SimPe Handbook: Cloning and Recolouring options in Object Workshop

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The following information are related to current SimPE version 0.40. Always download the latest SimPE here at SimPE site.
For any question, please post on this thread on MTS2: you'll have a faster response! :)
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RECOLOUR OPTIONS


This section is quite simple :)

"Create Color Extension Package" - Default: checked
This is the main (only) option: if unchecked, SimPE will create an empty package.

"Enable All Colour Options" - Default: unchecked
Usually this option is not available: it's an option that Quaxi implemented primarily for RGiles and me in order to create the CEP. You shouldn't see it at all, and if you see it, never check it! It will alter/corrupt your CEP files!


CLONING OPTIONS


"Set Custom GroupID" - Default: checked
When checked, SimPE will assign all the scenegraphic files (formerly: "RCOL files") to the special Group 0x1C050000, that Maxis has reserved to the modding community. All the other files will be assigned to the Private Group 0xFFFFFFFF.
If unchecked, all the original groupID assignments will be preserved: it's useful only for study/testing purposes, because the clone won't work correctly in the game.

"Fix Cloned Files" - Default: checked
When checked, SimPE will automatically invoke the Scenegraph Rename Wizard, that will let you give a unique ModelName to your object; SimPE will also perform a "Fix Integrity" on the package, merging the LIFOs into the TXTRs and doing a lot of other things that we can't discuss here.
Again, unchecking this option is useful only for testing purpose: the resulting object won't work in the game.

"Remove Useless files" - Default: checked
This option is only available when the previous one is checked. Most of its functions has been included in the Fix Integrity routine; nowadays, it only remove some useless Material Overrides from multi-model objects clones (e.g. fireplaces...).
If unchecked, these useless files will remain in your clone; since they are useless, they will be simply ignored by the game, but will nevertheless waste resources, so keep this option always checked.

"Pull Only Default Colour" - Default: checked
If checked, SimPE will include in the clone only 1 recolour for each recolourable subset; in particular, SimPE will choose the recolour that is marked "True" in the corresponding Material Override.
If you uncheck this option, all the existing Maxis recolours will be included into the clone, and all the custom recolours you have installed in your downloads folder for that object (the custom recolours are pulled only if the Downloads folder was added to the FileTable, in the program Options).
This option should be left unchecked, otherwise cloning e.g. a bed, you'll end up with a clone that contains all the bedding textures. On the other hand, more experienced users can uncheck this option in order to create a multi-texture object (an object that contains multiple alternative recolours).

"Create a Stand-Alone object" - Default: unchecked
This option is important only for original objects that "borrow" the textures from other objects: beds, armchairs, curtains... A complete list of object of this kind can be found in the "Recolourable_and_Excluded_Objects" file, downloadable from the CEP thread.
By default, this option is unchecked: all the external links are preserved, and therefore the cloned object will borrow the textures from the external object.
If unchecked, all the external links will be broken, and the external textures will be included in the package. This can be useful in some cases (e.g. if you are cloning a table lamp originally linked to the corresponding floor version), but may lead to troubles (if you create a stand-alone bed, it will not use any more the common beddings).
My suggestion is always to start with the option in its default unchecked state; in case the clone doesn't work correctly (e.g. it doesn't use the custom textures you've prepared for it), then try re-cloning the object with this option checked.

"Pull Wallmasks" - Default: checked
This option is useful when cloning doors, windows and arches. The "Wallmasks" creates a "hole" in the wall when you place a door/window onto it.
When the option is checked, SimPE will scan the game packages in order to find any wallmasks related to the object that is being cloned, and will include them in the clone. If you are not cloning a door/window/arch, SimPE simply won't find (nor include) any wallmask, so you can always leave this option checked.
If unchecked (when cloning a door/window/arch), no wallmasks will be pulled, and the resulting door won't cut any hole in the wall; but the door will still be usable, so unchecking this option may be useful to create hidden doors.

"Pull Animations" - Default: unchecked
This is quite self-explanatory. When checked, SimPE will pull any ANIM files related to the original object: it's useful only if you are planning to actually edit the animations; if it's not the case, leave the option unchecked.