Martine's Blog

Taking a break - again!

2011-12-16T23:55:00.001+01:00

I'm posting to announce a period of inactivity, instead of disappearing into the nether as I usually tend to do. I've been extremely busy with school (exams this year, applying for university etcetera) - and I simply can't find the time to play. Let alone troubleshoot, keep my downloads updated and organized, survive patches of doom; all the activities that somehow altogether seems to take up much more time than the actual playing of the game.

Today I tried to patch my game from 1.26 to 1.29 and miserably failed despite numerous tries. At the moment just the idea of having to reinstall everything, just to be able to get some crappy patch to work is rather demoralizing (in-game store advertisements - that's a new low!). I hope to get a new laptop in a couple of months time, hopefully by then I will want to jump back in right away!

See you all soon!

Upload: Arkham CAW Files

2011-12-06T21:11:00.003+01:00

As promised, here are the CAW files for my world Arkham. Just put them in the Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 3 Create A World Tool > UserToolData > Worlds folder.

Please do not upload the original or modified files anywhere else.

Troubleshooting - If you edit and save Arkham in CAW, without importing the Bridgeport resources again, you will probably encounter funny looking skies when you load the world in your game or when using the EIG option in CAW. To fix this, use sp3e to import the following resources into the world file: download resources.

Download

Simsecret and uploads

2011-11-30T11:15:00.000+01:00

First of all - a huge thanks to the anon who posted this simsecret a few days back! I don't visit Simsecret very often because of all the hate going on there, but seeing this was a very pleasant surprise!

And I'm also posting this to let you all know I will be uploading the CAW files for Arkham next week, the bistro and internet cafe lots, including custom content, will also be available soon.

Arkham: French bistro

2011-11-24T11:34:00.002+01:00

Thank you Sandy for the inspiration and the amazing bistro set!

More pictures after the jump!

Arkham: Bookstore and internet cafe

2011-11-18T19:26:00.001+01:00

Arkham's first community lot!

More pictures after the jump!

My plan for Arkham

2011-11-14T02:33:00.003+01:00

City Hall (lot assigned by rabbit hole object)
Plaza (lot assignment: big park)
Art gallery and national history museum (lot assignment: art gallery)
Library (lot assignment: library)
Farm, forest, campground and equestrian center (lot assignment: horse ranch)
Cemetery (lot assignment: graveyard)
Chapel (lot assignment: big park)
Fancy restaurant and opera (lot assignment: exclusive lounge)
Theater (lot assigned by rabbit hole object)
Jazz lounge (lot assignment: exclusive lounge)
Shops (lot assignment: market)
'Antiques' store (lot assignment: consignment store)
Shops (lot assignment: market)
Bookstore and internet cafe (lot assignment: hangout)
Salon with tattoo parlour (lot assignment: salon)
French bistro (lot assigned by rabbit hole object)
Fire station (lot assignment: fire station)
Police station (lot assigned by rabbit hole object)
School (lot assigned by rabbit hole object)
Sport field (lot assigned by rabbit hole object)
Pub (lot assignment: local watering hole)
Laundromat(lot assignment: laundromat)
Pet store (lot assignment: visitors allowed)
Spa, pool, gym and dojo (lot assignment: pool)
Hospital (lot assigned by rabbit hole object)
Beach (lot assignment: beach)
Rock bar with stage (lot assignment: dance club)
Strip joint (lot assignment: dive bar)
Grungy playground (lot assignment: visitors allowed)
Diner (lot assigned by rabbit hole object)
Motel (lot assignment: hangout)
Movie studio (lot assigned by rabbit hole object)
Criminal warehouse (lot assigned by rabbit hole object)
Construction site (lot assignment: junkyard)
Parking lot (lot assignment: hidden tomb)
Science center (lot assigned by rabbit hole object)
Airport (lot assignment: visitors allowed)
Offices (lot assigned by rabbit hole object)

Upload: Arkham

2011-11-13T22:39:00.008+01:00

I present to you: Arkham! This island world was inspired by, and named after, H.P. Lovecraft's mysterious Arkham city, which is the backdrop for many of his stories.

