More Awesome Than You!

Yes, it's the Curious brothers' home this month. I won't be evil, it's not a requirement to keep those awful platforms, though, if you can, by all means, do!

(http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p282/Lady_Faizah/Sims/OctOriginal.jpg)

(http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p282/Lady_Faizah/Sims/OctOriginalFloorplan.jpg)


Rules, copy-pasta'd from last month:

1. No CC.  Please indicate needed expansions and stuff packs so people who wish to download your lot know what to expect.  Pictures are required, either available for download, on a slideshow, or posted in this thread.

2. By entering this challenge, you agree to take constructive criticism.  If you wish to judge someone else's entry, you should be respectful but honest.

3. Your lot does not have to be Awesomespec, although it is encouraged.

4. You may move internal walls and add external walls but you may NOT move original external walls.

5. Lots may be furnished, unfurnished, or partially furnished.  You can even upload both furnished and unfurnished versions.

*PLEASE NOTE* Since this is an Eaxis-designed lot, it may or may not have level edges.  Place at your own risk.

New for this lot:

6. At least one telescope must remain on the roof.

7. (Optional) Keep the platforms.

Download a flat version of the lot, provided by Emma: Here (http://www.4shared.com/file/65336291/84b3ac46/2_Cover_Up_Road_Flat.html).

You could also grab the original lot by removing your My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\Neighborhoods folder, starting up the game, and kicking the brothers out.

You bitch!

Yeesh!

How did I know it was going to be this one :D This lot isn't flat though, can anyone supply a flat one? Or; how do you make an existing lot flat? I'll do it if I know how.

Looks like I will actually participate in this month's house of fail... woot.  For some odd reason, I am constantly remodeling this house, then putting the original lot back in and remodeling once more.  I usually keep the same general shape, but took down external walls to enlarge.  I'm off to see if I can keep to the rules and still create a great house.

Curious Brothers house really isn't a good House of Fail because A: It is designed for a very specific themed aesthetic, and B: It is really a simple box if you remove the "spacey" aesthetic.

 I feel like I'm cheating a bit with this one. It's the house my Curious brothers live in at the moment. All I've done is removed all my lovely CC and replaced it with Maxis crap. I've done nothing to the 'garden' as I phail at outside decoration and just tend to plonk things down as I need them.

This is the front of the house. The lot is a flat as it gets.

(http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm159/Angie_Baby_album/2%20Cover%20Up%20Road/Outside.jpg)

Downstairs. It's not Awesomespec because the stairs are open there is, however, a table by the door for the onedesk. As you can see the downstairs has been gutted. There is a small nursery in the old chess room.

(http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm159/Angie_Baby_album/2%20Cover%20Up%20Road/Downstairs.jpg)

Upstairs with four large bedrooms. The nursery has a fridge, sink and counter for smartmilk. Both rooftops are usable.

(http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm159/Angie_Baby_album/2%20Cover%20Up%20Road/Upstairs.jpg)

A couple of pictures of the gutted downstairs, I've tried to keep the same 'feel' to the house, just nicer.

(http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm159/Angie_Baby_album/2%20Cover%20Up%20Road/Inside1a.jpg)

(http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm159/Angie_Baby_album/2%20Cover%20Up%20Road/Inside2a.jpg)


Since I started following these challenges it's changed the way I make over Maxis houses. As I side challenge to myself I now try to follow the challenge rules. I keep the exterior walls and as an added rule if the house is occupied it has to keep to a similar style to the original. It's certainly added interest to my game so thank you for an excellent challenge!


Download. This is the original lot not the flat one.
http://www.4shared.com/file/65236984/2acb55cc/2_Cover_Up_Road_Angie_Baby.html
I have all expansion packs up to and including AL and I have FF and GL.

*Edit.
Whoops. Price is 107,093 unwanded.

You should be able to flatten the edges using the LotAdjuster:
http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=282409

Yes, Emma, you can haz a flat Curious lot, but you'll have to download Pescado from the Made Up Animals section of MATY if you want to torture him.  And if you want to torture/love Goopy, well, you're on your own, but I suspect that you're an expert at acquiring Goopy Gilscarbo already eh, Emma?

By the way, this house has no occupants.  The Curiouses still live in their borked house elsewhere in the neighbourhood.

(http://www.avatar-arkmage.com/joe_mulcahy/i_r_not_looking_thru_telescope_moar.jpg)

I needed a flat Curious lot for Strangetown Conspiracy, and ended up doing it with the constrainfloorelevation cheat.  Here you are!

http://www.avatar-arkmage.com/joe_mulcahy/flat_curious_lot.zip (http://www.avatar-arkmage.com/joe_mulcahy/flat_curious_lot.zip)

Oh yes, even though the house is base game with no custom content, I packaged it with all the expansion packs up to Free Time installed.

I see Atwat has had her revenge...

I'm really looking foward to seeing what people do with those platforms, if they are keeping them that is.

I've done my edit ;D

(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/erhama1995/snapshot_34ea7244_55f02a28.jpg)
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/erhama1995/snapshot_34ea7244_35f02955.jpg)
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/erhama1995/snapshot_34ea7244_35f02967.jpg)
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/erhama1995/snapshot_34ea7244_55f0294a.jpg)
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/erhama1995/snapshot_34ea7244_55f02951.jpg)
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/erhama1995/snapshot_34ea7244_55f029a7.jpg)
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/erhama1995/snapshot_34ea7244_95f0295f.jpg)
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/erhama1995/snapshot_34ea7244_b5f0295b.jpg)
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/erhama1995/snapshot_34ea7244_b5f0298d.jpg)
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/erhama1995/snapshot_34ea7244_b5f02994.jpg)
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/erhama1995/snapshot_34ea7244_b5f02999.jpg)
Floor Plan
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/erhama1995/snapshot_34ea7244_15f02926.jpg)
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/erhama1995/snapshot_34ea7244_d5f02928.jpg)
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff298/erhama1995/snapshot_34ea7244_b5f0292a.jpg)
Download:

New Download link: http://www.2shared.com/file/4025123/3844e169/2_Cover_Up_Road.html
(Forgot to add desk)

Note:It still has the brothers, if you want to move in your own sims I reccomend you get the "Move out - Keep Furnished" hack from Simlogical.

EDIT:There's also a little present of pizza behind the kitchen area. :D

Okay, here is my first interpretation.  I just wanted to do something simple, keeping it modern but not "space age".  It's not my best, but not too bad seeing as how I had very little time to slap it together.  Due to the lot not being 100% flat, I will not include a link to download (I doubt any one would anyway).

The first picture is the house (original external walls in red, to help me not accidentally knock one down) without any furnishings... just so you have a better view of the actual floorplan.
(http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo53/SimBliss/1.jpg)
The ground floor was pretty easy to work with, and I *tried* to keep to awesome spec but it wasn't working with what I wanted.  However, replace some of the doorframes with doors, and you easily have visitor control.  I did not bother myself to put in a study with The One Desk, but by squishing the master bath in by 1 tile, you would create an opening between the external Mbath wall and the external foyer wall that would be good enough for a study.
(http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo53/SimBliss/2.jpg)
Due to lack of backyard, I decided to fence in some front yard with greenhouse walls, to make it feel more like part of the home.  The upstairs floor has 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and a deck area that overlooks the bubbler in the greenhouse below.  I added a small telescope there, so that my sims might stargaze without the threat of anal probing.  There is also a massive open area that just has some seating... I wanted to leave it open for ideas... extra bedroom, skillinating, torture chambers, etc.
(http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo53/SimBliss/3.jpg)
The rooftop provides more extra space, perhaps for a hot tub and bar, or whatever you like.  I put a small platform on the rooftop for the big telescope for whatever sim is brave enough to use it.  I deleted all the crazy platforms and stairs that were originally with the house.  I think I will be recreating this home in another way today.  Can we enter more than one remodel?
(http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo53/SimBliss/4.jpg)
I will be adding a picture of the home from the front so you can see what the whole mess looks like.

Erry & Bliss both your houses look awesome. I'd like to use in my game. Problem? Erry, download link fails; Bliss, no dowmload link provided. :(

Angie Baby, nice remake. I've remade this one many times, usually leaving the stupid platforms intact and trying to make them usable. I've never kept any of them for long enough to see if they really work in game though.

Quote from: Alex on Today at 03:52:46
I see Atwat has had her revenge...
I'm really looking foward to seeing what people do with those platforms, if they are keeping them that is.

I've been thinking about doing this one and actually uploading it (if I can figure out how to upload). I've done all the others but didn't dare risk the scorn of the "awesome one" by submitting them. I've decided though that if Emma can survive it I can too. LOL

I do promise that though they may not meet "awesome specs," I do put bathrooms in all of my houses! (Sorry Emma, I couldn't resist.)

Chobeegal, please hit the "modify" button above your post instead of double or triple posting.

I'm up for this one. I just couldn't see anything with last month's challenge.

Mmmm.... yes.  That may be due to me intentionally not including a link.  Sharing lots that are not flat is a VBT.  I just wanted to share the pictures and get some feedback or any ideas that people might have in regards to my home.  I'm into giving/receiving opinions.

I've never had a non-flat lot to bork my game and I've used and moved dozens of them. I did have one with a basement fuck up the neighbohood terrain once. It left a square, water filled hole behind when I moved it and I couldn't put anything else there or across the street either! It wasn't even a beach lot either. ???

D:

New download link added

 Erry, I like the mix and match effect with the windows very nice.

Bliss, I really like the indoor garden idea for this house, I'm going to steal that one. I second the request for the house. You have warned us about the lot.

Chobeegal, the many times I've remade this house the platforms are the first to go. I hate them and the cash from the sale comes in handy for the remake.

Is anyone planning to upload a flattened lot? If so, I might wait for that.

I have had a bright idea for this house. Whether it will work, I don't know, I've never tried renovating this house.

Poofs, I'm going to try with the Lot Adjuster that Mootilda had linked to. Just gonna download it now. I'm pretty worried about using it...

*Emma bites fingernails

joe_mulcahy, CFE doesn't give the lot level edges which is what we need. But thanks for trying though ;)

Okay, now here's my chance.
ACHTUNG!
How to make a lot flat in a few easy steps:

• Use the Lot Expander (http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=175884) to make the lot bigger.
• Enter the lot, flatten it, and save the lot.
• Use the Lot Expander again to make the lot smaller again.
• ????
• Profit!

Of course, there are a few issues with the lot expander (Vista, Apartment Life etc). Go bug someone (maybe Jfade) who actually
knows about programing.

Liveangel, I just said that :D

Hopefully I will have the flattened lot up within the hour.

