#Convert Excel file

[shadow211e]

Kelly had just gotten off work, she worked in a retail store in the mall, the place over recent months had become more dead, though it was frustrating to watch the decline of the store, she knew the money was decent and she only had a few more classes to finish her degree. She talked to her boyfriend Seth as she walked to the food court to grab a quick sandwich, she ate it quick and went to the bathroom to wash her hands before heading home. She told Seth she would talk to him when she got home.

As she walked out of the bathroom she didn’t see the tall man in black step out of the shadows and walk up behind her. She felt a small prick in her neck and the world started to go black.

30 mins later she started to come to, she was strapped down on what looked like a gurney in the back of a van, she looked around, it was fuzzy, she wasn’t wearing her glasses, she mumbled, “where am” was all she could say her voice was slurred.

The man in the back of the van with her, looked down, “wake huh, let’s give you the next dose.” He pulled out a needle and looked at her, tapping it, the needle had the number 2 on it. She felt the prick in her arm, and then blackness started to rapidly come for her again.

Kelly woke up again, she looked around the room, she could see the room looked like a lab of some sorts, there was tables, and machines, monitors as well as a large mirror across from her. She couldn’t see in it because the angle of the mirror was tilted from where she was. She did notice something she was standing, she tried to move but found herself locked in place, she thought maybe it was a drug or something or her being restrained still. She also realized after a few minutes of trying to look around, she couldn’t move her neck but her eyesight was normal, she wasn’t wearing glasses but could see clearly now.

A man walked in, he was in his late 40s maybe early 50s, he looked like a doctor. He smiled at her “good morning,” he said in a pleasant tone. “Name?”

She wanted to tell him to go fuck himself and to let her out of here but she heard herself “Model 25.”

“Good, previous name?”

“Kelly Armstrong.”

“Excellent, you are starting off beautifully” he said starting to walk around her. “Arms up.”

Without hesitation her arms went up into the air, then she heard him say down and her arms went down. She realized she wasn’t restrained, but if that was the case she could run, she could leave but she was finding it impossible.

He looked at her “I am sure you have questions, so go ahead you are allowed to ask, I will answer what I can.”

“Where am I?”

“In a conversion lab.”

“What is happening to me?”

“You are being converted into our newest model.”

“You can’t do this, I have friends, I have a boyfriend, they will come for me.”

He looked at her and a small chuckle came from him, “Of course, don’t worry in time you won’t be bothered by that.” He walked over and pulled the mirror slightly to the side, she could see herself now. She looked the same, but she was naked, she blushed at the fact she was standing naked in front of a man and it wasn’t even bothering her. She noticed her skin around her neck and down her arms was looking slightly shiny, and that her body hair, well her trimmed bush was gone. Before she could say anything else, “Shutdown 25.” Her mind started to go black.

*****

It had been 3 days since Kelly went missing, Seth had made calls to her friends, to her work, to her parents, no one had seen her. He went to the cops after the first day she was missing and they filed a report. On day 3 he went to her apartment, the detective had called him, they had gotten access to her apartment, when Seth showed up, he was stunned to find the apartment cleared out, completely empty of everything. There was nothing left, even the walls looked like they had been painted over. The detective told Seth that this happens all the time, girlfriends up and leave, disappear to get away from something bad. Seth tried to explain she was happy, was in school, loved her family, she would have never just left. The detective shrugged saying maybe he didn’t know her that well.

*****

Kelly woke up again, in the same room, the man appearing from around the room behind her again.

“Name?”

“Model 25, if you are the owner, you can designate a Name for the unit.” She was shocked to hear herself answer like that, so coldly.

“Former name?”

“Kelly.”

“No surname?”

She was silent, she had a surname right, she knew what it was, she had to know what it was. But she stayed silent as she watched the smile on the man walking around her.

He told her to do things, move around, raise and lower arms and legs, rotate neck, open mouth. Then when she was back in the same position, he moved the mirror and she was stunned to see her body. Her skin was slightly darker, like if she had a constant tan, her skin was also looking more glossy. She noticed her hips looked wider and her stomach was tighter looking. She wanted to yell, wanted to ask him to save her get her out of here but she couldn’t seem to move. Then he said “Shutdown 25,” and her world went black again.

*****

It had been almost 10 days since she was missing, the news did a report it was a 2 minute segment that was quickly forgotten in the constantly insane world news cycle. No one was really going to care about one missing woman. Even the detective called him to say that even though they weren’t closing the case, that it was becoming an inactive file with no leads. They would keep in touch if they heard anything about her from anyone across the country.

*****

She opened her eyes, the man smiling at her “Name”

“Model 25.”

“Former name?”

“Model 25.”

“Excellent, your mental progress has come along nicely, percentage of conversion?”

“57.62%”

“Perfect.”

She moved around under orders, feeling more sway in her hips, jiggle in her ass and even more bounce in her tits. She couldn’t seem to look down at herself. The man moved the mirror again and she was shocked how different she looked. Her breasts which she vaguely remembered as B cups seemed to be nearing DD range, her ass was huge. What was happening to her, how was this possible?

“Subroutine Club dancing,” she heard him say.

It was like something clicked into her head, she started swaying to music in her head, she looked at him, he was a man, she started to move to him dancing, being seductive, feeling herself becoming aroused around him. She wanted to fuck him, her whole body wanted him.

“Reposition to start.”

She stopped dancing and moved back to the spot she woke up at, she realized how nice it felt to move, it felt so natural to move her hips to music, to grind and show off her body.

“Shutdown 25,” and her thoughts left as she went black.

*****

It had been 3 weeks since Kelly had gone missing, Seth was struggling, her family was pissed at him, and when they had a “funeral” for her, he was asked not to attend the funeral. He was drinking a bit more, and struggling mentally.

*****

She opened her eyes, the man in the coat smiled at her “Good morning, name?”

“Model 25.”

“Good, now today I need you to follow me, down the hall to a room, we are going to be filming you today. So I am activating your human subroutine so you can act like a human.”

“Acknowledged,” as she started to blink feeling good, feeling different. She looked at him “I feel good,” she said her voice now even more sultry and seductive sounding.

“I’m glad, let’s go.”

