Body Shop Resources and System Requirements

[ManagerJosh]

System Requirements:
They are the same as for The Sims 2. If your computer is not going to run TS2, it probably will not run Body Shop. Here are the specs from the TS2 site:
If you have a T&L capable video card with at least 32 MB of video RAM (such as nvidia GeForce 2 or better or ATI Radeon 7000 or better) then you need at least:


600 MHz P3 processor
256 MB RAM if Windows XP, Windows ME, Windows 98 or Windows 2000

If you have a non-T&L capable video card (such as TNT2 or Intel Integrated for example) then you need at least: 1.5 GHz processor
256 MB RAM if Windows XP, Windows ME, Windows 98, or Windows 2000
Recommended video cards (and the more video memory the better):
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro
Nvidia Geforce 4 or FX series cards


DirectX 9.0B
Can't run The Sims 2 Body Shop because no DirectX? Get it at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/default.aspx (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/default.aspx)

After you install, you MUST reboot your computer before trying Body Shop again.


Drivers:

Manufacturers usually refresh their drivers every two to four months, depending on how old your video card is. If it is very old, chances are they haven't been updated.

Majority of graphics cards are made by Intel, nVidia, and ATI. To find out how what sort of video card you have, goto start > run > type dxdiag and click enter. Click Display and look under Model. Helps a lot :)



For the latest drivers: nVidia Graphics Cards: http://www.nvidia.com/ (http://www.nvidia.com/)
ATI Graphics Cards:http://www.ati.com/support/driver.html (http://www.ati.com/support/driver.html)
Intel Graphic Cards: http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df/support_intel.asp (look on the left menu for Graphics)
S3 Graphics: http://www.s3graphics.com/Drivers.html
Matrox Graphics: http://www.matrox.com/mga/support/drivers/home.cfm


Paint Programs!
The Paint programs I recommend to use for Body Shop are as followed
Adobe Photoshop (http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/main.html)
Macromedia Fireworks (www.macromedia.com/fireworks/)
Paint Shop Pro (http://www.jasc.com/products/paintshoppro/?)

Fireworks and Photoshop are some of the best paint programs out there and are recommended highly by the gaming industry. Maxis themselves uses Photoshop.

Body Shop Tutorials
Here are a couple of tutorials from other sites in the community. Feel free to add your favourite tutorials to this thread.
http://members.fortunecity.com/lpx/tutorials/hair.html - Hair
http://home.planet.nl/~Dobbe065/Tutorials/Denim1.html - Clothes

[Vchat20]

awesome, so if body shop is any indication of how ts2 will run, i can safely say my comp will handle ts2 nicely. body shop ran flawlessly here and i barely had any slowdowns.

[KatAnubis]

awesome, so if body shop is any indication of how ts2 will run, i can safely say my comp will handle ts2 nicely. body shop ran flawlessly here and i barely had any slowdowns.
You need to run the actual game to decide that, however.

While it's true that if your computer won't run BodyShop, it won't run Sims2, the reverse may only be partially true, especially if your specs are close to the minimums.

Keep in mind the increase in need for RAM/processor speed especially since the game will have more action (animation), pathing and AI to contend with. This could make the game slow even if BodyShop runs great. BodyShop doesn't have as much going on (although how well your mannikin can spin may give you some idea. If it twirls like a skater doing a spin, then it's more likely to work.)

[cowgirl200326]

I guess I can't get the Sims 2 because my comp. only has 156 Mb Ram. This sux!!!!!!I was really lookin forward to gettin this game too!

[ManagerJosh]

I guess I can't get the Sims 2 because my comp. only has 156 Mb Ram. This sux!!!!!!I was really lookin forward to gettin this game too!
Upgrade your memory. :)

[Vchat20]

yep. thats what i was about to say. you may also want to post your other specs like cpu, graphics card, and OS.

