Sims 4: How to HQ (updated: 17-11-14)
Update 17-11-14: made small adjustments, added photoshop actions and batch rename files for download and more detailled information about file formats and specular/shadow maps.
The following tutorial will teach you how to convert CC to be HQ mod compatible with Sims4Studio and Photoshop (it doesn’t matter which version) and will also adress some issues that can occur.
The HQ mod was discovered by @alf-si and you can find her instructions HERE. However, as I get tons of messages regarding the HQ mod or some aspects of it, I decided to come up with my own instructions (with permission from alf-si, of course).
The HQ mod forces the game to use high resolution textures (2048 px instead of 1024 px) for CAS items which results in an enhanced amount of detail of your sims, especially when the cc was created for HQ in the first place. Some of you may know something like that from TS3 already.
Pictures of HQ/no HQ comparison here
- To set your game to HQ, you must change two lines in the GraphicRules.sgr file (detailed explanation HERE). You can switch between HQ and standard by changing your GraphicRules.sgr file. Simple as that!
- Every cc that is not HQ compatible will make your sim appear completely black. Learn how to convert cc to make it HQ compatible HERE. I strongly advise you to have two mods folders (1 folder with HQ stuff and converted stuff and another folder for playing with everything, HQ and non-HQ. the game will recognize only the folder that is named “mods”. Like here).
- You need to have the base game texture replacements by alf-si. Find them HERE (section 2.2.5). She also did HQ replacements for several Eps and SPs.
- You must set sim quality to “very high”. If your system can’t handle that, you won’t benefit from the HQ mod.
Will HQ affect loading times/will it cause lag in gameplay?
The short answer is: most likely, it will, but that depends on your system and the amount of cc you are playing with. Since HQ textures are of a bigger size than regular textures, loading times will increase and it might also slow down your game.
My advice: Use HQ for screenshots only and play without HQ. Two separate mods folders will help with that. I personally do not see any significant difference in loading time and lag between my HQ and non-HQ game, but keep in mind that it can happen. Merging helps a lot!
How do I make my CC HQ compatible?
If you are a cc creator and want to make your CC compatible with the HQ mod, read HERE.
How do I convert CC for HQ?
You may already have a huuuuge mods folder with loads of not HQ compatible cc. Every single one of them will make your sim appear completely black, so the only solution is: convert it or don’t use it. “But it’s so much cc to convert” you may say and that’s right! But learn how to convert HERE.
Every cc that is not HQ compatible will either make your sim appear completely black or it will remove the shine from your sim. Check if these requirements are fullfilled.
romaincrisis
snowghoul
stormborns
annaxmalina
theartofmadeline
pixelskylines
