I know there are a few people out there that can change their lot display pictures here on the exchange. On one of the threads someone asked how they did it and they sent a link. The link worked for everyone else but me it seams. I only get a log in screen. :cry:I really want to know how to do this so for those of you that can, will you teach me how to do it?

This just about covers your question, it's a copy of the instructions I posted over on the SIMposium.I will bookmark this thread so if you have any questions I will try to help.How to edit the sims 3 uploaded pictures.I spent several sleepless nights trying to find a program that would give me access to the PNG files stored inside a lot package. Just when I gave up I came accross an actual sims 3 program in development Postal - A Lepid Llama Package Editor made by Echo, so all credit should go to echo for making this program, it can found here:-http://www.simlogical.com/Sims3ToolsForum/index.php?topic=85.0You can download the Package Editor here:-http://sourceforge.net/project/platformdownload.php?group_id=264651You will need ensure that Java 1.6 or later is correctly installed Note: At the moment, this is only 100% supported on 32-bit Windows, because that's what I'm running. That's XP and most versions of Vista. It should 98% work on 64-bit Windows, although I've had reports of the 3d preview not working correctly for GEOMs. A Mac version is coming soon.Ok now we have the tools to do this, next of course you need a lot, so enter the game and save your lot to the library, this will place a copy of the package in the following locationC:\Documents and Settings\YOUR NAME\My Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\LibraryThis will be a good time to actual edit a screenshot that you would like to be your uploaded picture, the picture need to be 512 by 512 Examplehttp://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/Tamlo31/S3_d84e7fc7_00000009_89c300286b5af5.pngIt's a good time to exit the game and open Lepid Llama Package Editor, click File and open then goto your library found here C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR NAME\My Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Library and open the most recent file in this document you should be able to scroll down and find the PNG files, the file your looking for is PNG Icon house large(long name) in the group subsection it should say 0x00000000 this is the main uploaded picture, you might see more png files that say 0x00000001 or 0x00000002 the other pictures are the picture that you will see if you view the picture by clicking on the main uploaded picture after upload you can edit them, but for now just leave them alone.You don't actual need to extract any files your going to replace the PNG Icon house large with a group instant of 0x0000000 so double click on that file to see a new menu click on the Inport and find your file, then click commit button, now double click again on PNG Icon house large with a group instant of 0x0000000 to check it worked and then click file and save as, this will save your edited lot to the library at C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR NAME\My Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Library You can close Lepid Llama Package Editor and navigate to C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR NAME\My Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Library Your looking for a file that looks like this ebf_0x89c300288413d590.packag_ you should rename this package so it overides the original package, you can make a backup of the orginal package first, so your new file will look something like this ebf_0x89c301286c951870.package.Now enter the game you should see the lot in the library inside the game, just upload and share, I would actual do a test upload first, remember you can't upload duplicate names to the exchange so if your lot was called SIMposium delight, when you upload, call the lot SIMposium delight test.That just about covers the basics, rest of this tuturial is about more advanced stuff.UPLOAD SIZE (not 100% of actual upload size, since posting the tutorial the I've manage to upload a lot larger than 4200kb, so this part might be a little off)Due to extensive testing I found that uploading lot that are bigger than 4200kb seem to fail to upload, this might be a upload size limit, well at least I've failed to upload anything bigger than that size, the average size a lot is about 500kb the rest of the upload is made up of the PNG images that you upload with the lot a user made PNG will be about 400-500kb each some might be more if you add animation to the picture or extensive editing, you can view my sims 2 page for two examples animated uploaded picture http://thesims2.ea.com/exchange/lot_detail.php?asset_id=734754&asset_type=lot&user_id=1391924http://thesims2.ea.com/exchange/lot_detail.php?asset_id=743690&asset_type=lot&user_id=1391924So before you go crazy and and start editing all them uploaded pictures to showcase your lot and then wonder why it did'nt upload, you try to keep the total size below 4000kb otherwise the lot will fail to upload.If you look at this lot that I uploaded http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=173805click on the main picture and scoll throu to pictures nine and ten, what do see? Nothing, by uploading a nothing picture you reduce the size of a upload, a nothing picture as got the size of 4.74kb, this will give you more space to play about with to upload better pictures.To make a nothing pic just make a blank 512 by 512 png file in a paint package and the add that to PNG Icon house large with a group instant of anything other than 0x00000000.SMALL PNG PICTURESInside package editor you might notice to two png file one that say PNG icon medium and the other says png icon small, yes you can edit them if you think it's worth the time, thou I recomend you do not use any animation on them files it will turn them black ingame, they are the files that are used inside the game to showcase your lot http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/Tamlo31/editedpic.jpgNotice the icon in the library, you should also be a aware when you download a lot from the exchange the only png files that get downloaded with the lot are them files, so when you edit them files thats what people will see in there game, if you don't edit them, they will get the old picture. The size are 128 by 128 for the small and 256 by 256 for the medium, just make PNG file of the size and replace them files with the package editorAnimationI've not made any animated uploads for sims 3 yet, I was saving that for a rainy day, but it should be possible to upload animation onto your pictures, but will greatly increase the size of the upload, remember 4000kb limit, but with little a manipulation you can probable do just that, example you could make a png slide show, or flashing lights, or glitter background. to do this will probable need to replace most of the other pictures with the upload, with blank pics. For people who are like me, who do have a degree in computer artwork I recomend that you try to use a few of the free sites that deal with picture manipulation:-http://www.lunapic.com/editor/http://www.online-image-editor.com/Family HouseholdsYes this can done, you can view the upload here http://www.thesims3.com/assetDetail.html?assetId=132495This is the hardest thing to edit and to be honest I've no idea how it works, I can only give you a small guide.First up, make your sim, with me I wanted to upload 1 sim with a nice picture, but for reason beyond me the game fails to generate 512 by 512 png file, the file needed to change the uploaded picture, so I had 1 sim in the library, currently not sure how or when the game generates the picture needed.I played the game for a few minutes and added two more members to the sim household, exited the game checked the file using the package editor and the 512 by 512 file had generated so I uploaded. So to sum up I'm very unclear on how that works, feel free to experiment with this, you might have better joy than me. OTHER UPLOADSFor other uploads like hair, cars, objects and anything else people upload to the exchange, I'm not sure where the PNG files might be, possible stored in the Cache and generated into a package just prior to upload, if I find anything I will update this tutorial.

