Edit: Well... I've answered my own problem. Four years playing the Sims 2 and I've only just discovered the graphics options on alt start up. Unchecking the Optimise Rendering box allows me to set the correct screen res for my new LCD and keep ALL custom content visible (no more transparent dresses or blacked out skintones), and makes the game run a lot more smoothly into the bargain.


I have several re-colours of Bloom's multi-mesh outfits that I've downloaded (mainly 34C, Fashion Model and Pin Up sizes), and from which I have fashioned some re-colours of my own. All was well with these until today when I changed to a new LCD monitor.

Now, the original downloads still appear as they should, but all of my own re-colours have turned transparent... or rather the alpha parts have.
I have a feeling this is probably due to something really obvious but have no idea where to begin in solving the problem, so any help would be welcome. I don't know whether this is a resolution issue, a skinning issue or a combination of the two.

If this helps, my screen res is 1440x900 at 60 Hz, but I can only successfully set the game res at 1280x800 (I expected this because my previous monitor was 1280x1024 and I could only ever get the game to run properly at 1024x768).

I'm stumped!

Nina XX
 

Hi
I have a question regarding the linked skintones (BeosTan) that were included with Warlokk's HiRes bodyshape meshes.

These skintones contain only 13 textures and use a single female (and male) texture for adult, elder and teen sims of all weights. I've always found these packages to be very useful, but I have been unsuccessful in my attempts to create similarly economical skintones using Body Shop exports and SimPE. I assume this involves more than simply deleting unwanted textures from the package and would welcome any pointers as to the method involved.

Thanks
Nina

Hi
I have observed that many clothing items, whether my own re-colours, downloaded items or even Maxis originals, cause unpleasant pixelation or lightening of the skintone where this is visible (legs, arms, chest etc.). It is perhaps more noticeable since I recently upgraded my in-game skintones via the miracle of DXT3, and especially noticeable with darker skintones.
So I wonder, is this just something I have to live with or is there a method to making clothing re-colours that don't degrade areas of bare flesh?

Thanks
Nina

I would like to know how I can make outfits appear in Uni/Young Adult by editing in SimPE, which I gather is possible.

I actually play and create on a Mac, but I have a version of SimPE on my partner's VAIO which so far I have only ever used for replacing BodyShop derived skintone textures with good quality TIFFs.
It's a bit of a bind having to switch files back and forth between computers, but it is better than having blotchy sims!

I've recently started playing Uni more regularly but many of the outfits I am currently using in the neighbourhood are unavailable 'on campus' - assuming these packages can be edited to be Uni friendly, would it also be necessary to edit the mesh files they are based on?

Any suggestions/pointers will be greatly appreciated.

Ta
NinaXX

This isn't really a request, except for guidance... I'd be grateful for any comments.
I noticed recently that most of Warlokk's body shape skintones use just one texture file for both adults and teens in all weights. This made the job of editing some skin packages to give certain Sims a more 'unique' look a breeze.
Now, my question is this: if I wanted to re-use one of these skintones as the basis for a different 'look' (perhaps different body hair or other physical peculiarities for a new Sim) without wishing to go through the usual process of exporting the package in Body Shop, etc., instead saving the package with a new name in simPE ('Save As'), would the resulting new package file conflict with the original in any way?
I hope this makes sense.

Thanks
Nina:group hu:

Hey warlokk

I'm very confused!
I've been using the hi-res nudes for my sims - just 34A-D and 32-36 hips.

 Now I just downloaded the bodyshape tops and outfits for 34A/B/C and I found that all the hi-res tops have disappeared from Body Shop, except the default and D cup models, though I have removed nothing at all from my Downloads folder.
Is this normal or am I missing something really obvious?
In using these tops and outfits, will my nude sims lose their detail?
If I delete ALL the smooth tops and bottoms, will the hi-res ones reappear?
Presumably the full body and outfit meshes have no bearing on how the sims look in the shower.
I've got nearly 400 items in my downloads folder, most of them yours... any suggestions you can give me would be welcome before I start weeding.

Thanks
Nina:sad5:

Hi

I have a question about simPE. I wonder, can it be used to package skintones on a computer with no Sims 2 installed? In other words, is it in any way a stand alone application? I'm sorry, I don't know anything about simPE.:dontknow:

I play the Mac version of Sims 2, so obviously I can't enjoy the benefits of simPE... sniff. :sad5: Obviously, Body Shop alone is totally useless for importing custom skintones.:angry7:

However, I do have access to an XP laptop (though without the PC version of Sims 2)... I could download and install simPE on that, and transfer my skintone PNGs from the Mac but...
would I be able to work on them in simPE without the Sims 2 being present on the drive?:brain:

Thanks
Nina:group hu:

EDIT: Okay... no sweat. I've found an answer. Thanks.:hello2:

Is it inevitable that using Body Shop to import custom nude skintones results in streaked and blotchy looking Sims?