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Basic Stuff for CAP . . .

Rflong7Rflong7 Posts: 36,606 Member
edited March 8 in Nominated Threads
Hi,

I'm not good with instructions. I usually make it harder then it is ~ be warned!

Here is a basic picture steps for CAP making one pattern. I'm not good with it and as we go well all get better- even the best do.

Opening CAP this is what you see.
You can hover your mouse over each icon to see what they do.
I keep the grid on for easier placement of stickers. Right now I'm not making anything elaborate. There's still so much I don't know... :P

1CAP.jpg

To me the layers are like a sandwich- the Base and each layer is covered by the one on top-stacking them.
We start at the bottom. The Base can not be edited by the person who Dl's it so whatever color you choose it will stay. I skipped it. :shock:

2CAP.jpg

The first Sticker will be my base on the Second Layer- it will be in the middle. The easiest way I found is to type in the numbers.

3CAP.jpg

The Grid Size is (W)256 x (H)256
Positions:
Top Left=(X)0 x (Y)0
Bottom Right= (X) 256 x (Y)256


Which means I'll type it in the bottom task bar: W/H as 256/256 with 128 for both X/Y -middle position.

Sounds complicated but you'll find it's easier to remember then to try and figure out the middle by dragging.
DOLLDRMS1 wrote:
...consider the background layer as the first layer. LOL, to me it is background, layers 1,2,3,4 and specular.

... background should be layer 1 and then the workaround layer would be 2. The quote you used just doesn't specifically say to use stencil mode on that layer, it's just assumed the user will know...


4CAP.jpg

As you see it doesn't go all the way to the edges because of it's shape. A square will fit- this isn't a square... but it's where I want it.

The difference between the bottom Opacity on the bottom and the opacity under the wheel~
The bottom opacity is for that sticker that is highlighted- the opacity under the color wheel is for the whole layer.

~ Lowering the Opacity will keep the color dimmer- even if the brightest color was chosen.

The rotation of the sticker is shown at the bottom right- it's easier to see what you want or did.

5CAP.jpg

Next layer (You click on the layer you want to work in)- Anything on this layer will change colors together and will also cover (hide) anything on the lower layer.

Square placed it corner.
It's positioned at 0/0 and shows at each corner. The 0/0 corner is the easiest to place because it's easy to remember that number. :)


6CAP.jpg

A new sticker placed in the center- 128/128 X/Y positions and increased in size to 100/100.
How do I know? Check your interface- bottom control panel- for the numbers.


7CAP.jpg

Adding new stickers. You can find if they are lined up by checking the position of the Center sticker.

X/Y: 64/64- 128/64- 128/128 - 64/128

8CAP.jpg

Next layer- so these colors can be changed separately.

*Tip- if you hold the Control key + drag Mouse or click on each stickers they can be highlighted in a group to edit. Why edit one by one if you have 20 to edit?

I want these the same size as the middle- 100/100.

9CAP.jpg

There- they can change and are in each quarter placement... you can figure it out. :wink:

10CAP.jpg

Now, let's play with a shadow layer... diamonds.

11CAP.jpg

~enlarge it to fit the grid. 256/256 at 128/128. You got that, right? :shock:

12CAP.jpg

Can't see anything because this top layer covers the bottom layer. Let's play with the opacity... at 50.

13CAP.jpg

Nope, it covers it too much. What to do? Move it down a layer or two so the pattern will show.

Grab the layer panel to the left and drag it down 2 layers... drop it under both snowflakes. :shock:

14CAP.jpg

There- we can see each layer.. Now use the Preview tab on the Control Panel to see it in/on something.

15CAP.jpg

Interesting on the Wall... reminds me of a quilt.
16CAP.jpg

The very top layer adds shine to whatever you place there. I think the snowflakes- or whatever they are- need to shine.

*If I want the whole thing to shine then I'd cover the whole area in the top layer.

~If you forget the exact placement of what you want to shine- go down to that layer, click on the sticker and see the numbers. You'll know then what they are- no remembering necessary. :wink:

Once you place the shine over an area you won't be able to see the color changes so click on the eye of this layer- it will hide the layer.

