The Second-Calling...The SiMS for PC used as CAD software
The SiMS for PC has long been a favourite of mine, not just for the gaming strategy and sheer fun of the game. But also from the games second calling, as an easy to use, familiar platform for home and house design!
This lens will NOT be about the game its-self, but more about the design aspect of the software. I once read with interest, a magazine article in a doctors waiting room..
I do not recall the particular mag, but it was a serious home interior designs magazine. The article told of a family building their own home for the first time and not being able to explain their requirements to the architect properly.
The kids had the best idea and got their parents trained of one of their PC games... The SiMS. Within a few hours, they were able to present layouts and design ideas for how they wanted their new house to look, complete with floor-plan and building material texture and finish ideas.
It has always been a life long dream for me to build my own home one day! I love to build anything I can dream up, the ability to just forget the cost and run wild with your dreams, plans and goals.. If you were paying an architect and / or designer, they would probably cost you thousands and still not come up with what you want.
The SiMS Deluxe Edition for PC was my first SiMS experience but I had played seldomly, it now took on a whole new perspective for me. I could not wait to get home and try my own house design ideas out.
Most architects worth their salt can get a very good idea of what you want from seeing your designs in screenshot form. I was eager to test some of my theories and called into my local college of architecture, to ask students what they thought of the idea. The results were promising.
Obviously, you do get the hardened few, who seem to disagree with any suggestion, claiming.. "This should not be used for serious work!" Well, as I pointed out, the idea is intended to 'help' those of us without a degree in buildings engineering and architecture, to simple put our ideas across.
I'm pleased that the majority found it both, a sensible and amusing use of the software. After-all, it was pointed out that most of the current design software, called CAD packages, (Computer Aided Design), were way too complicated and boring for most people to want to learn to use. This is before one can draw even a simple box and triangle house in stick form.
Within minutes, most people even slightly familiar with a mouse and left / right click, drag and drop experience, can be putting together a mansion or a maisonette of their dreams... AND furnishing it too!
So, in summary, the basic Idea is to use the layouts you can build in The SiMS as floor-plans to give the architect the basic idea of what you want.
Andy..
This lens will NOT be about the game its-self, but more about the design aspect of the software. I once read with interest, a magazine article in a doctors waiting room..
I do not recall the particular mag, but it was a serious home interior designs magazine. The article told of a family building their own home for the first time and not being able to explain their requirements to the architect properly.
The kids had the best idea and got their parents trained of one of their PC games... The SiMS. Within a few hours, they were able to present layouts and design ideas for how they wanted their new house to look, complete with floor-plan and building material texture and finish ideas.
It has always been a life long dream for me to build my own home one day! I love to build anything I can dream up, the ability to just forget the cost and run wild with your dreams, plans and goals.. If you were paying an architect and / or designer, they would probably cost you thousands and still not come up with what you want.
The SiMS Deluxe Edition for PC was my first SiMS experience but I had played seldomly, it now took on a whole new perspective for me. I could not wait to get home and try my own house design ideas out.
Most architects worth their salt can get a very good idea of what you want from seeing your designs in screenshot form. I was eager to test some of my theories and called into my local college of architecture, to ask students what they thought of the idea. The results were promising.
Obviously, you do get the hardened few, who seem to disagree with any suggestion, claiming.. "This should not be used for serious work!" Well, as I pointed out, the idea is intended to 'help' those of us without a degree in buildings engineering and architecture, to simple put our ideas across.
I'm pleased that the majority found it both, a sensible and amusing use of the software. After-all, it was pointed out that most of the current design software, called CAD packages, (Computer Aided Design), were way too complicated and boring for most people to want to learn to use. This is before one can draw even a simple box and triangle house in stick form.
Within minutes, most people even slightly familiar with a mouse and left / right click, drag and drop experience, can be putting together a mansion or a maisonette of their dreams... AND furnishing it too!