I was thinking about recreating the original house layout, (same lot size, etc.) and uploading it. 

Also - would it count if I renovated a replica house if everything was the same as the original just a flat lot?  Anyone?

I would think that'd be acceptable.. I mean, we aren't looking at using the game-coded brothers or anything like that, just the "house" shape, etc.

Yeah, if Bliss went to that extent, that would be great. It wouldn't need to have original furnishings, just the walls and platforms. Be a pig getting those right.

So are you all saying there are problems with the lot expander and AL?

If anyone can upload a completely flattened lot (either via lot expander or a recreation of the house on a flat lot) I'd be happy to edit the first post to link to it, with proper credit of course. I'd do it, it doesn't sound too difficult, but I have AL, and I'm wary of AL being listed as something that it might not work with.

Download 'Flat' 2 Cover Up Road (http://www.4shared.com/file/65336291/84b3ac46/2_Cover_Up_Road_Flat.html)

Faizah, include this link in the first post if you want.

Done. Thanks!

I can't believe I'm actually looking forward to this lot... I chose it because I hated it, but I've realised that what I hated about it was largely the internal walls (and those platforms) which are all removable.

Right, I'm willing to try Emma's lot, cheers for that mate!

I'll just have a quick wee look before bed....

(Yeah, right! I should set the alarm on the stove so I don't get lost).

Lemme know if it doesn't work. My fingernails are nearly gone now :D Needless to say, it works in my game, even being moved around and placed on different elevations etc, etc.

I've placed it, gutted it, painted the external walls yellow and started modifying the platforms. All seems well. It is in darkness unfortunately, so everytime I save it gets dark again, but that's a minor problem I can live with.

I'm steampunking the house. Still fiddling with it, and Pascal's teenage alien spawn is still living there, so need to move him to college.
Here's a couple pics. I'll prob be done in a day or so.
I did cheat with the outer wall, by the leftside door. Removed 2 pieces of outside wall, for a nicer look. Could have left them in, but.. looks nicer this way. Balloon is in there only for the steampunkish look. ;) I'll remove it when I'm done.

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/steampunkhousetest1.jpg)

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/steampunkinteriortest.jpg)

You cheat, YOU FAIL!

Kidding, Salix, I love the look of your house ;D

Witchypoof, good-oh! Yeah, this house has never been played so it is saved at the time the Curious Brothers house 'starts', so unfortunately it is nighttime.

Salix Tree, that looks Pretty-Beautiful! :o

Yes, but she said it with underpants gnome reference.

The problem comes in when you make very tight 'hoods like I do. If you have a setup like X - Y - Z (- for visual separation, not terrain spaces), and X is occupied while lot Z is uneven, you'll have issues placing a prebuilt or template lot in spot Y. As in, you can't. And, if the street portion of Z is uneven, you'll have issues placing anything across from it. Even edges FTW. Any terrain elevation change inside of the edges is perfectly fine.

I'm keeping the basic structure of the platforms. Still working on purpose. I'm thinking community lot.

I'm having quite a lot of fun with this one so far. It's yet another modern design and it's mostly done, just finishing off really. I've done away with the old platforms and reworked them to fit into the new design. The top floor is still on the same level as the top platform.

(http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j136/spacedcat/Lot%20Building/CuriousRemixed/CuriousWIP.jpg)

Aw man, I love the steampunk look of this home!  Then I actually read your post and found that it was intentional.   :D  I may steal this.

Eevilcat, I love the look of that! Almost like a castle. Must download it when you're done.
I rounded out my roofs as well. I'm done with my lot, but it's quite late, so I'll upload tomorrow morning.

All you need to do is enter the sethour cheat to 7 (or whatever daylight hour you prefer) to keep it from going dark after each save.  However, I always click the day/night button to dark when I am about to put in lights... but I think everyone does that.

eevilcat, this house looks awesome!

I tried to make the house a little more comfortable for the Curious brothers and their alien babies to live in, but it still looks like a warehouse.
Here it is:
(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/kalinagn/front-1.jpg)
(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/kalinagn/back-1.jpg)

and the interior,
first floor:
(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/kalinagn/entry.jpg)
(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/kalinagn/dining_area-1.jpg)
(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/kalinagn/kitchen-1.jpg)
(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/kalinagn/living_area.jpg)
(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/kalinagn/first_floor.jpg)

second floor with a bedroom for everybody:
(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/kalinagn/second_floor.jpg)

third floor:
(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/kalinagn/third_floor.jpg)

here is the download link:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/to3jmt0njnj/2 Cover Up Road kalina.rar
It could also be used as a uni house if the nursery is converted to an exercise room.

Eevilcat that's it! That's the house I want for my Curious brothers.

Here's 6 Steampunk Street:

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/steampunk01.jpg)

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/steampunk-pool.jpg)

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/steampunk-living.jpg)

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/steampunk-computer.jpg)

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/steampunk-chess.jpg)

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/steampunk-kitchen.jpg)

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/steampunk-stove.jpg)

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/steampunk-robotics-lab.jpg)

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/steampunk-dine.jpg)

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/steampunk-master-bed.jpg)

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/steampunk-alien-spawn-rooms.jpg)

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/steampunk-02-2nd-floor.jpg)

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/steampunk-bed-and-music.jpg)

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/steampunk-art-room.jpg)

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/steampunk-greenhouse.jpg)

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/steam-1st-fl-balloon-view.jpg)

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/SalixxTree/Sims%20houses/steam-2nd-fl-balloon-view.jpg)

I made 2 versions, one has a 4 CC items in it for a more steampunkish feel, the other is Maxis only.
All expansions up to Freetime were used.

Maxis only: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?0r0gjgwjyxg (http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?0r0gjgwjyxg)
with CC: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?zzyw1now1ww (http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?zzyw1now1ww)

That is totally terrific and quite in keeping with the original inhabitants of the house. I just love it. You have such a quirky creativity and an eye for seeing how the ordinary decorations might look in another setting. Plus awesome pictures showcasing this work. I am just so fucking impressed. I don't want to work on my lot now, I want to download this lot and play with it.  :D

current state of development: might be suitable for an apartment building:
(http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/1420/snapshot0000000215f4f28wm2.th.jpg) (http://img183.imageshack.us/my.php?image=snapshot0000000215f4f28wm2.jpg)(http://img183.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif) (http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php)

Great interpretations so far. Salix Tree, in a million years I could never have thought of that intepretation - it rocks.  Kalina, others - great work. I love the idea of making the space 'fit' the Curious personalities.

Somehow last month completely got away from me - I was so busy with work I never even fired up my game. But I have some ideas for this one. ::::rubs hands together::::

I've got a question.  When adding to the existing house, is it then okay to delete the external walls?  Sometimes I only extend a block.  I would hate to have some silly one-block wide hallway of sorts because I can not delete what used to be the external walls.
Also, I completed last month's house in time only to have this computer blossom with viruses.  I have since fixed these and feel comfortable sharing September's house.  Should I post the house, even though it is technically past the deadline?

Yes! Please post your house. Computer malfunctions suck.

------------

I created a mall out of this months lot. The lot is flat.

In game view:
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/2_Cover_Up_Road/Pics/full-shot-ingame.jpg)

The first floor features plenty of couches for resting, a couple vending machines, a clothing store, video game store, and a pet store.
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/2_Cover_Up_Road/Pics/foyer.jpg)
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/2_Cover_Up_Road/Pics/firstfloor1.jpg)
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/2_Cover_Up_Road/Pics/clothing.jpg)
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/2_Cover_Up_Road/Pics/gamestore.jpg)
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/2_Cover_Up_Road/Pics/petco.jpg)

The second floor has more seating, a food court, more vending machines, a restroom, and a balcony for star gazing through the telescope.
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/2_Cover_Up_Road/Pics/2nd-floor-1.jpg)
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/2_Cover_Up_Road/Pics/2nd-floor-2.jpg)

The food court boasts quite a selection of foods including a 1960's style diner, a tropical getaway, a mountain hideout, and a far eastern adventure.
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/2_Cover_Up_Road/Pics/Bistro.jpg)
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/2_Cover_Up_Road/Pics/tropical.jpg)
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/2_Cover_Up_Road/Pics/mountian.jpg)
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/2_Cover_Up_Road/Pics/chinatown.jpg)

The third floor has a coffee shop where you can take a break and watch the bustling food court below, cash register, and last minute souvenir shoping.
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/2_Cover_Up_Road/Pics/third-floor-1.jpg)
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/2_Cover_Up_Road/Pics/third-floor-2.jpg)

Outside you may nap under the shade of the willow tree, breakdance, or enjoy the fish as they swim around in the pond.
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/2_Cover_Up_Road/Pics/outside3.jpg)
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/2_Cover_Up_Road/Pics/Outside2.jpg)
(http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/2_Cover_Up_Road/Pics/outside4.jpg)

To explore the wonders of rampant consumerism download the Covering Stuff Up Mall (http://www.linuxbit.net/Sims2/EA_House_Challenge/2_Cover_Up_Road/Mall_of_Covering_Up_Stuff.7z) now. (You need 7-zip or WinRar to extract)

Short answer? Nope.  ;)
Even if you're making the house bigger by extending it, the original external walls need to remain in place. Otherwise, we'd have all just extended past that screwy, narrow entrance a couple months ago and then deleted the entrance's walls. The fact that the narrow little 'T' was all originally exterior forced us to keep those walls and incorporate them into the house's new design.

Jesslla, I love the mall!

Jesslla, love that food court, especially the 50s themed one.


Thank you for the lovely compliments, Witch. *blush* Nice to have praise from another imaginative person. I remember fondly your "under the sea" disco.


Thanks Hecubus. I think it's fun to suit the house to the Curious brothers and kids.
Now I think everyone needs some clothing to match the steampunkiness!  ;)

Well dammit, I am a cheater, then.  Not by much though.  Mini-cheater.  I will incorporate new non-cheating ways into this month's house.

Well, I remodeled the damn lot, and my pictures are nowhere to be found!  >:(

If I ever find them (or take more) I'll enter!

I hate finding photos I've taken in the game. It's such a pain!

I highly recommend Picasa (http://picasa.google.com/) for organizing photos. It will scan your entire harddrive to find pictures, and the interface is pretty easy to use for sorting and so forth. Every time you start the program it will scan the folders you've set it up to scan and look for new pictures. I guarantee you'll find pictures you forgot you had.

You'll find a Storytelling folder for every neighborhood in your documents folder, and the backup folders in Program Files (or wherever you have the game installed).

Generally speaking, if you take pictures in build/buy mode, without a family on the lot, the pictures will probably be in My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\Storytelling\. If you have a family on the lot they will probably be in My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\Neighborhoods\<neighborhood number>\Storytelling.

