I will no longer be adding tutorials to this thread. However, when I find the time I'll be copying these tutorials over to my blog at www.gcsims.com, where I'll also be adding new ones.

Learning The BasicsIntroduction This tutorial will help you understand the basic tools for working with 'constrainfloorelevation' turned off, and also give you a few tips for troubleshooting your builds. There are plenty of excellent CFE tutorials out there already; but I intend to write a whole series of these, some of them explaining original ideas of my own, and I wanted a beginner's tutorial that I had written, and that would therefore be stylistically consistent with those more challenging tutorials I have planned. Getting StartedHit Ctrl+Alt+C on your keyboard to bring up the cheat box. Type 'testingcheatsenabled on' or 'testingcheatsenabled true' and hit enter.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/The%20Basics/testingcheatson.pngBring up the cheat box again. Type 'constrainfloorelevation off' or 'constrainfloorelevation false' and hit enter. This is a powerful cheat, and you must disable it whenever you are not using it by entering 'constrainfloorelevation on' or 'constrainfloorelevation true'.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/The%20Basics/constrainoff.pngYour ToolsTerrain Toolshttp://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/The%20Basics/TerrainTools.pngRaise Terrain, Lower Terrain, and Soften Terrain cannot be used on any levels above the ground floor, but turning constrainfloorelevation off does allow you to use them on areas covered by walls, floor tiles, or objects.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/The%20Basics/RaiseTerrain.pnghttp://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/The%20Basics/LowerTerrain.pnghttp://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/The%20Basics/SoftenTerrain.pngHere I'm using the Raise Terrain Tool to raise the terrain under a structure I've built.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/The%20Basics/LowerTerrainDemo.pnghttp://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/The%20Basics/RaiseTerrainDemoResult.pngWith the raise and lower terrain tools, if you use the small square brush at the softest setting and click as gently as possible:1 click = 1/12 the height of a regular wall3 clicks = 1/4 the height of a regular wall (or the same as the height of a regular foundation)4 clicks = 1/3 the height of a regular (or the same height as a frieze)12 clicks = the height of a regular wallLevel Terrain is probably the tool you'll use most. It allows you to bring it to bring any tile to the height of any other tile. The only restriction is that the two tiles must be on the same level as each other - I'm using 'level' here to refer to the five levels or floors that the game allows you to build.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/The%20Basics/LevelTerrain.pngHere I've built a structure on top of a hill. I'm going to use it to raise the wall height of the structure I've built at ground level.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/The%20Basics/LevelDemo1.pngI click anywhere on the higher structure, and drag across to the lower one. http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/The%20Basics/LevelDemo2.pngAnd here is the result.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/The%20Basics/LevelDemo3.pngThis is an extreme example, and would make travel between the levels very difficult for sims. Because the walls are so tall, the stairs would have to be very long! However, this technique has other, more practical uses that we'll come to in later tutorials. Stairshttp://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/The%20Basics/StairTools.pngStairs are the quickest and easiest way of lowering walls and floor tiles. Each set of stairs you place will lower the level by the height of 1/4 of a regular wall, which is also roughly the height of a regular foundation. I'm showing you this technique on the first floor of my structure, but it will work on any level.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/The%20Basics/StairsPlace.pngDon't worry if your stairs look like those shown below: hovering over them with the Level Terrain Tool will get you the required result.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/The%20Basics/StairsFail.pngOnce the area surrounding the stairs has been lowered, you can click and drag with the Level Terrain Tool selected to anywhere else on the same level, to bring other tiles down to the same height.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/The%20Basics/StairsFlatten.pnghttp://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/The%20Basics/StairsFlattened.pngAssuming you start out with a level at the height of a normal wall, the first set of stairs you place will take you down to a 3/4 height wall. Levelling to the new 3/4 height and then repeating the process will get you a 1/2 height wall. To get down to 1/4 height, you'll need to repeat everything one more time. Note that if you are working on the ground floor, to get a 1/4 height wall you can simply place a foundation, and level from the height that gives you.Wallshttp://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/The%20Basics/WallTools.pngPlacing new walls will bring any level back up to the height of a regular wall.Here I'm making a gap in my 1/4 height structure and adding in a new wall.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/The%20Basics/WallDemo1.pnghttp://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/The%20Basics/WallDemo2.pnghttp://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/The%20Basics/WallDemo3.pngThe level above has been pushed upwards by the new wall, so I'm going to use the Level Terrain Tool to bring it back down to the same height as the rest of its level. http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/The%20Basics/WallDemo4.png

