Are you interested in the storytelling side of the sims games?
Do you have a plot idea that you'd like to recreate with the help of your sims?
Have you ever wondered how the heck do sim storytellers manage to place their sims in seemingly impossible situations and poses?
Would you like to learn how to pose your sims to make prettier or original preview pictures for your custom content?
Are you interested in modeling contests?
If you answered yes to at least one of these questions, there's a high chance you'll find this week's finds useful.
This is a list of hacks, poseboxes, movie sets and props that will hopefully give you new ideas and options for your next story or movie project. I'm sure you'll be surprised by the large amount of stuff available for us storytellers!
This list compiles mostly what I've personally found useful when I've worked with my stories. I'm also including a few storytelling tips related to the use I've given to some of these finds.
That said, I'm aware there's more stuff available out there than what's listed here, so if you know of other finds (or applications for the ones listed here), please feel free to share them with us in your comments! :)
Disclaimer:
1. A high percentage of these finds are mods, so please make sure they are compatible with the EPs and SPs you have installed in your computer before downloading them.
2. Back up your neighborhood before trying any mod out for the first time!
3. At the end of this list I'm adding a small "Adult Finds" section with a couple hacks used to create mature themed stories and movies. If you are under the age of 18, please refrain from clicking on these links. Otherwise, I might be forced to f-lock this entry.
4. There are new poseboxes and tools coming out all the time, so I highly suggest you to bookmark Garden of Shadow's Posing Sims thread, updated frequently by its maintainer
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif?v=92.2){kind=small}
goodbye_sun, This is, in my opinion, the best source to keep up with the new storytelling CC. http://www.digitalperversion.net/garden
All right, let's begin:
Pre Production
Whether you already have your plot and/or dialogue ready or not, the first thing you should do is to write down a general outline of your story, including:
- Who are the main characters?
- Where does it take place?
- When does it take place?
- Are you going to follow a particular visual style (i.e. Maxis Match or realistic)
- Are you going to work on your scenes strictly as you wrote them, or are you going to let your sim's free will (and/or ACR) decide the course of your story? Maybe both?
This outline will be your starting point when you embark on the search of the custom content you'll need for the story. It doesn't have to be very detailed, so don't worry if your ideas are still vague at this moment. In my experience, I've often been inspired for new scenes or plot twists when I've accidentally found a particular item during my CC search.
If you're working on your first project, though, I also suggest you to check out the following tutorials and communities. They offer not only great tips, but also the basics of sim storytelling and posing.
-
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif?v=92.2){kind=small}
simstorytellers- HP's taking totally bitchin pics: http://www.sims2wiki.info/wiki.php?titl
- HystericalParoxysm's Posing on Surfaces:
http://www.sims2wiki.info/wiki.php?titl
- Activating the all menu's cheat:
http://www.jd-movies.com/allmenus.p
Speaking of cheats, I suggest you also become familiar with the following ones:
- moveObjects on/off
- boolProp snapObjectsToGrid false/true
- boolProp allow45DegreeAngleOfRotation
- showheadlines off/on
- plumbbobtoggle
- maxmotives (this is not allowed if you are playing a legacy story!)
- unlockcareerrewards (the same! But it's a great way to get instant access to any career object you'd need for a particular scene)
- sethour
- setQuarterTilePlacement on/ff (M&G only)
For more info about cheats, go here:
http://www.snootysims.com/cheatsindex.p
A great way to get instant access to these cheats is to modify your userStartup.cheat file (located on the Config folder). For more info:
http://www.snootysims.com/cheatsindex.p
And here's the userstartup.cheat I use when I work with my stories, as an example.
http://www.mediafire.com/?toyfhydgt
- Jaydee's Using Overlays:
http://www.jd-movies.com/overlay.ht
- Using Animation Overlays:
Part 1
http://community.livejournal.com/simhav
Part 2
http://community.livejournal.com/simhav
- Using the Invisible Magisplay Tray and OMSP's: http://community.livejournal.com/simhav
- The (very rough) guide to composition: http://community.livejournal.com/simgen
- The (very rough) guide to colour:
http://community.livejournal.com/simgen
- Weheartoverlays tutorial index: http://community.livejournal.com/wehear
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Casting
Also known as the process of creating and customizing the sims who will play the characters of your story.
