BUILDERS' 101 - For Builders from Novice to Beyond

Jasnik82 wrote:
Hi Magician and MerryWiddow,

Great thread, perfect for nurturing the novice builder or improving the more experienced creator.

Bookmarking you.

Jasnik :)

Thank you very much and welcome.

Thank you for the bookmark as well.

happyone2009 wrote:
Well, I just uploaded my house last night and I would love some input. Don't worry about hurting my feelings, I can take anything lol. This is my 3rd house I've built and I know its not the best but if you look at my first house its improved alot since then, or at least thats what I like to think lol. So, please just give me your honest feedback. :)

Heres the house: http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=1479072

Heres the story: http://www.thesims3.com/contentDetail.html?contentId=121753

Welcome and thank you for sharing your house with us.

I've downloaded your house and will go and play it. Comments will follow after that.

Thank you

Thanks for the link to my site too M&M. Even though my site is photography/machinima based we all play the game and we all LOVE builds (even if we can't build em ourselves)

I hope it's not too cheeky of me to add this. Professionally I am an educator, and much of my work requires me to give feedback and I have run workshops to teach people to give and receive feedback. (warning, I have a "verbose" trait :lol: )

Here are some feedback tips, for both the receiver and giver.

1. As this forum was set up for feedback you will always get feedback that you might not like. I was once a chef, and the most horrible thing for me as an "artist" was when someone criticized my food. It can be very hard to take input or even creative feedback without feeling put down. I know it's easier said than done, but try not to take it personally. Even the most well meaning critic will say something really helpful that may hurt your feelings. And remember, the feedback is going to come from people with various tastes and styles and skill. Take it with a grain of salt as they say.

2. In general when you post a lot to showcase it you will only get "this is fantastic" comments. Great if that is what you want, but to improve you will want real feedback. This is going to be a fantastic place for real feedback. But if you are not prepared to take the bad with the good, this may not be the right place for you to post.

3. When posting your lot for feedback you will have things about it that you LOVE even if others don't. Why not try to ask for the feedback that you are looking for i.e. I love my lot, but the roof just isn't working for me. Suggestions? OR I am really not great at landscaping, what would you suggest to brighten up the curb appeal. This way you get the feedback you are looking for.

For people providing advice or feedback:
4. Don't forget to step back out of your personal tastes and see the item for what it is, which may be different from your own preferences, but may be exactly what the builder loves. For example.. me critiquing a Victorian style home

a) I could say it's too "victorian" I think you should make it more modern.
or
b) I am not a fan of victorian personally, so I might not upload this lot. However, what I do see is a very interesting roof and I love how the windows and door create a sense of balance. The chimney does not seem to be the right colour, perhaps darkening it or adding a new brick texture...

5. If the work is not your preferred style, take a step back and look at it for the design elements such as balance of textures and colours, interesting features rather than saying "it's too stark and harsh looking, you should add more flowers or perhaps some more rounded windows" when in fact the build was meant to look that way.

6. ask yourself what the function was intended to be (i.e. if it is a trailer home and someone tells me it's too square I would be thinking.. ya, it's supposed to be square dummy :shock: )

7. finally, use wording that is less likely to come off offensively. We are a community of often sensitive people. I truely believe that sometimes harsh sounding feedback is NOT meant harsly. Words are powerful things.
a) you need to change that chiminey, it's horrible, it doesn't match
b) I'm not sure if you feel the same, but the chiminey seems to stick out rather than blend in. You might consider changing the brick colour?


Don't be afraid of defending yourself, but that does not have to mean getting "defensive"
" I know that it looks a little bit like a children's book home, but that is actually what I was going for."

Just remember, no one here is criticizing you with any intention of being mean. Feedback is a very challenging thing for both the giver and receiver.

