Hello !

- I downloaded a lot I saw on you tube (sims 2 blooming pond), it says no cc but Clean Installer shows a lot of items + the lot. I decided to first install all the stuff only, via the teleport path and then launch the game so the stuff is sent in the appropriate files (I hope) and shows in launching custom list (and it does show but way less stuff than in the download file... recolors ?). Then cleaninstall the lot alone.


- Now I want to be sure this non cc (lol) is safe before I try to place the lot with it. Because the names seems like codes with numbers and no letters (caption "names"). I tried to check them using SimPE (using browse file function) but I ended up with so many red lines (caption "names2")...

so first question : are red lines in SimPE bad ? If yes, how do I figure what's wrong and how to fix it (if possible) ?

- Also, is it safe to rename cc stuff ?

- Can I place the lot without the stuff ? Will the missing cc items be replaced like in the sims 4 ?

I use the steam legacy version

And I think I've never been able to install CEP properly, I followed multiple manual installation tutorials, some recolored stuff shows but only 5-6 not all that's supposed to (like the kids oven recolors I don't have them - caption "launch") will this be an additional problem ?

Thanks for reading, for your time and answers already !

I don't think I've used that function in SimPE before, but I can tell from the picture that several of the files are either mailbox OR trashcan recolors, and there's also a MMAT file from CEP (first one in the pic). The mail/trash recolors piggyback onto every lot whenever someone has them. Personally I remove all of them, because they're a pain, and seem to duplicate like crazy... You can double-check them in SimPE, they can either be recognized by the internal name or via the texture.

Some of the items are potentially also recolors of the recolorable modular stairs - same issue as with the mail/trash recolors - they piggyback with all lots if you even dare to put one piece of stairs in the lot. I usually remove all recolors on sight, because I really don't need 50+ recolors I didn't ask for...


Most of the time, yep. Be slightly careful with renaming mods (can disturb loading order for some mods - sometimes it's fine, though), but plain recolors/meshes/CAS items and so on is perfectly fine.


Missing items will be replaced with maxis items. Be careful with terrain paints, those can sometimes cause isues if removed from a lot. Other than that I think most items should be fine to remove.



There's two files and two folders you need to have in the proper places - "zCEP-EXTRA" folders (one in the main "Sims 2 (version)" folder, same location as the Downloads folder + one in the BG "\TSData\Res\Catalog" folder) and the "_EnableColorOptionsGMND" file in Downloads (make sure you DO NOT REMOVE this one once installed, or nothing CEP related works properly!) +"_EnableColorOptionsMMAT" in the install files (BG folder, "TSData\Res\Sims3D" location). Use manual install if you're having issues with the installer version. I'm not sure if there are any updated instructions for the Legacy version (no idea if you have to remove IKEA files or some such).

Also, follow the instructions on the actual CEP page, so you get the newest version of the CEP. It's possible someone has posted extra instructions in the later comments for Legacy, or are going to at some point.

(From the comments: )


The other folder is wherever your saved game goes, so downloads and neighborhoods, etc. (Usually in Documents).

Omg yes it is them ! Thanks already I just have to get rid of those !



Okay perfect I only wanted to rename custom stuff so the name reflects what the actual item is.



Oh yes the fake sand, grass, stone paths and all, I don't use them but they may be already used on downloaded lots, I have to check but there is something to do to help prevent this - found ! it's a trick from you lol !



OMG YES ikea stuff that's not in legacy ! I have to check too but probably all the stuff that doesn't show is ikea recolors...


When I posted this I was almost certain I won't be able to install this lot now I know I just need to take the time to set it up more properly thanks to you !

Thank you very very much !!

Another trick I use is to install lots in a "throwaway" neighborhood where I don't have any sims I care about, clean up the lots and re-package them (or just throw the lots directly in the lot bin, since it's basically like re-installing the lots anyway - package if you want a copy, but be aware that it does pick up extra recolors and such), then install the lots in the hood I actually want them. If you get any issues with the lots that also cause problems in the hood, it's easier to bulldoze that entire throwaway hood than having to figure out how to fix it in a hood you actually care about.

This could be issues with missing terrains, elevation trouble, overflowed basements, road issues (when lots flatten the road, especially if you have to place the lot several times, and on the off chance it refuses to be put down in the same spot), or similar. All quite annoying to deal with.

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I think you can use CEP as-is with IKEA. I checked up a bit after replying yesterday, and it says you can use it from BG to M&G, so wouldn't think it's an issue with IKEA. You may want to remove IKEA spesific items from the CEPextras, though (but again, not sure).

Awww thank you again for this trick, will it work with downloaded sims ? Like I put them in a test hood, see if some mootilda or memory/simpe fix if needed and then -> bin -> other hood ?

Can I rename premade sims without risk ? Like Brenda, since she's a widow, and the Newbie's daughter I'd like her to take their name again.


Yeah definitely gonna remove ikea stuff since I don't have them (but they put another stuff pack instead ?)

Sims you download as sims2pack files are just face templates, so they don't have any player data attached to them (unless someone has packaged an extracted sim without cloning, but then the file doesn't pick up CC and will look a bit different internally - it's rare, though - I think I've only come across an uploaded sim like that once or twice in 19 years). You can easily check them out in Bodyshop or CAS to see if you want to keep them (CAS lets you check out if they're compatible with other templates/sims for offspring, without putting them on a lot).