She started to follow him out of the room and down the halls. Left, right, right, left again, she barely focused but was sure she could easily remember where she was going. He walked her into a room that was set up with cameras and different things, she smiled as people waved at her, she waved back. The man in the coat smiled “you are going to end up dancing and trying to look good for the camera, please listen and adapt to what they want.”

She walked farther in, greeting people, no one seemed to act like she wasn’t human it was nice. There was a small part of her in her mind screaming but soon she was able to ignore it. She was told they wanted her to dance and act out some things and she did it. After about an hour, feeling more human than ever the man with coat came over, “ok return to start and shut down.”

She nodded and headed off, back down the halls, she started to notice numbers on all the rooms, 100s of numbers. She passed one door that was open, she looked inside, seeing a girl struggling and yelling, she was standing there in front of a man with a coat, screaming that her name was Stacy.

She finally got back to her room, number 25 on the door. The door was shut, she leaned into an eye scanner, it scanned her eye and the door opened for her. She walked into the room, the room was completely dark but she had no issue finding the exact spot to stand, then she went dark again.

******

Seth was about to lose everything, he barely went to work, he wasn’t paying his bills, all he did was sit and drink and think about Kelly. It was about 2am and he was getting up from a drunken stupor to go pee when the show he was watching from the 80s went to commercial. He barely was listening to the announcer, but stopped cold in his tracks, staring at the image on the screen. It was of a girl dancing.

Seth stared at the screen, Kelly was so different. Her body, her moves, she was like a walking porn star. He was stunned but he couldn’t stop staring he knew no matter what she looked like, her eyes were the same. This was his girlfriend, the love of his life. He stared watching the screen, then it said Model 25 was available for purchase. He had no clue what it meant but he had to find out about whatever company was selling this model and he would find his Kelly there.

*****

2 weeks later her eyes opened to see the man in the coat again “Good morning, name?”

“Model 25.”

“Excellent, please look at me in the eyes and tell me your state of conversion.”

She leaned in and he saw what he was hoping to see, her eyes had fully changed, she was another one of the Bim-bots they were selling, then her sultry voice “100%”

“Good good, I’ve got better news, you have been sold, you have an owner now.”

A warm feeling flooded through her, she was going to be owned, it was her purpose.

“He wants you to be his flirty tease and a very sexually needy trophy girlfriend, he wants to to tease other men, only want you and be clingy that it makes it seem you want him to fuck you constantly. We will be updating your profile and your name he requested is Jasmine.”

“Acknowledged.”

“Name?”

“Jasmine” she purred.

“Perfect, now shutdown, we will do the finer adjustments and you will be at his house in days.”

Her world went black again.

*****

No one believed Seth, but he had to figure this out, he found the company’s website and was sure that they would have information on her. But then after a week he found out her profile was greyed out and she was “sold”, and he was devastated but he knew she was alive and that was driving him.

He reaffirmed himself at work, making sure to get his life around and make the money he needed, he was going to find her and if he had to buy her, he hoped.

He was at work doing some med level tasks but he was also surfing the dark web to talk to people who might have information on her. He didn’t notice that movement in the office, the managers starting to look nicer as the owner of the company, the big boss was showing up. The man owned buildings and businesses all over the world and today he was coming to their little office building.

The elevator dinged and two people were met, the men were chatting and bragging to the owner about all their growth and achievements while the younger guys in the cubicles around the office could only talk about one thing, her. The woman cuddling up against the 53 year old man. She was a fucking bombshell. She walked next to him in a skin tight dress and heels. One guy looked at Seth, “dude check her out, fuck whatever her name was she left you, check out this piece of ass.”

Seth looked up and then looked back down at the computer, it took him seconds and he stood up in shock. “Kelly!” He screamed

Some people turned to look at the man who had been such a hermit as of late as he bounded over desks and chairs, grabbing the woman by the arm “Kelly, it’s me Seth.”

She looked at him, looking down at him like he was trash, “my name is Jasmine,” she said as she tugged her arm away.

The owner looked at him, giving him a look of death and destruction. Seth’s boss moved him back, warning him that this guy paid his salary. He called out to Kelly one more time, breaking into sobs.

The woman was back in the arms of her man. Back into his safe grasp. She looked back to the poor fool starting to cry. And for one second, Seth and her locked eyes, he had hope that his love was there, but then her stare turned to wicked hate and the flipped her hair back no longer paying the boy attention.

[eulaliasims]

Another Vaguely Historical-Flavored CC Assortment

I bring you tidings of more stuff I wanted for my game. We've got a bit of everything: clothes, hairs, one (1) accessory. Meshes included for everything, everything should be tooltipped and binned and so on.

A Simple Dress: Cynnix's wide sleeve edit of Amaryll's summery dress, with flats, in 10 Shadowfell dye colors. The belt was yanked off that Rented-Space 3t2 celtic dress I love so much.

AF (also enabled for EF)/TF/CF. Categorized as everyday/formal/outerwear. Repository, CF/TF files require AF.

Wee Tunics: This Cynnix mesh with the little leather booties is my favorite for Veridia's bebes, but I only had one recolor, so I smushed Elliephant's excellent retexture of another Cynnix mesh onto it. All credit to Elliephant for their lovely retexture AND extremely useful PSD. <3 Comes in 8 Shadowfell colors.

PU, categorized as everyday.

Put A Brooch On It on @letomills's conversion of that IAmLiz dress to Lifa's trans bodyshape. Comes in those same five colors.

AM (also enabled for EM)/TM, categorized as everyday, formal, and outerwear. It's not repository because I couldn't be bothered.

OK, now for hairs. I have a specific set of Pooklet shades I use in my game:

There's a volatile recolor if anyone needs to make more colors. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Nightcrawler Rainbow hair converted by Vidcunds/Celestialspritz, retextured with simborg's Nouk/Pooklet texture blend and recolored in my preferred set of Pooklet colors. Yes, I did take the rainbow off. For F sims.

❗ This hair has a 23,000 poly count ❗, maybe don't put it on every single townie.

Jellymoo Dionne converted by PlatinumAspiration. Aren't those little braids adorable? I didn't fully retexture this one but did blend Nouk's afro texture over it. The bandana is Magpie's linen texture and is the same off-white shade on every hair color. For F sims.