TipsSave frequently, and under different names. You could also save different versions of your build to the library. It is not always easy to undo mistakes.If you're trying something new, practice on a separate lot with a simplified version of your build first.Remember that a level with two different heights must always have one diagonal tile joining them together.Remember that everything you do on one level may affect those above. Always check what any changes you have made have done to the rest of your build.Always do the most difficult thing first. You don't want adding a simple 1/4 wall messing up the beautiful vaulted ceiling you've just created.Be careful how you use the Undo button. It will undo some things, but not others. It is usually better to delete changes manually. Turn cfe back on when you do not need the features the cheat unlocks.Common ProblemsFloating Ceiling TilesThese are probably the most common problem you will encounter. You are likely only to be able to see them from a particular angle, so be sure to check for them whenever you're doing cfe work. Picture forthcoming.They can normally simply be deleted from beneath using the Sledgehammer Tool.Picture forthcoming.Other Ceiling Tile IssuesAnother common problem for me is ceiling tiles from lower levels poking up through higher levels.Picture forthcoming.To remove these, hold down ctrl+shift and hover your cursor over the offending area. You do not need to click you mouse button. Release ctrl+shift, and any irregularities should have been fixed. Running Out of Floor GridSometimes you may find that you cannot level an area because there is no grid showing there. Picture forthcoming.Don't worry! Placing a new tile anywhere whilst cfe is turned off will automatically generate a 3x3 grid around it and also bring the surrounding area up or down to its level.Picture forthcoming.I find that it is usually best to work with your entire level tiled until you are finished the CFE work to prevent this from happening int the first place. When you're done, you can remove the tiles you don't need.Wall Sections In ShadowAt some point during your cfe work, parts of your wall may go dark. http://s1146.photobucket.com/user/GreenCats1/library/CFE%20Tutorials/Split%20Level%20Stairs%20Stacking?sort=3&page=1These will usually fix themselves as you carry on with other things. If they don't, or they're distracting you, simply delete them using the Sledgehammer Tool then hit the Undo Button. Your wall will be restored but the lighting should be back to normal. Floating Corner PiecesYou may notice small grey flecks floating above joins in your walls. These are usually created when you have added new walls to an existing structure. http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/Problem1.pngThese are easy to fix. First, use the Sledgehammer Tool to delete any one of the wall pieces forming the join. http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/Solution1.pnghttp://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/Solution1ii.pngThen hit the Undo Button. The wall piece you deleted will be restored, but the floating grey fleck will be gone.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/Solution1iii.pngGaps in JoinsOne of the major hazards of cfe work is the possibility of creating unsightly gaps like this.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/Split%20Level%20Stairs%20Stacking/BadJoin.pngTo keep these at bay, do your best to ensure that the diagonal wall sections joining one level to another are not bisected by another wall. For some reason having the transition at a corner as shown above with cause major gapping issues. Uneven Lighting Between LevelsWhere possible, hide any split levels you have created away by adding floor tiles between levels. Where you design requires you to have two levels open to one another, the buydebug lights are your best friends. Dark colours on your walls will also conceal a multitude of sins: plain white walls will be the most difficult to light.To bring up the BuyDebug Catalogue, enter the cheat 'testingcheatsenabled on' and then 'buydebug'. http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/Split%20Level%20Stairs%20Stacking/BuyDebug.pngThe Catalogue can be found in Buy Mode, and appears as a question mark. Among other things, you will find a selection of lights there that appear as white squares and rectangles in Buy/Build Modes but are invisible in Live Mode.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/Split%20Level%20Stairs%20Stacking/BuyDebugCatalogue.png

