Empty and Cleaned-up Templates. [UPDATED]

[Emma]

I'll do them, as Jordi has retired and SaraMK is busy with other stuff. I dunno how long it would take for the test SimPe to be released though. Hopefully not too long as Inge is pretty much on the ball.

Once I have done the cleaned Desiderata and Riverblossom templates I'll post them in this thread and whoever can do whatever they want with them then.

[BastDawn]

Why not make a new thread, Emma?  Put all the useful stuff in one post with one link and the basic instructions.  You can update it when Apartments gets fixed.  I'll link to the new thread in the FAQ and then lock this thread so it can die.   

[Entgleichen]

Is anyone here planning to make an empty template for Apartment Life?

[geekgirl]

* geekgirl scrolls up a few inches

ayup.

[Cyjon]

Well since Emma's too busy *pfft* PLAYING the game to make clean templates, I'll post mine instead.

Clean Riverblossom and Desiderata

These haven't been extensively tested.  I installed them and poked around to make sure everyone's memories and family trees seemed right.  I tended to err on the side of caution in my slashing.  For example, Desiderata still has 3 social bunnies.  However they are in the Default family, aren't wearing their costumes, and the game makes a brand new social bunny rather than using one of them.  As near as I can tell they are dead social bunnies, and that's too funny to take out.  There are also several unknowns that are almost certainly unidentified NPCs so I left them in.

BirmanKat, you (or anyone) are welcome to mirror them at your site or do anything else you like with them.

[Entgleichen]

Hmm. Someone reported that for the new social groups and witches, it's enough to delete their template character data, then the game will create new ones based on someone's very own templates, and everything should work fine. Would you people agree or am I overlooking something?

[yashila]

Hmm. Someone reported that for the new social groups and witches, it's enough to delete their template character data, then the game will create new ones based on someone's very own templates, and everything should work fine. Would you people agree or am I overlooking something?

Well that's not all...you also need to edit the template because the memories and stuff are still there which eventually will bork your game...as in jumping bug, those weird bubbles with stripes...I wouldn't do it. It's the same with all the templates...deleting all the characters is NOT enough. That's why it's called empty and CLEANED-UP Templates...

...and afaik there won't be any cleaned-up AL template as long as there's no updated SimPE...so just wait and drink rum.

At least that's what I know.

[Entgleichen]

Well, that's why I asked. I became unsure suddenly. So thank you

[Alex]

If I knew the process of emptying and cleaning up the templates, then I would do it myself right now.

I just want to get rid of those bloody families.

[missaaliyah]

Hmm. Someone reported that for the new social groups and witches, it's enough to delete their template character data, then the game will create new ones based on someone's very own templates, and everything should work fine. Would you people agree or am I overlooking something?

Well that's not all...you also need to edit the template because the memories and stuff are still there which eventually will bork your game...as in jumping bug, those weird bubbles with stripes...I wouldn't do it. It's the same with all the templates...deleting all the characters is NOT enough. That's why it's called empty and CLEANED-UP Templates...

...and afaik there won't be any cleaned-up AL template as long as there's no updated SimPE...so just wait and drink rum.

At least that's what I know.

The new QA version of SimPE is out and is compatible with Apartment Life, you need to download it from their forum.

[Soggy Fox]

I don't suppose there is a tutorial for cleaning out a whole neighborhood, or is that the the electric bugaloo tutorial is for?

[missaaliyah]

There is a tutorial here, but I am not sure if it is correct.

http://www.moreawesomethanyou.com/smf/index.php/topic,5861.0.html

[dragonarts]

The new QA version of SimPE is out and is compatible with Apartment Life, you need to download it from their forum.

However, the link to apply for QA status is broken. I applied back when we were waiting for the Bon Voyage version, but never received a reply, so I thought I'd apply again.

[Inge]

Why do people think they're going to get some sort of fancy email?  You apply, I click "approve", you can read the QA forum, and that's all there is to it.  I rarely miss a day checking the applicants so you were probably in the first time you applied - which could explain why you can't click the link any more.

[dragonarts]

Well, what do you know. I AM allowed to view the QA thread. Yay!

