Tutorial: Sims 2 Object Creation with Wings 3D(free) *UPD 07/02/06*

[Numenor]

From what object have you extracted the mesh? Looking at the Geometry graph, I see there are a lot of mesh groups into this mesh...

You could also try to hide some of the groups (by clicking on the "eye" icon next to each group name, in the Geometry graph): other meshes, currently inside that box, will be visible.

[TimSimser]

Hi

I've made an object in wings 3d but when I imported it in The Sims 2 I had a object that didn't was wat it had to be. Can you please take a look at it and say what I've done wrong because I don't understand anything of this. :blink:

( I know this mesh has a lot too much faces)

[TimSimser]

owk I solved it but I still have got a question: Can you have glass in an object when you cloned it from an object without glass. Because I thought I could do it in the texture with a low apicaty but then the glass pieces become white.

[JM23]

This is a great tutorial the first that I have been able to follow. I like wings 3D it is easy compared to others that I have. :mod:


When you say check off do you mean check or uncheck? When I get to step 28 I get a gray box aroud the red cube not the table the way your looks. Can you please explain why this is ? Step 33 can you open UVMapper in SimsPe? I could not find it in the tools or file section. Can you help with this one also.

JM

[Lindsay7321]

SimsPe
______________

when i am on the objects workshop and have clicked on "start" i get a list of different types of furniture, why cant i click on anything on that list?

please help :!:



:cry:

[IgnorantBliss]

Lindsay7321, you have to wait for Object Workshop to finish loading before you can click on anything. It may take a while.

[Avaluna]

Hello.
First I wanna say that I love this tutorial! Thank you!

But I've got a question. When I see this created object in the Sims it looks like this:
http://i10.tinypic.com/2ccozy8.jpg
http://i10.tinypic.com/4fz7s78.jpg

Is that okay?
And how can I change the eh... colour and things of the object? Because I see no picture in SimPE to recolour.
I hope you can help me. :)

[Numenor]

Avaluna, those... ehm... things are all part of the same object? What object have you cloned? I'd say that the mesh just need a correct UV-mapping, but you say you don't find any texture...

This question is more suitable for the Object Repair forum: post there your problem, and attach the package, and we'll give you some advice.

[Avaluna]

No, that are 3. I did it so you maybe could see it better. I did everything that the tutorial says and this is how it looks like when I put it in the Sims. I did also the UV-mapping and there is an bmp file, but I can't recolour the item, because there is not a picture to recolour.
Or maybe I'm just doing sometime terribly wrong. :')

Well, I'm gonna try it there then maybe.
Thanks.

[Numenor]

If you can't recolour it, perhaps you cloned a non-recolourable object, OR you changed the names of the groups in Wings, OR Wings changed them for you...

[Avaluna]

I'm sorry, but what do you mean by 'groups'?
I don't now a lot of meshing and stuff, this is one of my first tries you see... I don't now what I'm really doing if I'm honest, I just followed the tutorial. :faceslap: :)

[Numenor]

The "groups" are the sub-meshes listed in Wings in the Geometry Graph; the same "groups" are visible in SimPE, into the GMDC, though they are called "Models"

[Avaluna]

I've got just a small question:
Can you delete parts of the for excample cube in Wings 3D?

[Numenor]

If the part you want to delete is listed in the Geometry Graph, just select it (the "eye" icon in the Geom. Graph) and hit DEL.

If the mesh you want to delete is part of a bigger mesh, you have two alternatives:
1) select the faces you want to delete and hit DEL;
2) select the entire mesh, right click and choose "Separate"; the mesh will be divided into numerous autonomous smaller meshes. Select and delete the ones you don't need, then select all the remaining ones, right-click and choose "Combine" (you may need to fix the mesh name in the Geom Graph, afterwards)

[s71996]

Do you need a mac computer?

[s71996]

Wait. Clone? HELP!

[IgnorantBliss]

No, you do not need a mac computer to do the things in this tutorial.

[Avaluna]

Thank you very much, again, Numenor! :up:

[andracab]

Hi all. Thanks for this brilliant tutorial. I have to say, I was slightly puzzled at first, at just seeing a box appear in game! I think a lot of people have been expecting to see a table appearing in-game, and don't understand that this tute is just to show you the steps you need, to actually make an object and get it into the game....(You're supposed to have a cube in-game by the end of this tute) in other words.

Also, It was mentioned earlier, that ModBV said the table he chose for this tute was a slave to another object...this is why people are having trouble when trying to texture their cube. The object that it is slave to, has the texture file. (I could be wrong, but I think you'd have to re-texture the main object for the new texture to show on this particular table, right?)

I'm new to all this, but I'm finding things are clicking into place for me now.
Thank you again for this tutorial, and all the help given with your answers to peoples questions! :)

[IgnorantBliss]

I could be wrong, but I think you'd have to re-texture the main object for the new texture to show on this particular table, right?

No, that's not necessary. You can just select the "stand-alone" option when cloning, and the texture will be included into your cloned package.

[andracab]

Ah I see! Thank you for your help IgnorantBliss :)

[benomen]

which map is Your internet Initials/Object Name/Date ?

[TimSimser]

When you've got an object that has points who indicates a point for a move. How can you changes those points if you can change them anyway? (I mean that coloured point in simpe in de gmdc.)

[mistynight01]

i ran though the instrutions and all went well even though i seem to have a different version of simPE. but when i added the item to the game it was a brown box. I dont understand what i did wrong can someone help me please :help:

[ellz-x]

But how do i export i can't see when i right click the object?
:wtf:

[dingo56player]

thanks after I followed your instructions I went on the game and that boring on cornstale table had cloned and the clone turned to a better type of that end table I've almost used it by bedside's in every house I've made

[dingo56player]

I needhelp

[Numenor]

Reading your previous post, I thought the tutorial worked for you...
What's wrong? Please be detailed in your question.

[nelson_ts2fan_loco]

I need help. I import the file completely, and I do all of the steps. The problem starts with the registration process, I already registrated, and when I click on user GUID, it says 'Object reference not set to an instance of an object.'
For worse matters, after I see this I try to get into the content of the Geometrical Data Container; it says'Could not load file or assembly 'Microsoft.DirectX, Version=1.0.2902.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31bf3856ad364e35' or one of its dependencies. The system cannot find the file specified.'
That one's even worse, so I decided to ask y'all what this means and how could I fix it. Can somebody help?