Split Level Stairs: Stacking MethodIntroductionIn this tutorial we will be creating something like this.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/Split%20Level%20Stairs%20Stacking/Finished.pngI have chosen to create a 1/4 height staircase with a full height staircase above it. It would also work the other way round. In fact, you can create any combination of heights (for example, a 3/4 height staircase combined with a 1/2 height staircase). However, if you want to create a playable room with normal doors and windows, you must make sure the the total height of both staircases adds up to more than the height of one regular-story staircase If this doesn't make sense right now, don't worry - just follow the tutorial. Once you have the basic method under your belt, you can start to experiment for yourself. This method is quite flexible and relatively easy to master. However, it does add an extra level to your build (a concern if you're building something tall that approaches the five level limit), must be viewed from the upper level with the walls up to look right, and creates rooms that can be difficult to light. For an alternative method, look out for my 'Split Level Stairs: Raise Terrain Method' tutorial, which will be coming soon to this thread. If you are unfamiliar with the tools and challenges associated with working with cfe turned off, I strongly suggest you first read Learning the Basics and Tips and Common Problems. The TutorialI start by creating the level of my build from which I want my stairs to start. I have put my house on foundations, but you don't have to.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/Split%20Level%20Stairs%20Stacking/FirstLevel.pngI'm lowering the level I just created to the height of 1/4 of a regular wall, by using the Stairs and Level Terrain tools.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/Split%20Level%20Stairs%20Stacking/LowerLevel.pnghttp://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/Split%20Level%20Stairs%20Stacking/LoweredLevel.pngNow I create the next level up.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/Split%20Level%20Stairs%20Stacking/SecondLevel.pngI have lit the inside of my build with the buydebug lights, just roughly placed for now, so that I can see what I'm doing. I have removed all the floor tiles apart from the four in the top right corner, which will serve as the landing area between my stairs.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/Split%20Level%20Stairs%20Stacking/Landing.pngMy landing is currently floating, so I'm going to need to go down a level and create some walls underneath it. Don't worry about the height - we'll fix that in a minute.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/Split%20Level%20Stairs%20Stacking/UnderLanding.pngTo correct the height of my new walls, I go back up a level to where my landing is, and click and drag over them using the Level Terrain tool.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/Split%20Level%20Stairs%20Stacking/FlattenLanding.pngNow it's time to place the second set of stairs. You can turn cfe back on to do this. You'll need to bulldoze some floor tiles in the level above. Stairs the height of a regular wall require 4 open tiles. I'm also choosing to leave my landing area open, though not doing so will not cause any routing problems. Along with the double stairs I'm using, that means I'm clearing an area of 6x2. My stairs will now snap neatly into place.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/Split%20Level%20Stairs%20Stacking/SecondStairs.pngI now have both sets of stairs in place, but one of them is floating!http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/Split%20Level%20Stairs%20Stacking/FloatingStairs.pngSo, I turn cfe back off and create some walls underneath my stairs upon which they can rest. I could have done this when I created the walls beneath my landing, and it's fine for you to do so. I'm just putting it here in the tutorial so that you understand why we're creating these walls.