None of my content can be used in ANY form behind a paywall, *including* Early Access.
You are free to use my content in your own work under the following conditions:
1.) You credit me, preferably with a link to my tumblr and to the content you used/sampled from/whatever.
2.) You release your derived work publicly, to everyone, for free. Donation pages ARE allowed, but said content will not be put behind any kind of subscription or paygate. It will be free to everyone.
3.) I would prefer you reach out to me before any kind of collaborative work, but I understand social anxiety. I *have* social anxiety.
Like, just generally try to be a good and kind person?
If anyone cares why I haven't posted in an eternity:
Shortly after buying High School Stories (back when it came out) for the Sims 4 and updating my game, it started freezing and crashing. A lot. This ended up frying my graphics driver.
So I don't have a PC anymore. Sims 5 will be out by the time I get it fixed/replaced, but I have no intention of switching.
Since this blog was based around Sims 4 Disney content, I'm kinda dead-in-the-water. :/
I'm terribly sorry, but I HAVE to know more about the convergence of spheres and the "don't put Cedric on the isle, fleebag" story. Ur an amazing writer and very complex w with your storytelling! Yoh absolute genius!
I'm so sorry I didn't answer this sooner! I feel terrible...
So, the "Convergence of the Spheres" concept comes from The Witcher series by Andrzej Sapkowski. I'm suuure you've heard of it, lol. I think the whole "Mandela Effect" thing is based on the same concept too. Basically, the idea is that multiple worlds/dimensions get merged together into one.
My theory is that a similar thing happened in Descendants when the United States of Auradon is formed. All of the Disney Kingdoms are transported through space-time to merge into this new world.
Throughout Sofia the First, we see that Sofia is able to contact other Princesses across space-time using the Amulet of Avalor. She gets visited by Aurora (Prince Phillip reveals in Sleeping Beauty that they're in the 14th century) along with Tiana (20th century). Sofia even travels back in time HERSELF when she is called to help Princess Charlotte of Isleworth, who had the Amulet of Avalor before Sofia got it.
Sofia has a connection to all the Disney Princesses and their realms, and her series shows her to have a lot of magical potential. My idea is that a group of powerful magic beings got together and combined their magic to bring all the Disney Kingdoms together, across space-time, to form the continent of Auradon. Main contenders for this group are Sofia the First, Genie, Fairy Godmother, and Merlin: they're all shown to have knowledge of space-time travel.
I think Beast would have been elected King after the formation of the Auradon supercontinent... All the kingdoms would need to be together to vote. So that begs the question: why did this Magical Council decide to create the Convergence? Was it an accident? An attempt to stop some kind of major threat? I haven't figured that mystery out yet. I lean towards the latter: if Beast somehow acted as a hero during this crisis, it would definitely explain why everyone would be so willing to elect him as the King of Auradon.
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Now for the Cedric issue. King Beast goes HARD on all the Villains. And not just the Villains either: other media shows that all the minions get sent to the Isle of the Lost too. Even minions who reformed (notably Iago, who reforms in Aladdin 2: Return of Jafar). Everyone is getting punished for their crimes.
You know who that flies in the face of? Sofia. She makes a big point of forgiving Cedric the Sorcerer and allowing him the chance to change. She is NOT going to let him be thrown onto the Isle for crimes of which she already exonerated Cedric (More specifically, her step-dad exonerated Cedric at Sofia's insistence).
Neither King Beast nor Sofia back down, so Sofia leads Enchancia in seceding from Auradon. I imagine several other kingdoms go with them. Maybe Kuzcotopia (Kuzco wouldn't let Kronk, former minion of Yzma, get thrown onto the Isle) and Avalor? This would explain why these kingdoms aren't on the map of the Auradon continent.
Anyway, that's the gist of it. Sorry if this was long-winded. >.<
Hi again, where can I get Shan Yu's cc? I can't find it anywhere :(
Okay, so his clothes are very much *not* done. At all. >.< I haven't decided if I want to try editing the mesh to make it more accurate or not, so it's been on a long hiatus. My main objective right now is learning Blender so I can finish Dr. Facilier, then Shan Yu, then complete all my other half-finished projects.
Buuuut...
My Disney Villain Eyes are available on both SFS or TSR. SimFileShare is a better place to download, but to each their own.
My Fangs-For-Everyone is old, but it still works.
For his hair, I made a simple recolor of @sims4satan's Skullets. Version 3 is the required mesh.