It certainly made a difference when I actually logged in. *blush* Ok, so one of those "senior moments" struck again. However, in my defense, I must say that at the time I applied that application said I'd receive an email. I'm sure things have changed a lot since BV.

[Giggy]

I made an empty template for AL if anyone's interested?

Back up E002
Put file in C:/Programs/EA Games/The Sims 2 Apartment Life/TSData/Res/NeighborhoodTemplates/E002
Delete characters.

I have tested this and it seams to be working so far, since this is my first I wonder if I done it right?

[Soggy Fox]

Thanks - I'll be brave and test this, once I get back from going off with my mom and kid sister for lunch.

[tamwilliams]

I made an empty template for AL if anyone's interested?

Back up E002
Put file in C:/Programs/EA Games/The Sims 2 Apartment Life/TSData/Res/NeighborhoodTemplates/E002
Delete characters.

I have tested this and it seams to be working so far, since this is my first I wonder if I done it right?

Thank You for the file. I tested it on a hood I created before AL with my own custom townies. I had a total of 33 character files. After placing your empty template in the Neighborhood template folder and starting the game, I still only had 33 character files. Yippee. I created my first family, moved them into their house and it showed 55 character files which I am assuming are the NPCs the game generated and my family.  I shut down the game and restarted. I still have a total of 55 character files. I will open the neighborhood with the QA version of SimPe to confirm if the other character file additions are the NPCs, but I am sure they are.

All in all, so far the empty template for AL seems to work. I will be creating some sims for apartments next to see if the game generates more character files.

Thanks so much,

-Tam

[missaaliyah]

I made an empty template for AL if anyone's interested?

Back up E002
Put file in C:/Programs/EA Games/The Sims 2 Apartment Life/TSData/Res/NeighborhoodTemplates/E002
Delete characters.

I have tested this and it seams to be working so far, since this is my first I wonder if I done it right?

To test this thoroughly would it make a difference if I deleted the E001 neighbourhood located here.
C:\Documents and Settings\Aaliyah\My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\Neighborhoods

So that the neighbourhoods could be fresh.

[Giggy]

I made an empty template for AL if anyone's interested?

Back up E002
Put file in C:/Programs/EA Games/The Sims 2 Apartment Life/TSData/Res/NeighborhoodTemplates/E002
Delete characters.

I have tested this and it seams to be working so far, since this is my first I wonder if I done it right?

To test this thoroughly would it make a difference if I deleted the E001 neighbourhood located here.
C:\Documents and Settings\Aaliyah\My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\Neighborhoods

So that the neighbourhoods could be fresh.

Yes you can do that

[SimFeliz]

Is this AL empty template just for custom hoods? I tried it on the new neighbourhood and it was still full of the families.

[Soggy Fox]

I might just hope for someone to come along and make a clean template for the base E001 as well.

[Giggy]

Is this AL empty template just for custom hoods? I tried it on the new neighbourhood and it was still full of the families.

Are you sure, mine works regardless. Delete the neighborhoods folder and try again.

I might just hope for someone to come along and make a clean template for the base E001 as well.

I'll work on that.

[SimFeliz]

I'll give it another try. I did the usual steps involved with empty templates. Maybe I missed something.

Update : Yes same thing still. Placed the package file in the E001 folder in Program files, Deleted Character files and still a populated hood (deleted Neighbourhood folder in my documents to start fresh). After that failed again as a test I deleted the character files from the E001 folder in my documents and replacing the package there. Strange thing with that is the hood is still populated, but the character folder is empty. I even played with a family for a while and the character folder stayed empty. I'm assuming that's not good either.

I wish is knew what I was doing wrong since it's working for you.

[Sleepycat]

empty templates don't affect already created hoods, like Belladonna Cove (minus certain empty templates like Pets since BDC was created without Pets). To have an cleaned up Belladonna Cove, you need a cleaned up template for E001.


I rid my hoods of the social townies and bin families by backing up E002 and then deleting the neighborhood package file and all the characters. I then put in pre-AL copies of my hoods. The game can't add what it doesn't see.