The order of the folder names in Neighborhoods matches the order they are in the neighborhood viewer, so if you use Desiderata Valley you'd look in F001 (I think, it might be E001). Pleasantview is N001, Strangetown N002, and so forth.

Gadwins Print Screen...it is free, and so very easy to use.

Print Screen button + standard Windows Paint. (I'd prefer to use GIMP, but it's been intolerably slow since installing my new tablet...)

Actually, I've been using Picasa for YEARS for my actual photographs...never thought about even looking at the Sims pics that end up in there!

I *did* look in Storytelling (build/buy mode) where the pics always go, but I deleted a ton of thumbnails a few weeks ago, which I think was a VBT.  Photos don't show up in-game for the "Here's the story pop-up about this neighborhood" thing.  Also, I now have a photos in that folder simply called "Snapshot" and "Screenshot", and the image changes every time I open the folder.  I'm sure I fucked it up.  BUT, I'll look in Picasa anyway.  Can't hurt.  Thanks!

Update!  Jesslla rocks.

Here's my house.  It's not the most fabulous remodel I've ever done, but it's such a weird house, I wanted to keep it that way, so I used every strange idea I had:

Outside (day):
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c20/SJActress/Sims%20stuff/snapshot_00000002_95f53979.jpg)

Outside (night):
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c20/SJActress/Sims%20stuff/snapshot_00000002_75f53b12.jpg)

Top-down view:
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c20/SJActress/Sims%20stuff/snapshot_00000002_35f539a5.jpg)

Living room:
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c20/SJActress/Sims%20stuff/snapshot_00000002_35f53a20.jpg)

Dining room:
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c20/SJActress/Sims%20stuff/snapshot_00000002_75f53a44.jpg)

Kitchen:
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c20/SJActress/Sims%20stuff/snapshot_00000002_b5f53a2f.jpg)

Small bedroom:
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c20/SJActress/Sims%20stuff/snapshot_00000002_75f53aae.jpg)

Master bedroom:
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c20/SJActress/Sims%20stuff/snapshot_00000002_95f53aed.jpg)

Kid's room:
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c20/SJActress/Sims%20stuff/snapshot_00000002_d5f53ac5.jpg)

Skilling room:
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c20/SJActress/Sims%20stuff/snapshot_00000002_d5f53a98.jpg)

No, it's not completely awesomespec, but I built it so it could be.  Kitchen is easily closed off, a bathroom is accessible to guests, there is a One Desk, and the stairs to the roof are closed off to the public.  Any constructive criticism is appreciated (but like I said, I don't normally weird out the houses like this!).  :)

It's about time I start getting the respect I deserve. *snort*

I'm so glad you managed to find your pictures!

I love the house. It's got a stark, warehouse, boring exterior (except for those pillars, those are cool), with a fantastically colorful and wacky interior. I think it's perfect for the Curious brothers, you really captured the essence of Strangetown.

Gadwin FTW. I no longer have to keep Paint/GIMP/PSP/Photoshop open while gaming to paste individual screenshots. I just set it to .bmp, gave it a folder to dump into, and go to town hitting Print Screen without worry.

SJActress, very colorful! I like color. I like what you did with those outside stair/platform thingies.

Share?

Here ya go, Jelly. (http://www.gadwin.com/printscreen/) I think I might use this myself instead of the in-game camera.

For really reals. I hate having to delete thumbnails.

Cheers for the link, Jelly Emma! In-game camera, even on high settings, is lame (and makes those useless thumbnails, which, you're right, equal tedious as hell). And I've lost count of the times I've accidentally dumped what I thought was a funny 'doin it wrong' screencap by forgetting to copy it off the PrntScrn clipboard. This should definitely make shooting these challenges a lot easier.
THANKS, THIS IS GREAT! ;)

Thank Emma, not me.  :D Emmas are awesome.

D'oh! Got too excited about this snazzy new toy.  :-[
Emmas are indeed awesome and will hopefully not moon me for this grievous faux pas.

You haven't lived until you've been mooned by Emma!   ;D

Oh, I have been, and it was a treat! Actually, if memory serves, I was caught in an Emma/FOJ death-mooning crossfire. 'Twas bracing, to say the least.  ;D

Aw, thanks guys. Cue Pescado with his 'Death to Emma'. Anytime anyone says something nice about me Pes-bot pops up with death-threats :D

(You watch, he won't now. Just to be contrary. :P)

Yes, Gadwin is the shiznizzle.

2 Cover-Up Road, by far the oddest house I've ever remodeled.  2 bed, nursery, 2 bath, largely unfurnished/decorated to allow for the addition of skilling/hobby items and personal decor.  Price 110,210.  All EP's up to FT, FFS and GLS packs.

Front View:
(http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd16/therealsnowbawl/ScreenShot045-10.jpg)

Side View:
(http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd16/therealsnowbawl/ScreenShot046-9.jpg)

Back:
(http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd16/therealsnowbawl/ScreenShot047-8.jpg)

Other Side View:
(http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd16/therealsnowbawl/ScreenShot048-8.jpg)

1st Floor:
(http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd16/therealsnowbawl/ScreenShot049-7.jpg)

2nd Floor (excuse the crazy angle):
(http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd16/therealsnowbawl/ScreenShot050-5.jpg)

Final Shot After Landscaping:
(http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd16/therealsnowbawl/ScreenShot056-3.jpg)

Random Interior:
(http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd16/therealsnowbawl/ScreenShot051-5.jpg)

(http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd16/therealsnowbawl/ScreenShot052-3.jpg)

(http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd16/therealsnowbawl/ScreenShot053-3.jpg)

Decks:
(http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd16/therealsnowbawl/ScreenShot054-3.jpg)

Outside Close-up:
(http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd16/therealsnowbawl/ScreenShot055-3.jpg)

Download Here (http://www.4shared.com/file/66054317/36febc54/Snow_2_Cover-Up_Road.html)

Snow, that is gorgeous! ;D I love the roofing!

DO LIKE!

It is a little similar to something I'm trying, but I didn't think of filling in the roof on the other side. Very smart. I like how you've done the bedroom and nursery double room, too.

It's cool how these renovations are often sticking to the spirit of the original inhabitants.

Emma,
Since you and Pes obviously have such a mutually fulfilling love/hate relationship I decided to see if it carried over into my game and so your two simselves are now married with two children in BelleVista. LOL  ;D So far you both seem very happy, but we'llhave to wait for further developments.

You're gonna get moo-ooned!

hehehe That's OK. I can moo-oon back! I just thought it would be fun to do a bit of Emma/Pes torture.

*Emma moons chobeegal  

Not a love/hate relationship. It's pure hate/hate. :P

Nope, love/hate as in y'all love to hate each other. It puts the spice in your lives! LOL

*chobeegal moons Emma*


Aggromod edit: No red highlighting!  My eyes, my eyes!

I'll post my house once I finish shopping for house-type-stuff.  Just got me a freezer!  Now to get dining room chairs and a cupboard that'll fit in a hole.  LOL.

I'm not entirely certain I want to submit this after Witch's comment, but here goes nothing.  In my game, apparently the Curious brothers got sick and tired of all those stairs, moved away, and sold to a commercial developer.  The developer kept all the primary walls for stability purposes, but hated the warehouse look.

I turned 2 Coverup Way into a very expensive, odd-shaped, apartment complex.  There are five apartments, a rental office, a small playground, a fenced pool (for the safety of sim-kids), a hot tub, a rooftop common area, decorated foyers, elevator and stairs access, and a green area with water features.  (I actually live in a complex with a "green area", so I thought I'd include it.)  All the original walls are intact, and the original platforms are incorporated into the new levels.  I was actually just trying to make a couple more levels incorporating the left-side platforms, and it got away from me.  I was about to redo, and my brain said, "Wait!  It's obviously APARTMENTS!"

The furnishings are quirky, and the apartments are SORT OF themed.  Apartment 3, for example, is obviously for your 70's hippy sims, as furnished.  All objects have been tested and the sims can use them, even if they appear to be in odd positions.  I had a lot of fun with this one.

Prices:
1rst Floor: $3,350
2nd floor: $4,161
3rd floor: $3,383
4th floor: $3,022
5th floor: $1,533
Residential Version: $417,828

Exterior View
(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg65/mitchellcjs/2%20CoverUp%20Road%20Remodel/ScreenShot001-7.jpg)
(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg65/mitchellcjs/2%20CoverUp%20Road%20Remodel/ScreenShot002-6.jpg)

Apartment 1
First Floor, 2+(3) bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Currently:  Double bedroom, child/teen room, living/dining/great room, chess nook, exercise room, separated kitchen (currently an archway, but could easily be a door), mudroom, outside garden plots
Floorplan:
(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg65/mitchellcjs/2%20CoverUp%20Road%20Remodel/ScreenShot008.jpg)
Apartment 2 (largest)
Second Floor, 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Currently:  Two Double bedrooms, teen room, child's room, nursery, separated kitchen, deck
(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg65/mitchellcjs/2%20CoverUp%20Road%20Remodel/ScreenShot009.jpg)
Apartment 3
Third Floor, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom
Currently:  Double bedroom, teen room, nursery, open plan kitchen, music room, living room, deck
(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg65/mitchellcjs/2%20CoverUp%20Road%20Remodel/ScreenShot010.jpg)
Apartment 4
fourth floor, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom
Currently:  Open plan kitchen, dining nook, living/great room, nursery, teen room, double bedroom, deck
(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg65/mitchellcjs/2%20CoverUp%20Road%20Remodel/ScreenShot011.jpg)
Apartment 5
Fifthe Floor, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
Currently:  1 double bedroom, one bathroom, great room with open plan kitchen
(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg65/mitchellcjs/2%20CoverUp%20Road%20Remodel/ScreenShot012.jpg)

Common Areas:

Decks
Upper Deck:  Hot tub, "sunbathing" loungers, telescopes
Lower Deck:  Bar, Chess, Grill
(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg65/mitchellcjs/2%20CoverUp%20Road%20Remodel/ScreenShot013.jpg)
(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg65/mitchellcjs/2%20CoverUp%20Road%20Remodel/ScreenShot101.jpg)
Pool:  Fully fenced for safety
Playground
(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg65/mitchellcjs/2%20CoverUp%20Road%20Remodel/ScreenShot016.jpg)
(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg65/mitchellcjs/2%20CoverUp%20Road%20Remodel/ScreenShot015.jpg)
Foyers
Middle floors: Seating, small atrium, elevator and stairs
(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg65/mitchellcjs/2%20CoverUp%20Road%20Remodel/ScreenShot103.jpg)
Ground Floor: Seating, small atrium, elevator, stairs, fishtank, statuary, rental office entrance
(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg65/mitchellcjs/2%20CoverUp%20Road%20Remodel/ScreenShot145-1.jpg)
Entrance (from the outside)
Including the "green section" and lighting.
(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg65/mitchellcjs/2%20CoverUp%20Road%20Remodel/ScreenShot105.jpg)

More pictures: Here (http://s245.photobucket.com/albums/gg65/mitchellcjs/2%20CoverUp%20Road%20Remodel/)

Download the Residential Version (http://www.4shared.com/file/66100916/c0b0c296/2CoverUpRoad_redoresidential.html)
Download the Apartment Version (http://www.4shared.com/file/66100888/f7083eef/2CoverUpRoad_redoapartment.html)

Hur. Apartments are pretty cool too. I see your theming.  :D The odd shapes make the rooms more interesting.

