1.1 Finding the Downloads folder

To successfully download any item from any Sims 2 site and have the item appear in your game, you will need a "Downloads" folder in your primary Sims 2 folder. The folder location is determined by your operating system but can be found here:

Windows Vista: C:\Users\-your name-\Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2

Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\-your name- \My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2

1.2 Creating the Downloads folder

If you don't already have a downloads subfolder in "The Sims 2" folder: Right-click anywhere on the screen and select "New .... Folder" (see pic 2). Name this new subfolder "Downloads".

1.3 Correct folder name

Your folder must be spelled "Downloads", with a capital "D" at the beginning and an "s" at the end (see pic 3). Don't spell it "DOWNLOADS" or "dOwNlOaDs" or "downloads". No other variation in spelling will work.

1.4 Common folder mistake

There is also a Sims 2 folder under C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 (see pic 4). Do not make a "Downloads" subfolder there. Nothing you place in it will show up in your game! If you've already made your Downloads subfolder there, cut and paste the subfolder to the Sims 2 folder in "My Documents".

2.2 Download options

Available items will have four icon buttons to select (see pic 7): "Download as a Sims2Pack", "Download as a ZIP file", "Download with the Site Wizard" and "Add to the Download Basket". We will discuss the wizard/basket tools at a later point. Right now, select either of the first two options, "Download as a Sims2Pack" or "Download as a ZIP file".

2.3 Downloading and saving the file

Now you should see a pop-up screen. (see pic 8) Select "save" and choose to save the items in your "Downloads" folder. In case you can't figure out how to find the "Downloads" folder from here (see Step 1), begin with the "My Documents" folder, then select and open "EA Games", "The Sims 2", choose the "Downloads" folder and then save your file.

Certain items should be saved in different folders already available inside the Sims 2 folder:

• Custom neighborhoods should go into the "Neighborhoods" folder.
• Custom pets should go into the "PetBreeds" folder.
• Custom lots should go into the "Teleport" folder.
• Whole Sims should go into the "SavedSims" folder.
• Collection files should go into the "Collections" folder.

Note: Sims2pack files can be opened and installed directly, meaning you don't need to save those to your computer.

2.4 Requirements and categories

Be aware of the instructions and requirements in the description of any item that you download. They will tell you what expansion packs you need to see an item in-game, and in the case of clothes what category the clothes will be found in. For example, this outfit will be found in both the "everyday" and "formal" clothing categories and requires the Glamour Life Stuff pack (see pic 9).

2.5 Lots and required items

Some lots require additional items to be installed for the lot to function correctly; these items are listed and linked to within the items description. Click on "View All Items" to list all items with their description and download links. Click on "List" to open a list of all required items, with quicklinks to view the full description and download links (see pic 10).

Some lots have recommended items as well, although they are not required to make the lot work properly.

2.6 Items that require meshes

Many clothes/hair/objects require you to download a mesh. If the item you are downloading requires a mesh, the creator will include a link to the mesh in the item's description (see pic 11). The mesh can either be available on TSR or from another site and linked to accordingly.

What's a mesh and why do I need it you might ask?

• Imagine a couch. In gaming terms, the fabric and material covering the couch is a "texture" that can be changed at will and also recolored by the creator/creators, but underneath the fabric is the frame of the couch, i.e., it's mesh. If you didn't have a frame, the couch's fabric would simply lie on the floor. To have an actual couch as opposed to a pile of cloth, you need the frame in addition to any fabrics that go on top of the frame. That is the function of a mesh.
• It is a three-dimensional frame that allows new items to show in your game, but it doesn't function without the original texture or recolors, and recolors don't work without a mesh. So if you download recolors of items without installing the item's meshes as well, or if you get a mesh and forget the original texture (if it´s not included), the item won't appear in your game at all.
• 3. Installing Creations

  3.1 Installing a Sims2pack file
  
  Note: You can open and install Sims2pack files directly from the site, without having to save them to your computer.
  
