Sculpting



Sculpting is a skill introduced in the expansion pack The Sims 3: Ambitions. This skill benefits from the Savvy Sculptor trait.

Sculptors can sculpt with a variety of media, but start with only clay. Once they learn to sculpt with ice they can use Sims as models. Using the Pedestrian Sculpting Station, Sculptors can sculpt useful objects like chairs, or decorative objects like the 'silly dancing gator'. They can create breathtaking masterpieces which can then be sold for profit. Sculptors unlock new media as they progress: "Sims learn different media as they advance in the sculpting skill, and each one requires a bit of a learning curve. The topiary is a high-level sculpting medium, but that won't keep your sims from accidentally decapitating their leafy lawn ornaments from time to time." Ice sculptures will melt over time, unless the character has completed the Ice Personality challenge, which involves creating a total of 25 ice sculptures.

You can unlock new materials by increasing your skills. When sculptors create something they can make one or more at a time. 

Known sculpting media
A Sims is given the option of choose one of six different media, five of which are only unlocked as the Sim improves their sculpting. They include:


 * Clay, which is sculpted using a hammer and chisel;
 * Metal, which is sculpted using a blowtorch;
 * Wood, which is sculpted using a hammer and chisel;
 * Ice, which is sculpted using a chainsaw;
 * Stone, which is sculpted using a hammer and chisel; and
 * Topiary, which is sculpted using a chainsaw.

Some of the listed materials comes with additional risks and opportunities that vary in importance:


 * Metal is one of the riskiest to deal with, as a Sim operates a blowtorch that can ignite the Sim and lead to death if no other Sims are available to help. The same risk is present during inventing, and occurs regardless of the Sims' sculpting skill level.
 * Ice sculptures can collapse midway through sculpting, destroying it. In addition, it is also possible to end up sculpting a heavily disproportionate Sim ice sculpture (which appears more like a troll); the sculpture will be worth less than expected, and the blunder may negatively affect the Sims' relationship with the Sim who posed for the sculpture.
 * Stone blocks may contain raw gems which can be found midway through sculpting. The discovery of the item comes at the cost of losing the stone sculpture which is being worked on.
 * For topiary, Sims may accidentally cut off an important part of the sculpture (i.e. the head) near completion, reducing the value of the sculpture.

Trivia

 * There are already decorative plant objects in the The Sims 3 which claim to be topiary.