Like his hair recolor, his mustache is only in one color (black). This folder should let you DL both (mustache and hair edit, not the hair mesh).
I don't have anything for his sword, but I'd like to make it one day. One person made it for ts3, but they refuse to allow conversions unfortunately.
I'm sure this has been thought of before, but it's my headcanon that the TV show in the movie "Bolt" is a 2000s American reboot of the "Thunderbolt" show that the puppies watch in 101 Dalmatians.
Trying really hard to learn blender so I can finish my Doc Facilier cc. He *needs* his coat-tails, fam. I've searched high and low, and nobody has made anything I can use for his jacket. Please wish me luck. I need it.
I could use a little help from the "other side", if y'all have any contacts.
I finally finished it! First mesh ever so be gentle lol but seriously let me know if you experience any issues! I tested in-game and it seems good. It's a two piece set, I separated the hood as a hat. Sorry the wand is just photoshopped XD
Making a Normal Map from Scratch in GIMP - Part 2 of 2
If you haven't read part 1, then go ahead and find it here:
So you're making a recolor, and when you try it out in the game it has weird outlines for pockets and whatnot. What gives?? The Normal Map (
All caught up? Good. Your image should be all bluey and look something like this:
5.) Select Colors > Components > Decompose (Alt+C, Alt+O, Alt+D should be the shortcuts).
Change the Color Model to RGBA. Make sure "Decompose to layers" is selected, then hit "Ok".
6.) GIMP will open up a new tab with your converted image. You will have 4 layers in the Layers panel, labelled "red, green, blue, alpha".
It will also be all grey instead of blue now.
This part is a bit tricky. We need to copy/paste the Red Layer into Alpha, then copy/paste the Green Layer into Red and Blue. I'll break it down.
Select the Red Layer in the Layers panel. Hit Ctrl+A to Select All. Hit Ctrl+C to Copy.
Select the Alpha Layer in the Layers panel. Hit Ctrl+A to Select All (probably not necessary, but this eases my anxiety). Hit Ctrl+V to Paste. Hit Ctrl+H to Anchor the pasted image.
Select the Green Layer in the Layers panel. Hit Ctrl+A to Select All. Hit Ctrl+C to Copy.
Select the Red Layer in the Layers panel. Hit Ctrl+V, then Ctrl+H.
Select the Blue Layer in the Layers panel. Ctrl+V, Ctrl+H.
Now from the top bar, select Colors > Components > Recompose!
7.) GIMP should now take you back to your original image. It will be transparent-greyed like the image below! This is good!
Now, Normal Maps are (for some reason) a different size than Diffuse Maps. I had to learn this one the hard way. They are usually 1024x1024 instead of 2048x1024.
From the top bar, go to Image > Canvas Size. Under "Canvas Size", you should have Width and Height. Make sure that the little Chain next to them IS NOT linked. If it is, click it to unlink.
Width should already be 1024. Manually change the Height to 1024.
Below in "Offset", click "Center". In the little preview image, drag your image (darker box outline) up all the way. It's kind of hard to see, but the outline of your Normal Map should be up at the top now (instead of in the Diffuse torso space, which is halfway down the image).
Hit Resize. Now, just to be safe, hit Layer > Layer to Image Size. GIMP is weird about Layers sometimes and you'll occasionally find trouble in Sims 4 Studio if you skip this step.
7.) If you've made recolors using GIMP before, you probably know the drill now. File > Export As...
CHANGE THE NAME! I usually just tack NM or something onto the original file name. Make sure it is saved as .DDS!
Compression has to be set to BC3/DXT5.
Set "Mipmaps" to "Generate Mipmaps". Hit Ok and you now have your Normal Map file!
8.) If your CC was custom or a recolor of an EA item, go ahead and just open it again in S4S. Select "Normal" and Import your new Normal Map! Note that swatches all share the same Normal Map, and if you change it in any swatch it will copy it to all the other swatches.
I don't know how to work around this, but if your work is a recolor of another user's mesh... You have to basically remake your .package again to edit it. Every time I edit a recolor without the mesh included, S4S seems to add the mesh! >.< So I need to remake the CC from scratch or else violate the OC's ToU. If anyone has a work-around for this, PLEASE tell me!
Anyway, there ya go! You now have a Normal Map for your recolor!
Making a Normal Map (from scratch) in GIMP - Part 1 of 2
So you're making a recolor, and when you try it out in the game it has weird outlines for pockets and whatnot. What gives?? The Normal Map (or sometimes the specular)! The bane of us noobie CC creators!
