great,expect that there's no more creator challenges.There are many ideas for creating,so why we can't have them again?

[Inge Jones]

I must admit, I find wizards frightening unless I have some idea in advance of what they'll need to know, and how far in before the process becomes irreversible.

[HystericalParoxysm]

We do want to do more creator challenges - they're just very labor intensive on staff to keep up on, and we want to do them right when we do them. Having enough bodies to cover what we want to do is something we're working to remedy, and hopefully challenges will fare better as part of that. :)

[whiterider]

Those of you who've mentioned tutorials that are scattered throughout the create forums: tell us about them! In theory, when someone posts a tutorial, they're supposed to let staff know so we can check that it's comprehensible and generally right, then we move it to the tutorials sections and add it to the wiki. People don't always do so, though. But if you think that a tutorial should be listed, then go ahead and post in Site Issues or PM a mod, or just add it to the wiki yourself - we're happy for any help with keeping track of tutorials. :)

[joninmobile]

One little nitpick I have about uploading is the number of pics allowed in an upload. We really need more than just 8, I'm planning on uploading something that will require a whole boatload of pics, and I don't know if I should divide it into several uploads, or post the pics in comments, or what I should do. 8 is not enough.

[HugeLunatic]

Would it be possible in the Sims 3 Creation forum to have tutorials subforums for Modding/Meshing/Patterns like the build section has? There are some useful ones in there that get buried with all the discussion. Cmomoney just posted one yesterday in modding that seems very useful, plus there are a few regarding dds for different paint programs. I know some are in the Wiki and that they lead back to the thread in the forum.

[ellacharmed]

Oh, yes please! I second HugeLunatic's suggestion. It'd be easier to find tutorials while the Wiki gets tidied and updated. But either way, someone needs to do it.

I guess, instead of whining, I could start contributing in the Wiki pages too. But I've always been afraid to touch the Wiki for fear of doing things wrong or putting in the wrong information. There are checks and balances to that, right? I mean, there'll be someone verifying data the contributors entered and that things don't get screwed up?

I forgot to add that I liked that repair centre for the TS2 modding section very much! Might we have something like that for the TS3 section soon? Provided there's someone to be the repairer...or more than a couple someones.

[Ghost sdoj]

I agree with dividing CFF into more sections than just "sims 2" and "sims 3" (and the ability to click on a category to see only that category in CFF.) I'm sure there are people who will only want to see all sims 3 things, as well as people who only want all sims 2 things, and people who don't care which game they are helping with but only want to help with lots or with sims.

And I agree that it would be a lot more comforting for a first time uploader to be able to find a sample walkthrough of an upload. (Not that I have made anything that I consider good enough to try uploading here.)

Edit: A wiki has checks and balances built in by having the other members of the community edit inaccurate information. If everyone tries to be as accurate as possible the best insurance the wiki has is to get as many people as possible to actually use it. If you know how to add information that needs to be added, register and add it!

[smmi73]

I must admit that I stopped frequenting the CFF soon after TS3 was added because it became so cluttered. So I fully second joninmoblie's suggestion that it needs more subsections.

[Robodl95]

1. Yes more sections (Especially neighborhoods with the new tool coming in the next month)
2. Please separate TS2 & TS3 Building boards, I know they are similar but not the same! I can't tell you how many times i've clicked a topic only for it to be the wrong section!

[omgrawr213]

I have to say that it would be great to have some more in depth tutorials concerning more complex shapes in milkshape.
I haven't had any luck coming across any tutorials of that nature yet, and I'm trying not to drown myself in all the different 3D modeling programs, so it would be nice to have some guidance.
I've tried to make curvy things in milkshape but I'm not having much luck..

and if it's somewhere here and i've missed it, I apologize. i have terrible searching skills. :)

[RonyaR]

Regarding tutorials, I've been reading up on a lot of them lately and come across some really great ones. What's been bothering me though is that several of them, while excellent text wise, is obviously referencing non-existant images. Like: "...and you should get something like this:" Followed by a few blank rows and then the next step of the tutorial begins. No image.

I do realize that it's possible my own browser/computer/whatever settings prevent the site from showing images, but since I CAN see pictures in other threads and such, I kind of doubt that. There's also the fact that many of the tutorials are very old by now and the once images lost to cyber space forever, but if there was a way to remedy this, I think I wouldn't be the only one grateful for it.

[whiterider]

jonin: For particular uploads than can be considered exceptional in that they really do need more than 8 pictures, we'll bend the rule. It's there mostly to stop people from giving us 15 pictures of a tshirt, and to keep loading times reasonable in general - but if you think you have a valid reason to use more, explain your reason and there should be no problem. Also remember that if you want more pics to show off your upload in addition to the required pics, you can upload to MYP and link them in the upload text.

Robodl95: They've been split up for about two months now. If any new threads are posted in the wrong one, then the OP needs directing to the correct forum. :)

Kiseloxid: Unfortunately there's no way to correct all of those at once. There are various things that could cause this. However, if you PM the tutorial's author, they can fix it if they're still about.

Re. splitting CFF up further, sounds like a plan. I'll talk to Big D. :)

[Petchy]

I have had a thought.

Wouldn't it be nice to have another tab in your creator pages for you to link to say, the top 6 things you have uploaded off-site? Many creators participate on websites like Livejournals, or their own personal sites, or just are scattered about everywhere. This could be extremely useful if you were more active on another forum, but occasionally post things here, or if you wanted to share something you didn't feel were up to the standards of the site. Maybe It could also be used to showcase things like Movies, or Stories.
The idea I had was say Four spaces to upload a picture (500x600? [Rough]) to be thumbnailed and a small field to say about what it is. Then a Link.


Well, Thats just my idea! I'm sure that Delphy can come up with something more practical :D

[Delphy]

Petchy: That idea was brought up recently and, to be honest, I wasn't enthusiastic about it. Your MTS profile should be about you on MTS - not about what you do elsewhere. There is already the signature, your home page and the About box provided that can have custom links in it - I really don't think having a whole seperate system to track off site links is in keeping with promoting this site.

