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    How To Change the Cover Shot on a Mac (for your lots)

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    kquinn1990kquinn1990 Posts: 1,975 Member
    edited March 8 in Nominated Threads
    How To Change the Cover Shot on a Mac (for your lots)


    You may need Mac OS X Snow Leopard.
    Today, you're going to learn how to change the picture of the lots when you upload you house to the exchange.

    I will give you step by step instructions on how to do this easy process.

    Here is the link so you can download this software that lets you do this.
    http://sourceforge.net/projects/postal-sims3/files/Postal%20Editor/v0.9/installer-v0_9.jar/download

    STEP ONE

    Go to your finder and click on it. It should be on your dock here.
    [img]<a href="http://s943.photobucket.com/albums/ad280/kfq1990/?action=view&current=Screenshot2010-03-20at94658AM.png&quot; target="_blank"><img src="http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad280/kfq1990/Screenshot2010-03-20at94658AM.png&quot; border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[/img]

    STEP TWO
    Click on your applications floder here,
    [img]<a href="http://s943.photobucket.com/albums/ad280/kfq1990/?action=view&current=Screenshot2010-03-20at95454AM.png&quot; target="_blank"><img src="http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad280/kfq1990/Screenshot2010-03-20at95454AM.png&quot; border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[/img]

    STEP THREE
    Once you clicked on that folder go look for the "postal icon here. double click on that.
    [img]<a href="http://s943.photobucket.com/albums/ad280/kfq1990/?action=view&current=Screenshot2010-03-20at95703AM.png&quot; target="_blank"><img src="http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad280/kfq1990/Screenshot2010-03-20at95703AM.png&quot; border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[/img]

    Then double click on your icon and go to the button that says Postal-GUI.jar (it has a coffee cup on it.)

    From there you should see an empty white box.
    I'll show you from here what to do.
    STEP FOUR
    [img]<a href="http://s943.photobucket.com/albums/ad280/kfq1990/?action=view&current=Screenshot2010-03-20at100116AM.png&quot; target="_blank"><img src="http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad280/kfq1990/Screenshot2010-03-20at100116AM.png&quot; border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[/img]
    Click on the file menu then go to the "Open" menu/ "Documents"/Electronic Arts/The Sims 3/Library

    You should be here after this process
    Screenshot2010-03-20at100426AM.png
    After this STOP.

    Go to your game and open it.

    Choose the house you want to upload.

    You should have the game started. go to "Edit Town" mode to upload the house. If you found it click it.
    Hit this button here. ( Its the one folder with the arrow)
    [img]<a href="http://s943.photobucket.com/albums/ad280/kfq1990/?action=view&current=Screenshot2010-03-20at101639AM.png&quot; target="_blank"><img src="http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad280/kfq1990/Screenshot2010-03-20at101639AM.png&quot; border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[/img]
    After this go to the "SHOW EMPTY HOUSE" make sure the one you choose is there and EXIT

    Go to your program now and Look for the file, it is probably sorted by time and date by default.
    IMPORTANT MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A PICTURE THAT IS 512x512 PNG FOR THIS:PhotoShop or PhotoBucket or any other would work to change pictures

    Updated On September 18, 2010.
    Recommended Programs:
    iPhoto, which comes free with a purchase of any Mac.
    Photoshop

    STEP FIVE

    Once you have your file open your "white box" should look like this.
    [img]<a href="http://s943.photobucket.com/albums/ad280/kfq1990/?action=view&current=Screenshot2010-03-20at103030AM.png&quot; target="_blank"><img src="http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad280/kfq1990/Screenshot2010-03-20at103030AM.png&quot; border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[/img]

    After this look for this file here. It should say "Icon house large" With the picture the game gives it.
    [img]<a href="http://s943.photobucket.com/albums/ad280/kfq1990/?action=view&current=Screenshot2010-03-20at103030AM.png&quot; target="_blank"><img src="http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad280/kfq1990/Screenshot2010-03-20at103030AM.png&quot; border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[/img]

    It should end with "0x00000000" is what your looking for click it.

    Now go to the button that says "Import PNG" AND click that. Click "desktop" then click the image that you resized to 512x512 "png. and hit the "commit" button.

    You should see a picture of your house like this.
    [img]<a href="http://s943.photobucket.com/albums/ad280/kfq1990/?action=view&current=Screenshot2010-03-20at103917AM.png&quot; target="_blank"><img src="http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad280/kfq1990/Screenshot2010-03-20at103917AM.png&quot; border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[/img]

    Now since you hit commit, go to the File/Save as and click "Save" and click the "OK" button there.
    Close your program you wont need it any more.

    Now go back to your game and start it up again.


    Go back to the show empty house folder, from here click on the house it should be the first one.

    Click the "share" button and the message should come up and say "export successful".


    CLOSE YOUR GAME



    Now for some final steps!!

    Go to your game again only the launcher and and click on the "upload" button. Click on the house you used the picture for and click "upload".

    Go to your "HomePage and see if the picture worked for success.

