My builds - Jude525

"Jude525;c-16607234" wrote:
O M G. It's back!!! "Arezzo Bathroom CounterRight!"

The next time this happens to you (and it probably will - there are many beautiful uploads on the Exchange with it, so if you forget to check with Custard even once, you can get it), there are two things you can try doing before exporting an upload that might allow any outgoing upload to be clean.

Rename the file with the .dbc extension that is in your DCCache folder. .ebc files are store content; .dbc are custom content. This WILL include any CC worlds you've downloaded, even if those worlds don't have any CC in them themselves. I usually rename the extension to .dbcbackup, just so I know what it is.

Delete all files in your DCBackup directory, other than the ccmerged file. I believe that even if you have CC in your game, it can only add CC to any outgoing upload if there is a file in your DCBackup directory telling your game what the file is.


These things might not work with the Arezzo counter, because that item is so insidious. They are also not permanent solutions; if you use any custom worlds you won't want to lose your .dbc files. (I rarely have other CC in that file, since I convert any CC I download to .package format for easy removal.)

Once you've reinstalled all your store content to a clean install, I would suggest backing up those .ebc files to a DVD for easy restoring if you ever need it later. I also don't have any idea why the DCBackup folder keeps repopulating itself. And yet I know it does, because I have to clear it out every few times I play, and I certainly don't add new CC every time I play. I DO download lots, however, and I guess that can do it.

I've recently encountered the Arezzo counter in about half a dozen builds. I wish there were a way to flag a user's studio so that I would remember that I've encountered it in that studio before, but there isn't. About the only thing I can do is to neither rec nor favorite a build where I find it; otherwise I rec (and usually favorite) every build that I download.

Another thing you can do, of course, is that when you run Custard on your file before you upload, strip the counter out of that file before you upload it. And I say "when", because you should always Custard check anything you plan to upload to your studio. :) Because that file is insidious, however, you should re-check the file with Custard after stripping out that counter, just to make certain that it's no longer there. This might NOT be sufficient with that counter (I have no idea if the game will replace it when you do the actual upload, since that item is so sticky), although it's certainly sufficient to remove any other CC from an upload.

I have to say that I feel sorry for the original creator of that counter. I doubt that it was her fault that the item is so sticky, and she fixed her counter within a day or two of its creation. She has gained a very bad reputation from it, however, and that has got to be depressing.

I like both of those ranch houses that you've done. While not the usual style that I play, they have nice curb appeal and a good layout. Sims will certainly like living in them.

ETA: I'm with you on CC; I don't think I could live without some of the stuff I use regularly. (Like default skins, default eyes, and certain mods.) I never include CC in anything I upload to the Exchange, and when I'm creating builds for any exchange on the site, I use a CC free Sims 3 install. But for my own play - and builds that I make for my own use that I have no intention of sharing - I occasionally use quite a bit of CC. Most of the CC I use is from MTS, which downloads from .package files, which can't attach themselves to an upload. (And are easily removed if something turns out to be a problem.) That which doesn't download in .package format, I use Delphy's Multi Extractor to convert them to .package format, then delete the sims3pack file and use the package in my mods folder. I've never figured out an easy way to uninstall CC that has been installed in Sims3pack format, and if some CC turns out to be bad (or problematic in some manner), I want to be able to remove it without fuss. Have you ever tried using the Transmogrifier? It allows you to essentially create your own CC. :)