I had a rough time--and much Trial and Error--trying to figure it out so that I don't just have to "Make Blank" for all my CC. This guide gave some helpful pointers (https://sims4studio.com/thread/861/normal-maps-bump-editing-creating), but it left out a bunch of key info. So... here we go!
Side note-- What exactly IS a Normal Map? I don't 100% know. But it's purpose is to create a sort-of 3D effect on your 2D texture. It can help make your recolor look less "drawn on" to the mesh. I don't notice a difference in Sims 4 Studio, but there is a difference when you're in the actual game. When it comes to textures without a Normal Map, I think the grandpa from Derry Girls said it best: "It's just not as nice..."
You will need:
- Your completed Diffuse texture (your recolored .dds file)
- Sims 4 Studio aka S4S
- GIMP (free image editing software)
1.) I'm going to use my current WIP Kim Possible Cheerleader uniform as an example. Open up your .package in S4S. You can skip this step if you still have your Diffuse file laying around, but just to be thorough: Select your Diffuse and Export it.
2.) Open your Diffuse file in GIMP (or another Photoshop-type program, but I like GIMP and that's what I'm showing in this tutorial). When the options come up, make sure you de-select "Load Mipmaps". You don't want to load the mipmaps. You'll know you did this right because you'll only have 1 layer, as opposed to like 40.
Note here: if your clothes have a printed design or stripes or something on them, you want to get rid of them. They shouldn't be on the final Normal Map.
We need to make sure that your .dds has Transparency (an alpha channel). Mine already does, as you can see by that grey checker-pattern in the blank spaces. If yours doesn't OR you aren't sure, make sure you add one. In the Layers panel, click "New Layer". Keep the sizes the same, and select "Transparency". Move this layer to the bottom, then select your first layer and "Merge Down".
2.) We also need to add a "White" layer or else the Normal Map will be all kinds of messed-up. This is the same process as adding an alpha channel, btw. Right-click in the Layers panel, and add a New Layer. Instead of Transparency, we need to select White.
The White layer always gets put to the top for me, so we need to move it lower in the Layer panel.
The White layer will now appear below your Diffuse texture.
3.) I forgot to screenshot this, but we now need to de-saturate your Diffuse layer to make it black-and-white. Making sure that your Diffuse layer is selected in the Layers panel, click Colors>Desaturate... from the options bar at the top. Alternatively, press Alt+C, then Alt+D. I like to choose either "Lightness" or "Average", depending on how much of a contrast my Diffuse has/needs. Pick whichever you think looks better, then hit OK.
A.) If your Diffuse has white parts, skip to 3B! Do NOT follow this part or your Normal Map will be messed up! If yours doesn't have any white, then:
Select your Diffuse layer and "Merge Down" to combine it with the White Layer. Your Diffuse should be black-and-white, unlike mine. Oops! You now should have only 1 image.
From the top bar, we're now going to select Filters > Map > Normalmap... The below should show up:
Make the settings match that image. You should only have to change the Filter to Sobel 3x3, then go ahead and click Ok.
B.) If you *DID* have white parts, we're going to do things a little differently. Make sure your Diffuse layer is selected, then select Filters > Map > Normalmap... (Alt+R should open the Filters, but I don't know the shortcut for Normalmap.)
Note that I forgot to desaturate when taking my screenshots. YOUR image should be black-and-white.
Make the settings match the follow image. You should only have to change the Filter to Sobel 3x3, then go ahead and click Ok.
Now, select your White Layer from the Layers panel. Repeat the steps to apply Filter > Map > Normalmap to your White Layer.
In the Layers panel, right-click your Diffuse layer and Merge Down. Your two layers are now combined into one.
Finally figured out how to make Normal Maps correctly, so... yay? There is absolutely 100% room for improvement here, but... it works. >.< Here's my take on Gaston's tunic. Requires the Prince Philip Casual Top mesh by EnchantedDominion, which you might already have if you're a Disney Sims fanatic too. Link to that at the bottom!
Download my recolor at SFS:
Requires the Prince Philip mesh by EnchantedDominion, available at their website or the direct link below.
Direct link to the Aurora/Philip cc: https://www.mediafire.com/file/tyge5o0gs19nxid/Aurora.rar/file
Link to EnchantedDominion's "Golden Era" downloads page: https://enchanteddominion.webs.com/golden-era
If you *don't* want all of ED's Sleeping Beauty CC, the specific mesh file this requires is philipcasualtop.package.