[superstition]

I have been receiving questionable requests for changes to my Same-sex Realism submission, usually beginning with the argument that it's extremely easy to make tuning mods.

The vast majority of Sims players are not hackers. They aren't going to download S3PE and S3OC. They aren't going to read the tutorials. They are simply going to browse the mods available for download and be disappointed if they don't find what they're looking for. They may even go to another web site and do a Google search. Only a small percentage is going to go to the trouble to make and test tuning mods, or any other custom content.

There are levels of player:

1. A player who buys the game and plays it without custom content.
2. A player who downloads a bit of custom content.
3. A player who makes "easy" content like custom wallpaper with an EA tool.
4. A player who makes moderately easy to make yet time-consuming custom content like paintings and tuning mods.
5. A player who can code, do 3D modeling, and the like.

Most players fall into categories 1-3.

It is not so easy to know what's hiding in the gameplay package. Some things aren't labeled very intuitively and some "simple" changes require testing. Any testing is effort that exceeds the "extremely easy" argument.

The "time/effort" basis for determining the eligibility of content is a flawed one because time and effort are often not the measure of quality or value. As I noted in another post, I could spend years painting on a canvas and it wouldn't be superior to a painting by Van Gogh who often spent less than one day on a painting. At least, it wouldn't be in as much public demand as the Van Gogh.

I have seen no mod that touches the variable concerning the number of times a player must force a character to initiate same-sex romantic socials before they will happen autonomously between the two characters. Tracking down the value that is responsible for this was hardly "extremely easy". I only discovered it because I did a complicated Google search and asked a question to the right person. In fact, there were only two references to it, one of which had almost no information about it. Simply tracking down the appropriate line of code in the vast gameplay package, knowing what it's used for, and knowing how to change it is effort that exceeds "extremely easy", as is going through the effort of submitting the mod for download. Yet, every time I make changes, the reviewer reposts the bit about it being so extremely easy to make tuning mods, which suggests to me that when I make the other changes.... in the end the mods will be rejected with this flawed argument.

I, like other players, want to be able to find mods that do useful things and not have to invent the wheel myself. Mod the Sims is a service. Forcing users to do things themselves isn't service and it's not efficient. As I mentioned in the other post, I made the Van Gogh paintings because I didn't find them on Mod the Sims and was very surprised to not find them. Why should so many Sims players who are looking for them have to go to so much trouble to make them?

It is not easy, either, especially when there are bugs in S3OC and missing or flawed points in the tutorial. One of the points in the comments for the tutorial said all but certain files can be safely deleted.... Yet, when one does that with certain paintings, one ends up with a black sphere instead of a painting! I am still in the process of discovering which files I can delete from the Modern painting template so I can manually go through each recolor I made from it and delete the appropriate files.

Tuning mods are extremely small downloads and yet I was not only told I had to separate my two mods that ideally should be used together, which were clearly differentiated in the Read Me, in the naming of the files, and in the description of the mods... When I went to the trouble of creating two Read Me documents, multiple versions of the mods (which was unnecessary in the case of the first "conversion" mod in my view, but required by the reviewer), and uploaded a download that contains all the mods as well as zip files that contain only one mod or the other... I got another demand to split each flavor of each mod into a separate download. I didn't even want there to be so many flavors.

Why should players have to manually initiate a same-sex romantic social in order to get autonomy 3 times rather than the minimum of 1 (after modification the game appears to require at least one of these artificial player actions)? It defies the point of my mods which is greater realism.

I'm beginning to feel like I'm being toyed with or that there is no intention to publish these mods in the first place. It was bad enough to have to create versions of my mod that require users to initiate more than the mandatory 1 unrealistic forced same-sex romantic interaction (as opposed to the game's ridiculous default of 6) without having to make minor and even silly change after change.

People can read instructions about not installing more than one flavor of a mod, and if they can't, then they certainly shouldn't be assumed to be able to create the mods in the first place!

I am willing to create individual downloads for all these flavors (including the unnecessary ones I was required to make), but only if someone can tell me that the mod will be published. Otherwise, I'm going to move on and use my energy more wisely.

I've spent an inordinate amount of time on the Van Gogh paintings which were rejected and since I was asked to resubmit them, I have spent a lot more time adding more paintings and improving the ones I made. But, I haven't uploaded the changed version because I have still more work to do to shrink the size of the new paintings done with a different template. But, in the back of my mind I'm wondering if I'm going to get yet another rejection after all this work. It makes me wonder whether I should bother to resubmit at all.

[Delphy]

superstition: Simply put, all the other mods on here that have multiple flavours or types are packaged as seperate zip files - why should your particular mod be different?

I think you are getting all hung up on the automated part of the changes required message - the standard one that gets attached to all game mods that don't have multiple flavours. In actual fact, you should concentrate on the Other reason.

Mod The Sims is actually here to both provide downloads *and* to help people learn for themselves. Why else do you think we have links to both the XML tuning tutorial and the Mod Generator (which, incidentally, does make it very easy to look and see what scripts are already there and to modify them) in the actual download area for Game Mods? We are not just "yet another download site for the Sims 3". We encourage people to figure things out for themselves and them post them up, and actually, we, as staff, determine what MTS is, whether it is a service or not, and where we want to take the site.