Here's where the plot outline I suggested earlier will become useful: Are you working on a fantasy story? Medieval? Victorian? Futuristic?
Check out our past weekly finds and our tags for tons of options to dress and style your characters according to the time, place and visual style of your story.
http://community.livejournal.com/wcif_s
Anyway, regardless of the CC you need to create your characters, the following items can make this process a lot easier:
Sim Transformer
If your characters are supernatural sims like witches, zombies, vampires and werewolves, this mod is just what you need.
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/downl
Creatures' Skins Unlocked
For your supernatural babies and children.
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/downl
Morague's Sunburn/Frostburn Maker Now with Tan Option
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/downl
Baby Outfit Changer
http://www.insimenator.org/index.php/to
Bigfoot In A Box
This object creates a bigfoot that is identical to the one that you can obtain from the "hidden burrow" secret vacation lot.
http://208.109.175.73/sims-2-bigfoo
Always Be Werewolf
This mod prevents werewolves from turning back into a human, so you can play them during the day too!
http://www.insimenator.org/index.php/to
Toddler plantsims can drink plantophic-C
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/downl
Plantsims can turn other sims into plantsims (an alternative "explanation" for your character's transformation, perhaps?)
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/downl
Ghost Hack
This hack makes a normal sim look and walk like a ghost, opening a lot of storytelling options for these otherwise unavailable creatures. This is the hack I used to make the ghost of Lyla Grunt tuck in and kiss her son Ripp in the picture above. It works with all EPs and SPs.
http://www.modthesims2.com/download.p
Click on sim to change clothes hack.
http://www.modthesims2.com/download.p
Not only this is insanely useful and fast way to change the outfit of a sim, but it also lets you dress it with a wide variety of hidden outfits, including the Grim Reaper's!
For example, Olive Specter never woohooed with the Grim Reaper in this picture. It was just one of her husbands disguised as him.
Custom Skintone Selector Prototype
You can change the skintone of your sim in game. Just as an example, you could pretend that a character gets a tattoo, so you switch the sim's skintone with a tattooed one. There are several applications for this mod because it's highly customizable.
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/downl
Sim Boutique Clothing rack
This is an easy to use wardrobe. Although it looks like a shopping rack, it has all the features of wardrobes. You can also do surgery on sims, or summon and gussy up your townies and neighbors easily. I use it to make all the sims in a community lot (i.e. a school) wear a determined uniform.
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/downl
Shop-at-home" Hacked Coat Hook (Recently updated to allow all kinds of clothing to all kinds of sims and creatures)
http://linna.modthesims2.com/download.p
There are TONS of themed clothing at All About Style:
http://www.all-about-style.com/index.ht
SFX Makeup
Freakshow masks
http://www.modthesims2.com/download.p
Honey, I survived - blood splatter masks
http://www.modthesims2.com/download.p
Shaving Cream
http://www.modthesims2.com/download.p
Bruised, Battered and Wounded
http://www.modthesims2.com/download.p
Ten dirty faces, subtle through filthy, simple brown & tan sand
http://www.modthesims2.com/download.p
Tears
http://sim-vention.com/forums/showthrea
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Scenography
Once you have your characters ready, the next step is to build the world in which your story will take place. Or if you're lazy like me, you'll probably download it instead ;).
I suggest you to stick with residential lots if you want your characters to act exactly as what you wrote down your script, because most poseboxes are only available in this kind of lots. On the other hand, if there's room for some randomness in your story, community and vacation lots have the advantage of having random townies show up and act on their own, injecting life to the scene. The choice will depend on your story's particular requirements.