Need to get the Normal map right before release. I've been wanting to make this for a while and been hitting real snags with Shan Yu/Maui, so it felt nice to start this and make good progress.
When I was writing up my Disney Villains name list, I came across an interesting tidbit. Unlike Yzma or Kuzco, Kronk actually has a confirmed full name: Kronk Pepikrankenitz.
What started with little hints in Emperor's New Groove and really culminated in Kronk's wedding daydream during Kronk's New Groove turned into actual confirmation that Kronk is Jewish! You can read more about it here:
Today I learned that Kronk from The Emperor's New Groove is canonically Jewish in the spinoff series.
Here's the link to the whole challah
Wait, you may be thinking... How is an Incan character Jewish? How did Judaism reach Peru prior to colonial genocide? Well, strap yourselves in! I have a tale to tell you.
I was reading about Sapa Inca (Incan Emperors) to try to find a possible full name for Kuzco when I came across this info on Wikipedia:
"Túpac Amaru became the Inca ruler after Titu Cusi's death in 1571. Titu Cusi's close companion Martín de Pando, who had worked as a scribe for the Inca for over ten years, and Augustinian Friar Diego Ortiz were blamed for killing Titu Cusi by poisoning him. Both were killed."
Emperor Cusi was killed by his scribe/close companion, who he had known for over a decade, and that scribe's (presumably hunky) minion? Via POISON?!
Cusi? Kuzco? Cusi?! KUZCO!
There's no evidence that Kuzco is based on or inspired by Titu Cusi, but that's a crazy coincidence. Kuzco's name is actually taken from the ancient Incan city of Cusco, and he was originally going to be named Manco Capac--the first Incan ruler and founder of Cusco, iirc. Despite initial drafts, Kuzco ultimately was NOT meant to parallel the actual Manco Capac. For starters, Yzma lived through emperors prior to Kuzco taking the throne. So he clearly isn't the founding ruler.
Here're my thoughts. Judaism, spinach puffs/empanadas, and all the other anachronisms exist because the Disney Inca have already had European contact. Titu Cusi was one of the last Sapa Inca before Pizarro and the Spanish murdered them all.
The real Inca didn't have Yzma. Y'know the diabolical dinosaur who also happens to be a scientific and alchemical genius. The genius who makes the potions. The potions that can turn humans into animals. Those potions.
Trivia time! Anyone remember who the only other animal besides Kuzco in Emperor's New Groove is who talks? No, not the squirrel. He only speaks squirrel.
That fly. You may have come across internet theories saying that fly is also a polymorphed human, and I agree with them. I believe that fly is the last remaining member of Pizarro's conquistadors.
Yzma saw through Pizarro's facade and...
Fly potion in their soup. Boom, baby. The Inca liked some European influences though and adopted them into their culture. Kronk's parents or grandparents liked the idea of Judaism and converted. Maybe, somehow, some Jewish people sought asylum from the Inquisition by coming to New World and integrated. The diner waitress knows some Yiddish, so Kronk isn't isolated in his faith.
This takes us to Pocahontas. When the English arrive in Virginia, Ratcliffe or somebody mentions the "Spanish success" finding gold in the New World. I guess they didn't hear the full story of what happened to Pizarro. Or Cortes...
Yeah, killing all the Aztecs and taking their gold didn't work out so great...
The peace agreement I vaguely sorta remember King Jimmy making with Pocahontas in her sequel apparently doesn't hold up, as eventually the United States are formed (see The Princess and the Frog).
I'm still trying to wrap my headcanon around Bayou de Orleans being in Auradon on the Descendants map. I feel like Fairy Godmother, Genie, and Sofia the First (her Amulet of Avalor has magic that can transcend time-space) must have gotten together and done a Convergence of the Spheres type thing a la The Witcher.
I kind of want to write a fanfic now about King Adam/Beast forming that treaty. You know Beast tried to get Mr. Cedric thrown into the Isle, but there's no way Sofia was having that.
Sorry if this get sent twice Tumbler was acting up but I do know that one early idea for word ends was that for Captain Hook to show up so maybe you got it from that. Hook is strange as they had manny idea most fell through.
But it’s awesome headcannon though! I really like it
Sorry, I didn't see this before 😭 Captain Hook and Mr. Smee would have been amazing in that! I only hope Hook and Sparrow can both make it into the 6th movie...
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