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Installing Sims 2 Custom Content

  • March 6, 2007
  • By April Olion

Important! Make sure you have the official Sims 2 patch installed for recolors to work properly!

On this page:

  • BodyShop Components
  • Object Recolors
  • Residential & Community Lots
  • SC4 Neighborhoods
  • Movies
  • Sims
  • Walls, Floors & Grounds

 

BodyShop Components
This includes Clothes, Hair, Facial Hair, Skin Tones, Makeup, Glasses and Eye Colors

Components will download as a file ending with .package. These files will need to be extracted with WinZip into a single folder: /My Documents/EA Games/The Sims 2/Downloads

Note: if you are new to Winzip, please read our guide for using it first!

If you do not have a Downloads folder, you can make one manually. It will be auto created If you download content at The Exchange or by exporting with BodyShop.

The next time you start your game, these components will be available to use in either The Sims 2 or BodyShop. Items can be uninstalled from within the game. Please refer to your game manual for details.

 

Object Recolors
Treat our Object downloads exactly the same as BodyShop components above. They too are .package files and go into the /My Documents/EA Games/The Sims 2/Downloads folder.

 

Residential & Community Lots
When downloading packaged Residential and Community Lots you will get a file ending with .Sims2Pack. Simply save this file anywhere that you will be able to find it (My Documents for example), then browse to the file using Windows Explorer, and click on it to install. A popup box will appear asking if you wish to install the package. You can also refer to the Sims 2 manual for details on installing .Sims2Pack files.

 

SC4 Neighborhoods
"SimCity 4" Terrains can be imported into The Sims 2 to create new Neighborhoods. When you download one of these files from TSR it will be a .ZIP file. Unzip the contents (4 files) into your /My Documents/EA Games/The Sims 2/SC4Terrains folder.

The next time you go to create a new Neighborhood, this new terrain will appear in the listing.

 

Movies

Movie files are simply .avi video files that can be dropped into your game folders so that they show up on Sims TV's and PC's.

Drop them in to the folder that resembles the TV Channel that you want the Movie to play on (Commercials play on all Channels between Programs). If you use the TSR Wizard to install the Movies they will be placed in the folder chosen by the submitter when they allocate the Program Type. You can move them later if you wish.

The folders can be found at
/My Documents/EA Games/The Sims 2/Movies/Broadcast



 

Sims
Sims are downloaded as a .Sims2Pack file (a self installing package). When you download the file you can save it anywhere (you're Desktop even). Click on the downloaded file to run it. You will see the Installer open up which lists all of the components contained in the Sim. Click Install to add the Sim to your game.

In your game you can find the Sim by going to "Create A Sim". Make a new family and add a Family Member. Click the icon at the top of the Sim Builder to 'use an existing Sim'. You will be presented with all of your downloaded Sims (identified with a blue snowflake logo top right corner). Click a Sim and give him a name. You can change all of the Sim settings to make them unique to you.

If you respect the creators and their work, and want to see them continue to create on your behalf in the future, do not upload these Sims to the 'Official Showcase', even if you do give them credit. If they want the Sim shared there, they will upload it themselves. Respect their wishes and most certainly do not claim credit for their work, it's the least you can do in return for their efforts and generosity!

 

Walls, Floors & Grounds
Walls, Floors and Ground Textures are created using the Maxis tool HomeCrafter Plus and are downloaded as a .Sims2Pack file (a self installing package). Simply save this file anywhere that you will be able to find it (My Documents for example), then browse to the file using Windows Explorer, and click on it to install. A popup box will appear asking if you wish to install the package. You can also refer to the Sims 2 manual for details on installing .Sims2Pack files.