195 replies to this topic

[Trillian]

Since this will probably be a common question, here's a sticky to answer it.

Step 1
Most things you will download will probably start out as a .zip file. This is a compressed archive, which is really just a way to make the file smaller for transfer. You'll need to get the files out of the .zip file first. On Mac OS X, you should be able to simply double-click the .zip file to unpack it. If that doesn't work, try something like Stuffit Expander to open the file.

Step 2
Once you have the .zip file open (or if the file wasn't zipped), you will *probably* have one of two types of files. Either they will be .package files or they will be .Sims2Pack files. Here's how to handle them.

.package files
- Items such as objects and skins (clothes, genetics, etc) come as .package files. These files are ready to go into the game. You will need to find your Documents folder under your user directory on your Mac. Inside that there is an EA Games folder. Inside the EA Games folder is a The Sims 2 folder. And inside *that* is a folder called Downloads. Drag the .package files into the Downloads folder to have them in your game. Note: If the /EA Games/The Sims 2/Downloads folder doesn't exist, try running BodyShop once. Often that will create the folder for you. The folder will also be created for you the first time you install a .Sims2Pack file (Thanks luws for that tip).

.Sims2Pack files
- Items such as walls, floors, and lots (and maybe some others) will be .Sims2Pack files. These files are self-installing files. Just double-click on the .Sims2Pack file and it will install all its files where they need to go. Easy as pie, right? :)

Step 3
Mostly, there is no Step 3. But here's some general information specific to downloaded content that may help you.

General
- All downloaded content such as objects, skins, and maybe walls and floors too, will appear in the game with an * on their preview icon. That shows that they are custom content and not something that originally came in the game. Handy huh?
- If you are pretty sure everything is installed right, but you still don't see any custom content in your game, check your game settings in the game. There is a setting to enable/disable custom content. Make sure that is enabled.

Objects
- Objects are organized in TS2 a little differently than in TS1. A single object can have multiple color combinations listed under it. If the objects that you downloaded are a recolor of an existing object in the game, then you'll need to look under the color options for the existing object to find the downloaded one.
- Objects that did not originally have multiple colors in the game will nee the Color Enabler Package to show downloaded recolors. Currently the files on TSR are in a Windows executable installer that cannot run on Mac, but a Mac-ready version of the files can be downloaded here: http://sims.ambertation.de/ (Thanks sillygirl for your help in making that happen).

Houses/Lots
- Take a look at the Warning about downloading TS2 Lots thread.
- When you install a house/lot, it will not automatically appear placed in the neighborhood. It will be in the Houses/Lots bin. Then you can look through the choices there and drag it into your neighborhood wherever you want. Note: Once you drag a house/lot out of the bin and into the neighborhood, it will no longer appear in the bin. However, if you still have the .Sims2Pack file, you can run that again to get another copy of the house in the bin. In that way, you can have your downloaded house/lot in your neighborhood a few times or in multiple neighborhoods. (You can also do this for a house/lot you created if you package it to a file)

I hope this helps answer some of the common questions. I'll try to keep this updated as I see more downloads related questions appearing.

[youngmawmaw]

I was unable to find my downloads folder. Talked to Aspyr several times.... no frigging help here... Someone was nice enough to point this site out and I entered the Body Shop then closed it and low and behold there it was..... Thankx so much...... :)

[kantia8]

I've downloaded lots of stuff, and it works :), but I can't get the CEP package to work. I have the right files in the right folders. Have other people had this problem? My computer is definitely on the low end of the requirements 1Ghz, 512RAM, but on the low settings, Sims2 works fine.

[sakgonz]

The cep does not work right at the moment, Most re-colors work for the Lady In Red Painting tho. Try to only download new colors for objects that work with the disain tool. Also beware of the file limit.

[Kelarika]

youngmawmaw said:

I was unable to find my downloads folder. Talked to Aspyr several times.... no frigging help here... Someone was nice enough to point this site out and I entered the Body Shop then closed it and low and behold there it was..... Thankx so much...... :)

Hasn't worked for me. :(

[luws]

Shiny Magpie said:

Hasn't worked for me. :(

The 1st time you install a simpack 2 file the game creates one. But you can make one manually -- the path to follow is documents/EA games/Sims 2/Downloads

good luck

[Kelarika]

Thanks! ^_^

[scwatson]

After much futzing, I found my downloads folder and put a couple of custom clothing articles in. They work great. Now, I got these downloads from a Mac-friendly site but I'm just wondering, do we have to be as cautious as we did with TS1? No worries about file extension or name lengths? No need for skin shrinker? And *everything* goes in the downloads folder, even walls and floors?

Thanks for helping a very cautious Mac user!

