How To Install Sims 3 Skins

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

The product I purchased was 'The Sims 3 plus Season' wihch comes with a disc for the base game as well as a Seasons expansion disc. This being the most recent EP to The Sims 3, it wouldn't be surprising if this is in fact a new implementation to the base game disc. The Sims 3 General Discussion. I've downloaded the 'F-IN 01 TSI/ asian edition revised TS3 nondefault' skin but I don't know how to install it.

Summary

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

Game Version & Compatibility

Most important thing to do before downloading any 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 also means CC from previous versions might harm your game as well. So you must be careful and read about what you’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. So you need to update your game to version 1.26 or newer. To check which patch you’re running, open your Launcher and look in the bottom left corner. Hover over your base game icon to find out the game version.

Download

In order to download your CC, you will need a program that can extract “archive” files, such as WinRar, 7zip… in case your download was compressed. After extracting your file, you need to know which type of file it is. You can tell what type of file you have by looking at its file extension. The Sims 3 CC come in 3 types.

• Sims3Packs.
• Packages.
• Sim files.

Each file type has its own installation method and directory. It should be obvious what type 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 extension .package and a default file icon.

• Download the already made folder – Link
• Go to My Documents–> Electronic Arts–> The Sims 3
• Extract it in the above directory.

The “Mods” folder contains everything you need to set up your Custom content including:

• Packages folder, is where you will be placing your packages files.
• resource.cfg file will make sure they work.
• overrides folder, is used for the replacement files, pretend it’s not there, you don’t need it.

Installing Sims3Packs

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

• Download and extract your CC into My DocumentsElectronic ArtsThe Sims 3Downloads.
• To install just one Sims3Pack, double-click on it and the Launcher will open and install it by itself.
• To install many Sims3Pack at a time:
  • Open the Launcher.
  • Select the CC you wish to install.
  • Hit install.

If the installation was successful, installed items will be grayed out and marked like 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 do not have that folder, you can create it in the above directory.

Sim files can also come in Sims3Packs files, then you need to use the launcher to install them.

Recover your game speed

Installing mods for The Sims 3 can be very tempting where you’d end up just downloading a whole bunch of stuff, and eventually cause your game to lag. I’m personally addicted to clutter, it’s 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 start. I tried many things and mods to speed up my game until I found out that the problem was caches holding all the items used in game for easier access.

So I deleted them and my game played a lot better and faster.

• Basically, you go to your My Documents–> Electronic Arts–> The Sims 3–> DCbackup. And delete everything in that folder. If it makes you feel better, you can keep a backup of the folder and test it yourself.
• As for the Start up and loading screens, go to your My Documents–> Electronic Arts–> The Sims 3 and delete, CASPartCache.package compositorCache.package scriptCache.package simCompositorCache.package socialCache.package files.

Don’t worry, these caches are just a bunch of backup files of all the package files ever used in the game which you obviously don’t need. Plus they will regenerate when you start the game.

I strongly recommend doing the first clean up, once a month or week. And the second every time before you launch your game.

Removing Custom Content

If you have content you don’t need anymore or it caused problems to your game, removing it is very simple.

Sims 3 Package Files

Go to your My Documents–> Electronic Arts–> The Sims 3–>Mods–>Packages. And simply select and delete the package(s) as you would with any file.

Sims3Packs

• Start up the Sims 3 Launcher.
• Click on the Installed Content tab.
• Check any custom content you wish to move and hit Uninstall.

Also, you can click the Downloads tab to get rid of the unneeded Sims3Packs that are in your Downloads folder, but this will not uninstall them from your game. Because they are not read by the game itself, only the Launcher.

I STRONGLY recommend, deleting the cache files after adding/removing any simspacks/packages.

If it didn’t work?

• Make sure you placed each file type in the right directory.
• Make sure your download is compatible with the rest of the content you have.
• Make sure your download does not require Expansion Packs you do 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 can only have one replacement, one set of default replacement for each content. For example; one set of default skintone replacement.

Original Link – Continuation of discussion

Over here you will find some of the best websites available that have Sims 3 Mods and Custom stuff like clothing, families, worlds and so on. All right here on this guide. Their are plenty of Mods available, You just need to know where to start…

A few websites every Sims 3 player must visit!

• Mod The Sims

Website: Link

What is it? A simple community forum that teaches players how to modify the game, then gives them a place to exchange and discuss those modifications. This site is know as the best website for Sims Mods. (Requires a Mod The Sims account which is free to make to download mods).

• The Sims Resource

Website: Link

What is it? Exactly what the name says: excluding the game’s official website, this is the best resource for Sims information and downloads. Compared to other links on this guide, it’s refreshingly well-designed as well. You’ll find what you’re looking for with speed and ease. (Requires an account to download mods).

• Poppy Sims

Website: Link

What is it? A place to download custom made clothing, worlds and lots, themes, objects and even sims families! For free with no account required you can get a ton of custom made clothes!

• NRaas

Website: Link

What is it? A custom content site for The Sims 1, 2 and 3 featuring free downloads from a select set of talented artists.

• Parsimonious

Website: Link

What is it? A custom content site for The Sims 1, 2 and 3 featuring free downloads from a select set of talented artists.

How to install mods and custom content

Step 1: Under the start up menu, Go to DocumentsElectronic ArtsThe Sims 3.

Step 2: When you open the folder, see if you have a folder inside named “Mods”. If you don’t see a folder named “Mods”, then create a new folder and name it “Mods.”

(If the “Mods” folder was already inside “The Sims 3” Folder and you didn’t have to create a folder named “Mods” then skip step 3 and step 4 and move on to step 5 otherwise continue with step 3).

Step 3: Under that folder, create another new folder, and name it “Packages.” This is where you download your Sims3package files.

Step 4: You will need to download the Resource cfg file. Once you have downloaded this file copy the file and paste it in the “Mods” folder.

Step 5:Xdcam hd 422 codec download premiere cs6. Installing Mods: On the website, you are downloading the mods from, right-click the RAR or zip files and select “Save Target As…” These files go into the Packages folder. Open the Package folder, and extract the file.

To extract the Sims3package files:

• Windows Users: You will need to install 7-Zip or Winrar. I personally recommend WinRar.
• Mac Users: You will need to install Keka for extracting files.

I hope my step by step guide, has helped you. If you’re planning on deciding which mods are best for you, be sure to do your homework, before you know what you’re getting into.

Original Link – Continuation of discussion