Tutorial: S3SBrowser

I have added the newest sets and there's also a new Version available.

Everything can be found here now:

• Downloads
• Installation & Startup
• Tutorial
• Updates

TUTORIAL: Turning off ingame Store and preventing loading of pictures

Patch 1.29 extended to the ingame store. Besides the already introduced functionality, the user now sees offers for selected items directly in build/buy and CAS mode. On top of that around 250 MBs worth of pictures is downloaded to your computer without your knowledge.

Luckily there is a way to prevent both from showing without having to close the Internet connection.

Turn off the Ingame-Store

The ingame store can be turned off inside your options. Simply untick the option Enable Shop Mode and it will not further bother you. No offers will show in buy/build or CAS mode.

You can also edit your options.ini to turn if off before you first start the game.

• Open the file [User file directory]\Options.ini with notepad
• Look for the following line: enableingamestore = 1 and change to  enableingamestore = 0
• Save the file
• Start the game.

Unfortunatly, neither of these options prevent that 250 MB worth of pictures are downloaded to your computer.

Prevent pictures from being loaded to your computer
The pictures are being loaded into the folder  [User file directory]\FeaturedItems. Make that folder read-only so the pictures can't be written. If you don't have that folder yet, simply create one.

What to do (Win 7)
Credits for the pictures go to elanorbreton.


Right-click on the folder FeaturedItems and choose Properties

Make sure to choose the user with which you play the game and then click on Edit...

Make sure again, that you've chosen the user you play the game with look for the option Write. Tick the check box for Deny.

Confirm with OK

Now this folder is read-only and EA can't send you anymore pictures. You can delete the ones EA has already sent you.

The ingame store should work as intended, you simply don't have any pictures.

Further Reading

• CRASH: Ingame advertisement

TUTORIAL: Resetting the game to factory settings without reinstalling

Many problems can be pinpointed on cc or corruption in your user data. There's an easy way to reset your game to factory settings without going through the ordeal of reinstalling the whole thing.

Path can be different depending on your OS):

• Make a backup of  theSims3 folder in Documents\ElectronicArts to an external drive.  
• Rename your theSims3 folder in Documents\ElectronicArts to Sims3_Backup
• Start the game or the launcher (All your save games will be gone, your options will be reset to factory settings and all your store cc will be gone. Not to worry, it's all still there in that backup folder).
• A new Sims3 folder will have been recreated in your documents\electronicArts folder. Some folders might be missing for they are only created when you need them.
• Quit the game and the launcher
• Move the options.ini file from your backup folder to your newly created folder in document\electronicArts\thesims3 to recover your graphic/sounds/gameplay options 
• Go to programs\electronicarts\thesims3 and make sure you DO NOT have a mods folder there. If you do, move that to your desktop. Also make sure that there is no resource.cfg on that level (there will be on in your game\bin folder, don't delete that one).
• Repeat above step for every expansion you have.
• Start your game. You will need to start a new game for the other one is still missing right now.
• See if your error is gone. If so, you can put starting the folders back, starting with your saves. Check your game after every folder.
• This file UserPresets.package is all your custom styles you created in game, so you need to copy that one back as well.
• If you had a mods folder in your programs folder, don't put it back. CC does not go there any more.
• If you find a mods folder in your documents folder, make sure you only put the stuff back that you know to be compatible 
• ALL CC can be bad and cause problems. If you found out which folder is causing problems, use the 50%-Method to find the guilty parties. Remember that more then one object can be faulty. 

Further Reading

• Sims 3 Game Problems
• TUTORIAL: How to reinstall the game 

TUTORIAL: Turn off memory notifications

The notifications for all the memories your Sims make can become a nuisance very quickly. Luckily you can turn them off.

Go to Options and choose the tab with the two cogwheels. Remove the check mark for the option Enable Memory Notifications.

You can't turn off the memories itself but all you'll see now is a little icon now and then over their head.