So, in summary, the basic Idea is to use the layouts you can build in The SiMS as floor-plans to give the architect the basic idea of what you want.
Andy..
The Sims3
Get Sims3 for the best SiMS experience.
The SiMS as a CAD Package for Floor Plans, Layouts, Design Ideas.
Planning for internal decor & furnature.
CAD - Computer Aided Design software.. For one, it can be expensive! Compared with The SiMS (even new RRP $40 approx (I think, on average)), I purchased a secondhand copy for £2.99 UK GBP.. There is nothing second hand about it, apart from the fact that someone-else bought it new, stored it in pristine condition for some time, then after probably playing it only once, sold it to me!
CAD software - the ones I have tried demos of and otherwise got for free, have been very hard to learn and remember how to use, especially from the technical side, of stresses -verses material choice and dimensions.
(you cannot have a 2x2 oak timber beam, because it won't take the weight etc..)
I prefer to leave all that techy stuff to the experts in their field. If you were serious about building your own home as I am, then you will need the services of these people anyway. No house ever gets past building regulations and location rules that govern the aesthetics of the building and design.
(You cannot have a flat roof etc when it does not match the surrounding buildings).
With all the CAD packages I've tried, you don't get to "PLAY HOUSE" after you've built it. (Or even as you build it, allowing you to redesign stuff along the way)!
When you do get what the CAD software call's 'the powerful feature of virtual-walk-through of your design' - it is always crappy looking jagged blocks for furniture etc and silly restrictions or how and which way you can look!
So, for me The SiMS is a true CAD package of the people! Design in free design mode, money is no object, make anything you want. You should keep a real budget in mind of course and the fact that, this is just for you to get your design ideas over to the architect.
CAD software - the ones I have tried demos of and otherwise got for free, have been very hard to learn and remember how to use, especially from the technical side, of stresses -verses material choice and dimensions.
(you cannot have a 2x2 oak timber beam, because it won't take the weight etc..)
I prefer to leave all that techy stuff to the experts in their field. If you were serious about building your own home as I am, then you will need the services of these people anyway. No house ever gets past building regulations and location rules that govern the aesthetics of the building and design.
(You cannot have a flat roof etc when it does not match the surrounding buildings).
With all the CAD packages I've tried, you don't get to "PLAY HOUSE" after you've built it. (Or even as you build it, allowing you to redesign stuff along the way)!
When you do get what the CAD software call's 'the powerful feature of virtual-walk-through of your design' - it is always crappy looking jagged blocks for furniture etc and silly restrictions or how and which way you can look!
So, for me The SiMS is a true CAD package of the people! Design in free design mode, money is no object, make anything you want. You should keep a real budget in mind of course and the fact that, this is just for you to get your design ideas over to the architect.
CAD packages
Just as a price comparision!
Each one of these fine CAD packages (below) are excellent for the job - but why bother, when you have The SiMS. My motto is:- 'Show, don't draw!'
With professional architect's, (who you need to employ), you would normally talk about your design to them, then be persuaded by the architect as you go through this process, to change what you want, as to what he knows is better and build-able!
All, jest aside, my main objection to using these programs, is that you may only have to use it once in your life-time. Why do all that study and learn how to use one piece of software for one project only, that's a waste of time in my book!
For the newbie, it is better to leave all the 'proper design' to the architect - and play the SiMS whilst he's busy designing your house for you, from your SiMS screen-shots and from within the game its-self! Why not lend him the game!
Yes, lend your architect a copy of the game, so that he can move round the design and get every thing right for you. The when he's 15 weeks behind with your contract and everybody-else's, you know he's become a SiMS addict!
Andy
With professional architect's, (who you need to employ), you would normally talk about your design to them, then be persuaded by the architect as you go through this process, to change what you want, as to what he knows is better and build-able!
All, jest aside, my main objection to using these programs, is that you may only have to use it once in your life-time. Why do all that study and learn how to use one piece of software for one project only, that's a waste of time in my book!
