Description:
This course has bits of different things that I would term "tricky" in a build. Some of the things that will be covered will be secret passages, hidden doors, fake stained glass, dragon hatcheries, and fancy rugs.
Course Prerequisites: As always, it is very desirable to have a Builder's Blank Neighborhood and a quality Tester Sim, but neither of these is required.
It is also HIGHLY desirable, but not strictly required, that you visit the Zoo U Master Thread and find the link for Course 11, Using CAP and Photography to Enhance Your Builds. Going through this course prior to Course 14 will cause you to get more out of the lesson and keep your professor from having to cover things that were already covered in course 11.
Skill Level for Students: Beginning Builder
Required Supplies: Sims 3 base game and patches for each EP. Parts of the lesson will require WA as we will use some of those features for some of the hidden doors and secret passages, but you will only need base game for the majority of the lesson.
Scroll Down to View the Blackcat Builders post and Visit the Homework Threads of Zoo U Students!
For Zoo U classes that are "live" a time and date will be given, but they may not be given using your time zone.
You can find out what time the class starts in your town using the World Clock site and their time zone converter. Here is a link: http://www.timeanddate.com/
ALSO IN THIS THREAD:
POST ONE: Course Description and Lesson Links
POST TWO: Information for Zoo U Students
POST THREE: Class Roster for Each Lesson of This Course
POST FOUR: Blackcat Builders (Student Showcase)
POST FIVE: A Note From Your Teacher
ZOO U MASTER THREAD (This thread contains all links to Zoo U courses and bookmarking this thread will allow you to always find us), just click the banner below:
Zoo U students, after registration, please do the following (some things are marked optional, but if it is not marked that way, I will assume that you will do it before the next lesson).
1. Bookmark this thread so that you can find us for the next lesson. This is where the class will be taking place. IT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL, but not required, IF YOU WOULD REGISTER FOR EACH LESSON OF THIS COURSE. It keeps the thread bumped so that new students will see it.
2. If you have not accepted a friend request from me, please consider doing that. (this step is optional)
3. IMPORTANT: The class may involve moving back and forth between this thread and your game. You will be posting questions and comments as well as seeing the photo and description of the build step you are supposed to be doing. It is important that you can have the forum opened to this thread but minimized as you build and have your game open but minimized as you come here to post. Please try this out before the course starts by minimizing this window right now, opening up your game and starting a new game, saving your game and hitting the "windows" key on your keyboard (if you have a Mac, kindly scroll down to post four and my friend Wibble will tell you how to do this!) and posting something in this thread (like "Testing that I can post while my game is open") and then going back into your game to make sure all is running well. This all works fine on MY computer, but everyone's machine is different and you don't want any unpleasant surprises when the first lesson begins.
4. I am going to be adding some links to useful threads I'm making for students in Zoo U. It is optional that you do any of those, but they will help you have a smoother time as a builder. I would at least go look at what has been posted, but even that is not required. (This step is optional)
Snowflake-- Official Mascot of the Zoo U Blackcats
Directions for Posting Photos in a Forum Thread:
1. Get a free account from PhotoBucket or any other photo hosting site. This should NOT require a credit card.
2. Follow the directions on the photo hosting site to create an album and upload photos. It will give you an option to Browse your computer to find the photos to upload. If you want to upload screenshots from your game, you will find them in the Electronic Arts folder, in the Sims 3 sub-folder, and in the Screenshots sub-sub folder.
3. Once your photos are in the photo-hosting site, you want a thing called the image code. On Photobucket you hit the little gear icon and choose "Get Links" and then click on the image code one and it copies the code to the clipboard.
4. Open up a fresh forum thread and right-click inside your first post and choose "paste" (that will paste what is in the clipboard-- in this case the image code for your photograph--- into your thread).
5. Photographs that come from a photo-hosting site are too big and will break the thread if you don't resize them. To resize them just type "width=600" (INCLUDING QUOTES) right before the [/IMG] in the long string of symbols which is the image code. Be sure you don't have any spaces added in when you do this and make sure you don't gain or lose any of the symbols from the image code.
6. Choose "preview" to look at what your post will look like before you post it. If your photos all look to suit you then post away!
It has come to my attention that some people lurk the Zoo U classes but are too nervous to actually join us. That is just fine, lurkers are certainly welcome, BUT I think students who actually post and interact with each other get more out of the class AND have a lot more fun.
So, for anyone who is worried that they: A. Can't keep up, B. Don't know as much as other students, C. Will embarrass themselves, let's just talk about how a Zoo U class works and about what will and will NOT EVER happen.