To be honest, you are just going to have to accept that MTS does have moderation, and it does control which mods get approved here - and it doesn't take much time and effort to split one zip file into two. :) The reason we ask for multiple flavours is becuase generally speaking the Sims 3 is extremely easy to mod. It may have taken some time to track down a value, but once the location of said value is known, is it not easy enough to change it? Every game mod that is uploaded, with the exception of a few, has to have multiple flavours because they are easy to do - I really don't see your particular mod as being any different to that. Once you split up the download into the individual flavours, then it will most likely be accepted - if we didn't want it on the site, then we wouldn't have put it on changes required for such small technical reasons, and it would have been rejected in the first round. :)

I think that once that change is made, the mod will prove to be quite popular, and will share the same high quality and high level of work as the rest of the downloads here. Just don't be too disheartened becuase this site is "pickier" than others which don't have any approval process at all - think of us like the App Store people for the iPhone, and think how many iFart apps there would be without them. :)

[Elizabella]

Since I've been building and creating more and more, I wish there were sort of a general feedback forum. For instance I posted in Creator Issues the question of whether or not I had to re-upload a cheap version of a bed I made or if I can just edit my current upload and add it. I know it doesn't really belong in CFF but I can't find a better place for it.

Oh I'd also love just to be able to see all Sims2 things in CFF, although it is possible to give feedback on Sims3 even if you don't have the game.

[MogHughson]

Since I've been building and creating more and more, I wish there were sort of a general feedback forum. For instance I posted in Creator Issues the question of whether or not I had to re-upload a cheap version of a bed I made or if I can just edit my current upload and add it. I know it doesn't really belong in CFF but I can't find a better place for it.I had a similar question I wanted to ask the moderators only the other day, and after some head scratching I plumped for Creator Issues Forum as well, but I must have gone in and out twice before I decided it was probably the best place for the question - I really wasn't sure.

[Jessica_2020]

I've noticed uploads at MTS have been dwindling, I'm not sure if it's because most things being uploaded are being rejected, or just a lack of people uploading? I think it would be great if more sims were accepted. I know you guys want to see "unique" sims, but I'd love to see more, pretty sims!! I uploaded several sims, and I thought they were very pretty, fairly unique, and not maxisy at all, I spent a lot of time on them, and the pictures,got lots of feedback in CFF before uploading etc! They didn't even look like pudding, but they still got rejected for lack of being "unique" enough! :P For me personally, if somebody spends a little time to make a nice looking sim and spends time doing the pictures to show off the sim, I'll usually download it! I do appreciate how MTS has high quality uploads, that's great!! I'm not suggesting that you accept sub-par uploads, just maybe loosen your restrictions on non celebrity sims! ;) I'd just really love to start seeing more downloads here! I know in the past MTS was a place I checked several times a day for new goodies, now when I do, it's the same downloads showing on the first page for a couple days it seems like!

In CFF I also think it's kind of cluttered, like others have suggested! It would be nice if when you click on CFF, it would give you an option to go to either Sims 2 or Sims 3!

Also, I think Creator Issues is a great idea, if the mods would respond! hehe! :P

Anyways, just a few suggestions!! Thank you guys for making such a great forum! MTS is really my favorite place to go to upload my creations, get feedback, and learn how to create! Thanks for listening!

[lewjen]

Also, I think Creator Issues is a great idea, if the mods would respond! hehe! :P
I second that... I've a had a thread in there for several days... about 3. And it's been viewed 8 times. About 6 of those by me.
I realise that mods have lives too... but I'd apreciate it if atleast once while they're online they could check CI. ;)

[MogHughson]

My personal worry about putting a question on Creator Issues Forum is that mainly (I think anyway) threads will be on there as a precursor to uploading things (i.e. you can upload by building the thread on there and then asking a moderator to move it to the queue). Thus I was unsure whether the people monitoring that forum would realise my thread was a question or a thread that was incomplete (i.e. something to be ignored until prodded). So I made my title "Question for moderators" and it was answered immediately.

It think it might worth spliting those two purposes into separate forums? i.e. Have a special upload threads forum perhaps, and then Creator issues can remain as creator issues and will all be questions?

[Delphy]

Creator Feedback has now been split into Sims 2 and Sims 3 subforums, and in addition, the Latest Active Threads has been added to the main CFF section.

[MogHughson]

Ya beauty!

[superstition]

Delphy, I agree with most of what you said and understood it. But, it's not just the fact that this place is moderated. It's the implementation. I haven't submitted to any other site. It's that some of the arguments made concerning submission are overly broad and the submission process is a bit frustrating.

Time + effort does not necessarily equal value, for instance. Few Sims players are hacker types who are going to go to the trouble of making even "easy" things like tuning mods and would rather download them, ready-made... things like that. The rejection of the Van Gogh submission is one I had issues with that I think are valid, although I am happy to note that I was asked to re-submit after I made my case.

I'm glad to hear that you think my mods will be considered useful. If that was made clear when changes are requested, it would make the process less frustrating! The way it's stated, though... is that even if changes are made it's not a guarantee that the submission with be accepted. It sent the message to me, at least, that no matter how many times I submit, there is the possibility that the mods won't ever be accepted.

How about re-wording it a bit so that it's clear to the submitter that if they make all of the changes that are requested that the submission will be accepted?

As for my mod being special... It does seem to be a special case in the case of the conversion mod. There really is no need for multiple flavors of that one from my point of view. The game's default requirement of six artificial player-initiated actions is awful, and the minimum value of 1 is bad enough. Basically, the game discriminates against gay people by having autonomous opposite-sex romantic socials without any action on the part of gamers while forcing the player to initiate the romantic same-sex socials; the game hides this in their byzantine gameplay.package structure which most Sim players will never touch let alone locate the correct value (which is not in the main tree).

I really don't want to submit versions with a higher value than 1 and call the mod part of a "realism" set. However, I did as the moderator requested and submitted three flavors of the conversion mod in the first round of changes requested. I'm even less thrilled about putting them up as separate downloads because it sends the message that I endorse having this behavior in the game (Why else would I make available anything but the minimum value?).

EA made a bad decision, in my view, for implementing this line of code and I want my mod to minimize it as much as possible. It's not only bad in the way I described. It's also bad because it's based on the erroneous notion that gay people are "converted" to being gay. I called it the conversion mod for ironic effect, but it's actually what the code does. It requires players to convert Sims.

