Where do I put my downloads? (Updated 01-10-06)

Downloaded a bunch of awesome custom content from TSR but don't have a clue about how to get it to show up in your game?

Check out the detailed instructions here!

There are a few issues that I would like to address when it comes to installing Bodyshop components, object recolors, and new objects...

I can't find the Downloads folder, where is it?
Make sure you are looking in My Documents - not the directory you installed your game to! (Unless you have moved it, this should be the path: C:\Documents and Settings\*your account name*\My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\Downloads)

You can create the folder if it's not already there, but be careful with the spelling if you have Nightlife! (see below about Bodyshop content)

How do I install .package files?
You do not need to double-click the .package files to install them. If your Downloads folder contains .package files, they are installed!

My Bodyshop components aren't showing up!
The Sims 2, The Sims 2 Holiday Edition, and University:
Make sure that your files are not in subdirectories (seperate folders). The game can only see them if they are in the Downloads folder. Some unzipping programs like to extract files to seperate folders, so check to make sure that yours isn't doing this. If it is, you can simply drag and drop the .package files into the Downloads folder and delete the empty folders.

You will need to click on the custom content asterisk (*) to access some Bodyshop/Create-A-Sim componenets.

Nightlife:
Custom content can be put into sub-directories, but make sure that your Downloads folder is named properly! It must be named Downloads - not downloads, dOwNLoAds, etc.

Some of my objects and skins are showing up, but some aren't!
You might need a mesh. It is important that you read the information on the site for each file! Items requiring a mesh will say so and have a link that takes you to the file. Once you find the mesh (if it's on TSR), you will probably notice a link that says "Search for recolors" - that will list all of the textures that work with that particular mesh. At least one of the recolors is needed before you will see the skin or object in the game.

It's also important that you look in the file information to see if an Expansion Pack is required or not. If you want to make sure that you are only getting content that you can use, edit your preferences and select the Expansion Packs that you own.

I downloaded object recolors but I don't see them in my game!
Make sure that you have CEP installed. (or see above if you have CEP)
Get CEP here.

Keep in mind that object recolors don't show up as new objects! They will show up as a new color options for objects that came with the games. Only new objects will have new icons and recolors for those will also be color options.

I tried all of the above but I still don't see the content in my game!
Open the game and go to Game Options... make sure that catalogs are set to display custom content.

I installed Nightlife and my downloads don't show up!
When you start the game, the custom content dialog will pop up telling you that custom content was found and it may cause problems... from there, you have the option to enable or disable it. Naturally, you will want to select enable if you wish to use it.

The dialog itself can also be disabled so that it doesn't come up when you start your game. If you have done this and can't see your content, go to Game Options and click on the large asterisk. That will cause the custom content dialog to pop up and you can enable or disable content from there.

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If you need further assistance, feel free to drop by the live chat!

If I have missed something or made an error, feel free to PM me so that I can update this!