Neighborly Sims 3

How to make cloned custom paintings using GIMP

GIMP is a powerful picture editing tool that is available free on the internet.
It has always been very useful for making Sims custom content and Sims 3 is no exception.
However you can use any good picture editing programme as long as you have the right plugins.
But for this tutorial I will only be using GIMP.

Before we begin make sure you have several things:
1 - GIMP
2 - GIMP DDS Plugin
3 - s3oc Cloner
4 - s3pe Package Editor
5 - DDS Thumbnail Viewer(install DDS Viewer in: C:\Program Files)
6 - The Resource.cfg file (install Resource.cfg in: C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3)

Now follow this 10 Step Process to create your own paintings using Maxis frames:
(I promise it's NOT as hard or as long as it looks)

Step 1:
Choose a Picture you want to use.
Right click on it and choose "Edit with GIMP"
Once it is open move on to step 2

Step 2:
Open s3oc Cloner.
Click on "Settings"
Click on "Sims3 Installation Folder"


Choose where your sims 3 folder is located
This is usually C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 for windows users
Click OK


Step 3:
Click on Settings
Click on Creator Name


Enter the name you are known as within the Sims Community
This will be used as a prefix to all the packages you create in Cloner.
Click OK


Step 4:
click on "View"
Click on "Detailed List"
This will enable you to find the paintings quicker


Step 5:
Click on "File"
Click on New (clone) (Legacy)...


Scroll down until you find the Paintings section.
Choose a frame that will suit your chosen picture the best.
In this instance I have chosen PaintingModern for it's shape.
Once you have chosen a frame click on "Clone or Fix..."


Create a unique name for your painting
I decided on PaintingAngel.


Click Start and you'll be prompted to save your package
I suggest creating a unique folder on the desktop for it and saving it there for ease.


When s3oc has finished cloning you will see this screen:

It is then safe to click "ok" and close S3oc

Step 6:
Open s3pe
Click on "File"
Click on "Open..."


Locate the package you just created and click on "Open"


Note: Ensure that the tick boxes titled "Display" & "Tags" are ticked at the bottom of the screen
You may also want to tick "Sort" to make it easier to find what you are looking for
Look at the Files tagged _IMG
You are trying to locate the one which has the orginal picture in it.
It will usually, but not always, be the one named e.g paintingModern_o_(random number)


To double check click on Viewer (at the bottom of the screen)
Untick "Alpha"
Scroll down and if you see the original Maxis image then you have found the right file.
Then close the ViewDDS window.
And highlight the correct file by clicking on it again.


Click on "Resource"
Choose "Export"
Choose "To File"


Save the exported DDS image in the same folder as the package you created
Do NOT rename it. Leave it with the name it has.

Now close s3pe.

Step 7:
In GIMP open the DDS image that you just saved.
To do this:
Click on "File"
Click on "Open.."


Locate the DDS Image and click on it
Click "Open"


When the "Load DDS" window comes up:
Untick "Load mipmaps"
Click "OK"


Using the rectangle select tool (top left of Toolbox)
Highlight the picture area of the DDS image
Notice that in the Toolbox where it say's Size you now have the size of the image you need (in this case 188x262)


Click on the already open image that you have chosen to use
Click on "Image"
Click on "Scale Image"


Break the chain symbol by clicking on it. (this stops automatic resizing which is essential in this process)
Enter the dimensions that you need to change the image too
Join the chain symbol by clicking on it again (this will keep the dimensions you have chosen)
Click on Scale


Your image should now be the correct size.
Press Ctrl+A followed by Ctrl+c to copy it


Click on the DDS Image
Press Ctrl+v to paste your image over the original one.
Click anywhere else on the image to get rid of dotted lines around the picture.
Click on "File"
Click on "Save As..."


Highlight the orignal DDS Image and Click Save
You will get a warning asking "Do you want to Replace it"
click "Replace"


The "Save As DDS" window will pop up.
Where it says Compression choose DXT5 for pictures with frames or DXT1 for pictures without frames.
Then click OK


Next you have to create a thumbnail sized picture for the game catalogue.
To do this first resize your original chosen image.
Use "Image"/ "Scale Image" but do NOT break the chain icon this time.
Make sure that the dimensions do not exceed 128 pixels either in width or height.


Once you have resized your picture create a new image
Click "File"
Click "New"
Enter the dimensions 128 for Width and 128 for height
Click on Advanced Options and choose "Fill With:" "Transparency"
Click OK


Now copy and paste your resized original image into the new thumbnail template.
Click anywhere else on the image to get rid of the dotted lines around the picture
Click on "File"
Click on "Save As..."