The media made it seem like the Sims 3 was a great step forward in equality for gamers, but yet there are major snags built in that ruin the playing experience for gay gamers (at least those who don't like to force everything). It would have been much better to simply enable preferences options concerning sexuality and options in create-a-sim. If I could code, I would create a gameplay replacement mod that would fix these things. Unfortunately, I don't have the skill.

In the case of the other mod (the "chance" mod), though, I can certainly see a case for plenty of flavors.

To some degree, I should apologize for being grouchy. :) However, I also have raised valid points here and in the topic concerning the Van Gogh paintings. Thanks for taking the time to read my posts and respond!

I've noticed uploads at MTS have been dwindling, I'm not sure if it's because most things being uploaded are being rejected, or just a lack of people uploading? I think it would be great if more sims were accepted. I know you guys want to see "unique" sims, but I'd love to see more, pretty sims!! I uploaded several sims, and I thought they were very pretty, fairly unique, and not maxisy at all, I spent a lot of time on them, and the pictures,got lots of feedback in CFF before uploading etc! They didn't even look like pudding, but they still got rejected for lack of being "unique" enough! :P For me personally, if somebody spends a little time to make a nice looking sim and spends time doing the pictures to show off the sim, I'll usually download it! I do appreciate how MTS has high quality uploads, that's great!! I'm not suggesting that you accept sub-par uploads, just maybe loosen your restrictions on non celebrity sims! ;) I'd just really love to start seeing more downloads here!

One way to maintain the high-level image is to have the more run-of-the-mill submissions be hidden by default. Users can manually change the search preferences to show all submissions, and so forth. New users to the site, though, would only see the submissions that get awards/"picked" and so forth. This satisfies both the avid collector and the purist. The only things to watch for are: too many submissions due to lowered standards leading to moderator fatigue and: too much server space usage with large file size submissions.

I don't download some submissions because I don't want to have to track down fifteen pieces of custom content, especially when the custom content involves replacements for standard features. I'm not very happy that so much is a "default replacement" in the Sims 3. I think it's a major step backward for customization. Nonetheless, I have plenty of respect for those who go the trouble of making so much custom content and for tracking down precise pieces of custom content to realize the perfect celebrity and so forth.

I've been able to make some nice-looking Sims with primarily Maxis' tools and content, and some of them took quite a bit of time to make. I haven't tried to submit Sims myself, but I have made some that I'm certain people would enjoy having, even if they use a minimum of custom content and don't look like celebrities (although the guy in my avatar looks like a male Julia Roberts). :)

Also, some highly stylized custom Sims are beautiful and impressive but not so useful in most games as more run of the mill Sims. For instance, there were characters from Final Fantasy for the Sims 2 that were really impressive, and done early in the game's history. Yet, the scars, the hair, and the clothing were really not useful to me. I downloaded them because they were so well done, but they didn't get real use in the game.

[Delphy]

superstition: The thing about the Changes Required messages is that, honestly, no, there is absolutely no guarantee that an upload will be accepted after the changes are made. The Changes Required used to be called Conditional Approval, which actually did mean what you imagine it to be - once the changes are made, it'd get approved. But what we found was that even after making changes, the overall submission still didn't meet our standards.

Think of it this way - an upload gets uploaded, nice idea, nice description, but the pics are kind of blurry. We wouldn't just reject it becuase all we have to do is to see the item more clearly - so we ask for clearer pics. But then somebody updates the pics and we see that, actually, the texturing work is really bad. Obviously we couldn't have spotted this prior to getting the Changes Required, but it's not fair to also say that Changes Required = Approval after changes are made.

The entire process has been working quite well now for a number of years - and while we are always looking to improve things, I think that in the case of the game mods, it's more a question of explanation of why the changes are required (which I will admit, I didn't put in), rather than a quality issue.

With regards to changing the download view to only show Picked/Top items to new users - thats something I am absolutely against doing. What defines a "new" user? When does a "new" user not become "new"? Why should we hide non-picked/featured items to these people? If you think about it - every single upload on this site has been looked at by people. It's been checked, and judged, by people. It may take a toll on the moderators time and energy, but at the end of the day every single upload here is a quality one, and I am proud of that fact, and would not want to hide everybody elses hard work in favour of only the most "popular" ones, when thier work is just as good in it's own way.

The site caters for many people, and avid downloaders are one of those types - I really don't think the actual download system needs changing - and thats not what this thread is about anyway :)

BTW, I totally agree that some things in the Sims 3 are totally weird - hard coding a slider limit of 20, or hard coding other, random values. But as modders we have to work around those, and as downloaders, it really is better to get a variety of things from the same author - saves space, and is the same quality as other flavours. I think that in the end, everybody wins. :)

[joninmobile]

For some reason when I submit a sims 2 item, it gets reviewed and approved rather quickly, but when I submit a sims 3 item the wait time is usually about a week sometimes more. Since I've been creating for sims 3 more and more, and so has everyone else, I think there should be more mods in charge of the sims 3 download section.

[Delphy]

jonin: We are aware of the delays since it's mentioned in the very first post of this thread

[MogHughson]

Just going through the upload wizard right now for a new Global Mod and noticed the following:-

Step 1: Select game, Sims 2 or Sims 3
Step 2: Select area - in this case it was a Global Mod
Step 3: Category of mod, choices presented are:-
TS3 Tuning Mod
TS3 Core Mod
TS2 General Mod

What? I've already said it's a Sims 2 mod. These choices seem like some correction is required?

Cheers
Mog :Pint:

[cmomoney]

Just going through the upload wizard right now for a new Global Mod and noticed the following:-

Step 1: Select game, Sims 2 or Sims 3
Step 2: Select area - in this case it was a Global Mod
Step 3: Category of mod, choices presented are:-
TS3 Tuning Mod
TS3 Core Mod
TS2 General Mod

What? I've already said it's a Sims 2 mod. These choices seem like some correction is required?

Cheers
Mog :Pint:

Doesn't it also say you can't have inline images over 800x600? That isn't true anymore, right?

[joninmobile]

jonin: We are aware of the delays since it's mentioned in the very first post of this thread

Woops! my bad. Sorry about that.