[IgnorantBliss]

nelson_ts2fan_loco, for the GMDC problem, you need to install the managed DirectX there is a link to at the SimPE download page.

[littlejelbea]

Thanks for the great tutorial. The only problem is, I can't get SimPE to work. How can I do that?

[IgnorantBliss]

littlejelbea, you need to be a lot more specific about what exactly isn't working about SimPE. Also, make sure you download and install the Needed Software to run SimPE from the SimPE download page.

[littlejelbea]

Whenever I open SimPE this message pops up: "C://WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.5072\mscorwks.dll cannot be loaded"
I have downloaded all the needed software

[nelson_ts2fan_loco]

Thanks IgnorantBliss, It works fine, now I can start making all kinds of stuff!

[IgnorantBliss]

littlejelbea, did you also install the NET Framework you downloaded?

[vidpro95]

Wow!!! Thanx so much!!!! I needed this tutorial!! But I in step 4 It wont work and i cant go on from that point!

[nelson_ts2fan_loco]

Hey, I have something else that's made me ill...how do you use the UV mapping layout propperly. I have the mesh of the Red vs Blue painting and made the frames a lot different. How do I know what kind of map to use in the UV mapper?
When I run the game, the colors are as grey as in Wings, and the colors and images I pasted in the Photoshop for my painting were placed right in the middle, crossing vertically. Is there a link of a tutorial for the propper usage of UV maps? Can somebody help on this one?

[Numenor]

This article (http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=79954) might interest you, in case you didn't read it already.

[Avaluna]

I gave this meshing another try and I understand it better now... But I still got a question:
If I import the file at the datacontainer I've got a Model more than the object I've cloned. Is that okay? Or is there a way to put things together so you get less Models?

[Numenor]

Avaluna, no, you shouldn't have that extra model. You probably have forgotten to delete the original maxis table (read step 29).

[Avaluna]

Oh, I'm sorry. :) I forgot to say that I'm working on another kind of thing. Not on this endtable.

[Numenor]

Ah, OK; but the method is usually the same: you create a new mesh using "primitives" (cubes, spheres etc), while using the original mesh as a reference.

Let's say that the original mesh has only one model (like in the tutorial): you can create as many primitives you want, but before exporting the finished new mesh you have to:
1) delete from wings the original mesh that you used as a reference;
2) group together all the various sub-meshes that you have created in one single mesh, and rename it exactly like the original model.

[Avaluna]

But how do you groep the sub-meshes together?

[Numenor]

First off, press the Space bar to deselect everything.

Then click on the rightmost pyramid (= model selection mode) and select the meshes you want to regroup by either clicking on the mesh themselves, or by clicking on the little pyramid next to the mesh name (in the geometry panel).

Lastly, right-click anywhere on the main screen and select the menu entry "Combine".

When done, you only have to rename the (one) resulting mesh: select its name from the Geometry panel, right-click on the name itself and choose "Rename".

[Avaluna]

Thank you so much! I found it. :D

[kittymouse]

I'm using the newest version of SimPE..The res tof the steps i can follow but untill the steps about the materials..I cant find the Geometric Data container thingy around the simPE..What should I do?

[IgnorantBliss]

kittymouse, did you have the "reference original mesh" option selected when cloning? Unselect that, otherwise the mesh will not be included into the package.

[kittymouse]

Thank you IgnorantBliss for giving me the right instruction to ge tthe GMDC....But heres another problem...when i tried to open up the Geometric Data Container an error appeared...
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/chilliblues/Error.jpg



*edit*I had already tried downloading the latest Microsoft DirectX but it still won't work... :cry:

[IgnorantBliss]

Have you downloaded and installed the managed DirectX there is a link to at the SimPE download page?

[kittymouse]

Yay I did it! This the best "last day of my holiday" days ever!

[TimSimser]

Hi,

I've got a real big problem, I bought a website and I wanted to place my sims 2 downloads on that website, but they don't work at other computers. The object pictogram is is in the objectsbar in the game but if you click on it you can't place the object.
So do I have to do anything do make my objects downloadable?

[IgnorantBliss]

Before saying what you need to do we need to know what exactly is causing that problem. One major reason for not being able to place an object on a lot is because people don't have the required EPs for it. If you clone an object (even from the base game) with EP files selected on your SimPE file table, it may not be base game compatible. Numenor has more information on this in the sticky topic on the main Object Creation & Texturing forum.

[Benny Boy]

I have a question. I'm on Step #23 when I run into a problem. I've exported the endtable, un-checking the materials box and saving it with the same name SimPE gave me.

When I go back to Wings 3D to import the .obj export from SimPE, it is not there. I go back to SimPE to try and re-export it, but it already appears to be in the folder.

What am I doing wrong? Any help is greatly appreciated!

[tacos]

My pleasure. I have about 30 New Year's resolutions, and one of them is to keep this tutorial up to date. I will also start giving meshing and skinning private lessons for free. So if you want something more in-depth and personalized, PM me. Include your time zone and location (just a state or country) so I can plan accordingly. My time zone is GMT-5, location Massachusetts, USA.
hi my mod page is tacos and i have been following your tutorials i hope its ok to send you a message. ok here go's i read that you give lessons for meshing and something else im sorry i cant remember now but i wanted to sign up if its ok. i live in oklahoma usa and i think its around your time or close. and i have another question about your tutorials. ok i would like to make the pop can you made and i follow you first tutorial but im stuck on how to make just the cylinder. once i make it do i export it or do i need to scale it. im very new to this but i dont know how to do this alone yet. and also i know in the first tutorial you did the table. i did too but when i do the pop can i dont need to clone it from something else or do I? i know you have a life too so ill be waiting for you return letter. thank you for your time

tash

[Numenor]

BennyBoy - When exporting from SimPe, be sure that the file type is "Wavefront File (*.obj). And of course take good note of the location where you are saving the file to ;)

Tacos - Mod_bv PM'ed me some months ago telling me that he was going to stop modding, and asking me to keep an eye to his tutorials. So, unless he changed his mind, you'll probably never receive a return letter.

As for your question, I don't remember that tutorial about a "pop can", but I can answer to your questions.

