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For Builders: Tips on Creating Better Tester Families

Comments

  • ZooProfessor3ZooProfessor3 Posts: 9,847 Member
    edited January 2012
    Very Informational. Ill definitely make one when building houses.

    Thank, Onigirilover! I think you'll find it makes things so much easier to build that you'll never consider building without a "helper" again.
    oow785m
  • LoveEvilLoveEvil Posts: 1,654 Member
    edited January 2012
    4. This step is optional, but very useful. If you plan to do it, you will need to use the cheat “testingCheatsEnabled true” and you will need to use it on the MAIN menu (before going into your lot).

    Place the Sim on a lot. While in live mode, go to the right of the treasure chest icon (lifetime reward points panel) and CONTROL click beside it. If you are doing it in the right spot (and if you used the cheat as instructed) you should see the total of lifetime reward points jump by 500 with each Control click.

    Thank you for posting this, I have tried to do this before but it never worked. Thanks to your detailed instructions though my testing sim has a very healthy lifetime reward balance now. :D
  • ZooProfessor3ZooProfessor3 Posts: 9,847 Member
    edited January 2012
    LoveEvil wrote:
    4. This step is optional, but very useful. If you plan to do it, you will need to use the cheat “testingCheatsEnabled true” and you will need to use it on the MAIN menu (before going into your lot).

    Place the Sim on a lot. While in live mode, go to the right of the treasure chest icon (lifetime reward points panel) and CONTROL click beside it. If you are doing it in the right spot (and if you used the cheat as instructed) you should see the total of lifetime reward points jump by 500 with each Control click.

    Thank you for posting this, I have tried to do this before but it never worked. Thanks to your detailed instructions though my testing sim has a very healthy lifetime reward balance now. :D

    Excellent! So glad I could help!
    oow785m
  • gngrsnpgngrsnp Posts: 3,682 Member
    edited April 2012
    I love tester families. I use a family of 8 with Sims of all ages then add in a butler to the mix. (Throw some sleeping bags and a bed for a butler in smaller houses.) Sure fire was to locate any and all pathing issue and whether certain age groups can access items, how much spacing needed to allow two or more Sims to pass walls/objects. With that many sims they are always getting into something and more than ready and willing to show you where you went wrong in building. LOL.
    Also, thanks for the info on reward points. Needed that.
  • ZooProfessor3ZooProfessor3 Posts: 9,847 Member
    edited April 2012
    gngrsnp wrote:
    I love tester families. I use a family of 8 with Sims of all ages then add in a butler to the mix. (Throw some sleeping bags and a bed for a butler in smaller houses.) Sure fire was to locate any and all pathing issue and whether certain age groups can access items, how much spacing needed to allow two or more Sims to pass walls/objects. With that many sims they are always getting into something and more than ready and willing to show you where you went wrong in building. LOL.
    Also, thanks for the info on reward points. Needed that.

    Hi, Gngrsnp! Haven't talked to you in awhile!

    You make some really good points about large tester families, but I honestly find it too annoying and too distracting to have more than one or two Sims testing my lot. I think I'm too much of a control freak to just let them all loose to do as they will! LOL!
    oow785m
  • luckyheatherluckyheather Posts: 19,979 Member
    edited April 2012
    Hi zoo, fantastic thread :thumbup: I wanted to know about the Photographs as I have a sim level 8 so far and want to copy and use him later.
    I have a Tester Couple atm they are my Legacy Parents who are both Inventors level 10 with 10 Handiness, great Widgit Tip thanks as news to me. I used this couple to Upgrade my latest Contemporary House, done quicker as there is 2 of them and she learned more gardening at that house and Fertilized all the plants.
    They both have kept most lifetime points so have loads, very useful as I have found out. I had to delete their hundreds of Memories plus the ones from upgrading! as they get them constantly now!
    Thanks to for the Ice Sculpting Tip as I have a couple level 10 :wink: xxx