[Rowanstaff]

Could you also post some minor info about Bodyshop, like what the current version number is and where it can be found after the game installs it? I floundered for a bit before finding it, and now that I've run into problems with it I find myself wondering "Do I have the current version??" I don't know. And it seems like these two things are part of the most basic FAQ of bodyshop. Sort of the what and where of finding it.

[FaeLuna]

Try going to your Start menu, then All Programs, then EA Games, then Sims 2 and you should see Sims 2 Bodyshop right under Sims 2 :D

[Rowanstaff]

Yes, I found the program a few days ago, but what I don't know is whether or not I have the current version.

[KatAnubis]

Yes, I found the program a few days ago, but what I don't know is whether or not I have the current version.
If you have the game already installed, it will say that there is a new one and won't open the old one. But if you get it from where Faeluna said, it is the new one which should open.

BTW, when you first open it, it has a blank time when you won't see anything happening. Then after that the window pops up and you can tell it's starting. So don't be concerned if nothing happens when you first open it. Just wait a minute or two before retrying. (If you retry too soon it just tells you that it's already running.)

Also, Body Shop will not open if the game is running and the game will not open if Body Shop is running.

[Rowanstaff]

Kat, you totally did not answer my question. I can run Body Shp, i know where it is, I can export textures (I just can't open them with anything, grrr).

What I want is the version number of the current Body Shop so i can verify i have the current.

[Mirelly]

C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\The Sims 2\CSBin :)

[mvargas225]

Hi MV,
Sorry about this but I just had a slight brain storm and accidentally erased your message. :(

Here it is again ....

MV said:

I can get the bodyshop to work..

the game either freezes up or is sooooo slow that I can't play anything.

I had to add a -w to my shortcut on my desktop just to get the game to come on.

what do I need..does anyone know??

:confused: :cool:
------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 11/22/2004, 22:26:00
Machine name: Pavilion
Operating System: Windows 98 (4.10, Build 2222) A
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
System Model: Pavilion
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel Celeron, ~560MHz
Memory: 62MB RAM
Page File: 113MB used, 1871MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 4.09.0000.0904 32bit
------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: The file i81xdw9x.drv is not digitally signed, which means that it has not been tested by Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL). Current drivers tested for a WHQL logo are only available on Windows ME, Windows 2000, and Windows XP. New Windows 98 drivers are no longer tested for WHQL logos.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.
--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)
---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Intel(R) 82810 Graphics Controller
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type:
DAC type:
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_7121&SUBSYS_71218086&REV_03\BUS_00&DEV_01&FUNC_00
Display Memory: 5.0 MB
Current Mode: 800 x 600 (16 bit)(optimal refresh rate)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: i81xdw9x.drv
Driver Version: 4.13.0001.3196 (English)
DDI Version: 8
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 7/23/2002 08:50:50, 57440 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: No
WHQL Date Stamp: None
VDD: *vdd,*vflatd
Mini VDD: i81x.vxd
Mini VDD Date: , 0 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-3261-11CF-4AEF-2051A1C2C935}
Vendor ID: 0x8086
Device ID: 0x7121
SubSys ID: 0x71218086
Revision ID: 0x0003
Revision ID: 0x0003
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_B ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D
Deinterlace Caps: n/a
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run
-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Crystal Audio Codec
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2415&SUBSYS_59334352&REV_02\BUS_00&DEV_1F&FUNC_05
Manufacturer ID: 132
Product ID: 2
Type: VXD
Driver Name:
Driver Version:
Driver Attributes:
WHQL Logo'd:
Date and Size:
Other Files: cwaw95r0.vxd
Driver Provider: Crystal Semiconductor
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0x4F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 1048576
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run
---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
Description: Crystal Audio Codec (emulated)
Default Sound Capture: Yes
Default Voice Capture: Yes
Driver Name:
Driver Version:
Driver Attributes:
Date and Size:
Cap Flags: 0x60
Format Flags: 0xFFF

[Mirelly]

5MB display memory! I am surprised it runs at all! Sorry, hon, but you need a new computer.

[mvargas225]

5MB display memory! I am surprised it runs at all! Sorry, hon, but you need a new computer.