I certainly can't top that, mitchellcjs. If I had to declare a winner this early in, I'd go with this one.

Brilliant, innovative & gorgeous use of space.

Wow, mitchellcjs, that's awesome! I was half planning to do an apartment complex, where each stupid platform level becomes the landing for each apartment, but, man. I can't compete with that. I love the striking colour scheme, especially the exterior, with the bold balcony railing against the neutral walls. Also, way to use diagonals to your advantage! I hated the diagonal walls and doors of the original house, they just seemed so pointless and in the way, but this lot actually works.

While attempting to open Emma's Flatness to start working on this, I keep crashing out with "Application will now terminate". I have up to seasons, nothing beyond. Halp?

Well I have later EPs/SPs installed than Seasons, would that make a difference?  :-\

Death to EMMA!

I'm guessing that is a yes then. Honestly Strangel, it is really, really easy to do yourself, you download and install Mootilda's LotAdjuster, back up your stuff (just in case) and run the program. Find the neighbourhood and name of the lot, click on 'advanced' and on the right hand panel, click on 'flatten'. Go in-game to check if it has worked. Easy-peasy.

In general, each EP changes the format of the lot package, so that they are not compatible with previous EPs.  Using the clean installer will not fix this.  As far as I can tell, all that the clean installer does (for compatibility) is to remove the version information from the package.  This doesn't resolve the fundamental incompatibility of the internal record formats.

So, it might make sense to use the BaseGameStarter and run just the base game to generate the lot, then use the LotAdjuster to flatten the edges.  This should produce a fully-compatible lot for this challenge.

I'd be happy to volunteer my services in generating next month's challenge lot, if people don't want to fool around with the BGS and LA.  I assume that one just uses the clean installer to remove the Curious brothers.

Holee crap, mitchellcjs, the apartment building is ORSUM! I've been trying to decide for weeks whether, what with my total lack of any interest whatsoever is playing apartments, it was worth getting AL just for the witchiness. Suddenly I'm thinking apartments might be kind of cool after all...  ;D

I have empty templates for Strangetown so they have been purged that way, Mootilda. I used to use the AGS/BGS but had quite a few problems with the latest (Ikea) ones and uninstalled them. I am slightly wary of using them-has they even been updated for AL yet? ???

Yes, they've finally been updated.  Numenor was away for a while.

Ok, thanks. I might install them again...gonna back up my stuff first though :D

Thanks for the compliments, guys.  I think the steampunk version is the best of the best.  I've actually replaced the Curious house with it in the real game.  If we were doing winners, that one would have my vote.

This isn't much of a makeover, I'm afraid, certainly not a patch on SalixTree's or Mitchellcjs's (which reminds me forcibly of a hotel we stayed in once somewhere in Spain).  All I did is remove internal walls, add a couple of floors and wall in the stairways to the stars.  However, it is another of those businesses that just runs itself while the sims go off and do their thing.  Currently in playtesting it's bringing in $20,000 a day, enabling sims to buy vacation homes wherever they like, and demonstrating that sport is good for you and good for your wallet too. 

I bring you Jim's Sports Coverage.  It's big! It's bright! It's beautiful practical! It isn't awesomespecs, though. There's no nursery, though you could easily add another floor if you're hell-bent on spawning. My playtesters are the Picaso couple, who barely like each other and don't seem interested in the spawning process at all, so a nursery would be redundant.

Front

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/2925034085_7377fd6bb4.jpg?v=0)

Rear. I know it looks as if it's not weatherproof, but it's obviously too high for even a flat roof. The sims don't complain they're not weatherproof, so I guess there is a roof, just not a visible one.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3126/2925034905_a905837e97.jpg?v=0)

Ground floor layout

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3159/2925035259_a7e097b365.jpg?v=0)

There's one of those magic little garbage chutes next to the snack machines, that never needs emptying. What I really need is some electrified floor tiles in this area, to zap the sims who trash up the place anyway.

Main entrance: here be the ticket machine.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3079/2925889076_1553c3252a.jpg?v=0)

Entrance to the pool area
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3145/2925035089_271b6ff018.jpg?v=0)

First floor layout: there used to be more bowling lanes here, but they only ever play one, so I opted for costcutting over authenticity, these being troubled financial times.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3008/2925889244_fef6aef27e.jpg?v=0)

A symphony in green ...
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3145/2925034589_c83f4d98ba.jpg?v=0)

Second floor living accommodation

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3082/2925034255_0f634cef0e.jpg?v=0)

Kitchen: sims insist on serving food to everyone in the place, so this is the only table anywhere. Anyone know a way round this? I'm obviously doing it wrong.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3055/2925888456_084f04430f.jpg?v=0)

Skilling/chilling zone

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3191/2925034401_419b24b939.jpg?v=0)

It's a mere snip (wanded) at $131,805. I have all EPs and no SPs. 
Available here:  http://tinyurl.com/4lc38l

I do love that clean sleek modern glassy look. Just right for an entertainment palace.

Trouble is, it's the same old, same old.  I need to get out more.

Hello, I am a little leery of unlurking but here is my submition for this month House of Fail. Apologies for the low quality screenies.


(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa233/kazejournal/ajay.jpg) (http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa233/kazejournal/nbhdview.jpg)
"Hi! I'm Ajay and I recently moved into the new swanky apartment called Curiously Curios Condos."

"From outside it looks sleek and and full of greenery!"
(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa233/kazejournal/dayprofile2.jpg)
(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa233/kazejournal/dayprofile.jpg)

"At night, the apartment is well-lit so there is less fear of thieves coming by..."
(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa233/kazejournal/night1.jpg)
(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa233/kazejournal/night2.jpg)

"On the ground floor and roof, there are many amenities for the residents. "
(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa233/kazejournal/grdflr.jpg)
(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa233/kazejournal/roof.jpg)


"Other then me, there are 4 other families living in this condo..."
(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa233/kazejournal/flr1.jpg)
(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa233/kazejournal/flr2.jpg)
(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa233/kazejournal/flr3.jpg)
(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa233/kazejournal/flr4.jpg)

"Life is pretty good here.... EXCEPT that sometimes I feel that there are eyes watching me from the shrubberies. "
(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa233/kazejournal/gnome.jpg)

---------------------------------------------

Known design flaws:

Not awesome-specs.
Boring/cramp-y interiors.
Humble might trap himself or other people with his blasted computer.
Large amount of skygardens; flowers might wilt. nodeadflowers-hack recommended. (I placed sprinklers but they might fail.)



But still ,I managed to kept most of the platforms intact. Only 1 was reduced by 2 sqs, which was necessary to convert house to apartment.  ;D
Curiously Curios Condo is Middle range apartments. Rent starts from around 800-1400 per week.

All expansions and Stuffpack required. No Mod/hacks/Customs.
Built from original unflat Curious Brothers House from Strangetown. Place at your own risk on superflat neighbourhood.
Get it here> http://www.mediafire.com/?kxjcnnmp2ox (http://www.mediafire.com/?kxjcnnmp2ox)

That looks marvelous.
I especially like the use of the AL roofing. it blended well with the tower

Very cool.  I like the tower of atrium and the quirky layout.

Yeah, same.  ;D

I did have a chuckle about the child's tower on the roof. I could just picture a little sim child cartwheeling down four storeys in the air,  from a misstep.

You've actually done some of the idea I had. I wanted to do a Hanging Gardens of Babylon type theme. However, I can't find any plants that trail over the edges of the platforms convincingly.

Well since simkids don't sucide...  :P
I was going to put higher fences but it kind of ruin the look a little. Oh well, knowing simkids from Strangetown, they will probably float all the way down from the 5th floor! ;D

@mitchellcjs ,Giggy  I was going to use the round roofs for mushroom/fungus growth like effect but the "can't reserve space under stairs" fail'd me. But luckily the AL roofing does look good too.

Well, I probably have no chance compared to the other awesome entries, but I thought I'd submit mine. I can put up a download link if requested. It's low CC, flat edges, all EP, no SP. ALMOST Awesomespec.

I felt that the Curiouses (Curioi?) would be well suited in a very modern-type living situation. Tell me what you think!

(http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/7114/snapshot0000000d55fa988ol0.jpg)

The view from the outside. Yay for gratuitous amounts of glass!

(http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/2204/snapshot0000000d75fa98bbu8.jpg)

An aerial view. Glass, glass and more glass! Towers intact! There's a staircase (lockable) leading from the vomitorium to the deck/the second floor, in addition to the main stairwell.

(http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/1765/snapshot0000000d35fa9a2qv3.jpg)

Top deck floorplan. So... many... stairwells...

(http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/2668/snapshot0000000dd5fa9a3ul0.jpg)

Second storey floorplan. A bare-bones furnished room for the expected baby, with a living room and lots of space for gigantic career rewards.

(http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/930/snapshot0000000d95fa9a4hn1.jpg)

Ground-level floorplan. Kitchen, two bathrooms, 2 bedrooms, Living/skillbuilding room number 2, hall, stairwell, vomitorium (including The One Desk), and...

(http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/5329/snapshot0000000d95fa981ih3.jpg)

The connected greenhouse! This is my favourite part. Unfortunately, due to the spazzy nature of greenhouse rooves, I had to use normal flooring over the greenhouse to allow windows on the floor above. I used semitransparent flooring from MTS2, which also works on ceilings (!), which is lovely. I put down a few sunlamps, just in case the greenhouse walls aren't enough sunlight for plants to thrive. This greenhouse also contains a barbecue (untested for fire-causing ability as of the time of this posting) and a dining room.

Transparent floors are for creepy people.

As long as you don't wear a skirt, I think you'll be okay... or at least wear undies.

Because we all know how fond Pescado is of wearing skirts.

