Date Posted: 13th Mar 2009 at 6:05 AM

Unfortunately, it’s been some time since I last attempted to draft the tutorials for both slanted walls and sunken basements/caverns. Real life has been keeping me rather busy. However, after reading a few messages and journal comments I thought that I’d clarify the later technique just a bit .

Creation of this basement type consists of combining multiple levels, twisting some, and then raising the ground level above them. This technique doesn’t involve the pool tool, hacks, and/or mods. Just utilization of the CFE cheat.



For coreycorey – here are some quick pics to provide you with a better idea of how I merged levels and then pulled the ground atop them. In the pics, I’ve tried to demonstrate how one can lift the ground over the flooring and walls without affecting either, which is key, especially if one were interested in constructing a cave.

Hope that this sheds some light on the process.


*NOTE: Raw screenshots taken in game can be found here -- http://s27.photobucket.com/albums/c...RE/Underground/ (no postwork/photoshopping)

Date Posted: 2nd Jun 2008 at 4:34 AM

In tying up loose ends, here is my finalized project list:

1) Tutorials on:

- Diagonal cut walls in the shape of a right triangle standing on its point (see picture above).
- True basements that not only have no ditch surrounding the walls but that also let in the light.

2) Build Mode Collection:

- Small collection of build tools and materials for home builders.

3) Lots:

- The Winter Realm (a sci-fi lot)
- World’s End (a post apocalyptic city)

So, barring unforeseen influences, these are my plans and all are about half-way completed.

Date Posted: 8th Feb 2008 at 12:08 PM

Date Posted: 1st Feb 2008 at 5:13 PM

Date Posted: 16th Apr 2007 at 5:14 AM

[Entry Deleted]

EDIT: Awww… Thanks guys Your words of encouragement are sincerely appreciated.

And Cyclist – you resourceful fiend, yeah, that would be mine.

Date Posted: 11th Mar 2007 at 4:28 AM

A minor annoyance with Seasons is that the elements – rain, hail, snow – are unwelcome guests in some homes with custom roofs. See the pic below.

In my observations, all floor tiles that serve as a roof will not function as a roof if they are angled in any fashion, even slightly. It’s as if the rooms are bared to the sky. An easy way around it would be to lay down transparent or invisible tiles (RGiles and moonlight_muse have created some), on top of the normal sized room. Placed between the floor layers, the game would then recognize the boundary, but what a building nuisance, especially when you’re faced with weather proofing complicated, already constructed architecture.

Date Posted: 21st Feb 2007 at 2:37 PM

I thought that I’d type in a quick entry to let those that read my journal know that I’m still here, although I haven’t been active lately. I’ve got this incurable thirst for trying new things and have become engrossed by the creative possibilities that I’ve found in a couple newer software tools. I’ve always been smitten by 3D graphics but wow, what a difference a newer version can make. However, that doesn’t mean that I’m forsaking my love of creating within the Sims. I still enjoy it far too much and with Seasons just around the corner, I’ll soon have more to offer.

Date Posted: 27th Jan 2007 at 12:18 AM

I had thought that I could delve into the darker side of building -- the grittier, real life side. But I’ve found that it’s hard to stray from what catches my eye and heart. Add to that my time spent trolling winterscapes in search of that next vertical challenge, and then listening to repeat tracks of Vangelis’ Alexander whilst building in the sims. And there you would have it, the inspiration behind my latest lot entitled, "Shadows of an Old Age."

Date Posted: 16th Dec 2006 at 8:11 PM

Wow. My last upload prior to Darkweald Mill was back in September. Funny how time flies.

I had needed a break in simming, and between the demands of my work and the euphoria of hanging off of a 55-60 degree face of vertical ice, I think that I’ve finally recovered my drive. However, as the title for this entry suggests, it’s time for me to try some new things.

Up until this point, I’ve worked on the “pretty” side of building. Now, I want to toy with the dark and seedy aspects of it as well. I’ll still create the architectural forms and scenes that I have in the past, but you should also be seeing a difference in trend. A grimmer take. So far I have three concept lots for this theme.

Sometimes we just need a change.

Date Posted: 3rd Dec 2006 at 10:49 PM

Even as I type these words, I still can’t believe it. I made a colossal builder’s mistake that had me running my fingers through my hair and groaning at my screen. Of all the dumbest CFE mistakes to have made, I had made one that will cost me a few hours worth of work. And I know better. Sheesh, I really do.

Admittedly, it could have been worse.

There I was, in the grove with my software and delightedly watching my vision take shape in 3D. At one point I even remember catching myself thinking, “this isn't too bad,” but blind fool that I was, I continued to shape. I continued to problem solve. And I continued to build, forgetting that most fundamental rule behind the CFE -- that the terrain mirrors the results. ARGH! Everything was backwards. E V E R Y freaking thing. It stinks to look upon hours of work and have it all grin back at you, rearward and upside down, with pride.

Teaches me to go for weeks without building.