Edit (don't pay attention to the screenshot I attached)
Thank you for your quick response. I downloaded the updated tool. Now there is a scroll bar.
I scaled my screen from 125% to 100%.

Many thanks!

I added scrollbars to the MetaParticleEffect form as well and updated the tool on the main page.

i don't mean to necrobump, especially with this wall of text, but i keep getting errors when i try to use this program. whenever i click Main to modify my game's VFX, the program gives me an error saying:
Unhandled exception has occurred in your application. If you click Continue, the application will ignore this error and attempt to continue. If you click Quit, the application will close immediately.

Index was out of range. Must be non-negative and less than the size of the collection.
Parameter name: startIndex

See the end of this message for details on invoking
just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.

************** Exception Text **************
System.ArgumentOutOfRangeException: Index was out of range. Must be non-negative and less than the size of the collection.
Parameter name: startIndex
at System.ThrowHelper.ThrowArgumentOutOfRangeException(ExceptionArgument argument, ExceptionResource resource)
at System.BitConverter.ToSingle(Byte[] value, Int32 startIndex)
at TS4VFXTool2.MainForm.VFX.SwapFloat(BinaryReader br) in C:\Users\kh\source\repos\TS4VFXTool2\TS4VFXTool2\MainForm.cs:line 4870
at TS4VFXTool2.MainForm.VFX.Read(BinaryReader br) in C:\Users\kh\source\repos\TS4VFXTool2\TS4VFXTool2\MainForm.cs:line 1689
at TS4VFXTool2.MainForm.LoadMainVFXDatabase() in C:\Users\kh\source\repos\TS4VFXTool2\TS4VFXTool2\MainForm.cs:line 5082
at TS4VFXTool2.MainForm.BtnMain_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e) in C:\Users\kh\source\repos\TS4VFXTool2\TS4VFXTool2\MainForm.cs:line 5585
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.OnClick(EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnClick(EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnMouseUp(MouseEventArgs mevent)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmMouseUp(Message& m, MouseButtons button, Int32 clicks)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ButtonBase.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Button.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)


************** Loaded Assemblies **************
mscorlib
Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 4.8.4515.0 built by: NET48REL1LAST_C
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v4.0.30319/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------
TS4VFXTool2
Assembly Version: 2.0.14.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.14.0
CodeBase: file:///D:/MTS_denton47_2076402_TS4VFXTool2.0.14/TS4VFXTool2/TS4VFXTool2.exe
----------------------------------------
System.Windows.Forms
Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 4.8.4515.0 built by: NET48REL1LAST_C
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll
----------------------------------------
System
Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 4.8.4488.0 built by: NET48REL1LAST_C
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Drawing
Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 4.8.4390.0 built by: NET48REL1LAST_C
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Configuration
Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 4.8.4190.0 built by: NET48REL1LAST_B
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Configuration/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Configuration.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Core
Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 4.8.4515.0 built by: NET48REL1LAST_C
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Core/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Core.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Xml
Assembly Version: 4.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 4.8.4084.0 built by: NET48REL1
CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.Net/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Xml/v4.0_4.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Xml.dll
----------------------------------------
s4pi.Package
Assembly Version: 1707.12.1222.13285
Win32 Version: 1707.12.1222.13285
CodeBase: file:///D:/MTS_denton47_2076402_TS4VFXTool2.0.14/TS4VFXTool2/s4pi.Package.DLL
----------------------------------------
s4pi.Interfaces
Assembly Version: 1711.19.2339.33581
Win32 Version: 1711.19.2339.33581
CodeBase: file:///D:/MTS_denton47_2076402_TS4VFXTool2.0.14/TS4VFXTool2/s4pi.Interfaces.DLL
----------------------------------------
s4pi.Settings
Assembly Version: 1711.19.2339.33580
Win32 Version: 1711.19.2339.33580
CodeBase: file:///D:/MTS_denton47_2076402_TS4VFXTool2.0.14/TS4VFXTool2/s4pi.Settings.DLL
----------------------------------------

************** JIT Debugging **************
To enable just-in-time (JIT) debugging, the .config file for this
application or computer (machine.config) must have the
jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section.
The application must also be compiled with debugging
enabled.

