Got a ton of recolors and no idea where you downloaded them from?  Read on to learn how batch converting can help you out if used properly, but if you only have a few recolors, you can use the one-at-a-time Fix Integrity process instead.  New object/mesh creators might want to check out this thread at MTS2 for special instructions directed especially at them.

Be sure to carefully sort out your recolors so you’re only batch processing recolors!  To keep on top of what may or may not be compatible with the new EP, keep tabs on this thread at MTS2.  I know it goes without saying but it must be stressed, please BACK UP YOUR FILES BEFORE CONTINUING!  Everyone always says this, but in this case, it’s vital you do it because if you try to fix things that shouldn’t be "fixed" it can break or ruin them.

Things to keep in mind

First and foremost, as an end-user you may want to adopt a "wait and see" attitude about this issue and just install University and see how things go.  There is no need to panic, your computer isn’t going to blow up if you don’t do any conversions before installing the EP.  As a creator, the best thing to do is update your own things and let your site visitors know you’ve done so.

Do NOT fix new objects off Maxis official site or things such as clothing, skins, genetics, floors, walls, etc. or anything made with Body Shop or HomeCrafter Plus as these things do not require fixing because a Maxis made tool made them.

Do NOT fix hacks or custom careers as you can break them or have your sims become unemployed, etc. and there’s no need to fix collection packages either.  This is not directly related to batch processing BUT do remember to place your hacks/careers/etc and indeed your downloads onto your desktop before installing any new expansion packs as there is no reason to think new EPs will even install correctly with them in the way!  You can slowly add them back in and test.

The Importance of Sorting

I broke my favorite hack while figuring this all out and have read reports of non-fix items being graphically trashed by this process, so sorting is paramount.  The things you want to fix with Batch Fix Process are recolors ONLY.  Leave the custom mesh fixes to their respective creators to fix.  Some things may not fix correctly and you may find the best course of action to simply restore it to your original non-EP compliant package and take your chances or just do without it for now.

Remember all of the fun we’ve had with custom content these past weeks has at worst been alpha stage fooling around, and at best been beta stage based on a lot of supposition.  None of it had to be shared so early but the community has responded favorably to that being the case, so along with that privilege, an implied risk was taken and accepted, so let’s be brave about this, fair enough?

Now what I did was CAREFULLY sort out my recolors being careful not to grab any other category of file along the way and copied them to a folder on my desktop marked BATCH BACKUP and put another copy into a folder marked BATCH PROCESS.  Afterwards I will copy/overwrite the Batch Process files back into my game downloads folders to test my conversions.

Another consideration is to check if you have Auto Backup checked (look on your SimPE menu bar under Extra/Options)  This feature may engage during batch processing and create .BAK files for you.  I feel it’s quicker to just make your own backup folder for easier copy/overwriting if needed as the extensions won’t be changed to .BAK, but you can let the Auto Backup do the job of safeguarding your files for you if that’s your preference.  I don’t care which method of backup you do, just do one of them so you’re playing safe!

Let’s begin…

Download and install a BRAND NEW version of SimPE so you’re working with the best possible tool.

Start SimPE and go to Plugins on main menu and click Scan Folders.

As you can see, the EP Ready? scan option is pre-checked for you, so we can get right into this process.

You can choose to scan Downloads or Teleport folder or click the three dots (…) to browse to any location you want to scan, including a folder on your desktop where you may have temporarily put all your recolors to try this batch process out.

Note that after you choose your folder you want to scan you must click scan in the upper right corner to begin the scan.

Here I’ve browsed to my Downloads and as you can see in the object State category, some are reported as "OK" (already compliant) and some are either made by Maxis or they’re not EP Ready yet or they’re things you shouldn’t update like hacks, floors, walls, skins, genetics, etc.  Remember only batch convert recolors.

Here I’ve browsed to a folder containing some "not ready" objects and I’ve held down CTRL and clicked all my choices.  Alternatively you can sort your recolors by clicking the top of the sort column to get them all together and then hold down the left mouse button and drag it across the files you wish to select all at once.  When you have the selection you want, click make EP Ready.

If you want, type in something unique in the Modelname box, such as your initials or name or just add a date to it like SimPE021505 for instance so it could theoretically be used to show you the date you tested processing these particular files, for instance.

Allow the process to complete.  If you have a ton of files, go walk the dog or put the tea kettle on or something.  When the process is complete, all the converted files "State" will be updated to OK.

Copy/Overwrite them back into your downloads folders and go test in game… after you get the new EP especially as nobody has been able to test that yet.  If you do have problems, simply restore to your backup files and seek guidance in the help threads at MTS2.  Please keep in mind that while playing with alpha/beta stage tools things can go wrong.  Be assured that anything that does go wrong will be worked on feverishly to make it as right as it can be.

Testing in Game Afterwards

Some objects may need to be deleted and replaced with the new processed one to show correctly in the game.  A proper test of a recolor would be to choose and place it on a lot.  You can’t test anything by looking at an old thumbnail.  Keep these things in mind and don’t panic no matter what happens people will be here working themselves silly to help you and your bazillion shades of sofas out of this jam.

Problems or Questions?

If you experience problems or have some questions about batch converting your recolors, post in the SimPE Forum and someone will be glad to help you out with wonderful support and tips.