Maybe you could promote some site helpers to staff members so that it would make thing go a little faster. ;)

[lewjen]

Seems like he's been doing that already... ;)

[daluved1]

I have one or two little nitpicks about uploading.

Is it possible to add a second zip/rar upload slot to the Wizard? This would speed up the upload process for those who have several sets of zipped/rar'd items.

Also, after you've uploaded your files, could you make it to where the image and zip/rar files are clearly separated? Like into their own separate groups? Because sometimes my rar files get lost among the sea of images so I think it'd help to be able to see things clearly separated.

Like I said, just a few nitpicks :)

[DKinner1956]

I looked all over this site to download this program and the is none.If you are going to tell us that you can download this program then make sure this is a place to download it.

[MogHughson]

Hi there DKinner1956 - I just typed hoodreplace into the Search menu's (top of the page) Search Downloads box and got only one hit - perhaps you can try that and see if it is what you are looking for?

[HystericalParoxysm]

daluved1 - You can put more zip/rar files in the image slots. It doesn't care if it's an image or a zip/rar. It's labelled that way as a bit of a guide for newer folks but you can put rars in all the slots, upload them, then do your images and it's happy either way.

[superstition]

Delphy, would you mind letting me know what you think of my argument concerning the multiple flavors of the conversion mod?

What defines a "new" user?
Someone who just created an account.
When does a "new" user not become "new"?
When they have changed their preferences.
Why should we hide non-picked/featured items to these people?
I explained why in my post.
If you think about it - every single upload on this site has been looked at by people. It's been checked, and judged, by people. It may take a toll on the moderators time and energy, but at the end of the day every single upload here is a quality one, and I am proud of that fact, and would not want to hide everybody elses hard work in favour of only the most "popular" ones, when thier work is just as good in it's own way.
I did think about it, and my idea fits with what the site is already doing to some degree. There already is a tier system where some downloads are given preference over others. The starred/picked items can be shown by themselves in the search if the user wishes, right? The only thing my suggestion did was make something like that the default search view instead of the alternative. Depending upon the design of the pages, it could be very obvious to new users that they can find more content by changing their preferences, so it's not like the submissions would end up in a black hole that would do a major disservice to the uploaders.

It was just an idea that I thought of when I read the suggestion the other person made about there being more Sim submissions accepted. A tiered default search view where only the top tiers are seen by default enables there to be more accepted content on the site, which satisfies those who may like content that doesn't meet the "highest standards" (or content that the moderators don't think is especially compelling but which others would like to have, like Sims made with Maxis content that don't look like celebrities) -- while also keeping the image of the site up by showing a "high standard" of product.

As I said, it's not a perfect solution because it may encourage too many submissions, which could overload moderators and stretch the queue for submissions and also requires more server storage space (which may be an issue for large submissions). But, it does have its advantages, I think, as well.

[HystericalParoxysm]

Standards for the moderation queue will not be changed/relaxed and I don't think we're interested in doing a "tiered view" - there are plenty of other sites that allow anything and everything, and while I understand it may sometimes be upsetting to creators to be rejected, we do intend to stick to those high standards. If that means less uploads on the whole but a higher quality in what -is- uploaded, then so be it.

[cmomoney]

You can put more zip/rar files in the image slots. It doesn't care if it's an image or a zip/rar. It's labelled that way as a bit of a guide for newer folks but you can put rars in all the slots, upload them, then do your images and it's happy either way.
:blink: I didn't know that.

[Delphy]

Mog: Re the categories - thats deliberate and unfortuantely can't be changed. Theres no "auto category" option for a specific game type.

[MogHughson]

Mog: Re the categories - thats deliberate and unfortuantely can't be changed. Theres no "auto category" option for a specific game type.I can understand if something can't be changed, but I find it odd that you deliberately put TS3 categories in the TS2 upload? I have noticed on occaision some TS2 uploads have selected one of these TS3 categories. If it can't be changed could it be part of some check-list to ensure they don't end up categorised in a mixed up way?

[daluved1]

daluved1 - You can put more zip/rar files in the image slots. It doesn't care if it's an image or a zip/rar. It's labelled that way as a bit of a guide for newer folks but you can put rars in all the slots, upload them, then do your images and it's happy either way.

Really....okay! :D
*bounces off*

[whiterider]

Mog, Game Mods is one subforum, for both TS2 and TS3. The game selection is all terribly complex, but essentially it's just another type of category tag. As such, it's impossible to have different categories for 2 and 3 - because they are in fact the same forum. Similarly, it wouldn't be possible to split up the forums, as then the game type switching wouldn't work.

DKinner: Crikey, would you look at that first link! (http://lmgtfy.com/?q=HoodReplace+Version+2.1)

[lewjen]

Please, is it possible to do somethig about the lack of posts in CI? I don't mean like people posting their issues in there (we can't see other people's threads) I mean Mods answering questions.
For example, I've had this (http://modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=377673) thread in CI for a week now.
It is getting a bit frustrating now. I admit, it's only been a week since I posted that thread compared to some people having thread in there for months un-answered but, it is stilll frustrating.
I'm not really sure what could be done about it, but maybe it could be reccomended that atleast once while a mod/admin is online they check CI?

[Ghost sdoj]

When they have changed their preferences.



Does this mean that I was a new user until just now? I didn't change the preferences either. :p

[superstition]

Does this mean that I was a new user until just now? I didn't change the preferences either. :p
When you've used the search, you've never changed any of the options, like clicking the box that includes "picked" items?

It all comes down to the design of the pages, the user interface. My idea can be implemented in a way that does not send content into virtual oblivion while also maintaining a high standard first impression (or continual impression for those who will never go to the trouble of changing even obvious search options). :)

there are plenty of other sites that allow anything and everything, and while I understand it may sometimes be upsetting to creators to be rejected, we do intend to stick to those high standards. If that means less uploads on the whole but a higher quality in what -is- uploaded, then so be it.
My suggestion, in no way, involved eliminating moderation or accepting garbage. I have seen how mediocre Sim design, for instance, can be, from the old "upload your Sim to EA" site.

