Author Topic: Sims 4 - Gallery Help Tips  (Read 87951 times)

Offline MrsFlynn

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Sims 4 - Gallery Help Tips
« on: January 09, 2015, 12:24:03 AM »
Gallery Help Tips

Updated: Sept. 2022

These are tips I've found while searching problems on the in-game gallery. I thought I'd create a list that shows them in one place, for quick reference. 

Please understand that the gallery is an in-game mechanic.  If there's a problem and the tips shared in both this thread below and the Can't Connect to the Gallery post don't help. It needs to be reported to the AHQ Sims 4 Gallery Troubleshooting Thread. As we aren't able to help with EA's server issues.



Special Notes:

If you want to use forum specific hashtags, (for example, the official hashtag for our forum is #carlsguide) put them in the description box when saving lot to the Library. As shown in the photos below: - Click images to enlarge.

 

Add these hashtags #carlsguide ; #carlsguiderdc along with a hashtag of your EA/Origin ID to the description of each creation you upload as it will help with searching for creations from members of our forum.

The community gallery can be used from within the game but the community content is only available if you are actually online and have Online Access Features turned on. If in Offline mode, you can only see content in the My Library tab.

Carl's Sims 4 Gallery Guide

About the Sims 4 Gallery ~ Crinrict's Sims 4 Help Blog

The Sims 4 Gallery ~ EA Help How-To

If you see a creation that has your ID along with another player's ID. This may mean you downloaded someone else's work, edited the creation and now it will say something like Origin by: Player ID and By You.




Index Of Tips:

Can't Connect to the Gallery / Gallery Not Working / Current Gallery Status/Troubleshooting

I Have No Gallery In My Game!

Households Not Saving to My Library or the Gallery

Lots being marked as CC

I can't upload Sims or Lots to the Gallery

I Can't Download Lots or Sims From the Gallery

How-To: Saving Sims/Households to Library

How-To: Saving A House/Lot To Library and Sharing it to Gallery

Custom Content (cc) and the Gallery

Finding/Installing Custom Content Houses/Lots

Searching the Gallery (How-To)

Delete Items in Gallery (How-To)

Deleted item from gallery, can I get it back?

Wrong Creators name in the gallery (See Tips below from Indira and Dellena)
Tip from Indira / Tip from Dellena
Other tips for this bug

Follow Function in Gallery

Sims 4 Gallery Crashes

Other Helpful Links



Gallery Bugs:

[BUG] Origin is hosting my Gallery uploads under two different IDs old & new
https://answers.ea.com/t5/Bug-Reports/OPEN-Origin-is-hosting-my-Gallery-uploads-under-two-different/m-p/6524041#M55680

If you have this bug, please login with your EA account and click the Me Too button on the first post and post about your experience. This may help bring it to the attention of the devs.



Gallery Information:

Photos of Sims with CAS cc count as modded.

If you happen to have a lot of custom paintings and photos, such as painting by reference these will be tagged as custom content and will make the file size larger.

The upload limit is 10MB.

File Size too large to upload to Gallery
https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/File-Size-too-large-to-upload-to-Gallery/td-p/6753164




Note: This thread has been locked as it's for informational purposes.
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Offline MrsFlynn

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I Have No Gallery In My Game!
« Reply #1 on: January 16, 2015, 07:09:28 PM »
I Have No Gallery In My Game!

Even if you are logged into Origin, you need to enable the online features of the game. Doing this will allow access to the community gallery.   

Go to: ----> Options menu > Game Options > Other > check mark Online Features Access. - It should be green with a check.

** Click images to see larger view

Options Menu Button is at the top right of screen -


Options Menu


Other tab


Enable Online Features Access (Turn Gallery On)


Don't forget to click Apply Changes (lower right corner of the screen) when finished.

If the above doesn't help, try this - Can't Connect to the Gallery for more Gallery help tips.
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Offline MrsFlynn

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Custom Content (cc) and the Gallery
« Reply #2 on: January 16, 2015, 07:10:18 PM »
Custom Content (cc) and the Gallery

As of January 2015 custom content is shown in photos, but not uploaded to the gallery. You will find a blue wrench symbol on the top left of some items that have been uploaded. This is to note the items that use custom content.