Once you've added a sim to a family/hood, there's a whole process if you want to permanently delete them.

So if you want to test out a sim or face templates or any of that to see if you want to keep them (checking out if you like how offspring turns out and such) - yes, using a throwaway hood would be useful.

Yes, you can rename sims. The game doesn't really understand what you've named them, though it does pick up on surnames (often bunches them in the same "family" if it's spelled the same, for mods like summoners, SimBlender, etc.). It doesn't care if you name (or rename) the sim "Fred Johnson" or "Boy TestFamily" or "Blergh (2nd) Sfkgk25hdg", though. Would not advice to have two sims with the exact same name, as it can add some confusion. Avoiding giving several familes the same surname is probably a good idea too, especially if you use mods like mentioned, or the FamilyFunds cheat (it can get a bit confused with identical surnames).

They didn't add more packs to Legacy, just removed IKEA. Likely a legal issue with branding or some such. Some people have had success adding back the IKEA files (if they had copies of the files, from older games, etc.).

Oki, I don't need nor want the ikea stuff, I have enough with maxis + the ton off CC flooding the internet.

And I'll be carefull with the names but there is just a few I want to rename like Brenda because her french name "Hassek", that is supposed to reflect her financial status, is awfull. x')

I think I've found why there is only 6 CEP extra items showing on the launching CC screen, it's because there are only 6 "customised" items, the others are just "recolor enabled" and/or visual fixes, am I right ?

Now... I might have already made a mistake... x')
I deleted (put in the trash bin) the Newson family, I wasn't satisfied with the challenge they gave me and I wanted to give it another try, so instead of just using a cheat to make them all 3 days younger I removed them from the hood, deleted them, downloaded them from another player and started playing with them again how bad is it ? =/

I don't have time right know but I'm going to look for more detailed information on how to properly delete a sim safely.

Not sure about the CEP question, but possibly? (I've got a bunch of CEPextras, can't tell which ones are the originals).

Deleting sims improperly can potentially cause issues in the game, depending on how you deleted them. It's not as bad as initially thought, but still can be a bit problematic in the long run.

I use mootilda and other hacks on a regular basis in hope it helps me prevent corruption, also still going to look after a post I saw here about properly deleting sims and see if I can fix my mistake.

Again a huge thank you for all those precious information and advices.

Possibly this guide? Not sure if that's the most updated one, though.
https://sims.fandom.com/wiki/Game_g..._Sim_completely

[QUOTE=Shaenora]Hello !



When a creator packages a lot with CC in their game some of that CC will try and hitch a ride. A creator who knows this will check the package and untick all the hitchhikers before saving it with a 'new name' That can be as little as leaving a gap or switching from uppercase to lower case letters in the name. Save then upload. But not everyone knows to do that. So removing those hitchhikers becomes your job. -and no you do not want them.


If the creator says the lot is CC free these items were not used and are always best unticked as above. These items may just be random recolours, but hacks can also catch a ride in a lot file. Hacks will show red, but sometimes other random items will show red for unknown reasons.

All the random things that would come in lots is why Clean Installer was invented. Before that hacks would jump between players and spread like bunnies. I picked up a portal, a flamingo and a mail box hack off the old Exchange using the game installer back in 2005.

^ Plus, the default installer changes the name of files when installing them (most randomly named files are from the default installer), while the CI doesn't.

It's not an infalliable tool, though - it can mark harmless items, fail to mark others, and flag harmless (but mildly modded) objects. It doesn't tell you what the issue is other than the flagging. Not all items that gets flagged in CI are bad or broken, and not all that get a "pass" are good ones.

Oh my, I know this wiki, brings back memory lol, I used to have a sims 2 Castaway problem and needed this wiki to find solutions.

Yes I did more "browse" via this tool and checked them one by one, sometimes it is red because the program doesn't understand why I asked for a "mesh scan" on something that isn't one (because I ticked all the boxes and pressed the scan button lol, bad idea), so it tells me "this is not a mesh" but with a red font..

Ok I looked them all (250+ omg) and kept a few recolors and hacks (~30) "just in case" (mailbox and trashcan) but I will untick them from now, again thanks you two for all this knowledge !

Just keep in mind that some of those recolors (if they're not actually recolors but cloned mailboxes or trashcans) can interfere with trashcan/mailbox-related mods you have, since they'll act as default replacements. If you want to keep them, make sure they're recolors (if viewed in SimPE they should only contain a TXMT, TXTR and MMAT resource, plus a "compressed file" resource if they've been compressed. If they have other resources, don't keep them). It's safest to put them in a folder you can easily add/remove, for instance if you want to pack lots.

With Jo on this one! It is the easiest thing under the sun to untick cc which has attached to the lot. The normal culprits I have: Numenor stairs, Pescado's phone hack and cc recolors of mailboxes.
A builder can remove them all with one tick - I don't think there is an excuse for not doing that.
But then, a downloader can do that too - the option is on the top right, and all you need to tick is install lot only.

Ok so, after hours of sorting my lot is finally looking as it should. It's a really pretty one but with the time it took - looking after missing meshes and recolors - I'm not going to do this a lot and focus on non CC ones.