This Sims version of Arkham is a city world, divided into 3 main parts; an uptown area, a grungy industrial area and a small island. There are 61 empty lots in total, 39 community lots and 22 residential lots. The lot assignments can easily be changed in-game of course. All street names are inspired by my favorite authors, as the map below illustrates.

Click to enlarge!

Please read these points carefully before you decide to install this world:

The following EP's, as well as the latest patch, are required: WA, AMB, LN and PETS.
I have used a few pieces of custom content (the ferry, airport, plane etc.), they are included in a separate folder in the zip file. You can install these package files just as you would install any other normal package custom content. See below for credit.
I have placed 3 rabbit holes in this world (the city hall, a science center and the criminal warehouse). These rabbit hole objects should not be (re)moved, because I have placed matching effects in CAW directly above these buildings (birds flying from the roof of the city hall and smoke coming out of the warehouse and science center chimneys). Because these effects are not on the lot, but in the world itself, it would look rather funny if you removed the building (random smoke and birds floating in the sky!).
There are various spawners included in this world, but not all of them (I did not include any gems or rocks). You will have to place the remaining spawners on lots, should you need them. These spawners are included: Ocean fish (common 1, common 2, uncommon 1, uncommon 2 and rare), Butterflies (low 1, low 2, medium 1, medium 2, high 1, high 2, epic and moths), Beetles (ladybugs, lightning bugs and roaches), Will-O'-The-Wisp, Sea Sludge, Spider and Termite. Wild life and strays should spawn regardless of any placed spawners, unless you have a mod that prevents them from spawning.
Because this world is tagged as a city, you will hear the city sound effects and you will see numerous taxi's driving by. Sometimes taxi's can get stuck, this is an EA problem, rather than caused by my world. To prevent this and to manage taxi spawning frequencies you can download Twallan's Overwatch and Traffic mods.
I recommend making a backup of your important folders (most importantly, the DCCache folder) before installing this world. To uninstall this world, clean out the WorldCaches folder, remove the sims3pack from your downloads folder, remove the .world file from your InstalledWorlds folder and replace the DCCache folder with your backed up DCCache folder. This should completely remove it from your game.
This world uses Bridgeport's weather, water and sky resources.
For now this world will be released with empty lots. Because I initially made this world as a 'sandbox' for all the ideas I had for community lots and houses, some of the lot sizes will be particularly made to fit the idea I have for that lot, which may not be perfect for everyone.
To see which lots I have planned for this world, and to get a better idea of the layout, take a look at this post.

Now, on to the fun part - picture spam!

Click below for many, many more pictures - and of course the download!

Download here!

Update 6/12: You can download the CAW files here if you want to make modifications.

Credit and thanks:

- Moria: for his wonderful conversions of Criquette's airport and ferry sets.

- Emmies: for her Bridgeport textures.

- Mod The Sims for all the excellent tutorials and resources.

- The members of The Sims Daily, for putting up with 2 months worth of CAW drama! Special thanks to the play testers (Webby, Erica, Dee!) and Rachel, fellow CAW-ster, for all the good advice!

I hope you will all enjoy this world, please leave a comment below if you come across any bugs, and now excuse me while I'm finally off to play!

Arkham Preview

2011-11-11T23:53:00.000+01:00

More coming very soon!

CAW Update

2011-11-07T11:43:00.002+01:00

Sorry for the lack of recent updates! I've been working hard on my (still nameless) CAW project. It is however quite close to being finished, so expect to see more soon. Here's a sneak preview!

For more information and progress pictures you can visit this thread at The Sims Daily.

Autumn Park

2011-10-10T13:48:00.000+02:00

More pictures after the jump!

Challenges

2011-10-04T21:44:00.001+02:00

A few pictures I took for the Design Me and Style My Sim challenges at The Sims Daily.

More pictures after the jump!

Create-a-World

2011-10-01T13:30:00.001+02:00

A new month - a new project! I've decided to fire up the CAW tool again and make the city I've always wanted.

Planned features:

- Medium map

- Island shape with mountains

- Urban area with mostly high rise buildings

- Main street with shops

- Suburban area

- Style: New York, grungy yet fitting the TS3 style

Some interesting community lots I have planned:

- Natural History Museum

- Prison

- Abandoned Lighthouse

- Cemetery with Haunted House

- Clinic and Maternity Ward

- Various Offices (Newspaper, Architect, Private Investigator, Ghost Hunter)

- Internet Cafe

- Tea Room

- Jazz Bar

- French Bistro

- Motel/Brothel

- Construction Site

- Forest with Campsite

- Indoor Tropical Pool

No pictures yet - but more info coming soon!