After taking this house in a multitude of directions, I finally settled on one.  It is not the best house for the Curious Crew, but I was in the mood to use the secret door that came with AL so I basically created a house where I could work make it work.

(http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo349/ajcrawly/House.png)
Top floor/ Secret Room
(http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo349/ajcrawly/secretroom1.png)(http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo349/ajcrawly/SecretRoom.png)
2nd Floor; Master Bedroom, 2 child rooms, and nursery area
(http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo349/ajcrawly/2ndfloor.png)(http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo349/ajcrawly/Masterbedroom--secretdoor.png)
1st Floor; One desk, tv area, dining area which is not quite big enough for the entire family but there is space to put another table along the wall outside the kitchen.
(http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo349/ajcrawly/1stfloor.png)(http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo349/ajcrawly/onedesk.png)(http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo349/ajcrawly/Tvarea.png)(http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo349/ajcrawly/atriumsandseatingarea.png)

Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=c6d09d9a6bb6c22bab1eab3e9fa335ca53df296e50ead8a7


Edited:  I forgot to mention that I have all the EP's and SP's.

That's such awesomeness that I had to download it for use once I have a new machine!

A really nice departure, ajcrawly! (*also hee at the great username*) We've had a number of truly outstanding submissions this month that have been fantastic designs in keeping with the Curiouses, but it's also fun to see someone take the basic structure in such a different direction. Orsum job!

ajcrawly: I've never used those table lamps, but now I think I love them.

Some fantastic ideas. Love all the glass, PirateFaafy.
I too freaked at fishy's rooftop playground. But they're only Sim-kids, I tell myself. Still, I even get freaked when child cartoon characters get too close to an edge of something tall. What's it called.. child-at-great-height-o-phobia? My kids would always tease me by climbing tall trees and  crawling up sides of castles, and then look at me with a so-what attitude.

They are a bit... monstrously huge, aren't they? But they quite compliment the theme of this house. I are liking them!

Actually, rooftop playgrounds is quite common at in my country..  ??? Is it really that unsafe? Of course in reality, the fences around the rooftop playgrounds are MUCH higher. :P

http://www.cis.edu.sg/facilities_jurong/reflections.htm (http://www.cis.edu.sg/facilities_jurong/reflections.htm) > international school
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j63/takeuaway/vivo%20city/playground.gif  (http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j63/takeuaway/vivo%20city/playground.gif)> Mall

I built my apartments similiar to the public housing, and their trends in my country. 

When I play tested and realized how big they actually were I was a little surprised.  But after awhile I got used to them and they just seem to fit!

On a side note,

I realized that I put the pet stuff in the secret room but I don't know if a cat or dog can exit through the secret door.  I originally had a crow that I downloaded from MTS2( here; http://linna.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=244894) that fit the theme a little better and I didn't mind leaving up there because it was in a "cage" already. So it might make game-play easier if the pet stuff is relocated?

PirateFaafy's house suggests "Burning Man" to me (not that I've ever been there).  Very nice.  I like the out of the ordinary approach.

These are all spectacular! I think I might actually join in this one if I can wrangle time... and not just download them all so I can make an army of Pascal clones.   :-*

Are multiple entries acceptable?

Definitely! I entered three last month. (Though this month I'll be lucky if I even enter one, and I might as well forget about next month entirely. Busy Faizah is busy.)

I usually enter 2 or 3 - I've had issues with this months one due to my computer bluescreening.
On every lot.
 >:(

Strangetown Botanical Research

(http://minena.prismbaby.com/files/matyeaxis/strangetown/ScreenShot149.png)

(http://minena.prismbaby.com/files/matyeaxis/strangetown/ScreenShot148.png)

(http://minena.prismbaby.com/files/matyeaxis/strangetown/ScreenShot146.png)

Lab:

(http://minena.prismbaby.com/files/matyeaxis/strangetown/ScreenShot145.png)

(http://minena.prismbaby.com/files/matyeaxis/strangetown/ScreenShot144.png)

(http://minena.prismbaby.com/files/matyeaxis/strangetown/ScreenShot143.png)

Lunch/Break room:

(http://minena.prismbaby.com/files/matyeaxis/strangetown/ScreenShot142.png)

(http://minena.prismbaby.com/files/matyeaxis/strangetown/ScreenShot141.png)

Reception:

(http://minena.prismbaby.com/files/matyeaxis/strangetown/ScreenShot140.png)

(http://minena.prismbaby.com/files/matyeaxis/strangetown/ScreenShot139.png)

(http://minena.prismbaby.com/files/matyeaxis/strangetown/ScreenShot138.png)

Download with a few pieces of CC HERE (http://minena.prismbaby.com/files/matyeaxis/strangetown/MinenasStrangetownBotanicalResearch.rar)

Everyone is doing such a great job with this lot. I am a little disappointed that cc has been included in a couple of lots I wanted to download.  :(

clean installer it?

download doesn't work-404s

I only use them for the tops of greenhouses and porches. Never where a sim would be walking over them. That's just asking for someone to fall to their death.

Yeah, mine's going slow. I'm too distractable. I think it's going to be an art gallery. My first idea was to make it a senior center to match with my old folks' home, but I really wanted to keep the platforms as a base and it just didn't feel right. It's...interesting. Very modern with this fourth-floor skyview area and copious use of constrainfloorelements cheat. I'm just not finding the drive to decorate it yet.

Should be ok now, I jusy forgot how to spell when I posted the link, sorry :'(

There are really just a few items, like 2 office chairs, a magazine rack, and the glass walls. Use clean installer and just install the lot, you won't loose much in the translation.

The clear glass walls are actually fence made by Blake_boy at MTS in his Great Aussie Bathroom (http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=241044) set. They are really the only item that if you don't install it, it will look weird.

   I was in need of  a new house for the Curious Boys anyway so I was actually "not disappointed" that it was chosen this month. Mind you "not disappointed"  is not the same as happy.
   I did use Emma's flattened lot, my leveling attempt went horribly wrong twice so I Fail for now, and completely stripped it.  I could not produce anything that I liked with all the platforms present so  I took the option and did not keep them.

    I have all EP/SP installed.  I checked with clean installer and the only thing along for the ride is the Phone - Line Controller.  I do not even like to test the houses without most MATY fixes so just be aware that it is there.  Comments and criticism are always welcome.

Front

  (http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk190/tryclyn/MATY%20-%20House%20challenges/October%20-%20Cover%20Up%20Road/Front.jpg)
  (http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk190/tryclyn/MATY%20-%20House%20challenges/October%20-%20Cover%20Up%20Road/StreetEntrance.jpg)

Side

  (http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk190/tryclyn/MATY%20-%20House%20challenges/October%20-%20Cover%20Up%20Road/Angle.jpg)

Back

  (http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk190/tryclyn/MATY%20-%20House%20challenges/October%20-%20Cover%20Up%20Road/Back.jpg)

A bit of the interior

  (http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk190/tryclyn/MATY%20-%20House%20challenges/October%20-%20Cover%20Up%20Road/TheOneDesk.jpg)

  (http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk190/tryclyn/MATY%20-%20House%20challenges/October%20-%20Cover%20Up%20Road/Nurserywallsdown.jpg)

  (http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk190/tryclyn/MATY%20-%20House%20challenges/October%20-%20Cover%20Up%20Road/Kitchen.jpg)

  (http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk190/tryclyn/MATY%20-%20House%20challenges/October%20-%20Cover%20Up%20Road/WorkoutandMusic.jpg)


  The rest
  (http://s280.photobucket.com/albums/kk190/tryclyn/MATY%20-%20House%20challenges/October%20-%20Cover%20Up%20Road/th_StreetEntrance.jpg) (http://s280.photobucket.com/albums/kk190/tryclyn/MATY%20-%20House%20challenges/October%20-%20Cover%20Up%20Road/?action=view&current=24126948.pbw)


  Download furnished or unfurnished here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=0581aed48c2ae03eab1eab3e9fa335ca0b3b50fe717ebdfe


  I do have other ideas for this house and if I can spare a few minutes here and there I may actually finish another version this month.

Nice, very nice. I like the way you've kept an over all ladder look, with the telescope still up high, yet dispensed with the platforms. The blue/cream softens the harsh desert look and there's an attractive garden at the front. The way you've used the glasshouse roofs is creative and cool. I'm glad I thought of it. I enjoyed the open spaces and attention to detail inside. Thanks for sharing.

Plus I downloaded the Aussie bathroom set!  :D

Tryclyn:  Very nice.  I love what you did with the pool.  I also like the changing table in the bathroom.  I'm going to have to implement that idea in other houses.  The greenhouse and the entryway are beautiful.

I've grabbed this. I particularly like the entrance, and that moody blue flooring. Very stylish.

Minena, nice looking house, very nice! .. but I counted 40 objects, 95 recolors,and 3 floors. I would say that's way too many CCs. I just trashed about 500 downloads out of my folder recently, don't really want to be adding more. A better way to do these challenges is to put your download folder on your desktop, and then go build. Or offer up both the lot with and without CC.

Tryclyn, that's gorgeous, very scientific looking! Where did that peacock in the 2nd pic come from?

Trycyln, I just played your lot. My sim family is enjoying it very much. I really like the pool and the changing table in the bathroom is a great idea.

   jim, The version that i was working on before this one was actually the red cement flooring instead,

(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk190/tryclyn/MATY%20-%20House%20challenges/alternatecoverup.jpg)

  but when I saw mitchellcjs's I abandoned it and started a new house.  Glad I did because I like the changes that I made along the way.

  SalixTree,   In the catalog it doesn't look much like a peacock.  I was just clicking everything greenish and found it.

(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk190/tryclyn/MATY%20-%20House%20challenges/decoration.jpg)


  witch,  I actually snagged the greenhouse roof idea from someone else elsewhere when I noticed how awful the huge peak looks most of the time.  I really need to figure out how to make the damn thing one sided or at least more gently graded.

  keirra and mitchellcjs,  The changing table in the bathroom idea came about while trying to adhere to awesomspec and I liked how it worked.  Last month I forgot to put it back in after I had to fix the external wall that had moved in error.


  -edited because photobucket seems a bit stupid at the moment.

Pretty peacock. Must be from a stuff pack or expansion I don't have.
That lot defo looks better in its final blue state. I downloaded it, but it crashed my game, unfortunately. I was hoping it might just load by some off chance.

Yeah, any house built using Emma's flattened lot will crash my game.  :'(

I believe that Emma created the flattened lot using all EPs.  If you don't have all EPs, it will crash your game.

However, it's pretty simple to flatten the edges yourself using the LotAdjuster.  Just use the advanced flatten-edges option.

Yep, sorry. It is ridiculously easy to flatten it yourself though.