:cry: :depressed:
I want alienware!!!
:D


it will let me build a home...it's just so s-l-o-w
I can't click on the places like "strangetown"..any of the places that has more than say 2 people...it will just stop playing and freeze.:(
I never thought about "display memory"..I just thought I had 62MB
now I wish I could take the game back.
:mad:

[ManagerJosh]

Erm, if you look at your "system specs" you fall way short of the minimum requirements.

[kallidawn]

I recently purchased Sims 2, and the game works great - I have over and above the minimum requirements - but I try to go into the BODY SHOP and I get the same error message every time. It says:

"Direct3D returned an error: DBDERR_invalidcall!"

Does ANYONE know what this means and what I can do to fix it? I have ran a test on Direct 3d and direct draw in the "dxdiag" window (I read on another post this may be a solution), but both tests came out fine... I will check this post, or if you can email me (kallidawn@gmail.com) that would be EVEN better.

Thanks,
Kalli - a new member :happy:

[Mirelly]

Body Shop will not run if The Sims 2 is already running.

[kallidawn]

Of course it won't. That message comes up when SIMS 2 is NOT running. Body Shop should come up fine.... could someone PLEASE HELP ME OUT? (Two posts above)

Kalli

[Mirelly]

It would help if you supplied a few basic system details. We're not clairvoyant.

A quick Google search turned up this (http://help.lockergnome.com/index.php?showtopic=29052) similar problem that was cured by installing the patch available from here (http://thesims2.ea.com/update/).

Glad to be of service ... ;)

[kallidawn]

Gateway 420GR, pentium 4 processor... 2.93 GHZ, 504 MB of Ram, 160 GB hard drive.

Anything else that should be included? The video card isn't anything special but it is 64 MB - more than the game requires.

I followed your link - thanks - but I've actually installed that fix already. I thought it might help too, but it didn't. This just really sucks, and it's weird because the game works, just not the body shop. You'd think if one worked, the other would too.

Anyone else have Anymore ideas or advice or help for me?... i'm desperate.

[kallidawn]

Thanks for your trying to help... I've installed the Sims patch... I thought it'd help too, but it didn't. As far as specs...

Gateway 420Gr
Intel Petium 3 CPU 2.93 GHz, 504 MB of Ram, 160 GB hard drive.
Memory speed 400 MHz

As far as the 420Gr video and audio...
Video Chipset - Intel graphics media accelerator
Video Bus - PCI express x16
Video integration - Motherboard
Shared video Ram (max) - 64mb

I dont know if that means anything.. or if you need more info, but I pulled the specs off the manufacturers website, and my computer properties.

Any other ideas for me with getting body shop to work?

[Mirelly]

Kalli. Sorry I missed your earlier response.

Click Start then "run". In the white space type dxdiag (It doesn't have to be in red, tho ... :p

We need to see what drivers and what version of DirectX is installed on your machine. When dxdiag completes its run you will have a number of tabs to look at.

The main tabs to look at are System and Display ... don't worry about the tab "DirectX Files"

Tell us the following:
System Tab: Everything in the System Information Panel.
Display Tab: Everything in the Device and Drivers Panels.
Lastly are all the DirectX features enabled?

[princ3ssali]

Is there any free programs that will work with the Homecrafter or the Body Shop, I tried a few and some programs can't open the files, they're not supported by the program?!?

[KatAnubis]

Is there any free programs that will work with the Homecrafter or the Body Shop, I tried a few and some programs can't open the files, they're not supported by the program?!?

Most of the paint programs (free or otherwise) should be able to open a .bmp file. Those are pretty standard files for doing art. If you are not finding the .bmp files to work on for Body Shop or Homecrafter, then you may be looking in the wrong place (as the .bmp is what they both use then turn into a .package file.)

The best one is probably GIMP, but it is also the most complicated. It's very similar to Adobe Photoshop (which is the gold standard for the raster, ie not 3D, art programs.)