For the newbie, it is better to leave all the 'proper design' to the architect - and play the SiMS whilst he's busy designing your house for you, from your SiMS screen-shots and from within the game its-self! Why not lend him the game!
Yes, lend your architect a copy of the game, so that he can move round the design and get every thing right for you. The when he's 15 weeks behind with your contract and everybody-else's, you know he's become a SiMS addict!
Andy
The SiMS for PC - When is a house, not a house?
Go up- to your room.. (yes mother)! Ans, When its a BUNGALOW!
I'm not 100% sure about all the various versions of the SiMS, for other games machines like PlayStation et al, but on the PC version SiMS Deluxe Edition, you can build an upstairs level..
I know my children play Sims2 on the PlayStation2 (supposedly superior to my older SiMS Deluxe for PC). But how can that be superior, if for the simple reason, you cannot build upstairs!
It is the same story with The SiMS2 PETS for PS2 - you cannot build upstairs. Now this may just be a thing with the PlayStation, I'm not even bothered to find out for myself, since I don't like playing this type of game on PlayStation (I've tried) or xBox.
I take most of this awkward play experience from playing Theme Hospital on PlayStation. Sometime after playing the whole game, I found a second-hand copy for the PC, bought it cheaply, Installed and thoroughly enjoyed playing it on the PC 1,000 times more than on the PS2.
First and Third person games work best for me on PlayStation and xBox, so your choice of platform is very important. Needless to say, for The SiMS, I find the PS2 controller awkward. Where-as the mouse on a PC is dead-easy!
Anyway, I digress. The point is, there's NO-POINT in playing a 'play-house' game, if you cannot go upstairs. I suppose I was spoilt when I started off, right out of the gate with the SiMS Deluxe for PC. I think I have Every expansion pack for the game too. If it is SiMS2 on PS2, its not 'play-house', its 'play-prefab' or 'play-bungalow'!
Look, call me old-fashioned, I call a spade a spade AND a house a house! - A BUNGALOW IS NOT A HOUSE!
Andy
I know my children play Sims2 on the PlayStation2 (supposedly superior to my older SiMS Deluxe for PC). But how can that be superior, if for the simple reason, you cannot build upstairs!
It is the same story with The SiMS2 PETS for PS2 - you cannot build upstairs. Now this may just be a thing with the PlayStation, I'm not even bothered to find out for myself, since I don't like playing this type of game on PlayStation (I've tried) or xBox.
I take most of this awkward play experience from playing Theme Hospital on PlayStation. Sometime after playing the whole game, I found a second-hand copy for the PC, bought it cheaply, Installed and thoroughly enjoyed playing it on the PC 1,000 times more than on the PS2.
First and Third person games work best for me on PlayStation and xBox, so your choice of platform is very important. Needless to say, for The SiMS, I find the PS2 controller awkward. Where-as the mouse on a PC is dead-easy!
Anyway, I digress. The point is, there's NO-POINT in playing a 'play-house' game, if you cannot go upstairs. I suppose I was spoilt when I started off, right out of the gate with the SiMS Deluxe for PC. I think I have Every expansion pack for the game too. If it is SiMS2 on PS2, its not 'play-house', its 'play-prefab' or 'play-bungalow'!
Look, call me old-fashioned, I call a spade a spade AND a house a house! - A BUNGALOW IS NOT A HOUSE!
Andy
Look for stratergy guides and playing tips.
Lets see what they have at Amazon!
The SiMS Games - Get the best deals.
Some other great Sims Lenses
Designing My Dream Home.
Generating Layout Ideas.
I have a few of those CAD packages, even an occasional new release. They still seem to be too complicated for just getting a basic idea of which layout I would enjoy the most.
I have been experimenting with an idea for a floor-plan, whereby the construction, (a problem for a real architect), is to have floor sections that could be moved around like one of those sliding puzzles. This is so that the two staircases I'd like in my home, can be rearranged at some future time.