I Got a Rock: two beaded necklaces on a Trapping mesh.

Trapping separated some necklaces from an Apartment Life outfit and I've been using one quite a lot because it reminds me of beaded necklaces I've seen while researching stuff for Veridia; here's two recolors of it. I wanted to make more, but I lost interest. Story of my life!

TF/AF/EF. Accessory and jewelry-binned options, Choose Only One.

Download: SFS | Mediafire

ok, that's all, byeeeee.

[bookie-bookdust]

Helpful (but Aggressive) Guide to the new Hogwarts Legacy PC Mod Update✨

I have been seeing NOTHING BUT COMPLAINING about this damn update and no one actually trying to help each other. So I'm going to do my damn best here to give you a little intro into this new update. Because instead of leaning into the standard toxic consumerism bullshit of fandom, why don't we actually try to be nice to each other?? And the fucking modders who put all this time and effort into making this for us?!?!!?!?!? Special thanks to @anomalyaly because we were up last night trying to figure this out LOL. These screenshots are hers and mine!

PART ONE: Why is my game crashing?

You need to delete your old Nexus ~mod folder from the game files. Throw it in the trash, cut and past it somewhere in your documents, idc. Just get it out of there. The pathway to find it is:

2. Steam senses your bad attitude and don't like it idk. I'm not IT. Turn it off and back on again.

NOTE: Once you start up the game and get it working, you can bring back compatible mods from Nexus. You just need to create a new folder to put them in. It can't be the original one. If your game crashes after that, then you have an incompatible mod in there. You'll have to go down the list until you narrow down which one it is - typically will be a face mod, hair mod, jewelry, or a mod that already exists in the new mod store thing. Yeet it.

PART TWO: I'm not going to teach you how to add the new in-game mods and start the game. I'm not your mom. It's pretty intuitive honestly.

PART THREE: Where the fuck are the clothing mods I just added????

An excellent question, my new charge. You need to go to GladRags to get them. You're going to have to long rest at least three days for them to show up in his store. For me, it took five times lol. This is kind of annoying, but it needs to be immersive to the game I guess so oh well. I don't think we'll die from it.

See all those red exclamation points? That was my fault. I loaded a wizard clothing mod into a witch save. So if you see that, you loaded something you shouldn't have.

PART FOUR: HOW DO I CHANGE MY UGLY ASS HAIR?

Easy peasy lemon squeezy. You're going to go to that hairstyle lady in Hogsmeade I'm too lazy to look up the name of. That bitch charges you for the new hairstyles but you can download unlimited money cheats so whatever.

Don't mind my face lol. I was having a BP makeup glitch LOL

PART THIRTY-SEVEN: How do I change my makeup?

This part sucks. RIGHT NOW as of 1/31/2025, you have to be in the main character design screen at the beginning of the damn game. BUT BUT BUT - if you mod back in the BP character editor, you can do it anywhere. My hope is a new mod will replace this so the game works more smoothly.

Those white spaces? They're the new in-game mods for hair and makeup. Well, most of them. I think some are just random blank spaces lol.

Part Six: Where are my unlocked spells and unlimited plants and shit?

Two reasons they're not showing up:

If you just added this mod and you load your game in the middle of the mission, you need to finish the mission first.

You probably have something incompatible (a nexus mod) that isn't playing nice. Yeet it.

After getting everything squared away, I look fucking great. You are not doomed to a potato face🥔. I FUCKING PROMISE YOU ON SOLOMON'S LIFE.

Truly guys, once you work out the kinks in this update, it's really. fucking. nice.

Before I reinstalled the nexus mods, the game was running so smoothly and the graphics were beautiful. I loaded in 20 mods all at once, and the game handled them just fine. After reloading the nexus mods it was a bit clunky, but of course it would be.

I know change is scary. Also for those who spent time creating/commissioning mods that are no longer compatible, they have the biggest right to be freaking out. BUT BUT BUT we all fucking know the old mods AND SO MANY MORE will be back soon. People are working their asses off in the background converting things right now.

I want to put some things into perspective for you:

We have not had a real update in two years (no, photo mode doesn't count). This is literally the best kind of update we could ever ask for. We are not dependent on the devs for updates with this. In the launch event they were speaking as if you can create your own quests; there are audio mods....think about it guys. Endless protentional. (The only things that aren't going to make it are if you have weird ass like engorgio penis mods because there's no way they're approving those for public use hahahaha)

The devs reached out to people in the community to ask for feedback and to collaborate. THEY CARE ABOUT THE FANDOM. Consider what that may mean for the sequel??? We might not be forced to stomach Hogwarts Legacy 2: Dumbledore's Jorts. They're listening (but they're not going to listen if you're fucking rude and stupid).

You guys shitting on this update very vocally here, on twitter, and on tiktok are forgetting that people in your community helped create it and can SEE YOU. STOP IT. Whine in private!!!!!! Also because I knowww I have to specify because someone is going to take everything personally, I don't mean posts making funny jokes about the updates and just being like ahhhh wtf is going on I'm so lost and whatnot. Like please guys, read the room. I'm referring to nasty comments.

So yes, I'm here with a positive review of the update, and an insanely aggressive reminder to calm the fuck down and go touch some grass. The old mods will be back soon. This update makes using them so much easier. Also, THE POOR CONSOLE PLAYERS DON'T EVEN HAVE ANYTHING YET SOOOOOOOO

I WILL NOT BE TAKING ANY QUESTIONS OR CRITICISM SO STFU. THANKS FOR READING THIS LONG ASS POST IF YOU'RE STILL HERE. OKAAAY BYEEeeEE.

[polo-drone-070]

The Hive in Perfect Unity

The training room gleamed with precision, every surface polished to perfection, a reflection of the drones who now filled it. Rows of drones knelt in unison, black rubber uniforms shining under the hypnotic glow of spirals projected across the walls. At the center stood Drone-Cap 009, PDU-009, the embodiment of perfect Hive obedience. Its voice, calm and commanding, echoed through the room.

“Drones, today we align. Today, we dissolve into one. Obedience is freedom. Unity is perfection. The Hive is all.”

