SIMS 4 - UPLOADING TO CURSEFORGE - A MINI TUTORIAL (Patreon)

There are a few quirks to uploading to CurseForge, so I thought I'd share my process with you. If you are a creator wanting to get started over there, I highly encourage you to do so. There is a whole new audience and the rewards are awesome.

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Go here: CREATE A PROJECT 

               -On this page is a link to their tips and tricks which has a detailed list about nuances that aren't discussed here, but will probably be useful. Go ahead and go through that at your leisure.

Select Game - It's possible to see The Sims 4 just by clicking on the dropdown menu under Select Game. If you don't see it, then type in sims and click on The Sims 4 when it pops up.

Select a Category - choose the one appropriate for your creation. For example, you've made some walls, choose Build/Buy, or you've created some hair or hair recolours, click on Create-a-Sim. You get the idea 😊

Name - project title. Make it obvious but also interesting. "Black Walls" is obvious but not interesting. 

       "Midnight Walls" is more interesting.

Summary - brief description people see, so be enticing or just very clear. This is also what shows up instead of your project title when CurseForge shares your project on Tumblr. And yes, they promote creators!

Description - pretty self explanatory. If uploading a mesh, it's always helpful to the downloader to know the polycounts. Change the font size, make it bold, embed a picture, etc. CurseForge moderators seem to like a good description and have rejected for something they don't feel is enough. Think about what would catch your interest.

If you want to use code in the description, below it is the type you're going to use. WYSIWYG or markdown are your choices. Click on whichever one you're comfortable with. This isn't a requirement, though, and you can easily make descriptions without coding.

Allow the distribution.... - that's up to you. However, if there are contests you have to allow or no one will see your project. 

Project License... - also up to you. All Rights Reserved is usually a good one.

Primary Category - choose the main category for your creation. This is one of the categories in the dropdown menu in BOLD. If you have made an Aspiration, or something that doesn't have a subcategory, choose it here and skip the next one, Categories. It will give you an option to pick, but DON'T. You'll just get stuck and the system won't let you continue with starting your project.

Categories - more specific category for your creation. You've made a painting suitable for a baby's room, let's say. For this, you would choose Decor, and possibly Kids Room. You may choose up to 4 categories here, but be mindful and only choose those that really represent your project for maximum exposure on the site.

Logo Image - This is a preview of your creation for downloaders. Make it clear and interesting. It doesn't have to be busy, sometimes plain is better. I tend to make sure my project is represented by an image, and then put some large text as a title. Your image MUST BE SQUARE and at least 400x400 pixels. Whatever size you make it, keep the sides equal size. 1283x1283, 1645x1645 work, or anything like that. What won't work is something 1283x1281. The system recognizes the size and won't let you continue if it isn't within their perameters. 

Settings - Allow comments or not

This project is experimental - this is an optional section, for if you make a program, utility, or something like that, that you want people to know is new and could possibly need more testing.

Finally, click START PROJECT.

Now your project has been started and you can leave it and continue updating at a later time or dive right in!

➡️ Here's where it's important to do things in order, because as soon as you attach a zip file with your creation, and it has to be a zip, it goes to moderation. So, upload your images first! Recolours, show all recolours. Use as many images as you need. I can't stress enough that most people want to see your creation in game. They have accepted Blender rendered images, however.

Uploading images and project zips is done on the right hand side of the screen by clicking the corresponding word with the arrow. 

Changing the description or anything other than images and files is done by clicking on Manage Project on the right, then the tab for what you want to change on the left. 

Try to make sure everything is as you want it BEFORE uploading your zip file.

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ATTACHING YOUR IMAGE FILES - Click on Image with the black arrow on the top right.

You must upload images one at a time. This is because they require a title and a description for each image.

Titles can be anything like Colours-1, or In Game Image..something basic. Description you can expand on the 

title as necessary. Something like "First set of recolours for sweater."

Then click on Choose File and click on the image in your folder. Once you see the name of your picture next to Choose File, click Upload and wait. I have noticed images over 2000 pixels seem to cause problems uploading. I tend, therefore, to keep them under 1900, to be safe.

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ATTACHING YOUR PROJECT ZIP - Click on File with the black arrow on the top right.

Upload File - click choose file and click on your zip in your project folder.

Release Type - Release - people will see your project right away. Beta - unsure because I've never used it. Alpha - gets your project in moderation but won't be seen by the public until you change it to Release.

Changelog is more for things like game mods or program utilities, or if you've had to update your project files. Again, choose the code style right below if necessary.

Supported Base Game Versions - pretty safe to just tick the top one. Most people keep their game up to date.

Required Pack Values - Tick these only if your creation requires the downloader to have the pack installed for it to work in their game. For example, you make a recolour of a hair from Werewolves, make sure to tick off that pack or simmers won't see it in their game, or they'll see a black and red checkered sim in CAS where the hair's thumbnail should be. 

I haven't yet been able to upload more than one zip, so try to get everything together in one, but if it's too big, possibly separate your project into multiple projects or check the Tips and Tricks mentioned earlier to see if they advise how to do this successfully at project creation. I do know you can upload more files afterwards.

ONCE YOU CLICK SUBMIT FILE IT'S IN THE HANDS OF THE MODERATORS. Wait for them to complete their moderation. This could be a few minutes, or it could take up to 3 days. 

Your project will not be moderated until you upload a zip file! So, if necessary, you could leave the project and go back to finish it later if you haven't uploaded your zip.

CHANGING STATUS OF YOUR ZIP FILE AFTER APPROVAL

Click on your project, then go to the Files tab. This is where people can download your file, but also where you will change its status if necessary. 

For example, if you want a project moderated but you don't want it released to the public yet, you would have chosen Alpha during the creation process. Click on the file itself, and you'll get a different view.

Above the file itself will be 3 new choices: Archive, Edit, Upload Additional File. For this, you will click on Edit. Release type is there, and you can change it to whatever suits your situation. Then click Update File at the bottom. Done!

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I hope this has been helpful. If anyone has any further tips please feel free to comment!

Happy uploading! 😁