~Play with the colors. Add something fun, do what diddy, diddy dum, diddy doooo whatever you want. But don't forget to...

17CAP.jpg

Save your pattern.

Exportchoices.jpg

Export your pattern. Make sure you choose what Category you want it to be placed in CASt. I thought this would look best in Geometric.

~Open Launcher to upload or install.
~Install it from the Launcher: click on it and then choose Show File at the bottom. Double click on the Sims3Pack. :D

** To move the view in Review mode- hold the left & right mouse clickers as you roll the mouse. The wheel moves the view in or out.

LeftRighttabs.jpg

This is all probably covered in the Manual... I started to read it but I failed. Shhh.... :shock:

Go and make Pretties.... :mrgreen:
thing you could add:
when you want to make a 'random' pattern without terrible tiling, turn of grid then zoom out. it gives you a good view of the pattern and the repeats so you can space your objects equally.

--- It's easier to copy then to type it out again ;)
Dani16001 wrote:
Someone was saying that you cant recolor the background when the pattern is in the game. That may be true but a little tip in case no one thought of it....
I made a a square of blue color in a 250 by 250 pixels in paint shop and when I want a colored background that i can change later put it in the first layer.
I pull it so its big all the little squares come together and cover the layer and change the color to something i want then i start building layers on it. that way I can change the background cause its not actually the background its the first layer.
I also got a 250 by 250 pixel image that looks textured like a textured wall or something and i sometimes use that to build on. You have to be careful with that as if you don't stretch it so all the blocks meet just the right way it shows seams.

I hope that helped

*~*~*~*~*~**~

~To Install Your NEW Patterns~
Open the Launcher. Go to the Upload Section/Patterns- click on the pattern you want to install and at the bottom an option to "Show File" will be available- click on it.
This will open your Export folder with that Sims3Pack highlighted- double click on it.


~*~*~*~**~
Trim Placement/Shirt Placement/Panel... Pattern Placement

There's nothing like making a great pattern and then seeing it not place in the way you want- either it's too far to the left or too high on the dress- placement of the main part is important for how you want it used.

Here is what I've made to see where I want the main part of the Pattern to show.

It divides the main tile into fourths:

The Pattern is only 29KB
large.jpg


The numbers:
PlacementPatternCordinates.jpg

It's uses for Walls...
screenshot_original.jpg"width=400"

And used for Clothes placement.
screenshot_original.jpg"width=400"

You can make your own or download this one. :mrgreen:
Post edited by EA_Solaire on

Comments

  • zorba2357zorba2357 Posts: 6,103 Member
    edited June 2010
    Great Post , they ought to sticky it, thanks! I started to read the manual too, got about halfway through, maybe will finish reading it tomorrow!
  • Rflong7Rflong7 Posts: 36,606 Member
    edited June 2010
    zorba2357 wrote:
    Great Post , they ought to sticky it, thanks! I started to read the manual too, got about halfway through, maybe will finish reading it tomorrow!


    Thanks. I hope it helps someone.
    I probably used too many numbers but it makes it easier to place if you're doing a symmetrical pattern. :shock:

    Great! Once you do finish reading it then you can type the complicated stuff. :mrgreen:
  • zorba2357zorba2357 Posts: 6,103 Member
    edited June 2010
    :lol:
  • JoaoxLucasJoaoxLucas Posts: 245
    edited June 2010
    Reaaly nice, but it's not hard to use this new tool!
  • Rflong7Rflong7 Posts: 36,606 Member
    edited June 2010
    JoaoxLucas wrote:
    Reaaly nice, but it's not hard to use this new tool!

    :lol: It's a good thing cause I can't explain difficult things. :mrgreen:

    Hearted.jpg
  • Rflong7Rflong7 Posts: 36,606 Member
    edited June 2010
    ~*~Edited to add Installing Patterns informations~*~

    ~To Install Your NEW Patterns~
    Open the Launcher. Go to (click on) the Uploads/Patterns- click on the pattern you want to install and at the bottom an option to "Show File" will be available- click on it.
    This will open your Export folder with that Sims3Pack highlighted- double click on it.