Before following the examples below, hit the space bar, so to deselect everything: this is important, because otherwise you could break up what you already made, and also because some options do't appear if you have something selected.

1) Making a cylinder: select the last pyramid (model selection mode), right click anywhere on the main window and choose "Cylinder".

2) Scaling down the cylinder (or any other mesh): select the last pyramid, left-click on the mesh you want to scale (it will turn red), right-click on it and choose one of the "Scale" options; you have these choices:
Scale uniform: this will scale the object while keeping its overall shape and proportions;
Scale Axis (then choose the axis: X, Y or Z): this will scale the object along one axis only; the object is deformed: for example, if you scale your cylinder by the X axis, you will notice that the top and bottom face will change from a circle to an oval. Scaling the cylinder by Y will change its height;
Scale Radial (then choose the axis: X, Y or Z): this is most useful with circular objects, like this cylinder; if you scale it by Radial Y, it will become thinner or fatter, but the top and bottom faces will stay circular (they are scaled but not deformed).
In your case, you should use a combination of Scale Radial Y (to make the cylinder as thin as a can) and then Scale Axis Y (to make the thin cylinder as short as the can).
Please note that as soon as you select one of the Scale options, you enter in "scale mode": moving your mouse will scale the object, until you click the left mouse button.

3) Cloning an object: select one of the objects from the Geomatry panel, on the right; right-click on its name and choose "Duplicate" (note: the clone will not be visible in the main window, because it's an exact copy of the existing object: you can see only one :) But of course there is a second identical object).

[Numenor]

I am trying to make a floor to ceiling window for the house I am building. Its really a basic frame so if I wanted to do it quicky I probably could. But I am kind of a perfectionist, so that won't do. I am making a plank, bevelled on one side. Got that so far as well as got it placed where I want it, and it was much easier to do than milkshape.

1: bevelling and any scaling. I am trying to "miter" the corners to 45 degrees and join them that way. I realize that there are "keyboard input" options to do this - what I can't figure out is what number to input to get the angle to 45 degrees.

Tutorials online are building way more complicated stuffs and none seem to go into something as basic as that. I mean I can eyeball the angle but surely there is a number I can put in which "scale .xx = 45 degrees from original", know what I mean? So I know what to do but the math is defeating me. I am an artist and never could do math. :P Is there some place I can find these numbers?

2: in many views (esp the 3d view) I can't get close enough to the object to see anything detailed. I can get very close on the Z view but I can't get close at all on the X view. It "fades out". Is there some way to fix this?

3: If I were to "cut out" a window sized hole in a huge wall-sized plank, would it automatically miter the corners? The wings site has a turbo speeded visual tutorial on building a doghouse which has windows, but it went so fast I was unable to figure out how they did that. It looked like inset but when I tried it I just got a big face, and no hole (dissolve deletes the face?)

I'm not sure to understand the problem of the 45° cut; or, at least, I would not create a window frame by creating 4 separated "sides", trimmed at 45° and joined together. Wings can do it automatically, if you follow a different procedure:

(NOTE: before selecting anything, always hit the space bar to deselect all; and then choose the pyramid that suits your needs: vertex, edge, face or model)

1) Let's start with a simple cube; Wings creates a cube with default dimensions 2x2x2; scale it down (scale - uniform) to 50% to have a 1x1x1 cube (select the mesh, right click, "scale - uniform", hit TAB and write "50");
2) let's scale this cube like a wall panel (which is 1 tile wide, by 3 tiles tall): scale Y by 300%; let's scale also Z by 20% (just to give standard dimensions, but you can choose any value you want for X, Y and Z...)
3) move up the "cube" by 1.5 tile, so to place the lowest face on the ground; you can either select the mesh, right-click, "move - Y", hit TAB and write "1.5"; or you can select the lowes face only and select the menu "Tools - Center - Y";

At this point you should have something like this:
http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/4692/03212007095541zb5.jpg

4) Now, let's create the "hole" into the plank: select the two widest faces (on the opposite sides, along the Z axis: you should select 2 faces in total), right-click and select "Inset"; move the mouse until you get a satisfactory result; in this example I've hit TAB and entered a value of 20% (I generally prefer to manually enter exact values, but it's not necessary).
You should have now something like this:
http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/2235/03212007101320cx9.jpg
As you can see, the "45° cuts" are automatically created, but actually they are NOT exactly 45°: they are the best angle to fit the inset face: look at this picture, to see what I mean (don't do that now, it's just an example):
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/8792/03212007103651pv6.jpg
The trims are definitely NOT at 45°, but they are nevertheless what's best for your mesh.


5) And here's the "trick" :) While you have still selected the two opposite faces, as shown in the pic above, right-click and select "Bridge": Wings automatically creates a hole between the two faces, deletes the faces and creates the internal faces of the "hole".
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/4783/03212007101628bd6.jpg

6) This "tutorial" is basically over; you could now bevel the inner faces, by selecting them:
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/9319/03212007101802lp9.jpg
...right-click and choose "Bevel", then move the mouse to get the desired result:
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/4353/03212007101935ck9.jpg

Instead of selecting the four faces, you can apply the Bevel on the inner edges:
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/7599/03212007102225dj2.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/3586/03212007102248ex3.jpg

-------------------------------------------------

As for zooming in very close, I don't know if there is a parameter to stop or reduce that "cut-out" effect. You can get very close from any direction if you select a single vertex, in the middle of the area you want to inspect closer; then hit "A" to center the view on that vertex; then move the camera (middle-click) to the desired angle and lastly zoom in at will; this way, I can get very close to the object.


Thank you so much for the info that the cube is 2x2 (2x2 what?), I did not know that, but it certainly is useful to know in terms of being able to create a cube which has the correct height.
Good question :) 3D editors often don't explicit the measurement unit because you can't hit a button and create the object in the real world :)
For what we need, let's say that [b]the measurement unit adopted by Wings is the same as in the sims2: 1 "unit" in Wings is 1 "tile" in the game. Therefore, an object that in Wings is 3 units tall and 1 unit wide will look in the game like a standard wall panel (3 tiles tall, 1 tile wide).

[Proudane101]

in SimPE, the object workshop screen doesnt come up, and when it did, it didn't look like what it did in your tutorial.