BEFORE THE CLASS: 1. Students register (which is a great help to the course because it bumps our thread and makes it possible for more people to find our course) OR they don't.
Many students plan to attend the class but they don't want to register. I think that is because they think there will be something expected of them BUT THERE WON'T BE. EVERYTHING is voluntary. Ask anyone who has really participated and you will hear that it added to the FUN to post and to interact with the class.
2. Students do the suggested prerequisite things OR they don't.
Sometimes the teacher will suggest using a Builder's Blank neighborhood or making a Tester Sim or viewing a particular video before the class. If you want to do that and have the time then that is great. If it is an optional thing and you NEVER do it, that's fine, too. If it is something that is really needed and you don't have time to do it before the class starts, then just do it during class.
If you didn't watch a video that was to be watched before the lesson and have to do it DURING the lesson, no big deal. You will take longer to get through the lesson but EVERYONE DOES THE LESSON AT THEIR OWN PACE, so who cares?
DURING THE "LIVE" PORTION OF THE CLASS: The teacher will post a series of things for you to see or to do. If you can do them within the two-hour time frame of the live class, then you do. If you can't get it all done within the time frame then you don't. NO BIG DEAL EITHER WAY.
The real advantage of doing the steps of the lesson as the teacher gives them to you is that you can post and get an immediate answer for your question. BUT, if you post a question on a Zoo U thread three hours or three days or THREE MONTHS after the lesson was "live" you will STILL get an answer to your question (you just may have to wait a few days for it).
ALL Zoo U threads are monitored forever. Or at least for as long as this site is up and active.
AFTER THE CLASS: 1. The teacher may post homework and may ask that you do it by a specific due date. Students will do the homework OR THEY WILL CHOOSE NOT TO. Students will be able to get it done by the due date OR THEY WON'T. NO BIG DEAL EITHER WAY.
2. The teacher will encourage you to create a thread to post your homework so that your thread can get linked in the Blackcat Builders (Student Showcase) post. Students will create a thread (asking for help to do that if needed) and will post the link for that thread on the course thread so that their thread can be added to the Blackcat Builders post OR THEY WON'T MAKE A THREAD. NO BIG DEAL EITHER WAY.
The idea is for you to try out the stuff you learned in the class and maybe show off a little. It is to let students share their work with each other and give their teacher a place to go and give feedback on what looks great and on how to improve on things that maybe don't work as well.
Any criticism is of the HIGHLY constructive nature and so far NO ONE has ever been offended or had their feelings hurt. And can I just say, I have NEVER seen ANY homework assignment that I didn't think, "Wow, this is looking so good!"
Zoo U students have continually impressed me. Even when they had problems (which you would EXPECT as this is SCHOOL and we don't think you will already know how to do what is being taught) those were addressed and fixed. And the teacher was engaged and actively trying to help until the problems WERE fixed.
My Main Point: This is a safe, FUN learning environment. No one is going to call you out for not doing something or for not doing it right. No one is going to make you feel dumb or bad about ANYTHING.
Students who have the best time tend to be those who really do treat it as a class and try to interact with their teacher and with their classmates as much as possible, BUT even if you sit quietly in the back and never post that is fine, too. You can be a part of our class in any way that makes you feel comfortable.
I challenge you to go look at some of the other Zoo U course threads. Look at the reaction that students have gotten when they have posted questions and problems. I think that will take all the nerves right away.
Hello Zoo!
Please Register Me , although I won't be attending that day as we are traveling. I need a few more tricks up my sleeves for sure! Great idea for a course!
Hello Zoo!
Please Register Me , although I won't be attending that day as we are traveling. I need a few more tricks up my sleeves for sure! Great idea for a course!
Hi, MD! Don't worry that you have to view the lesson afterward, you'll be with us in spirit! You are registered!
So, just to be clear; we aren't required to have taken the other classes, right? I'm slowly starting to work through them, but I would hate to miss a chance to take the course in real time.
Hi Zoo! Please register me! I know I always say to register me then skip the classes, but it is summer now so nothing is holding me back. Except maybe my memory lol You know how absent minded I can be. And you may have to get on me to make me do my homework too lol
Hope to see you soon! If I remember lol I'll create a notification hahaha
Register me please! I'm really looking forward to this!