Please note: The photos may show that there is CC attached. However, it does not actually get uploaded to the Gallery or downloaded from the Gallery. Players must have it already in-game or know where to download it from to be able to have access to it in-game. As the game removes any items you don't already have installed.

If you are looking for any of the cc shown in the photos you may need contact the creator to ask about it.

Some content may be falsely tagged as custom content and will show a blue wrench icon. For example paintings completed by a sim using the 'Paint by Reference' interaction falsely count as CC as do any photographs made with the photography skill. Check for those, remove them, resave your lot and then download it onto a new bulldozed lot and it should be fine.

-----

Sims and Lots uploaded to the Gallery may contain custom or exclusive content. This content will be missing from downloaded stuff if you don't have it installed to your computer.

How the Sims 4 Gallery Works:
https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/the-sims/the-sims-4/the-sims-4-gallery/
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Offline MrsFlynn

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Delete Items in Gallery (How-To)
« Reply #3 on: January 16, 2015, 07:11:12 PM »
Delete Items in Gallery (How-To)

The deleting process works the same way, regardless if the creation is in the gallery or in your library.

1. Go to your User ID tab > View Profile. Select one creation at a time, and click the cloud button on the lower left. It should ask to remove from Gallery. Click the checkmark to remove.

2. Go to the My Library tab, select one creation at a time, and click the cloud button on the lower left. It should ask to remove from Gallery. Click the checkmark to remove.

If you are in the Library tab, be careful not to click the trash can. That will delete the creation from the library and tray folder. - Meaning it will be fully deleted.
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Offline MrsFlynn

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I can't upload Sims or Lots to the Gallery
« Reply #4 on: January 16, 2015, 07:11:50 PM »
I can't upload Sims or Lots to the Gallery

For this issue, if the sim or lot contains any custom content you need to make sure that you have your filters set to show custom content.  It will be set to NOT show custom content by default.  To show custom content, you will need to open you library/gallery, click advanced on the left hand side and make sure the check box there is enabled. 

If for some reason, even after checking that you have show cc checkmarked and you can't upload. Try fully exiting the game, clear your game cache and delete the localthumbcache.package from the Sims 4 folder to help troubleshoot. Then try again. More details in the post linked below:

Delete Game Cache (What and How-To)
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=29288.msg401662#msg401662

If you're still having issues uploading, try Windowed mode or Windowed full screen mode. -- In Origin, go to the Games Library tab, and right click on the Sims 4 Cover and select Game Properties - In the Command Line Arguments, add the following text: -w and click Okay.

Seeing duplicates? Delete them. Please be aware it may take the system a while to delete the duplicates, so check back in a few hours.

If the duplicate creations haven't been deleted, try the process again. - Delete duplicates, and then check back later to see if they've been deleted.

Delete Items in Gallery (How-To)
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=22709.msg401713#msg401713
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Offline MrsFlynn

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Can't Connect to the Gallery (Tips)
« Reply #5 on: January 16, 2015, 07:12:37 PM »
Can't Connect to the Gallery (Tips)
- Or having other issues with the gallery like can't download lots or Sims.

Updated: Sept. 2022

Troubleshooting Tips to Try:  ~ Additional troubleshooting tips can be found in the AHQ Sims 4 Gallery Troubleshooting Thread.

1. Exit the game, restart the computer, launch the game again and access the gallery to see if it loads.

2. Make sure you aren't running the Sims 4 Legacy Edition. Which has the Gallery removed, due to being incompatible with future game patches.

Read more using the link below:
https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/the-sims/the-sims-4/the-sims-4-legacy-edition/

3. Is the game running on the newest patch? If you're not running the latest patch you may not be able to access the online Gallery. - See link here for more information on game patches.