    This is what you should see on your page.
    [img]<a href="http://s943.photobucket.com/albums/ad280/kfq1990/?action=view&current=Screenshot2010-03-20at105541AM.png&quot; target="_blank"><img src="http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad280/kfq1990/Screenshot2010-03-20at105541AM.png&quot; border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[/img]


    So that is the process for this program. It's rather simple and I also hope that you all learned something today!


    Thanks, kquinn1990
    Post edited by EA_Solaire on

    Comments

    • kquinn1990kquinn1990 Posts: 1,975 Member
      edited March 2010
      bump
    • Evergreen226Evergreen226 Posts: 15,600 Member
      edited March 2010
      This is amazing kquinn! Good Job on finding this out!

      One question- is it te same process for sims?
      23uvol1.jpg
    • kquinn1990kquinn1990 Posts: 1,975 Member
      edited March 2010
      Evergreen226 wrote:
      This is amazing kquinn! Good Job on finding this out!

      One question- is it te same process for sims?

      im not sure. i never used it for that. i only did one house so far with it for my mac. sorry.
    • Evergreen226Evergreen226 Posts: 15,600 Member
      edited March 2010
      kquinn1990 wrote:
      Evergreen226 wrote:
      This is amazing kquinn! Good Job on finding this out!

      One question- is it te same process for sims?

      im not sure. i never used it for that. i only did one house so far with it for my mac. sorry.

      No problem! But if you could try it sometime, that'd be great :)
      23uvol1.jpg
    • ScoiattoloScoiattolo Posts: 932
      edited April 2010
      I can't install your software on my Mac. It says I need an upgraded Java platform to install it, and my Software Update shows that I am up to date. Are you running Snow Leopard on your Mac? I'm running the one before. Do you think that is why I can't install the software? Thanks for any help.
    • kquinn1990kquinn1990 Posts: 1,975 Member
      edited April 2010
      yes i have snow leopard running on my mac. v 10.6.3 im not to sure why it wont install. do you have the latest version of leopard?
    • neogirl0321neogirl0321 Posts: 35 New Member
      edited April 2010
      Thank you so so much!! This is awesome and it works perfectly for me :)
    • LilMamaSimsLilMamaSims Posts: 132
      edited May 2010
      I'm having the same problem as Scoiattolo. Its such a shame because the software looks really good and I need something like this.
    • lozmclozmc Posts: 258 New Member
      edited May 2010
      i'm having the same update java issue.

      I downloaded an update from the apple website, version 1.6.0_17 -- later than the minimum 1.6.0_06 that the application requires. still doesn't work (?????????)

      and I did a search for java version 1.6.0_06
      here: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL971 - it's not even there?

    • JelceeJelcee Posts: 31 New Member
      edited May 2010
      Wow! Thank you for this, kquinn1990! I followed the steps and am very happy to tell you that it worked really well! I was able to export/post my first house to have this kind of Cover Shot in exchange. Many thanks! :thumbup:
    • ScoiattoloScoiattolo Posts: 932
      edited July 2010
      kquinn1990 wrote:
      yes i have snow leopard running on my mac. v 10.6.3 im not to sure why it wont install. do you have the latest version of leopard?

      I think I have the latest version of java for my OS--at least I always install the updates. Maybe I'll have to install snow leopard if I want to use your software!
    • kquinn1990kquinn1990 Posts: 1,975 Member
      edited July 2010
      Scoiattolo wrote:
      kquinn1990 wrote:
      yes i have snow leopard running on my mac. v 10.6.3 im not to sure why it wont install. do you have the latest version of leopard?

      I think I have the latest version of java for my OS--at least I always install the updates. Maybe I'll have to install snow leopard if I want to use your software!

      well if you choose to. so you know im not the one who made the software. i started a thread and asked how to change the cover shot. sorry i have no answer.
    • ScoiattoloScoiattolo Posts: 932
      edited July 2010
      I installed Snow Leopard today and the Postal program installed without a problem. So it was a matter of having the latest operating system, I think.
    • ReesesPiecesNo1ReesesPiecesNo1 Posts: 1,023 Member
      edited July 2010
      You killed my brain. Im so confused.

      ONce you download postal, do you install it? cause it wasent in my applications folder
    • ScoiattoloScoiattolo Posts: 932
      edited September 2010
      ReesesPiecesNo1 wrote:
      You killed my brain. Im so confused.

      ONce you download postal, do you install it? cause it wasent in my applications folder

      Yes, you have to click on the icon (which is either on your desktop or in the downloads folder) and you get an installation dialog box. Then follow the instructions for installation. The program will then appear in your Applications folder.

      I finally had a chance to use the program today, and it worked like a charm!
      Post edited by Unknown User on
    • spartan1spartan1 Posts: 606 Member
      edited September 2010
      This works so well, thank you!

      I even got it to work on a sim family. Just substitute the new 512x512 PNG file for the largest "snapshot" png file. Everything else is the same as the original post.
    • kquinn1990kquinn1990 Posts: 1,975 Member
      edited September 2010
      Good, glad you got it to work.