[luws]

scwatson said:

After much futzing, I found my downloads folder and put a couple of custom clothing articles in. They work great. Now, I got these downloads from a Mac-friendly site but I'm just wondering, do we have to be as cautious as we did with TS1? No worries about file extension or name lengths? No need for skin shrinker? And *everything* goes in the downloads folder, even walls and floors?

Thanks for helping a very cautious Mac user!

No worries about file name lengths. :rofl:
No need for skin shrinker.

Everything with a .package extension goes in the downloads folder. Don't put sim2pack files in there though, they install automatically when you double-click them.
Clothes, skins, genetics etc must go loose in the downloads folder.
Objects can go in subfolders in the downloads folder-- if you like to use subfolders.
Hope this clarifies things. It's smart to be cautious, good for you. I downloaded wily-nily at first, hit the file limit & lost all of my sims. :mad: So I've been preceeding much slower now. Learned my lesson.

[FreyaHagen]

Hey!

I'm really sorry if this is a silly question (I'm computer illiterate!) but I can't seem to find my Downloads folder. I opened BodyShop and went into Users/Shared/EA Games/Sims 2 and there was still no Downloads folder! Is it possible for me to just create a Downloads folder in that Sims 2 folder or won't that work!

Thanks in advance guys!

Freya

[luws]

Yes, you can create a download folder, no problem.

[FreyaHagen]

Thanks! I'm sorry, that was probably a really stupid question!

[simmpleglen]

I have been following the advice and suggestions I have read on here, but I still am boggled about something? I downloaded hair, eyes, and outfits. I see the hair and the eyes when I change there appreance, but I can't find the outfits. The outfits are in body shop, and there in the game when I create a new sim. I even made up a collections folder for one sim thinking when she went to change her clothes everthing would be there. It's not! she only has the outfit I created her with,plus the stuff that was already there, So the question is how do I get the outfits that I downloaded into the game to work ?Keep in mind they are in the downloads folder with the hair and eyes( which work fine ) Please help, and I apologize in advance for being so longwinded.

[Trillian]

simmpleglen said:

I have been following the advice and suggestions I have read on here, but I still am boggled about something? I downloaded hair, eyes, and outfits. I see the hair and the eyes when I change there appreance, but I can't find the outfits. The outfits are in body shop, and there in the game when I create a new sim. I even made up a collections folder for one sim thinking when she went to change her clothes everthing would be there. It's not! she only has the outfit I created her with,plus the stuff that was already there, So the question is how do I get the outfits that I downloaded into the game to work ?Keep in mind they are in the downloads folder with the hair and eyes( which work fine ) Please help, and I apologize in advance for being so longwinded.

Unlike in the first Sims games, in The Sims 2, your Sim has to buy all their clothes except what they are created with. If you want your Sim to have more than one outfit choice, you need to take them to a Community lot and go shopping! Once you've bought a couple outfits, then when your Sim gets back home you can click on the dresser and choose Plan Outfit to use them.

[simmpleglen]

Thanks, I got it :)

[roseflower24601]

I need some help regarding downloads, so if you can, can anyone pleeeease go to http://forums.thesim...d=1#post3057257 and help me out? THANKZ YA'LL!!!! :D

[foonkythumbs]

Wow, i'm probably really dumb, but i still can't find my downloads folder. How do I make a downloads folder manually?

[luws]

foonkythumbs said:

Wow, i'm probably really dumb, but i still can't find my downloads folder. How do I make a downloads folder manually?

The game places files in two spots. Be sure you're looking in your user folder/documents/EA games/Sims 2/Downloads

If there isn't one there you can make a new folder by either going up to the File menu (while in the Finder) and go to the 2nd listing -- New folder. That will creat a folder called "Untitled". Rename it to "Downloads" (no quotes), then move that into the Sims 2 folder. Or you can make a new folder by using the key commands: command-shift-n.

And don't feel dumb, we all had to learn this stuff too at some point. :D

[whitex_sheep]

Hey Guys!

Look, I've read every single post in help forums, searched google for hours, but I still didn't get an answer for my problem, nor have find anyone who has got the same problem.
I've downloaded Aspyr Patch, I've downloaded CEP (and it is correctly instaled), I've created a "Downloads" folder, in wich I put every object downloads (I only download objects), and the follow occures: Some objects work, and some don't! They've all the same file extension, but a lot I've downloaded are missing in the game! I thought it would be because all that meshes and recolours stuff, but it isn't! For ex., I've downloaded Peggy's Sims "Mac Mini", it is a Mesh, and there's no way I can put in the game...I tried to take it out of the folder, I've done everything my limited Mac knowledge allowed me, but I can't solve my problem...Can anyone help me, please?

[macgirlffx]

Do they require University or Nightlife to work? That may be it. If you have Sims2Pack files you need to install those with the Package Installer that came with the game. These files will have an extension of .Sims2Pack instead of .package. The package files go directly into your downloads folder. The Sims2Pack files will auto install with the Package Installer if you double click them.