@gummilutt - it is a hotel desk in the game; has the same name and price as the other one and next to it in the catalog - it came with BV as well as far as I know.

I had been looking at Paloma, too. While there is high area, there is also a road to put those lots that you don't want submerged in water. I'll give that one a look as well. Thank you!

And I didn't realize those Hawaiian islands were separate. Cool!

The very small islands I mentioned earlier lend themselves terribly to lot-flattening, so they aren't going to work. Broken Heart is still in contention ... I can alter terrain without it looking too odd.

Simsample seemed to have made some nice small islands suitable for flattening beach lots as well.

http://www.modthesims.info/download.php?t=309626

Well what do you know Have totally missed that, all this time. My bad, thanks for enlightning me

What did you discover in Sims 2 today?

In my case there is absolutely no talent involved. (Look at the buildings in Widespot if you don't believe me!) I've just built a lot of things by now and am putting my best foot forward. That's way more reliable than having talent.

@gummilutt thank you! I know I took one, will add it after work today.

I went so, so far. Wowsers. (I'm being sarcastic. )

Island babble below spoiler tag.



Question, though: Will five vacation hoods cause problems in a game? I'm debating whether to make the island a shopping district and make the motel cottages a main-hood motel, or make another vacation area. Would you folks make another vacation area, or go with a second shopping district? My main hood and shopping hood (no downtown) are beachy, island-like areas, so an island shopping district should not be out of character.

http://www.modthesims.info/download.php?t=295100

http://www.modthesims.info/download.php?t=309626

Well, I give this contest credit for spurring me to start this after hemming and hawing for two or three years! And I know just the spot where I want to put the contest lot. That will be placed first.

I'm getting inspired. Now to start building the thing. Unfortunately, I have until the deadline to finish it. Period. I heard that the final treatment for me can be really tough, and I want to make sure I get something out before then, even if it isn't the star of the show, just in case I'm too under the weather to finish it. So yeah ... going with a simpler approach again.

(I might take a quickie glance at Simsample's Isla Corazón before making a final decision. I seem to have a weird thing for heart-shaped islands, but this one is a standalone as well, looks like I can flatten beach lots just fine, and seems small enough to make a nice vacation/shopping hood.)

@gummilutt, @joandsarah77, @Red Sonja

I've added the missing image.

Well we are making progress on judges stuff


off topic I went and saw a realtor today who is going to be helping me find a house I have found a few I really like, so fingers crossed it goes well

I think I am finally done with downloading cc. I think I've got everything I need (i.e. want). Now got landscaping, lighting and some walls to do. I always finish too early so I think I'll take a break. CC-searching is exhausting (but way too much fun).

Flattened as many beach lots as possible on my Broken Heart Island tropical custom vacation hood.

Finally started building the framework for the building.

I ran into this problem during the Community Spirit contest, but simply removed a floor. I really can't in this case, though. Part of the building needs to be at least a couple of stories higher than the main building. The inspiration pic has five floors. I might have to make do with four. That will be enough of a pain.

However, I'm having the problem of not being able to see or add building tiles on the fourth floor. Even with a foundation counting as a floor, I thought we were allowed five? How do you make those floor tiles show up?

EDIT ... I found this. I'll try a dormer first.

http://modthesims.info/t/74841

Did you add the cheat to your userStartup.cheat file - or type it in while you're building?

You need to type in the cheat before building anything - setHighestAllowedLevel 16. It will not work if you have built anything, even a foundation. The dormer may work, holding thumbs

I have used the cheat after the dormer, did so on my last Apartment/Hotel low rise lots.

I don't have a cheat file, so no, I don't have it there.

If worse comes to worst, I can bulldoze the lot, put in a fresh lot, and start again. Not an issue. Right now, I have a foundation and walls. I probably should take pictures, though, to show where I started building.

The dormer cheat worked, so I got at least four stories.

Thank you for the help!

For some reason,on my computer, I have to combine the cheat setting with dormers in order to get it to work. Either one by itself isn't enough. Have not a clue why but I have UC. It is weird to me how different people have to do cheats differently. I think some of it depends on what windows you have (or Mac) what game version, and possibly what language as well (both computer os versions and game versions) as some people can type in the cheats all one case and others have to combine upper and lower case for instance.