[Proudane101]

in the very first one, i mean, about Wings and SimPE and the other one, i cant remember. :help: :!:

[Benny Boy]

BennyBoy - When exporting from SimPe, be sure that the file type is "Wavefront File (*.obj). And of course take good note of the location where you are saving the file to.
Thanks so much Numenor! I'm opening SimPE right now and will edit this post to show how it went.

Thanks again!
Ben

[pinkpink]

Thanks this has been so useful.
But when i clickz on the geometric thing nothing :help: happened and it still looks the same as the screen in stage 12/13. ahhhhh

[IgnorantBliss]

pinkpink, go to Extra -> Preferences -> SimPE Settings and click Reset Layout.

[Proudane101]

Alright, I fixed my old problem, but I ran into a new one (my PC always seems to have problems with the Sims 2). On Step 23, under where it says "Blocklist" and "Filename," I have just empty space. Also, when I was getting a GUID, I had to make a username, but there was an error. Is this because there is no access to the internet on that PC (I'm on a different one now)? And is that why I don't have anything in that space, because I couldn't get a GUID? Is there a way to get one without access to the internet?

[IgnorantBliss]

You need internet access to get a GUID, yes. You can login to the SimPE website on another computer and register manually the amount of GUIDs you need, write them down, and then copy and paste them into the GUID field instead of using the "get GUID" button.

[Proudane101]

OK, so let me get this straight: I log onto SimPE.com, register for free, get a GUID, and then it will give me a serial number or something that I can type into...where? And where is the GUID field and what am I supposed to copy and paste? Sorry I'm so clueless, I'm usually pretty good with computers but Sims 2 has always been a problem for me. :faceslap:

[IgnorantBliss]

You go to the SimPE site and to the GUID section. When you register, you get a block of GUIDs assigned to your username that you will use (I think there are over 200 GUID numbers in each block). After you have registered, in the GUID section of the site you can click on Register Object. Write into the Object Name field the name of the object you're making (the name is not that important, mostly just to keep track yourself which GUID was used for which object) and then click the Register Object button. The page that opens up will have a new GUID listed. Write down that number.

Then go to your other computer that you are making objects on, open the object package and the Object Data (if there are several Objecta Data, you need to get a separate new GUID for all of them), and write down the GUID number you got from the site to the field called GUID. Then click commit (do not touch the fields called Orig.GUID, Fallback GUID and so on). When it is the main GUID of the object (or the only one), you click "Update MMATs" and then the Commit button. In JWoods' object creation tutorial it is explained in more detail how to tell a main GUID from the others.

[Proudane101]

SimPE NEVER E-MAILED A PASSWORD FOR MY USERNAMES! :cry: I've tried three times now. The first time I thought I might have made a mistake in the e-mail address, so I tried it again with a different username. I still never got an e-mail, so a made another username and tried it with a different address, but I still never got an e-mail for any of the three. :help: :!: :cry:

[IgnorantBliss]

Did you check your junk mail folder, too?

[Proudane101]

I don't have one.

[IgnorantBliss]

Or it might be called Bulk folder or something similar, a folder where junk mail usually goes, and sometimes also email that's not junk. What kind of an email account do you have?

[Proudane101]

AOL account

[IgnorantBliss]

I don't know if it matters, but try getting a Yahoo or Gmail account, and see if it works then. I don't want to test it because I don't want to waste a GUID block that I think would be automatically assigned if I registered an account.

[BrittanyRosenblatt]

I tried to import into the GMDC and it said "the index was out of range, and must be non-negative and less than the size of the collection
parameter:index" is there any way I can fix this? I coudn't ever get the original mesh to dhow up by my own mesh on wings so I could alter the sizes either. :(

[Proudane101]

No offense, but your directions were a little confusing, IgnorantBliss. I got the e-mail finally but when I was putting the GUID # in the little box for GUID, it still needed internet connection to confirm or whatever. Did I do something wrong?

[IgnorantBliss]

You should not need an internet connection to confirm the GUID. You do not click the Get GUID link when you add it manually.

[Proudane101]

Right, I know, sorry. It's AFTER that. It all comes back to the same problem. On Step 23, under where it says "Blocklist" and "Filename," I have just empty space. There's a little ERROR window that pops up that says something like COULD NOT RETRIEVE INFORMATION and under that it says DESTINATION: http://www.sims.abertation.de/whatever/somethingelse/whole/long/website/name.html So I think when it comes to the bottom line, you need internet connection.

[IgnorantBliss]

No, I don't think you need an internet connection for that. What you're probably getting is an error message about a missing managed Direct X. It's one of the pieces of software listed under "software needed to run SimPE" on the SimPE download page. Lately a lot of people have been missing that. It's important to read all the information when downloading something. You need that in order to be able to view meshes.

[Proudane101]

ALL MY PROBLEMS ARE FINALLY SOLVED! Thanks, mod_bv and IgnorantBliss for your help! I have a question though: How do you make more complex things on Wings? This one was just a box. How do you make, like a sofa? or a chair? or something else that is more than just a box?

[IgnorantBliss]

I think there is a tutorial in this section for making more complex meshes with Wings 3D, might want to take a look at that. I don't use Wings myself, so I can't help with the specifics of that.

[Proudane101]

Also, my end table looks weird because it has the colors of the old one. Should I look at a tutorial for texturing for that?

[IgnorantBliss]

Do you mean it has all the recolors of the original, or just that you haven't replaced the texture in the mesh packahe with something new yet?

[Proudane101]

Um I guess so...I'm not sure. I saw in another thread something about TEXTR files. Is that what I need? Because I don't know what that is and there wasn't anything in this tutorial about that...

[IgnorantBliss]

Can you attach the object package to this thread, please, it's hard to say otherwise what exactly is the problem.

[MysticVelvet]

Great tut, just made my endtable, now i'm going to check it out:) fingers crossed, here goes.

[Proudane101]

:cry: Okay, I think I found out how to change the TEXTR thingy in SimPE when I tried doing a counter (which didn't work for a different reason so I'm going to have to redo that) but the texture I made didn't show up in the game, it still had the old stuff which looked weird again. Also, the way I thought would work on the counter wasn't even THERE when I opened SimPE to my end table. At the bottom of the list in the Resource Tree, it says Texture or something like that. I clicked on that and it showed up with the texture maps from the old counter. I deleted all of them and imported different jpegs from my own PC...actually, I think I know why that didn't work nevermind but why isn't it there for my end table? :cry:

[IgnorantBliss]

You should not delete the original textures, you're supposed import a new texture to replace them, if you don't want to keep the originals. Also, you don't import JPEGs, but either PNGs or BMPs. For a tutorial that also explains the texture importing part, I recommend the Wings 3D version of this (http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=104795) tutorial.

