Download Tutorial

This is a Windows based tutorial--no Macs allowed! :) 

1) What you'll need to do this:

a) Winzip.  This is a program that lets you "unzip" files that you download.  To get it, go to http://www.download.com and do a search on Winzip.  The first file on the results list should be Winzip 32-bit.  Download it and install it.  (Please, if you can't figure out how to do this very basic skill, then I recommend that you take a computer class or pick up a basic book on computers, such as Windows for Dummies--no offense intended, that is the actual title of a book.)

b) A file to unzip.  Almost all sites that offer objects, walls, skins, etc. zip their files (zipping a file makes it smaller to download, and allows you to put multiple files together into one package).  If you need one to practice on, click here.  Choose "Save file to Disk".  Make sure that when you save downloads, you save them all in the same folder so that you can find them again.  I recommend that you create a folder and call it something like "Sims Downloads" and always download things into there. (Again, if you don't know how to do something basic, like creating a folder, then you need to take a class or read a book on how to do it). 

2) Okay, let's get started.  Go to your "Sims Downloads" folder, or whatever you called it, and double click on the .zip file there.  If you installed Winzip, you should get a screen like this:

If for some reason, you didn't get that screen (which is extremely unlikely if you installed Winzip properly), then contact me, and I'll go through what you need to do.  It would be too complicated to go through on here.

3) Click on "I Agree".  Once you've done that, you should get  a screen like this:

4) Click on the button that says "Extract", or  go to Actions-->Extract.  When you do that, a new window will pop up.  It should look something like this:

5) Now what you need to do is find the Sims folder on your hard drive.  To do that, click the little plus (+) next to (C:).  Then the plus next to Program Files, then the plus next to Maxis, then the plus next The Sims.  You should now have a screen that looks like this (minus the red squigglies I've put on it):

6) If you're downloading OBJECTS do this:  Click on the Downloads folder (NOT the plus).  This should make the folder look like it's open:

Click on the Extract button in the upper right hand corner.   That's it, you're done.  They should show up in the game now.

7)  If you're downloading ANYTHING ELSE (skins, floors, walls), do this:  click on the plus next to GameData.  You'll get something like this: 

Click on the folder of the type of thing it is (i.e. skins or floors or walls).  Then click on Extract in the upper left hand corner.  They should now show up in the game. 

That's all there is to it.  If this still wasn't enough info to help you, try the following tutorials:

MacNamara's Tutorial
Well Dressed Sim Tutorial
Jenny's Sim Stuff Tutorial

If, after taking a look at the other tutorials above, you have any questions or problems, feel free to contact me. But please actually take a look at the tutorials first.  I can't tell you how many people contact me and it's clear they haven't even bothered to look at the tutorial information I've sent them...