  If you have a Sims2Pack file (see pic 12), double-click the file to install it straight into your game. The creation will have either a descriptive name, or just the ID number of the creation in our database (such as 454469 on this pic).
  
  If you get the message "This item requires Expansion Data that is not installed":

  • Make sure that you have all Expansion Packs required to install the item. For example, if you have downloaded a house that has items from the University/Nightlife Expansion Packs, but you don't have those expansion packs installed, you will not be able to install that house.
  • If you have all needed expansion packs and you still see this message, there is another method you can use to install your files. A program called the "Sims 2 Clean Pack Installer" can be used to install your files; it's available here along with detailed instructions on how to use it.

  3.2 Installing a ZIP file
  
  If you have a ZIP file, right-click the file and select "extract here" from the menu that appears. The ZIP package will open and all files included inside of the ZIP will appear in your Downloads folder (make sure the file was downloaded to the Downloads folder in the previous step). If you see a Sims2Pack file, double-click the file to install it (see above). If you see a Package file (DBPF Package if you have SimPE) (see pic 13) you're done! Package files are self-installers, so you don't need to do anything else with them.
  
  If you want to create subfolders inside the Downloads folder you may do so, but only according to the following rules:

  • If you only have "The Sims 2" and/or the base game and the "University" expansion pack, your clothing, hair, and accessories files must go into the main Downloads folder only. Otherwise the game will not be able to read them.
  • Objects, recolors of objects, terrain paints, walls and floors can be placed into subfolders regardless of what expansion packs you own.
  • If you have the "Nightlife", the "Open for Business" or the "Pets" expansions, all of your items can go into subfolders without a problem (see pic 14).
  4. In the Game

  4.1 Enabling custom content
  
  If you see this screen (pic 15) once the game has loaded, do the following:

  • Select "enable custom content" at the bottom and click "ok."
  • Select any neighborhood and open the "Miscellaneous" subscreen:
  • Select "Game Options" to open a new dialogue screen:
  • On the top-right part of the dialogue screen, change the "Display Custom Content Dialogue at Startup" option to "off".
  • Now restart your game. If you don't restart, the game won't realize that the content has become active.

  At this point, if you have correctly installed your items, you should be able to find them in-game. Maxis made it easy on us by marking custom content with an asterisk in the upper-right of the preview screen:

  4.2 Finding the Content for Sims
  
  We'll start by locating items for Sims. Open "Create-A-Sim". Once the CAS screen is open, you can begin to search for your custom content:

  • Any whole Sims you have installed will be found on the first menu screen, under "Choose Existing Sim" at the top right of the CAS menu.
  • Custom skintones are found on the same menu screen, if you click the asterisk to the immediate right of the darkest Maxis skintone.
  • Custom hair is in the third menu screen (click the number 3). Although many creators have begun to bin their hairstyles in the same bins as Maxis hairstyles, there is also a custom hair button (the asterisk on the far right) and many creators still put their custom hair in the custom bin.
  • Custom eyes are also available in the third menu screen under the eyes subsection. You will find both Maxis and custom eyes together, with the custom eyes marked with an asterisk.
  • Custom makeup, facial hair, full facial makeup and glasses are in the fourth menu screen (click the number 4) under each respective subsection. Full facial makeup may include items such as facial piercings and "masks", while glasses may include items for the body such as purses and headgear. All custom content is marked with an asterisk, and some artists have included their own signature preview icon with their logo.
  • Custom clothing is in the fifth menu screen (click the number 5). All custom content is marked with an asterisk.

  4.3 Finding the Custom Lots
  
  Your custom lots will be found in the "lots" bin. If you have any problems with locating a house, check the University neighborhood (if applicable). Sometimes a house that you thought was a lovely residential lot turns out to be a Greek House, or a dorm.

