hi! this isn't a request to make a sim but more of a question about it. i really love your sims and i was wondering what you do to make them look so good? especially your celebrity look-a-like sims. they're very well made and every time i try to imitate a celeb in my game they look like garbage 😭
Hey Nony! I did not forget about you! First of all, let me say thank you so very much for your kind compliment on my sim-lebrities! They are a labor to do, so it's always nice to hear when people like them!
I don't know that I can really answer your question to any degree of "satisfaction". Mainly it is patience, practice, good reference photos (multiple angles and as big/clear as you can get) and taking your time. OH - and always look at your work IN LIVE MODE. It makes a difference.
Now I will just ramble a bit… and there will be pictures.
The main thing is, I do not do any of my sims - even the non-celebrities - in one sitting. They are all evolutions over time - some weeks. Some many years. I work on them a bit (usually until I get stuck or frustrated) and then put them away. Come back with fresh eyes another day. I kid you not - I've been working on the cast of Archer since season 3 started (it's just wrapped season 12!) For me, doing celebrities is exhausting!
I use reference photos - and lots of them. As big and clear as possible, and multiple angles. Even with my non-celebrities! And I study them A LOT. I also look at the sim (and ref photo) from all angles, not just the front. Mess with the nose from the front - check it from the side to make sure it looks right that way too.
Make adjustments in small increments. (And if you don't have master controller+cas integration, get it! And immediately turn on "show slider numeric values".)
My personal opinion is that you can do a lot with the base sliders. I use CC sliders (and cc in general) as "final touches" and only to address specific things that can't be achieved any other way.
Here is Timothy Oliphant. On the left is 100% CC-free. On the right is the same sim with exactly 5 custom sliders added and the bare minimum of CC (skin, eyebrows and like 2 shaders). Yes, the CC version is "better". But my point is, he had a pretty solid foundation.
(To be perfectly honest… I am appalled at how overboard I went on my last celeb, Toby Stephens. I really regret layering on that much "esoteric" junk you can barely tell the slider did anything at all… I'm going back to a "less is more" approach.)
Also, it is my personal belief that you do NOT need slider multipliers (going above 255 or below -255 on the slider values) unless you are doing hyper-stylized effects. I only did this on maybe one sim and the highest I went was 300 on the eye size. Realistic sims? NOPE.
Here she is.... Mitsuko. Exactly 2 sliders went beyond the standard range.
Also… Look at them in live mode periodically. It really does make a difference. They look different in CAS than in live mode.
And really, I'm not kidding. It also just takes practice. Keep trying. As a form of encouragement (hopefully?) I am showing you this comparison. On the left is one of my earliest OG celebrity sims - Zachary Quinto (I have 2 other celebs even earlier than him). On the left is my "redemption WIP" version. This is what time, patience and practice can do. So you may not think your celebs look good now. Just keep working on them.
And finally... here is a look at my other in-progress (and most likely never to leave the bin) celebrities. Some of these I have never shown before and I sincerely doubt most of them are even identifiable. Some of them are from the same epoch as proto-Zachary. Some are more recent. I didn't put them in order or anything but you can probably see a progression. Some are very clearly more refined than others. But that is my point. Practice and time. And patience. And an iron butt.
I'm hoping this has been helpful? Encouraging? Something?
Hii! I'm really loving your WIPs, but when are you actually going to post them to download? can't wait to use them!!
Hi Nonny,
Thanks for asking after this. I do actually plan on releasing items "eventually" in my own time. I'm glad there is interest in the items I'm making!
Since you've been following my adventures, you probably know that these outfits are specifically for my Malory Archer sim and maybe you know that I'm actually working on the full cast of the tv show, Archer. I've been working on these sims since 2012? 2014? I forget, it's been a minute, anyway (the original airing of Season 3 in fact). And I've worked really hard on creating these characters. I love them as much or maybe more than Harlan and Jonah (!!!).
The problem why I've not finished them already is that I couldn’t find all the things I need. And I had no one willing to collaborate with me. So I ended up shelving the project until I could do them properly. I very literally learned to mesh/frankenmesh for the specific purpose of making proper outfits for these characters. (I had a few false starts in the past, but I'm determined this time). I haven't even bothered to do that for any of my other sims!
Here is my issue, my fear really (and it's semi-happened already). I can't release the sim until I finish all the items I plan for them. If I release Malory's or Lana's iconic outfits.... and someone else took it and then released their own characters first - especially on MTS (because as I understand it, they don't allow dupes). I would be gutted. And yes... at one point someone tried to jump ahead of me and release their version of the sims on MTS before me. Intentionally. Someone did this with one of my earlier characters for a different show too. I am not just saying they coincidentally did it. They very explicitly did it and even said they were doing it. It hurts.
I've been wrestling with how and when I want to start releasing the series of characters and cc. I have at least 12 characters and an ocelot planned. I've waffled between being hard core and keeping them all on hold until the complete set is done. Or completing everything I need for 1 character and releasing stuff character by character.
Also, keep in mind I am just learning how to do this stuff I've revised Malory's outfits a half dozen times already to correct mistakes. Now that I'm getting the hang of it, the progress might speed up.
So... that's my thoughts. I know people are anxious to get their mitts on these items and I honestly do want to get them out there. I mean, that's the point right? I do it first for myself, but always with the intention to share.
1) @windermeresimblr - Yes, I am with you on those choices. I went back and plowed through all of my hair again and I keep coming back to the “Jamie” (the first one you mentioned) and another short hair that I think I’m going to use on another sim probably. It’s one of Haneco’s mashups. I’ve got to get Justice into the studio and see if I like it better for him. If not, I may put it on Josiah.
2) @wannabecatwriter - I know, right??? I think it is just because you can actually see more of his face and the hair doesn’t distract your eye.
3) @nornities - Haha! Yes I think he is like Harlan with a permanent frown.
4) @andantezen - Great suggestion! It also led me into “weeping angel” statuary that have a similar mood. @treason-and-plot - this kind of borders into your suggestion too. I’ll see if I can add in some other “lounging” poses and particularly ones suited for a “lounger”!
5) @andantezen - Thanks for the movie clip! You are right that scene really does evoke the same mood that my poses have!
6) @treason-and-plot Thanks!
I think I got everyone? Maybe? Oh! I missed one - @ktarsims - I’m glad your weather is being nice and mild. I think my side of the country is getting all the weather right now. I feel like I’m melting on the sidewalk every time I go out. And YAY! More storms tonight.
sweetdevil-sims replied to your post: So… I wonder what happens if you make a preset use...
I think danjaley answered me this in the past! IIRC all patterns are added in patches so everyone has them (I have some with codes like “SP2” even though I don’t have the second SP).
At least, I’ve used EP patterns on CAS items that I put up for download, and no one has said they weren’t seeing them /shrug
Thank @sweetdevil-sims! I’ve been trying to avoid using them “just in case” but it’s very limiting.
I totally DID get your message and absolutely do intend on giving you a reply! I’ve just been busy and didn’t want to half-ass the reply. Bear with me and I will give you a proper reply soon!
