View source for Tutorial:Three Different Methods of Recategorising CASParts, and Why We Like Them

=Three (and a half) Different Methods of Recategorising CASParts, and Why We Like Them=
Recategorising CAS content is a popular business, and it's also a very easy thing for a beginning creator, or even a non-creator with no desire to become a creator, to cut their teeth on. Unfortunately, we don't have an up-to-date tutorial on this; and because of the number of total newbies who want to try it, the methods explained are often of the "quick and dirty" variety, since they're the easy ones, and all modders want to make more modders, preferably by not scaring them away on their first foray.

This tutorial will explain three (and a half) methods of recategorising CAS content, as well as their pros and cons. This isn't an exhaustive list of all the ways one can possibly recategorise CAS content. I won't tell you how to do it using S3PE (well, only a little), or in a hex editor, or in Notepad, or by applying wires and lemon juice to your motherboard. These are just the simplest and/or best methods.



So, pick your poison:
* Method 1: [[#Quick and Dirty|Quick and Dirty]] - This method can be used for any CAS content: base game, EP, or CC. It is quick. It is easy. It requires the use of only one program, and something ridiculous like ten clicks. It is also horrifically untidy and would make any modder wince and, if they also happen to be a coder, start shuddering and muttering something about meatballs. It's great for first-timers, and those who just want a quick and easy solution for their own personal use. But don't stop reading just yet, even if you think this sounds perfect for you - because the next method is...

* Method 2: [[#Quick and Tidy|Quick and Tidy, but Limited]] - This method is even easier than the Quick and Dirty method, and it produces neat little files which are clean, efficient, entirely inoffensive, and won't make anyone cry. However, it can only be used on basegame content and CC - or, rather, it can be used on EP content, but doing so is a bit of a pain. If you want to recategorise basegame content or CC, then this is the method for you, whether you're a total beginner or have years of experience working for NASA (in which case, get off the internet before something big and burning falls out of the sky).

* Method 3: [[#Ambulatory and Tidy|Ambulatory and Tidy]] - This method takes a bit more brainpower and button-clicking than the above two methods - though once you've got it down, it'll still take you less than five minutes. It can be used on any CAS content. It makes perfect files which would be the envy of any compulsive defragger and recycle-bin-emptier. It's also really not that tough. Even if you think you're more of a Quick and Dirty kinda person, you can probably manage this method too, so long as you take it one step at a time. This method has two little branches right at the end, hence the half.


Prerequisite for '''all''' methods:
If you are recategorising sims3pack CC, you need to extract the .package file first. Don't be alarmed; think of the sims3pack as being like the cellophane wrapping on a DVD. It serves almost no useful purpose and gets in the bloody way, and the first thing anyone with sense does is rip it off and chuck it away so they can get at the juicy .package format DVD inside.
To extract the .package files:
# Download the [http://www.modthesims.info/d/364038 Sims3pack Multi-extractor]
# Put the sims3pack(s) you want to recategorise in a folder on their own, without any other sims3packs.
# Start the Multi-extractor, and click Browse under Step 1. Pick the folder containing your sims3packs.
# Click Browse under Step 2. Pick whichever folder you want your .package files to end up in.
# Tick "Rename files on Save". Click Extract. Done!


==Quick and Dirty==
So you're quick and dirty, are you? Oh, mother. First things first, you need to download a grand total of one thing:
* [http://dino.drealm.info/den/denforum/index.php?PHPSESSID=ifu9hahchkt8usm5tm5tdvjqu3&topic=190.0 S3OC] by Peter and Inge Jones. If you're not sure which version to get, go for the Windows Easy Installer version.
If you're on a Mac, you can run S3OC using Mono, though it's not 100% reliable.

===Step 1: Finding the Content===
* Start up S3OC.

* If you're recategorising CC, make sure you've read the "Prerequisite for '''all''' methods" above! Then, click '''File''' and '''Open package'''. Select the .package, and skip to Step 2.


* If you're recategorising EA content, click '''Cloning''' and '''(experimental) CAS Parts'''.
[[Image:Recat-S3OC_list.jpg|500px]]

Click the '''Name''' column heading to sort the list alphabetically, then click the '''EP''' column heading to sort by EP. Find the section for the EP you want.
* Blank = Basegame.
* EP1 = World Adventures; EP2 = Ambitions; EP3 = Late Night; EP4 = Generations; EP5 = Pets.
* SP1 = High End Loft Stuff; SP2 = Fast Lane Stuff; SP3 = Outdoor Living Stuff; SP4 = Town Life Stuff.

Now, it's time to find the specific item you want. There are probably quite a few listed, so narrow it down using the first letters of the names.
* First letter: a = Adult/Young Adult; c = Child; e = Elder; p = Toddler; t = Teen; u = All ages.
* Second letter: f = Female; m = Male; u = Unisex
And the rest... you can probably figure out. :) If you want a very long-winded explanation of the names, see [[Tutorial:Cloning EP content with CTU#Finding an EP Item]].

==Step 2: Cloning the Content==
Once you've got your item open or selected, click the '''Clone or fix...''' button.

[[Category:White Needs To Finish This]]