I don't know whether to thank you or not - I just spent an hour playing with COPASO - the Color Pallette Software on that site - when I should have been doing something else. 

Hee. You're making me hungry.

Yes, the garage is out of proportion to the house. Length-wise, it is the smallest I could make it and still fit the parking space in it so sims could actually park a car in there. Width-wise, if I take away the extra square on either side of the garage door, the side of the garage door clips through the living room wall. DNW. So that was pretty much the smallest I could make it. I may have been able to take away one square length-wise, but might have had to use moveobjects on to place the parking space. I think there is something that is just off about the scale of houses in general in comparison to sims. It is one of the reasons why I find it difficult to make them small. That, and the crappy routing.

You have to use the constrainfloorelevation (CFE) false cheat to attach the walls to the rest of the house and then shorten walls etc. I hadn't done it in awhile and was afraid that I forgot how, but it all came back to me. Witch is correct, you can find several tutorials on the 'net that explain how to do it.

Sure. I started a new game (still empty of sims at this point) because my old one is probably toast and there are lots of empty lots that are perfect for building. And I found those 20x30 lots opposite the community buildings to be perfect for the fire station, the salon, and something else - laundrymat?

I've downloaded about 17 custom worlds and yours is still one of my favs. I was looking forward to the update with the bridge to the island. Let's hope EA fixes CAW!

OK, I stuck with the Honey, Vanilla, Chocolate, Raspberry, and Bright Pink color scheme (edited to add: except for the exterior, obviously - because I forgot), as mentioned and shown in the pic above. I rebuilt the house, though. I have trouble with this and tend to make them oversized.

Craftsman style with a garage that could be used for other purposes. Depreciated so it should cost less than 19-20k, depending on the cost of the lot you place it on. It has 2 BR, one with a full-sized bed and the other with a twin bed and a crib. Top of the line shower but the toilets and sinks are lowest level (useful for building handiness), and the stove and refrigerator are not the lowest but not the highest, either. Bookcase and cheap TV but no other skill-building objects, and the landscaping is rather sparse but it was the best I could do on a budget.

ETA: file has been updated, see the end of this post.

If you want it, you can download it here: http://www.mediafire.com/?zcxxhnzmjlm

I had a big problem with the roof over the front porch. No matter what I tried, I could not cover that triangular piece of wall that is created under it. You might be able to see it in the pic. Maybe eventually siding can be applied to it should some miracle occur.

Front of house (with bummer bare spot under porch roof)



Back of house:



Interior shots:





ETA: OK, take 2. I recolored it and YAY. Colors are now consistant AND I was able to apply siding to that little roof bit that refused to work earlier. Can be downloaded at this link: http://www.mediafire.com/?awtewwifmt4

New Pic:

BTW, you might find this interesting (or not, heh) but I built this house pre-AMB and it is based on a house (on Lexington Ave) that caught my eye; I pass it going to and from work everyday. The front step goes all across the house and has four 2-story columns that hold up a rounded roof off the second story. It's one of those older homes that I always think are very "stately" looking. Still can't do round, but I tried re-doing the front entrance using the new two-story columns and I actually liked this version better. The scale just wasn't right with such a large front porch.

And I don't tend to even build homes for sims I don't plan to play. If I did, I wouldn't spend much time decorating them, either.

@crunk: Is there a public library near you? You might find some books on decorating with color. I have found the one I have to be very helpful. It's called the Color Scheme Bible (by Anna Starmer) and is full of color schemes in just about every color you can imagine. Each scheme will list 5 colors: a main color for the walls, specify which color to use for the woodwork, another color for upholstery, and then it suggests two accent colors and what kind of items (like vases) to use them on. I have really found it inspiring and I've found myself using all kinds of combinations I never would have before, so maybe you'll find it helpful, too. I might not paint my own house these colors, but it sure is fun decorating sims' houses!

Honey and Vanilla Cream with some chocolate and a sprinkle of raspberry. NOT something I would have ever created on my own. Unless I was planning to eat it, lol.

Thanks for the feedback, Witch. Those main floor colors just weren't doing it for me, either! That's why I kinda gave up on the color theme and just started thumbing through my decorating book.

I reworked the colors on the main floor. Still pretty much the same color family, but I do like it better although it's still a whole lotta color. 

Your house is so colorful on the inside that I actually thought the stripes on the outside looked cute and of course they coordinated nicely. Plus, it was unique and different. It might be interesting to see what different treatments do to the overall look, though.

