A guide for making a horse stencil (but it also works for cats and dogs, technically).
If you've read my previous guide on making custom brushes, you'll find that it's relatively similar.
If you're brand spanking new to making any mods, this will probably take you through every single step, because I have an issue with being over-detailed.
Tools in S4S we'll be using:
Begin by making a new, empty package file, after that, open up the game file cruiser.
Find the "Pet Pelt Layer" and tick the box, after that, in the search box below the file types, write in "EP14", as this will hide cat and dog stencils that will show up.
From here, it's important that we find the right one to work with, it has to be tagged as "Stencil", in this case, it'll be the 3rd from the top of the list or - 00000000000554B4
You can definitely work with just the first one which is a pattern if you want to, but if you're completely new to modding, it will be much easier with the one I've linked. If you do choose the pattern route, remember to change it from pattern to stencil and ThumbnailKey is responsible for the thumbnail you'll see in game.
Now, grab your trusty notepad and make note of these ID's:
Once you've made note of these ID's, make sure you add the file to your current package. You can also skip writing down the ID's and just view them from your package editor screen, but I find it helps keep the workflow more compact, however it is up to you.
Now, go back to your filetype list and select "DST Image" and "RLE 2 Image":
Additionally, make sure you still have "EP14" in the search bar, for the next part we'll be using the instance search bar, as marked on top right.
Add to package and do the same with the second ID.
Now, your new package file should look like this:
Once you're at this point, it's relatively easy sailing.
Start by going to Tools > Hash Generator and generate 3 ID's:
I do it this way, descriptor + numbers, but you can do it whatever way you want to.
After that, we'll assign your newly generated ID's.
These are the ID's I generated:
Respectively, my first ID will be used on the Pet Pelt Layer, Second ID will be used on the RLE 2 Image and 3rd ID will be used for the DDS image:
The package you're working on should now look something like this:
After this, you should save your package (so you don't lose your progress, I had a bluescreen happen and I'm still mad, so don't make my mistakes, it's easy to fix, just takes too much time).
Once you've saved your package, we can begin exporting/importing images.
For editing, I recommend actually grabbing the horse skin file. I've uploaded it to SimFileShare, it comes in two flavours .dds and .png, .png will be easier to work with, since it won't have the same layers are .dds.
Anyway, back on track we go:
Export the RLE2 image, it'll be saved as a .png, keep that in mind for later.
Once you're happy with your results, get to exporting your image.
IMPORTANT: remember to export the file in L8 format.
Once you're done with that, go ahead and import your picture into the package:
Repeat the same steps for the DST image, and you're done.
Now, save your file and load it into the game:
And you're all set and done.
If you have any questions, let me know.