[Timmy906]

Hi people I think you made a mistake it's not reference tree it's rescoure tree if it is reference tree I don't know where reference tree is but with the rescource tree i can't find it in there either can somone help me please?

[IgnorantBliss]

Yes, it's called a Resource tree.

[Timmy906]

Good so I got it right.

Is it on the Desktop/Start/Programs/SimPE/Themes/Classic look is it under there?

[Timmy906]

Once I get into the gemoetric whatever thingy all it brings up that's ment to be in there is one called the gemoetric thingy but when I double click on it, it dose not do anything.

[IgnorantBliss]

If you don't see anything on the supposed list on the right, go to Extra -> Preferences -> SimPE Settings and click Reset Layout. Also, make sure you have installed the managed DirectX there is a link to at the SimPE download page.

[pinkmelon1000]

:rofl:
Aaaaah, what a great tutorial :) It took me all day to learn, and I had to re-do it afterwards, but it was great!! Thanks so much! :llama:

Will be telling fellow simmers about this ;) :call:

[pinkmelon1000]

Once I get into the gemoetric whatever thingy all it brings up that's ment to be in there is one called the gemoetric thingy but when I double click on it, it dose not do anything.

I had that problem too!! What you have to do is go back to the SimPE download page and install the direct x 9 managing thingy. Then just open SimPE and voila! :D Hope I helped.

[moppyXD]

thanks for the great tutorial! :D By the way, How do you make a tutorial? :help:

[Numenor]

The main problem is guessing what people will ask, when you explain a procedure; and answer to those questions before they are asked :)
And of course, you have to take a lot of screenshots! :P .

[morten8035]

How do I merge two models to one?
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p143/morten8035/wings32_2to1.jpg
I want these two should be one.

[$RaMRoM$]

How do I merge two models to one?
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p143/morten8035/wings32_2to1.jpg
I want these two should be one.

first make sure you are in the forth traingle

http://thumbs.modthesims2.com/getimage.php?file=520560

edit
sorry allmost forgot! you need 2 select the 2 objects then follow the next step!
edit
Right Click, then Choose "Combine"

http://thumbs.modthesims2.com/getimage.php?file=520561

[morten8035]

Thanks :D

[pinkctr13]

What if you have mac os 9? in the 3Dwings thing, it said that it didn't have a version for
it!

[$RaMRoM$]

Thanks :D

you're so welcome!

[Numenor]

What if you have mac os 9? in the 3Dwings thing, it said that it didn't have a version for
it!

I don't know exactly all the OS supported by Wings, but if MacOS 9 isn'0t listed on the Wings site, then I'm afraid you have to find a different 3D editor... or a different OS :P .

[Vigaku]

Does anyone know where I can find a simpler meshing tutorial? And preferably one with the latest version of Wings 3D (mine is 0.98.36). Maybe I'm just stupid, but it seems like a lot of things in this tutorial require at least the tiniest bit of knowledge of the programs, since the screenshots don't correspond.

Also, at step 14, I don't know where I'm supposed to find the ".obj" file.

[IgnorantBliss]

There is also a Wings 3D version of JWoods' object tutorial, which is stickied to the top of this forum.

[theannoyed1]

i get to step 27 and the object dosen't show.
It comes up, but it shows as having 0 vertices, 0 face,....
What is wrong???????????

[$RaMRoM$]

what do you mean it doesnt show up? and if something is with 0 Vertices and 0 Faces then it will not be a mesh!

[LinkTP]

I did not understand anything about SimPE and this tutorial savd me thanks very very much!!!love you

[tae93]

i have verison 0.62.1.100 where is the step where you select the end table for the first time?

[Jourei]

Ok, so iv'e sone everything right but at 27 you maby forgot something, i just get a blank screen, no ''materials'' object to choose. So what now?
Is it maby because i got Vista so the serve loaded the newest instead of tthat you have?

[Numenor]

In Step 27 you should see in the main screen (and in the Geometry Graph, too) two meshes:

- one is the OBJ file you have imported in step 23 ("EndTabbleMesh.obj")
- the other one is the OBJ file with the long name you have imported in step 26.

If at step 27 you can't see them, just go back to step 23 and start again from there.

If, on the other hand, you correctly import the two OBJ files and still you don't see anything in either the main window or the Geometry Graph, then you probably made a mistake when you saved them, earlier (you might have NOT checked "materials" in step 21, or you might have done something wrong in step 7).

[Jourei]

I did everything right but SimPe wanted a direct x file, and now i got my item done, just haven't tryed it yet.
And i created a ''Download file'' but i couldn't load any lots or families anymore, it just halts at the end of loading. And I deleted the download folder but still can't play it anymore. So thanks about that.

[Numenor]

Perhaps you have a problem with the layout of SimPE....

Maximize SimPe window and then go to Extra -> Preferences -> SimPE Settings, and click "reset layout.

Restart SimPe and you should see on the top-left part of the screen the Resource Tree, with the list of all the types of resources in the package. Click once (left-click) on the "Geometric Data Container" entry, and you will se on the right panel one or more GMDC's; click on them once (left-click) to display its content in the bottom part of the screen.

[Justux90]

I have done all tutorial, create my own object and when i go to game there is only my created object, but original is gone. What is wrong?

[Justux90]

i got that : just need to rename object. Ty for nothing :D

[SUMSE]

I have a question, too:
I recolour my own mesh exactly the same way I was instructed in several tuts. But in game my object is invisible. What do I do wrong?

[MaryLou]

ok thanks but if i click on the end table there is no button that says export!!! there is no way for me to export this!!! if i click on resource actions all i get is: add,extract,replace,delete,clone,create resource. what am i to do??? someone plz help!!!!!!! :help:
Look at the screens that are also in the FIRST POST:
http://thumbs.modthesims2.com/getimage.php?file=112136&stc=1


I have done all tutorial, create my own object and when i go to game there is only my created object, but original is gone. What is wrong?
Did you have registered a new GUID for your new object?
In the FIRST POST:
12. First off, we need a new GUID. Go into Object Data and check off 'Update all MMATs'. Click on Get GUID and register your GUID. Now, click on both 'Update MMATs and Commit' and 'Commit'.