You inspired me yesterday so I'll try to post some screen shots. I usually suck at doing this so we'll see if I phail. heh. (Assuming they work at all, edited to make the pics a little larger so they're easier to see.)

This is a mid-priced family home - my goal was to create an 'in between' house that had room for a growing family but didn't cost too much. On a 20x20 lot the price is just under 30k.



I started off with a turquoise/blue/peach color theme on the main floor. It's OK, but I'm not crazy about it. Suggestions?



Basement is only partially furnished; just carried some of the blue down there.



Upstairs is where I had some fun. I started looking at a home decorating book I had and veered off course; I just really loved a picture in the book of a room done all in citrus colors, so I started there, with the kids room. Carried the yellow out into the hall, and used the color wheel for the contrasting colors used in the master. Got way out of my decorating box on this floor and had a blast, even if no one else likes it.

Hey, house is cute and this is a great idea, Witch! I don't build a lot, but when I do, selecting colors can be a bit tedious. I've been thinking of just getting my hands on a color wheel to help me with this, but I like the idea of choosing a color scheme this way before beginning. Thanks for the links.

All the careers are a bit slow to get going. I had my sim keep skill books in her inventory and used all the down time to skill up and/or befriend co-workers and customers. After the first few levels, they'll be offered more jobs per day. My level 8 stylists routinely gets at least 3 job offers per day, and I only have the one salon in Twinbrook.

After level 3 I think it was, they can walk around town and offer makeovers to fugly sims, too. They don't receive any extra simoleans for it, but it counts toward experience and helps them advance to the next level.

@IgnorantBliss: I'll check that out, thanks.

In other possible borkedness news, I also had trouble getting the baby sitter to show up and had to call her 3 times in one morning. I suppose this could be because she is a teen and is supposed to be in school, and technically not a bug. I hate the way EA has done the babysitter but I suppose they think that makes things more challlenging or something. Does anyone know if that mod that changed the babysitters to older sims/nannies still works in AMB?

I forgot to mention that I also finally got the Tag Running Bug. Bunny Curious played tag with one of her friends and now she runs everywhere. I'm going to get the whole family playing tag in my latest test game just to watch the ensuing, run-don't-walk fun.

A very strange and related issue: in Twin Peaks (something like that, whatever it's called), relationships don't seem to get "set" at all until you select the family. I've been playing several games with the Curious family and each time I start up a game with them, they all have the 'new friend' moodlet. And the only sim in the family that seems to know everyone else's traits is the toddler, Notzo Curious. Every other family member has no knowledge of anyone else's traits.

On the game I've been playing until my experiments with the Curious', even with the Observant perk the game would only reveal one trait instead of 3. Some players were reporting that the other two traits were listed separately instead of all in the same announcement, but when I scrolled through the announcements I still only saw one trait.

I'm playing with a few updated mods but no AM yet. I started a new game and choose the Curious family since they had a kid (so I can test the school) and a toddler (to test the age thing with the dresser). The first couple of days, the school bus did not arrive but I could send Bunny Curious to school and it seems to be working fine - school bus is also now coming to pick her up.

The first time I sent Notzso Curious (the toddler) to the dresser, it subtracted one day from his age. A few sim days later I sent him to the dress again, and it subtracted two days from his age. Another few sim days after that I sent him to the dresser and it added 3 sim days to his age. Curious and curiouser.

I'm going to test this some more in some other families and report back.

ETA: Oh for pity sakes. I just restarted this game, and now the toddler's age has been completely reset. I guess I'm going to have to remove all my mods again to see if this is being caused by one of them. Is anyone else seeing borked ages on toddlers?

ETA2: Took my Mods folder completely out and started a new vanilla game with the Curious clan. School bus has never arrived and I have to click on 'go to school'. Sent toddler to the dresser multiple times, and restarted the game once. There doesn't seem to be a particular pattern; here are the results:
Dresser #1: Added two days to the toddlers age, from 11 to 13.
Dresser #2: (next day) No days added
Dresser #3: Added one day, 11 to 12
Game restart: No change
Dresser #4: Added 3 days, from 11 to 14
Dresser #5: Added two days, from 13 to 15

 

I think the hyphenated names are an EA thing. For sims that get married, AwesomeMod naming rules will give them the (more traditional) male sim's name. Since I don't yet have AM installed, I set this option in Twallan's Super Computer because I don't like all those hyphenated names. A few would be fine, but for each couple? No, I don't think so.

