How do I download skins and install them to use in my game?

I have a Macintosh. Can I use your skins?

Haven't I seen these skins somewhere before?

Do you take requests?

How often do you update?

Can I link to your site?

Can I use your skins in screenshots, send them to my friends, modify them, or offer them for download on my own site?

How do I download skins and install them to use in my game?

To download a skin, click on its picture or on the Download link you'll find next to it.

All the skins here are stored in zip format to save space and reduce downloading time. You will need a program such as WinZip to open zip files. (You can download an unlimited-time evaluation copy for free.)

When you have downloaded a zip file, extract its contents to your GameData\Skins folder. If you accepted the default locations when installing your game, this will be c:\Program Files\Maxis\The Sims\GameData\Skins.

If you need more help, the Sim Goddesses have an excellent illustrated tutorial.

Sometimes you will be asked if you want to overwrite existing files with the same name. Don't panic. It probably means that you have previously downloaded the mesh that goes with that skin. I normally choose not to overwrite existing files, just because I've occasionally encountered silly buggers who have changed meshes without renaming them, resulting in some very strange-looking skins. But most of the time it doesn't matter whether or not you overwrite existing files.

I have a Macintosh. Can I use your skins?

Erm, not really. At least, not in their present state.

Skins for Macintosh Sims have to be named differently to skins for Windows Sims. Alas, I don't have a Mac. Since I can't test skins for the Mac, I don't feel comfortable offering them for download.

However, you are welcome to have a go at converting them yourself. (And if there are any Mac users out there who'd like to send conversions of my skins back to me, I would be delighted to publish them.)

Here is a link to information about converting Windows Sims skins to Mac format:

• Skin files and making them work

Haven't I seen these skins somewhere before?

Quite possibly. Many of the skins on this site were originally created for Boutika when I was a member of staff there. Some are still available in Boutika's Sale section, and some are now only available here at Very Sim.

Do you take requests?

Nope. I've retired from skinning.

The Suggestions for Webmasters area at Neighborhood 99 is a good place to post requests and suggestions.

How often do you update?

I don't update any more. Sorry.

Can I link to your site?

Sure you can, you lovely, lovely person!

Link to the main Very Sim page or to any of the subpages. If you want to use a graphic to illustrate the link, feel free to use the button or the banner below. You can link direct to either graphic on my site, or you can copy them to your own site if you'd prefer.

Can I use your skins in screenshots, send them to my friends, modify them, or offer them for download on my own site?

Yes. You can do whatever you like with the skin bitmaps available on this site, as long as you don't make any profit from them. (If you aim to make a profit, you have to cut me in on the deal!)

A link back to this site is always appreciated, although not required.

You can even pretend that you made them yourself and bask in the "glory" ... I won't much care, but I will probably think that you are an idiot.

Note that this only applies to skins made especially for this site (Very Sim). Skins made originally for Boutika are all marked as such, and should only be distributed in accordance with the guidelines in the Boutika FAQ.

The meshes belong to their respective designers (see credits and readme files in zips), and should only be distributed in accordance with the wishes of those designers.