Work is so busy right now, I think I'll follow along at home at my own pace. Anyone else using Sims 3?
I am one of the veterans on this Discord and I only use Sims 3! Just @ me on there (Vanadis, same as here) if you have any questions and I'll help you out!
She says that love is for fools that fall behind
I'm somewhere between
I never really know a killer from a savior
Thank you @Vanadis and @MizoreYukii I'm not sure what other mods I need. I have a few from when I heavily participated in comps several years ago (that magical time before I became a nurse )
Welcome to our first mini workshop (named Challenge 1.5)!
We are covering editing programs to ensure that you actually understand your program going forward, which will make teaching and learning easier for everyone.
As usual, I recommend Gimp or Photoshop as your main program because they are quite powerful and have the most resources out there, as well as the most tools/features. If not and you use a weaker program, I recommend at least using PS or Gimp for any missing features in the weaker program or find a plugin. Things like layer masks, a liquify/warp, clip masks, multiple layer modes, controllable filters, clone stamp, gaussian blur, etc. are important tools that you are going to need down the road. So hopefully a plugin exists if the tool is missing, or just use a side program.
Also, majority of the vets have no idea how to use Kritika, Fire Alpaca, Paint.net, etc. as we mostly excel in Photoshop, Gimp, and/or Lightroom. While we can track down similarities and figure out the tools, we are not experts and can only help so much and cover so much in the Workshops. And since we are doing live challenges we can’t write a new tutorial for each program as it would take too long. Therefore, if you are dedicated to your program you need to learn the program to fill in any gaps we, or others, can’t cover. This way you don’t fall behind and can translate any tutorials if they aren’t for your program.
And if you want to switch but are intimidated, don’t be! The links down below will easily help you locate the similar tools you used in the previous program and teach you the new ones, making switching easier. It’s all a matter of patience and practice. Back in the day, as a beginner, I went from Gimp to PS in about a month, switching back for anything I was confused on but always returning to PS for practice. I eventually became familiar with PS’s common tools that I used to use in Gimp, then made the full transition. This was without any guides, etc. just exploring and messing with tools, so with guides it will be easier. (Btw, I have a PS CS6 download if people do want to transition.)
Now let’s get down to business. For this workshop I will list tutorials and misc. links that will help you learn your program. These will either be from the creators themselves, from a vet, from Youtube, etc. and may be about shortcuts, how to add plugins/brushes/etc., what each tool does, etc. Also, if your program is not listed please let me know and I will see what I can do. I will not cover internet programs (like using Photobucket or Flickr to edit), drawing programs, Microsoft Paint, Picasa, PhotoScape, etc. Please do not use those for your main editing program. Also, please keep in mind that Krita and Fire Alpaca are digital art programs (like Paint Tool SAI), meaning they are missing some editing related features. We are still going to cover them here for those that use them but please locate plugins, or substitute with Gimp/PS, for missing features later down the road.
Note: I have all of these programs downloaded and have used them to figure out their capabilities. This will also allow me to help those struggling to locate/use features.
Outline: Overall Manual: This is the go-to guide for anyone who is new or has basic knowledge of their program, and who needs guidance for editing and program setup and use. If you know every tool, setting, option, etc. then you probably don’t need to read this, but if you only know a handful of things then you should read it. Setup: Covers how to setup your program for optimal use, moving windows around and getting things ready, and/or explains what the main windows/tabs/etc. do. Settings: Covers settings and other preferences you can change to make your experience better, including shortcuts. Tool/Feature Explanation: Covers the tools and features so you know what they do and how to use them. Shortcuts (to print or write down): List of all the keyboard shortcuts available to improve your workflow and make you faster. How to Add Plugins/Scripts/Brushes/Fonts/Etc.: Covers how to add plugins, scripts, brushes, fonts, etc. to your program to improve or fix features. Fonts are generally added the same way for majority of computer systems, but I left a link that explains any limitations for that program or any special steps. Quick Tutorials: Tutorials from the creators, or others, but has a list of quick tutorials to refer to.
Photoshop CC CC is the latest version of PS and the most powerful editor. It is also no longer expensive (compared to what they wanted before) only costing $9.99 every month, which includes Lightroom as well (a second program focused on photography editing). It receives constant updates and new features.
Photoshop CS6 CS6 was the last version before Adobe switched to PS CC, making it the next best option for editing either as a onetime purchase or finding a free download (like I have available). CS2 is actually free from Adobe if you want PS but don’t want CC or CS6, but the features are basic.
Gimp 2.10 These links are mainly for 2.10, which came out this year. If you haven’t yet, make sure to update to the newest Gimp for the latest features.