The Sims Daily

2011-09-19T23:44:00.000+02:00

A little advertising for my new favorite forum!

''We'd like to cordially invite any and all sim players who love to chat about the game, post pictures, tell stories and generally share absolutely everything they do with their games… to come along to The Sims Daily forum, and join in!
We're an incredibly informal group of people, so you won't find too much in the way of rules and regulations - just somewhere comfy to pull up a chair and share your love of the Sims, with like minded people.
The forum caters to Sims 2, Sims 3 and Sims Medieval… and we even have a pub… The Dog and Duck, where you can chat about your real lives whilst sipping a *virtual* glass of wine or pint of Guiness, whatever suits your fancy (of course, we have no clue if you're actually imbibing and typing (or attempting to) at the same time, so dig out!).
We're just starting out, so come join in the fun and help to make our forum, your forum!''

Townhouse: Bathroom

2011-09-18T15:50:00.000+02:00

More pictures after the jump!

Townhouse: Bedroom

2011-09-17T20:37:00.004+02:00

More pictures after the jump!

Townhouse: Kitchen

2011-09-17T20:34:00.000+02:00

More pictures after the jump!

Out of bandwidth

2011-09-16T20:13:00.002+02:00

It has come to my attention that my Box account has apparently run out of bandwidth. I will be transferring all files to Mediafire soon, and will edit this post when all links are updated.

Sorry for the inconvenience!

Update: All links (except for the archive links) have been updated. I have also left the Box links in place, because the bandwidth should be reset every month.

Random clutter shot!

Townhouse: Living room

2011-09-15T19:19:00.003+02:00

Slowly making progress with the townhouse interior. Next project: the kitchen.

More pictures after the jump!

Townhouse: Nursery for twins

2011-09-14T19:59:00.002+02:00

A little nursery I just decorated, aren't these murals by Pilar adorable? This was also my entry for the 'Outside In' Challenge over at LivingSims, and I used this as my inspiration picture.

More pictures after the jump!

Upload: Townhouse (unfurnished)

2011-09-11T19:08:00.006+02:00

And here is the unfurnished version of my townhouse (was that quick or what?)! You can place this house on any lot sized 20x20 or bigger.

You can view all the preview pictures here.

Required:

Store items:

Store: Little Lovers Bench (included in Hidden Springs)*
Store: No Frills Bike Rack*
Store: Faire Vine Wall Sculpture*
Store: Johan Door*

3rd Party Custom Content:

All 3rd party custom content can be downloaded below in package form. It's one folder categorized into buy mode, build mode and patterns. There is one sims3pack brick pattern which I recommend you install via the launcher. Please check if you have any of the custom content installed already, so you don't get conflicting files.

Expansions/stuff packs:

Generations
Outdoor Living Stuff
Late Night
Ambitions
World Adventures

Notes (important!):

I think I have included the majority of the patterns used, but as they are almost impossible to track down, it's very likely some have been left out. If you find something that doesn't look quite right, post a comment below and I will try to update the custom content zip.
If you come across any problems (in-game as well as here; missing objects, broken links, routing issues), please post a comment below.
* All store items can be found here. Register first to access the store section.

Download Lot - Box
Download Lot - Mediafire

Download Custom Content - Box
Download Custom Content - Mediafire

Townhouse

2011-09-11T11:17:00.003+02:00

Hello! First of all a little announcement, I just reached a 100 followers so a big thank you to you all! I know my updates have never been very consistent but hopefully I will keep it up this time!

Anyway, this is a house I've just created (and actually built myself as well, I know it's not the most complicated shape but still), slightly inspired by Georgian townhouses, with just a touch of decay. So far the entire exterior is finished (backyard, landscaping etcetera), so now I can move on to the best part, furnishing the house.

As you can see this post is also labelled as preview, so that means this house will soon be uploaded. I will upload both an unfurnished (for those who do not like to download a crapload of custom content) and a furnished version. The furnished version won't be ready for a little while, as I'm actually playing this house as well (without using cheats).

