These are the rubrics that MTS staff use for evaluating TS4 lots shared here. The corresponding guidelines can be found here: MTS Creator Guidelines: TS4 Lots and Houses



Note to moderators: This first post (the summary) must be maintained manually. If you delete or add a rubric item or reorder anything, please edit this first post. All edits to Common Rubrics requiring editing its summary must be manually updated on every single individual rubric thread. Please copy the # link to use in the summaries, not the post number, to view the individual post.

Quality
1. Realism
2. Architecture
3. Playability
4. Roofing
5. Furnishing/decoration
6. Landscaping
7. Other Content

Files
1. File Type
50. (From common rubrics) Rar, zip, 7z

Information
1. (From common rubrics) Title
2. (From common rubrics) Description
3. Lot size
4. Lot Price
5. **Custom content - Credits and links
6. **Custom Content - Included/required
7. Expansion, Stuff and Game Packs Required

Screenshots
1. Front view
2. Floorplans
3. (Optional) Additional screenshots
4. Maxis makeover pics
50. (From common rubrics) Size
51. (From common rubrics) Lighting
52. (From common rubrics) Clarity
53. (From common rubrics) Distance
54. (From common rubrics) Distortion
55. (From common rubrics) Photoshopping
56. (From common rubrics) Attached
57. **(From common rubrics) Show all items
58. (From common rubrics) Inline images

Other
1. (From common rubrics) Pay or pirated content
2. (From common rubrics) Adult content
3. (From common rubrics) Content we do not allow
4. (From common rubrics) Credits

Special

Note: These are the only rubric items that can be rejected for on their own, with no other rubric items selected at all.

1. (From common rubrics) Uploader requested
2. (From common rubrics) Stolen content
3. (From common rubrics) Other
4. (From common rubrics) Duplicate
5. (From common rubrics) Uploads in Sets
6. (From common rubrics) Not Completed Requested Changes

1:The lot does not resemble the type of building it is supposed to be. Take a look at some real lots of the same type, and try to reproduce them as closely as possible with the build tools available. Please see this helpful tutorial and try posting in Creator Feedback for some input from other creators.

1:The lot is not very realistic. While creativity and exploration of the build tools is great, the end result should be somewhat plausible, logical, and realistic. Please see this helpful tutorial and try posting in Creator Feedback for some input from other creators.

2: The lot somewhat resembles the type of building it is supposed to be, but could use some more work. Take a look at some real lots of the same type, and try to reproduce them as closely as possible with the build tools available. Please see this helpful tutorial and try posting in Creator Feedback for some input from other creators.

3:The lot is fairly plausible, logical, and aesthetically pleasing.

4:Your lot is plausible, logical, and aesthetically pleasing.

5:Your lot is very realistic, plausible, logical, and aesthetically pleasing. Lovely!

5:Your lot is based on a fanciful and unrealistic concept, but you've managed to make it really work, so that it's still plausible, logical, and aesthetically pleasing.

1:This lot needs more work on the architecture. Please see this helpful tutorial and try posting in Creator Feedback for some input from other creators.

2:You have a nice start on the architecture, but it needs a bit more work. Please see this helpful tutorial.

3:The architecture looks good.

4:The architecture looks interesting. Nice job!

5:The architecture on this lot looks amazing! You have clearly put a lot of thought to it.

1:The layout needs a bit more work. Try to avoid sparsely furnished/too cramped rooms, items blocking the way, long narrow corridors where sims get stuck, or making a house unrealistically large so that sims take a large number of sim hours to fill basic needs.
1: We cannot make a comment on the layout as there are no attached floorplans

2: We cannot make a comment on the layout as the floorplans are too small to see the layout.


3:The layout is nice and playable.

5:The layout looks great and very well designed!

1:The roofing looks awkward and/or is unsuitable for the lot's style. Make sure all roof pieces join each other nicely and do not leave gaps, the angle of the roof is not too high or low, and is suitable to the lot's style.

2:The roof could use a bit more work. Make sure all roof pieces join each other nicely and do not leave gaps, the angle of the roof is not too high or low, and is suitable to the lot's style.
2: The roof could use a bit more work. With flat roofs ensure that they do not end too abruptly giving an unfinished look and only use where suitable for the lot style.

3:The roof is suitable for the lot.

4:The roof looks good and suits the lot well.

5:The roof looks great and suits the lot very well!

1: You have not added wall and floor paint to all rooms on your lot.
1: We cannot make a comment on the furnishing or decoration as there are no attached floorplans or clear interior pictures.

2: You have furnished or partly furnished your lot, but it is not realistic - please try to avoid things such as hot tubs in the living room, or a pinball machine in the kitchen.

3: Your lot has wall and floor paint and is ready for furnishing. Thank you.

4: The lot is furnished with all basics and wall and floor paint in a cohesive style.

5: The lot is very well furnished with attention to details. Good job.

1:This lot lacks landscaping or it is not well-placed; landscaping means have at least a few shrubs, flowers or trees, and some terrain paint. Don't just randomly plunk a tree in, though. Try looking at some real buildings of similar types, and perhaps try some of the tips here: Building Great Realistic Houses (Exterior)

3:You have landscaped your lot, thank you

5:The landscaping on this lot looks awesome!

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1:Several of the files are missing from this lot. All TS4 lots should have 1 .trayitem file, 1 .blueprint file, and a handful of .bpi files.
1:There are files included which are not part of this lot. All TS4 lots should only have 1 .trayitem file, 1 .blueprint file, and a handful of .bpi files.