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/Split%20Level%20Stairs%20Stacking/UnderStairs.pngAs before, I even out the floor using the Level Terrain tool.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/Split%20Level%20Stairs%20Stacking/FlattenStairs.pngMy stairs are looking the right shape, but that 1/4 height level at the bottom of my room is going to create some big problems for my windows and doors. So, I'm going to remove all the lower, 1/4 height walls except those immediately surrounding the landing and replace them with new ones.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/Split%20Level%20Stairs%20Stacking/FinishedStairs.pnghttp://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/Split%20Level%20Stairs%20Stacking/RemoveWalls.pnghttp://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/Split%20Level%20Stairs%20Stacking/ReplaceWalls.pngOf course my ceiling's now gone crazy, so I'm going to fix that with the Level Terrain tool.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/Split%20Level%20Stairs%20Stacking/FlattenUpper.pngThe basic structure of these levels of my house is now in place. However, I personally am not a fan of the way my stairs poking out into the room, so I'm going to create a little room behind them. It could make a nice bathroom. I've put a ceiling over it so I don't have to worry about complicated two-level lighting inside it. I've also swapped my lighting for something that makes a bit more sense for the new floor plan. The dead space between the new room and the stairs is just to conceal the height transition a bit better.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/Split%20Level%20Stairs%20Stacking/NewRoom.pnghttp://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/Split%20Level%20Stairs%20Stacking/NewRoomUp.pngNow it's time for me to turn cfe on, add a fourth level (if you include foundations) to my house, wallpaper the outside, and install some doors and windows. There's no landscaping obviously - this is just a concept model, not a proper home.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/Split%20Level%20Stairs%20Stacking/Exterior.pngI've chosen vertical sliding because vertical patterns do a much better job of concealing diagonal joins than horizontal ones do. I've also gone for quite a dark shade of wood, because usually the whiter the colour you use the more difficult it is to light. Here's the join in my build from the outside. Not too bad. You don't have to include windows in your landing area if the different heights bothers you. http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/Split%20Level%20Stairs%20Stacking/ExteriorJoin.pngYou're never going to get the lighting absolutely perfect inside, but the buydebug lights will help. I've gone a bit mad with them, but I think it pays off. Remember that the natural light from your windows will have a different impact on your lighting scheme for day and night, so make sure you are designing something that works well for both.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/Split%20Level%20Stairs%20Stacking/LightingDay.pnghttp://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/Split%20Level%20Stairs%20Stacking/LightingNight.pngThe particular shape I've chosen for my build has left me with a little ledge above my front door. As with oddities in real life houses, the accidental features with which your cfe work may leave you can either be made a feature of or concealed. I could have hidden this little area behind a 1/4 height wall, but I think it makes a nice place for storing odds and ends.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/Split%20Level%20Stairs%20Stacking/Shelf.pngAnd here are my stairs again.http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/CFE%20Tutorials/Split%20Level%20Stairs%20Stacking/Finished.png

