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Sims 1 Wallpaper Tutorial
Getting started...
I've recently discovered some useful tools to help me make new wallpapers.Whenever I look for tutorials for making Sims objects, they seem to be written by people who have Adobe Photoshop. I use Paint Shop Pro or sometimes even MS Paint for making wallpapers and even for recolouring or editing objects.
First, you'll need The Sims HomeCrafter (there is a copy of this doing the rounds under the name of HomeMaster - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't). Register at The Sims Website (it's free) and download it.
Got that? Good. Now let's make some wallpaper. You could copy the template image to help you if you want to.
The wallpaper image should be 128 x 240 pixels.
You'll notice that there are some gaps in the images on the left. That's because it's a good idea not to show the joins in your skirting board or borders, if you have them. I've left a line either side of the wallpaper, so that you can see where it would join. This would also then show up when you come to import your wallpaper.
Using MS Paint
MS Paint isn't the most versatile tool around, but at least you can mix colours quite easily, and you can change the bulk of the colours to create different wallpaper shades.
Start a new document and make it 128 x 240 pixels (that's 128 wide, 240 tall). You'll need to do that in Images, Attributes.
If you choose to use MS Paint for your wallpapers, you can pretty much take it from here yourself, but make sure you save your work regularly. If you want to make different wallpaper shades, use Save As... to create a new file each time.
These wallpapers were made in MS Paint, using Save As... to create a different colour schemes. It's possible to make hundreds of different designs just by adapting one basic idea.
There are some very bold examples of this at Lipsy Froufrou's Simity-Sims site (new window).
Using Paint Shop Pro
Start a new document and make it 128 x 240 pixels (that's 128 wide, 240 tall). In Paint Shop, you'll be given the option as soon as you start a new document.
The principle is pretty much the same as in MS Paint, except that in Paint Shop, you can paint with textures! Fill the blank document with one colour, then play with the options in the Effects menu. The chances are that you'll have created some pretty cool designs just by doing that. Then see if you can play around with the Picture Tube tool. You can paint with cats, aeroplanes, bugs and dozens of other things. Other Picture Tubes are downloadable from the Jasc site and are well worth a look if you want to create themed newspapers. You can also paint with a texture, rather than with solid colours, giving you a range of tools and effects to play with. The picture below is of six of my seven library wall designs, created in Paint Shop. The seventh design contains no books, so that it can be used on doors and windows without spoiling the effect. I painted with a woodstain texture to make the shelves, then used the Picture Tube tool to add the two cats.
Importing Your Wallpaper
When you've finished painting, save your work as a .bmp file, preferably somewhere where you can find it again! Then open HomeCrafter and select the wall icon (see left). Then load in your picture and give it a name, price and other properties. Click somewhere on the walls of the house seen in the program, and when you're happy with it, export the picture. HomeCrafter will save your wallpaper automatically, so just click OK and it'll do the rest itself.