It's okay...I don't especially need a flattened lot.  I am fine with a few lumps and bumps.  :D  I was just saying that anyone using the pre-flattened lot needs to know that their house will not work in everyone's game.  No biggie...and no need to apologize.

Have completed 2nd lot that I will actually upload when I get the chance.  It is a flat lot, but not Emma's.  I just took the original curious house and recreated it on a flat lot.  Then I ditched the stupid platforms and created a house that is better suited for my three freaky brothers.  Will post today.

  Okay, so now I try to flatten a lot and it works.  I have no idea why I could not get it to work earlier this month when I wanted it to. 
   Even if one were to use a flattened lot from base game, another who does not have all EPs would not be able to use a house made-over in an all EP game.  Or am I mistaken.  Would AnyGameStarter make a difference?



  edit to match tenses

I don't think so Tryclyn. They'd have to have all the EPs/SPs listed to be able to use the house anyway.

Okay, here's my attempt. It is actually my third. I have found this house very hard to modify in a style that pleases me, for some reason. I tried to make a quirky funny house instead of my usual type of styling-ie plain. LOL!

This requires all EPs/SPs and costs §203k (not wanded) furnished. It has 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, a downstairs nursery and all skilling/hobbying equipment. I didn't keep all those platforms, but there is a 4th floor platform accessible from the 3rd floor where there are 2 telescopes. Meh, here's some pics, in the form of a slideshow (click the pic):

(http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll294/Emma_M_71/2_Cover_Up_Road/th_snapshot_00000002_f6012e06.jpg) (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll294/Emma_M_71/2_Cover_Up_Road/?action=view&current=44e5c558.pbw)

Download if you wanna. (http://www.4shared.com/file/66931050/512106f0/2_Cover_Up_Road_Emma.html)

If you create a lot using the BaseGame Starter or AnyGame Starter to run only the base game, then that lot will be compatible with everyone's game, no matter which EPs or SPs they have installed.  If Emma had created her flat-edged lot using the BGS, then everyone could have used that lot for the challenge, no matter what EPs / SPs they have installed.

Of course, once someone modifies the lot using additional EPs or SPs, the lot is no longer base-game compatible.

Lots are always forward compatible, but never backwards compatible.

(http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo53/SimBliss/1-1.jpg)(http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo53/SimBliss/2-1.jpg)(http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo53/SimBliss/3-1.jpg)(http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo53/SimBliss/front.jpg)

Forgive me - I know the pictures are absolute shite.  In a rush, and didn't want to clog the post with more pictures than this.  I kept the house pretty modern feeling, with walls of windows and the greenhouse that goes up two floors.  The first floor has 1 garage, formal living area, dining area, a "floating" kitchen and two 3/4 baths.  Upstairs are 3 rooms for your alien babies, large enough to house them as kids/teens I think.  1 full bath on that floor.  Also a kitchenette and family room so maybe the nannie will stay upstairs while she's supposed to be watching the kids.  You'll notice I have a gate installed close to the stairs, this is to help keep visitors confined to the first floor without using a door.  (the house is not awesome spec).  Third floor has three bedrooms and three full baths for the brothers.  Where the desks are located is where I was going to put a walk in closet, but decided to change it at last minute.  Lots of open deck space on the different rooftops for whatever, and telescopes scattered about.  I think the lot is $266,399 unwanded.  The only CC in this should be the freestanding showers... both from Simptopix at MTS2, (I can't build a house without em) the window fix, so you aren't staring at ungodly red windows, and numenor's slot enabler.  I think that's it.  Either way, download at your own risk.  I wasn't very thourough about checking for other hacks. (lazy bliss is lazy)

If you find any, please let me know and I will disable the link til I get it cleaned up better.
http://www.mediafire.com/?zhjmz1y5zw4 (http://www.mediafire.com/?zhjmz1y5zw4)

ETA:  All EPS, all SPs except holiday, teen stuff and K&B.

I downloaded the BGS and tried to flatten the lot, but it just didn't work. Oh, the edges were flat, but the actual tiles that had stuff placed on them wouldn't go to the same level. CFE did not work. Any suggestions? This is bugging me, I think I have missed something obvious :D

Interesting.  Let me try this with both AL and TS2 and see what the difference is.

It's possible that CFE wasn't added until a later EP.  Would people want a completely flat lot, rather than just a lot with flat edges?

I do not have BV or FT, but I have noticed that with the Clean Installer I can still install lots made with those EPs, just with the EP-specific stuff missing.  Is this a VBT?

Do you have AL?  Since lots are forwards-compatible, you should be able to use BV and FT lots when running AL.

If you are actually able to use BV or FT lots when running Seasons, then you are very lucky.  However, as long as the game doesn't care, I wouldn't worry about it.

There are several reasons that a lot crashes with an EP which was released later than your latest installed EP:
1) The lot contains one or more new records types, and your latest EP doesn't know how to handle those new record types.  For example, Seasons added a new Weather record type.
2) The lot contains one or more known record types, but they have a newer internal format which your latest EP doesn't know how to handle.  For example, apartments require additional information in the lot description.  So, EA had to modify the format of that record.
3) I've heard that other stuff, such as missing meshes, can sometimes cause problems.

So, I suppose that it's possible that a specific lot will be backwards-compatible, because it happens to have no new record types and no new record formats.  However, this is very unlikely.


I just tried CFE with BGS running base game only and it worked fine.  I'm not sure why yours isn't working.

[Update:]
OK, here's the flattened base-game-compatible lot.  Here's what I did:

1) Run the base game starter to create a base-game-compatible version of the maxis-made lot.
2) Run the LotAdjuster to flatten the edges.
3) Use CFE to flatten the rest of the lot.
4) Run the clean installer to remove the Curious brothers.
5) Run dbpf-recompress to re-compress lot.
6) Remove most of the jpgs to reduce the size of the lot package.

I don't usually package occupied lots, so please let me know if I need to do something else.

[Another update:] Just for future reference:
The last two steps aren't actually necessary; I was just trying to reduce the size of the packaged lot, so that I could upload it here.

Oh well I dunno :D Thanks for your help Mootilda.

Yes I do; but when I was installing with the EAxis installer, it would tell me that those lots needed EP material that was not installed, or something like that.  I've been a little worried if Clean Installer shouldn't have rejected them too.

@Emma: Wow, that is a change from your normal style! I like the dining room and the garden room the best. A lot of the décor is too dark for my taste.

@Bliss: LOVE the three storey greenhouse! I used that idea ages ago in a plant sim house I built, but I'd forgotten about it since. Not sure about the toxic green nurseries.  :P

@Tricyln: There is a cheat IndividualRoofSlopeAngle It takes any setting from 15 through to 75 degrees.

1) Make your roof. Make sure you are still clicked on a roof making tool.
2) Type IndividualRoofSlopeAngle 20 (for example)
3) Use the roof tool to click on the roof.

I have it in my userstartup.cheat file as roof. So I only have to type roof 45

Cheers witch, yeah it looks really dark in the screenshots, I think it is because of the dark ceiling tiles and the wooden floors I used. It doesn't look so dark in-game. I'm not using this house for the Curious Brothers though, I have a family that would be perfect for it! They have just had twinz and already have a couple of kids.

When a lot is packaged, EA writes version information into the Sims2Pack.  They don't actually try to determine whether each EP or SP is necessary, they just list every EP or SP that is currently installed.  When you use the EA installer, it accepts or rejects the install based on that version list.

The Clean Installer is more forgiving, but it also does not attempt to determine which EPs and SPs are necessary.  Instead, it just removes the version information completely.  So, if an EP is necessary and you don't have it, the game will crash.  However, if the game doesn't have any problems with your lot, then you've got a valid set of EPs and SPs installed.

If you have an EP (ie, AL) which was released later than the latest EP or SP used to create the lot (ie, FT), you should be fairly safe.  This is true even if you have none of the EPs which were actually used to create the lot.  I've even seen the game say something like "You must have uninstalled Seasons since this lot was created, so I'll fix the lot for you", and then delete that extraneous Weather record from my lot, making it compatible with my FT-only installation.

Curse you, Bliss, for pulling off the glassy thing way better than I did :P

This one really does have a lot of opportunity, judging by the entries. I'd never be able to decide who wins if I were a judge.

It's a good thing this isn't a contest, because everyone always makes such fantastic lots. I wouldn't be able to judge either.

Entry 2

With the extra dose of hormones from their alieny friends, the Curious Brothers decided to built a more Normal-ish home to protect their incoming little ones from lynching (General Grunt has been looking at their little baby bumps with hostility :o).

This house is somewhat awesum-specs...

Neighborhood View
(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa233/kazejournal/nbhview.jpg)

Front
(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa233/kazejournal/hsefront.jpg)

Back
(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa233/kazejournal/hseback.jpg)

Roof Down
(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa233/kazejournal/roofdown.jpg)

Ground Floor
(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa233/kazejournal/groundfloor.jpg)

Level 2
(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa233/kazejournal/lvl2.jpg)

Testing Photos (What you see might not be what you get!)

(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa233/kazejournal/housefront.jpg)

(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa233/kazejournal/hottub.jpg)

(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa233/kazejournal/greenhouse.jpg)

You can get it here! Please note that while this Lot is now flatted, it requires all SP and Expansions.
http://www.mediafire.com/?mime25zgzvw

OK fishy. Hope you don't mind some comments. (From someone who didn't manage to make last month's competition and is hoping really hard to get an entry in this month).  :D

Things I like:

The way the rounded roofs all make a kind of bumpy pattern, that's cool.
The way you've done awesome specs and applied common sense to stuff like gathering areas.
The double-storey octagonal glasshouse!! I'm glad I thought of it.
Interesting room shapes.

Things I'm not so fussed on:

Two tiny spawn bedrooms and a ginormous bathroom.
The barracks. If this were supposed to be a more normal type home, there needs to be more normal bedrooms.
The brown wooden windows, with flowerboxes, and wooden door don't match the rest of the general look. To me, they're jarring.

Incidentally, why did you place your sprinkler so it wets the concrete and not the dirt?

You should have seen this crazy hotel I built once... had the greenhouse walls in all sorts of perfect places which was great for aesthetics and for allowing in more daylight.  The phail:  Having to use outdoor lights to keep it lit up at night.  Arg.

The nurseries are pretty toxic, which is out of my usual decor/color style.  I dig darker colors and a lot of neutrals.  But seeing as how the original house had some jarring green nursery stuff, I decided to keep it in my redo.  Also, please consider that these rooms are intended for creepy alien spawn but could easily be modified (like much of the home) for a normal family. 

