Create a Standalone Recolor of Custom Content

Introduction

This tutorial will show you how to create a standalone recolor of a custom content mesh that will not overwrite the original item in the game.  The same method can be used for objects but you select object recolor instead of CAS recolor.  Please note that a recolor of custom content requires that the original mesh you are recoloring be in the Mods folder along with your recolor of it in order to function properly.

What you will need

Sims 4 Studio

A 2D editor able to manage alpha images (.png or .dds)

Set up folder & add custom .packages

1. Open Sims 4 Studio (v. 2.1.0.7 and above), enter your creator name, and then close Sims 4 Studio.  Then open your Documents folder.

2. Open the Sims 4 Studio folder in your Documents folder.

3. Open the Mods folder.

4. Put any custom content item you want to recolor into the Mods folder you just opened.  I've placed a hair by karzalee of Studio-K-Creation in the folder but you can put any custom .package in.

Instructions

1. Open S4S and select CAS Standalone.

2. Click the CAS button.

3. Put a check mark into the CC Only box to filter the thumbnail list to show only CC items.  If you have a lot of CC in your Studio/Mods folder it is helpful to also type the Creator name into the Search box to limit your list to only that creator's work.

4. If you have seen the item's catalog thumbnails in the game they will show up on the list.  If you have not you will see a green plumbob instead.  In either case the item's name will appear making it easy to select the one you're looking for.  It's completely fine to clone and recolor an item that is showing only a green plumbob in the thumbnail list.  Once you see the item you want to recolor click on it.

5. Click the Next button.

6. Create your recolor image as usual and click the Import button to import it into the .package.

7. Create your custom swatch thumbnail and add any swatches you want.  Then click the Save button.




8. Click Tools in the upper menu bar. Select Modding from the first drop down menu. Pick Embed all externally referenced resources (CAS) from the second drop down menu. This will pull the mesh resources into your package and renumber them If you don't do this step, your item will be a recolor of the original but it will not work without the original in the Sims 4/Mods folder with it. This is the step that makes your recolor a standalone recolor that does not need the original and will not conflict with the original.

Test the item in the game: Remember in order for your recolor to show up the original item you recolored must be in the Mods folder with it.  If you plan to share the item you should link back to the original so your downloaders can get the mesh...otherwise your recolor will not work in their game.

The easy way to use the Search bar is to know what to type in to find a specific item.  To find that you can open the item you want to recolor using the My Projects button.  Be sure to return to the main screen and select recolor or create 3D mesh before continuing to make your recolor/mesh from the custom content. Do not do so from the My Projects button or you will overwrite the original.

Once the .package is open click the Warehouse tab.  For CAS items click on the CAS Parts line and for objects click on the Object Definition line.  The creator name will appear on the right hand side as shown in the picture:

Be sure to return to the main screen and select recolor or create 3D mesh before continuing to make your recolor/mesh from the custom content.  Do not do so from the My Projects button or you will overwrite the original. 

**Credit to Karzalee for the hair used in this tutorial and to Brujah236 for the skin used on the model in the model viewer**