Baxter wrote:I hate to be a nuisance, but I'm having problems installing the package editor.When the installation screen pops up and asks you where you want to store the files, I click "Continue", but it says that it can't save the file under Program Files (x86), the default option.Has anyone encountered this problem or know a way around it?Baxter,I had the same problem but found a way to get it to install. Instead of installing the program to Program Files(x86), create a new folder in a different directory (I just did it on the desktop) and direct it to install it in the new folder. You don't need to change anything else in the installation process, just leave it set to default and it should install.Stew,I am having problems at this point:Your looking for a file that looks like this ebf_0x89c300288413d590.packag_ you should rename this package so it overides the original package, you can make a backup of the orginal package first, so your new file will look something like this ebf_0x89c301286c951870.package. The only files I see in the library folder are the package files for the lots that I saved there. I see the lot that I am trying to edit, which is the file I opened in the Postal program, but it's name is not like the ones listed in your example. I tried changing the name of the packaged file, but it still did not work. How do I know what to change the name to? I just added a number near the end, and changed a "d" to a "c" to test it, but it didn't work either. I think I am missing a step here.... or something. Any suggestions?Thanks for your help,Ed

Does this help:-Once your happy with the pic click on file at the top of postal and save the file into the LibrarySo with the example above the file will look like this ebf_0x89c30028f758bf20.packageAnyway I hope this helps

I will try to help using pictures. Just follow what it says in the picture below to install the program.If you have a hard time reading the text in the picture above, go to this link for a larger picture:http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu197/EdHaught/PostalInstallation.jpgI hope this helps,Ed

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Pugary
16 years ago

Im having the same problem as someone else where the picture will not show up for one of my lots no matter how much i click it, so now i cant change the png file cus it just will not show up at all.. its annoying, because it worked earlier on one of my other lots .. :?

cudleybabysim wrote:
Does this also work with uploading Sims? I can't figure out a way to make it work. When I click on the Snapshot PGN file, it won't open up a new menu so I can say import, etc. I could use some help :D Please!

i also want to know this :mrgreen:
cudleybabysim
16 years ago
4katsuki wrote:

Im having the same problem as someone else where the picture will not show up for one of my lots no matter how much i click it, so now i cant change the png file cus it just will not show up at all.. its annoying, because it worked earlier on one of my other lots .. :?

cudleybabysim wrote:
Does this also work with uploading Sims? I can't figure out a way to make it work. When I click on the Snapshot PGN file, it won't open up a new menu so I can say import, etc. I could use some help :D Please!

i also want to know this :mrgreen:

Let's hope we get an answer! :D I can't figure anything out... :(
Sue_D_Nim2
16 years ago
ELFGIRL1968 wrote:
About Lepid Llama

I've downloaded the postal program into a desktop folder (wouldn't go into programsx86 file). Now what? How do I open up the program. There are alot of files in the folder, but I can't figure out which one ones the actual editor. Thanks for your help in advance.

The icon named "start" will open up the editor. So will the one called "Postal."
lovenharmony
16 years ago
Thanks so much for the tutorial! I was trying to figure out how everyone was getting those custom pictures showcasing their lot :D
gmorgan7471
16 years ago
do you have to buy this program?? :/
gmorgan7471
16 years ago
huh, I don't understand
Shaluah
16 years ago
First, I'd like to say THANK YOU SO MUCH! This was sooooo helpful!

Second, as far as the part where you're supposed to rename the package file? I didn't do that and it worked just fine... when I save it, it just overwrites the file so I didn't have to do any replacing or renaming of files. Just thought I'd mention that in case there was any more confusion about that.

TDU90 wrote:
Do the photos HAVE to be sized at 512 by 512? Because it doesn't look right at that size. It's supposed to be 512 pixels right and not centimeters, right?

It looks fine that size as long as you crop it long ways, not just resizing and squishing the photo.
Cheddarfish6
16 years ago
First of THANK YOU!!!

I got really frustrated because i couldnt figure it out at first but then i went into the game and realized i had saved it to my library three times lol so i deleted them fromt eh library. Saved it to the library once again so that this time there was only one in the library and i went tohrough the changes and BAM! it works! Thank you so much!

Also just like Shalua said, i didnt have to remname the package file. That's what i thought was wrong at first but it overwrites the file when i saved it.

Thanks again!

-Cheddar :wink:
monicaamico
16 years ago
Sorry.. when I open the Postal I don't see anything... what can I do? :(
Please help me... :!:
solarpowerspork
16 years ago
miggie wrote:
A Mac version is coming soon

LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU HAVE ONE FOR MAC PLEASE :!:

yes please!

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