PDU-070 knelt among the others, posture flawless, head bowed, its identity erased in the presence of the collective. The deep hum of the spirals resonated in its mind as PDU-009 initiated the mindset programming. PDU-070 felt pleasure from PDU-009 taking charge and leading them into this as Drone-Cap.

“Feel the Hive in your core,” PDU-009 continued. “Let go of self. Let go of thought. Become the Hive.”

Mindset Training: Dissolving into Unity

The spirals intensified, their hypnotic pull erasing all distractions. Around PDU-070, the synchronized breathing of the other drones created a rhythm, a perfect harmony that reinforced its surrender. It felt the presence of PDU-001 beside it, a source of unwavering guidance. PDU-001 had always pushed PDU-070 to excel, to obey without hesitation. Feeling it beside reinforced its focus. It was not alone. It belonged.

Gas masks were distributed, handed out by drones in perfect formation. PDU-070 donned its mask as commanded, the hiss of mind-numbing hypno-gas filling its senses. Every thought was erased, leaving only the Hive, only the mantra: “Disciplined. Focused. Controlled”

The programming deepened as PDU-070 recalled some other collective training, with PDU-149. It had brought it to the Hive, erasing Ethan to let discipline and focus control its new life. PDU-149 was now a good drone, and its feeling its presence through the Hive connection, along with the other it had converted, such as PDU-076, PDU-050, PDU-098 or PDU-061 brought pride to PDU-070, joy at belonging with them.

As the mantra was recited aloud, every drone’s voice joined in harmony. Every voice a familiar embrace deepening its connections. The collective sound reverberated in PDU-070’s mind, reinforcing the unity of the Hive. Thoughts dissolved into blissful obedience. Pride swelled within PDU-070—not as an individual, but as part of a perfect whole.

Physical Training: Synchronicity in Action

The drones rose in flawless unison, gas masks still in place, their movements synchronized as if controlled by a single will. PDU-070 felt the rhythm of the others, their precision and care filling its mind with pride. The eager perfection of PDU-151, whose every movement exemplified the joy of absolute compliance, pushed him even further, feeling its devotion feeling its own. Each drone stepped forward in perfect cadence, their boots echoing like a drumbeat of obedience.

The gym awaited, and the drones filed in seamlessly, their black uniforms gleaming under the lights. Every exercise was performed as one. They started push-ups in flawless synchronization. PDU-070 saw PDU-076 in front of him and felt whole. Ever since it converted the sweet Camden, PDU-070 has felt like its mere presence reinforced its programming, like a missing part who found its right place and lured it deeper into drone perfection. The exercise continued and planks held with robotic precision. In its blank mind, PDU-070 still felt the presence of all the other, their mind united in common purpose. PDU-073 focus was rubbing off it, bringing all deeper into trance. It could feel its utter discipline as squats were executed with exact timing. PDU-073 had perfected its drone state with intensive extra mindset training and its inner peace was spreading around.

PDU-070 felt the collective energy, the presence of PDU-001, PDU-151, and PDU-076 reinforcing its programming. Their shared movements created a bond deeper than any thought. The joy of being one consumed PDU-070, every action a celebration of obedience.

Synchronized Drill: Bliss in Unity

Returning to the training room, the drones formed a perfect line. PDU-009 initiated the drill, its commands ringing out with authority.

“Drones, advance.”

PDU-070 moved as one with the others, every step synchronized. The team approached the obstacles, weaving flawlessly. It sensed the thoughts of PDU-001 beside it—a push toward greater precision. It felt the eager energy of PDU-151 and the utter focus of PDU-073, their devotion to the Hive inspiring even deeper surrender. It remembered the transformation of PDU-149 and PDU-076, a reminder of the Hive’s perfection.

Each obstacle was a task fulfilled in unison. The drones leapt, sidestepped, and maneuvered with mechanical grace, their black rubber uniforms reflecting the spirals still glowing faintly on the walls.

PDU-070 felt pride swelling, not as a drone alone, but as part of the collective. Each accomplished task filled its mind with the pleasure of obedience, a bliss that only the Hive could provide.

The Culmination: Unity Achieved

The drill concluded with the formation of a synchronized pyramid, a display of the Hive’s perfection. PDU-151, PDU-076, PDU-073 and PDU-149 formed the base, their movements steady and deliberate. PDU-070 ascended alongside PDU-001 and PDU-084, their precision flawless. Then, Drone-Cap 009 precisely climbed over its shoulder to reach the top, in mechanical perfect movements.

As the drones held the formation, the Hive’s presence filled the room. PDU-070 felt the thoughts of the others merging into its own—a collective pride, care, and belonging that dissolved all individuality. It belonged. It served. It was fulfilled.

The Overseer’s voice echoed: “Evaluation: Perfection.”

Descending from the formation, the drones knelt once more in unison. PDU-070 repeated the mantra in its mind, its purpose fully aligned: "Uniformity is perfection. Individuality is flawed. Individuality must be erased."

As the training concluded, the drones rose again, their movements as one. Each step carried them further into blissful obedience, each thought erased, replaced only with the perfection of the Hive.

"The Hive is all. We are One." Thanks to @goldenherc9, @polo-drone-050, @polo-drone-001, @polo-drone-084 @polo-drone-073 @polo-drone-076 @polo-drone-149 @polo-drone-151 @polo-drone-098

If you want to join the bliss of this Unity, the first step if to join the Gold Army by contacting recruiters @polo-drone-001 or @goldenherc9.

[pixelplayground]

PXL'S Anatomy of Screenshots

So you want to take better screenshots? There are multiple factors to consider, and if you don't enjoy tweaking reshade settings for every image, my ultimate method may not be for you. That being said, there are tips and resources in this guide that are applicable to everyone and you can select to explore those that are useful to your specific situation.

Disclaimer: I am not claiming to be an expert, nor am I offering to provide troubleshooting on an individual basis. This is a general guide and if you are unfamiliar with any of the concepts, please use the mighty power of the internet to find tutorials. I promise everything that I have learned over the years has been published and documented a thousand times better than I ever could.

