Zoo U Course: Building a Modern House--Teacher: WibbleLikeAJelly--Complete Course in Post 1

Zoo U students, after registration, please do the following (some things are marked optional, but if it is not marked that way, I will assume that you will do it before the next lesson).


1. Bookmark this thread so that you can find us for the next lesson. This is where the class will be taking place.

2. If you have not accepted a friend request from me, please consider doing that. (this step is optional)

3. IMPORTANT: The class may involve moving back and forth between this thread and your game. You will be posting questions and comments as well as seeing the photo and description of the build step you are supposed to be doing. It is important that you can have the forum opened to this thread but minimized as you build and have your game open but minimized as you come here to post. Please try this out before next week by minimizing this window right now, opening up your game and starting a new game, saving your game and hitting the "windows" key on your keyboard (if you have a Mac, kindly scroll down to post four and my friend Wibble will tell you how to do this!) and posting something in this thread (like "Testing that I can post while my game is open") and then going back into your game to make sure all is running well. This all works fine on MY computer, but everyone's machine is different and you don't want any unpleasant surprises next week.

4. I am going to be adding some links to useful threads I'm making for students in Zoo U. It is optional that you do any of those, but they will help you have a smoother time as a builder. I would at least go look at what has been posted, but even that is not required. (This step is optional)

Here is a link to a thread about Tester Families:
http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/486961.page

Here is the Exchange link for my favorite Tester Sim if you don't want to make your own:
http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=5018210

Here is a link to a thread about making a Builder's Blank Neighborhood:
http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/488892.page

Previous Courses From Zoo U:

First Course: "Building a Farm" is available in three lessons as an online self-paced tutorial. See links below.

Lesson Number 1, "Building the Barn" is available here:
http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/30/487894.page#7440794

Lesson Number 2, "Building the Farmhouse" is available here:
http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/30/489324.page#7487905

Lesson Number 3, "Finishing the Farm" is available here:
http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/30/491984.page#7550662


Second Course: "Using the Constrain Floor Elevation Cheat" is available in five lessons as an online self-paced tutorial. See links below.

Lesson Number 1, "Beginner CFE, The Rules for CFE" is available here:
http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/60/496129.page#7682045

Lesson Number 2, "All About Arches (Part One)" is available here:
http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/165/496129.page#7812305

Lesson Number 3, "All About Arches (Part Two)" is available here:
http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/270/496129.page#8016556

Lesson Number 4, "All About Vaulted Ceilings and More" is available here:
http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/345/496129.page#8087329

Lesson Number 5, "Water Slides, Pool Covers, and Airship Hulls" is available here:
http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/390/496129.page#8222047


Third Course: "Roofing 101" is available in two lessons as an online self-paced tutorial. This thread is also monitored so students may ask their roofing questions here. See links below.

Lesson 1: Roof Basics can be found here:
http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/45/527220.page#8368990

Lesson 2: Porch Roofs and Victorian Roofing can be found here:
http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/105/527220.page#8432633

Roofing Questions Answered:
Post your questions at the end of this course thread!
http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/527220.page

A Note From The Teacher

Hello all and thank you for attending my Zoo U course on Building a Modern House From An Image. This course is designed not only to include some rather complex, yet effective, building techniques such as use of the ConstrainFloorElevation cheats, but also to raise awareness of how to effectively design a house from an image.

There will be five lessons in this course, each taking a section of the build one at a time. I often think of the build in these five stages, so perhaps if you find yourself getting "builder's block" when sat in Edit Town mode, think about what it would be effective to do next using these guidelines and have a good go at it!

I aim to have each of the lessons in the course up almost immediately after opening, as sometimes it may not be convenient for me to stay at the computer for a very long time each evening, but I strongly urge you to post any queries you may have with building as soon as you run into them, as other users may also be struggling with the same aspect of the lesson. May I just make it clear now that no matter how long I may seemingly be away for, at no point in the course will I be leaving without warning. If indeed this does have to happen for some unlikely reason then I'll email Zoo who can put up a notice about the situation, although let's not wish for the worst, shall we?!

May I also point out that while this course is aimed at beginners, some harder elements may come into focus at some stages (especially in Lesson 1), so don't be afraid if you can't do something. The fundamental reason these courses are available is so that more experienced builders can "nurture" the fresh ones, so to speak. I don't care if you are stuck with something, and neither should anyone else, so don't be afraid to have your say!

Before I go, I may also just point out that I will be introducing a new element to the course never before seen in Zoo U, but I'll leave you hanging on that for now ;)

Homework will be set each week, and I will be on the forums every day, so don't feel like this thread is only intended for use once a week; come and find me!

All the best,
Prof. Wibble

P.S. I advise reading the basic lessons on CFE as given by Svlyn in Course 2 before we start.

Let the course begin! I'm getting excited... :)

--Wibble :)

Ooo! I have been looking forward to the next one. :D

Register me please Zoo.

(So glad its moderns. I've been struggling with a few in game as of late. I need the help lol)

pixsidust2 wrote:
Ooo! I have been looking forward to the next one. :D

Register me please Zoo.

(So glad its moderns. I've been struggling with a few in game as of late. I need the help lol)

Hi, Pixsi! I will put you on the roster right now and Welcome to Zoo U!

This got buried quickly, lol :)

I know plenty of people who'd love to be able to build a modern house, are you one of them?

--Wibble :)

Yay! I have the Zoo U Master Thread bookmarked, and have checked regularly for your next class.

Please, register me!

I am a true beginner. Checking out the CFE now.