How To Use Downloaded Content In Sims 3

The Sims™ 3

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Custom Content Basics - The Sims three

As requested, a simple guide explaining how to install Custom Content in The Sims 3...

Summary

This is a basic summary of the steps to have to download and install custom content for The Sims 3.

► Game Version & Compatibility

Most important thing to do before downloading whatsoever CC, is to make sure your game is fully patched to the latest version to prevent any unwanted behavior caused by CC from later versions. But that likewise means CC from previous versions might damage your game likewise. And then you must be careful and read virtually what you lot're downloading. I've had that issue countless times where it caused weird bugs and annoying crashes to my game. But luckily most legit modders have updated their creations to Pets Expansion Pack patch. Then you need to update your game to version 1.26 or newer. To bank check which patch you lot're running, open your Launcher and look in the bottom left corner. Hover over your base of operations game icon to find out the game version.

► Download

In order to download your CC, you will need a programme that can extract "archive" files, such every bit WinRar, 7zip... in instance your download was compressed. After extracting your file, you demand to know which type of file information technology is. You tin tell what type of file you have by looking at its file extension. The Sims three CC come in 3 types.

Sims3Packs.
Packages.
Sim files.

Each file type has its own installation method and directory. It should be obvious what blazon your files are, they'll end with .package, .sims3pack, or .sim

Types of CC

► Installing Sims 3 Package Files

A Sims 3 package file has the extention .package and a default file icon.

Download the already made folder Hither [chii.modthesims.info].
Go to My Documents--> Electronic Arts--> The Sims 3
Extract it in the above directory.

The "Mods" binder contains everything you need to set your Custom content including:

Packages binder, is where you will be placing your packages files.
resources.cfg file will make sure they work.
overrides folder, is used for the replacement files, pretend it's not there, y'all don't demand it.

► Installing Sims3Packs

Sims3Packs have the extention .sims3pack and the base game icon.

Download and excerpt your CC into My Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Downloads\.
To install only one Sims3Pack, double-click on it and the Launcher will open and install it by itself.
To install many Sims3Pack at a fourth dimension:
- Open the Launcher.
- Select the CC you lot wish to install.
- Hit install.

If the installation was successful, installed items volition exist grayed out and marked similar in the example above.

► Installing Sims 3 Sims

Sim files has the extention .sim and packages icon.

Download a sim file.
Place the file in the SavedSims folder (My Documents--> Electronic Arts--> The Sims 3--> SavedSims)
If you lot do not have that binder, y'all tin create it in the above directory.

Sim files tin likewise come in Sims3Packs files, then yous need to use the launcher to install them.

Recover your game speed

Installing mods for The Sims 3 can exist very tempting where you'd end upwards just downloading a whole bunch of stuff, and eventually cause your game to lag. I'thousand personally fond to clutter, it'south never enough clutter for me. And it made my game very... sluggish, that it was painful and annoying to play. Not to mention how long it took it to showtime. I tried many things and mods to speed upward my game until I found out that the problem was caches holding all the items used in game for easier access. And then I deleted them and my game played a lot better and faster.

Basically, yous become to your My Documents--> Electronic Arts--> The Sims 3--> DCbackup. And delete everything in that folder. If it makes y'all feel better, y'all can keep a fill-in of the folder and test it yourself.
Equally for the Start upwardly and loading screens, go to your My Documents--> Electronic Arts--> The Sims three and delete, CASPartCache.package| compositorCache.package| scriptCache.package| simCompositorCache.package| socialCache.bundle| files.

Don't worry, these caches are just a bunch of backup files of all the parcel files e'er used in the game which y'all obviously don't need. Plus they will regenerate when yous start the game.
I strongly recommend doing the get-go clean up, in one case a calendar month or week. And the 2nd every time before yous launch your game.

Removing Custom Content

If y'all accept content you don't need anymore or it caused issues to your game, removing it is very simple.

► Sims three Parcel Files

Get to your My Documents--> Electronic Arts--> The Sims 3-->Mods-->Packages. And but select and delete the package(south) as yous would with whatever file.

► Sims3Packs

Start up the Sims three Launcher.
Click on the Installed Content tab.
Bank check any custom content you wish to movement and hit Uninstall.

As well, y'all can click the Downloads tab to get rid of the unneeded Sims3Packs that are in your Downloads binder, merely this will not uninstall them from your game. Because they are non read by the game itself, but the Launcher.

I STRONGLY recommend, deleting the enshroud files afterward adding/removing any simspacks/packages.

If it didn't work?

Make certain you placed each file type in the right directory.
Brand sure your download is compatible with the remainder of the content you have.
Make sure your download does not require Expansion Packs y'all practice not own.
Delete all the *.ebc files from DCCache folder and reinstall your CC.
Some content overrides (replaces) game content. For these types of things, you tin can simply have 1 replacement, ane set of default replacement for each content. For case; ane set of default skintone replacement.

If you have any questions, contribution to my guide or requests for other guides, feel free to ask, I volition be glad to help.
You lot can also check out my other The Sims 3 guides..
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=408896274
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=400065159
Happy Simming!