Submission:
For this challenge it’s time to get creative! First, read the links and play around with your program. Poke at all the tools and features and once you have discovered your favorite, create a picture with it! This can be either a Sims or person/animal/object edit, or you can create some art. Complex or simple, multiple tools and features, whatever you want! When you submit, explain why the main tool or feature used is your favorite (which can also be as simple as “it’s fun”). Feedback will not be provided this round unless you request it, since this was just meant to be a fun activity to get you guys working with your programs.
Regardless if you submit or not, please make sure to read the links and learn your program. You have no idea how much they’ll help you now and later when you get into the other topics. If you are confused on anything or need more info on something, just message me or post.
Mini Workshop 1 is up (named Challenge 1.5), and we are focusing on programs. In the guide you will find various links that will help you understand your program, which in turn will help you learn better and more on your own, while also allowing you to keep up with the challenges and tutorials we give. Not all tutorials that will be linked will be for each program, so it is important to be able to translate them. By translating, I mean knowing how to replicate the same steps, or close enough, in your own program. I'll help as much as I can in future challenges when linking tutorials and giving instructions though, and if you are ever lost in the steps, etc. please let me know.
This workshop will end on the 17th as there is a lot of material to read, and I also need to work on Challenge 2 (unknown launch date) and my competitions. So there may be a small break after this workshop ends, but I promise to get Challenge 2 up and running soon. In the mean time, please read the links and play around with your program and learn its features and tools. It will help a lot later, even if you don't entirely understand why a feature or tool may be useful.
Challenge 1 is technically closed but I know there's a few people who ran into issues that wanted to participate. You can still submit after the challenge ends, so submit when you get the chance. I've been working all day on 1.5 so will do feedback on the 4th, as tomorrow I will be at a doctor's appointment to learn the gender of my baby and most likely celebrating after.
~ I will be in this as soon as my PC is up & running again, I know I am late but the Video card chose to die on 25th of last month (Dec, CHRISTmas day! Ho!Ho!Ho! to me!LOL, I can laugh now as I have paid for all the upgrade parts for my VC to be supported! And I am excited for the outcome, a new PC!)
~ At the moment my Game will not open as the VC I have in is my old one & too low to play the game! ( It is from my previous version of this PC!It was used when Sims 3 came out! Then it got discarded for an upgrade! (2 Upgrades ago!) )
@deviouslyvivid I'll just copy/paste what I sent and see if it helps. This is going off of the S4 tutorial.
Settings are pretty much the same if you can manage it:
If you can't handle max try putting everything on the next setting, which is probably going to be Medium or just High. Sims Detail should always be max though.
Same thing about model saves and building. This is especially important for Sims 3 due to the open world.
For the lighting, Sims 3 actually has better lighting than Sims 4 and is way more powerful. I haven't logged in to check yet, but I know I use...2? Lights for the Basic Lighting. Still using the large 3x3 wall light, and I believe a small ceiling or wall light for color (Debug lights in S3 can change colors! To give your light a custom color, hold Shift while you left-click it (in live mode) or hold CTRL + Shift, then left-click (in build/buy mode).)
For neutral lighting you'll want to do mostly the same as in S4 tutorial, but probably move the lights further away, because as I said the lights are stronger. Cheat for enabling buydebug is testingcheatsenabled true then buydebug. Master Controller should be able to enable that though, but I don't remember.
@aussiekarima That's completely fine, and I saw you post that, it really sucks! But at least you get some sweet new upgrades in return. xD Looking forward to your submissions!
Challenge 2 should hopefully be up in a few days, maybe more. Been working on finishing the last few details for my competition server, which I know more people are waiting on than Challenge 2, lol. Either way, working on getting Challenge 2 up as quickly as possible.
@Mamajanaynay I completely forgot to do your feedback, so sorry! I added it to the front page and the results section on the server..
Challenge 1 @Mamajanaynay Fantastic lighting on both pictures! Well balanced and we can see her clearly. For both shots I'd recommend going for eye contact to make them more powerful, especially since she has such cool eyes. Also, the headshot is slightly off but that may be due to the angle you went for. Overall you did a fantastic job with the cropping and lighting!
If you need bigger sims for your edits (or in general want better quality) we have a new method for that instead of piecing together multiple images of your sim! The video is a tutorial and has links to the download of this new program in it's description. https://youtu.be/5e3GGKnd7Vc
Comments
I am one of the veterans on this Discord and I only use Sims 3! Just @ me on there (Vanadis, same as here) if you have any questions and I'll help you out!
I'm somewhere between
I never really know a killer from a savior
We are covering editing programs to ensure that you actually understand your program going forward, which will make teaching and learning easier for everyone.
As usual, I recommend Gimp or Photoshop as your main program because they are quite powerful and have the most resources out there, as well as the most tools/features. If not and you use a weaker program, I recommend at least using PS or Gimp for any missing features in the weaker program or find a plugin. Things like layer masks, a liquify/warp, clip masks, multiple layer modes, controllable filters, clone stamp, gaussian blur, etc. are important tools that you are going to need down the road. So hopefully a plugin exists if the tool is missing, or just use a side program.