      Now all I want to know is how to change your avatar picture on it. I have not figured it out; and I want to change it, from not using default ones.
    • kquinn1990kquinn1990 Posts: 1,975 Member
      edited September 2010
      Hi, I am looking to figure out how to change the Avatar picture that I use this program. I use it for the lots as you can see on my uploads. I've done it with a house hold for the sims, but not just one sim for the avatar. I really appreciate it if someone can help me. I just can't figure it out with this program, and it has to be possible.

      Thanks so much.

      kquinn1990
    • Iamdenty28Iamdenty28 Posts: 227 New Member
      edited September 2010
      kquinn1990...

      IMPORTANT MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A PICTURE THAT IS 512x512 PNG FOR THIS PhotoShop or PhotoBucket or any other would work to change pictures...

      Go to your "HomePage and see if the picture worked for success.

      This is what you should see on your page.
      [img]<a href="http://s943.photobucket.com/albums/ad280/kfq1990/?action=view&current=Screenshot2010-03-20at105541AM.png&quot; target="_blank"><img src="http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad280/kfq1990/Screenshot2010-03-20at105541AM.png&quot; border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[/img]


      So that is the process for this program. It's rather simple and I also hope that you all learned something today!


      Thanks, kquinn1990

      kquinn1990 Apologies :oops: for interrupting your quest for the Avatar Photo. Would like to know if Mac has its own photoShop style program? or do I have to use a web one such as Photobucket? Thanks & btw would it be any use to ask your Avatar question in the Mac Forum? Denty
    • spartan1spartan1 Posts: 606 Member
      edited September 2010
      kquinn1990 - I know how to upload an avatar from within the game, but not from a photo ... if you are interested in that I can post instructions ... let me know ...

      lamdenty28 - macs ship with the program iPhoto which you can use to crop etc your pics.
      Photoshop is a separate program from Adobe and costs about $700.
    • kquinn1990kquinn1990 Posts: 1,975 Member
      edited September 2010
      iPhoto could also be used. I did not know that at the time, and I will put iPhoto in the instructions to update it.

      I know how to do it for the house hold when you upload them, if that's what your talking about. But for your avatar I'm not to sure how to..

      And yes, I've tried there in the Mac forums, and I got not one response. :shock:
    • spartan1spartan1 Posts: 606 Member
      edited September 2010
      kquinn - the way I uploaded my avatar is within the game.

      You go to CAS - either creating a new sim or changing the appearance of an existing sim. I think you have to have made them yourself, not downloaded them from someone else. When you are happy with how they look, go to the ... button on the sim - see image BELOW, at bottom of screen. Choose the top one, the asterisk one (share).
      step1.jpg

      Type in what you want, hit the tick.
      step2.jpg

      When it says successful, open launcher within the game. Upload as usual.
      step3.jpg

      When uploaded, go to your studio and select the sim. Choose the option - as shown with big red arrow.
      step4.jpg

      Go to "MY PAGE GOODIES". Add the background and badges you want. The badge is added by selecting 'add to favourites'. You can see I've put the skull and crossbones one in, but you can add whatever.
      step5.jpg

      That's it! Let me know if you have any problems. :D
    • Iamdenty28Iamdenty28 Posts: 227 New Member
      edited September 2010
      spartan1 wrote:
      ...

      lamdenty28 - macs ship with the program iPhoto which you can use to crop etc your pics.
      Photoshop is a separate program from Adobe and costs about $700.
      spartan 1 Thank you, I'll look at my IPhoto. Denty
      kquinn1990 wrote:
      ...And yes, I've tried there in the Mac forums, and I got not one response. :shock:
      Goodness, :shock: that is quite disappointing. I think perhaps spartan1 came up with a good avatar solution. Cheers, Denty. 8)
    • Iamdenty28Iamdenty28 Posts: 227 New Member
      edited September 2010
      :?: Uhh, well now I've gotten as far as end of Step 4. Then I get 'Choose an application to open document'. I click on Postal & the GUi.jar is greyed. I can't get past that step. I've gotten this far so don't want to abandon things yet. Help please. Denty
    • hmsdrco2001hmsdrco2001 Posts: 818 Member
      edited October 2010
      This is such a great tutorial on changing the lot pictures, though I don't know how to change the Sim pictures! I really appreciate you guiding us through that. I had to update to Snow Leopard to get it to work, but it works perfectly now.

      One thing I've been doing is changing all of the pictures for the lot slideshow. If your house has the maximum number of floors/levels, you should have 10 slots to work with. You can change all ten of them. Just start with "Icon house large" with "0x00000000" under the Group header as your first pic, import your PNG, and click Commit. Then move on to your next pic which will be "Icon house large" with "0x00000001" under the Group header as your second pic, import the 2nd PNG, click Commit, and so on. You can go through each successive numbered picture: "0x00000002," "0x00000003," and so on. That way you can have a complete slide show. There is also a Icon house large with "0x0000000A" that I haven't been able to change when it uploads to the Exchange. My PNGs are usually 400-600 KB.

      screenpy.jpg

      I highlighted some of the usable picture slots in green. Just change them all "0x00000000" through "0x00000009" (if your house is maximum floor levels), click Save As, and do everything else described earlier to get it to the Exchange. Hope that makes sense, and this may have already been evident to everyone.

      Thanks again,
      Bill
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