I also wanted to say that I won't be uploading my Japanese house, I played it for a little while, and got very frustrated with all the routing issues and confined spaces. When my sim threw a bachelorette party the strippers actually had to dance outside on the pavement because there wasn't enough room inside! Awkward.

Anyway, hope you enjoy the pictures, and if you have any WCIF's leave a comment below!

More pictures after the jump!

Update: The townhouse has been uploaded.

Upload: Kimiko Nakamura

2011-09-07T18:31:00.006+02:00

Name: Kimiko Nakamura
Age: Young Adult

Custom content

Town Life Stuff Pack (full outfit)
Bountiful Beret (Store hairstyle)*
Increased sliders (x3)
M.Calero's Mandarin skin (non-default)
Escand's Oh My Eyes
HystericalParoxysm's Under Your Brows
Tamo's Super Sheer Lipstick

* All store items can be found here. Register first to access the store section.

Download - Box
Download - Mediafire

Japanese home

2011-09-06T22:54:00.004+02:00

Just finished the rest of the Japanese house. It has a medium sized bedroom, a small living room, a bathroom and a kitchen. You can view the home office here. If you have any WCIF's post them below!

More pictures after the jump!

Back in business

2011-09-05T12:47:00.009+02:00

Back from the dead - yet again!
Lately I've been working on decorating this Japanese style apartment by Ritsuka, so far I have completed the private investigator home office, which you can see below.

I've have also completely redone the custom content management tutorial, which explains how to merge your package files in easy steps with pictures.

The My Favorites section has been updated with a few of my favorite sites and creators, as well as the defaults I use for my sims.

Preparing for Generations

2011-05-16T12:38:00.000+02:00

This is a large-ish family house I'm currently decorating, located in Awesims' gorgeous Queenstown. The building itself is a modification of 'The Champignon' by Beatdoc16. Play here or click on the slideshow to view the images in my Picasa album.

Post any WCIF's in the comments section and I'll get back to you ASAP.

City Apartment Round 3

2011-05-01T16:54:00.001+02:00

Back after a couple months break with a new apartment, this time a little less grungy and heavily inspired by Awesims' gorgeous Mid-Century furniture. For now no new uploads, but I will be updating the custom content management tutorial and favorites section soon(tm).

City Apartment Round 2

2010-12-31T00:12:00.001+01:00

I've started on a second apartment, located directly opposite Vinny's Diner, sharing both its street name and grungy style. So far only the exterior and public areas are finished. Play here or click on the slideshow to view the images in my Picasa album.

City Apartment Additional Rooms

2010-12-29T17:06:00.001+01:00

I've added an art room and a bed- and bathroom to my self sim's apartment, play here or click on the slideshow to view the images in my Picasa album.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T19:35:00.001+01:00

I wish you all a wonderful holiday season filled with lots of snow and presents, and a happy, healthy 2011!

Upload: Winter Cabin

2010-12-12T02:06:00.004+01:00

A cozy winter cabin where your sims can celebrate Christmas, away from all the daily bustle and modern madness. This cabin was designed with Bridgeport's 64 Applewood Lane in mind, but you can also place it on another 44x34 sized lot.

You can view all preview pictures here.

Required:

Store items:

Store: Riverview* (I used some of Riverview's items, which cannot be downloaded separately)
Store: Desert Designs Coffee Table*
Store: Desert Designs Sofa*
Store: Cast Iron Skillet Wall Sculpture*
Store: Tree Saw Wall Sculpture*
Store: Rough Rodeo Table Sculpture*
Store: River Rock Fireplace*
Store: Bearly On Time Clock*
Store: Weezul's Wicker Chair*
Store: Winter Wall Wreath*
Store: Winter Wall Garland*
Store: Faire Folk Bird House*
Store: Magical Faire Door*
Store: The Benet Phonograph*
Store: Country Carved Dining Chair*
Store: Johan Door Plus*
Store: Johan Arch Plus*
Store: Pastoral Practical Kitchen Shelf*
Store: B. Harvard's Water Collection Set*
Store: Pump-Less Waterwork Sink*
Store: Romantique Telephone Table*
Store: Woven Wicker Trunk*
Store: Bayside Hamper*

3rd Party Custom Content:

OMSP Set by Mango
OPH Set by sims_reality (Read the instructions carefully!)
Invisible Lights Set by Land Of WOE
Important: All other custom content (store content excluded) can be downloaded separately below in package format. You can just delete the files you don't want, so you won't install any unwanted or double content. For instructions on how to install these files, see my Custom Content Management tutorial.