Hi, Double L! I'm really looking forward to it as well! I really hope people find some things that they didn't already know. It makes me nervous as I see some really excellent builders signing up. What if they already know all my tricks?! :shock:
So, just to be clear; we aren't required to have taken the other classes, right? I'm slowly starting to work through them, but I would hate to miss a chance to take the course in real time.
If that's okay, I'd really love to register! :P
Hi, ObviouSecret! You absolutely do NOT have to have done all the other lessons, but if you will look at post one under the "Course Prerequisites" heading, you will see that it is highly recommended that you go through Course 11. You don't have to, but some of my best tricks use the skills taught in Course 11.
Hi Zoo! Please register me! I know I always say to register me then skip the classes, but it is summer now so nothing is holding me back. Except maybe my memory lol You know how absent minded I can be. And you may have to get on me to make me do my homework too lol
Hope to see you soon! If I remember lol I'll create a notification hahaha
HI, TREES! I haven't seen you around in forever! You better not skip this class, I want to see your handsome self there in a front seat! You don't even have to bring me an apple, just show up.
Hi, Susie P! I think that's three of my teammates taking this class. I hope I have some tricks you guys don't already know!
****************************************************************
WELCOME TO ZOO U, EVERYONE! I hope that you will find some useful tricks during our class, and I hope you will have some fun along the way!
A lot of the hardcore Zoo Uers have signed up, so if you are new to Zoo U, they will absolutely help you along and so will I. You are among friends here!
So, just to be clear; we aren't required to have taken the other classes, right? I'm slowly starting to work through them, but I would hate to miss a chance to take the course in real time.
If that's okay, I'd really love to register! :P
You are not required to have taken any of the previous courses in order to join us here. I came in at Course 7 having never done [or even heard of] the first 6. You are going to have so much fun!
So, just to be clear; we aren't required to have taken the other classes, right? I'm slowly starting to work through them, but I would hate to miss a chance to take the course in real time.
If that's okay, I'd really love to register! :P
You are not required to have taken any of the previous courses in order to join us here. I came in at Course 7 having never done [or even heard of] the first 6. You are going to have so much fun!
Aw, thanks Sweetie! I hope it WILL be fun! You and the other hardcore Zoo Uers really HELP to make it fun, for me, too! MWAH!
Zoo thank you... I asume 2 is 2 pm.... and depending on where in use CDT is.... thats 10 pm (or just about) for me... so might be there... and might not
Comments
Zoo U students, after registration, please do the following (some things are marked optional, but if it is not marked that way, I will assume that you will do it before the next lesson).
1. Bookmark this thread so that you can find us for the next lesson. This is where the class will be taking place. IT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL, but not required, IF YOU WOULD REGISTER FOR EACH LESSON OF THIS COURSE. It keeps the thread bumped so that new students will see it.
2. If you have not accepted a friend request from me, please consider doing that. (this step is optional)
3. IMPORTANT: The class may involve moving back and forth between this thread and your game. You will be posting questions and comments as well as seeing the photo and description of the build step you are supposed to be doing. It is important that you can have the forum opened to this thread but minimized as you build and have your game open but minimized as you come here to post. Please try this out before the course starts by minimizing this window right now, opening up your game and starting a new game, saving your game and hitting the "windows" key on your keyboard (if you have a Mac, kindly scroll down to post four and my friend Wibble will tell you how to do this!) and posting something in this thread (like "Testing that I can post while my game is open") and then going back into your game to make sure all is running well. This all works fine on MY computer, but everyone's machine is different and you don't want any unpleasant surprises when the first lesson begins.
4. I am going to be adding some links to useful threads I'm making for students in Zoo U. It is optional that you do any of those, but they will help you have a smoother time as a builder. I would at least go look at what has been posted, but even that is not required. (This step is optional)
Here is a link to a thread about Tester Families:
http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/486961.page
Here is the Exchange link for my favorite Tester Sim if you don't want to make your own:
http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=5018210
Here is the Exchange link for a vastly updated version of my favorite Tester Sim (she has a CAP pattern that I made but no CC) and her cat Helix:
http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=6722698
Here is the Exchange link for a group of Tester Sims that would be very helpful if you have Supernatural and are building with Alchemy potions and the like:
http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=6767525
Here is a link to a thread about making a Builder's Blank Neighborhood:
http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/488892.page
Class Roster for Course 14 "There's Builder Trickery Afoot!"
jenny0786
WrathofCath
Sallidra20
MolliesDollies
sherrylynn8779
jennytru
LittleLeota
ObviouSecret
3TREES
anettesb
BreeMiles
suepea
DolphineQ
tkbluebasketball
EnviedImperfection
heaven1
vampyrelucia
priscapup
AIRIS6962
kuroi_nekomata
Marit_Watery
kool95
KelSimmie
MsPrissy88
gamingprofile
Tahera
Morakai
jjwagers
KOCHIE1210
BishopBettie
MeaganJo
duyguugudur
What should I wear to class today?