Again, check out our community tags for lots that suit your story's time period and universe, but in the mean time here are some options that were either built specifically for storytelling, or that simply offer interesting surroundings for many kinds of stories.
V1ND1CARE's lots
http://www.modthesims2.com/member.p
These lots are amazing! Not only are they gorgeous, but they have little CC (so the lag is minimal). Here're a few examples of how they look "in action":
Suburban Street
http://linna.modthesims2.com/download.p
Urban Street
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/downl
If you surround this lot with the urban neighborhood deco from Nightlife and Apartment Life, the effect is amazing:
(Replace the cars with the deco ones listed below to avoid the annoying "There's no driveway!" pop ups)
West Wood Square - A Perfect Fully Furnished Movie Making Location Or Apartment
http://linna.modthesims2.com/download.p
Belladonna High School
http://www.digitalperversion.net/garden
65 Piston Lane - Unfurnished Basegame Victorian
http://www.digitalperversion.net/garden
Shadowdale Gardens, Maxis-only cemetery
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/downl
Simtown Racecourse
http://www.thesimsresource.com/download
Booty: http://paysites.mustbedestroyed.org/boo
Parsimonious' Real State
http://www.parsimonious.org/realest
The best fantasy themed lots available. And free!
Here's just a sample of the amazing lots they offer for storytelling:
Forever Forest (this one was created as a set. Surround it with tree neighborhood deco to hide the streets)
http://www.parsimonious.org/realest
Genie's Cloud Temple (Look's great at night!)
http://www.parsimonious.org/realest
Castle Treveux
http://www.parsimonious.org/realest
The Kahjir Elves Oasis
http://www.parsimonious.org/realest
Palace of Versecheine
http://www.parsimonious.org/realest
Gingerbread Cottage
http://www.parsimonious.org/realest
Crooked Woods (looks best at night)
http://www.parsimonious.org/realest
In Action:
Pirate Bay
http://www.parsimonious.org/realest
New Beach Scenery
Do you want to create a beach scene but don't have BV? This could be useful to you
http://www.modthesims2.com/download.p
Egg-House
http://linna.modthesims2.com/download.p
Cave "Pirate Movie"
http://linna.modthesims2.com/download.p
Amsterdamned
http://linna.modthesims2.com/download.p
Castle Le Fay
http://linna.modthesims2.com/download.p
Somewhere Familiar
http://linna.modthesims2.com/download.p
Medieval Marketplace
http://linna.modthesims2.com/download.p
Check out "The Dark Project" from MTS2 for more medieval lots:
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/downl
Farwest Theme at Simsdesign Avenue (Free!)
http://www.sims2.simsdesignavenue.net/E
In Action:
Singin' in the Rain movie set
http://linna.modthesims2.com/download.p
Jasonduskey Scifi Lots and Spaceships (Look best at night and coupled with a space sky changer, listed below).
http://www.modthesims2.com/member.p
In Action:
Shoo Flee Medical Center
http://www.modthesims2.com/download.p
Soo Soo Recording Studio
http://www.modthesims2.com/download.p
American High School
http://www.modthesims2.com/download.p
Medieval Collection (No Custom Content)
http://www.thesimsresource.com/arti
Booty: http://paysites.mustbedestroyed.org/boo
Llamafield Arena
http://www.thesimsresource.com/arti
Booty: http://paysites.mustbedestroyed.org/boo
The Avu - Drive-In Movie Theater
http://www.thesimsresource.com/arti
Booty: http://paysites.mustbedestroyed.org/boo
Nostre Sim - Library, Museum, Coffee Shop
http://www.thesimsresource.com/arti
Booty: http://paysites.mustbedestroyed.org/boo
Lair of the Sea Witch
http://www.thesimsresource.com/arti
Booty: http://paysites.mustbedestroyed.org/boo
Commencement Park
http://www.thesimsresource.com/arti
Booty: http://paysites.mustbedestroyed.org/boo
Lots of Cute CC free urban lots from Gamelia's "Down on Main Street Collection" (FREE)
http://www.thesimsresource.com/memb
Also check out Plasticbox's Backdoor Lane series for more urban themed lots with little to none custom content and a very playable size.