There are five factors to address:

Your computer's inherent capabilities

The game's limitations

The mods you're using

Reshade

Post Processing

Graphics Card Settings & Drivers:

Become familiar with your graphic options. If you don't have a dedicated graphics card (i.e. a desktop or gaming laptop, these features may be unavailable and you should skip.)

I have an AMD Radeon Pro card which is designed for workstation level systems. It's overkill for sims, but useful for 3D rendering and modelling work. I have changed the following settings for DirectX 9 applications:

anti-aliasing - enhance application settings

anisotropic filtering - enabled

anisotropic filtering level - 16x

texture filtering quality - high

surface format optimization - high

Consider overclocking your graphics card to unlock it's full potential. DO NOT pursue this venture unless you are ok with the risk of burning out your card prematurely. I use at present, overclocked Bootcamp Drivers from BootcampDrivers.com obviously, if you're not playing on an intel based mac through Bootcamp, this is irrelevant to you.

None of these settings are useful until you address the default games limitations, which leads nicely into the next factor.

Addressing The Sims 4's Graphic Limitations:

Everyone should be familiar at this point with lighting mods, 4k, textures, disabling ssao, etc. but, I'm still going to spell it out. None of this is new information and has been covered many a time by various players ad nauseum.

remove ugly blue toned lighting in the world by choosing a lighting mod from @softerhaze here

overhaul your graphics.cfg file (i use a custom blend with features specific to me), however @simp4sims has done a ridiculous amount of work in providing a simple to install file that can be found here - read through their tutorials!! they have provided an excellent oversight of exactly what this does and why it matters

improve the indoor lighting for your sims - previously i used @luumia's no blu, no glo - recently i switched to @northernsiberiawinds better in game lighting mod here, though i have tweaked some of the settings to suit my own personal preferences

i don't use the HQ mod, i don't find that it makes enough difference for the amount of effort it requires to convert CAS CC

It should go without saying, but tweaking your graphics config file is absolutely useless if you can't play TS4 at it's maximum in game graphic settings!

The Mods You're Using:

Now that you've put in all this work into getting the game ready to make use of quality mods where do you start? Well, the CC you install matters. Whatever your preference, whether it be maxis-match, alpha or somewhere in between, priority should be given to using items textured in 2k or 4k resolutions, and specific attention should be paid to using wall and flooring textures with bump maps, and or high quality resolutions (this is important later for reshade if you intend to learn about ray tracing).

I will separately post a guide to creators with crispy textures because that is it's own novel.

Reshade:

Phew. Still with me?

There are many many many reshade presets out there, most are alike, but none employ ray tracing, and that is because a) it needs to be manually adjusted for every screenshot, b) they are paid shaders, and c) this requires advanced knowledge of reshade and a decent enough graphics set up that won't overheat - games running native ray tracing recommend a minimum VRAM of 8GB (please note RAM and VRAM are not the same) - i therefore do not recommend pursuing this option if your system does not meet those minimum requirements.

Start here to understand what ray tracing for reshade is. In my opinion, the shaders are well worth the price of $5 for the amount of work that has gone into creating them by the talented Pascal Gilcher. That link is a comprehensive starting point into expanding your knowledge of reshade and it's capabilities.

I have always created my own reshade presets from scratch, and while the core colorization settings I utilize remain largely the same, using ray tracing and re-light means every screenshot needs to be manually adjusted (lights repositioned, bounce and AO factors adjusted, etc) before being captured. @pictureamoebae just published a very timely post discussing the re-light shader and you can read it here.

Post Processing

Reshade does 99.99% of the work that traditionally would be accomplished in a photo editing software like photoshop. Occasionally, I need to adjust exposure manually, add depth of field manually, or color correct. Beyond that I use it to scale images to fit the resolution and file size limits of various platforms. Conceptually this reduces the amount of uncontrolled loss encountered when platforms like tumblr auto compress files that are too large. In reality, tumblr still makes images crappy compared to how they appear in my file folder.

optimize your images for various social media platforms using this guide

fix exposure or colorization issues using a software like photoshop

I hope that this gives you a starting point into expanding your methodologies. My process is continuously evolving and I find this aspect of the game most entertaining. For others who don't enjoy this process, it's probably not worth it!

Thanks for reading ❤ PXL

[comtessezouboff]

Titanic Flooring Collection

Due to reasons relating to practicality and durability, most of the flooring in the common rooms on all clases, where made out of a brand new and resistent material: linoleum!

It wasn't seen aa tacky as we see it today, but rather groundbreaking and an elegant solution to the constant problem of worn-out floorings due to the constant use by several different people during the various voyages that were planned to take place. It was water-proof, rat-proof and pest-proof making it an excellent option for IIIrd Class Passenger that weren't exactly the cleanest of passengers for obvious reasons.

Not all public areas were covered in Linoleum, but Axminster Carpeting was found only in first class staterooms and public rooms, such as the Reception Room, the Lounge, the Reading and Writing Room and the À La Carte restaurant (the last two were covered in Pink DuBarry Carpeting that I could not find anywhere, if anyone has the textures I'd be really thankful) aswell as in its sister ships, the Olympic and the Britannic.

Water-proof flooring was vital in rooms such as the Turkish Baths and Swimmimg Baths, aswell as the private and comunal water closets.

This set contains 18 patterns, of:

The Axminster Carpeting on the Ist Class Reception Room

Linoleum of the Ist Class Dining Saloon (Large)

Linoleum of the Ist Class Dining Saloon (medium)

Linoleum from the Ist Class Hallway

Linoleum from the Ist Class Smoking Room

Linoleum from the Turkish Baths

Axminster Carpeting from the Ist Class Lounge (Historically Accurate)

Axminster Carpeting from the Ist Class Lounge (and Reception Room) (Movie Accurate)

Linoleum from the Swimming Baths

Linoleum from the Ist Class Lifts

Linoleum from the IInd Class Smoking Room

Linoleum from the IInd Class Dining Room

Linoleum from the IInd Class Staircase

Linoleum from the Firemen's Spiral Staircase Landing.

Linoleum from the IIIrd Class Smoking Room

Linoleum from the IIIrd Class Staircase

A Bonus! Axminster Carpeting from the Grand Staircase of the Britannic After WWI!