I'm not talking about, like you would move it every year, like when you are decorating and want a new look and style, (but that would be really great)! I'm thinking more along the lines of, 'its a big job to redesign the layout and re-positioning of the stairs, but nothing that requires altering the basic structure of the building'.
If you had false ceilings on each floor, you could get the builders in or D.I.Y. it, to take up the floors (that have underfloor heating piping under a laminate or wood floor) and take down the ceilings (that basically hook and clip in place). Then, a simple hoist attachment could be fitted to the raw ceiling mounts, that are specifically designed to be used to lift the concrete floor sections around within the 'H' section steel frame (RSJ beams as they are technically called).
From my point of view as a designer, I do not worry about all this technical stuff. I just leave it to the more educated in those fields to work out the problems and give me what I want. That's what we want as a general housebuilding public, when designing our dream homes. So, by using The SIMS game packages, we can have fun, whilst at the same time designing our dream house or living or working space.
Recently, I redesigned my main work area in my home office, since I work from home. I have a lot of hobbies that take up quite a bit of space, like tropical fish keeping, (five large tanks).
I am a musician, multi-instrumentalist too and need space layout for guitars, drums, keyboards, computers, videos and large screens, organ, piano and mixing desk. Not to think of my home Gym, comprising of separate cycle, rowing and cross-trainer machines, a teeter-table and abs deck. so it is a pretty big layout. (obviously not all in the same room, but maybe on-day)!
On top of all that is my main office desk and three computers that I use to work online, so I have a pretty large house and plenty to keep me busy as you can imagine. The last thing I want to do is to have to learn how to use those stuffy CAD packages. I have not really found any yet that are as much fun as The SIMS. And, after you finish designing and building, (or at any point), you can stop and jump in and play around.
Wow, it is soooo great! - I really love The SIMS.
I have been experimenting with an idea for a floor-plan, whereby the construction, (a problem for a real architect), is to have floor sections that could be moved around like one of those sliding puzzles. This is so that the two staircases I'd like in my home, can be rearranged at some future time.
I'm not talking about, like you would move it every year, like when you are decorating and want a new look and style, (but that would be really great)! I'm thinking more along the lines of, 'its a big job to redesign the layout and re-positioning of the stairs, but nothing that requires altering the basic structure of the building'.
If you had false ceilings on each floor, you could get the builders in or D.I.Y. it, to take up the floors (that have underfloor heating piping under a laminate or wood floor) and take down the ceilings (that basically hook and clip in place). Then, a simple hoist attachment could be fitted to the raw ceiling mounts, that are specifically designed to be used to lift the concrete floor sections around within the 'H' section steel frame (RSJ beams as they are technically called).
From my point of view as a designer, I do not worry about all this technical stuff. I just leave it to the more educated in those fields to work out the problems and give me what I want. That's what we want as a general housebuilding public, when designing our dream homes. So, by using The SIMS game packages, we can have fun, whilst at the same time designing our dream house or living or working space.
Recently, I redesigned my main work area in my home office, since I work from home. I have a lot of hobbies that take up quite a bit of space, like tropical fish keeping, (five large tanks).
I am a musician, multi-instrumentalist too and need space layout for guitars, drums, keyboards, computers, videos and large screens, organ, piano and mixing desk. Not to think of my home Gym, comprising of separate cycle, rowing and cross-trainer machines, a teeter-table and abs deck. so it is a pretty big layout. (obviously not all in the same room, but maybe on-day)!
On top of all that is my main office desk and three computers that I use to work online, so I have a pretty large house and plenty to keep me busy as you can imagine. The last thing I want to do is to have to learn how to use those stuffy CAD packages. I have not really found any yet that are as much fun as The SIMS. And, after you finish designing and building, (or at any point), you can stop and jump in and play around.
Wow, it is soooo great! - I really love The SIMS.
by AndyGold
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