On UC too - I have never had to use the cheat in combination with dormers - I put it in first because I once had to start from scratch after a lot of building

Hmmmm - well, a start I guess

I think it may have been because I tried entering the cheat after I started building? Perhaps it depends on whether you enter it before starting to build THAT DAY. or that game start up. I don't use that many floors often enough. :D

I only enter it before I start building - then I don't have to enter it again. Now I don't build high all that often either - but I have been trying out something for a while now (watch the last round ) which involves more levels and only got it right on the 7th try - and that is how the the cheat works for me. I am fairly sure that it needs to be entered before building and I don't think you can go higher than 16 - 16 is actually very, very high.

If it is in a startup cheat file, I also think it would not be necessary to turn it off at all - it is not going to bother you if you want to build one wall high

That's really odd as the only times I have entered it was when I needed it- That isI ran out of building floors. I guess I did use a dormer each time hoping that one level more would be enough but then had to hunt down the cheat since I don't have it in my cheat file or stored anyplace. I don't really like highrises and doubt I would play my own lol.

My judging sheet has been sent in. I apologize for cutting it close yet again, my arthritis decided it wanted to party last weekend so I was out of commission yet again and unfortunately I had a bunch of stuff to do monday-today so couldn't get it done sooner. But at least it's a day early rather than late

The cheat didn't work for me once I had started building. Strange.

What I did was to save a copy of the four-level building and plop the skeleton of it in the lot bin. Since I have flattened lots, it was really easy to simply move it to the next adjoining lot. I want to see if I even want five levels. I will use the cheat code on this new lot.

Perhaps it is another of those things, like some players having to use capital letters. I just used it on the hotel lot as well to build the tower and I had to start over and enter the cheat first - but once entered, and lot saved, it is not necessary for me to enter it again or use a dormer.

Judge's Scores Round 3
 

Thanks judges! I managed to get a whole point more than last time so as long as I don't go backwards I know I'm improving bit by bit I'm thrilled that overall you guys liked it! Please allow me to address some of your critiques.



That's a fair assessment. When I first built the house, the roof ended at the wall but I had the same thought so I extended it out about two tiles for some kind of possible shade. I tried different patio umbrellas but in the end, they didn't look very good so I resigned myself to the fact sims likely would 'lounge' out there in the evenings.



The different oranges and metal paneling was a direct homage to the house that inspired it, which I thought was beautiful and quirky but hey, that exterior is not everyone's cup of tea I'll agree the toilet probably could have been placed differently. Not so much a problem for two sims but 4 I can agree would start to grumble at waiting in the shower room to enter.



Yes, pool is built into the foundation and is usable, however you have to instruct the sim to climb into the pool via ladder because of the dummy level. I used this tutorial. I didn't make the front of the home especially attractive on purpose because I was trying to stay with the inspired house's overall feel and also emulate a design philosphey by Frank L. Wright about 'prospect and refuge' where occupants had a balance of prospect to see the horizon (out the back where other people were not likely to be peeping in) and then refuge in the form of the bedrooms having the windows where they provided light but didn't let the outside world fully in. And yes, that could have also been accomplished by higher windows; I just thought the lower ones seemed more contrastingly interesting - having sunlight on the floor during the day and artifical light come from the ceiling at night

From a judge's comment (I know this wasn't you Gayars) - sorry I didn't realise that was a thing. Did Gayars ask for that on the first page? I must have missed it. I was using modyourpanties because it's easier to spoiler pictures (as we are required to do).

Yes I use MYP to attach the pics and then attach them to the post.

You can do that? Or do you mean you use MYP and attach the pics as well?

I think what happens is MYP acts as file host so you can put pics in the body of the post but then in addition you can upload your images as attachments to the post from your computer. Way back during round one I think Jo or Gummi or both said they could see images better as attachments for judging purposes.

If it's a requirement though it needs to be on the front page. I've not read every post in the thread.

It's not a requirement. However if a judge can't see something in detail points can be lost, it just depends on the judge's preferences I guess.

Right it isn't a requirement. I guess the pictures are clearer if you attach them that way? I honestly didn't remember the conversation so very glad Charmful did! Like she said, it isn't a requirement but if a judge can't make something out, then it becomes an issue.

