The Sims 2 allows you to utilise powerful tools so that you can create sims and families. This article takes you through the whole process of Create-A-Sim. Note that expansion pack additions are not covered so there won't be information on jewellery, turn-offs and ons and hairstyle upgrades.
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The first step is to give your sims a family name. This name then becomes the surname of each sim you create. Next select Create-A-Sim. You'll notice a greyed-out option called Create-A-Child. This becomes available after two sims are created and shows you combinations of sim genetics. After selecting this option. You'll be presented with several basic options. From this panel you can choose the sims:
There's also a randomise sim button that selects random sims of the age and gender.
This panel allows you to choose options from the next panel without all that effort. Essentially, this is a collection of heads. You can use the next panel to design a head you like, then you can add it to this panel to use for future sims. This way, you won't have to go through step three all the times you create a sim.
This panel allows you to customise practically every part of a sim's face. With one exception, every panel is divided into sliders for specific elements and preset archetypes that use various combinations of those sliders.
The first thing to do is to select a hair colour. Choose from Black, Brown, Blonde and Red Hair. Then select a hair style for your sims. Various age groups have different hair options.
The number of options is increased with each expansion pack.
There are 25 archetypes to choose from in this subpanel. If you want to create a sim without archetypes, you can use the sliders to adjust the sims.
There are 16 archetypes for a sim's brow. You can also adjust the sims.
As well as having 15 archetypes, you can also select a sims eye colour. Choose from brown, light blue, dark blue, grey and green. The sliders adjust.
Noses have 20 archetypes. The sliders adjust.
Mouths have 15 archetypes. With the sliders, you can adjust.
Chins have 14 archetypes as well as sliders that adjust a sims.
This is where you decorate the face. Unlike the previous step, this can be altered in game. Also you don't have to select anything in this step.
In this panel you choose various makeup parts and add them to your sims face. Toddlers cannot have makeup Options available include.
Costume makeup is essentially facepaint. It covers any makeup you added in the previous subpanel. What's available for sims depends on age.
All ages except for toddler can wear glasses. Like the other steps, they are purely visual and have no functional value. The options depend on age and gender.
All ages have access to three eyebrow styles in The Sims 2.
Only available to male teens and older. Choose from four options for each age group.
Only available to male teens and older. Teens have options to 6 beard styles. Older sims can choose from 10 styles of facial hair.
You must select clothing for each of your sims. The clothes you choose are then added to the wardrobe for further usage. Any clothes you buy later can also be added. Some age groups don't have access to certain clothing types. For most groups, there are six groups to choose from.
Everyday is available for all sims. There are three options for this category. You can mix and match tops and bottoms or you can choose a full body outfit. The number of outfits available depends on age group and gender.
Formalwear is worn during weddings and anniversaries. Toddlers don't have formalwear unless one of the holiday editions is installed. The options for each age and gender are as follows.
Underwear is an option to wear while sims are sleeping. Toddlers only have one option. Options are different for age and gender.
Sims wear PJs while sleeping. All ages have different options depending on age and gender.
Sims wear swimwear while using the pool. Toddlers cannot swim and therefore cannot have swimwear. The number of options are as follows.
Sims wear athletic gear while working out to stereos or T.Vs or using the exercise machine. Children and toddlers don't have access to athleticwear. All males have access to three sweatsuits, female teens can choose from ten options while older females have four choices.
Unlike the previous steps, which were practically decorating your sim, this step is where you choose the inner workings of your sims. You can choose from five aspirations for teens and older and one aspiration for kids and toddlers. See this page for details on aspiration. The next step is to give your sims some personality. You can mix and match points between five personality types or choose from 12 zodiac symbols which give you pre-set personalities. They also change if you decide to change your sim's personality. Setting one to extreme will make your sim perform a behaviour pertaining to that personality. The zodiac signs and personality settings are as follows.
| Zodaic | Neat | Outgoing | Active | Playful | Nice |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aries | 5 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| Taurus | 5 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Gemini | 4 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 3 |
| Cancer | 6 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 6 |
| Leo | 4 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Virgo | 9 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 5 |
| Libra | 2 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Scorpio | 6 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 3 |
| Sagittarius | 2 | 3 | 9 | 7 | 4 |
| Capricorn | 7 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 5 |
| Aquarius | 4 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 6 |
| Pisces | 5 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 7 |
When your done, the last step is to link sims with the family tree. There are a few basic rules as to the relationships that can be set. Also teens and younger must have parents which can only be adults. Finally, saving the family moves them into the neighbourhood where you can do what you want with them.