Name it PNG24
Click on "Select File Type" (at the bottom of the screen)
Choose "PNG image"
I advise saving in the same place as the package and DDS Image.
Click Save

It is now safe to close GIMP

Step 8:
Open s3pe
click "File"
Click "Open..."
Locate the package you created earlier
Click "Open"


Find the original _IMG file with the Maxis picure
Use the "Viewer" again if you are unsure which one it is.
Once you have located it keep it hightlighted.
Click "Resource"
Choose "Import"
Choose "From File"


Located the DDS image that you edited.
Click "Open"


The "Resource Details" window will come up
Do NOT change anything
Click OK


Your image will now have replaced the original one signified by the original having a line through it.
Your image is now at the bottom of the list
Click "File"
Click "Save as..."


Highlight the package to save over it.
Click "Save"
When the warning window comes up click"Yes"

It is now safe to close s3pe

Step 9:
Open S3oc
Click on "File"
Click on "Open (Fix)...


Locate your package
Click on "Open"


Once it has loaded click on "Clone or Fix..."


Click on "Replace..."


Select your PNG24 Thumbnail and click "Open"


Edit the Catalogue Name, Catalogue Decription and Price
Tick the box "Copy English to all Languages"
When you are happy with your edits click "Start"


Once you see the screen below, your package is complete and you can close s3oc:


Step 10:
Place a copy of your new package in the following directory:
C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Mods\Packages

Start the Sims 3
Go into an active lot
Find your painting in the catalogue
Place on your Sims wall


Congratulations you have created your own painting!

Now you can play or upload your package to your site

be sure to paste the instructions below with it if you upload:
How To Install Package files….
* If you are using MTS’ monkey installer, just double click. It will automatically install to the correct directory.
* If you are NOT using the monkey installer, place the files in:
C:ProgramFiles/ElectronicArts/TheSims3/Mods/Packages
* Make sure you have the Resource.cfg file installed to your main Sims 3 folder.
Without it, new objects will not show up in your game.

I hope you found this tutorial useful and that you create some pretty paintings for the game!

My thanks go to Peter Jones for s3oc & s3pe and to Xanathon for the original Cloned Painting tutorial.

If you wish to download the painting made in this tutorial please click the file below:
[attachment=287]

Let me know what you guys think!

Wow Kat you've done a great job on this!! Well done!!

I'm definitely going to be doing this, just as soon as I have time!!! Thank you SO much, Kat!

Thanks you two!
Linda, can't wait to see what you come up with.

Wow Kat, thats awesome!

Thanks Suze!

Hope you make something with it - I think you use GIMP too don't you?

Wow Kat that looks like a fabulous tutorial it looks complicated or maybe there's just so many steps to follow, Thanks for sharing it here.

Thanks Wendy - it's not complicated - I just broke it down into the smallest possible chunks so that people who have little understanding of GIMP and modding can follow it.

I did that as I know it's the kind of tute I needed when I learnt - the original one was quite hard to follow!

You did a terrific job, Kat.

Just letting everyone know that Peter Jones has made some small updates to both:
s3oc Cloner & s3pe Package Editor.

It's always best to use the most up to date versions - see top of page for links.

Edit on 15th September 2009.
Added a note on Step 6 to make it known that certain boxes have to be ticked so you see what you should be seeing.
Flagged up to me by first timer SusieB.
Thank you Susie.

Thanks for being so conscientious, Kat. That makes it a lot easier for someone like me who is GOING to do this...one of these days!

I followed along in the tutorial getting stuck first at exporting the file in S3Pe export is now under Resource not File if anyone else has that problem.

However, Gimp won't open the file so stuck there now it says it can't read the DDS format. I know you mentioned the DDS plug in. I downloaded that and don't know if it is installed correctly. I am running Vista 64 bit which doesn't make things as easy as it was with WinXP or even Vista 32. I am extracting the plugin to the GIMP Plugin folder which should do the job I would think but it's not working. :(

Hi sim knome it does sound like the dds file is the crux of the issue.
Are you running the most up to date version of Gimp?
I ask that as it should be working if you have.
Also you must open the dds file from within Gimp not the file itself as I know this will not work.
Sounds like I need to make some changes to the tut again since the sim pe update too. Thanks for the heads up.
As for vista I'm unsure as I've never used it.
Maybe someone at the mts forum might have a better idea.

I am sorry I can't help out SimGnome...I have not done any of these yet.

It looks like a great tute kat, thank you...will have to try and do this, it's next on my long to do list.

It was a problem with the Gimp plugin installer a german gentleman in a gaming forum got it all sorted for me. Such a good lad he was. My first painting is now up on my blog and you can offer it here too if you like as it is fileshare friendly and can be used in shared houses. I credited this tutorial which was very well done and easy to follow once the plugin nightmare was over. Thanks again Kat!