    Zoo I have added a Link to this Forum in my Hints/Tips Forum
    here http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/210/429264.page#8254998
    Hope thats ok?
    Post edited by Unknown User on
  • ZooProfessor3ZooProfessor3 Posts: 9,847 Member
    edited April 2012
    Hi zoo, fantastic thread :thumbup: I wanted to know about the Photographs as I have a sim level 8 so far and want to copy and use him later.
    I have a Tester Couple atm they are my Legacy Parents who are both Inventors level 10 with 10 Handiness, great Widgit Tip thanks as news to me. I used this couple to Upgrade my latest Contemporary House, done quicker as there is 2 of them and she learned more gardening at that house and Fertilized all the plants.
    They both have kept most lifetime points so have loads, very useful as I have found out. I had to delete their hundreds of Memories plus the ones from upgrading! as they get them constantly now!
    Thanks to for the Ice Sculpting Tip as I have a couple level 10 :wink: xxx

    Zoo I have added a Link to this Forum in my Hints/Tips Forum
    here http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/210/429264.page#8254998
    Hope thats ok?

    Hi, LH! I'm very flattered to be added to your forum and I will be sure to visit it to see what new stuff I can pick up from the other links there!
    oow785m
  • luckyheatherluckyheather Posts: 19,979 Member
    edited April 2012
    Thanks Zoo I hope ppl come here for some great Tips, btw I added my Sims suitable for Testers in my Hints Forum now and will add more as I work them like my photographer :wink: Thinking now how to use his Pictures. x
  • svlynsvlyn Posts: 4,409 Member
    edited April 2012
    I am not sure if anyone has mentioned this but i have a sim who makes master inventions, sim that paints masterpieces and portraits, a jewel cutter, a photographer who is excellent, an scupltor who can make all kinds of things. Etc...you can add these objects to your lots, if you check out my mall in my share all made by these sims, of course it took months and months of actual game play to level skills to master levels. But all these objects upload on the exchange and download as master objects into peoples shares.
  • TarynTempestwindTarynTempestwind Posts: 4,438 Member
    edited April 2012
    I have downloaded Zooey's helpful helper and am off to find Svlyns Mall now too! This is such a good idea! I often like to use the old fashioned looking appliances, but they break down so easily and do not keep food well. Now I will bring in Zooey talented-helpful-helper and that can be remedied! I am anxious to see what Syvl's mall looks like too!

    Thank you very much for sharing. It does take a great deal of time to lvl your sim to be able to do all this!
    :) T
  • ZooProfessor3ZooProfessor3 Posts: 9,847 Member
    edited April 2012
    svlyn wrote:
    I am not sure if anyone has mentioned this but i have a sim who makes master inventions, sim that paints masterpieces and portraits, a jewel cutter, a photographer who is excellent, an scupltor who can make all kinds of things. Etc...you can add these objects to your lots, if you check out my mall in my share all made by these sims, of course it took months and months of actual game play to level skills to master levels. But all these objects upload on the exchange and download as master objects into peoples shares.
    I have downloaded Zooey's helpful helper and am off to find Svlyns Mall now too! This is such a good idea! I often like to use the old fashioned looking appliances, but they break down so easily and do not keep food well. Now I will bring in Zooey talented-helpful-helper and that can be remedied! I am anxious to see what Syvl's mall looks like too!

    Thank you very much for sharing. It does take a great deal of time to lvl your sim to be able to do all this!
    :) T

    Thanks, Svlyn and Taryn!

    Svlyn: I should have mentioned loading up your Tester Sim with all sorts of items (particularly stuff that you find or that you make) so that all these cool things can be used on your build! Thanks for saying something about it!

    Once your tester Sim can get stones cut in all the different shapes those become a fine thing to use as clutter objects for decor.

