8 replies to this topic

[simslady06]

Ok, So im trying to get an item to download from this site onto my Sims 2 game. Everytime I open up the game the item I downloaded isnt there. How do I get the item i downloaded onto the game? I even put it in my folder for downloads in the Sims 2 file. Thanks(:

Edited by frisbud, 05 February 2012 - 06:56 PM.
Removing color from post

[Cherrybooboo]

Is the Show Custom Content Section ticked ? I had this issue many times without even realising the custom content box had become unticked. Also have you downloaded the meshes that go with that item if there are any? Hope you manage to get your items in your game soon. I know how frustrating it can be

[simslady06]

Thanks' but I have no clue what you mean by the Show Custom Content box. Like where is it located.. (: thanks lol

[dharden]

OK... First, you need to click the Options button; it's the one with three dots. The, you need to click the Game Options icon; it looks like two gears. One of the options there is "Catalogs Display Custom Content". That needs to be set to On. If you have Nightlife or a later expansion, there will also be an option labeled "Display Custom Content Dialog as Startup". Setting this to On will cause a dialog to appear when you load the game. This dialog will list mods and (IIRC) custom objects, but not custom clothing. It will give you the option to Enable or Disable custom content. Use it to make sure that custom content is Enabled.

Proper naming of the Downloads folder is *critical*. It *must* start with a capital D, all other letters *must* be lowercase, and the name *must* be Downloads. Otherwise, the game won't see it. You can check this page: http://www.thesimsre...s-sims2/id/171/ for more information on the Downloads folder. Look under "Option 2 - Download as a Zip file" to find it.

That brings up the next point. The files you download from TSR, or from most other Sims 2 sites, are *NOT* the actual content files themselves. They *contain* the content files, but those content files must be extracted from the downloaded files and placed in the Downloads folder. (In fact, it is generally better if you do *not* download the files directly to the Downloads folder.) They may also contain other files such as preview pictures and information files. Clothing and clothing-mesh downloads often contain "templates" that are useful to creators, but are generally not useful as outfits in their own right.

Sims 2 files you download will generally be in one of three formats: sims2pack, zip, and RAR. The sims2pack format is the game's native format. In fact, some downloads, such as lots and complete Sims, can only be installed from sims2pack files. While the cam has a sims2pack installer, it's known for being less than reliable, and have problems with Windows 7, and does not allow you to select which files you wish to install. If you are using a PC, it is best to use the Sims2Pack clean installer. The help page I linked to earlier has a link for it. You can probably ignore what it says about the .NET framework; Vista and Win 7 should already have it. Note: At present, TSR does not provide sims2pack downloads, though lots and Sims should still be downloaded as zipped sims2pack files.

Zip and RAR are general-purpose compression-and-archive formats which have been around longer than the Sims games. Some sites use RAR, but TSR uses zip. Windows has a native ability to extract content from zip files, but cannot (AFAIK) handle RAR files. Windows treats zip files as "compressed folders", but you should always remember that they are not true folders, but compressed files which programs (such as The Sims 2) often cannot see into. You should be able to drag and drop, or copy-and-paste, from a "compressed folder" to a real folder, but I am not 100% certain of that, as I use WinRAR ( http://www,rarlab.com ).

[simslady06]

I tried everything, I went into the game and did the settings thing, I extracted the file. If you can give me anymore help that would be great. I just don't know what im doing wrong. Please help. I getting the MESHs and downloading them, extracting the file to to my SIMS 2 DOWNLOADS file, it goes to the file but not to the game. Thanks for any more help(:

[dharden]

It would help if you could post one or two screenshots of your Downloads folder, so we could see what you're doing.

[Audrey May]

Did you restart the game after you changed the settings?

[simslady06]

yea, i did restart the game. im taking the file i have downloaded and put it in the sims 2 downloads file. and it still doesn't work. the thing at the begging of the game that is suppose to pop up doesn't. i need help. ive done everything

[TabbyLou]

How to Enable Custom Content


Enable Custom Content in Game Options

• Load Sims 2.
  
• Click on the Game Option Button which looks like a little gear or cog.
  
• Set "Catalogs Display Custom Content" to ON.
  
• If you have Nightlife or later expansions, set "Display Custom Content Dialog at Startup" to OFF.

Restart the Game

• Close Sims 2 completely - exit the game so it is no longer running.
  
• Then, start it again, i.e. restart the game.

Test

• Once the game has loaded after restarting, go into Create a Family or a lot and see whether your custom content is showing up.

If it is still not working...

Do it Again

Often custom content will not begin working after enabling and restarting just once. You will likely have to enable and restart a second time (as described below) for much of your custom content to show up!
Enable Custom Content Again

• Go into the game options as you did above and make sure that the settings are still correct - "Catalogs Display Custom Content" is set to ON and "Display Custom Content Dialog at Startup" is set to OFF.

Restart the Game Again

• Close Sims 2 completely once more - exit the game so it is no longer running.
  
• Then, start it again, i.e. restart the game. This will now be at least the third time running the game.

Sometime this must be done several times. Just thought it may help you solve your problem. Copies & pasted off SimsWIKI on internet.