4. Check that you don't have an underage account (Under 14)? There are some Origin age restrictions. They are setup to be supervised by a parent or guardian. - https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/account/aging-up-an-origin-account-to-an-adult-account/

5. If you have Sims 4 installed on more than 1 computer. Make sure you are logged out of Origin with the other computer(s). Or put it in offline mode. Then try again using the computer you're actively playing the game on. This should allow you to access the gallery.

6. Repair Game:
In Origin > Games Library, right-click on Sims 4 and select Repair. - Do note this repairs the game's install files for the actual game. It does not make any changes to the saved game files. Meaning that your saved games are safe, they won't be deleted. If you'd like you can copy the Sims 4 folder to a USB key.

7. Turn off Origin In-Game:
Open Origin, Select Origin > Application Settings > Origin In Game tab and click the on/off switch to disable Origin In Game. - This deactivates Origin In-Game, as it has been known to cause problems with games.

8. Try a Sims 4 Factory Reset - (What & Howto)
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,21899.msg401669.html#msg401669

9. Is the Gallery turned on? - Make sure you've got the in-game Online Features Access checked or turned on. 

   A. Go to Options > Game Options > Other

   B. Turn on Online Features Access, Click apply changes, and click stay offline. (This turns on the online features like the in-game gallery.)

   C. Click the Open Library/Gallery button, select the Gallery tab.

If that fails, Run a program like Ccleaner, and it's registry cleaner. Then try getting into the game and gallery again.

Ccleaner - https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download (Standard Edition is Free)
-- This helps clean up temporary files, internet cache files and other files that are left behind that are no longer being used.

How-To Use Ccleaner
http://www.wikihow.com/Use-CCleaner

10. Make sure your connection isn't being blocked. For example, go to a friend's house or a place that has free wifi access like a local coffee shop, library or McDonalds to see if you can connect and use the Gallery from there. Some places do block connections, like colleges.

  ** If you can connect to the gallery while using a different internet connection, this might indicate your internet provider (ISP) is blocking one of EA's ports.

  -- Contact your ISP to request help in opening the port, or check the article linked below:

11. Reset your router or modem. - Do a web search on how to do this for your specific router or modem. - Search manufacturer of router or modem and the word reset.

12. Check your antivirus, firewall and/or other malware programs to rule them out or blocking access to the gallery.   
https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/READ-FIRST-Troubleshooting-your-Game/m-p/3621231#Firewall

Add an exclusion to Windows Security
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/add-an-exclusion-to-windows-security-811816c0-4dfd-af4a-47e4-c301afe13b26

  ** Whether using a laptop or desktop computer you can use your mobile phone device as a temporary Wi-Fi hotspot for internet connectivity.

  -- If all the above doesn't work, try uninstalling Origin and reinstall it.
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,21898.msg431239.html#msg431239

Please understand that the gallery is an in-game mechanic.  It does go down from time to time due to EA having server problems.  We aren't able to help with EA's server issues. All we can do is suggest the tips above. If they don't help, issues need to be reported to the AHQ Sims 4 Gallery Troubleshooting Thread.

Sign in with your EA account, click Reply in the thread linked above to make your report. Explain in detail what the issue is. This will help anyone in troubleshooting and may help the devs/EA if it's anything on their end.

Or contact Contact EA's Customer Service (HowTo)
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,21898.msg401708.html#msg401708



Please Note: When the gallery isn't working in-game or via the web, it means that it's an issue on EA's end that they need to fix.

If reinstalling Origin and/or the game isn't helping, It's most likely EA servers having problems.

If experiencing any problems with the gallery or Origin not working, please report it to the AHQ forum or Twitter. Using the links below -

**Make your own report, if there isn't a current one already.

Sims 4 - Technical Issues PC
https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/bd-p/The-Sims-4

SimGuruNick
https://twitter.com/SimGuruNick

The Sims Direct
https://twitter.com/TheSimsDirect

To check the status of Origin
http://downdetector.com/status/origin

To report Origin outages, report them to EAHelp on Twitter or via AHQ forum:

EA Help
https://twitter.com/EAHelp

Origin - Technical Issues
https://answers.ea.com/t5/Origin-Client-Web-Technical/bd-p/origin-technical-issues-en
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Offline MrsFlynn

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Sims 4 Gallery Crashes
« Reply #6 on: January 16, 2015, 07:13:20 PM »
Sims 4 Gallery Crashes

Turn off Origin In-Game:
Open Origin, Select Origin > Application Settings > Origin In Game tab and click the on/off switch to disable Origin In Game. - This deactivates Origin In-Game, as it has been known to cause problems with games.

