Sipping Tea...

[MrsFlynn]

Oh no problem. Keep working on your RV save. I was just sharing this. Just like I did with the IP version of Sunset Valley, links here for post 1 and here for post 2 about it.  It was a nice save file to play in. All the brightly colored lots and homes. It was beautiful!!

The only problem I had with the IP Sunset Valley save is the terrible terrain bleed between the lots down by the beach was getting to me. I didn't have the energy to save all the lots to the library and then place them into a new save.

[Lapaige46]

Oh no problem. Keep working on your RV save. I was just sharing this. Just like I did with the IP version of Sunset Valley, links here for post 1 and here for post 2 about it.  It was a nice save file to play in. All the brightly colored lots and homes. It was beautiful!!

The only problem I had with the IP Sunset Valley save is the terrible terrain bleed between the lots down by the beach was getting to me. I didn't have the energy to save all the lots to the library and then place them into a new save.

I remember that IP SV. I really liked that. Does saving and replacing the lots really work? I've been very careful about introducing bleeds into my game. I had a small one yesterday on a new lot that I placed where there wasn't one before. I haven't had that happen. It usually happens when I completely bulldoze a home and lot then replace the lot with a different one.

I could have ignored the small bleed but I decided to delete that lot and place my lot somewhere else. I'll try it with something else another time.

I just finished moving and sorting all my CC d/loads into folders on my desktop. Now I need to clean up all the saves I have. How many saves do you have? I try to keep it down to about a sim-week and I'm saving each day to my laptop just in case. Do you think I'd could be save only having 2 or 3 active saves at one time? When I am building or repairing in this case, I save that under it's name - Crusty's for example. Then when I'm done with it, I save the day's save then delete the Crusty's save.

Did that make any sense? I'm babbling again. I need tea and cookies. 

[MrsFlynn]

In my experience it does if you're really careful about it. I find if I save and then quit the game. Load up the save again and add/edit more lots is when it becomes a problem.

Where as when I have all the lots edited and ready to go into a new save and place all lots at the same time - basically in one go. I can then save the save file and it be okay.

It might be because of the way I do things. I like to build a house or community lot and then save it to the in-game library as well as back up the .package file that can be found in the library folder - \Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Library and delete the save when I am done to help prevent terrain bleeding.

Basically use a new temporary save to build the house or community lot and delete the save when finished.

When ready to use the houses and community lots, add them all back to the library folder so they show up in game so they're ready to be placed in a new save.

It ends up taking a couple hours to do, but it's worked for me so far.

Regarding save files. It depends on if I'm building something or if I'm actually playing.

Building - I use a temporary save to build the lot, saving it by name to the library here and there. And saving the final build to the library. Backing up the lot files outside of my Electronic Arts folder and then deleting the save when finished with the build.

Playing - I usually only play for a few real time hours each play session then restart my computer. Back up the save file and sometimes jump back into playing.

All in all I usually keep up to 5 save files of my current save I'm playing.

Sorry if that was long winded. Depending on how you're doing things 2 or 3 active saves should be good enough.

[Lapaige46]

Just had a weird thing happen. Screen went black and I got this error message. Program has been blocked from accessing graphics hardware. That's the first time that's ever happened. 

[MrsFlynn]

I searched on the error and the first suggestion that popped up is to update the video drivers. If you've already done that, we'll have to investigate further.

[Lapaige46]

Drivers are fine and the game is working fine again after I shut it down and reloaded. Crazy!

[MrsFlynn]

I'm happy to hear that worked.  Do you have a cooling mat for your laptop?  It sounds like it may be getting to warm and that is affecting the graphics system.

I once had a laptop a long while ago, probably 10 years ago now that I ended up frying the graphics system because of playing Sims 3 for too long without a cooling mat and giving the computer breaks through out the day.

[Lapaige46]

I don't have a cooling mat and I definitely play too long without giving it a break.

Maybe after payday I'll order a mat.

[Nindigo]

*glances at her tower PC with a prideful smirk in between sipping*

Why don't you guys get a proper toy to play on?

[Lapaige46]

It would probably be better for my back to sit on a proper chair rather than slouching on my couch but then I wouldn't be able to watch tv while playing solitaire in the evenings.
I left behind an almost new system when I moved out of the house I shared with my son and his family. Now I don't have room as much as I'd like to have one.