But, given that my Van Gogh paintings, which were done to a high standard, were rejected until I made some good points in an appeal... it seems to me that there should be some tuning done, however minor, to the guidelines/requirements.

The suggestion was, instead, designed to allow less exacting requirements while still maintaining a good minimum. Sometimes it's not about quality at all but rather about rather arbitrary rules -- like the argument that paintings should be meta (pictures of Sims and stuff with Sim language). I disagree with that argument because I usually don't want meta art in my game. I also find the EA-created artwork to be drab, not compelling -- not as good as the best of the rejected Van Gogh paintings.

[daluved1]

I noticed a comment about having more "average" looking sims for download, and I second that idea.

Although they are nice, I personally don't use the sims uploaded here because they are either "too pretty", a celebrity, or a fantasy sim. Those are fine for screen shots and such, but I wouldn't use them for everyday simming.

I, like a lot of simmers out there, don't have the skill or patience to make their own sims. And, it'd be nice to be able to grab a well done, average looking premade sim.

So, I think a semi-moderated forum where creators can upload and share their sims would be neat. You know, sorta like what the exchange offers but with more constraints and guidelines...and not as douchey :D That way the queue won't be clogged with an influx of sim uploads.

I don't know, seems like a good idea in theory.

[pilar39mx]

Congratulations for try the perfection, this only take the Web to the sweepings.
Before there were many uploading per day, today sometimes does not arrive to ten.
Every time there are less loads, the exigencies of the norms scare the creator and he it ends up going away to others webs where its work is not rejected and people downloading.
Most of the people who download do not understand the perfection, or exaggerated norms, only looks for new things for your game.
Single a very select group looks for extremely perfect things
Make its real life perfect; do not look for perfection in a game.
In a game nothing is impossible.

[mizzroyality]

I think that the site mostly focuses on window users and mac users like me are out in the dark. For example with the addition of World Adventures the custom content no longer works while the resource file is in the folder and no one is even addressing the issue. Mac Users want some love too...LOL

[whiterider]

We haven't had any reports of Macs having CC issues with WA - why not go and start a discussion in the TS3 Mac help forum?

In terms of other things - almost all the CC works on Macs, we have FAQs etc specifically written for Macs. Obviously OS is pretty irrelevant in the community section, and while it's true that most of the modding resources are Windows-focussed, that's because most of the modding tools are Windows only. If you've got more specific suggestions regarding Mac support, please go ahead and post them in the general site suggestions thread; or here if they're specifically related to modding resources. We can't really do much based on "more focus on Macs", though. :)

[Delphy]

I don't think it's terribly fair to accuse the site of "not addressing the issue" - this is a site with user contributions, after all. As whiterider says if you want to address the issue - go right ahead.

[melanise]

not sure if its the right place for this but i'm trying to make an object uplosd on my page but i cant find the usertool... to click upload i'm at a brick wall can i get some direction please ty :-)

[Audrey]

Hi Whiterider, thank you for this thread.

I am one of those people whose questions have not been answered for days in CI, so my question is, is there a roster of mods who checks the CI threads to see if he/she can help the creator? If there is a roster, then it does not appear to be working as there are clearly people who are not getting their questions answered. If there isn't a roster, then maybe there should be one to ensure that questions get answered timeously. Sometimes it is impossible for the creator to go forward with his her creation until they get an answer to their questions.

Another question. What are the mods impressed by when they give a star or a trophy to a sim upload? I think there is only one star in the Sims section and although I think the upload is great, what makes a sim upload worthy of a 'pick'?

Thank you for splitting the Sims 2 and 3 in CFF. It is great to go in there now. However, since I am only a sim maker, I would like a thread within Sims 3 dedicated only to sims which can be sublabelled - celebrity, other, anime. I'm sure that builders, modders, etc. would like the same thing.

Thank you for the less generic kind of rejection, with reasons
I have also noticed that when my sim gets rejected, the mod is putting more information about why the sim was rejected. This is very helpful, especially if you have been tweaking the sim in CFF for weeks and think that is ready for upload.

I am definitely in favour of maintaining the standard of content which is uploaded. So, even though I go 'damn' when I get rejected, I know it is because you are trying to keep the standards high. In contrast, you have TSR where even the fugliest sims and ones that bear no resemblance to the celebrity they are supposed to represent are uploaded there. Thanks for keeping the standards high, even though it comes back to bite me. Lol

[HugeLunatic]

melanise - At the top of the page in the nav bar you will find the links to Creator Guidelines and how to upload. Create / Creator Guidelines or Create / Upload Items.

[melanise]

Oh brilliant ty so much Luna x

[Ghost sdoj]

Yes, that would be cool, but I don't think it's quite as site related as they were looking for. ;)

(If that is the tutorial by Wes_h, if you post your question in the thread he will get back to you with an answer. He has always been very helpful with that. You should see the original thread for that tutorial at CustomSims3! )

[joninmobile]

I think it would be cool to have a section in the creation forums for sims 2 for Pets. For questions on how to make custom coats, and custom pets, and any problems creators have with making custom Pets. I know I have a question about how to make a custom coat, but I don't know where to ask, because there is no Pets forum.

[Echo]

jon, I'm not sure that there's really enough information, or enough interested modders, to justify an entire forum for pets. Most of the information about it is in Modding Discussion. The only resources I can really think of are this tutorial:
http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=220982
and this thread:
http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=199958

There was a brief burst of activity when the EP came out, but I'm afraid Pets was really the least moddable of the TS2 expansions.

[Slipslop]

Yep i agree with lewjen, i also would suggest that you answer Creator Issues forum more often.