  • DOLLDRMS1DOLLDRMS1 Posts: 2,955 Member
    edited June 2010
    I, too, hope this ends up as a sticky. HeadBang, here! Gads I was doing everything via eyeballing it and didn't even think about how much easier the numbers would be, lol.

    This helps me understand better. Thanks!
  • Rflong7Rflong7 Posts: 36,606 Member
    edited June 2010
    I was dragging the stickers around too trying to figure out if they were centered~ I did a headpalm.

    I'm glad this helped someone. I've never tried to write a help thread before... :shock:
    Not nervous at all. :?

    :lol:
  • ChristianM0mmyChristianM0mmy Posts: 11 New Member
    edited June 2010
    Very nice! :mrgreen: Don't worry about adding so many steps, some people need them. :lol: I didn't realize the opacity would work so well :shock: ...and then saving in the catagory...I need to go back and edit them, :oops: ROFL! Like I said...some folks need every step. :wink:
  • N3mb3rN3mb3r Posts: 2,432
    edited June 2010
    nice! :D
  • water_cat1water_cat1 Posts: 751 New Member
    edited June 2010
    thanks rflong.

    A thing you could add:
    when you want to make a 'random' pattern wihout terrible tiling, turn of grid then zoom out. it gives you a good view of the pattern and the repeats so you can space your objects equally.
  • Rflong7Rflong7 Posts: 36,606 Member
    edited June 2010
    Hi, :wink:

    Thanks. I can go long on steps even though I notice I didn't circle everything I was supposed too. :oops: <-blushing :mrgreen:
    water_cat1 wrote:
    thanks rflong.

    A thing you could add:
    when you want to make a 'random' pattern wihout terrible tiling, turn of grid then zoom out. it gives you a good view of the pattern and the repeats so you can space your objects equally.

    Thanks- I'll add it. :mrgreen:
  • N3mb3rN3mb3r Posts: 2,432
    edited June 2010
    :P


    CAP is cool and all...but I want CAW for my Mac -China Gnome face-
  • Rflong7Rflong7 Posts: 36,606 Member
    edited June 2010
    N3mb3r wrote:
    :P


    CAP is cool and all...but I want CAW for my Mac -China Gnome face-

    Oh, right. Poor Mac players still don't have CAW. :(

    It's fun but there is a point when I'll not need anymore.

  • N3mb3rN3mb3r Posts: 2,432
    edited June 2010
    what do you mean by not fun anymore :P
  • DOLLDRMS1DOLLDRMS1 Posts: 2,955 Member
    edited June 2010
    I see you found the bit about the background color, yeah! I left to go get a bite to eat and happened to think that I wanted you to see that info in the help thread. LOL, I just sat back down to tell you where to look and see that you have already added it to the thread. I think it's a great tip for a workaround to not actually being able to recolor the actual background layer itself.

    I'm still hoping this gets a sticky so people don't have to look in multiple threads for needed information.
  • Rflong7Rflong7 Posts: 36,606 Member
    edited June 2010
    DOLLDRMS1 wrote:
    I see you found the bit about the background color, yeah! I left to go get a bite to eat and happened to think that I wanted you to see that info in the help thread. LOL, I just sat back down to tell you where to look and see that you have already added it to the thread. I think it's a great tip for a workaround to not actually being able to recolor the actual background layer itself.

    I'm still hoping this gets a sticky so people don't have to look in multiple threads for needed information.

    Thanks.:mrgreen:
    I knew how but I didn't put it in there. I wasn't sure how much to put in this but since someone else wrote it better- I hope they don't mind. :?

    My newest-
    I need to work on smaller patterns. This started small but kept getting bigger.

    Fluerdelis.jpg

    N3mb3r wrote:
    what do you mean by not fun anymore :P

    I was referencing CAP. :P :mrgreen:
  • N3mb3rN3mb3r Posts: 2,432
    edited June 2010
    ohh lol I wish I didnt have to use this old comp to try and work on worlds

    most of the time it just lags and I cant make anything.....