I considered entering a third, but chose not to.  Perhaps I will upload another of my personal designs elsewhere for enjoyment.  This was the first lot I have shared. 

@witch:

-The bumpy roofs came out as attempt to make a roof awning. I found the given awning ones a little too low and they block views (useless things).

-I'm glad you like the glasshouse! I used to hate making greenhouses because of the "no diagonal" greenhouse walls constraint. Then I discovered one of the windows from ofb could make a seamless diagonal glass wall... :D

-The interesting room shapes came out of the constraint of no moving external walls. Coupled with the need to place doors, interesting room design appeared. However, because of that particular constraint, the main bath and spawnlet rooms because oddly sized. (Actually the spawn-rooms was even meant to be smaller. LOL, my simbabies are just bunked and ignored  until they start wailing).

The spacious-ness of the main bathroom  is required due to the fact that it houses both the changing table and potty chair in addition to standard toilet gears (wall mirror, terlet, bathtub, showers and sinks), without the walk space, the bathroom gears will fail to work properly and chain start the STOMP and WAVE reaction from silly sims.

- As for the barracks... Because that is how I view barracks to look like? Conversion to standard bedrooms should be possible with additional walls.

-The sprinklers water all the plants and concrete. Some screenies are misleading.

-I actually kind of like brown windows/doors  :-X (runs away). 

@fishy - You're totally entitled to like anything you please - and that goes for Bliss too. Part of this challenge, as I understood it, was also about getting honest feedback. Whether you or anyone else agrees with it, is an entirely different thing.  :D

Personally, I wish people would critique my lots more, this is a chance to learn what works and what doesn't. When I post lots at Laverwinkle, the ones that like them say so, the other people I never hear from.

I haven't seen one lot on this challenge I've really disliked and I've picked up heaps of good ideas. Please don't let me put anyone off, my criticism really is intended to be constructive.

PS I agree about the useless awnings. If they'd act like roofs I'd use them heaps more.

I was just answering your queries?  8) I do like feedback. When nobody says anything, it's very likely, its so bland that they can't be bothered.

Download from here:
Castle Del UFO.rar (http://www.4shared.com/file/67124233/dd6c74f9/Castle_Del_UFO.html)


Castle Del UFO.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/yecatsnz/snapshot_00000029_160295c0.jpg)

Floor Plan Shots:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/yecatsnz/snapshot_558e1095_b6029989.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/yecatsnz/snapshot_558e1095_d6029998.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/yecatsnz/snapshot_558e1095_5602999a.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/yecatsnz/snapshot_558e1095_9602999d.jpg)

Spawning cubicals for 3.
3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, indoor spa. 
Top floor for skilling/hobby items. 
Cafe style tables/chairs on each level.
Small garden patch for home-grown food.
Fishing wharf.  Moat with gate and security lights.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/yecatsnz/snapshot_558e1095_d60298fa.jpg)

Modern interior with room for the whole family.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/yecatsnz/snapshot_558e1095_f602992b.jpg)

Make this house yours today!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/yecatsnz/snapshot_558e1095_9602993d.jpg)


(Modeled by the lovely Ottomas family... the toddler is playing in the bathroom.  His mother decided the best place to dump baby would be on the fishing wharf.  Why?!  Not like he could drown, but still... it boggles the mind as to why that was the ideal place.)

Yecats, this looks great! The Ottomans family is really good for play testing. So many kids!!! :o
Actually I was working on a second re-make version that is also a castle. Seemed like a good way to use all 6 levels  :)

I just noticed 3 squares that are un-carpeted.  Doh.

All eps, no sp's for any of my lots.  Forgot to mention that on the castle.

I'm planning a 2nd house.  We'll see what happens timewise.

(I'm having a phone battle with a taxi company because I left my phone in the taxi, and it's been 3 days and it hasn't been handed into the cops or into the head office.  So I'm gonna report it stolen if it's not in my hands by end of work today.)

I love the little fishing platform! Hey, if you stick two aquariums together  - does it make one large aquarium? That looks cool.

I don't think so.  They have 'walking room' around them, otherwise I would of backed the chairs up against the tank like a pillar-seating arrangement.

@yecats: I wanted to do a fishing pier in July's challenge, but apparently sims can't fish off one.  :'( I like your platform better. I'm glad I thought of it. Turn off snap objects to grid, and possibly move objects on, and you'll be able to put your chairs right next to the tank.

@witch: The large aquarium comes with AL I think. It's lovely.

I don't think they can fish off a foundation-type-wharf, but you can make the terrain look enough like a wharf to pass. 

I'll try the snap-objects thing on the next one.  I'm eager to use the fishtank like a column.

Do the fish die?  Or are they just a permi-animation?

(This is the first time I've used the fishtank ingame)

Earlier this month I wanted to build a more traditional type of house. I was not able to keep the platforms though. Here is what came out:
(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/kalinagn/old%20houses/oct_challenge/oct_house2/snapshot_75d03df8_56052d76.jpg)
here is the first floor layout:
(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/kalinagn/old%20houses/oct_challenge/oct_house2/snapshot_75d03df8_56052dc4.jpg)
and the second:
(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/kalinagn/old%20houses/oct_challenge/oct_house2/snapshot_75d03df8_96052da5.jpg)
You can download this house here:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/jnhhzqnnmjg/2CoverUpRd_Flat_house_kalina2.rar (http://www.mediafire.com/file/jnhhzqnnmjg/2CoverUpRd_Flat_house_kalina2.rar)

This gave me an idea to build a castle. I kept the 6 levels, but was unable to incorporate the platforms. Anyways, here is what happened:
(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/kalinagn/old%20houses/oct_challenge/snapshot_b5d03df7_9603d9b3.jpg)
The layout of the living space in the castle is very similar to the one in the house (I got a little burnt out from building). The castle is not Awesomespec because there is no clearly defined main deck. Here is what I did level by level:
the pool and a small study are on level 1
(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/kalinagn/old%20houses/oct_challenge/snapshot_b5d03df7_b603da48.jpg)

level two has the kitchen, dining, living room and nursery:
(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/kalinagn/old%20houses/oct_challenge/snapshot_b5d03df7_9603da33.jpg)

level three has three bedrooms. From the master bedroom the Sims can go to a secret magic room:
(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/kalinagn/old%20houses/oct_challenge/snapshot_b5d03df7_5603da26.jpg)

level four has some expensive statues and a fountain
(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/kalinagn/old%20houses/oct_challenge/snapshot_b5d03df7_b603dbaa.jpg)

fifth and sixth levels with telescopes:
(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/kalinagn/old%20houses/oct_challenge/snapshot_b5d03df7_5603d9f4.jpg)

and some of the rooms:

living:
(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/kalinagn/old%20houses/oct_challenge/snapshot_b5d03df7_d603dae0.jpg)

dining:
(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/kalinagn/old%20houses/oct_challenge/snapshot_b5d03df7_f603db06.jpg)

kitchen:
(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/kalinagn/old%20houses/oct_challenge/snapshot_b5d03df7_9603db1b.jpg)

you can download the castle here:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/lemlx1jydjw/2CoverUp_Rd_Flat_kalina_castle.rar (http://www.mediafire.com/file/lemlx1jydjw/2CoverUp_Rd_Flat_kalina_castle.rar)

Wow, Fishy, Yecats, Kalina, those are AWESOME. I love the light, beige-y themes that they all have. I dunno how the curiouses'd like them - but I know I would!

I would never go to the Curioi for interior decorating advice. Bloody ridiculous walls.

I might have started this one early but it's taken all month to get round to finishing and testing it! I ditched the original platforms and replaced them with something a little more in keeping with the restyled house; the telescopes are on the same level as the original. (Now posted in the correct month's thread.)

(http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j136/spacedcat/Lot%20Building/CuriousRemixed/FrontOfHouse.jpg)

The main living area on the ground floor is fairly open plan with a separate kitchen to prevent visitors stealing your chilled goodies. There are two bathrooms on the ground floor and a separate study for depositing homework. There's also a table in the entrance hallway for plonking down bills.

(http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j136/spacedcat/Lot%20Building/CuriousRemixed/GroundFloor.jpg)

On the first floor (2nd floor American) there is a master bedroom with en-suite, children's bedroom and nursery as well as a bar/socialising area.

(http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j136/spacedcat/Lot%20Building/CuriousRemixed/FirstFloor.jpg)

Above this is a sports/relaxation level with mini-gym, sauna, hot tub and sunbathing area.

(http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j136/spacedcat/Lot%20Building/CuriousRemixed/SportsRelaxation.jpg)

I used all EPs + GLS/FFS/H&M/Ikea/K&B stuff packs.

EDIT: old mediafire link was broken, so reuploaded with new link http://www.mediafire.com/file/mjmmm3ionzq/Curious Remix.Sims2Pack (http://www.mediafire.com/file/mjmmm3ionzq/Curious Remix.Sims2Pack)

That's got such a cool techy look. I like the way you've opened out the interior on the ground floor. The columns made of walls look far sturdier than any ordinary columns and fit the building well. There's a bit of an oriental look with the roofs you chose as well. Your hedges and paths outside still have a bit of a maze look. That new glass window that came with Apartments is possibly the nicest one I've seen, it really suits modern buildings.

I also have one started but am unlikely to finish it before the end of the month. I'm off to Wellington in 3-4 days to attend a wedding so all my energies are elsewhere. Still, there's no real time limit, I can still submit later.

Thanks Witch. I love those new windows as they fit in well with the modern style that I tend to favour. I think next month I will force myself to rebuild something along more traditional lines for a change.

Oh that's neat, eevilcat - very M.C. Escher.  I'd install it but I don't have those stuff packs and don't feel like refurnishing right now.

vera nice!

ack, 10 download limit reached :(

If eevilcat so desires, I'm willing to put the house s/he made up on my 4shared account.  I'm one of the 10 downloaders, and I LOVE this house.  It's very playable, and the Singles Family is very grateful, as well.  Eevilcat just needs to let me know, or perhaps s/he will/can put it up on a 4shared account or mediafire account of his/her own.

Eevilcat, that house is fantastic ;D

Thanks guys, I've added an alternate mediafire download in the original post... and here: http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=293267ffc45b6ab9d2db6fb9a8902bda (http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=293267ffc45b6ab9d2db6fb9a8902bda)

I didn't realise there was such a strict download limit with the other hosting service.

