FAQ: What is a package file?

[BeosBoxBoy]

WHAT IS A .PACKAGE FILE?

A .package file is a sort of compressed data file not very unlike a ZIP file with an XML wrapper (techno-babble for saying there is uncompressed information beside the compressed data). Like any data file, a variety of software will be able to "read" it (e.g., SimPE, WooHoo, et al.). Only if you double click a .package file should it start whatever software is assigned to it by its file-type programme association, and in this case there's not much to be done with it outside the game for the common user. Generally, all one ever need do is manually move it to the Downloads folder, unless one is a custom content maker.

The .package file format is a sort of DBPF file used by a variety of EA/Maxis games (i.e., SimCity 4, The Sims 2, and The Sims Online) for content to be added to the various games.  The format is call a DBPF file not because of the extension (as in most cases) but because the first four bytes of all such files are "DBPF."

Like many game data formats, the file is actually an archive of several files that store the various pieces of data used by the game. These may include graphics, 3d models, animations, sound files, and scripts. The extensions used for this format as used by the various EA/Maxis games are:

• .dat (Data provided with the SimCity 4, user downloadable plugins/mods for SimCity 4)
• .SC4Model (User created building models for SimCity 4)
• .SC4Lot (User created lots for SimCity 4)
• .SC4 (Savegame file provided with SimCity 4, User created savegame files for SimCity 4)
• .package (Data provided with The Sims 2, user downloadable plugins/mods for The Sims 2)

[BeosBoxBoy]

INSTALLATION OF PACKAGE FILES

A .package file requires nothing but being placed in the Downloads folder.

PCs:
My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\Downloads

Macs:
~/Home/EA Games/The Sims 2/Downloads

[BeosBoxBoy]

DOWNLOADING CONTENT FOR THE SIMS 2

Sometimes persons first starting down the path of creating custom content for The Sims 2 will use Body Shop and export their creations via a Sims2Pack file.  When done in this fashion one needs only double click the Sims2Pack file and allow the game's native Package Installer to operate.  The down side of this format is the wasteful addition of a Sim Model with every clothing, make-up, accessory, or genetic recolour; it is also not compressed to the best advantage of use as an Internet download.

It is preferable to share the finished item from the SavedSims folder.  A common mistake of many new creators is a misunderstanding of the files in the Projects folder; these files are of use only to Body Shop and will not work in the game.  Sharing the files from the Projects folder will in all instances lead to a download not displaying in the game's catalogues.

Many creators use ZIP or RAR compressed archives to save on both bandwidth usage and download time.  The RAR format is a better compression (smaller end file size) and requires the use of a software capable of working with RAR files.  (see this post for a list of free software)

[BeosBoxBoy]

MESH FILES & BASE OBJECTS

All clothing, objects, accessories, hair, etc require a mesh file.  In the case of objects, the mesh is included in a "base object".  In most other instances, this is a separate file.

Some items do not require you to download a mesh file or base object, because the necessary mesh is contained with The Sims 2 or one of its expansion packs or stuff packs.  Additionally, some objects require a certain expansion pack or stuff pack because they were built using a clone of an item included in the required expansion pack or stuff pack.

You will need CEP for most every object, you can obtain a copy of CEP here: http://cep.modthesims2.com/.

If you are missing the required mesh for a hair, accessory, clothing, etc, when you look in the catalogue in CAS or when "changing appearance" at a mirror or when browsing clothing from a store clothing rack, you will see some Maxis item substituted for the item.  This is a clear indicator that you are missing the necessary download-able mesh; if you have downloaded a clothing file that requires an expansion pack or stuff pack which you do not have installed, these items will not display or display as bright blue.

If you have downloaded objects (paintings, furniture, etc) that are "recolours" of a base object you have not downloaded, then these items will not display.  If you have downloaded an item that requires an expansion pack or stuff pack which you do not have installed, then these items will either not work properly or crash the game.

If you have The Sims 2 with no expansion packs, or only the University Expansion Pack installed, you may not use sub-folders in the Downloads folder.  After installing Nightlife expansion pack or any later expansion pack, you may use sub-folders, but it isn't encouraged by either EA/Maxis or myself.

Nota Bene: The Holiday 2005 and 2006 add-ons do not affect the game's handling of sub-folders in the Downloads folder.

[BeosBoxBoy]

TROUBLE WITH DOWNLOADED PACKAGE FILES

Some people report that Downloads will only work after running Body Shop one time and agreeing to the EULA of Body Shop.

Others report that only after connecting to the Exchange and installing one item from the Exchange will Downloads work.

In all instances, if you have Nightlife or any later expansion pack, you must enable custom content before downloaded content will display in the game.  There is a trick to getting this to work.  You must enable the custom content, go to the neighbourhood screen, exit the game, restart the game, check to make sure custom content is enabled, proceed to the neighbourhood screen and play as normal.  Your custom content setting will now be established and should be left in the custom content allowed state.

Check in your in-game preferences and look for "display custom content in catalogue" make sure that you have this set to a state that will cause the game to show custom content.