Unfortunatly the memories bloat your savegames which can lead to Error 12

Mods

• Memories Disabled 1.22/Generations: No more memories. This mod reduces the number of allowed memories per Sim to 0. Existing memories need to be deleted manually.
• No (or fewer) automatic memories: Let's YOU decide, which memories you want to make.

TUTORIAL: How to find a certain download in your Launcher

Problem
When you download houses or Sims from the Exchange and other sites, a lot of stuff is coming with those. The bigger the file, the more extra CC is included with the download. Those can be faulty or you just don't like them and just want to get rid of them.

Most of them will be in your launcher and you will need to uninstall them. Unfortunately they are not always easy to find.

Solution
The best method is to check everything first. Check them with Custard and get rid of everything you don't want. You can also do this without any external tools but you will need to consequently look through your launcher after every file installed and get rid of new ones you don't like. The newest once will either show on top or at the bottom of your launcher but when you close your launcher this order will become random. So check the stuff before closing the launcher.

If you already have a DL in your game and you can't find it, make sure to read through this post: TUTORIAL: How to get rid of unwanted Custom Content. If it's not listed there and you have no clue what the launcher picture or name of the file might be, there is a way to find those. It involves using several external programs though AND the files in the DCBackup folder still need to be present.

What tools do you need ?

• Custard / Sims 3 CleanInstaller (not mandatory for this method, but useful) 
• s3pe Package Editor
• Delphy's Sims 3 Pack Multi-Extractor 

Steps

• Go into your game and load up CAS
• Check if your file is a Sims3Pack or a Package file (Check Icon). If it's a package file, delete the file from your Mods-folder and delete your cache files (Exception: CUSTARD: Downloads that are attached to Sims directly) 

 Package File

Sims3Pack File

• For the Sims3Packs create a Sim and make him wear the offending cc.
• Share the Sim
• Change to your Desktop and find the Export folder in user directory.
• Copy the Sims3Pack file that you just exported to place of your liking (make a folder there and name it whatever you like)
• Use Delphy Multi-Extractor to unpack the package files inside as described in the above linked post.
• Use Custard to look at the sims3pack to get some clues on which package file you will need to look at. Memorize (or write down) the first few number of the name of the package file (this step is not mandatory, just helpful if the sims3pack contains a lot of files).
• Go to the folder you extracted the package files to. If you have installed s3pe, package files should be associated with his tool and you can double click on the file (if not, choose open with and choose s3pe as the program to do that).

• Make sure that that the option preview is set to value and that Display-Names and Display-Tags are checked.

• You will see a column tag. Look for an entry ICON or THUM. Now click on that line to make the picture appear in the preview window. If you have ICON and THUM look at them all (there may be more then one THUM). That's the launcher pic your looking for.

• You will also see a tag _XML (there can be more than one). When you click on the right one, you will see the number (name of the file) and the name that shows in the launcher on the right hand side

• Now look for this picture in your launcher and that number in your DCBackup folder.

TUTORIAL: Combine Package Files to reduce Lag

A lot of package files lag your game and you will end up having very long loading times. The game does not seem to care that much how large the files are but does care about the number of files.

There is a method to combine them, instructions can be found here: Tutorial - Combining Packages to Ease Lag and Load Time or here: How to Merge CC Files to Decrease Lag and Make the Game run faster Guide

A few things you should and should not do

• Don't combine Hacks/Mods. They need to be checked/updated with every patch
• Know what's in the combined files. Keep a Excel Sheet or something so that you know what is where when you need to get rid of something
• Don't delete the original files. You will need them again, if you want to get rid of stuff. There is no 'uncombining' 

Further Reading

• BUG: Lags & Intermittent Freezes 
• Game Help:Package File Lag 
• Game Help:Improving Sims 3 Performance 

TUTORIAL: Remove Sims3Packs

Removing Sims3Pack files from your computer is a simple task but it can become quite time consuming. If you want to remove a lot of downloads it can happen that the launcher acts up and you have to start over checking items and to find one specific download can become quite difficult.

