DLS | Custom Backgrounds (How to add your images to DLS mod)

A guide on how you can add your own backgrounds to the Dynamic Loading Screen mod.
From now on it's much easier, no need for a squasher anymore.

What is needed:
- The Sims 4 .package viewer (I recommend the Sims 4 Studio).
- Dynamic Loading Screen or/and Redesigned Main Menu CORE mods.
* from version 1.7.0 of Dynamic Loading Screen, a PackDefinition file is required to initialize a pack (already in .zip)

Preparation:
Select .png/.jpg/.dds images that will become your backgrounds in the future.
The resolution of the images can be any, but both the height and width of the image must be divisible by 4 (check the "Common Problems" section at the end for more details). It is best to choose images that fit your monitor.
If you have images with an extension other than .png/.jpg/.dds, you can always find a web page that will help you convert them to the extension you need. Just type "Convert from ... to .png" in the search engine.

How to add backgrounds:
1. Download .zip archive attached below and extract it to the folder you like. There are currently 30 .packages, which means you can create 30 different backgrounds for the mod.
2. Open one of the downloaded .package files. Inside you will see one image instance.
3. Replace the existing image with your own. Select DST Image in the list and click "Import", select your image.

If .jpg/.dds images are not displayed, change the file type in the "Open" dialog.

4. Check if the image was successfully uploaded and click "Save".
5. Repeat with the rest of the .package files.
6. Move the completed .package files with the Dynamic Loading Screen or/and Redesigned Main Menu COREs to Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\Mods folder and launch the game.
Enjoy!

30 backgrounds not enough? 70 more

Common problems:

Why isn't my background showing?
Artifacts glitch
If you imported an image that was previously in a different format than .png, it may have artifacts that appear when the image is encoded. Such images are sometimes not recognized by GFX.
This rarely happens, most recent versions of Sims4Studio fix it during import, but if it does happen to you, there are two ways to fix it:
1. - Open your image in regular Paint app.
     - Use the pencil tool to make a small dot somewhere on the image (this fixes artifacts).
     - Save the image as a .png.
     - Import the image into the original .package template.
     -  Save the .package.
2. - Import your regular image into a .package
     - Save and reopen the .package. Export (doesn't matter if it's "Batch Export" or just "Export") this image from S4S to any folder and import it back (S4S will fix the exported image)

Incorrect image resolution
Dynamic Loading Screen support images of any resolution, it automatically expands it to fit your screen.
However, it is important that both the height and width of the image are divisible by 4. UI can only work with this format.
I.e. image 1920x1080, 1920/4 = 480 (divisible), 1080/4 = 270 (divisible). Image is fine.
Image 1600x1582. 1600/4 = 400 (divisible), 1582/4 = 395.5 (not divisible). Expand the image to the nearest 4 (1580 or 1584).
Just calculate the resolution if it`s divisible by 4, if not just resize it to the nearest 4.
This problem is most common if you are playing on DX11.

Missing CORE or PackDefinition .package files
Just make sure the files are installed and updated to the latest version:
- NISANE.DynamicLoadingScreen.CORE.package
- !NISANE.DLS.PackDefinition.CUSTOM.package
 * Patreon version (30 more) has a different PackDefinition than Public, make sure you installed the correct one.

█ 03/14/2025
- Added 10 more custom background templates