Expansions/stuff packs:

Late Night
Ambitions
World Adventures

Notes (important!):

I think I was able to find most of the patterns I used, but if you find something that doesn't look quite right, post a comment below and I will try to update the custom content zip.
If you come across any problems (in-game as well as here; missing objects, broken links, routing issues), please post a comment below.
* All store and promo items can be found here. Register first to access the store section.

Download Lot - Box
Download Lot - Mediafire

Download Custom Content - Mediafire

Winter Cabin

2010-12-11T23:34:00.005+01:00

A cozy little winter cabin, play here or click the slideshow to view the images in my Picasa album.

Update: The cabin has been uploaded.

Upload: Vinny's Diner

2010-12-01T23:07:00.006+01:00

Is your Sim city a little too clean and perfect? In need of more grunge, tacky decor, greasy snacks or perhaps some murdered hobos? Then send your sims on the perfect night out to Vinny's Diner and let them experience all the joys of cheap urban dining! This building is intended to be placed on a 25x20 sized lot.

You can view all preview pictures here.

Required:

Store items:

3rd Party Custom Content:

OMSP Set by Mango
OPH Set by sims_reality (Read the instructions carefully!)
MOD: Cars for Community Lots by Winterhart (I'm not entirely sure if this is required for the decorative parked cars to show up, so only download if you're having problems with this)
Important: All other custom content (store content excluded) can be downloaded separately below in package format. You can just delete the files you don't want, so you won't install any unwanted or double content. For instructions on how to install these files, see my Custom Content Management tutorial.

Expansions/stuff packs:

Late Night
Ambitions

Notes (important!):

Still the #1 issue: patterns. I've tried to hunt down all the patterns I used, but unfortunately I could not find most of them. Please post a comment below to let me know what exactly isn't showing up, and I will try to update the custom content zip.
The booth sections cannot be used, because EA was stupid enough to make these function like normal chairs instead of sectional dining chairs, like the TS2 version. However, sims can sit at the bar to eat and drink.
If you come accros any problems (in-game as well as here; missing objects, broken links, routing issues), please post a comment below.
* All store and promo items can be found here. Register first to access the store section.

Download Lot - Box
Download Lot - Mediafire

Download Custom Content - Mediafire

Vinny's Diner

2010-11-30T00:48:00.006+01:00

A grungy little diner I made for Bridgeport, which I might upload soon. Depends on how much time I have to sort all the CC and such. Play here or click on the slideshow to view the images in my Picasa album.

Update: Vinny's Diner has been uploaded.

A little early..

2010-11-11T14:53:00.005+01:00

A Christmas themed room I made for a challenge over at Living Sims. I love the holiday season :)

Upload: St. Nikolai Chapel

2010-11-09T13:45:00.013+01:00

Do your sinful Bridgeport citizens need a place to right their wrongs? A safe spot to hide from those pesky vampires? Or maybe just a charming wedding location? Then St. Nikolai Chapel is the lot for you, designed to be placed across Bridgeport's graveyard, overlooking the city on a hill (40x40 lot size). I've tagged the lot as a big park, so the chapel can be rented for wedding parties as well.

You can view all preview pictures here.

Required:

Store items:

3rd Party custom content:

Church set by ATS3 (I did not use the following items from this set: Organ, Aspersorium, Stoup, Font, Louvre, Stained Glass Window, Clock)
Paintings from my religious set
Curtain set by Indigo (scroll down - 2nd to last set)
Tulips by Apple@TSR (free)
Clock Tower Build Set by Cyclonesue@TSR (free)

Expansions/stuff packs:

Late Night
Ambitions
World Adventures

Notes (important!):

I basically have no way of checking which patterns I use (I try to use EA ones if possible), if you see any textures that look out of place, please let me know.
If you come across any problems (in-game as well as here; missing objects, broken links, routing issues), please post a comment below.
* All store and promo items can be found here. Register first to access the store section.