Because of this, it pays to pay attention on WHAT you are installing in the first place. Especially houses and sims can contain a lot of other downloads.

The launcher has multiple tabs on the side. The two important ones here are Downloads and Installed Content. If you download something from the exchange or the Store it only shows in Downlaods.

To check if something is already installed or not, notice the Plumbob/Arrow symbol under Status. Installed downloads also show grayed out. Downloads that are not installed, don't appear in your game and don't have to be uninstalled. If you downloaded a lot/household or a Sim there are bound to be other downloads to come with that. In this example, I downloaded the house Pension "Rose" und ihre Inhaberin Rose van der Falk and installed it. As you can see only the house shows in Downloads.

In  Installed Content  you can see all files that came with the house. The house also contains a Sim but that one is missing from the Launcher because he belongs to the house. All cc that was used on the Sim (here the hair) is now installed as well. Installed content shows in the order you have installed them. The newest ones are at the bottom (sometimes on top). If you close and reopen the Launcher, this order is messed up and completely random and you can't sort.

To uninstall a certain download, you can now check the box nest to it and click on uninstall. The download should now be gone from your game. To also get rid of the download itself go back to the downloads tab and click delete. If you only delete the download, it will still show in your game.

If the stuff still shows up after uninstalling it correctly, delete the Cache-Files as well. You might also be running in this problem: CUSTARD: Downloads that are attached to Sims directly.

Unfortunatly the launcher is not very reliable and it can happen that a certain download does not show up. Especially if you have tons of downloads the launcher seems to be overstrained and not all installed stuff shows up. The only way to get rid of it then, is to remove (move them to the desktop, not delete) all files *.dbc from your DCCache folder in your user directory. This way ALL downloads except lots/households, Sims, Worlds and Store stuff will be gone from your game. Stuff that's still in your downloads folder can be reinstalled, but you should make sure to check them first with Custard.

DCBackup & Downloads folder
Those two folders contain backups of your files. Deleting them will do nothing in terms of showing up in the game. Downloads contains the Sims3Packs, DCBackup the Package-Files that were inside the Sims3Packs. If you delete a download in the tab Downloads, it will be removed from the downloads folder. The files in DCBackup are never deleted. This can lead to problems and can take up a lot of disk space.

I would suggest, to move the files in downloads to external drive so that you have them handy if you need to reinstall. Think up some sort of sorting system that fits you. I would clean out the DCBackup folder entirely. Only disadvantage you have is that they won't get pack with any lots/households/Sims that you upload. Another method would be to make a list of all numbers that belong to the downlaods (they show in Custard). If you remove a download you can then manually delete the corresponding file from the DCBackup. This will be very time consuming though.

Further Reading

• TUTORIAL: Sims3Packs to Packages 
• FAQ: How do I install Custom Content/ Mods ? 
• TUTORIAL: How to get rid of unwanted Custom Content 
• TUTORIAL: How to keep a Sim but get rid of the CC it came with 

TUTORIAL: Sims3Packs to Packages

To convert Sims3Packs to Packages you will need Delphy's Multi Sims3Pack Extractor.

Installation
Installation instructions can be found in the Overview page of the tool

Usage
Copy all sims3pack files that you want to convert in a folder of your choice (in the picture X:\Sims). All files that the tool finds in this folder are being converted automatically. To set this folder in the tool choose browse in Step 1.

In Step 2 you can choose where you want to extract your files to. I recommend to choose another folder than the mods folder to extract the files to (in the picture X:\Sims, too)

Now you have to decide what you want to name the package files. You can name they way they are inside the sims3pack file. These are cryptic names. To do so, check the option rename file on save. If you do not check the option, the package files are named the same as the sims3pack. This is only true if there is only one package file inside the sims3packs. Houses and Sims have more then one most of the time.

Now click on Extract and you're done.