My mind these days..

When pics are inline, they are auto resized. If you attach them directly to the thread they can be clicked on to see full size. Which doesn't matter if your pics are the same size as they appear inline, but it often helps to see things more clearly So just strongly suggested.

Thank you for clarifying. Like I said my mind.... :P

It depends. If your pictures, especially floor plans show up large and clear I would not bother checking the attached, but if it is somewhat harder to see I would click the attached one. I had no issues this round with anybody's pictures.

Ok the contestant scores are done I will do the play alongs tomorrow

Hopefully we will be celebrating a house as well! I believe we will but should know tomorrow for sure!

Edited to add.... Countdown timer has been updated, and the link to contestant scores has been added, and the lot info has been updated as well

Thank you Judges 1 and 2. You made me smile and want to keep plugging away at it. I needed your encouraging words
Judge 3 - not so much...

Thank you, Judges.

Jude 1: The answer to all your questions is : No. Accommodation in the tourism industry here is always very western, but there are often wall murals by local artists of the various groups. (I said the walls are a tribute to the rock art of the San, not that the lot is a tribute to them). Wooden flooring has been used in the Kalahari because it protects the feet from the heat of the sand and often there are bridges connecting the units as well. The San did not make clay floors or build huts like other tribes, they migrated all the time, hunting, and slept under the stars or under rocks. Since rondavels are almost always built with concrete, the stargazing tower fits in my opinion. Perhaps I should attach an example of whatever I am building in the future.
Judge 2: Thank you. I actually downloaded some bunker beds, but they did not show up in my game. As these are backpackers' huts, they can be glad the got a bathroom in there
Judge 3: Thank you, I understand your point. I may not fully agree with that, but I think it is fair. I would like to know why I am losing half a point for playability, though - since the lot did not present a single problem. I find it hard because I am never told why I lose points for playability when I know everything works.

And playability is a HUGE point with hotels. Not only Freezy ... I've said 'nuff about that pest ... but if you don't design a hotel correctly, you can also have concierge/bellhop issues, as justpetro experienced, no Sim tourists, and "shuttle dispatch" messages that send your Sim back without so much as a cheap souvenir. Effective hotels can be tough, and personally, I think that anyone who tackled one and tried to meet the basic requirements (including LOTS of room, a simpler layout ... better a little boxy or plain than cluttered and obstructive in the case of hotels), etc. etc. ... honestly, d_dgjdhh put it much better in his tutorial than I could .. oh, and got it all to work ... should get an extra point right then and there. In the future, I recommend anyone tackling a hotel take a peek at the tutorial. It's very informative, also covering such points as restaurant tables.

http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=530550

Oh, and that reminds me ... I have some things to add. (Added) Hotel-building tips seem to be a work in progress.

I recommend in future contests ... not just this one ... that contestants and playalongs include their inspiration pictures, if they have one. I did for the last round, and will for this round. Someone else here did as well (I would need to check who ... sorry!). I deliberately did not make exact copies in either case, but I hope judges could see where I'm going with the look. I recommend that if judges have a question, they might want to quickly take a look at the inspiration picture. Why is there a big tower in the middle of the room? Why is one awning leaning to the left?

I also suggest that many building styles are fusion styles. From time to time, real-life buildings combine older and newer features. I see it all the time in real-life house plans.

Lastly, if you're basing your build on a real person's needs or tastes, you might even want to include something about them as well.

As always, though, I do not envy the judges. Those lots in the previous round were ALL excellent. All of them.

Apparently too much space is a "playability" issue as well.

I feel that if a judge thinks there is a playability issue, it should be explained. How can I fix whatever is bothering them if I don't know and if I don't find any issue at all with a lot? I am regularly using half a point for that and since I play way more than I build, I don't know what to do about that anymore.

I can accept it if a judge thinks my lot is not unique enough (even if I don't agree) or that I built "too basic" (even if I used more CFE on this lot than on the previous 2 together and the tower wasn't all that easy) - that is an opinion and I don't have to agree with that.

But I can't accept that there is a playability problem without an explanation. There are no routing issues on that lot, everything worked and Sims used everyting - the pic shows some swimming, one lying in the hammock, 2 playing chess besides the stargazing one - so I feel I have a right to ask.