Also, majority of the vets have no idea how to use Kritika, Fire Alpaca, Paint.net, etc. as we mostly excel in Photoshop, Gimp, and/or Lightroom. While we can track down similarities and figure out the tools, we are not experts and can only help so much and cover so much in the Workshops. And since we are doing live challenges we can’t write a new tutorial for each program as it would take too long. Therefore, if you are dedicated to your program you need to learn the program to fill in any gaps we, or others, can’t cover. This way you don’t fall behind and can translate any tutorials if they aren’t for your program.
And if you want to switch but are intimidated, don’t be! The links down below will easily help you locate the similar tools you used in the previous program and teach you the new ones, making switching easier. It’s all a matter of patience and practice. Back in the day, as a beginner, I went from Gimp to PS in about a month, switching back for anything I was confused on but always returning to PS for practice. I eventually became familiar with PS’s common tools that I used to use in Gimp, then made the full transition. This was without any guides, etc. just exploring and messing with tools, so with guides it will be easier. (Btw, I have a PS CS6 download if people do want to transition.)
Now let’s get down to business. For this workshop I will list tutorials and misc. links that will help you learn your program. These will either be from the creators themselves, from a vet, from Youtube, etc. and may be about shortcuts, how to add plugins/brushes/etc., what each tool does, etc. Also, if your program is not listed please let me know and I will see what I can do. I will not cover internet programs (like using Photobucket or Flickr to edit), drawing programs, Microsoft Paint, Picasa, PhotoScape, etc. Please do not use those for your main editing program. Also, please keep in mind that Krita and Fire Alpaca are digital art programs (like Paint Tool SAI), meaning they are missing some editing related features. We are still going to cover them here for those that use them but please locate plugins, or substitute with Gimp/PS, for missing features later down the road.
Note: I have all of these programs downloaded and have used them to figure out their capabilities. This will also allow me to help those struggling to locate/use features.
Outline:
Overall Manual: This is the go-to guide for anyone who is new or has basic knowledge of their program, and who needs guidance for editing and program setup and use. If you know every tool, setting, option, etc. then you probably don’t need to read this, but if you only know a handful of things then you should read it.
Setup: Covers how to setup your program for optimal use, moving windows around and getting things ready, and/or explains what the main windows/tabs/etc. do.
Settings: Covers settings and other preferences you can change to make your experience better, including shortcuts.
Tool/Feature Explanation: Covers the tools and features so you know what they do and how to use them.
Shortcuts (to print or write down): List of all the keyboard shortcuts available to improve your workflow and make you faster.
How to Add Plugins/Scripts/Brushes/Fonts/Etc.: Covers how to add plugins, scripts, brushes, fonts, etc. to your program to improve or fix features. Fonts are generally added the same way for majority of computer systems, but I left a link that explains any limitations for that program or any special steps.
Quick Tutorials: Tutorials from the creators, or others, but has a list of quick tutorials to refer to.
Photoshop CC
CC is the latest version of PS and the most powerful editor. It is also no longer expensive (compared to what they wanted before) only costing $9.99 every month, which includes Lightroom as well (a second program focused on photography editing). It receives constant updates and new features.
https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/user-guide.html
https://retouchingacademy.com/customizing-your-workspace-in-photoshop/
https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/photoshop-cc-the/9781491905593/ch01s04.html
https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/tools.html
https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/using-tools.html
https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/filter-effects-reference.html
https://www.youtube.com/user/PhlearnLLC/playlists
Photoshop CS6
CS6 was the last version before Adobe switched to PS CC, making it the next best option for editing either as a onetime purchase or finding a free download (like I have available). CS2 is actually free from Adobe if you want PS but don’t want CC or CS6, but the features are basic.
https://www.photoshopessentials.com/basics/photoshop-cs6-workspaces/
https://www.agitraining.com/adobe/photoshop/tutorials/tools-panel-in-photoshop-cs6
http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=1925615
Gimp 2.10
These links are mainly for 2.10, which came out this year. If you haven’t yet, make sure to update to the newest Gimp for the latest features.