Download - Box
Download - Mediafire

Many thanks to Sandy (ATS3), without your gorgeous set I could not have made this lot!

St. Nikolai Chapel

2010-11-08T01:50:00.008+01:00

A small chapel I created this weekend for Bridgeport. It goes on a 40x40 sized lot across the graveyard, overlooking the city. Play here or click the slideshow to the images in my Picasa album.

Update: St. Nikolai Chapel has been uploaded.

Upload: Club Noir

2010-11-01T18:54:00.016+01:00

I present to you: my first TS3 lot upload! This makeover of Bridgeport's exclusive lounge The Prosper Room features a modern, classy interior where your sims can unwind and meet the hottest stars in town. Enjoy an exotic meal, schmooze with the celebrities, dance the night away or simply admire the magnificent view...

You can view all preview pictures here.

Required:

Store items:

Store: BahHaus Window*
Store: La-Di-Da Windows by BahHaus*
Store: Potted Bamboo Glory*
Store: Pinapple Pottery*
Store: Haute Hip Panther Sculpture*
Store: Flame*
Store: Ultra Modern*
Store: Portable Platter*
Store: Napkin Sculpture*
Store: Turn the Tables*
Store: Ultra Lounge Trash Can*
Store: Fame in a Frame (LN registration reward)*
Promo: Larry Award Statue (Dr Pepper promo)*
Promo: Golden Record (Dr Pepper promo)*
Promo: Starlet's Autograph (Dr Pepper promo)*

3rd Party custom content:

Bali Divider Curtain by Vicarious Living
Cushion Set by Awesims
Wine Glass by ATS3
D Dining Chair by Desdren
Breuer Living Room Vase 2 by Desdren
Dining Ware by cmomoney
Rose in Glass by ExoticElements
OMSP Set by Mango
Vending Machine by Cyclonesue@TSR (pay)**

Expansions/stuff packs:

Late Night
Ambitions
High End Loft Stuff

Notes (important!):

As far as I know, I've used EA patterns only. As there is basically no way of checking, I could have used some patterns from World Adventures or 3rd party CC sites, if you see any textures that look out of place, please let me know.
If you come across any problems (in-game as well as here; missing objects, broken links, routing issues), please post a comment below.
* All store and promo items can be found here. Register first to access the store section.
** Pay items used in this lot can be found here.

Download - Box
Download - Mediafire

Club Noir

2010-10-31T20:21:00.003+01:00

This is a makeover of The Prosper Lounge in Bridgeport, which I will be putting up for download later this week (it contains minimal CC). Play here or click on the slideshow to view the images in my Picasa album.

Update: Club Noir has been uploaded.

City Apartment

2010-10-29T00:57:00.009+02:00

My first Late Night aparment! Play here or click on the slideshow to view the images in my Picasa album.

Upload: Standing Paintings

2010-10-23T02:15:00.004+02:00

Image credit: Ashley G and Klimt
Mesh credit: Itty Bitty Duo Desk Paintings and Black Apple Desk Painting by Sweet Ambrosia

Download (package) - Box

Download (sims3pack) - Box

Download (package) - Mediafire

Download (sims3pack) - Mediafire

p.s. Happy 21st birthday to meee!

Reopening

2010-10-16T00:16:00.011+02:00

Welcome to my TS3 blog, version 2.0. After a rather long break from simming (summer holiday, school etc. etc.) I'm back with a fresh layout and a new upload (Matte Stephens prints). You can find my old uploads here. I have also added a custom content management tutorial, which explains how to create merged packages and how to keep your downloads organized.

Have fun and thanks for stopping by!

Upload: Matte Stephens prints

2010-10-16T00:07:00.010+02:00

Image credit: Matte Stephens
Mesh credit: tamo's TS3 conversion of Bon Voyage/Free Time posters

Download (package) - Box

Download (sims3pack) - Box

Download (package) - Mediafire

Download (sims3pack) - Mediafire

Archive: Uploads

2010-10-12T22:59:00.015+02:00

I decided to make a fresh start with this new layout but also wanted to keep my old uploads available. This is a list of all the items I have created, with previews and download links. A lot of these files were corrupted and have been fixed with Delphy's Dashboard tool. The upcoming uploads will be available in both package and sims3pack format.