I have no idea why you would be new sims added to your neighborhood being named that way; I have never seen this in previous AM versions so I'm thinking this is an EA thing, too.

You should be able to 'register' as self-employed at the City Hall. Are you missing the option?

I can verify that I have also seen this nonsense with cars. LAME.

As for the Stylist career, I have changed/added several accessories before and still recieved a positive rating. There have been a few times where I accidently clicked on the check before I was finished and I got a negative review each time, but it's been a mixture. Earlier tonight the job asked for one accessory and I selected two and still got a positive review. I get some positive ones, but my sim is at level 9 and I'm getting a lot of negative reviews along with '(sim) did a good job, maybe client is too picky' messages. I take that to mean that I added all elements required for the job; maybe it just gets more difficult to please the higher you go. Otherwise I have to wonder if it is somewhat random as to what kind of rating you get.

As for other news, it doesn't seem to affect adults but my toddlers ages are getting reset with the "plan outfit" (on the dresser) command. One step forward, two steps back.

And Pes probably will, too! Just wanted to mention it in case anyone thought it was an AM issue.

I just read on the EA BB that someone who said they have no CC reported that their school is classified as a small park. So that one is likely of EA origin also.

ETA: Many people are also reporting that the number of custom career assignments they have completed is getting reset when they move their sims to a new lot. Jeesh.

Many people are reporting that the dig sites located anywhere off your lot are borked. It appears that EA broke them, not AM.

I have also seen my sims cross their legs like that while sitting prior to AMB.

@Rubyelf, yeah, I forgot about that! Thanks for the reminder.

Blackcat, this hadn't occured to me and sounds like a logical explanation for it. Mystery solved! @ LVRugger, this info didn't apply to my sim but this was good info to know too; thanks to you both.

ETA: Forgot to mention that EA has apparently replaced the 'maxmotives' command. Now you need to click on the mailbox and type 'make all happy'. I got this off of the official EA board; one of the drone-gurus posted it.

One of my Stylist's shots in her portfolio is of her client walking through the door of the women's restroom.

I haven't tried to change households again lately, so I haven't experienced this myself yet, but someone at MTS said they cleared their caches and it then they were able to complete the interrupted assignments. Probably just a fluke, but it wouldn't hurt to try it.

Yes, I believe it goes away once they are friends. I apologize for not making this clearer, but I meant when my sims meet someone brand new, 'get to know' does not always seem to appear on the menu. I usually just choose 'chat' and sometimes it will show up in a moment or two, sometimes not. Of course it's always possible that it's there and I just didn't SEE it, but this has happened more than once so I don't think that's it. Conversely, 'Goodbye' seems to mostly show up when conversing when friends, but I also see it with just-met sims, too. It's probably just glitched.

Get to Know was always in the Friendly menu - when it appeared, that is. Sometimes, and this wasn't fixed, it's still true, it just doesn't show up. If there's some semi-logical reason for that, I haven't figured it out. Same with Goodbye. Why doesn't that show up all the time? For awhile I thought it might be trait-dependant but it doesn't appear to be the case.

Something else I noticed - this is not something broken or dumb that they fixed, but you can now take an unpaid leave on your job. Which I thought was pretty cool.

I don't believe that's what I said, but whatever. What I do know is that I have seen other people complain about slow load times and lagging, though. Just throwing it out there in case the file is also causing problems for others.

I haven't tried the time machine yet. Not sure I really want to at this point, heh.

I don't think anyone has mentioned this one, but didn't EA move the "ask if single" interaction from the Romantic menu to the Friendly menu? I'm pretty sure I've seen it there.

That happened to my sim once - and she does laundry a LOT. I assumed getting the "soaked" moodlet is supposed to be a periodic consequence of doing laundry. Happens to me all the time in RL...NOT. I think they just wanted to recycle the soaked moodlet from WA.

@simsandwhich, I have had no trouble interacting with objects. Could it be a mod/CC conflict?

ETA: I know people have reported being unable to interact with ghosts but I have not seen any AT ALL. Nada. I have not yet tried the ghostbuster career but I didn't think this prevented ghosts from spawning at the graveyard. I assume there are some that come with the neighborhood, so I have no idea what's going on. I'll just keeping checking to see if they show up eventually.