Distoreted graphics for pets?

[lisanmyers]

I have three other Sim expansion packs and they all work fine, no issues with the graphics, but when I install Pets and I play it, everything is fine except the pets themselves are distorted. It's weird and it's hard to describe exactly how they look, but the don's look the pets at all, just distorts things running around. The horses and the deer are mostly OK, and the small animals i.e. turtles, guinea pig and such are fine too. My computer is only 2-3 years old and meets all the requirements plus some. Is there anything I can do? Change a setting? Please help, I want my Sim's to finally have pets, and it suck's having an expansion I can't play. Thank you for any help!   

[Ricalynn]

Do you know what graphics card you have?  Is it an integrated card?

[lisanmyers]

I tried to find that out, but i couldn't find where the information was. My computer so far has surpassed the requirements, so i'm assuming it can handle it. I cleaned out some files from the game's folder, but I haven't tried how it works now, and I just reinstated the game to see if there's anything in Options that can help.

[lisanmyers]

I really need help fixing the glitch that make my pets look deformed. I found the patch they say is to fix it, but it's an earlier patch, and my game is current in it's patches but it;s still messed up. And please, it's not my graphics card. Please help me, this is getting really annoying and I'm tired of looking.

[Ricalynn]

Can we get a picture of it?  And how do you know it's not your graphics card?  Are you up to date on it's drivers? 

I'm moving this to the technical help thread.

If you have any other threads about this - please let me know so I can merge them.  We don't allow multiple threads about the same problem.

[lisanmyers]

My graphics card is up to date, and its three years older then the pet's game its self. I made very sure of that. Also it's on a list I found of the cards that do support the graphics in game. I can get a picture and post it up here. Its only the cats, dogs, horses, unicorns, and a few of the deer. All small animals are just fine, i.e. snakes, rodents.

[Ricalynn]

My graphics card is up to date, and its three years older then the pet's game its self. I made very sure of that. Also it's on a list I found of the cards that do support the graphics in game. I can get a picture and post it up here. Its only the cats, dogs, horses, unicorns, and a few of the deer. All small animals are just fine, i.e. snakes, rodents.

What is your graphics card?  Mac or PC?  This was a common issue back when Pets came out.  Please post a picture so that we know what you're specifically referring to. 

Edit: When you tell me if it's a Mac or PC - I can tell you how to find out what your graphics card is since you never answered that question before and it's still needed information.



As previously stated, I am merging the two threads you have about the same issue. 

[lisanmyers]

It's a PC and the card is INTEL G331G31ECF, and I found this card on a list of cards that can hold the graphics. I have a picture saved on my computer, but I'm a little confused as to how to post it here.

[lisanmyers]

I don't know about integrated.

[shibamistress]

I think that is an integrated chipset style video card, which means it is probably not strong enough for the game.  As far as I can see, distorted pets is often a video card issues.  I found a link that suggested this card is not strong enough to run games like Call of Duty, so I imagine it's not very good for Pets either.

When I was running Pets off my Macbook, with a weak integrated video card, pets were not distorted, but they did not have clear hair either.  It wasn't till I started playing the game on a PC with a better video card that I was able to see the (huge!) difference in how pets looked.  Pets demands a lot of a video card.

You might take a look at the thread that has suggestions on the kind of video card to play the game.

[Ricalynn]

If I remember correctly, G33/G31 cards were one of the worst ones when Pets came out.   Your pets don't look like pets.  They look line distorted shapes with sharp angles and lines going everywhere right?   

It really is your graphics card that is the problem. 

[lisanmyers]

Ok, that sounds reasonable. So the best and only way to fix this issue would be a new card. What would the best cards be for this, and your you know the price??

[Ricalynn]

Ok, that sounds reasonable. So the best and only way to fix this issue would be a new card. What would the best cards be for this, and your you know the price??

There is a thread about graphics cards on the tech board.  This might give you a good idea of what to look for.  http://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,10030.0.html

There are also ones about computers that may include some more info about graphics cards but I'm uncertain.