Lastly, some times the game will not display custom content (in whole or in part) due to an error in the game, some times this will correct itself after several runnings of the game, other times this requires more arduous effort. Sometimes deleting Groups.cache from the saved game folder:

PCs:
My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2

Macs:
~/Home/EA Games/The Sims 2

In some instances, it is necessary to also delete the thumbnail packages from the Thumbnails folder:

PCs:
My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\Thumbnails

Macs:
~/Home/EA Games/The Sims 2/Thumbnails

In the end, there is always un-installing and re-installing the game.

[BeosBoxBoy]

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

There are two other posts about this matter: here and here.

[BeosBoxBoy]

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

.5cr • file extension (like BMP or JPG) for extracted Resource Node files.

.5gd • file extension (like BMP or JPG) for extracted Geometric Data Container files.

.5gn • file extension (like BMP or JPG) for extracted Geometric Node files.

.5sh • file extension (like BMP or JPG) for extracted Shape files.

.simpe • file extension (like BMP or JPG) for files ready for use by SimPE.

3D Model • for this tutorial a The Sims 2 GMDC file.

Bump Map • a 2D image used in computer rendering to produce the
appearance of depth, or "bumps", in a multi-channel texture-mapped image.  This
term is often used erroneously by people within the Sims community for "Normal
Map".

CRES • common abbreviation for The Sims 2 Resource Node of a The Sims 2
mesh package file.

DBPF File • DBPF files are files used by Electronic Arts to store data
for several computer games. These games include SimCity 4, The Sims 2, and The
Sims Online.

Like many game data formats, the file is actually an archive of several files
that store the various pieces of data used by the game. These may include
graphics, 3d models, animations, sound files, and scripts.

• .dat (Data provided with the SimCity 4, user downloadable plugins/mods for
SimCity 4)
• .SC4Model (User created building models for SimCity 4)
• .SC4Lot (User created lots for SimCity 4)
• .SC4 (Savegame file provided with SimCity 4, User created savegame files for
SimCity 4)
• .Package (Data provided with The Sims 2, user downloadable plugins/mods for
The Sims 2)

The format is titled DBPF not because of the extension (as in most cases) but
because the first four bytes of all such files are DBPF.

Face • a polygon or triangle of a mesh, "Triangle" is the preferred term
in gaming circles.

Face Count • the cumulative total of the faces of a mesh, also called
"Poly Count".

Geometric Data Container • a 3D Model used in The Sims 2

Geometric Node • a portion of data for a 3D Model used in The Sims 2

GMDC • common abbreviation for The Sims 2 Geometric Data Container

GMND • common abbreviation for The Sims 2 Geometric Node

Mesh • for this tutorial a The Sims 2 GMDC file

Morph • The shape changes determined by a displacement map contained in the GMDC.

Normal Map • In 3D computer graphics, normal mapping is an application of
the technique known as bump mapping. While bump mapping perturbs the existing
normal (the way the surface is facing) of a model, normal mapping replaces the
normal entirely. Like bump mapping, it is used to add details to shading without
using more polygons. Sometimes referred to as "Dot3 bump mapping".

Normals • lighting cues embedded in the information of a mesh to achieve
the visual illusion of 3-dimensional shape on the 2-dimensional environment of
a computer monitor.  Not to be confused with Normal Mapping.

Package File • DBPF files for The Sims 2

Poly Count • the cumulative total of the faces of a mesh, also called
"Face Count".

Polygon • a face or triangle of a mesh.

Resource Node • a portion of data for a 3D Model used in The Sims 2

Shape • a portion of data for a 3D Model used in The Sims 2

SHPE • common abbreviation for The Sims 2 Shape

SimPE • Simple Package Editor is a package editor for The Sims 2. It
allows users to edit neighborhoods, recolor existing objects, modify existing
objects, create new objects, modify game behaviors and the like. It can also
create sims2pack files, a handy way to distribute files that can be installed
using the Content Installer that came with the game.

Skin • the texture used on a mesh, also used for a complete .package file
containing the texture of a mesh.

Texture • a bitmap image to the surface computer 3D models or the image
file painted on the virtual surface of a mesh.

Triangle • an alternative name for Polygon commonly used in the Sims
community and other gaming circles.

UniMesh Plug-ins • software plug-ins for MilkShape 3D developed by Wes
Howe (wes_h) for use in making custom content for The Sims 2.

UV Map • UV mapping is a 3D modelling process of making a 2D map
representing a 3D model. This map is associated with an image known as a
texture. In contrast to "X", "Y" and "Z", which are the coordinates for the
original 3D object in the modelling space, "U" and "V" are the coordinates of
this transformed map of the surface. Then the image is back-transformed
("wrapped") onto the surface of the 3D object. For example, it is used to give
an animated character a realistic looking face, but various other applications
are possible.

Vertex • singular, pl. Vertices., a corner or point of a 3D model: any
point where three or more edges meet or connect to each other. The edges are the
connections (line segments as shared sides) of two or more faces (polygons).