    -hugs mac-
  • DOLLDRMS1DOLLDRMS1 Posts: 2,955 Member
    edited June 2010
    Oh, this is too funny for words, lol. Take a look at my third pattern. It is called Fleur-di-Love. Actually, it's a better name for your pattern because you have more hearts in it than I do in mine.

    I don't see a link but I'll check your studio for your Fleur pattern to dl. Guess which world I had in mind for these two...BHI, of course!
  • snuttdisnuttdi Posts: 270 Member
    edited June 2010
    Rflong7

    I can't say it enough, once again, your creativity and restless spirit intriques me! This tutorial was very helpful and I also hope that they sticky this post!

    I have downloaded and rec'd your patterns too.

    Thsnk you for all you have given to the community and the joy you bring to us!
  • Rflong7Rflong7 Posts: 36,606 Member
    edited June 2010
    DOLLDRMS1 wrote:
    Oh, this is too funny for words, lol. Take a look at my third pattern. It is called Fleur-di-Love. Actually, it's a better name for your pattern because you have more hearts in it than I do in mine.

    I don't see a link but I'll check your studio for your Fleur pattern to dl. Guess which world I had in mind for these two...BHI, of course!

    Lol~ Great minds! :mrgreen:
    I was putting mine in BHI too. :lol:
    snuttdi wrote:
    I can't say it enough, once again, your creativity and restless spirit intrigues me! This tutorial was very helpful and I also hope that they sticky this post!

    I have downloaded and rec'd your patterns too.

    Thank you for all you have given to the community and the joy you bring to us!


    Hi, snuttdi :D

    Thank you so much. :mrgreen::blush: <-we need one.

    I do hope it helps and people can understand my way of explaining things. I should update some pictures with better circles to show the numbers and the places I'm trying to explain.

  • DOLLDRMS1DOLLDRMS1 Posts: 2,955 Member
    edited June 2010
    Rflong7, I saw a post in another thread that made the comment that the instructions for making the background recolorable did not include the step of making that first layer be stencil mode.

    They are correct, it doesn't. I knew to do this and didn't snap to the fact that wasn't spelled out. You might want to add that step to the instructions so they are complete.
  • drowssapdrowssap Posts: 2,007 Member
    edited June 2010
    im glad this got bump'd up, iv been looking to comment on it but i couldnt remember the title (saw it on my phone this morning)

    this is a great thread, and your instructions are clear,

    and OMG @ your new patterns, i LOVE THEM :shock: thats the exact kind of thing i look for, the second you upload them i will download and rec ... or are they up already :shock: just wow :shock:

    hope its ok with you im posting a link to this thread underneath a subtopic for useful links, if its not just say so and i will remove, but i think this is worth everyone getting a good look at
  • Rflong7Rflong7 Posts: 36,606 Member
    edited June 2010
    DOLLDRMS1 wrote:
    Rflong7, I saw a post in another thread that made the comment that the instructions for making the background recolorable did not include the step of making that first layer be stencil mode.

    They are correct, it doesn't. I knew to do this and didn't snap to the fact that wasn't spelled out. You might want to add that step to the instructions so they are complete.

    What? Spell it out and I'll copy/quote you. I didn't think you could make the first layer re-colorable but the second layer you could.

    I just got home so I'm not sure what's up. :mrgreen:
  • Rflong7Rflong7 Posts: 36,606 Member
    edited June 2010
    drowssap wrote:
    im glad this got bump'd up, iv been looking to comment on it but i couldnt remember the title (saw it on my phone this morning)

    this is a great thread, and your instructions are clear,

    and OMG @ your new patterns, i LOVE THEM :shock: thats the exact kind of thing i look for, the second you upload them i will download and rec ... or are they up already :shock: just wow :shock:

    hope its ok with you im posting a link to this thread underneath a subtopic for useful links, if its not just say so and i will remove, but i think this is worth everyone getting a good look at

    :mrgreen: it's okay- I don't mind.

    I'm going to work on placement for sections of walls. Just because it looks like it's in the middle with CAP doesn't mean it is. :lol:
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