Minraed....very sage advice indeed. Most of us creators know exactly how much time and effort and...thought and care...we put into our builds and we tend to shy away from even the most constructive of criticism. I am one of those...I tend to only focus on the positive because I do not want to ruffle any feathers or hurt feelings...until someone recently pointed out to me that if someone actually asks for feedback, you should. Still a bit uncomfortable with the idea...and XOX you are my guinea pig. :D

And yet...a well meaning observation can really help. For myself, when I was building in Sims2, someone told me once "your builds are too blocky and the landscaping sucks" which was true but it also stung a bit. However, it was something I worked on and gradually improved over time. If everyone had just said "nice house" I may have never tried to improve what I was doing.

Minraed wrote:
Thanks for the link to my site too M&M. Even though my site is photography/machinima based we all play the game and we all LOVE builds (even if we can't build em ourselves)

I hope it's not too cheeky of me to add this. Professionally I am an educator, and much of my work requires me to give feedback and I have run workshops to teach people to give and receive feedback. (warning, I have a "verbose" trait :lol: )

Here are some feedback tips, for both the receiver and giver.

1. As this forum was set up for feedback you will always get feedback that you might not like. I was once a chef, and the most horrible thing for me as an "artist" was when someone criticized my food. It can be very hard to take input or even creative feedback without feeling put down. I know it's easier said than done, but try not to take it personally. Even the most well meaning critic will say something really helpful that may hurt your feelings. And remember, the feedback is going to come from people with various tastes and styles and skill. Take it with a grain of salt as they say.

2. In general when you post a lot to showcase it you will only get "this is fantastic" comments. Great if that is what you want, but to improve you will want real feedback. This is going to be a fantastic place for real feedback. But if you are not prepared to take the bad with the good, this may not be the right place for you to post.

3. When posting your lot for feedback you will have things about it that you LOVE even if others don't. Why not try to ask for the feedback that you are looking for i.e. I love my lot, but the roof just isn't working for me. Suggestions? OR I am really not great at landscaping, what would you suggest to brighten up the curb appeal. This way you get the feedback you are looking for.

For people providing advice or feedback:
4. Don't forget to step back out of your personal tastes and see the item for what it is, which may be different from your own preferences, but may be exactly what the builder loves. For example.. me critiquing a Victorian style home

a) I could say it's too "victorian" I think you should make it more modern.
or
b) I am not a fan of victorian personally, so I might not upload this lot. However, what I do see is a very interesting roof and I love how the windows and door create a sense of balance. The chimney does not seem to be the right colour, perhaps darkening it or adding a new brick texture...

5. If the work is not your preferred style, take a step back and look at it for the design elements such as balance of textures and colours, interesting features rather than saying "it's too stark and harsh looking, you should add more flowers or perhaps some more rounded windows" when in fact the build was meant to look that way.

6. ask yourself what the function was intended to be (i.e. if it is a trailer home and someone tells me it's too square I would be thinking.. ya, it's supposed to be square dummy :shock: )

7. finally, use wording that is less likely to come off offensively. We are a community of often sensitive people. I truely believe that sometimes harsh sounding feedback is NOT meant harsly. Words are powerful things.
a) you need to change that chiminey, it's horrible, it doesn't match
b) I'm not sure if you feel the same, but the chiminey seems to stick out rather than blend in. You might consider changing the brick colour?


Don't be afraid of defending yourself, but that does not have to mean getting "defensive"
" I know that it looks a little bit like a children's book home, but that is actually what I was going for."

Just remember, no one here is criticizing you with any intention of being mean. Feedback is a very challenging thing for both the giver and receiver.

Ty very much for this!

As our thread says on Page 1 post1, Come join us and let's learn together.
I've just been taught a valuable lesson thru your wise words.
So I thank you again.


The Link to u'r site is a pleasure.

thank you.

ruthless_kk wrote:
Minraed....very sage advice indeed. Most of us creators know exactly how much time and effort and...thought and care...we put into our builds and we tend to shy away from even the most constructive of criticism. I am one of those...I tend to only focus on the positive because I do not want to ruffle any feathers or hurt feelings...until someone recently pointed out to me that if someone actually asks for feedback, you should. Still a bit uncomfortable with the idea...and XOX you are my guinea pig. :D

And yet...a well meaning observation can really help. For myself, when I was building in Sims2, someone told me once "your builds are too blocky and the landscaping sucks" which was true but it also stung a bit. However, it was something I worked on and gradually improved over time. If everyone had just said "nice house" I may have never tried to improve what I was doing.

