Tutorial updated: August 3, 2011
1. DOWNLOADING AND INSTALLING A HOUSE
NOTE: This tutorial is for users of Windows XP and up. For users of Windows 98, you will have to download and use an archive utility like Win Zip to extract files.
1. DOWNLOAD HOUSE FILE, THEN SAVE TO DESKTOP
To download a house file, click on the "download" link. If you get a box asking you to either "open" or "save", click "save."
It's recommended that you save all your files to Desktop, so it will be easy to find later on.
2. DOUBLE CLICK ON ZIP FILE, THEN EXTRACT
When the file is downloaded to your hard drive, double click on it, then choose "Extract all files". (Again, just extract the house and additional file to desktop, where it'll be easy to find.)
When you extract the file, you should see a "READ_ME.txt" file and a "house##.iff" file. The "READ_ME.txt" file is just a set of instructions. However, the "house##.iff" file is the actual file that you need to isntall into your game.
The "number" right after the "house" is very important, because it's also the house address, or "Lot number", that it belongs to. (For example, "house09.iff" is Lot 9). This is important to know, because if you accidentally add this new house to a lot in the game that already has a house, you will replace the old one!
3. BROWSE TO "MAXIS/SIMS/USERDATA" FOLDERS ON HARD DRIVE
Now that you have this "house##.iff" file, you need to put it in your game. But how? Easy. You need to add it a specific folder on your hard drive that contains all the files and folders for The Sims.
So browse to "My Computer", "C:", "Program Files", "Maxis", and "The Sims."
There are a series of "UserData#" folders in this directory depending on which EPs you have installed. The # in UserData refers to the neighborhood you want your house in. So if you want the house you just downloaded to appear in Neighborhood
6, open up the "UserData6" folder. If you want the house to appear in Neighborhood 3, open up the "UserData3" folder.
4. PLACE "HOUSE##.IFF" FILE IN USERDATA/HOUSES FOLDER
When you've opened up the UserData# folder that corresponds to the neighborhood you want the house file in, you'll see a "Houses" folder. Open it up, then drag the "house.iff" file in there.
You'll be asked by Windows that there's another file of the same name and if you want to replace it. Click "yes" and voila--! You're done! When you open up The Sims the next time, you'll see the house in your game!
5.CAUTION: MAKE SURE YOU ARE EXTRACTING TO THE RIGHT NEIGHBORHOOD!
Remember, before adding the house file to your Sims folder, make sure you're putting it in in the right neighborhood and right lot! Otherwise, if you accidentally put it on a lot that already has a house, the old house will get replaced by the new file!
INSTALLING OTHER FILES
Repeat Steps 1-4 for installing a House. Click on the "download" link, save to desktop. Then extract file to desktop and move it to the specific "Sims" directory on your hard drive).
Object files go here: The Sims\Downloads
Skins go here: The Sims\GameData\Skins
Floors go here: The Sims\GameData\Floors
Roofs go here: The Sims\GameData\Roofs
Walls go here: The Sims\GameData\Walls
And that's about it! I know this all sounds intimidating to a lot of
people, but if you're scared, don't be. Installing files is much easier
than you think-- just take your time to figure out the interface and try
this process at least once. You'll get the hang of it!
|
