Installing Sims2 Custom Content

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Adding custom content to your Sims2 game is actually pretty easy. There are only few steps involved and if you can navigating through your computer you should have no problems installing all the custom content your sims can handle.

Oh, you might want to note that this is not ALWAYS where a download will need to be. About 99.9% of all the great custom content I have added (somewhere around 20,000 items or so - Yes, my game takes a long time to load, but it is well worth it to me.) belong here:
My Documents\My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\Downloads
If file needs to go into a different folder the creator will let you know. That is one of the many reasons you shoud be sure to read any information provided by the creators.

I will tell you how to find that, but there are a couple of things that we should go over first. These are little things you need to be aware of when you are downloading files.

1. Make sure your game is compatible with the custom content you are downloading.
   The Sims2 expansion packs, University (UNI), Nightlife (NL) and Open For Business (OFB), which have custom meshes that are only available with that version of the game. Most artist will denote if an expansion pack (EP) is required for the item to work.
2. The next thing to watch for is if the item being downloaded requires a custom mesh.
   A custom mesh is a body, hair, jewelry, or clothing shape that is required for the skins to work. Skins are basically any colorized item (as far as I can gather), but it is most commonly used when referencing clothes. Mmany objects also require a custom mesh. If an artist has used a custom mesh that is not included with your download, you should be able to find a link to the site hosting the mesh on the download page.

So now that you know about EP's and meshes, you are ready to get started.

There are three different download formats that are typically used when packing Sims2 files. These are

• RAR files
• Zip files
• and Maxis Sims2Installer

Maxis Package Files
If you are downloading Maxis packaged files, that program will extract the files into the proper folders for you automatically. After you download the item simply double click on the icon and the program will do the rest for you.

Zip Files
You will find a lot of downloads offered in Zip files. You should be able to unzip these files with Windows default zip program.

After you have downloaded the zipped file, you need to browse to the folder where it is saved. There you will see a little icon, which will probably look like a folder with a zipper like the one on your left.

Right click the icon which will pop up a window. Mouse over the "Open with" option. This will expand the menu again, here you should see the same icon with the text "Compressed (zipped) folders". Double click that selection.

Once you have done this a new window will open displaying the items in the zip (most, if not all of these, will end with .package). In the top left of your screen click the Edit button, which opens a new menu, click select all. After everything is highlighted click the Edit button again and select Move To Folder. From here you will want to click on My Documents >> EA Games >> Sims2 >> Downloads.

Don't panic if you can't find the downloads folder after you have clicked on Sims2. This is no big deal. Simply click Make New Folder - you will only have to do this once. Now you should have a New Folder listed under Sims2. Right click the folder and choose Rename, then type Downloads. Highlight the downloads folder and click move.

Having done that, you will be able to load your game and let your sims enjoy your new toys for them!

RAR Files
RAR files seem to be just as common as the zip files. A lot of sites offer their downloads in this format, because they are better at compressing files than zip. To manipulate RAR files you will need to install WinRAR. You will find installation instructions for this program at their site www.winrar.com. Once that is installed you will be able to extract RAR files.

After you have downloaded an RAR file browse to the folder where you save it. When you are there you will see a little icon that reminds me of books.

Right click on the file (or files as you can select multiple files by holding the ctrl key and clicking your mouse) which will open a menu, now select Extract Here. This will unpackage all of the files into your downloads folder.

After the program has finished extracting the files I will usually delete the selected RAR files, since I usually don't need them again.

Once the files are opened you will notice all of the files end in .package. You don't need to install any graphic images (i.e., .gif, .jpeg) or text files.

This part is just like installing files that are extracted from a zip file. Select all of the files that you have just extracted and click the Edit button in the top left of your screen and select Move To.

From here you will want to click on My Documents >> EA Games >> Sims2 >> Downloads.

Don't panic if you can't find the downloads folder after you have clicked on Sims2. This is no big deal. Simply click Make New Folder - you will only have to do this once. Now you should have a New Folder listed under Sims2. Right click the folder and choose Rename, then type Downloads. Highlight the downloads folder and click move.