I have a question, too:
I recolour my own mesh exactly the same way I was instructed in several tuts. But in game my object is invisible. What do I do wrong?
Make sure that your mesh has the faces on the right side and that they are uvmapping.

[SUMSE]

Sorry about writing in two posts. I did it because I don´t know what cause the problem: the geometric data or the texture.

Thank you very much for answering my question!
In the UV Mapper I loadet my model, made a new map and save the model and the texture. Then I imported and save everything in SimPe. I can see my Mesh in the preview in SimPe but it shows up without texture.
After I played a bit around I figured out, that my texture is okay cause it works with onother geometrical data. So there must be something wrong with my 3D model.
What do you mean with "the faces on the right side "? How will I know if they are ok or not? And how can I change them, if they are on the wrong side?

[sindas]

i downloaded wing 3d for mac but when i open it, it immediatly closes. do i need to have sims open at the time or what? i really wanna start making stuff but it just closes :cry:

[mod_bv]

Sindas, I don't have a Mac and can't help.

I'm just checking on the site and want to thank everyone who is helping the people. I'm really busy so I can't regularly come to MTS2 or S2C anymore.

[SUMSE]

What do you mean with "the faces on the right side "? How will I know if they are ok or not? And how can I change them, if they are on the wrong side?
Maybe I shoul add that I´m working with wings 3 D and that this is my first mash.
I red something about reversing vertex in milkshape, but I can´t find a simmilar option in wings.

:bunny:

[MaryLou]

Sumse I can't tell you where is the option in Wings because I don't have and don't use it.
Perhaps the option is in face tools, not in vertices.............try to triangulate the faces....

[SUMSE]

Marylou, I did triangulate them. But I still have the problem. Now I tried following:
I exported the maxis geometrical data in simpe, importe into wings and changed nothing. Then I exportet it as wafefront (.obj), then opended the uv mapper and made a new map (box) out of it. Then I saved the model and the texture. Back in SimPe I imported the new UV mapped model and hit the preview button. And viola: My texture disappeared (but there should be the original from maxis) :wtf:
So maybe the problem is caused not by the faces on the wrong side?
Maybe you ore someone else know, what I did wrong?

EDIT:

I found out what went wrong: It was the name of the Mesh! I change it in Wings to what it should be in SimPe, but in SimPe the Progggy added "_default" to it.
The Solution: Do not impot the Mesh via "replace" but via "rename" option and deleate the "_default"!

Anyway, thank you so much for trying to help me, MerayLou! :up:

:bunny:

[Numenor]

Sumse - The "_default" suffix is added by Wings when exporting, because of a wrong setting.
Read this post (http://www.modthesims2.com/showpost.php?p=1073815&postcount=767) in order to fix it forever :)

[SUMSE]

Wow, didn´t know about that! Thank you for the link, Numenor!

[Rainncandy]

I'm having a problem. I created a new object, and it has 2 groups, but the object that I'm cloning only has one group. Is there a way to combine the 2 groups of my new object into only one group so that it will work properly in Simpe and the game? I tried the Combine function in Wings 3D but I see that it doesn't ACTUALLY combine the groups.

EDIT: I think I figured it out. I combined the groups in UV Mapper Classic and that worked for me.

[leushy]

hi! this tutorial has helped me *immensely*, so huge sloppy wet thankyous from me!
i'm having a problem with texturing the object i made with this tutorial, however.
i recoloured my saved UV template for the object, but clicking import does not change the image :-/
i tried using the 'build DXT' option (a different tutorial mentioned using this), and got a message asking if i wanted to crop the image. saying yes changed the image but naturally cropped it making it useless, and saying no didn't change the image at all.
i'm probbaly asking in the wrong place, but as it is a problem related to this tutorial i'm hoping someone here can help me out :-)
thanks again!

[update: i have just retraced my steps, and tried exporting the UV texture map at exactly the same size and the original. this worked! unfortunately the new object is more complex than the old one, and it's almost impossible to texture such a tiny map :-/]

[Rainncandy]

[CENTER]I'm making a tv, but I'm having a problem with part of it in Simpe. This is how the TV is supposed to look:


But when I load it into Simpe, all of the pink buttons are grey on the front, but on the sides of them they are pink. They are supposed to be totally pink and not have any grey on them. Why are they grey on the front and pink on the sides in Simpe and in the game? What did I do wrong?

[Rosebine]

okay here is my problem...all my objects meshes are too big ! the file size i mean...
so in Wings, the preogram is really slow to respond, and even sometimes it freezes...
so big that even Milkshape won't open my .obj files...
is there a way to correct this ?
I don't want to make just plan square furnitures....
here is a picture of a chair i made....and once turned into a .obj it is a 8 476KB !!!
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r294/RosePoof/mychair.jpg

Thanks,
Rosemary :0)

Rainncandy, i have that same problem....2 groups, but cloning an object that has only one..
can you tell me how you combine in UVmap please ?

and then...what have you done in simPE about the textures ?...my 2 groups have a texture each...

Thanks,
beginner-Rosemary :0)

[Rainncandy]

I just load the object into UV Mapper Classic, then go to Edit, Select all, then Assign and I pick one of the names to assign it to so it will be one group. Then I save the model. That worked for me.

Usually, my groups are all mapped together on one, not separate.

[Numenor]

Rosebin - If you made that mesh yourself, then you should avoid using so many curve surfaces. When you create e.g. a cylinder, use at most a number of subdivision of 8. Also, don't use functions like the smoothing (which increases the number of faces dramatically).

If, on the other hand, you have downloaded that mesh from another site, then keep in mind that most of the meshes out there were NOT created to be used with the Sims.



RainCandy - Wings is capable to do something that SimPE can't. For example, if you have two groups in Wings, with the same name, you can UVmap them on different textures, but SimPe will treat them as one, using the same texture for both.
If this is not the case, and you have only one group, than your problem seems related to the UVmapping. Double-check the UVmap in Wings, and then import the very same texture in SimPE.