Meh. I tried to keep the platforms first, but that was just too ugly. There is a residential and an apartments (2 units) version for download. Was built on an unleveld lot though. All EPs and SPs neccessary.

http://www.ireneks.de/upload/matychallenges/Curious Apartments.sims2pack (http://www.ireneks.de/upload/matychallenges/Curious Apartments.sims2pack)
http://www.ireneks.de/upload/matychallenges/Curious Residential.sims2pack (http://www.ireneks.de/upload/matychallenges/Curious Residential.sims2pack)
http://www.ireneks.de/upload/matychallenges/Maty October Challenge.rar (http://www.ireneks.de/upload/matychallenges/Maty October Challenge.rar)
Click right and save to your hard drive. Use Clean Installer if you don't want/have already Targa's SupaFridge.

(http://www.ireneks.de/upload/matychallenges/B.jpg)

Entrance area: Kitchen, hall with elevator to upper deck, workshop.
(http://www.ireneks.de/upload/matychallenges/C.jpg)

If you use the kitchen as communal with apartments, note that there must be a fride in the apartment units too - I put
Targa's SupaFridge in the nurseries for that reason - or your Sims will refuse to cook there, or barbecue on the upper deck.
And lock their apartment door, or they will run back up/down and eat on their couch. Stupid fuckers.
(http://www.ireneks.de/upload/matychallenges/D.jpg)

Living room with entry into green house.
(http://www.ireneks.de/upload/matychallenges/E.jpg)

Master/communal bathroom.
(http://www.ireneks.de/upload/matychallenges/F.jpg)

Backside pond with chess table.
(http://www.ireneks.de/upload/matychallenges/G.jpg)

Pool and hottube.
(http://www.ireneks.de/upload/matychallenges/G2.jpg)

First floor (apartment: ~ 2200$) with sport room and play-area-balcony
(http://www.ireneks.de/upload/matychallenges/I2.jpg)

Second floor (apartment: ~ 1600$) with music room.
(http://www.ireneks.de/upload/matychallenges/J2.jpg)
In the apartment version the entry arches are replaced by apartment doors and there is no entry into the bathroom from the staircase.

Upper decks with barbecue, bar, telescope(s).
(http://www.ireneks.de/upload/matychallenges/L.jpg)

Walls down.
(http://www.ireneks.de/upload/matychallenges/L2.jpg)

Very nice. I love the acid yellow kitchen, and the yellow theming in general. It's not a colour I use much, but you've done it well. I hadn't thought of having a communal kitchen, but then my experience of communal living makes me wonder if you'd be macrotastically cleaning it all the time.

@ eevilcat: I don't have the stuff packs for this, which is a shame, as it looks just the sort of building I'd like.  Those fountains are such a great alternative to the faux baroque stuff I'm stuck with.

birene, I love the color scheme and the layout of the apartments. The yellow apartment is mine. :D

Wow. Thanks for the nice feedback jim and jesslla. I wasn't sure the yellow would go over so well. It's an unusual favorite color to have, but it always was and will be mine.

I didn't even do it on purpose, but if there is one thing that drives me insane, it's Eaxis walls and floors (I pretty much hate them all and with custom walls and floors it's not much better) and not matching (kitchen) appliances. Aaargh. That almost just leaves you with the K&B and IKEA stuff, wich comes in some interesting colors indeed.

I hope everything works as advertised.

??? does not download  :(

Are you using IE? IE doesn't like downloading .sims2pack files. Either download Firefox (http://www.getfirefox.com/) or another download manager.

Alternatively, birene could reupload zipped versions of the lots.

I created what I call a "halfway" house for my bad simmies.  It's like a regular house with extra bedrooms that all have a kitchenette and 3/4 bath in them.  The apt dwellers will use all the community stuff, but not the kitchen.  My playable will use it, and the landlord does the cleanup.

Arrr!  :D

I added a rar to my post for those who have problems with the sims2packs.

I hadn't thought of communal kitchens either, until I saw Paladin's tini-tiny flop-house. Well, it's not like the totally empty communal areas of Eaxis premade apartments will give you any ideas.  ::)

I wanted to keep the platforms, so I built a castle. I tried to make it awesomespec.

(http://i35.tinypic.com/dqqcuw.jpg)

Ground floor: entry, study with the One Desk, two rooms for vampires, kitchen, dining room, living room, torture chamber/body skilling, creativity skilling, lockable stairwell, two bathrooms and a half-bath.
(http://i33.tinypic.com/2lngweo.jpg)

Second floor: skilling area, bedrooms (one with double bed, three with single beds), nursery, four bathrooms.
(http://i35.tinypic.com/280mxzq.jpg)

The towers are empty, but there is a telescope on the roof.

More pictures:
(http://i37.tinypic.com/23h6fba.jpg)
(http://i34.tinypic.com/33oi2cw.jpg)
(http://i34.tinypic.com/4l0ifk.jpg)

WARNING: This lot has level edges. I have all EP:s up to Seasons + Family Fun and Glamour Life.
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/yxnjq2ooomg/curious_castle.rar download (http://www.mediafire.com/file/yxnjq2ooomg/curious_castle.rar download)

As the 1st is here, is somebody going to start off a thread for November? Emma?

No, you choose Eevilcat, I loved your entry this month.

 ??? Duuuhhh...Call me stupid, but could someone please post a "how to" for uploading pictures and houses? I did my house long ago but don't know how to post it to site.  :-[
I know I'm too late for this one, but I'd like to get in on the next one. I'd also like to go ahead and post my October remake.

Chobeegal, Yes, I was stupid once too. But then I clicked on the little blue "help" button up top. See it? It has all kinds of answers to your questions. ;)

Thanks, but I have almost nothing to choose from as I don't have any of the EAxis 'hoods installed. The only one I ever really played was Strangetown and that's long gone so I was hoping that someone else would step in.

Since this isn't really a contest with a judging deadline or anything, it's okay if you still have a house to add to the thread. I'm sure we'd love to see it!

Okay, I'll choose one if no-one else minds :)

Yay! Emma calls dibs; Emma are choose. I'll just be over here not minding.  ;)

I don't mind at all  ;D. Might I suggest that "hidden" house from Belladonna?

No, it's tainted with 12

It'll be tomorrow now, I'm tired. I have to shut down my game to run the BGS so everyone can play. Yayz.

BTW I haven't chosen which house yet either, too busy playing :D

I don't mind.  I was going to suggest something from RiverBlossom Hills, but wouldn't know which one to suggest.  Emma can have the stress.

 ??? 12  ???

Well here's the best I could do at uploading. I've never done this before.  ::) Hmmm, first time I can claim to be a virgin at anything in a long long time!  ;D
(http://thesims2.ea.com/sims2_exchange/lot/92/762292/usr_image_1.jpg)
(http://thesims2.ea.com/sims2_exchange/lot/92/762292/usr_image_2.jpg)
(http://thesims2.ea.com/sims2_exchange/lot/92/762292/usr_image_3.jpg)
Here's link to download (I hope). http://thesims2.ea.com/exchange/lot_detail.php?asset_id=762292&asset_type=lot&user_id=5995290 (http://thesims2.ea.com/exchange/lot_detail.php?asset_id=762292&asset_type=lot&user_id=5995290)

YAY! Seems to have worked.
Sims2.com says it includes non-Maxis assets but I don't know how or why or what. I made this in a vanilla game. No CC installed at all.
I forgot to say that I have all EPs and SPs.

I'm a bit late, but as I did the work a while back, I thought I might as well tack it on the end. I kept all the platforms, but changed the style somewhat. I failed in my attempts to make it day.

Overview:
(http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo335/LlanaB/House%20of%20Phail%20-%20October/Oct1front.jpg)
Exterior detail:
(http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo335/LlanaB/House%20of%20Phail%20-%20October/Oct2entrance.jpg)
Ground floor plan:
(http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo335/LlanaB/House%20of%20Phail%20-%20October/Oct4level1.jpg)
The highest platform is on a separate tower. I couldn't resist making a Captured Princess Room at the top.
(http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo335/LlanaB/House%20of%20Phail%20-%20October/Oct8Rapunzel.jpg)

For slideshow click (http://s389.photobucket.com/albums/oo335/LlanaB/House%20of%20Phail%20-%20October/?albumview=slideshow).
For downloads click (http://www.4shared.com/file/69375448/6cd97547/2CoverUpRoadLanaB.html).

*I have everything up to and including AL. Once again I failed to keep the phone hack out. My apologies. One day I will work it out.

Lana, that's one hell of a rebuild.  I prefer daylighting for photos (use set hour cheat for daytime even in with no family), but the night time shots of this lot make it very creepy, very massive and imposing looking.  I also like the princess tower for aesthetics.

Damn you, Lana B! You stole my hedge maze idea before I'd even built it. Not fair!

I never liked mine enough to post it (inconvenient sightlines made it difficult to play from one viewpoint)  but I liked the maze, so here a picture of that:
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3049/2986508734_049abe470c.jpg?v=0)

And Jim stole my flowering balconies idea. You lot are bloody mind-readers, that's what you are!  :D

BTW - awesome house. Please upload. Even if some of these are a bit difficult to play, I adore hood decorative lots.

Ok, I give you Trompe Tower. My hood is steep and wooded, so this just sinks into the hillside. In its original desert setting, it would stand out like a sore thumb.

There are three apartments, with rents from $1963-2463. Ground floor has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (the bathrooms have inaccessible showers, that need to be replaced with baths), kitchen, dining room, lounge and greenhouse. First floor has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and all-in-one kitchen, dining, lounge area. Second floor the same, but with just one bedroom and bathroom.  Decor inside is ... quite vibrant, apart from communal areas. 

Communal areas: Ground floor offers pond, pool, playground, piano, treadmill. Other landings have chess and/or treadmill. Third floor has chess, big TV, snack machines, seating. Rooftop has telescope, fruit trees, and a slide for kids with extreme sports tendencies.

Slideshow here: http://tinyurl.com/56effc
Download here: http://www.4shared.com/file/69850507/be119474/Trompe_Tower_1.html

I have all EPs, no SPs.

ETA: The bar stools in the first floor flat are the wrong way round. You could turn them round, but first enjoy watching the Sims all line up facing the wrong way, and never figuring out how to get at their dinner.

The tree encrusted balconies is something I usually save for my vacation lots.  Reminds me of the Hanging Gardens.  This house looks good Jim, I will definitely check out the slide show.

Sorry witch, but it is a castle (that is, it is meant to be a castle). I was remembering a trip to Hampton Court Palace while I was building. The original maze was much bigger, but all those hedges made moving the camera, even in build mode, a nightmare.

I love your pool maze Jim. I did it myself so many times in Sims1, I'm disappointed in myself for not thinking of it.

Very cool house, Jim.  The pink bathroom is really hard on the eyes. 8)

It's not for the retinally challenged, I agree. It used to be glowing green, but they didn't like that. I did a Gali, and redecorated for them.