https://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/comment/13875942#Comment_13875942
https://docs.gimp.org/2.10/en/gimp-image-window.html
https://docs.gimp.org/2.10/en/gimp-concepts-docks.html
https://jeffkayser.com/static/cheatsheets/cheatsheet_gimp.png
https://www.gimp.org/tutorials/list-all.html
Krita
https://docs.krita.org/en/user_manual/getting_started/basic_concepts.html
https://docs.krita.org/en/reference_manual.html#reference-manual
https://shortcutworld.com/Krita/win/Krita-Painting_3_Shortcuts
https://docs.krita.org/en/reference_manual/preferences/python_plugin_manager.html
https://docs.krita.org/en/user_manual/loading_saving_brushes.html#sharing-brushes
https://docs.krita.org/en/user_manual/loading_saving_brushes.html#making-a-brush-preset (Creating your own)
Fire Alpaca
https://www.deviantart.com/atsusakaneytza/art/FireAlpaca-Guide-pt-1-346953677
https://www.deviantart.com/atsusakaneytza/art/FireAlpaca-Guide-pt-2-346953627
https://www.deviantart.com/atsusakaneytza/art/FireAlpaca-Guide-pt-3-346953565
https://www.deviantart.com/atsusakaneytza/art/Secret-FireAlpaca-Shortcuts-489284543
https://www.deviantart.com/cocobunnie/art/Tut-Brush-Installing-Tutorial-471727135
https://firealpaca.com/en/topics/Add+brushes! (Creating your own)
Paint.Net
https://www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/ToolsWindow.html
https://www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/AdjustmentsMenu.html
https://forums.getpaint.net/topic/25792-photoshop-brush-filetype-2018-12-23/?tab=comments#comment-385683 (Installing PS brushes with plugin)
For this challenge it’s time to get creative! First, read the links and play around with your program. Poke at all the tools and features and once you have discovered your favorite, create a picture with it! This can be either a Sims or person/animal/object edit, or you can create some art. Complex or simple, multiple tools and features, whatever you want! When you submit, explain why the main tool or feature used is your favorite (which can also be as simple as “it’s fun”). Feedback will not be provided this round unless you request it, since this was just meant to be a fun activity to get you guys working with your programs.
Regardless if you submit or not, please make sure to read the links and learn your program. You have no idea how much they’ll help you now and later when you get into the other topics. If you are confused on anything or need more info on something, just message me or post.
Due Date: January 17th
This workshop will end on the 17th as there is a lot of material to read, and I also need to work on Challenge 2 (unknown launch date) and my competitions. So there may be a small break after this workshop ends, but I promise to get Challenge 2 up and running soon. In the mean time, please read the links and play around with your program and learn its features and tools. It will help a lot later, even if you don't entirely understand why a feature or tool may be useful.
Challenge 1 is technically closed but I know there's a few people who ran into issues that wanted to participate. You can still submit after the challenge ends, so submit when you get the chance. I've been working all day on 1.5 so will do feedback on the 4th, as tomorrow I will be at a doctor's appointment to learn the gender of my baby and most likely celebrating after.
~ At the moment my Game will not open as the VC I have in is my old one & too low to play the game! ( It is from my previous version of this PC!It was used when Sims 3 came out! Then it got discarded for an upgrade! (2 Upgrades ago!) )
If you can't handle max try putting everything on the next setting, which is probably going to be Medium or just High. Sims Detail should always be max though.
For mods:
Time Saving:
Lighting/Quality:
OR SweetFX (http://brntwaffles.tumblr.com/post/108929275592/click-the-pictures-to-see-the-full-quality-a-new)
OR Just Sharper SweetFX (http://brntwaffles.tumblr.com/post/108931136082/click-the-pictures-to-see-the-full-quality-as) (These work for Sims 3 too)
Photoshoot:
Same thing about model saves and building. This is especially important for Sims 3 due to the open world.
For the lighting, Sims 3 actually has better lighting than Sims 4 and is way more powerful. I haven't logged in to check yet, but I know I use...2? Lights for the Basic Lighting. Still using the large 3x3 wall light, and I believe a small ceiling or wall light for color (Debug lights in S3 can change colors! To give your light a custom color, hold Shift while you left-click it (in live mode) or hold CTRL + Shift, then left-click (in build/buy mode).)
For neutral lighting you'll want to do mostly the same as in S4 tutorial, but probably move the lights further away, because as I said the lights are stronger. Cheat for enabling buydebug is testingcheatsenabled true then buydebug. Master Controller should be able to enable that though, but I don't remember.
Challenge 2 should hopefully be up in a few days, maybe more. Been working on finishing the last few details for my competition server, which I know more people are waiting on than Challenge 2, lol. Either way, working on getting Challenge 2 up as quickly as possible.
@Mamajanaynay I completely forgot to do your feedback, so sorry! I added it to the front page and the results section on the server..
Challenge 1 - By @Mamajanaynay
Challenge 1
@Mamajanaynay Fantastic lighting on both pictures! Well balanced and we can see her clearly. For both shots I'd recommend going for eye contact to make them more powerful, especially since she has such cool eyes. Also, the headshot is slightly off but that may be due to the angle you went for. Overall you did a fantastic job with the cropping and lighting!
https://youtu.be/5e3GGKnd7Vc