Apparently Petro, your Kalahari Stargazer Huts and my fish bowl restaurant have been done many, many times before... there's nothing unique about them at all any more. *sigh*

"This is a beginner's contest" - didn't I read that somewhere? - so how can building something too basic loose you points?

And sometimes, basic and simple works. Think of that classic little black dress, or minimalist architecture styles as you might see here: http://www.yr-architecture.com/5-ch...-house-designs/. Sometimes, minimalist fashion or designs can be very challenging because you are trying to make a statement with so few items.

This is probably another reason I suggest that contestants in future contests submit inspiration photos if a building, style or design influenced their entry, and that judges take a quick peek at them. I have never judged and would make a wretched one, so perhaps I shouldn't talk. But I would love to get into contestants' heads a little if I ever judged (again, not likely I would). See where they were going with the design, close my eyes, take a deep breath, and try to see mentally what they might have been attempting to achieve. If they were going tiny or minimal with a build, how well did they do in that context? If going minimal, did they emphasize line and detail, making it the focus of a room? Did they make a unified flow from area to area? If it was created to fit a personality, well, that will be subjective on my part, but can I imagine this person as well in my mind?

If there is a cultural context, I would be the first to admit there is much I don't know about cultures, even in my own country. (U.S.) If someone is trying to emulate a certain style or culture, I would probably Google it quickly to get an idea of what I'm supposed to be looking for. Heck, I'd probably even Google a Cape Cod, since I have the memory of a sieve! And I grew up in a Cape Cod! Again, though, I would realize that fusion is a thing. People often build on an older lot, keeping details they like. You'll sometimes see this when people renovate Craftsman houses, at least ... if you believe home and garden networks!

Anyway, again, I don't envy judges. They have a tough job in these contests.

Perhaps we should go and drink fish bowls in the Kalahari.
My next lot may be seen as celebrating colonialism. I am going to drink to that

Um ... mine might as well.

This is a tropical lot. If you believe Maxis' interpretation, that means ruins, pirates and hotels. I'm imagining "A Pirate's Life for Me!" whenever I see Twiikii now!

But my entry doesn't have a ruin, hut or pirate in sight. It's based on an actual building in Mexico, though I expanded and expounded on it from there, so if any members feel I did something insensitive to the actual style of the building, I truly apologize. Such has never been my intent with any culture. I just thought this building was so, so strikingly pretty when I saw it, and when I did, I realized this was the building I wanted to inspire me. I apologize for any clumsiness when bringing my lot to life, and will include a link to see the actual inspiration so others may also appreciate it as it actually is.

Anyway, though, the building does show a colonization era. I see cultures as changing and adapting to historical circumstances, adopting influences from ruling tribes and countries. These influences are clearly apparent in the art, music, architecture and literature of many countries, and I don't see it as always bad or good. It's history. It's how we change, whether for better or worse.

I need a horse.
Anybody got a linksie for a good horse "statue" - it doesn't need to be rideable. It will only be in my test-game long enough to take pictures for the next round's entry. I really don't want to deal with adding NPCs to my game... but, as it's just my test-game, I guess that wouldn't really matter. Right? I know I had a few horses at one time, but now I can't find them

Thanksies

Oh, crud. I SAW a great horse statue while looking for something totally different, but of course, I can't remember where I saw it! I want to say TSR or kativip's site (but be careful with that, because it's pretty ad-heavy, and an ad or two can slip though an adblocker.) Or PBK.

EDIT ... Kativip has some lovely ones: http://kativip.ucoz.ru/load/kativip...s_city/7-1-0-87

HOWEVER (draws breath), though I've used that site for many years without incident, something always makes me nervous about it. For one thing, when you hit the Box link, you get a page verifying whether you're a robot or not. I have NEVER seen that with Box downloads. I cannot believe I'm going to write this, but I actually use Mediafire if I download anything from the site. Better safe than sorry.

I've seen pop-ups slip through, even with adblocking. Kativip's stuff is wonderful. Impeccably detailed, and I have a lot of it in my game. But my policy is to get in there, take exactly what I want, and go. Oh, and do an AV scan afterward, just in case.

http://kativip.ucoz.ru/load/kativip...s_city/7-1-0-87

Don't be too floored by my arty picture-taking. Really. Restrain your awe.