http://www.modthesims2.com/quicksea
I wanted to include Sunni's lots like her Mercy Hospital, Saint Simon Academy, the supermarket and postal office, but she just deleted all her stuff from MTS2 :(
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Neighborhood Deco
Another great way to build the world of your story is by using the Neighborhood deco objects. If you surround your lots with these items and turn the "Neighborhood Deco View" option ON, that odd "stuck in the middle of nowhere" effect will be a thing of the past :).
Neighborhood decorations can be placed anywhere.
Before you get to work with these nifty objects, though, you'll need this amazing hack that'll let you place them even inside your lot, creating several interesting effects.
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/downl
Lot Placement Hack
http://linna.modthesims2.com/download.p
The Universe Part I
http://www.thesimsresource.com/arti
Booty: http://paysites.mustbedestroyed.org/boo
The Universe Part II
http://www.thesimsresource.com/arti
Booty: http://paysites.mustbedestroyed.org/boo
Dubai Buildings
http://www.thesimsresource.com/arti
Booty: http://paysites.mustbedestroyed.org/boo
Burj Dubai - 'Hood deco set
http://www.thesimsresource.com/arti
Booty: http://paysites.mustbedestroyed.org/boo
Taj Mahal
http://www.thesimsresource.com/download
Booty: http://paysites.mustbedestroyed.org/boo
Department Store 2
http://www.thesimsresource.com/download
Department Store
http://www.thesimsresource.com/download
Old Factory
http://www.thesimsresource.com/download
Motel
http://www.thesimsresource.com/download
Joe's Bar
http://www.thesimsresource.com/download
Farm
http://www.thesimsresource.com/download
Medium Sized Skyscrapers
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/downl
Tower (Construction) Cranes
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/downl
Coral Reef for BV
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/downl
Fairytale Neighborhood Object Set
http://linna.modthesims2.com/download.p
The Two Towers
http://linna.modthesims2.com/download.p
Medieval Town Wall
http://linna.modthesims2.com/download.p
Criquette's Amazing Neighborhood Deco
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/member.ph
Some of his creations:
Simple Walkway
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/downl
Ultimate Railway Set
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/downl
Modest Embankment Set
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/downl
Cruise Terminal Set
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/downl
Athletic Fields
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/downl
Regional Airport Set
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/downl
Tram Set
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/downl
Marina Set
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/downl
In game (look at the right side on the back):
Decorative Road Pieces
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/downl
Starbases as Neighborhood Objects
http://www.modthesims2.com/download.p
Planets- A set of Neighborhood objects
http://www.modthesims2.com/download.p
In Action:
Animated Carousel
http://www.modthesims2.com/download.p
More Neighborhood Objects at MTS2:
http://www.modthesims2.com/browse.p
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Sky and Terrain Changers
Krepuscular Skyes Holoprojector
http://nene.modthesims2.com/download.ph
New Weather atmosphere
http://www.modthesims2.com/download.p
Colors in the sky (Recolor of the previous mod by Danicast)
http://www.digitalperversion.net/garden
Space terrain for dirt neighborhoods
http://www.modthesims2.com/download.p
Mars Base Alpha1 (Space Sky)
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/downl
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Ceilings (Pre AL)
Basic "Bottomful Floors" for Easy Popcorn Ceilings
http://www.modthesims2.com/download.p
Visible Ceiling Tiles Version 3.0
http://linna.modthesims2.com/download.p
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Props
Also known as clutter, it provides the final details of your set. For example, if your story takes place in a hospital, you could fill the room with medical clutter like Anatomy posters, medicine bottles, stethoscopes, etc.
Your best source for clutter is the "Junk and Clutter" thread at Garden of Shadows (updated frequently)
http://www.digitalperversion.net/garden
229 ingame Maxis objects in collection files
(It doesn't work with BV and up, sadly)
http://www.modthesims2.com/download.p
Buy Mode, Redone!
