Mods The Sims 2 Neighborhoods Cleaned Neighborhoods +3 more

LotCatalog Refresh Project ~ a complete Lot Bin overhaul

Uploaded Oct. 27, 2023, 2:43 p.m.

Updated Oct. 27, 2023, 2:43 p.m.

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This is a Complete Overhaul of the Lot Bin. Every lot has been fixed, improved, cleaned, and now comes with a custom thumbnail. Many of the lots have been shrunk, and several of them have 2-Step foundations... (This version includes the updated BGCapeCodHouse/#cx_00000007)

After installing these files, the next time you generate a new TS2 Saved Game your lot catalog ("Lot Bin") should look a lot better, and the houses should be easier to use. Your sims will be able to move-in and start living - without having to worry about missing fire alarms and telephones, nasty sim references, or if they paid too much for extra acreage they just don't need.

I really tried to keep EA/Maxis' original intent for the houses in the Lot Bin. They are meant to be a "starting point" for your sim families. I tried to keep each lot's original 'flavor' - just hopefully, they are improved now. Several of the houses are Starters (priced under $20K,) and most of them are very plain inside with sparse furnishings. A few of the lots that came with later EPs/SPs were built to showcase all the new items in that pack (I kept them that way, for the most part, too.)

Every Lot Bin house/lot has been edited. (Except 3 of the houses that came with M &G - but even they have new detailed thumbnail pictures.)

Each lot now has a custom thumbnail that clearly lists the following pertinent information: Bedrooms/Bathrooms/AvailableParking/Pools-Lakes-etc. AND which EP/SP/Lot# that particular house is. (In case you want to search and destroy!) Houses have a black banner across the top, community lots have a green banner.

As an example, here are the BonVoyage properties: link

Each new Lot Bin House now has...
- A stove, fire alarm, fridge, garbage can, telephone, lights, and if there is a bathtub - at least one bathtub will be doggie accessible.
- Routing has been checked. Everything is accessible to your sims.
- I have added several garages, carports, and driveways. If there is room on the property for a parking space, then the driveway is at least prepped. (...mostly)
- Community lots have food available (grill, food stand, or vending) and bathrooms.
- Most community lots also have an arbor bench, photobooth, or hammock.
- All the lots have ceilings. All walls and floors are covered.
- All lots were cleaned of SimReferences using Chris Hatch's LotCleaner.
- All lots were compressed with Chris Hatch's LotCompressor.

I have included a folder with Before/After pictures of each house detailing everything I changed.

As an example, here is the Before/After pictures for the Basegame European Townhouse: link

link

Also included is a NOTES picture that outlines in writing everything I did to each house: link

None of these houses are in the regular Sims2Pack form. There are a couple of ways to install this LotCatalog Project:

FIRST - PLEASE make a back-up of your current LotCatalog before installing this new one. (Move your current LotCatalog folder out of your game and save it somewhere, like on your desktop.)
NOTE: Any other downloaded lots that you have "Installed" but not yet placed in a Neighborhood, will be in your old LotCatalog folder. You may rename them to any number greater than cx_00000063, and put them in the new LotCatalog folder to see them in the Bin again. The Sims2CleanInstaller is a great tool to help sort out your LotCatalog!

To see the new Lot Bin houses next time you're in the game:
Open the "01 DOCUMENTS LotCatalog" folder and follow the INSTALL instructions in there to install the lots in your current SavedGame. You will have a new Lot Bin the next time you run the game.

To make the new Lot Bin PERMANENT and have it generate with every new game:
Open the "02 PROGFiles Installation" folder and follow the INSTALL instructions in there to install the lots in your ProgramFiles. You will not see the new Lot Bin until you generate a new SavedGame. And, each time you start a fresh game, these lots will be freshly generated and ready for you to play.

  • OR - you can do a combination: Put the LotCatalog into your current SavedGame folder, and install the lots in your ProgramFiles for future games.

Either way you choose to install these lots, back-ups are available and included.
- I have a downloadable DOCUMENTS/LotCatalog back-up file (with the original LotCatalog files) in case you forgot to back-up first!
- Each lot in the PROGFiles install folders has the original lot file backed up with it. (See the "INSTALL InstructionsPF" in that folder to learn more.)

There is NO CC necessary. Not even the CEP files.
However, there are 2 properties that use CC (if you have it in your Downloads folder.)
- One house (IKEA's Attractive Abode) has a treehouse in back that wants Marvine's Ladder. An in-game staircase will be substituted if you don't have it. link

  • The other house (BV Home) has a swimmable lake that requires an invisible floor. But that can be added later, it is purely a visual effect. The invisible floor I use is included in folder "03_optionalCC" - along with instructions on how to remove the floors edges and make it completely invisible. link

  • ALSO - if you want large dogs to be able to access the 2-Step Foundation houses (of which, there are 7) you will want to get Simler90's Stair Mods.

A huge Thank You! goes to joandsarah77/joplayingthesims for testing each house! OMG!!!
And to my husband and daughter for proof-reading everything - more than once!
And to Honeywell and tvickiesims for beta-testing the project.
Please let me know if I/We missed anything. And, thank you for downloading!

Rooms: Bathroom, Bedroom, Dining Room, Kids Room, Kitchen, Living Room, Office, Outdoor
LotCatalogProject_CGT.zip 153.4 MB
1 year ago
DLCs needed: University Nightlife Open for Business Pets Seasons Bon Voyage Apartment Life Happy Holiday Stuff Family Fun Stuff Glamour Life Stuff Celebration Stuff H&M Fashion Stuff Teen Style Stuff Kitchen & Bath Stuff
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