The Sims Wiki:Newsletter/12 November 2011

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Monthly Highlights

 * There are several discussions on the Community Portal that require some input. More information can be found on this blog.
 * DanPin was promoted to an ombudsman (he also makes userboxes upon request - he told me to put that :P).
 * There has been an intermittent troll on the IRC channel who has flooded the channel by repeatedly pinging everyone online. If you notice an attack, please contact a channel operator.

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Horoscope
HOROSCOPE Sagittarius: November 22 - December 21

You’re thinking hard about big-time issues today, but something is keeping you from reaching that breakthrough you know is coming. It might be that you’re not focusing on the right details.

Fanon Review Feature
Want to review fanon for the newsletter? Please see here for instructions as to how to submit a Fanon for review, or to become a reviewer.
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How to: Create a basic Script Mod for The Sims 3
By Andronikos Leventis, writer of The Mod & More Column OK, time for some actual modding! This is a simple walkthrough for creating a Script Mod for TS3. It’s pretty simple, so don’t expect it to alter gameplay much.

Requirements
(Note: This tutorial is written for Microsoft Windows)


 * Windows XP SP2 or higher, Windows Vista SP1 or higher, Windows 7 + Microsoft NET Framework 3.5 or later


 * Sim3PE


 * Notepad++

Step 1: Finding GameplayData.package
The file that contains the appropriate resources for TS3 mods is called “GameplayData.package”. By default, it is located in “C:/Program Files/Electronic Arts//Game/Bin/Gameplay/”. Now, please note that when we mean the most recent TS3 EP you we are talking about release date. Let’s presume you installed World Adventures after Late Night. You are still going to use the Late Night GameplayData.package. ‘’’If you have Generations or after, just open the one in “C:/Program Files/Electronic Arts/The Sims 3/Game/Bin”’’’ So, open Sim3PE and open the file (“File>Open...” or Ctrl+O).

Step 2: Locating what you want to edit
It should be a chaos. Until you sort things out. Check the box “Sort”. Select “Value” at the “Preview” section. And select both boxes (“Names” and “Tags”) when it comes to “Display”. Now, sort by name, as you do on any other application. Much better, right? Now, I am going to open a resource. I will take “GrimReaper_(Strange number que) as an example.

Step 3: Exporting and editing
With your resource selected, select “Resources>Export>To file...”. Select where you want to export the file. I selected my desktop, for instance. Now it is where Notepad++ comes in handy. You should have an .xml file. Go ahead and open it with Notepad++. For the ones of you that know some things here and there about HTML, that should be ‘’‘too simple’’’. For the ones who don’t:


 * Green means comment. Read these.


 * Blue means tag. You edit things inside it.


 * Red means value. You edit whatever is inside the “=” mark.

OK, so edit whatever you want to edit.

Step 4: Importing and saving
Back to Sim3PE, select “File>New”. Create a new .package file. Now select “Resorces>Import>From file...”. ‘’’DO NOT DO THAT IN THE ORIGINAL PACKAGE!’’’ Now save your .package file. I saved it into my desktop again.

Step 5: Installing
Presuming that you have already installed custom framework for The Sims 3 (If you haven’t, dowload this tool here. Read the description first). Move the file in your /Mods/Packages folder. Enjoy your new Script Mod!

An apology
I would like to apologize for the lateness and sub-par quality of this month's newsletter. Due to the editor being absent without a word to suggest where he is, Andronikos, DanPin and myself decided to make a newsletter for this month. If you have any queries over this month's issue, feel free to contact one of us and we hope that our usual editor will be back soon.

From The Editor
T  his newsletter doesn't write itself! Anyone who is willing to contribute ideas or articles should do so; you will be given credit for your contributions, and they stand a good chance of being included on the next Newsletter.

Along with a new column writer, we would like to include one or two more members of the community to write for us, making us a 4-5 member journalism team. This team will communicate via e-mail and IRC to bring the community the best possible newsletter each month. The Sims Wiki Newsletter would also like to remind you of how fun it actually is to write for The Newsletter. We plan on growing and adding a whole ton of new things, from new game reviews by regular users, to in-depth articles concerning Wikia's changes and how they effect users. For now, growth is extremely limited, and we ask for as many possible users to apply to join.

If there's something you think we missed, tell us about it and we'll do our best to include it.

- Happy Simming and editing!
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