You can find it here:
http://www.gimp.org/
with some further instructions/help: http://www2.arnes.si/~sopjsimo/gimp/stable.html (http://www2.arnes.si/%7Esopjsimo/gimp/stable.html), http://www2.arnes.si/~sopjsimo/gimp/faq.html (http://www2.arnes.si/%7Esopjsimo/gimp/faq.html)

This one has links to several free products:http://www.a1b2c3.com/free/av09.htm

[xautumnsoathx]

Hey guys, I just registered here, mainly to pray that you guys can help me solve my problem. It's actually identical to kallidawn's problem, but I never saw a solution posted so hopefully I can get one. I'll try and give you all the details. Liker her problem, I get the same "Direct 3d returned an error:D3DERR_INVALIDCALL. Terminating application...". No, Sims 2 was not running, and yes I've got the latest updates, as far as I know. I also ran the Firect3d and Dierctdraw tests, they work fine. Here's my info. from dxdiag:

System:
OS: Microsoft Windows Xp Home Edition (5.1)
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.20 GHz
Memory: 1026MB RAM (SD-DDR)
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c

Display:
Name: Intel(r) 82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset Family
Approx. Total Memor: 128.0 MB
Drivers:
Main Driver: ialmrnt5.dll

Anything else you need? Sims 2 runs fine on my machine, Body Shop doesn't =\

Thanks in advance.

[KatAnubis]

Hey guys, I just registered here, mainly to pray that you guys can help me solve my problem. It's actually identical to kallidawn's problem, but I never saw a solution posted so hopefully I can get one. I'll try and give you all the details. Liker her problem, I get the same "Direct 3d returned an error:D3DERR_INVALIDCALL. Terminating application...". No, Sims 2 was not running, and yes I've got the latest updates, as far as I know. I also ran the Firect3d and Dierctdraw tests, they work fine. Here's my info. from dxdiag:

System:
OS: Microsoft Windows Xp Home Edition (5.1)
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.20 GHz
Memory: 1026MB RAM (SD-DDR)
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c

Display:
Name: Intel(r) 82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset Family
Approx. Total Memor: 128.0 MB
Drivers:
Main Driver: ialmrnt5.dll

Anything else you need? Sims 2 runs fine on my machine, Body Shop doesn't =\

Thanks in advance.

Do you still have the downloadable BodyShop installed on your computer? Some people found that they had problems with the full BodyShop when they had the old BodyShop still on the computer.

[xautumnsoathx]

Nope. This a brand new computer. I did downlaod the original, but it was on my old compaq computer.

[tessieroo]

I came here with the SAME EXACT problem...:D

I'm getting that "Direct 3d returned an error:D3DERR_INVALIDCALL.
Terminating application...". same message. No, TS2 isn't running, yes,
I've updated everything. (I even DL'd the 82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset
DL's suggested in another thread) I'm having NO problems running the
game, just BodyShop. And I never DL'd the original version of BodyShop,
didn't have new computer then. :confused:
System Specs: (by dxdiag)
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1)
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.06GHz
Memory: 502MB RAM
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c
Card name: Intel(R) 82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset Family
Display Memory: 128.0 MB


Any clues? Thanks! ;)

[mardith2004]

I have had no problems in working with them Paint will read the texture files and all you need is a 256 X 256 pixal bmp file for flooring and ground cover. Walls need 256 X 512 bmp. I use the clone tool once in the clone mode I go to "C:\Documents and Settings\cd\My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\Projects\HomeCrafter Plus\Working Directory". Cut the file and paste into the diretory for walls, floors, or ground cover and back out of the clone tool for Home crafter plus. Then I edit the file and save it with my art program go into home crafter plus and load it in then give it a name, a descrption,price, how often i should repeat and what type of flooring it is (for the sound), and import.

:)

[plyemzi]

plz culd u tell me how to make textures like on coral paintshop pro XI cus i dunno how and i really wanna no how and also how do u make hair styles and change the colour cus i tryed the link on other page and i clicke don it and it sed the web address waz rong

plz help
plyemzi:confused: