Difference between revisions of "Tutorial:Sims 3 XML Tuning Modding"

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(You Will Need:)
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* '''The basic modding framework file, d3dx9_31.dll'''.  If you have installed Delphy's [http://www.modthesims.info/d/344611 Helper Monkey] then you already have it.  If you prefer a more manual install, you can get it from [http://www.moreawesomethanyou.com/smf/index.php/topic,15184.0.html Pescado at MATY].  If you do the manual install, make sure to read the instructions.  You will need this file if you want to use your own mods, or mods made by others.
 
* '''The basic modding framework file, d3dx9_31.dll'''.  If you have installed Delphy's [http://www.modthesims.info/d/344611 Helper Monkey] then you already have it.  If you prefer a more manual install, you can get it from [http://www.moreawesomethanyou.com/smf/index.php/topic,15184.0.html Pescado at MATY].  If you do the manual install, make sure to read the instructions.  You will need this file if you want to use your own mods, or mods made by others.
  
* '''S3PE by Peter Jones'''.  The Sims 3 Demo Package Editor.  You can get it at [http://www.simlogical.com/Sims3ToolsForum/index.php?topic=171.0 Sims 3 Tools].  Note that you will need [http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=333325FD-AE52-4E35-B531-508D977D32A6 .NET Framework 3.5] to run S3PE.
+
* '''S3PE by Peter Jones'''.  The Sims 3 Package Editor.  You can get it at [http://my.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=362412].  Note that you will need [http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=333325FD-AE52-4E35-B531-508D977D32A6 .NET Framework 3.5] to run S3PE.
  
 
Make sure you have the above all installed and working before continuing.
 
Make sure you have the above all installed and working before continuing.
 
  
 
==The Tutorial==
 
==The Tutorial==

Revision as of 13:43, 26 March 2010

Contents

Introduction

This tutorial will explain the basic steps to creating an XML tuning mod. Unlike Sims 2, many things are stored in XML rather than in BHAVs, making simple mods much more accessible to savvy users and requiring less specialized modding knowledge.

XML tuning mods will let you change a variety of things - from how fast the Sims' bladders fill, to what time the curfew for kids is - as well as the autonomy settings for all the interactions. The XML files are inside .package files, but once you get them out, you can easily modify them to your liking. Individual players can mod their own games, avoiding conflicts and clashes that can arise by downloading a variety of mods made by others.


Difficulty Level

If you are a halfway decent computer user, enjoy poking around at things and figuring out what they do, and are capable of reading written English, you can do this. XML tuning mods are pretty darn simple. If you have problems with installing existing mods, copy-pasting, or tying your shoes, this may be too difficult for you.


Credits

Huge thanks to Inge Jones for the first version of this tutorial. I have blatantly ripped off a lot of her wording and overall idea, just trying to make this a little more user-friendly with pics and stuff. Thanks, Inge!


You Will Need:

  • The basic modding framework file, d3dx9_31.dll. If you have installed Delphy's Helper Monkey then you already have it. If you prefer a more manual install, you can get it from Pescado at MATY. If you do the manual install, make sure to read the instructions. You will need this file if you want to use your own mods, or mods made by others.
  • S3PE by Peter Jones. The Sims 3 Package Editor. You can get it at [1]. Note that you will need .NET Framework 3.5 to run S3PE.

Make sure you have the above all installed and working before continuing.

The Tutorial

Here's how it's done! Let's get started. All images in this tutorial can be clicked for larger versions!


Run S3PE

XMLTuning01.jpg
S3PE can be started by going to Start - All Programs - S3PE - S3PE.


Open GameplayData.package

XMLTuning02.jpg
In S3PE, File - Open.

Browse to \Program Files\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Game\Bin\Gameplay\

There should be one file inside, GameplayData.package. Select it and click Open.

Give S3PE a minute to chew on the data and display it.


Display Resource Names & Sort

XMLTuning03.jpg
Click the "Display Resource Names" checkbox in S3PE. This will show the names in the Name column so you can see what's what.

Then click the "Sort" checkbox. This will allow you to sort the headings.

Expand the Name column and click on its header to sort the resources by name. You'll see a big list of stuff with all kinds of different names covering lots of aspects of the game.


Select & View

XMLTuning04.jpg
Scroll down the list till you find something that looks interesting. Select the item in the list and then click on the "Value" button.


Examine

XMLTuning05.jpg
You'll get a grey window with text in it. This is the contents of the XML resource you selected. Depending on the resource, this may be extremely simple (as shown in the screenshot at right) or it may be quite complicated and confusing.

Look for lines that say something like: <!--(minutes, GPE Default 8) Amount of time Adult/Elder Sim spends Smashing DollHouse before collapse.-->

That <!-- --> tag indicates a comment. Anything contained within it is ignored by the game. These comments can be a big help in figuring out what does what, and what you should change for the desired effect.

Even if there are no comments, you can still usually figure out some of what it does, just by looking at the names. Most of the names and values are pretty self-explanatory.


Export

When you find a resource that looks like one you want, you can use File - Export to save a copy of it. Save it somewhere you can find it. Don't worry about changing the filename right now, just save it as the default.


Make a New Package

File - New in S3PE to make a new package file.

File - Import and select the file you just saved when you exported.

Do not change anything on the "Resource Details" window that comes up - just leave the default settings how they are and click OK.

File - Save As, and save your file with the name of your choice. Make sure to call it something descriptive of what it is.


Edit

XMLTuning06.jpg
With your resource selected, click on the "Editor" button next to External. This should open it in Notepad, and it will look basically the same as what you saw in the "Examine" step - but now you can edit it to your liking.

Make whatever changes you would like to the XML. This tutorial can't really walk you through this part, since the changes and what you will want to change will be different for everything. The best way to learn is by trying things out and seeing how it works. Just make sure to follow the same basic format as the original.

Note: If you are very comfortable editing XML already, you can choose just selected tags to override and delete the rest from your package. If you don't know how to do that or what that means, don't worry about it.


Save

XMLTuning07.jpg
When you've made your changes in Notepad, File - Save. Then close Notepad.

S3PE will ask you if you want to commit changes. Click Yes on this question box.

Then File - Save in S3PE to save the changes to your file.


Test

Place your saved file in your \Program Files\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Mods\Packages\ folder.

Load up The Sims 3 and test what you changed to see if it works, and if it works the way you wanted it to. If it did, great! If not, then you can edit again in S3PE until it works as you like (you'll have to close the game, make your changes, save, copy the file again, and reopen the game to see your changes).


Questions?

Need help with this tutorial? You can ask questions and get help in this thread on MTS.

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