Valuable words spoken.

I started Building in TS2, but never had the guts to put my creations on the site: I really do not like critisism. :-)

In June or beginning of July this year with TS3, I decided that: 1) If I ever want to better myself as a builder/creater I will have to swallow my pride and take the good with the bad.
2) Decide for myself which of the Praises and or Not Praising comments I will use.
I was really 'not praised' for a while and felt that I will never succeed as a builder/creater if my creations have soooo many faults and flaws.
I had a choice to make! Leave and build for myself and avoid the not so nice comments OR Stay and take it full on the chin.
6'2" and weighing a good 245 pounds, I don't and have never taken it on the chin! :)
Alas came my decision; Stay, take it on the chin and fall. Get up and try again!
Four months later my chin is really hurting but my pride far succeeds the pain, in what I've accomplished in the past 4 months.

A wise man once said: it doesn't matter how many times you fall! What matters is How many times you can stand up and how strong you stand up.

SO: in short i am just as much a learner as all of us here and will take the good with the bad.

Thank you

Thanks for the thread, I bookmarked it for future use. I never really thought I was much of a builder myself, there are still some of the higher level cheats I can't get down, but I do enjoy building and decorating a house. I think we all get in a slump once in a while and need some creative input from others when it comes to building. So thanks again. :wink:

ruthless_kk: Thanks for you comments and welcome. We appreciate your comments and hope you enjoy helping.

lkada: Thank you as well. I have added eplans.com to our list.

XOX1: I've downloaded your lot and I'll play test it and get back to you as soon as possible. Love the idea. I'm always looking for places to steal the harvest.

MerryWiddow

magician1 wrote:

happyone2009 wrote:
Well, I just uploaded my house last night and I would love some input. Don't worry about hurting my feelings, I can take anything lol. This is my 3rd house I've built and I know its not the best but if you look at my first house its improved alot since then, or at least thats what I like to think lol. So, please just give me your honest feedback. :)

Heres the house: http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=1479072

Heres the story: http://www.thesims3.com/contentDetail.html?contentId=121753

Welcome and thank you for sharing your house with us.

I've downloaded your house and will go and play it. Comments will follow after that.

Thank you

I have played your house and have the following comments: (It may seem like a lot but it is small things)
I see a lot of potential in u'r build and style. I think u will become a very good if not great builder.

But: The Pond needs Terrain paint, sand/rock/dark soil, as well as the flower beds,
Lights would've been nice at both outer doors on the outside,
Dustbin placement, (simple as it sounds) does play a role in the downloading of lots,hide it around a corner or make a little recess/alcove for it.
The Study: there's a light in the doorway on the outside and the computer on the left is not usable.
The nursery: The Green cot pattern looks a bit out of sync with the rest of the room.
Main Br: The curtains are facing the wrong way and the 2 Glass single doors leading to the gym and kitchen's side ???? I think it is not a bedroom feature to have a glass door leading out of your bedroom into the house.
Main Bathroom: Just needs a loose rug a plant or 2 and maybe even a portrait.
Roof: When u'r roof tiles are not in sight, I see a lot of different color paints in the Triangle walls of the roof. Just check this after you've put your roofs up.
Spot lights in garden could maybe be moved to be on the little fence you've got on the Pathway.

General: A very nice layout, good furniture placement overall, nice landscaping (Floral) and a rec from me.
BTW: I think for only u'r 3 rd house you did a great job. Just pay a little attention to detail and you will be a great builder sooner rather than later.

I hope you take this advice as advice and not something negative.


Thank you

Architektin: Thanks hope you can join us too. We would love to have your input on this thread.

BurnimaPlayer: Welcome, and we look forward to your posting your creations. I hope the tutorials Magician1 posted are helpful. If you have any other questions please feel free to ask.

Minraed: Thanks Min for the support.

Mmyoko: You're comments are always welcome. Pop in whenever you like.

MerryWiddow