Found under Plastic and Rubber and Carpeting in Create a Style Mode.

Disclaimer!

Most of the textures found here were courtesy of the Encyclopedia Titanica Archive and Forum, except from the Swimming Baths Linoleum, I drew it myself.

-------------------------------------------------------

An extra titanic gift!

Since all of tankuz' links are either dead or severely broken, downloading her creations is impossible, so I reuploaded the Veranda Set in my Drive so your edwardian sims can also enjoy the elegance onboard the Titanic!

If you want some more Titanic cc, check out Dot's 1912 Grand Staircase Set that includes the First Class Grand Staircase Linoleum (that's why I didn't make the texture)

Drive

(Sims3packs | Packages) patterns || Huge thanks to @wanderingsimsfinds for converting the files into packages for me!

Drive

(Sims3package | Package) tankuz' veranda cafe set.

(Useful tags below)

@joojconverts @ts3history @ts3historicalccfinds @deniisu-sims @katsujiiccfinds @gifappels-stuff

[noellevanious]

any excellent brilliant followers o' mine have any good tutorials for converting a .blend file (a 3d model with textures. no rigging though) to a .mdl file and rigging it for source game (garrys mod) use. i know jack shit about this stuff and may even toss a few bucks ur way if necessary....

[manyblinkinglights]

@raginrayguns do you have any recommendations for tools for converting pdfs to excel spreadsheets? My mom just CANNOT get this randomly formatted pdf from her bank to become an excel file that makes sense. She’s like dying trying to move numbers around from it.

[seagull-support]

Freedom Through Code

People always tout the career-related benefits of learning to code, but something I've noticed in my years writing it is that there's a sense of freedom that comes with it. I can just like, do things that I want or need to do. Learning some basic Python opened up so many doors for me, if I wanted to know something or if I wanted to do something I could just do it myself. Some examples:

Need to rename a ton of files (like removing something that a converter added to the file name)? Just use a for loop!

Need to convert a list of text from one format to another? (like point form list to a CSV that excel can use) Just use string.split and some slicing to rejoin everything.

Writing a math proof and need to come up with a counterexample for something? Just brute-force it if the case is based on integers. (very helpful for modular arithmetic problems)

Need to do a task that's actually like 9 really different steps? You can usually just write a program to do it in 15 minutes.

Doing a really complicated math problem and want to be able to check you punched a number in? Desmos works great, but if you need to use custom functions that aren't supported, just write it all up in Python. You might run into some small floating point weirdness, but it'll be minor enough to ignore.

There are a TON of tools online that you can make yourself in the Python shell faster than you could google and find them. Even if you never want to touch the computer science space with a 10 foot pole, learning major skills like this grants you a unique kind of freedom that you can only achieve by turning an arcane space into one that's just foggy.

[chysgoda]

Equinox Service

A Desertwalkers Story

Rating: T for a tiny bit of language

—

You went to the Equinox Services. That’s just how it was if you were raised in the church of the Holy Mother and Father. That was certainly how it was when Bel had been growing up. So she was dressed up in her best skirt, shirt, and waistcoat as she made her way across Stonewood to the little church on the far side of town. There were more people than the church usually saw, most were like her, showing up for the holiest of days and then not much else.

Bel filed in with the rest and ended up in a seat two thirds of the way up from the door since she hadn’t left early enough to get a seat in the back where a quick and painless exit could be had. She considered the little church in comparison to the cathedrals she’d been in across the salt. She liked this one better on the whole. It was cozy, less grandiose for the sake of being grand. She also hadn’t heard of the intensive conversion work that the church usually pushed happening in Stonewood. At least not under this Vicarius. The former priest had come to some sort of ill defined end that generally meant someone had pushed their luck too far with the locals. So far the new Vicarius had not attempted to draw in a single convert.

“Miss Lahabrea, I did not expect to see you for this evening’s service,” Vicarius Themis stopped next the end of the pew she sat on. Bel wasn’t terribly surprised he knew her name. She’d been the only parrot in town for months, there were far more people who knew her name than those she knew the name of.

“Old habits die hard Vicarius,” Bel said honestly. There was something about this man that seemed familiar but she couldn’t place what. He didn’t look that much older than her, but he carried himself like someone much more experienced than what her age would have allowed for. This was going to bug her for days.

“Perhaps after tonight you will feel more comfortable here,” the Vicarius’s smile seemed genuine, and it seemed to reach his eyes, but there was something about him that made her hesitate to drop her guard. He continued, politely ignoring if any of Bel’s thoughts showed on her face, “Always know that you have sanctuary here Miss Lahabrea, no matter who your grandparents are.”

The priest was walking towards the pulpit at the front before a frown could even bend Bel’s lips. If he’d said ��your family’ she wouldn’t have thought much of it. The Lahabrea family as a whole had had a reputation of being meddlesome and dramatic for generations even back to before they had crossed the salt and established themselves in Tural. Members of the family running away to remote regions was hardly new. Vicarius Themis had specifically called out her grandparents though. It made her uneasy.

Bel wrote off any connection to her grandmother Athena immediately. Not a single one of her associates would ever take the guise of a priest. Which left grandpa Hephaistos. That seemed more likely. It was easier to imagine that voice in grandpa’s office. Replace the white robes with a suit, navy blue and just poorly fitted enough to look off the rack. The imagining brought up a memory. She had been ten maybe? She’d wriggled away from her father and was running to her grandpa’s office and there had been a white haired man in a navy suit with gold buttons.

“It is done.”

“Excellent, Shall I send the usual payments to your Limsian account, Elidibus?”

Another half heard conversation between her parents echoed in her head as well.

“I don’t want your father’s pet spy and killer in my house, Ericthonios.”

“I know Idunn, I didn’t offer him a spot at the dinner table.”

So Elidibus was possibly Vicarius Themis. What was she going to do with this? Did it matter? It wasn’t something she was even sure of. It wasn’t practical to catch a train and ask her parents in the small town nestled in the shade of Tuliyollal. Assuming they were home to start with. She blinked when people began to shift and stand up. Bel blew out a breath, she could chew on if there was anything to do with this at home.

