Description:
This course is about the basics of getting started building Victorians. Course is intended as a single class meeting which will cover shapes, structure, turrets, porches, etc. Also discussed will be how to roof it all in a coherent manner and then all the finishing touches (including exterior wall coverings, decor items, flourishes).
Because of the intensive nature of the subject at hand there will be no discussion of interior décor, landscaping, etc. We are concentrating on the exterior build here, but that is PLENTY to do in one three-hour class.
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 desirable, but not required, that you visit the Zoo U Master Thread and find the Roofing 101 course and watch it prior to this class.
Skill Level for Students: Beginning Builder
Required Supplies: Sims 3 base game and patches for each EP. Certainly any EP or SP or Store set will add options for the build, but base game is all that is required.
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: 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 you photos all look to suit you then post away!
1) Many of the techniques covered in the Roofing 101 class I did last summer will come into play for this class. If you have the time, it might be a good idea to review that info here: http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/527220.page
2) Do NOT worry if you cant show up for the class. The info is presented in a way that should allow you to work at your own pace. You can always post questions ( with pictures please! ) on the thread at any time and I will be checking back and following up. So no worries if you are busy that day....the class will wait for you
3) I happen to like Sour Patch Kids. But not at 30 MPH....so if they are going to be lobbed in class, do it gently so I have a chance to catch a few.
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.
This is my face right now: :arrow: :shock: Zoo U course that I'm actually going to be online for AND it's a Victorian class by the one and only Ruthless? I'm here. Register me please and thank you!
This is my face right now: :arrow: :shock: Zoo U course that I'm actually going to be online for AND it's a Victorian class by the one and only Ruthless? I'm here. Register me please and thank you!
Done and Done!! Welcome to you both, and I am excited as everyone else! Can't wait for this fun class!
Zoo please, register me, I am planing to be a good girl, attend the class and make my homework, now that I have finished my world Caceres and I am planning to build some lots to help Zach with his Mexican world I am sure that this lesson will be most helping!
Thankyou very much.
Out of topic, I placed the wallart market in my world (giving the rightfull credit to the creators of course) but sadly the graffic patterns does not export with CAW worlds so I am redirecting the downloaders to take the original lot from the exchange and replace the one that CAW sent incomplete.
I can play at last TS2 TS3 and TS4 So great that toddlers are here!!!
Hi, Zoo U Students! WELCOME, WELCOME, ONE AND ALL!
I apologize for the tardiness of my updates, and generally I try to individually welcome each student, but I am a bit under the weather (just an icky cold) and I have spent the day in rest and off the computer.
AWww! So glad everyone is interested!
NO pressure whatsoever....yikes!
I have absolute confidence in you, Dearest Ruthy!
If it makes you feel any better, Taryn was absolutely convinced that we all signed up for her Zoo U class (MOO U) just so we could heckle her because most of us could already use MOO, but her class was one of the most-loved of all the courses we've ever had AND we behaved pretty well for her. Mostly.
I'm so excited about this!!! Just a few days ago I was telling my hubby that I had never tried to make a Victorian house, because only build what I see and have seen in Spain not Victorians. So I need to learn !!!
The only problem is the time :? I´ve done the calculation and it´ll begin at 23.00 p.m here
I hope not to fall asleep during class, it would be terrible !!! :oops: ( Or hilarious, as you look :roll: :XD: ) Well, I'll put caffeine in vein for the occasion
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 12 "Victorians 101!"
ZooProfessor3
suepea
Ashleykaymay
samj6
cassandrastryffe
AIRIS6962
junceda
DevilsAngel66613
buzzbait0u812
pixsidust2
glenkatko
Anua92
WrathofCath
Morakai
Rflong7
jostubbs
Kementari
BeasleyQ2
Mannagurl4ever
friendsfan36
Krumbalina
Bookworm742
gngrsnp
aminovas
xenacullen
Rayshizzie
tayloremxx
Charlottekn
BambooEaterrr
jenny0786
Atgame
emilzydiva
KOCHIE1210
priscapup
Hidehi
What should I wear to class today?
Here you will find the links for threads with student work related to this course.
jenny0786
Morakai
emilzydiva
ZooProfessor3
friendsfan36
DevilsAngel66613
ezequiela
suepea
Rayshizzie
Hidehi
AIRIS6962
priscapup
samj6
Mannagurl4ever
KOCHIE1210
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 you photos all look to suit you then post away!
Notes from Ruthy about Victorians 101:
1) Many of the techniques covered in the Roofing 101 class I did last summer will come into play for this class. If you have the time, it might be a good idea to review that info here: http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/527220.page
2) Do NOT worry if you cant show up for the class. The info is presented in a way that should allow you to work at your own pace. You can always post questions ( with pictures please! ) on the thread at any time and I will be checking back and following up. So no worries if you are busy that day....the class will wait for you
3) I happen to like Sour Patch Kids. But not at 30 MPH....so if they are going to be lobbed in class, do it gently so I have a chance to catch a few.
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, November 23rd!
So happy to hear there's another ZOO U class!
See you all there
Done and Done!! Welcome to you both, and I am excited as everyone else! Can't wait for this fun class!
Zoo
A tutorial on Victorians is going to be awesome!
Thankyou very much.
Out of topic, I placed the wallart market in my world (giving the rightfull credit to the creators of course) but sadly the graffic patterns does not export with CAW worlds so I am redirecting the downloaders to take the original lot from the exchange and replace the one that CAW sent incomplete.
I can play at last TS2 TS3 and TS4 So great that toddlers are here!!!
Please Register mmmmmmeeeeee!!!!!!!
I would love to learn from the master of Victorians
All I can build is a lame box :oops: :roll:
I hope you also do a class on decor and landscraping by Mrs. Ruthless
Find me on FB: Pixsi Sims
Ooh, I'm so glad I saw this. I love Victorian, but have never attempted one yet. I am so ready!!!
I can't ever make my houses look nice, so I end up with a box
NO pressure whatsoever....yikes!
Great googly-moogly!! Please sign me up! Don't care what I have planned... Will cancel them so can be here! 8)
<clears throat>
I would like to register for this class, please.
I apologize for the tardiness of my updates, and generally I try to individually welcome each student, but I am a bit under the weather (just an icky cold) and I have spent the day in rest and off the computer.
I will update our class roster right now!
Zoo
I have absolute confidence in you, Dearest Ruthy!
If it makes you feel any better, Taryn was absolutely convinced that we all signed up for her Zoo U class (MOO U) just so we could heckle her because most of us could already use MOO, but her class was one of the most-loved of all the courses we've ever had AND we behaved pretty well for her. Mostly.
The only problem is the time :? I´ve done the calculation and it´ll begin at 23.00 p.m here
I hope not to fall asleep during class, it would be terrible !!! :oops: ( Or hilarious, as you look :roll: :XD: ) Well, I'll put caffeine in vein for the occasion
Big hugs