GC's CFE Tutorials *Moved* | EA Forums

Corwim
12 years ago
Oooh, I always wanted to know how to make those arbors! I always used to put tile between the pillars and the 'floating' lattice work, not anymore now! Great tutorial GreenCats, with very clear explanations and helpful screenshots! :thumbup:
motoko-b
12 years ago
I've just bookmarked the page :D
Thank you GreenCats, for such a detailed tutorial!
bae288474f321b5
12 years ago
BekahSue wrote:
Wow, this is a fantastic tutorial! I've always wondered how people made such great arbors. Thanks for sharing :D

Thank you Behak, and you're welcome. I plan to get one up about curved arbors at some point.

Corwim wrote:
Oooh, I always wanted to know how to make those arbors! I always used to put tile between the pillars and the 'floating' lattice work, not anymore now! Great tutorial GreenCats, with very clear explanations and helpful screenshots! :thumbup:

Great! So pleased I could help. The floating is a personal pet hate. I understand that it's there to leave room for tiles between levels, but it's a pain. Good job it can be fixed :P

saitouamy wrote:
I've just bookmarked the page :D
Thank you GreenCats, for such a detailed tutorial!

Thank you, saitouamy, and you're welcome. I hope it's helpful :-)

yanti68 wrote:
Ooooooh! Very nice tutorial. Thanks for sharing Greencats. :D *Hugs*

Thanks, yanti! :mrgreen:
bae288474f321b5
12 years ago
murfeel wrote:
Hi, Green~!!
I'm a frikkin idiot with CFE--do you have any tips I could use if I'm having problems with L-shaped stairs not....shaping?
They're on foundations, and while I can easily get the bottom stair to snap (even when I don't want it to) I can't get the upper level stair to fit between the 2 floor levels at ALL. :cry:

Hmm, I'd love to help if I can. Is there a reason given for them not snapping into place?

Do you have any pictures of the problem? I'm not sure I understand :oops: xxx
bae288474f321b5
12 years ago
^^Downloading now :P
bae288474f321b5
12 years ago
Firstly, wow, your WIP looks very exciting! I can't wait to see more :D

Ok, so you're actually using a different method from the one I described in my tutorial.

The 'stacking' method I describes adds a new level for the split level landing. Using your method, the landing and the upper floor are actually recognised by the game as being on the same level - they're just at different heights - so no extra level is required. I'll be writing a tutorial on this method soon eventually, I just haven't got to it yet.

Assuming you want to stick with the method you've got, here's how you fix it.

You'll need to tile over the area at least two squares to either side of where you'll be placing the stairs. The stairs will always take the most direct route down, so you need to block the way by placing floor tiles.

http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/Screenshot-9-1.jpg"width=640"

I also added in the walls now because I don't want to deal with them later.

http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/Screenshot-10.jpg"width=640"

You could just place the stairs now but you'd end up with an ugly gap (if you have floating stairs this won't matter). To place the stairs you'll need to turn cfe on otherwise you'll mess your wall up and might not be able to place the stairs anyway.

http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/Screenshot-13.jpg"width=640"

If you don't want that gap, here's how to get a smoother transition between the two heights. First, use the stair tool to create a middle height between the two heights.

http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/Screenshot-14-1.jpg"width=640"

Level down to the new height, leaving one row of transition tiles between the 1/2 height and new 3/4 height.

http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/Screenshot-15.jpg"width=640"

Bring the tiles shown highlighted below up to full height.

http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/Screenshot-16-1.jpg"width=640"

It should now look something like this.

http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/Screenshot-17.jpg"width=640"

I levelled the level above to fix that weird wall. I also realised I deleted the wall by the landing by mistake at some point so I've replaced that.

http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/Screenshot-20.jpg"width=640"

Turn cfe on and place your stairs. After you've placed them you can remove any floor tiles you like.

http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/Screenshot-23.jpg"width=640"

Oops, forgot the rest of the wall.

http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/Screenshot-24.jpg"width=640"

If you want the floor tiled, you're going to have to have a little atrium like this.

http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/GreenCats1/Screenshot-25.jpg"width=640"

I hope this helps! xx
bae288474f321b5
12 years ago
Lol :lol: 8) I'm so pleased you got it sorted! :mrgreen:
Eeekey
Seasoned Rookie
12 years ago
Wow - This is fantastic, Thank you GreenCats for sharing your knowledge on CFE.

CFE can be pesky, but you have clearly explained, how to overcome, what can be troublesome.

Going to attempt the split level stairs and have bookmarked your great tutorial for future reference.

Thanks and you can bet shall be popping back!!!
bae288474f321b5
12 years ago
PandoraBoxx wrote:
Wow - This is fantastic, Thank you GreenCats for sharing your knowledge on CFE.

CFE can be pesky, but you have clearly explained, how to overcome, what can be troublesome.

Going to attempt the split level stairs and have bookmarked your great tutorial for future reference.

Thanks and you can bet shall be popping back!!!

Oh that's so great to hear! Thank you and you're welcome.

There will be more tutorials coming, I'm just pretty slammed with work etc. right now xx
plumdot
12 years ago
This is exactly why I call you the Queen of CFE! Great tuts, GC xx