Again, I've never had a malware issue with that site. But it seems a little off to me.

(And thank you! I loaded these on my test machine, but will move them to my game machine later. I am NOT going to do it again. )

And there is nothing like going through tons of CC windows for hours, picking one, realizing that in reality, you would NEVER see it on this sort of building, and realizing there was a Maxis window that will do a far, far better job. I need a recolor of it, though. Time to hunt after the AV scan.

There's always Dragon Slave's oldie but goodie:
http://www.modthesims.info/download.php?t=257255
I've always liked those - I have a neighbourhood deco version which I used a lot, especially round stable lots. There's more recolours of those meshes than you can shake a stick at too - and some adaptions of the mesh around to make hunters and draft horses.

Cool ... and they not NPCs? Double cool

YES!!! That's what I had before :lovestruc perfect! Thank YOU, Maxon

...now if I only had a horseback riding pose-box that would work with these... hmmmm?

Gazania - I love kativip's stuff too - but am leary of downloading. Those horses look nice though. Thanks!

Ask and you shall receive!

Thank you for my comments and scores, judges

ok I have sent notes to the respective judges to come and answer questions on the scores

"waits til everything is talked through, and is poised waiting to change scores respectively as needed "

OMG! That is perfect!!! Thank YOU soooooo much

Hmm, yes those horses ("where the hell is the favourite button?" scroll, scroll, scroll - on my tablet) and pose box perfect for my medieval hood.

I just realized that my lot might not be classified as a tropical lot. I mean, it's based on a building IN the tropics, but there is no jungle or anything. Tropical areas often have exquisite buildings, such as these:

https://www.architecturaldigest.com...ical-escape/all

Oh, well. Can't rebuild now. My goal is to get this building done in a week.

I think it just has to have a tropical feel - my beach bar is not even close to a beach

Looks tropical to me gazania.

Beaches are fine. After all, on the very first page it says
"for instance a beach would be a good choice for tropical"

There are a lot of beaches around the world that aren't tropical in any case.

Oh wait, it is a beach, right? I got distracted by mention of them. Now to stop procrastinating and getting on to real life stuff...

It looks tropical to me - but what do I know, I live in Central Florida. LOL!

Tropical is a climate range, not an architectural style.

You already got good replies, but I thought I'd confirm their answers are correct. It's not a requirement, and you did not lose points for doing so (if you look back you'll see more people have gotten that feedback). But as Jones said, if you only add them via link in the text it'll be resized to size of the post. As attachments they will open as big as the window allows, which means we can see more details. Being able to see things bigger lets me see things in more detail, which is especially helpful if something is only visible in the floorplan shot. So I point it out because it's something that could save you points in a hypothethical future round. And it's less frustrating for me when judging, since I can flip through more easily and see things better, so win win!



The stair I was referring to is the one you used in the garden. The windows were the tall thin ones in the lobby, which combined with the wallpapers/ceiling/floor makes it look really busy which is not something I associate with the eastern style. If you look at the pictures you added, it does use similar things but only one thing at a time. You've got a busy pattern ceiling, busy pattern wallpaper, busy pattern floor and on top of that the multiple thin windows next to each other which add even more business to the already busy wallpaper. The furniture-comment was mainly in reference to the super modern tv set, but also to some extent the stairs. Not that the stairs are wrong, but it's one more thing that's got a lot going on which contributes to the jumbled feel. If you go way back to where I shared the criteria I use for judging theme-category you'll see the final point is for "Everything about it screams theme", and in this case while you do have a clear Asian-feel throughout there are some question marks and in order to keep it fair to previous scores I felt it was necessary to deduct that point.

As for being disjointed with the other two judges, that's been the case for almost every entry I'd say. I'm a tougher cookie than my two co-judges. And while I understand that's no fun as a contestant, I'd like to remind all of you I am equally tough cookie on everyone. As I mentioned above if there are question marks on which way to sway, I will compare with previous rulings and try to make sure it's dealt with the same way as the previous one, so that it remains fair.



