Programs you'll need:
Far Edit (sp?)- http://blueprint.simfreaks.com
MenuEditor - same place
The Sims Hot Date Organizer- http://maxis.ea.com
1. Make sure all three are installed.
2. Open Far Edit. You're going to have to take some time with this program, really studying the features and such. Then, open up one of the.far files in the Sims directory, the .far for Expansion3 is a good one to start with. A window will open up with all the files that the .far file contains. Let me give you an example to work with- look for the LoveTubHD.iff file. When you find it, highlight it by clicking on it, and click on the extract button (single teal arrow). It will then ask for a place to put it- put in Gamedata/User Objects, as it will save time later.
sidenote*- Something you might be interested in; highlight the file called BedsSingle2.iff and extract it to the same place. now open up the HD organizer- if you highlight it, it will come up with ALL of the new single beds. Maxis is sneaky. ; )
3. Repeat the above process for whatever files you want- the names are fairly self explanatory. Then, open up MenuEditor. This is where things get tedious.
4. MenuEditor will only open one object at a time, in any one instance of its program. Let me explain a bit better the process-
a. Execute program
b. A window comes up, you browse to the file you want to configure.
c. a new window comes up. you change a few things click on apply, and click ok. Window closes.
d. Rinse, Lather, Repeat. And it doesn't stay in the directory you're using, either. Enjoy!
So, you open up one of the .iff files you extracted. For use downtown, you'll want to check one very important option- available to visitors. This will allow it to be used wherever you want. There other options here to play with, but I would suggest caution in changing things. You could corrupt an object, causing you permanaent headache and a crashing game. I also really doubt you want to do this process all over again once you've done the whole thing the first time. So, just set it up so that the objects can be used for visitors for right now. (note- stoves don't work no matter what, I have no idea why. As soon as I figure it out, I'll let everyone know.) Repeat the process with all the objects you wish usable downtown.
5. Once you're done with that, open up HD Organizer. Now, this is a nice, intuitive interface. I'm sure you've all used it. I have one hint here- set each object up for only ONE downtown catalog entry. Any more, and you're risking a game crash. So, just set everything up the way you want it and save everything.
6. Time for the test- Boot up the Sims, see if it works. If it crashes, remove all the new objects, and put them in one at a time, testing each one to see if its crashing the game.
Enjoy your default (but usable) objects!
Soulburn