2: The .trayitem file is missing from this lot upload. Without this file the lot will not work correctly.
2: The .blueprint file is missing from this lot upload. Without this file the lot will not work correctly.
2: One or more of the .bpi files are missing from this lot upload. There should be around 3-7 of these, depending on the lot. Without all of them the lot will not work correctly.

5: You have included all the files for your lot, and nothing unnecessary. Thanks!

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1:The information about the lot's size and price appears to be incorrect. Please double-check this information and ensure that it is all accurate, including the exact lot price.

1:Please state in the upload text this lot's size and exact price.

2:The lot size is not included in the upload text, or it the information given appears to be incorrect.

2:The lot exact price is not included in the upload text, or it the information given appears to be incorrect. Make sure to include the exact lot price, not an estimate or rounded figure.

5:You have included both the lot size and price in your upload text and they seem to be correct. Thank you!

1:All custom content used on a lot must be credited and linked. This means a short description of the item, the name of who made it, and a clickable, working link to where the item may be found (example: Fence by armiel: http://www.modthesims.info/download.php?t=446927 ). If you can't link to a download page (because of a frames/flash site), then link to the creators page or the site you got the content from, and explain in the post how the items can be found. Please do not claim unknown or other creators work as your own or just put "unknown."

2:You have credited custom content, but the links are either not clickable, are incorrect, or are not labeled clearly. All custom content used on a lot must be credited and linked. This means a short description of the item, the name of who made it, and a clickable, working link to where the item may be found (example: Fence by armiel: http://www.modthesims.info/download.php?t=446927 ). If you can't link to a download page (because of a frames/flash site), then link to the creators page or the site you got the content from, and explain in the post how the items can be found. Please do not claim unknown or other creators work as your own or just put "unknown."

2:You have credited custom content, but you have credited the same item multiple times or you are crediting multiple items from a set.  Please condense the credits as much as possible.  Example:  Rather than having four lines of credit for wallpapers from one set, link to the set and list which colors you have used.

3:Your lot appears to need no custom content, though this is not entirely clear from the text of your post. Please edit the post so that downloaders can be suitably impressed.

5:You have clearly stated that your lot requires no custom content. Thank you!

5:You have given proper credits and links for the custom content. Yay!

1:You have not stated clearly what custom content is included and what is not. Any content that has packaged with the lot must be listed as "Included". Any content that has not packaged with the lot must be listed as "Required but Not Included".

2:Some of the custom content included in the lot is not allowed to be included with lots, as per the creator's wishes. Please remove those items and tell downloaders to download those items separately in your main text. No content by any TSR Featured Artists may be included, as per TSR's TOU. If a CC creator doesn't say whether or not you're allowed to include their CC with lots, you can assume that you are allowed.

3:Though your files don't appear to include any CC, it's not entirely clear from the text of your post that the required CC has to be downloaded separately. We recommend editing your post to clearly state that the CC is not included, so downloaders know they'll need to get it from the original source.

5:You have clearly stated what custom content is included and what is not. Thank you!

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1:Make sure to include a front view of the lot. Make sure this picture is at a sim's eye view (not high overhead), focuses on the lot itself (not too much road or sky), and shows the whole structure from the front.

2:There is a front picture of the lot, but it is insufficient to see the lot well. Make sure this picture is at a sim's eye view (not high overhead), focuses on the lot itself (not too much road or sky), and shows the whole structure from the front.

3:You have included a front shot of your lot. Thank you.

5:You have included a front shot of your lot and it looks great!

1:There are no floor plan screenshots of the lot. Make sure to include a picture of each level. Take the pictures from directly above, and zoom in to just the house (there's no need to show the gardens or surrounding area, just the structure itself).

2:There is one or more floor plan screenshots included, but they are insufficient to see the lot well. Make sure to include a picture of each level. Take the pictures from directly above, and zoom in to just the house (there's no need to show the gardens or surrounding area, just the structure itself).

3:You have included floor plan shots, enough that the lot can be seen well. Thank you!

5:You have included floor plan shots, and they are excellent for seeing your lot. Yay!

3:Your upload might benefit from additional screenshots to show off the lot. A picture of the back of the structure, unobstructed views (with objects or heavy foliage temporarily removed), comparison pictures if the lot is based on a real building or architectural style, and sim's-eye-view screenshots all help show off a lot and give downloaders a clear idea of what they're getting.

4:Your upload has some additional screenshots to show it off, but could benefit from more. A picture of the back of the structure, unobstructed views (with objects or heavy foliage temporarily removed), comparison pictures if the lot is based on a real building or architectural style, and sim's-eye-view screenshots all help show off a lot and give downloaders a clear idea of what they're getting.

5:You have included plenty of additional screenshots to show off the lot well. Yay!

2: Please double check that the Expansion Packs (EPs), Stuff Packs (SPs) and Game Packs (GPs) requirements for the lot are correct, as it appears you have forgotten to mark some packs which are needed.

5: The Expansion Pack, Stuff Pack and Game Pack requirements are clear and correct. Thanks!

1:Since this lot is a makeover of a pre-built Maxis lot, we need comparison pictures from the original version to see how much you've changed. Please add floorplans of every level and an exterior front view from the unmodified lot, so we can get a better sense of your renovations.

2:Please add an exterior front view of the original, unmodified Maxis lot which you have renovated.

2:Please add overhead floorplan pictures for every floor of the original, unmodified Maxis lot which you have renovated.

5:Thanks for including the exterior front view and floorplan shots of the original Maxis lot!

1: The other content included with the lot does not meet our creator guidelines.

2: There appears to be content included you've made specifically for this lot, but you've not included the required information and/or screenshots.

3: The other content included along with the lot meets our creator guidelines.

5: The other content included along with the lot not only meets the guidelines, but is truly excellent and well done!