ZOO U HOODIE:
OFFICIAL TEE FOR COURSE 13:
GET YOUR OWN ZOO U OR COURSE 13 TEES:
1. Download pattern
2. In game edit the hoodie or T-shirt or other appropriate shirt in CASt
PATTERN LINKS:
Here is FyireChilde's Studio, she has a TON of Zoo U patterns since she designed and made our crest and all the thread banners:
http://www.thesims3.com/userExchange.html?persona=FyireChilde&assetType=material
Here is the link to suepea's CONTEST-WINNING pattern for our course shirt:
http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=8163600
Here is the link for all the entries in the Design the Course T-Shirt Contest, MANY great patterns here, too:
http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/748195.page#11936810
Here you will find the links for threads with student work related to this course.
heaven1
MsPrissy88
ObviouSecret
jenny0786
sherrylynn8779
illusie
kuroi_nekomata
MolliesDollies
MeaganJo
suepea
Sallidra20
duyguugudur
AIRIS6962
Tahera
KelSimmie
anettesb
Snowflake-- Official Mascot of the Zoo U Blackcats
Directions for Posting Photos in a Forum Thread:
1. Get a free account from PhotoBucket or any other photo hosting site. This should NOT require a credit card.
2. Follow the directions on the photo hosting site to create an album and upload photos. It will give you an option to Browse your computer to find the photos to upload. If you want to upload screenshots from your game, you will find them in the Electronic Arts folder, in the Sims 3 sub-folder, and in the Screenshots sub-sub folder.
3. Once your photos are in the photo-hosting site, you want a thing called the image code. On Photobucket you hit the little gear icon and choose "Get Links" and then click on the image code one and it copies the code to the clipboard.
4. Open up a fresh forum thread and right-click inside your first post and choose "paste" (that will paste what is in the clipboard-- in this case the image code for your photograph--- into your thread).
5. Photographs that come from a photo-hosting site are too big and will break the thread if you don't resize them. To resize them just type "width=600" (INCLUDING QUOTES) right before the [/IMG] in the long string of symbols which is the image code. Be sure you don't have any spaces added in when you do this and make sure you don't gain or lose any of the symbols from the image code.
6. Choose "preview" to look at what your post will look like before you post it. If your photos all look to suit you then post away!
General Advice and Observations from Zoo:
It has come to my attention that some people lurk the Zoo U classes but are too nervous to actually join us. That is just fine, lurkers are certainly welcome, BUT I think students who actually post and interact with each other get more out of the class AND have a lot more fun.
So, for anyone who is worried that they: A. Can't keep up, B. Don't know as much as other students, C. Will embarrass themselves, let's just talk about how a Zoo U class works and about what will and will NOT EVER happen.
BEFORE THE CLASS:
1. Students register (which is a great help to the course because it bumps our thread and makes it possible for more people to find our course) OR they don't.
Many students plan to attend the class but they don't want to register. I think that is because they think there will be something expected of them BUT THERE WON'T BE. EVERYTHING is voluntary. Ask anyone who has really participated and you will hear that it added to the FUN to post and to interact with the class.
2. Students do the suggested prerequisite things OR they don't.
Sometimes the teacher will suggest using a Builder's Blank neighborhood or making a Tester Sim or viewing a particular video before the class. If you want to do that and have the time then that is great. If it is an optional thing and you NEVER do it, that's fine, too. If it is something that is really needed and you don't have time to do it before the class starts, then just do it during class.
If you didn't watch a video that was to be watched before the lesson and have to do it DURING the lesson, no big deal. You will take longer to get through the lesson but EVERYONE DOES THE LESSON AT THEIR OWN PACE, so who cares?
DURING THE "LIVE" PORTION OF THE CLASS:
The teacher will post a series of things for you to see or to do. If you can do them within the two-hour time frame of the live class, then you do. If you can't get it all done within the time frame then you don't. NO BIG DEAL EITHER WAY.
The real advantage of doing the steps of the lesson as the teacher gives them to you is that you can post and get an immediate answer for your question. BUT, if you post a question on a Zoo U thread three hours or three days or THREE MONTHS after the lesson was "live" you will STILL get an answer to your question (you just may have to wait a few days for it).