I mean i don't know how many questions you get there per day and how many silly questions are posted there, as it is now you seem to only answer questions which can't be figured out by the threadstarter. On the usual forum at least one gives a hint even to the dumbest question. So i'm not quite sure how you handle this forum, or if you overlook threads sometimes (you are not robots) and would be interesting to know

Like i posted a question 3 months ago, why one of my early uploads was rejected, because it was a two sims upload and i didn't know, if all 2 sims are ment or only 1. The thread got 16 views, but no response. Afterwards i thought, that this means "Just take a closer look at your sims and you can figure out why they got rejected by yourself" ;) This is long time ago and things changed, but this was the way i thought about it at that point in time.

[joninmobile]

I think it would be extra helpful if we had in the create section under create/sims 2 or create/sims 3 the creator feedback sections for those games. A lot of times I'm really trying to get to creator feedback, for a certain game, and instead of cliking on creator feedback, I accidentally go straight for the Create/Creating For.../Sims 2 or 3 tab. I guess because creating for, equates to me as all possible ways to create for the game of your choice, including people giving feedback on your creations.

[Gwenke33]

Something that has not come up yet: the description fields you get for each and every file you upload, in the upload process. I don't mean the description which appears to downloaders under the filename - that was a great, very useful addition.
But the other you are asked to fill in (above the line where you can check "It's my work". The text I enter there does not appear anywhere, and uploaders are not told what it is used for, if anything.
Consistent information about the picture size accepted would also be nice.
As well as updating the text about 'pay content used in the upload' - since MTS does not accept pay content any more, that seems outdated.

And I second the note about arbitrariness in moderation decisions - I have no issues whatsoever with quality requirements, but arbitrariness is disheartening.
Asking for unreasonable changes - like learning to mesh for the sake of a recolour which does not need it - gives a feeling of being unrespected- as if what one wanted to do in the first place did not matter.
Maybe it would help if the dialogue could be kept up - if in case of rejection or a questionable change request, the uploader could in good faith present their reasons as an equal party. If there is already a way for that, well, people should be told, but as I hear, the CI is not the place.

[whiterider]

jonin, interesting idea, I'll make a note to discuss it.

Gwenke33, if you can tell us exactly where the pay content text is, or where there are inconsistencies regarding image size, we'll get those straightened out.

The file description is used in the PackageDB, so that if someone else later also uploads a lot, sim etc using your file, the description you provided will automatically be filled in under CC Included.

If you have questions or issues with a changes required, then you can use the textbox under the "I'm ready for this to be reviewed" checkbox to communicate directly with the queue mods. Issues with rejections should be posted in CI - we generally respond to simple issues with the uploading process fairly quickly; it's more complex issues that require a bit more wrangling while we make a decision and respond.

[Gwenke33]

The pay content text is somewhere at the end of the upload process (sorry I can't tell where without uploading something). There's a small box the uploader is asked to check if any pay content was used in the upload.
Could you please clarify: who will see the description provided? The uploader when uploading? (I've never uploaded a house or sim).

[whiterider]

When uploading lots or sims, uploaders see a set of boxes to fill in info on any custom content that's included. If a particular piece of CC is already in the PackageDB, then the info will automatically be filled in, and will show up under CC Included in the download text.

[Gwenke33]

Thank you. It would be useful to have this info in the uploading process, then.

[joninmobile]

The ability to withdraw your uploads without them being rejected would be nice. I know if you have something, you changed your mind on uploading here, because you needed to work on it further or something, it would be helpful if you could simply withdraw your submission in the subscribed threads.

[HystericalParoxysm]

Jon - You can always ask for it to be put on Changes Required by posting in Creator Issues. Uploads are deliberately un-deleteable by the creator because we were having a lot of issues with people uploading something, having it put on Changes Required, and then just deleting and reuploading as a new thread with none/only some of the changes instead of changing the existing one, which makes it very hard for the upload moderators to keep track of what needed doing/what has already been done on the upload.

[LadyFrontbum]

This is incredibly trivial, but can there be a fantasy option in the sims section? For example, instead of Sci-Fi, make it Sci-Fi / Fantasy?

I only ask because I was uploading a goblin the other day and had to put her into Other as she didn't really fit anywhere else. :)

[treeag]

Is it possible to have a separate section for injected script mods for the Sims 3? Script mods are different enough from XML Tuning mods, I think.

[Slipslop]

I talked to Delphy on CI about it and he already told me that this will be part of the CI revamp), but i post it here too.

"Great base, needs a bit more work" rejections should always contain additional feedback, no exception, to clearly show the thoughts of the moderator why the submission got rejected and thus helping creators instead of just kicking them away and leaving them in the dark, what's wrong with the upload. Imo this should be mandatory in the future.

This way you will also cut the down the number of CI threads, because creators already know what's wrong with their submission.

CFF is a good thing, but the people there are not the ones who are responsible for the uploads and i've seen quite a few praised threads there which got rejected afterwards.

[joninmobile]

Where you click to view all who thanked your upload, it would be better to see them listed in order of post count from highest to lowest, instead of a big hodgepodge of a bunch of names. I know the only reason I like to check that is to see if any "big names" thanked my upload.

[Delphy]

joninmobile: Thats unlikely to happen. Mostly becuase it requires additional sorting, which gets taxing on the database.

Slipslop: There's no real need to post that since it's also done. ;)

treeag: Good idea, I'll add it.

[HystericalParoxysm]

CarlosFilipePedro - We already have forums where you can ask questons about problems with your game, or problems with creation (I'm not sure which your issue is, but in any case, we've got both). People try to help as they can. Sometimes their answers are useful and sometimes they're not - such is the nature of a forum open for posting.

[mangaroo]

CFP, that sounds like a navigation issue. To find your own posts (original threads or replies to others' threads), simply go to your user profile and click the link "Find all posts by [username]" or "Find all threads started by [username]."

Beyond that, it pays to familiarize yourself with the various subforums via the site map. Go to the subforums that interest you and look in those specific locations for new posts. The "new posts" link isn't for locating older threads.

[treeag]

treeag: Good idea, I'll add it.