For example:

<configuration>
<system.windows.forms jitDebugging="true" />
</configuration>

When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception
will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the computer
rather than be handled by this dialog box.

Yeah, same thing is happening to me. Can someone help?

The VFX format was changed in the recent werewolf patch, I have uploaded a new version 2.0.15.

Thank you!

Thanks!!! You are amazing

Hi, i'm trying to convert sims 3 effects to sim4 effects. When i try to save the package with TS4 VFX tool 2.0.15 it doesn't work and gives me this error:
Could you help me @denton47 ?
thanks

************** Testo dell'eccezione **************
System.ArgumentNullException: Il valore non può essere null.
Nome parametro: source
in System.Linq.Enumerable.Count[TSource](IEnumerable`1 source)
in TS4VFXTool2.MainForm.VFX.Write(BinaryWriter w) in C:\Users\kh\source\repos\TS4VFXTool2\TS4VFXTool2\MainForm.cs:riga 3521
in TS4VFXTool2.MainForm.BtnSavePackage_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e) in C:\Users\kh\source\repos\TS4VFXTool2\TS4VFXTool2\MainForm.cs:riga 6053
in System.Windows.Forms.Control.OnClick(EventArgs e)
in System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnClick(EventArgs e)
in System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnMouseUp(MouseEventArgs mevent)
in System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmMouseUp(Message& m, MouseButtons button, Int32 clicks)
in System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
in System.Windows.Forms.ButtonBase.WndProc(Message& m)
in System.Windows.Forms.Button.WndProc(Message& m)
in System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
in System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
in System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)

I made a mistake when updating for the Werewolf patch but it is fixed now, please download new version 2.0.16.

When trying to merge several related converted VFX into one VFX file (same theme and share a similar metaparticle across the board), I get a "Duplicate effect name detected (effectname)" and then it doesn't merge. Is there a way to avoid this, force it to merge without issues, or something else that can be done like making the merge tool ignore duplicates?

Hi Denton! I was curious if you could make a tutorial on how to be able to take these effects were exporting the package files from and make them work on CC we've created. I know S3 is 100% different then S4, and I'm wanting to change the tuning effect of a candle to keep the on/off switch, but to a different flame that's already in the game called "grillfirecommunity" based off the machine I downloaded with your S3 VFX Tool. I recently changed the tuning/effect from S4 from a tutorial in Sims4Studio, labeled "Applying Effects to Objects". I'm wanting to achieve this same result for Sims 3. Hope you can help!

I have changed the duplicate check to be a question like this,



only the first occurrence will be saved to the package.

I don't know how to add visual effects to Sims 3 objects using XML tuning I'm afraid, I only know how to add effects using C# coding, the object requires a rig with a slot where you can bind the visual effect to, the code will look something like this,


using Sims3.SimIFace;
..
..
VisualEffect mVisualEffect = VisualEffect.Create("grillfirecommunity");

mVisualEffect.ParentTo(this, Slot.FXJoint_0);
mVisualEffect.Start();
..
..
mVisualEffect.Stop();
mVisualEffect.Dispose();


There may be a simpler way to achieve this without coding, you should ask around on the Sims 3 modding forums.

Hello @denton47! First of all thank you so much for creating this tool.
I'm trying to edit this effect: s40_food_baking_steam_small
It's a "loop effect", and I wanted to edit it to last for just a few seconds. Is it possible?

You need to set Cycles to 1 in the EmitRateCurve section, if it is set to 0 it will loop forever (or until a stop effect command is issued), the effect will then last 1s (Time) but the steam will still remain 2-4s (ParticleLifetime), you can experiment with those two values to get the effect you want.

Thank you so much for your reply! I'm going to try that

I've tried and made many changes with these numbers but nothing seemed to change. It either will stop functioning completely or not change at all. Any tips?