ALL Zoo U threads are monitored forever. Or at least for as long as this site is up and active.
AFTER THE CLASS:
1. The teacher may post homework and may ask that you do it by a specific due date. Students will do the homework OR THEY WILL CHOOSE NOT TO. Students will be able to get it done by the due date OR THEY WON'T. NO BIG DEAL EITHER WAY.
2. The teacher will encourage you to create a thread to post your homework so that your thread can get linked in the Blackcat Builders (Student Showcase) post. Students will create a thread (asking for help to do that if needed) and will post the link for that thread on the course thread so that their thread can be added to the Blackcat Builders post OR THEY WON'T MAKE A THREAD. NO BIG DEAL EITHER WAY.
The idea is for you to try out the stuff you learned in the class and maybe show off a little. It is to let students share their work with each other and give their teacher a place to go and give feedback on what looks great and on how to improve on things that maybe don't work as well.
Any criticism is of the HIGHLY constructive nature and so far NO ONE has ever been offended or had their feelings hurt. And can I just say, I have NEVER seen ANY homework assignment that I didn't think, "Wow, this is looking so good!"
Zoo U students have continually impressed me. Even when they had problems (which you would EXPECT as this is SCHOOL and we don't think you will already know how to do what is being taught) those were addressed and fixed. And the teacher was engaged and actively trying to help until the problems WERE fixed.
My Main Point:
This is a safe, FUN learning environment. No one is going to call you out for not doing something or for not doing it right. No one is going to make you feel dumb or bad about ANYTHING.
Students who have the best time tend to be those who really do treat it as a class and try to interact with their teacher and with their classmates as much as possible, BUT even if you sit quietly in the back and never post that is fine, too. You can be a part of our class in any way that makes you feel comfortable.
I challenge you to go look at some of the other Zoo U course threads. Look at the reaction that students have gotten when they have posted questions and problems. I think that will take all the nerves right away.
Sincerely hoping you will join us,
Zoo
Just post the words "Register Me" in this thread to join us on Saturday, June 21st!
Please Register Me , although I won't be attending that day as we are traveling. I need a few more tricks up my sleeves for sure! Great idea for a course!
LOL! Registered! It sounds like we're going to be up to no good, doesn't it? I was trying to sound Sherlock Holmes-ish!
Zoo
Registered! I'll show you mine if you show me yours...er, um.... that didn't sound dirty when it was inside my head...
I want to see any of your builder tricks is what I meant. Really. 8)
Welcome, Salli! You are registered!
Hi, MD! Don't worry that you have to view the lesson afterward, you'll be with us in spirit! You are registered!
Zoo
Register me, please!
If that's okay, I'd really love to register! :P
Hope to see you soon! If I remember lol I'll create a notification hahaha
Please Register Me!!
My Blog
Share Your Newest Sims 4 Creation Thread
My Gallery
My TS4 Thread
My Sims 3 Studio
YES, you can attend, and WELCOME! You are on the roster now!
Welcome to Zoo U, jennytru! I'm glad you are trying us out!
Hi, Double L! I'm really looking forward to it as well! I really hope people find some things that they didn't already know. It makes me nervous as I see some really excellent builders signing up. What if they already know all my tricks?! :shock:
Hi, ObviouSecret! You absolutely do NOT have to have done all the other lessons, but if you will look at post one under the "Course Prerequisites" heading, you will see that it is highly recommended that you go through Course 11. You don't have to, but some of my best tricks use the skills taught in Course 11.
HI, TREES! I haven't seen you around in forever! You better not skip this class, I want to see your handsome self there in a front seat! You don't even have to bring me an apple, just show up.
No problem, anettesb! We will miss you, but you are still a part of our class even if you can't be there when it is "live".
I hope you don't already know all I'm going to show you, Bree!
Hi, Susie P! I think that's three of my teammates taking this class. I hope I have some tricks you guys don't already know!
****************************************************************
WELCOME TO ZOO U, EVERYONE! I hope that you will find some useful tricks during our class, and I hope you will have some fun along the way!
A lot of the hardcore Zoo Uers have signed up, so if you are new to Zoo U, they will absolutely help you along and so will I. You are among friends here!
Zoo
You are not required to have taken any of the previous courses in order to join us here. I came in at Course 7 having never done [or even heard of] the first 6. You are going to have so much fun!
Aw, thanks Sweetie! I hope it WILL be fun! You and the other hardcore Zoo Uers really HELP to make it fun, for me, too! MWAH!