The Importance of Screenshots
There's an old joke about buying and selling real estate. It's all about "location, location, location". The same idea can be applied to the Sims world, too. Just like you wouldn't build a swanky social lounge in an abandoned slum; you wouldn't want to spends hours creating beautiful custom content, only to downgrade it with substandard screenshots. Screenshots are not just for the downloaders benefit, they are also another means for you - the creator - to express your creativity by means of beautiful screenshots.
The look of your screenshots is what makes the downloader actually want to try out your content, it's the number one selling point! For example, would you want to download a house that showed off the interior like this?
The picture is taken from an awkward angle.
The game interface is covering the bottom half.
The graphics are set at a low quality, causing everything to have jagged edges.
The lighting is poor inside the home.
The cut off walls make the house look messy.
So, we an definitely say that overall, this picture is a mess!
Taking Better Screenshots
When you're a first time uploader, it can seem a little intimidating presenting your creation to the world. We don't expect everyone to come out of the pin with perfect upload quality pictures. There will always be a learning curve when formatting an upload. Don't believe us? Thumb through the very first uploads of even the most well known creators. What you find may shock you!
So, we hope to help aide in getting over that curve much more easier by writing up some tips and tricks on taking awesome screenshots. These "trade secrets" were compiled from some of the best creators in the community, with the help of the ModTheSims moderation team. Hopefully by the time you've gone through this guide, you will be ready to upload with good quality - ModTheSims approvable - screent shots.
Before you begin we suggest that you read Screenshot Basics, first. There you will learn how to use the built in cameras, how to print screen and save your images.
Tips and Tricks... Each area of creation has it's own "niche" when it comes to taking good screenshots. Pick the category that you're interested in uploading to get started.
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| Sims
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Make sure the camera gets their good side.
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| Pets
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Make your pooches and kitties best in show.
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| Game Mods
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Yes, even game mods need good pictures, too.
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| Body Shop
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Give your photo shoots some character.
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| Objects
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Take a picture good enough to be in an IKEA catalogue.
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| Objects
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Soon you'll have IKEA calling you for tips.
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| Patterns
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Make your patterns irresistible.
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| Worlds
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A whole new place, new point of view.
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