    Taryn: What I love about upgrading appliances and plumbing is that you can use this as a way to test to see if your Sim can get close enough to use those items as well. I love MOO, so I often want to know if something is usable even though I've put another object fairly close to it.
    oow785m
  • luckyheatherluckyheather Posts: 19,979 Member
    edited April 2012
    Hi Zoo, my husband reminded me that if a Sim is learning Martial Arts on the Board Breaker and breaks..I think its over 160 Oak boards or over (see in Skill), finds a Gem fall out of Space Rocks when broken! So then your sim can get them cut and no wandering around trying to find them. :wink:
    So they get a high level of Martial Arts and gem cutting!
  • ZooProfessor3ZooProfessor3 Posts: 9,847 Member
    edited April 2012
    Hi Zoo, my husband reminded me that if a Sim is learning Martial Arts on the Board Breaker and breaks..I think its over 160 Oak boards or over (see in Skill), finds a Gem fall out of Space Rocks when broken! So then your sim can get them cut and no wandering around trying to find them. :wink:
    So they get a high level of Martial Arts and gem cutting!

    Wow! That's excellent! I usually have them learn the martial arts skill via the training dummy since they can't get hurt. I couldn't see any benefit of the board-breaker UNTIL NOW! Thanks!
    oow785m
  • luckyheatherluckyheather Posts: 19,979 Member
    edited April 2012
    Thats Great Zoo, glad to give useful info :)

    I have been working some Sims hard for a Gallery, so here are Links to them, I hope they are useful.

    'Paul Top Level Painter'
    Link http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=5610890
    Desc
    Funds: §183,289
    Paul is level 10 Painter and job level 9, he has done all 3 Painting challenges and now paints a lot of Masterpieces. Has nearly 50,000 Lifetime points still to spend, wearing basic clothes and hair for smaller upload, so can be madeover to suit you. Sim by luckyheather with No CC or CAP patterns, Enjoy.

    'Couple both Sculpturers'
    Link http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=5610885
    Desc
    Funds: §504,725
    2 Top Level Sculptors, Married, in basic clothes to upload smaller as Ice Sculptures included. Both Level 9 in Self Employed Jobs, Allan makes non melting Ice sculptures and Gloria will after making 7 more. A loving couple with plenty skills. Btw Gloria has loads of different skills thanks to the Lunar Lakes Crystal Tree! also they have a lot of Lifetime points I didnt use yet, all no cheat. :) Enjoy
  • ZooProfessor3ZooProfessor3 Posts: 9,847 Member
    edited April 2012
    Thanks, LH!
    oow785m
  • ellerobbeellerobbe Posts: 563 Member
    edited August 2012
    I didn't know about framing the art work thanks! learn something new everyday!
  • mangoesandlimesmangoesandlimes Posts: 2,623 Member
    edited August 2012
    Great idea, ZooProfessor3. I've been building community lots lately, so I mostly just snag any old townie to play test those. I should probably get started on an actual testing sim so I'm prepared when I move over to residential builds.
    MariskaAmy wrote:
    I'm currently making my tester sim.. She's got Painting, Gardening, Handiness and Inventing up to lvl 10 now, next up is Sculpting. Anything else you guys would recommend I give her?
    She also has all Lifetime Rewards that are just icons that show. The objects you can get would just be in the way imho, I think I'd rather get those as she needs them. She does however, have the collecting item.

    Good start? Recommendations? Advice? ^^

    You might want to get Twallan's debugenabler. It lets you easily unlock all available sculptures on the sculpting station. I started out building my ice bar, determined to not cheat, but after a week of real life time with my sims sculpting almost non-stop, I broke down and got that mod. Finally allowed me to get the one freaking bar stool that I was looking for to complete my design.
  • ZooProfessor3ZooProfessor3 Posts: 9,847 Member
    edited August 2012
    Great idea, ZooProfessor3. I've been building community lots lately, so I mostly just snag any old townie to play test those. I should probably get started on an actual testing sim so I'm prepared when I move over to residential builds.
    MariskaAmy wrote:
    I'm currently making my tester sim.. She's got Painting, Gardening, Handiness and Inventing up to lvl 10 now, next up is Sculpting. Anything else you guys would recommend I give her?
    She also has all Lifetime Rewards that are just icons that show. The objects you can get would just be in the way imho, I think I'd rather get those as she needs them. She does however, have the collecting item.