Amazing mod that lets you find the in-game clutter easily.
http://linna.modthesims2.com/download.p
Jix's Prop Attachment Hack:
http://simtacular.com/blog/?p=57
Related to the Prop Hack: Vampcat's Holdable Weapons
http://www.sims2workshop.com/viewfo
Alcohol Replacement
http://engram-au.livejournal.com/23
Hot Air Balloons
http://www.parsimonious.org/furnitu
Altar of the Elements
http://www.parsimonious.org/furnitu
Panacea
http://www.parsimonious.org/furnitu
Evil Witch Potion
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/downl
Good Witch/Warlock Potion
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/downl
(Although I already mentioned the Sim Transformer as a way to quickly transform your sims into supernatural creatures, perhaps all these potions could work if your story includes a transformation sequence. Or perhaps they were poisoned? )
Buyable Freetime Genie Lamp
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/downl
Genies Lanterns
http://www.parsimonious.org/furnitu
(If you don't have Free Time but still want to include Genies in your story)
Buyable Roaches
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/downl
(Fastest way to get a filthy lot, or if you need your sims to get sick with the flu)
Scene Prop: Railway Carriage Interior
http://beosboxboy.blogspot.com/2009/0
(No Picture)
Railway Section
http://www.thesimsresource.com/arti
Booty: http://paysites.mustbedestroyed.org/boo
Vocational Training
The Vocational Training Controller will allow a playable sim or their employees to train other sims in skills or badges.
http://208.109.175.73/vocational-traini
(This object was created for OFB, but you could use it to set a believable classroom scene)
Buyable VooDoo Doll
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/downl
(Let your character torture their enemies without going on vacation first)
Vacation Souvenirs Buyable Everywhere (Including Fix for Missing OFB functions)
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/downl
Floating Pirate Ship
http://www.thesimsresource.com/arti
(This one is a miniature, but you could use it for an exterior shot of your character's pirate ship)
Chance Encounter Bus Shelter
http://www.thesimsresource.com/arti
Molly Wood Motion Camera
http://www.thesimsresource.com/arti
Booty: http://paysites.mustbedestroyed.org/boo
Buyable Vehicles / No Moveobjects needed for Cars *Updated for EP*
http://www.modthesims2.com/download.p
Buyable wishing well
http://www.modthesims2.com/download.p
Buyable Sim Vac Aspiration Reward
http://www.modthesims2.com/download.p
Buyable Witch Lighting
http://www.modthesims2.com/download.p
Buyable Money Bag
http://www.modthesims2.com/download.p
Buyable Enigmatic Energizer
http://www.modthesims2.com/download.p
(A must-have for any respectable mad scientist in your stories ;) )
OFB Craftable Toys in Proper Catalogs
http://www.modthesims2.com/download.p
Alice in Wonderland: Caterpillar's Forest
http://linna.modthesims2.com/download.p
(It's amazing for fantasy stories)
Retro Microphones, Usable with Skill Building plus a decorative Mic for tables
http://www.modthesims2.com/download.p
Photography Backdrop - now with camera
http://www.modthesims2.com/download.p
(I've read that the backdrop conflict with other CC, so be careful when using it)
White background (like the one used in this picture)
http://www.mediafire.com/?jokz2otnt
A great tutorial on how to use it is found here (by Oepu):
http://maxistraum.forumieren.de/tipps-t
Photostudio Background (Several Colors)
http://www.insimenator.org/index.php/to
Rose Sims Magic Props and Accessories (Lots of stuff)
http://rosesims2.net/sims2/magic/sims2m
These accessories are insanely useful with some of the posing boxes listed in the next part of this week's finds.
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CLICK HERE TO GO TO PART 2
March 10 2009, 20:17:51 UTC 3 years ago
March 11 2009, 01:50:18 UTC 3 years ago
November 10 2009, 18:54:31 UTC 2 years ago