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Build mode

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Build Mode is one of three modes in the game (the others being Live mode and Buy mode). Build Mode is used mainly for architectural and construction work; addition of plumbing, counters and lighting, things typically done during real-life construction, is done in Buy Mode instead. Build Mode can be used to do all of the following: Add walls, paint/cover walls, add doors and windows, lay down flooring, create foundations (The Sims 2 and later), add columns and supports, create pools, raise and lower land, create ponds, build gardens and landscape, add fireplaces, add additional floors/stories to a building, and add a roof. Some base games or expansions allow additional Build Mode Features, such as terrain "spray painting"(The Sims 2 and The Sims 3) or ceiling construction (The Sims 2: Apartment Life or The Sims 3).

Building Basics

Regardless of the version of the game being played, building using the game's Build Mode can be made simpler with some basic knowledge, use of the correct key combinations and use of suitable Build Mode Tools.

Keys and Key Combinations

The Sims 1, 2, and 3 Build Modes are all relatively similar - if one is already adept at using one version of the Build Mode, other versions can be mastered with very little effort. For example, all Build Modes make use of the same keys for performing actions. These keys are:

The Shift Key: When painting/covering walls, holding SHIFT will allow you to paint the whole wall section at once. If the wall creates a complete room, holding SHIFT will paint the whole room at once. When placing flooring, holding SHIFT will allow you to paint the floor with the selected flooring. When placing walls, holding SHIFT will create square or rectangular rooms. This can be done with half walls and fences as well. In The Sims 2 or later, there is a tool specifically for creating rectangular rooms. When placing some objects, holding SHIFT will duplicate the object. Many objects will automatically duplicate, like trees and windows.

The CTRL Key: When painting/covering walls, holding CTRL will allow you to un-paint a single section of wall, returning it to its initial, bare appearance. When placing flooring, holding CTRL will remove a single tile of flooring, returning the tile to its initial appearance - you will either see grass/ground or foundation, depending on the game and what you are building. When building walls, holding CTRL will allow you to remove entire lengths of wall. Using the Wall Tool, hold CTRL as you pull the Wall Tool along the length of an already-placed wall (also works for fences and half walls) to remove the wall. In The Sims, you must delete any items on the wall being removed; in The Sims 2 or The Sims 3 those items are automatically deleted when you remove the wall.

CTRL+SHIFT Key Combination: When painting/covering walls, using CTRL+SHIFT (hold down both keys at the same time), you can un-paint a whole wall section at once, returning it to it's bare appearance. If the wall creates a complete room, using CTRL+SHIFT will un-paint the whole room at once. When placing flooring, using CTRL+SHIFT will remove all of the same type of flooring in the room; in The Sims, using CTRL+SHIFT will remove all flooring, regardless of whether they are the same.

The ESC key: Using the ESC key will immediately cancel any action you are performing and will deselect any object you have picked up with the Hand Tool.

CTRL+Z and CTRL+Y: Build Mode allows you to undo and redo previous actions, but using CTRL+Z (undo) and CTRL+Y (redo) is a quick and handy way to undo or redo actions without clicking other buttons.

General Building Rules

Building in Build Mode requires that the builder follow certain parameters laid out by the game. Some common ones are as follows:

Lot Boundaries: You cannot build or place objects outside the limits of the lot. Walls and foundations cannot be placed within 2 tiles of the outer limit of the lot, or within 2 tiles of the front sidewalk (The sidewalk marks the forward limit of the property). Fences can be placed all the way up to the edge of the lot.

Proper Support: Especially important when building on foundation or when building multiple floors, you are not able to place walls or fences on areas that are not supported by the floor below, either by walls or by columns. When placing flooring, you are restricted as to how far out beyond the support below you may go - if building off of a straight wall below, you may only go 2 tiles outward from the wall without requiring more support below. Note that these rules do not apply if building above an already-enclosed room.

Indoor-Outdoor Placement: Some objects, like landscaping objects and trees, can only be placed outside on the terrain. Other objects cannot be placed outside, and must be inside a structure. Other objects, like pools, must be placed on the ground, not on a foundation, even if the pool is indoors.

Walls on foundation / Walls off foundation: Walls that are resting directly on the ground cannot connect to walls that sit on foundations, or on decking.

Proper Clearance: All items placed must have enough clearance (height) available for them to be placed - items cannot be placed directly underneath a roof.

Height Limits: In The Sims, all structures are limited to 2 floors. In The Sims 2 and The Sims 3, all structures are limited to five levels, including basements and foundations.

Categories

The build mode objects are divided into several categories:

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