Great, thanks :D *waits patiently*

[HystericalParoxysm]

Carlos, everyone thinks their problem is unique and requires special attention - after years of answering questions, that's become painfully clear. What you're asking for is a whole additional level of system and moderation for someone to go through and approve/delete problems and explain why problems aren't unique, etc., and I just don't see it being that useful for the amount of time/effort/work it'd be (and the people it'd piss off who do think their problems are special and not answered in FAQs or tutorials even when they are). It can be annoying to see the same questions over and over but that's why we encourage people to search and write FAQs that people can be linked to. I don't think your suggestion will be implemented, but thank you. :)

[whiterider]

If no-one answers, it's more likely because no-one has any ideas of how to fix it, than because the forum is too full.

[joninmobile]

instead of having just all picked uploads be either based on populartiy or moderator picked you could divide them so you know which is which, like you could have something called staff picks, and one called picked uploads (for popularity). I think it would be a little something cool and extra to add to the homepage (recent staff picks). I'm not asking that the picked uploads already there be divided like that if that's too hard, perhaps just every latest picked upload if you choose to implement this. Maybe with a new icon for staff picks like a thumbs up + star, or a crown.

[Rikachu]

If this isn't asking too much, could it be possible to have an option to view both games in CFF? I don't like giving advice to only one, and it's annoying going back and forth between forums.

[joninmobile]

Also, please, please, please, start a new forum just for sims 3 programs in the sims 3 modding section. I'm having trouble with Stubble STBL editor, but I can't find the thing since search is disabled. It would be very helpful to locate programs up for testing, instead of having to just dig through posts about questions regarding creation, and things like that.

[Delphy]

joninmobile: There is already a Sims 3 section for Programs and Utilities.

RiBlan: The main Creator Feedback page as linked from the dropdown shows the last 20 or so threads from both Sims 2 and Sims 3 forums, so you can use this.

[Gwenke33]

Earlier I mentioned there was a bit confusing part about pay meshes used in the upload process. Now I have a pic: http://i47.tinypic.com/2ep7ntv.jpg

[whiterider]

Thanks, Gwenke. It looks like that got missed when we made the transition to no paysite content at all ever in the world nuhuh etc. I'll put it on our to-do list to fix up. :)

[treeag]

Not trying to sound impatient or anything, but I just want to remind you just in case you'd forgotten about adding a script mod subsection, Delphy. :)

Some people seem to assume that they're tuning mods and therefore don't need the dll, and I'm tired of answering the same question about missing interactions over and over again. Especially when people get all worked up like this (http://www.modthesims.info/download.php?p=3074631#post3074631). It annoys me, honestly. Maybe my reply wasn't the nicest either, but seriously.

Actually it seems to me that most people aren't aware of the dll, considering the amount of questions/complaints on object mod/script mod threads (not just mine). I'm not sure why, but I just read the instructions on the wiki (http://www.simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Installing_Sims_3_Package_Files) and it says:
3) a d3dx9_31.dll file specially modified to work with The Sims 3.
This .dll file is only required if you want to use a core mod like Awesomemod, Gabriel mod, etc.Maybe someone could fix that? Object mods and script mods require that file too. Thanks. Oh and sorry if suggestions for the wiki don't belong here.

[Turkish_Sims2]

Sorry, but maybe I'm in the wrong section. I just want to upload a gaming charakter made by myself for the Sims 3. But I get after several hours, with something PM that it can't be published or something. Can anyone help me? This makes me angry.

[Delphy]

treeag, thanksfor the reminder - it did, in fact, slip my mind. I'll try and get to it this weekend :)

Turkish_Sims2: We have specific guidelines which you must follow. If you got something rejected that soon, my guess is you didn't follow them... But either way, this thread is not the place to say about it - there are procedures to follow as outlined in the PMs.

[Delphy]

Global Mods -> TS3 Script Mod has been added as a category, and the wiki updated.

[treeag]

Awesome, thanks a lot :D

[joninmobile]

For the Sims 3, I think it would be helpful to still require .package format, but for those who prefer sims3pack format on meshes, clothing, and things, allow an option to also allow sims3packs as well as .packages. People sometimes prefer sims3packs because you easily see pictures of the content, and you can see it all there in the launcher before you start the game, also if you package a mesh or clothing, or other CAS item with a sim or lot, it will include it in that sim or lot. I personally prefer .packages, but I think that for sims3pack fans it would certainly be helpful. I know I always include both a .package and a sims3pack in all my files on other sites now, because some people go for those more than others.

[Ambular]

This is probably too late to be very useful for TS2 stuff, but it might prevent some of the frustrations of the past as TS3 accumulates expansions. Would it be possible to add to the creator policy section an option for "You may update my content for future expansions" or something to that effect? Perhaps with the qualifier, "...if I become inactive"? I see nothing that addresses this issue in the current default policy section, and in fact, nothing that deals specifically with mods at all.

[joninmobile]

To go along with what Ambular said, I think something in the global policy under my meshes: You may convert my meshes for TS3. You may NOT convert my meshes for TS3. And for those who convert the other way: You may convert my meshes for TS2. You may NOT convert my meshes for TS2. I think that would be extremely helpful instead of asking people for permission to convert their meshes between games, it's all right there in plain text.

[Ghost sdoj]

Anywhere else that you have extra images you can post them as off-site thumbnail links and they don't count as inline images. The Upload Wizard could make it a bit clearer for first-time users that it is different for your uploads. I got caught by that. (badly)

[wp6890]

Maybe Have a Section under objects called Business Objects ?

[joninmobile]

I would love to see a section for The Sims 3 walls and floors, just putting them in Build Mode/Misc. doesn't make much sense to me. I think it was because at the time sims 3 categories were being made, no one was aware of how to make walls and floors, but now we know.

Edit to add another suggestion:

Only for creators viewing their own threads - I would love it if we could see who all is currently viewing the download thread. I don't think the whole site should be able to see that part, only the creators of the download.