  4.4 Finding Walls, Floors and Terrain Paints
  
  Custom terrain paints, walls and floors are in the same categories with the Maxis items (highlighted with an asterisk) and can be found under the Buy/Build Mode.

  4.5 Finding Custom Objects
  
  Objects are also available under the Buy/Build Mode. Although sometimes they can be a little harder to find, especially if an item isn't quite where you thought it would be in-game! Sometimes a plant is meant to function as an electronic device, sometimes a statue acts as a lamp, and sometimes a coffeepot is just decoration. The easiest way to find your items is, once again, to pay attention to the creator's description.
  
  Example: In the case of this custom fireplace, this item is located under "fireplaces" on-site, but the creator has let us know that her fireplaces are located in the "appliances" section of the game (see pic 16). So if you download these items, but look for them with the rest of the fireplaces, you won't find them. They're in the "miscellaneous" section of large appliances.
  
  So if there's ever any doubt about where an item is located in your game, go back and read the on-site item description.

  4.6 Finding Collection Files
  
  If a set you downloaded has a collection file included, you can find all items in the set by clicking on the "Collection File" icon in the mid-bottom part of the menu screen.

• 5. Troubleshooting

  5.1 I downloaded an item, unzipped it and installed it, but it's not showing up!

  • Did you download any necessary meshes? If an item was created using a mesh, you must have that mesh in your game before the item will show and be playable. See section 2.6 for more info.
  • Did you download an item that requires an expansion pack that you don't currently have? Sorry, there's no workaround for this. If you don't have the Maxis-based items in your game, no recolors of that item/clothing/hair will show up.
  • If you downloaded a whole Sim, try moving the Sims2Package file to the "SavedSims" folder and re-install the item.
  • If you downloaded a lot, try moving the Sims2Package file to the "Teleport" folder and re-install the item.
  • If you downloaded a recolor of a Maxis item, do you have the latest version of CEP installed? This is a program that enables recolors of Maxis items to show in your game; items that require CEP will provide a direct link to the download. See this page for info on CEP and a direct link to download it. Also make sure to use the "design" tool on your items in the game to check for recolors that may not show up with the initial previews. Objects that can be "recolored" will become transparent when you click on them with the design tool in the game.
  • If you downloaded a painting, did you check to see if it was a recolor of a Maxis painting, or an original painting? Use the "design" tool to see recolors of the Maxis paintings and you'll probably find the one you downloaded. If it was an original painting, make sure that you also downloaded any needed meshes.
  • If you downloaded clothing, are you searching the correct age group? Make sure that you're not looking for in the "adults" section for a teen's outfit.
  • If you downloaded an object, do you remember what category the artist put it in? Just because you downloaded a computer, doesn't mean that it's categorized with all of the other computers! Check the item description to be sure that you're looking in the right category for your items.
  • If the items you downloaded were part of a set, have you tried looking for them "by room" instead of "by category"? When you search "by room", only items pertinent to that particular room show up in the item categories, which can make finding all of the items in a particular set much easier.

  5.2 I downloaded an item, but it's flashing blue!
  
  Get the latest version of CEP. See this page for info on CEP and a direct link to download it.

  5.3 I downloaded a hairstyle, but all I see is a default Maxis style/the Social bunny's head?
  
  You've downloaded hair recolors, but forgotten the mesh. Go back to the items on the site and look for the link to a mesh. See section 2.6 for more info.

  5.4 I downloaded an outfit, but all I see is a preview of a Sim wearing a pink button-down shirt and capri pants?
  
  You've downloaded clothing recolors, but forgotten the mesh. Go back to the items on the site and look for the link to a mesh. See section 2.6 for more info.

  On occasion, you may find that you have done everything right-and the item just won't install. If that's the case, send a PM to the creator and let them know. They are very likely to PM you back and try to help you get the item to work.

  Hopefully this tutorial has been useful to anyone who felt overwhelmed by the prospect of downloading and installing. It really is a simple process that can become second nature in no time.

  Happy Simming!