Will the following be of any help?
With this expansion comes the press.
For the active household with celebrity members the paparazzi are a pain.
They are a pain as they will enter a lot even if it is fenced off and gated. An unlocked gate does NOT keep out the press.
If you lock the gate it will keep out all visitors.
If you have a locked gate and the press are hot on the heals of a sim they can still get through before the gate closes, they are then trapped inside the fence.
If you have an outdoor pool and drinks bar they will take a dip and help themselves.
While you are inside the house they constantly call for you, or ring the door bell, day and night.
However, they won't enter the house unless invited.
What to do?
I have discovered that making a small enclosure works.
FORECOURT - Of the two this is the method I Prefer. However, for both you need to be on one of the larger lots as the both take up quite a lot of space.
1, encircle the lot with any fencing but for those that are like curbing. Ideally choose a fence that suits the gate you are going to use. Make sure that the fence is at the very edge of the lot or at lease one square away from the edge. Note> some fences and gates don't match each other and leave a strange gap at the side of the gate. Also note> some fences are more simtraps than others.
2, Create an enclosure with the fencing that is at least 4x4. Bigger is better.
3a, At the public foot path side of the enclosure, you can remove any or all sections of fence or replace it one square back.
3b, If you have Supernatural in play you will NEED to replace this with a complete fence one square back. Thus ensuring there are no gaps in the perimeter defences, otherwise, you are still vulnerable to Zombie attack. Note> a gate overlaying a gap in the fence will not keep out Zombies.
If you have chosen to replace the fence with one, one square back other lay the fence with a gate. This can be done without the use of the cheat 'Moveobjects on'.
4, On the house side of the enclosure you will need to place a DOOR. For this you can replace the fence with wall or overlay the fence with the door. If you choose to overlay the fence with the door you will need to have the cheat 'Moveobjects on'. Note> sometimes with this cheat the fence is not cleared, in such a case turn off the cheat pick up the door and press the esc key, the door will normally click back into place with the fence cleared. Do not set this door as the front door or the press will keep ringing the bell which defeats the object.
5, Place the post box in the enclosure.
Note> do not place any more gates in the fence even if you lock them. The will confuse guests.
There are a number of advantages to this type of enclosure.
A, The door will keep the press from going any further onto the lot, they will pass though the gate (If used) but not the door. even if it is overlaying the fence and not though a wall. Also if the press should slip in hot on the heals of a household member they are free to leave without having to unlock the gate. Other than being a nobody there is nothing that will keep the press away even if you have locked gates at the edge of the lot, they will patrol the perimeter.
B, This build will not stop the daily maid from entering the house. A locked gate would.
C, This build will not stop any school friend from entering. A locked gate would.
D, This build will not stop any 'Party' guest from entering. A locked gate would.
E, This build will not stop the post officer from delivering mail.
F, This build will give somewhere for the paper boy/girl to drop the newspaper. Without such an area they tend to drop the papers on the street where they can not be collected from.
G, This build provides a reception area to receive guests. (party guests do not ring the door bell and wait to be greeted they will just walk in). Normally guests will go to the front door an ring the bell then wait to be greeted and invited in. With this build they may or may not ring the bell to the door. However, you must keep an eye open and go to greet guests when they arrive just in case they are confused by the only door not being the front door. If you have a locked gate even when the guests have been invited in they can not pass the lock.
Disadvantages are few:
A, Guests, other than party guests and school friends, who normally ring the front door bell, may become confused by the only door not being the front door. In most cases this is easily overcome by a member of the household being there to greet guests on their arrival. If the guest has to wait too long and moves away and onto the public foot path you have missed your chance. You can not greet and invite in you can only greet and talk.
B, This is a small space and quickly becomes congested with out of date newspapers, in such a case the newspaper boy/girl may leave the paper on the street.
GATEHOUSE
I have found that a small box made from walls, a door, An arch and windows works.
Size Just big enough to place the door to the street side, (This door becomes your front door but don't make it so), and the arch to the house side, (This completes a room).
Windows are optional but they do add that touch of style. You will most likely need one light inside.
Advantages.
If you have a daily help. The maid is able to enter without problem. A locked gate would keep him/her out.
If you throw a party your guests can enter. Children can bring home a friend from school. Guests can leave at will, they would not be able to if you had a locked gate.
Disadvantages.
A, If you invite a friend or other guest over by phone, he/she most likely will ring the bell at the door to your gate house, sometimes they just seam confused and protest that they can't enter. There is no room for a reception area that is why I prefer the forecourt build. Note> it is not advisable to make the door on the gate house the front door as the press will then keep ringing the bell, which defeats the object.
B, There is no place for the post box. You still get mail but not without the post official being put out.
C, There is no place for the paper boy/girl to drop the newspapers he/she will just drop them on the street from where they can not be collected.