I don't remember what the half point deduction was for, and I'm away for the weekend so I don't have access to my notes at the moment. I will take a look when I get home and get back to you

But generally speaking about playability I look at several things. Beyond the basics (can objects be used? is there stomping potential?) I also look at the flow of the lot. Are things placed in a way that will create a natural flow in Sims movement, or is it likely they'll end up tracking back and forth from one corner to another? Are there narrow areas in said natural flow of Sim movement? Did you use your space in a strategic and creative way? Is there a lot of empty space? Is that space empty for a reason (dance floor, heavily trafficked area etc) or is it empty for no reason (ie space defined by the structure that you don't know what to do with)?

As for unique, for me a lot being unique is not just about it being a new concept or something creative, but about it being really well made for what it is. We've all seen that one community lot with perfectly ordinary things in it, but that blows our mind because it's doing it in a really great way. Or that one residential lot that isn't a medieval castle, or a space station, just an ordinary home but that's got a lot of great thought put into it and effort in every detail of it. To me that is a unique build, because it stands out from others of the same type. Being a creative new concept does certainly gives you a great starting point in terms of being unique, but it has to be executed well too

When it comes to my scores, try and think of them as 0 being the base line, and 30 being extra everything. Each point you get, is something you achieved. Something you did right beyond "I made a house with things in it", which is the starting point of any build, isn't it? So getting for example a 26 out of 30 is not 4 points from being good, it's 26 points good. That's 26 individual things you managed to do in your build beyond the basics, and that's pretty darn great if you really think about it.

I am sorry guys that I didn't get on with the play alongs scores tonight, I will for sure tomorrow. It has been an interesting day, some good and some bad around here, and I didn't quite make it.

I have an earlier post talking about how different judges judge and in most contests you will find a tougher or easier judge, but so long as a judge is equally as tough or easy on everyone their overall score doesn't matter. I must admit to being tired so I may not have judged this round with as close an eye as past rounds. But for what I do see, I take off .5 at a time.I don't think anybody has asked me about the scores I gave though.

I am fine with the rest of your scores, @gummilutt - as I said, I don't have to agree with your opinion. But losing even half a point for playablity (I had to scrap my first attempt due to playability issues; I am absolutely 100% sure this one does not have any) is not making sense to me, so that is all I want explained. (I put less effort into building skills, however it may be defined, in Round 1 and 2, and that is why I don't agree, but I am accepting your score there).

I would like to hear from Judge 1 - I have left some comments on her comments in post 1140 - since she asked me questions, I had answered them.

I understand what you are saying but it sounded like it was a requirement in the way you phrased it - Please attach your pictures to the post, it makes judging much easier - I know you are not a native English speaker but that doesn't sound like a request to me (speaking as a native English speaker), it sounds peremptory. I would guess that was not your intention. It's not an unreasonable requirement to ask people to post pictures to the thread if it helps so much with judging. Perhaps in future contest this could be made a requirement though, as I said, that information needs to be on the front page.

BTW, I do not read every post on the thread (I've been ill for one thing) and it's probably best not to assume that everyone has seen every word written.

Well I will try to remember that piece of advice for next contest for sure! Maxon

Play Along Scores
 

Only one comment per play along this time Things have been kind of nuts for some of our judges lately

@Justpetro

after further review.... please accept my apology. You learn something new everyday... Thank you! I am raising your score to a 5 on theme. gdayars and I have been in contact and your score will be changed to reflect it.

Thank you very much. I appreciate it a lot.

raised your score @Justpetro

Thank you

@gdayars. Somehow I have 29 points for unique-ness from judge 3 in my score sheet. I'm not saying I won't take that because I sure could use a boost in points but I think something is off

(Tentatively holds breath.)

I finished the lot enough to play-test a prototype. This is either going to be something I will use over and over, since I really don't have this sort of lot, or the biggest flop I ever made. Maybe even more of a flop than when I tried making that B&B a hotel.

Thank you for the score.

@Charmful I left out a 5 so all fixed now :P

I had an idea about that ....