    Good start? Recommendations? Advice? ^^

    You might want to get Twallan's debugenabler. It lets you easily unlock all available sculptures on the sculpting station. I started out building my ice bar, determined to not cheat, but after a week of real life time with my sims sculpting almost non-stop, I broke down and got that mod. Finally allowed me to get the one freaking bar stool that I was looking for to complete my design.

    I fear MODS, but Twallen SO tempts me! I really want Master Controller!

    By the way, I think I saw your Ice Bar (I saw SOMEONE'S Ice Bar and I'll bet it was yours). EXCELLENT job!

    oow785m
  • mangoesandlimesmangoesandlimes Posts: 2,623 Member
    edited August 2012

    I fear MODS, but Twallen SO tempts me! I really want Master Controller!

    By the way, I think I saw your Ice Bar (I saw SOMEONE'S Ice Bar and I'll bet it was yours). EXCELLENT job!

    Thank you! And for what it's worth, Twallan's mods are the best of the best and really easily removed if you don't like them. I used to be anti-mod, too, until I couldn't take the vampire swarms in Sunset Valley anymore! Now I can't play without his Story Progression.
  • ZooProfessor3ZooProfessor3 Posts: 9,847 Member
    edited August 2012
    That's the first time I ever heard that they are easily removed, now I REALLY want them!
    oow785m
  • mooredt21mooredt21 Posts: 1,105 Member
    edited January 2013
    Thanks ZooProfessor3. Your recommendations are awesome for building and testing. I appreciate it.
    <----LOQUACIOUS LURKER HERE

    ***Please bring back Sims 2 style storytelling features and make them publishable.***
  • ZooProfessor3ZooProfessor3 Posts: 9,847 Member
    edited January 2013
    mooredt21 wrote:
    Thanks ZooProfessor3. Your recommendations are awesome for building and testing. I appreciate it.

    I'm so glad to help! I hope to see you in our new course that starts on January 19th!
    oow785m
  • CrescentMoonPyeCrescentMoonPye Posts: 2,080 Member
    edited February 2013
    Hey, I got my LTR bump to work on my Tester Group and now they are super-pumped because they have all sorts of neat stuff/abilities that they didn't waste time earning! Woot!

    Seriously, Zooey, thanks for the TCE tip to cheat the extra benefits because it should help the leveling up process. Now, off to decorate...
  • ZooProfessor3ZooProfessor3 Posts: 9,847 Member
    edited February 2013
    Hey, I got my LTR bump to work on my Tester Group and now they are super-pumped because they have all sorts of neat stuff/abilities that they didn't waste time earning! Woot!

    Seriously, Zooey, thanks for the TCE tip to cheat the extra benefits because it should help the leveling up process. Now, off to decorate...

    You are very welcome, Cressie!

    I wish you could cheat the levels of each of the skills. You could do that in Sims 2 and it was SO handy.
    oow785m
  • GlenkarriGlenkarri Posts: 2,181 Member
    edited February 2013
    Great tips here, thanks so much. I also have my Tester Sim financially independent with $99,999,999.00, who needs monetary worries. I must admit, I pulled in a very rich Sim from The Exchange, placed them in a home, then made a Sim that suited me, merged that Sim with the rich one then split up the Household, throwing the original money owner out, that left my Tester Sim with heaps of money, you then save that Tester Sim to your Library. When you get bored with that rich Tester Sim just create another the same way........I don't need Motherlode then and they can buy Community Lots so you can go in and take good pics etc. Let me know if you want me to upload a Financially Independent, (Filthy Rich) Sim :D
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