[Rainncandy]

When I finished the tv, I didn't realize that I had to make a separate tv screen. Once the made the screen, I imported it into Simpe, and I previewed it with the tv, and that's when I saw that the pink buttons had grey on the front of them instead of being totally pink like they were supposed to be. I looked at it in UV Mapper, but all the buttons were pink then. It's only grey on the front in Simpe and in the game. I made the UV map myself. I don't understand what the problem is.


I've included the file. Numenor, can you look at it and see if you can figure out what the problem is? The pic above shows how the buttons on the tv should look.

[Rosebine]

Thanks to you both Rainncandy, Numenor ! :0)

yes...I am creating my own meshes...and yes, I kinda use the subdivided option a bit too much ! lol
but it is okay now...i redo a bunch of meshes I had done, and now they are much smaller...but probably still too big for sharing !

Thank you very much for your help !

Rosemary :0)

[Numenor]

Raincandy

What I see when I load your mesh in Wings is this (click the thumbnail to see a larger image):

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/2418/pic1vu8.th.jpg (http://img86.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pic1vu8.jpg)

Notice how the surface of the buttons and the round selectors is not simply grey: it's completely invisible!
Actually, the mesh for the "missing" parts exists, but they use the "hole" material, are not triangulated and have no UVmap at all.
In SimPE they look grey, but only because the rendering is not accurate: the grey you see in SimPE is actually the main TV surface.

So, I've triangulated the "missing" surfaces, created an UVmap for them and assigned them to the "default" material, with the following result:

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/3409/pic2nj7.th.jpg (http://img181.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pic2nj7.jpg)


A little smoothing in UVmapper Pro, and voila, the final result can be seen in the attached package. :)

In the ZIP you will find the package and the fixed OBJ file (already imported in the package, anyway).

PS - IMPORTANT - I have RENAMED your package: avoid using spaces in the filenames. Be sure to manually REMOVE your older package from the Downloads before installing the new one, or they will conflict.

[Rainncandy]

Thank you soooo much, Numenor! I was about to give up on it, so I had to ask you for help, so thank you!! I greatly appreciate it!

[Rosebine]

I don't know if in wings, there is a "reverse vertex order", but I have to use this sometimes, with my meshes...in Milkshape.
When i first saw the tv, I thought of it....because parts were invisible, exactly like when a part of a mesh has it's inside...out !

Rosemary :0)

[chaotic203]

I don't have the slightest clue to what I am doing. I would like to make new sims clothes because i want to make music videos...And I have been on this site for 4 hours trying to figure out what to do. I don't know where to post this or nothing. Any help is appreciated. I downloaded some stuff but I don't know what to do with it..Please help. I don't know how to use this site.... :cry:

[Rosebine]

Poor little you....
what kind of new sim cloths you wanna make ?...is it just recoloring already existing Maxis clothings ?...or is it that you want to make complete new shapes ? aka: turning pants into a long skirt....adding a jacket...etc ?

recoloring is simpler, since you just have to ..recolor LOL...AND Body Shop is all waiting for you there....beside Body Shop, only a good paint program is needed.

Making complete new clothes is another story...fun, but practicing is needed, along with a good meshing program, Milkshape 3D, AND SimPE program as well.

But...why don't you pay yourself a visit, in the tutorial section ?
you'll find tons of very good tutorials, from beginners to advanced...from the basic clothing recolor-how to use Body Shop- to more complex meshing....

Have fun !

Rosemary :0)

[thismodernlove947]

When i click on tools, object creation, object workshop: it comes up with choosing the sort of the selectd object - it doesn't say anything about clone settings and colour options. What shall I do?

[Numenor]

When the Object Workshop opens up, click the button "Start" and wait for the list to load. Then select one object and click "Next", and you will be given the choice between Clone and Recolour (if you choose Clone, you will see the cloning options).

[thismodernlove947]

In part two, when i open the package i made in step 11, it comes up with the resource list and doesn't have any tabs Geometric data on.

[Rainncandy]

I am making an object, and I cloned a coffeetable. The object I made will work like a coffee table, meaning that it will have objects placeable on it. The problem I'm having is that my object is taller than the coffee table that I cloned, and in the game, when I place on object on it, the object is "sitting" on the height of the original coffee table that I cloned instead of the taller object that I made. Why isn't it "sitting" at the height of the object that I made?

EDIT: Are there any tutorials on how to adjust the slot height of an object?

[AcesOyster]

I enjoyed this guide, but I am having a problem with the object workshop. When I select an object, I get a bar at the bottom with the price and name. I need to know where to click in order open up the panel with the option to clone.

I'm not sure if I've just been realy stupid, but please help.

[AcesOyster]

OK forget that, Instead now I have a new problem, at part 21, I click on the file, but instead of bringing up a list like the pic, I just get an empty list.

[Numenor]

Raincandy - The height and position of the slots can be adjusted in the CRES, in the very same way explained in THIS POST (http://www.modthesims2.com/member/showpost.php?p=1814061&postcount=37); the only difference is that in that post I talk about lights, and I suggest to select and modify the CRES blocks related to lights; in your case, you have to choose the block that is related to the container slot (the block names, in the Hierarchy, are usually explanatory; ignore all the routing slots: you have to find the only "container" slot of the coffee table).


AcesOyster - I don't know exactly how is it possible that the GMDC in your clone contains an empty list of Models. Are you sure you are selecting the Geometry Data Container (GMDC)? A screenshot would help (hit the "PrtScrn" key on the keyboard, then open a paint program, choose Edit/Paste and lastly save as JPG; attach the JPG here to your post, or use ImageShack).

[Avaluna]

Hello.

I've deleted parts of a cylinder, but now this line remains:

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/3036/123eq7.png

I think I did something wrong...
Can somebody help me?

[Numenor]

Don't worry about that line: it will be invisible in game.

[Avaluna]

Okay, thanks Numenor!

[iESmedia]

I can't get anything from part 4.... Could you help me??

[Numenor]

Ehm... Part 4? There are only three parts, unless I have overlooked something...

[komradevart]

hey man, ye part 3 tutorial link seems to bring me to random site. sth wrong?

