This image is a visual representation of the relationships/links among sims 2 resources. It's not meant to show WHY the links are there, or WHAT the links are for; it just gives a brief overview of what connects to what, and HOW the connections are made.





Most of the important notes are on the graph, but to reiterate:

First, this image does NOT show everything: Bhav-2-Bhav connections, and actual OBJD attributes/flags/etc. are not shown. It doesn't show repetetive (several SHPE references in one CRES) or recursive (a main OBJD linking to other OBJDs) links either, for the sake of simplicity. (Every bit helps!)

Also, Sound isn't shown in this version. To be frank, I completely spaced it. Plus I don't know how they work. (yet!)
I'd LIKE to continue with this, and create a graph dealing specifically with the BHAVs/attributes, but I know far too little about BHAVs.

Solid lines represent true links: For example, each SHPE resource contains the name of the TXMT packagess it uses.
Dashed lines represent implicit, or sub-resource links: Example, each SHPE does not link directly to a GMDC, but it does link to groups in the GMDC (by name).
String links specify a line number in a specific STR# file, and take the referenced name from the string file. Example, the OBJD has a field '0x0048 Object model GUID 1' that contains a number. The game uses this number as the line number in STR# 85 (ALWAYS in STR#85), and finds the CRES from the name in the STR.




I also simplified the Animation BHAVs a bit, as they are VERY complicated. If you don't mind a more complex graph in exchange for more breakdown of animation BHAVs, the 2nd attached image shows specifics on the STR# links.

Some of the XML types, such as the Fence XFNC, link to the CRES (in the fences, two or three CRES graphs) only through the STR# 0x85, as they have no OBJD section.

<* Wes *>

Thanks, Wes!

There are, no doubt, a LOT of resource types that aren't on here. (At least 100 are listed in the wiki.) I guess I didn't say it, but I was trying to limit the graph to resources used in standard buyable objects.

One area at a time. ;D

I just wanted to say thanks for these graphs - it helps understanding HOW things link a lot.