I edited the effect and set Cycles to 1 and tested it using Andrew's Effect Player and I am not having any problems getting it to work, however the effect is hard to see and you need to zoom in and look closely. If you want more denser steam you should increase the values in the AlphaCurve table.

Thank you so much! I'll compare both files and see what I did wrong


And sorry to bother you again, but can I add a custom sound to a custom effect?
I know how to replace sounds of the game using TS4 Sound Tool, but can I create a new sound?

I took the fireplace effect (s40_obj_fireplace_fire) to make a test, since it has the visual effect plus the fire sound.

I created a custom sound file on TS4 Sound Tool to try to use with it.
Is the "IID" that has to be replaced. What is it?

I mean, I don't know if it's possible to do that.

Sorry for so making so many questions. And thanks for the tools and for your help

The sound effect for s40_obj_fireplace_fire is 1C48B582EA18DCBC as shown in your screenshot, in the TS4 Sound Tool use the Lookup function on the Effect tab, clone it and name it My_Fireplace_Sound, replace the sounds and copy the hash (C2D6508A205B2DFF), paste the hash into the IID field in the VFX Sound Effect screen.

Hi there! So a year ago, I used your tool to make a fix mod for servos not showing the scared emotion properly.
https://modthesims.info/d/664163/sc...os-updated.html
Basically, servos' expressions are VFX which are based on their current mood, but Maxis forgot to give them a proper expression VFX for the update adding the scared mood. There's a placeholder which uses the sad expression for the UI but nothing in live mode, but I was able to figure out how to fix the problem thanks to S4S and your tool.

There's still some things I wanted to know and I was wondering if you could help:
-The effect is named "ep08_humanoid_robot_brain_sad", and I wanted to give my edited effect a different one named ep08_humanoid_robot_brain_scared, but the effect wouldn't work if I gave it that name and for some reason it only works if I use the default "my_..." name for a cloned effect. Is this a bug or am I missing something?
-I was somehow able to remove the teardrop visuals from this effect by tinkering around a bit, I basically removed the tear effects and saved the visual effects Count number at 2 instead of 4 (despite the program automatically switching back to 4 if I changed any other settings), but is there a more elegant way to do this?
-The biggest thing I still haven't figured out it how to change the colors of the effect properly. The effect for servo heads is basically an image that goes onto the screen face to show the eyes, a colored glow for the back of the head and some white twinkly things that move across the back as well. For my fix I want to change the effect from the blue color of the sad mood to the purple color of the scared mood so that it the colors of the head match the correct mood. I've tried experimenting with the ColorCurves setting but that doesn't seem to do much other than break the effect. Is it currently possible to change the color for both the eyes image and the glow/particles in the back? Would like any help with that if possible.

-If you make a new effect you have to merge it with the games effect list, otherwise the game won't recognize it, unlike TS3 where you can just create more SWB resources, in TS4 there is "master" list grouping effects together. The main issue here is every time the games effect list is updated you need to merge again, also if you install multiple mods with custom effects they need to be merged, otherwise they will override each other.

-ColorCurve is the main way to color particles but note that MetaparticleEffect also has a ColorCurve that can override ParticleEffect, the game itself can also override the colors as it is a parameter when creating the effect.

-I will take a closer look at deleting referenced visual effects.

First you need to deleted the three block references in ep08_humanoid_robot_brain_sad and Save, then you open the package and deleted the two unused effects humanoid_robot_face_sad_tear_left and humanoid_robot_face_sad_tear_left and Save again.

I was wondering if it would be possible to add an effect on another already existing one, so that the 2 effects would be shown at the same time, but I don't know very well how to do it, I tried to follow the instructions but I think they don't explain exactly that, so something I'm doing wrong or I don't know if it is possible, thanks for the help and for this amazing job :D

You can start multiple effect in parallel by calling them in the first screen that opens when you click Edit, however you can only reference effects in the same effect group which does limit this quite a bit.

I think the most simple solution is to just edit the animation events and add the effects you want, for washing hands in a sink these are the animations,

a2o_sink_washHands_start_x
a2o_sink_washHands_washHands_x
a2o_sink_washHands_stop_x