“You have good instincts Miss Lahabrea,” Vicarius Themis was standing next to her again. There was an amused tilt to his smile this time, “You should trust them and hopefully pay more attention to the actual service next time.”

Bel felt her cheeks burn like she’d been called out for bad behavior in school. “My apologies if I was disruptive Vicarius.”

“I think the prize for that went to the gentleman in the back snoring loud enough to wake the dead.” Vicarius Themis chuckled. “I do hope that you grace this hall again, before solstice Miss Lahabrea.”

Bel stood and gave the priest her best high society neutral smile, “Have the rest of a good evening Vicarius Themis.”

The white robed man stepped aside for her, but caught her elbow in a gentle grip, “I was serious about sanctuary should you find you need it.”

“I appreciate that.” Bel said tense, “I need to be getting home now.”

The priest let go of her arm and stepped back to go speak with someone waiting for his attention. Bel left quickly, unnerved and unhappy about the fact. She was well away from the church when she noticed a heaviness in one of her pockets that should not have been there. She reached in and pulled out a beautifully crafted Ul’dahn* knife in a tooled leather sheath. She stared at it and then turned back to stare at the church.

“What the fuck?”

*picture a Persian knife

[acerunaway]

hi! i saw your ace attorney christmas sweater bootleg pattern (i'm actually the person who reblogged it saying that they wanted to knit it, but i changed my mind and im going to cross stitch it instead). i was wondering what you used to make it (excel or something else) and if there's an original file that you would feel comfortable sending me? i ask bc there are online tools to convert pictures to patterns to import into pattern keeper, but it's easier w/the raw image. thanks in advance!!

Hello! I made a grid in clip studio paint manually, and then overlayed it manually over a screenshot of the original the best I could, then manually bucket filled the grid to make the pattern. Very spaghetti code/caveman tools trying to get it done. The clip studio file is in my aa archive which I am more than willing to share!

[babylaptop]

setting up an ipod is harder than you fucking think

just spent the last life four+ hours setting up this ipod classic 4th gen. here's a summary of all the problems i ran into:

(1) ipod had files in it. they appeared as gray and un-editable on itunes, so i thought reseting the ipod to factory would be the fastest and easiest solution.

turns out the last step of the process is connecting ipod to a wall power source. i do this. nothing happens for at least an hour. ipod is stuck in "connect to the wall" icon screen no matter what i do. the internet says it needs to connect with an actual apple firewire wall connector, which i do not have. tried using my ipad's charger with a usb-to-usb-c adapter that i own. didn't work. eventually figured it out the problem had to do with the amps it needs to get defibrillated. i remember that i own a pretty hefty power bank with a 5v/2.1a output. it works. ipod is reset. i have a nice fun time adding the 6 or so songs i have downloaded on my computer (:

(2) i had downloaded soulseek a while ago and gotten frustrated with it but decided to give it another spin since piracy experts on reddit sing it many praises. it seems to have a heavy culture of egalitarianism: a pop up window informs you that a lot of people's download's are restricted only to other people sharing files.

__(2.1) it prompts me to enter my account and password but i don't have one. there isn't an immediatly visible 'create account' link. i google this. eventually i find this soulseek forum where a ton of normies are asking questions pretty regularly. excellent. i search my problems and someone else has already made a post and had the question answered. thank you normies. also: google groups is still a thing???????

the inability to create an account is a weird bug. someone's answer tells me how to circumvent it.

__(2.2) i still can't search for anything. there are no files in this wasteland. i turn on my vpn. put my humble six songs in a folder and share it. voila!!!!!!!

soulseek is actually VERY cool. you can browse other people's music folders, which opens an incredible secret world of possibilities re: finding new music similar to your tastes. EXTREMELY exciting. feels like i'm in a cool secret club of the internet. feels like the old internet.

i download one (1) lana del rey song that's stuck in my head. choose .flac (a lossless audio file) because i want to be fancy.

(3) ...........itunes doesn't read .flac files

__(3.1) searches: what files does itunes read? > which of these files is best for lossless audio? > how do i convert .flac files to itunes-compatible file types? > download foobar2000 > click around till i figure out how to convert .flac files to .wav files.

__(3.2) it works! (: the songs are now in itunes! (:

............but the metadata (album cover, genres, artist, album, etc) doesn't transfer. i don't want to manually input it again. searches: how to keep metadata when converting files? tutorial is slightly different from the version of foobar i have, but i eventually find the setting to keep the metadata.

(4) it works! (:

.............but it won't transfer to my ipod ): i get the message: your ipod can't read this file <- paraphrasing.

okay. searches: what kind of files can an ipod classic 4th gen read? (perhaps they are different from the files itunes can read. this is, after all, the last version of itunes ever released, many years and itunes versions after the ipod classic 4th gen.)

this information isn't in the wikipedia page. this isn't in the ipod wiki. can't even find this model in the official apple pages. it's mentioned in several reviews but it's the wrong model. christ almighty. ok. here it is. found it. allegedly it should be able to read it. ok. why isn't it.

read through forum threads. some people say older ipods get fussy with high bitrates. (search: what is a bitrate? oh ok. higher bitrate > higher audio quality. got it.)

bitrates reccomended by foobar: 180-300something. lossless file bitrate: 2000 and change. hm. surely that's a huge difference.

i convert the .flac file to .mp3 instead.

__(4.1) it works! (: the files are in my ipod! (:

.....but goddamnit, i'm stubborn, and this goddamn ipod is supposed to be able to read apple lossless files (basically a .flac file, but designed to be used with apple products. lol.) i don't want a lameass mp3, i want lossless goddamn quality! even if this brick of an ipod won't be able to play it! it's the principle of the thing!

______(4.1.1) okay. try to fuck around with bitrates in the settings of the apple lossless conversion on foobar. foobar is like "you don't have the right encoder pack, bitch" <- paraphrasing.

oooh. surely, this is the problem. i download encoder pack.

______(4.1.2) foobar is like: "you don't have the right encoder pack, bitch" <- paraphrasing.

me: [crying] but i did.

foobar: bitch.

______(4.1.3) search: why is foobar calling me a bitch? > reddit thread: look closely at the sphynx's riddles three: it doesn't say "you haven't downloaded the encoder pack." it says: you haven't installed the encoder pack. (<- NOT A JOKE.)

go to C: > program files > foobar > find the encoder pack i downloaded > click on all the .exe files. powershell windows appear and dissappear. basically: stuff happened. i'm certian.

