How to convert a Sims 2 object to Sims 4

I've used the barbell materials provided to illustrate the tutorial with a different item. This case is pretty much like the first and it's a common situation when converting from Sims 2 to Sims 4 so an additional example is helpful I think. The Sims 4 item has two mesh groups but one is the floor shadow so that can't be used to put a main mesh on. This leaves just a single group:



The Sims 2 item has two groups and each is mapped onto its own texture image so the .package had two images that needed to be exported from it.



The key here will be to remap each of these two groups so they can share the single image of the Sims 4 clone the item will replace. To get started I first select one of the Sims 2 mesh groups, tab into Edit mode, and select all its vertices. This allows me to see the map as discussed in the tutorial. Since I plan to combine two image onto one I want to move the map off the center space prior to joining them. This way, once they're joined, the maps will not be laying on top of each other and it will be easier to position them into their new map space:



I repeat this for the other mesh group as well but put it in a different spot off the center:



Then I join the two mesh groups as discussed in the tutorial:



Once they are joined I give the joined mesh group the cut number of the EA mesh group I plan to replace with it. Then I select all the vertices of the new combined mesh so I can look at the map. I give the map a size. In this case I want a decent size because I'm going to have to fit both of the old maps onto a combined new map. 512 x 512 ought to do the trick:



I then reposition the two maps I moved before so they share the new single map. Once that's done I export the UV image so I can make a new textured image for the .package in my 2D editor:



I open that UV map in my 2D editor and use the old textures to cover the corresponding areas on what will be my new image. As indicated by the arrow in some cases you will have to make some minor adjustments to get everything to fit right:



In this case, the original map for the bar of the barbell was smaller than the space on the map I have now given it. You can correct this by just increasing the amount of texture you use (as I have here) or you can return to Blender and remap that part to make it occupy less space on your new map:



Once that's done I bucket filled a new layer and moved it below the textures. Then this can be saved as a .dds DXT1 and imported into the .package.

DXT1 can (and should) be used when an item has no need for alpha transparency. DXT5 images are much larger files so it's best to go with DXT1 if you can. DXT5 should be used when the item requires alpha transparency because DXT1 is not capable of providing alpha.

I'm glad the new additions are helpful

No pictures and clearer explanation for getting rid or replacing shadows in Step 54? Well, I guess I can forget about learning this too!

No worries sherry101...I want the tutorial to be helpful and if it's lacking something then I can fix it. Don't hesitate to post questions about it

Sherri, it was not my intent to confuse you.  The questions you had were the same questions that I had and I gave you the same information that I had received.  Sorry for the confusion.