[Numenor]

Probably this is because Mod_BV at first moved to a site of his own, but then he closed down his site. His tutorial is very old (he finished writing it in Dec 2005...). However, thanks for the heads up: I've now marked the link as "dead" :)

[hansuhamsteri]

In step 20 (?) you have to open the GMDC file, but I don't have it. I've done everything right but it's not working. :(

[Numenor]

At step 20, you should have a list of file types in the Resource tree, among which you should find the GMDC (Geometry Data Container: don't confuse it with the Geometry Node, GMND). If there is no GMDC in your package, then probably you have cloned it uncorrectly; in particular, be sure that the cloning option "Reference original mesh" is NOT selected, when cloning.

PS: if you don't see the Resource Tree at all, then you just have to enlarge the SimPE window.

[taureanbeauty81]

I've done everything correctly, and I'm stuck at step 20 as well. :cry:

[rawritssean]

hello! i know you probably get SOOO many questions but
could someone tell me what the end table folder is in step 7?
i am totally lost on that!

[Numenor]

The mentioned "End table folder" is a folder created by yourself, somewhere on your hard disk, purposely to store the temporary files needed for the tutorial. The only requirement is to create this folder outside the EA Games folder!

[rawritssean]

Oh, okay. Thanks.
^.^ You'd think I would have thought of that.

[soccerskyman]

I tried this and when I uplode the mesh in SimPE, You can only see one face of the mesh at a time and everything else is invisible. when you turn the camera, the visible face turns invisible, and a different face turns visible. (that sounds counfusing) What am I doing wrong? :help:

[Blame Halo 3]

Thanks Mod BV

[erdasydney]

i think i misunderstood step 11?! and i DO NOT get step 20 AT ALL!

[Bectaaa]

THANK YOU!!!! I have been waiting so long for an object tutorial that doesn't involve Milkshape. This is so brilliant! please make more! I want to know how to do everything without milkshape! Thanks!

[Numenor]

I want to know how to do everything without milkshape! Thanks!
You can't :P As long as you deal with non-animated meshes, then Wings is wonderful (I use it, too); but when it comes to work with joints, and animated meshes (including clothings), then Milkshape is the cheapest solution available, and Wings is no use. Almost ;)
I dislike Milkshape, too, and therefore I use Wings to modify the mesh, and Milkshape just to assign the mesh to the joints; it's probably longer that editing the mesh with Milkshape, but I just don't feel comfortable with it.

[Spidermonkey456]

Hey I have a quick question you know how at the top middle you see triangles? Well I see squares does that make a difference? And if it does how can i fix it?

[Numenor]

It makes no difference. The older versions of Wings used pyramids, while the more recent ones use cubes, but the purpose of those icons is exactly the same.

[Johnny ramone]

listen, i am making other object, and as i'm doing it, it as more then one mesh, how do I put 'em together to make 'em become one single mesh?

[Rikachu]

I'm having a problem, after I get into the GMDC nothing is there. I can't access the materials

[Echo]

RiBlan, we'll need a bit more information. Does the GMDC file exist? Or is the problem that it has no data in it? Perhaps you could post a copy of the file you are working on?

[Kakashi4evr]

In part 2 I can't find the Geometric Data Container. I tried this before(yesterday) and it wasn't there then either. Am I doing something wrong? Everything else is right(I think).

[sims2luver23]

Problem, I can't check the "material" box in step 21

[Lynn_aka]

I'm stucked on part 8. When I click at object workshop it doesn'r appear this window we can see at step 9. What am doing wrong? Resolved that...

Now when I object data at SimPE, it doesn't show up anything where shoub be a box. Is blanky. Is it normal take several time to load stuff?

[NessieCCullen]

Could somone tell me where that End Table Folder is? I cant find it :(

[tj0nge]

Could somone tell me where that End Table Folder is? I cant find it :(

You have to make that folder 'End Table' by yourself. Just right-click on thye desktop, new, folder. Then call it 'End Table'.

[tj0nge]

I don´t get that plugin view from step 12, on that picture:
(http://thumbs.modthesims2.com/getimage.php?file=103092&stc=1)

SOLVED!
Beneath everything in SimPE, is a list with: package, resource, wrapper, PLUGIN VIEW (I needed this one) and Hex. Just clicked on Plugin View...

[tj0nge]

I'm stucked on part 8. When I click at object workshop it doesn'r appear this window we can see at step 9. What am doing wrong? Resolved that...

Now when I object data at SimPE, it doesn't show up anything where shoub be a box. Is blanky. Is it normal take several time to load stuff?

If you get a lot of objects ( for example lots of expansion and stuff packs) it will take a while to load the objects. I got that too.

[tj0nge]

When i' ve reached step #43, SimPE gives the following error:
'(...) too many vertices or faces'
I think I can solve this problem by making my objects (a fountain) less smooth, but I don't know how :!: How can I do that or is there any other way to solve this ' problem'?

[mythrilgirl]

This is utterly amazing. I never thought I would be able to make my own objects! Thanks so much!!

[FAFADA]

I have there sometimes a question: Now I have here 1 box and 1 cylinder as a table! But when I have said I want to be supposed to substitute TOGETHER material only one angular box that came there floated. I have tried everything, however, it did not leave. Please, help me!
Lots of love FAFADA!

[Echo]

Hi FAFADA,

I'm having trouble understanding your question. Can I confirm - you have a table which should be a box on a cylinder, but when you play the game the cylinder part is not there?

Could you post a picture of your table in your 3D program, and a picture of your table in the game? Can you attach your .package file as well? That might help us understand.

[IndycentSimCreations]

Omg thanks. Just one tinsy prob. Whne i tried using this on the second floor, well, lets just say, its a little "long". It was showing through the ceiling of sim home, what can i do about this?

[HugeLunatic]

You will need to either raise the entire objects up or just the parts that are below the "ground" level in your 3d editor. The best thing to do is line up your new mesh with the original cloned mesh, since many game objects are in different places.

[IndycentSimCreations]

Oh, okay, thanks! :)

[IndycentSimCreations]

Ugh, the Gometric Data Container is no longer showing up! What should i do? i here its VERY IMPORTANT in object creation

[HugeLunatic]

That is the mesh. If it is not showing then double check that you have not checked "reference original mesh" in the cloning options.

[IndycentSimCreations]

Haha thanks, again. Haha, i needed that because i took on the challenge of a table, and came up with good results. The texture is weird! Im gonna look on tutorials for texturing your new object! :D :D