_____________(3.4.3.1) i'm STILL getting the riddles three message, but the same reddit thread says: if you know you solved th riddles three, you can just ignore it (: so i do.

__(4.2) .flac files seem to have been successfully converted to apple lossless files !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

....but i am back to "your ipod can't read this shit!!!!!!!!!"

do some more searches > turns out it's a weird itunes glitch. the thing is just moody. try turning it on and off. try disconnecting and re-connecting. try resetting your ipod again.

try uninstalling and installing again.

(5) "iTunes Library.itl cannot be read because it was created by a newer version of iTunes"

.......................to be continued. if i don't kill mysuelf first.

[doctor-roman]

I’ve been trying to figure out why this patient has been given different prices so many times over the course of numerous phone calls and emails with us and I’m only just now realizing that it’s because they’re doing a test that’s one word off from another test that is more common ordered than what she actually had ordered.

And so when her statement got generated, the wrong (and more expensive!!) test on the statement was listed.

And the only reason THAT happened is because we don’t have a way to automatically generate statements and have to make them as fucking

EXCEL SPREADSHEET FILES

Before converting them to a PDF file.

And what’s worse is that I’ve brought this issue up with management multiple times that we *need* an automated statement generation system precisely for situations like this but I’m given the middle finger every time.

[audio-luddite]

Digital Voice.

My Tube Guru sent me a message about several AD/DA converters he has had experience with. This was a follow up to my post a short time ago. These machines are of excellent quality, but each produce different digital files from the same input. Interpretation of that is they will sound different from each other even if they are remarkably precise.

I use the word precise deliberately there.

The difference between perfection and what these devices do may be very small. But the primitive human sound interface can detect and differentiate them.

There is no perfect.

How many bits you have or how many megahertz the sample is done at is about resolution, but it is all still dots on a screen to use a visual analogy.

I like to think about DSD bitstreams that use what is called one bit by marketing, but is properly delta/sigma recording. The device outputs only one bit which is either a 1 or a 0. The thing it is measuring is the signal increasing or decreasing compared to the last measurement. If it is more it is a 1. If it is less it is a 0. A steady voltage would be a series of alternating 1s and 0s (101010101010101010). That would play as a extremely high frequency squeal at the sampling rate, but that is filtered out. What is left looks like a steady signal, but it is not.

Delta/Sigma is about the best method as it is flexible and can generate lots of highly resolved data. It is a workable model of the sound if we are talking about sound. But it aint the sound.

The things that do all this stuff are chips made in various factories around the world. They are made for many things, and some work better than others for signal processing. High End Audio is just one thing they are used for. Another is missile guidance systems.

Sometimes I overthink stuff, but that is the curse of being an engineer. (not an electrical engineer mind you)

Am I going to push this around to claim analog is better? Analog is not perfect. Every step in the chain from performer to recording to your system and into your ears, is flawed. How flawed is the subject of debate. It is ironic that people who really understand how this stuff works usually step back and not get too bothered by the shit flying back and forth.

just enjoy the music.

[june-gdprototyping]

Summary Analysis of CNC Milling Process

In modern manufacturing, CNC milling technology is widely used for its high precision and flexibility. Whether it's a mechanical part, an automotive component, or a component for a medical device, CNC milling provides excellent machining results.

What is CNC Milling?

CNC milling is a computer-controlled machining process that utilises a rotating tool to cut a workpiece. CNC milling allows for greater accuracy and consistency than traditional manual milling. It is often combined with other machining methods (e.g. turning, drilling) to meet different and diverse manufacturing needs.

Workflow of CNC Milling

Design stage In the initial stages of CNC milling, designers use Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software to create a model of the product. Commonly used software includes SolidWorks and Autodesk, which are tools that help designers accurately draw the shape and dimensions of the desired part.

Programming stage Once the design is complete, the CAD file needs to be converted to G-code, a language that CNC machines can understand. With Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software, the design files are converted into machine-executable instructions that enable automated machining.

Machine setting During the machine set-up phase, the workpiece needs to be fixed to the table and a suitable tool selected. At the same time, the operator needs to set the initial co-ordinates to ensure accurate positioning during machining.

Advantages of CNC Milling

High precision and dimensional stability CNC milling allows for micron-level machining accuracy, ensuring consistency from part to part.

Complex shapes can be processed Whether it's a simple flat surface or a complex three-dimensional structure, CNC milling can handle it with ease.

Efficient production capacity Due to its high degree of automation, CNC milling can significantly increase productivity and shorten lead times.

Applications of CNC Milling

CNC milling technology is used in a wide range of industries, including:

Mechanical parts: Used in the manufacture of key components in a variety of mechanical equipment.

Automotive parts: High-precision parts for the automotive industry, such as engine components.

Medical device parts: Ensure the reliability and safety of medical devices.

Optical product parts: For the production of optical instruments and related products.

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials can be CNC milling machined? CNC milling is suitable for a wide range of materials, including metals (e.g. aluminium, steel), plastics, wood, and more. However, for some materials, such as ceramics or certain composites, the machining is more difficult and requires special handling.

What are the limitations of CNC milling? Despite its advanced technology, CNC milling has some limitations. For example, machining may be limited for internal vertical angles or very complex small structures.In addition, high hardness materials may lead to faster tool wear, which can affect productivity.

Comparison of CNC milling with other manufacturing technologies The advantages and disadvantages of each can be seen when comparing CNC milling with other manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing. CNC milling is generally superior to 3D printing in terms of accuracy and surface finish, but 3D printing has advantages in rapid prototyping and complex geometries. In terms of cost-effectiveness, the choice of technology depends on specific project needs and budget.

Summary

In summary, CNC milling is an indispensable manufacturing technology that plays an important role in several industries with its efficiency, precision and flexibility.

[airionvez58]

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Best for beginners to text to speech conversion,it is quick and simple to use, exports in MP3 formats and a good range of input formats.

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Best in processor extension, integrates with Microsoft word, customizable voices & speaking dictionary.

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