Check your mods and custom content. As with every new game patch, mods and some cc may become outdated.

Move the mods folder to the desktop, clear your game cache and delete the localthumbcache.package from the Sims 4 folder to help with troubleshooting. Try loading the gallery again, to test. If it loads okay, it may be that some of the mods/cc have become outdated.

How to Fix Problems with Mods/CC
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=25031.msg426156#msg426156
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Offline MrsFlynn

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Follow Function in Gallery
« Reply #7 on: January 16, 2015, 09:08:00 PM »
Follow Function in Gallery

There are changes to this function, please see the following link for more information.

Follow Function in Gallery - Changes in the February 2015 Patch
http://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/813612/follow-function-in-gallery-changes-in-the-february-patch
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Offline MrsFlynn

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Searching the Gallery (Howto)
« Reply #8 on: November 20, 2015, 05:31:29 PM »
Searching the Gallery (Howto)

To open the Gallery, click the Gallery button up top right of the Main Menu Screen, or press F4.

If you can't find what you are looking for the very first thing you may want to do is Look under the View Content By: All button. Make Sure this is ticked.

Then refine your search by whatever criteria you desire. I find best results with searching player's EA Account ID (Click image to see larger view) -- You can also search by Hastag or Item Name.



To see creations you have uploaded - Click on your user ID, select either the catalog or profile view to see your own creations.

You may need to make sure that you have "Include Custom Content" box ticked in the Advanced section of the filter in the Library/Gallery on the left. You need that ticked in order to find your creations that have custom content.

Otherwise creations with custom content won't show in the gallery/library.

If that isn't working, try searching other ways:

If still having a hard time searching, select "Following", then go back to "All". If it's not working, try "Maxis" instead of "Following". This happens because the subroutine to place a search for hashtags takes a snooze and you need to wake it up again.

If none of these tips are working, try searching for the creations via the website. https://www.ea.com/games/the-sims/the-sims-4/pc/gallery

Please note that creations with custom content may not show up on the Website.
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Offline MrsFlynn

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Households Not Saving to My Library or the Gallery
« Reply #9 on: March 11, 2016, 01:15:13 AM »
Households Not Saving to My Library or the Gallery

This is a bug and has been happening for awhile. Since 2014 in some form or another. There are a couple work-arounds:

Households and lots may actually be saving to your library and gallery. However, the game may be wrongly tagging them as having custom content attached to them even when you don't use custom content.

To see if your household/lots are in your library or gallery, click the Advanced Button on the left side of the Library Menu screen, and checkmark Include Custom Content. The household and/or lot should show up after that.

[BUG] Sims Saved to Library, wrongly marked as CC *Work-Around*
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,25821.msg434576.html#msg434576
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Offline MrsFlynn

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Lots being marked as CC
« Reply #10 on: December 02, 2017, 06:53:33 PM »
Lots being marked as CC

There's certain mods that can make your lots be marked as cc when not using cc on the lot.

Try the following:

1. Create a New Sims 4 folder without any mods or cc (Rename your current folder something like Sims4Current, you can rename it back after the test.)

2. Start a New Game.

3. Download the cc marked lot from the gallery and place it in your game.

4. Re-upload the lot.

This should take care of it being marked as cc. I am unfamiliar with a lot of mods, so I don't know which cause this issue.

If you happen to have a lot of custom paintings and photos, such as painting by reference these will be tagged as custom content. You may need to delete the custom paintings/photos and try again.

-----
Reference Link:

CC Auto Detect Detects CC Where There Isn't Any
https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/CC-Auto-Detect-Detects-CC-Where-There-Isn-t-Any/td-p/6478267
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