(speak to you later)

My build is ... going - well, badly, brilliantly, disastrously - I'm not sure. Let me check - it's any size lot, any budget, yes? Hmmmm ... I picked a really difficult build.

yes! budget, lot size, and type of lot is up to you as long as it fits theme

The unique-explanation wasn't to you, it was in regards to Catherines comment further down the thread. I got that you just wanted to know about playability

I've had a look at my notes and the half point is because of narrow corridors, primarily the bottleneck created by the pool and one of the huts, but also the fact that the interiors of the hut have a fair few one tile corridors going on. Normally narrow corridors is a full point deduction, but in this case I lowered it to half a point because it seemed unlikely to cause stomping since it's unlikely to happen too frequently that two Sims try to walk there at the exact same time. But with scores in previous rounds it wouldn't be fair to not make any deduction, so that's why you got the lowest deduction I can give, since all in all it is well made in terms of playability

Thank you for the explanation. At least I know why it was deducted - it is very difficult to change things if one really does not understand why - and if playing the lot does not present any problems. At least I will know what to change in the next round.

Thank for the feedback on my last entry..I was at a point of not doing my best towards the end..I'm sorry about that..and I had forgotten about the trees..and things like that, that should have been put on there even if it was a quickly..and the score thank you so much..

I haven't even started my last entry..if nothing goes wrong with the inspection I will be moving either Thursday or Friday..and then once at least the computer is set up oh..well even then..if I can't get a phone jack put in by Thursday or Friday..I may not have internet till the week after..omgosh that would be devastating..but don't want to put one in before the inspection....so right now everything is up in the air..

And I found out why people prefer the PBK lemon and orange trees to Maxis'. Unless you have Perfect Plants for Orchards, what a pain on a community lot!

Going to PBK now.

I'm glad I'm not a contestant. Losing a point for one area being "bland" while I thought there was enough colour in the pictures, rugs and cushions, seems a little harsh, as it's a matter of opinion. In real life we're surrounded by bland, including tropical residences, the majority of which have white interior walls.

I have a question that may have been answered before, so I apologize if it was (It could have been in another competition too, though, and I can't seem to find it on here).
Under which category is landscaping judged?

Decor, it is divided into inside and outside.

Depending on the build I may also include landscaping in build category. For example, if you were to build a national forest with no structures on it then to me it makes sense that the landscaping in terms of shaping the land and how you place trees becomes the actual build and should be judged under build as well. There's been a couple of lots so far where I thought that made more sense, and I suspect we may see more in this round

With outdoor based lots I judge build on whatever got built. It does not have to be a building it could be a bridge but I do judge on something that used wall and/or floor. Terrain shaping I judge under landscaping.

Speaking of terrain shaping...I learned there is in fact, a maximum height for terrain. That's what you get when you build mountains :P

Thank you for the replies I am not doing much terrain shaping - it is not needed for my lot. I just wanted to know.

"wonders if everyone is just off pounding out their new object of wonder"

I am almost done with pounding out my new object of wonder

Applying for jobs and trying to build my 'object of wonder'!

I've been done but have just been slacking on posting it -_-

My "objet d'réfléchir" is done... It needs testing. It need photoing. It needs presenting. *sigh*

Mine is done as well, and I'm trying to take pictures, which isn't easy because there are narrow areas. I HAVE to get it done this week because I cannot guarantee what will be going on with me next week, so I'm trying to get this out ASAP.

Playtesting has been done. Routing is as about as good as I can make it, and I made my Sim do all sorts of actions.

Of course, it doesn't help when, as I'm taking pictures, I see I missed a wallpaper panel here or thought, "Ooh ... this might work better!" there. Why do I seem to find this stuff after taking pictures, and often, after posting them?

Paf! So you're all done are you. I just worked out the building technique I need. Still looks like blank desert.

Inspiration drinks

I'm with Maxon. You all that are done...well...yeah...I'm nowhere close. I have placed down an empty lot, tried a quick wall "fence" with roof thing, realized it looked absolutely ridiculous (which I figured it would) and then started making a fence.

Edit: Though now I'm sitting here wondering if I made a 1 tile wide wall/fence room thing with a roof if it just might work...hmmmmmmm...

I have to work around the days when I am able to do this. I knew about my treatment schedule, though, so no surprises. So whatever I have ready this week, that's it .... even if it's a shack with an outhouse! Not sure how I'd sell a shack with an outhouse, though ... maybe some historical site. You folks have plenty of time ... might as well take advantage of it.