Quick Tips for Gimp:
These tips are for GIMP, but I have been learning from tutorials for PS as well, and have been applying them in GIMP. I found these two programs to be quite interchangeable, which makes sense, because GIMP was made as a free alternative for PS.

While I was re-learning how to make wall recolors, the og tutorials I saw on MTS were making the same step unnecessarily long, which inspired me to write down this list. Mind you, those tutorials were written many years ago, I don't even know if my way was available in GIMP/PS back then.

I use G'MIC-QT and Resynthesizer add-ons. I’ll update this list if I’ll remember anything else.

A general tip for good measurement:
- work over copies. make a backup of the layer before you make any major changes to it. make a backup copy for each significant change, and name it according to the action you've done ["xxx - contrast +0.5" etc.]
- organize the layers in folders/collections, whatever that's called.
This way I can experiment freely without worrying about making changes. It's easier to delete the redundant copies in the end, than trying to retrace the steps you've made in order to reach a certain result.

Dissecting a texture - Get parts of an image:
Get an Image's uhm, Texture/Details:
1. Make it Grayscale:
- Colours -> Hue/Chroma -> Bring Chroma to zero.
- Alternatively, Colours -> Desaturate -> Colour to Grey. Change its definitions... Gives better results but is slower.
- Alternatively 2, run it through Nvidia Texture Tools. Colour options -> Greyscale.
I like this result better than 1.
2. High-pass. Under Filters -> Enhance.
(Basically, make an etch template).
- Optional; play with contrast/ color levels/ other def. first.

Edit: added a part about removing an element from an image, i.e. the Resynthesizer's Heal Selection tool.
Edit 2: added a general tip at the beginning.

These lists are the product of me trying to keep my bookmark folders organised. This time: a bunch of my favorite places to browse for inspiration or what not. Mainly art related.

Design & Architecture:
- Dezeen Magazine.
- Design Milk.
- Zanotta.

Art:
- xxx
I also follow Museum's pages on Pinterest.

Digital Art:
- Artstation.
- Deviant Art.
- Polycount.

Fashion:
- The Sartorialist.

Pinterest is another place I like to browse, I'm using it often [to avoid an endless rabithole loop where i keep saving things instead of leaving the site, I started bookmarking entire result pages 😅]. The link is to my albums.

Game Modding Forums:
- ZenHAX.
- ResHAX.
- Gildor's Forums (Umodel).
- VirusTotal, to check files for viruses. like a condom for downloading online, not foolproof but should do the job.

Sims 2 Databases Database

(Alright it's an index, I just had to)

Made it for myself, I might as well share. If there's something I've missed please let me know.

Mirror: Tumblr.

CC:

By Type:

• Sims 2 Object Default Database [Discontinued - DW].
• Sims 2 Object Default Database [Active - Spreadsheet].
• Sims 2 Default Database [CAS].
• Sims 2 Hair Database.
• Sims 2 CC: Afro Hairstyles.
• Sims 2 Shoes Database.
• Sims 2 EA Store Items 2016.
• Sims 2 The Maxis Match Repository Project [CAS] [Pinterest Ver.]
• Sims 2 Repository Finds [Objects] [sorted into categories].
• Sims 2 Functional Finds [Sorted by function].
• Resource list: Clutter and decorative items [massive index at GoS].
• Sims 2 Lot Makeover Database [Maxis Lots] [Note the Uploading Tutorial].
• SkyBox/Horizons/Skylines Database.
• Maxis Career Conversions TS1+3+4 to TS2 [Sorted by Game&EP - Under Downloads].
• Fractured Moonlight's Stone Super Set - Database [Creator Unknown, let me know if you know].

By Theme:

• List of Maxis Lost & Found Objects Converted into Usable Items.
• Stories to Sims 2 Conversion Database. [DW Backup]
• TS1 to TS2 Conversion/Recreation Database.
• TS1 Catalog Conversions [Active, Include OG Object Descriptions].
• TS3 to TS2 Conversion Database [DW Backup].
• TS3 to TS2 Traits Project Mod Tracking Sheet [Blog Ver.]
• TS4 to TS2 CAS Conversion Archive [EA].
• TS4 to TS2 CC Clothing Conversion Database [Custom - ts4 only?].
• TS4 to TS2 Build/Buy Conversion Database [EA].
• TS4 to TS2 CC Build & Buy Database [Custom].
• The Sims spin-off games to the PC TS2 [&3+4].
• TSM-to-TS2 Conversion Database [DW Backup].
• Sims 2 Historical Finds [CAS&Objects] [Sorted by Era/Period].
• Grunge Masterlist Project 2025.
• List of Asian Sims 2 Sites With Working Downloads [As of 2017?].

CC Archives:

• Sim Archive Project, at The Internet Archive [Introduction Post].
• Sims Cave.
• Sims Graveyard.
• Liquid Sims - Community Archives.
• The Booty, at PSMBD.
• Sims 2 Packrat, on Tumblr [Watch out for the recent SFS Hacking problem].
• Ekrubynaffit (a.k.a bestbuild4sims) has re-uploaded a lot of archives of defunct creators. Albums with DL on her pinterest. Mainly build and buy mode, thanks a lot!

Resources:

• CEP-Extras List, Huge Lunatic at Sims 2 Artists.
• The Sims 2 Tutorials Database [Active] (Really needs a backup outside of Tumblr).
• Several Lists of Maxis Resources for Modding,Pick'n'Mix Mods, own website, under Notes.
• Sims 2 GUID Database Revival (Yes I'm shamelessly promoting it).
• Sims 2 Trait GUID Database, by FireFlower.
• Sims 2 Painting Sizes Database.
• List of all Color Actions, With DL, ZeroDark/Graphic at GoS.
• List of all WSO Actions, by Blue Heaven Sims, under Resources.
• List of Hacks & Mods That Use Tokens, Bulbizarre at MTS.

Update notes are under the cut:

This post will be updated if I'll find anymore interesting things on the subject (well, interesting to me at least).