Now copy/move all files you want to keep to the Mods-Folder.

To convert package files to Sim3Packs you will need TSR Workshop but I have no clue about that.

TUTORIAL: Bypass the Launcher

To start your game directly without using the launcher, go to the following folder

Since Generations/1.22 you start the game from this file:
[Installlation directory]\Game\Bin\TS3W.exe

That's probably the file you are going to start the game from now on, so you don't need to worry about changing the file with every EP anymore.

 
If you are not patched to 1.22 or higher, use this files:
Base Game: [Installlation directory]\Game\Bin\TS3.exe
World Adventure: [Installlation directory]\Game\Bin\TS3EP01.exe
High End Loft Stuff: [Installlation directory]\Game\Bin\TS3SP01.exe
Ambitions: [Installlation directory]\Game\Bin\TS3EP02.exe
Fast Lane: [Installlation directory]\Game\Bin\TS3SP02.exe
Late Night: [Installlation directory]\Game\Bin\TS3EP03.exe
Outdoor Living Stuff: [Installlation directory]\Game\Bin\TS3SP03.exe

and double-click on the .exe file. You can also make a shortcut on your desktop.

Further Reading

• Game Help:TS3 Bypassing the Launcher 
• EA Support Page 

TUTORIAL: Delphy's Dashboard

Delphy's Sims 3 Dashboard Tool

Please refer to the Overview Page for further information on the tool and installation issues.

What do all the buttons do ?

• Open Root: Select the base game or an add-on in the list and press open root to access the installation folder directly
• Empty Checked: Deletes the selected Cache-Files
  
• Clear All: Deletes all Cache-Files
• Filter: Filters the files by a selected critieria (All non-standard files = all faulty, Clear Filter = remove all filters)
• Select: Selects the files by a criteria (All "corrupt" files = all faulty, De-select all = remove all selections)
• Action: Runs a action on all selected packages (Disable Package = Appends the file the extension .disable. The files are still there but the game does not recognize them as package files anymore, Fix corrupted TXTCs = Repairs corrupted TXTC files so that they can be safely used in the game , Delete Packages = Files get deleted (and are gone afterwards)
• Fix All Problems: Deactivates Sims2 and empty files and repairs corrupt data where possible. Conflicts need to be solved manually. This can't be undone
• Refresh List: Reloads the list with the package files

How can I fix my blue lot files (Corrupt TXTC) ?

Check the red files that you want to repair, choose Action and then Fix Corruped TXTCs 
Important: Only repair the corrupted TXTC files this way (those that show in red).

How about the other errors ?
Sims 2 files can be safely deleted. Conflicts and duplicates need to be checked and one file needs to be deleted or disabled. Conflicts are not a problem if they come from the same creator.

FAQ 

I ran this tool but none of my installed package files show up
Click on the button Refresh list to let the tool show the list. You might need to change the path with File - Scan folder


Is this tool compatible with all expansion packs ?
Yes, the only issue might be that not all expansions are listed in upper left corner.

Can this tool identify faulty Sims3Packs as well ?
No, but you can check the dbc-files. Those files contain all in your Launcher installed files. This way you can check if you have something corrupted. Unfortunatly you won't know what it is. Choose File-Scan an navigate to the DCCache folder in the user directory. Now you will see all DBC files. If they are red, you have something corrupt in there. Refer to this list: TXTC Fehler (Blaue Felder/ Blue Lots) and uninstall what you find from installed content in your Launcher. There are other files around so it's possible that the files still show red after doing this (make sure to refresh the list). If you do not clean out your DCBackup folder, you can then scan that folder and open the faulty files in s3pe to find out what they are. If all fails, you will need to get rid of all DBC files and reinstall your downloads.

You can't fix the DBC files with the tool and fixing the files in DCBackup will do you no good for that are just backups.

To check not yet installed sims3packs, use Custard.


I have tons of conflicts. Are those really a problem ?
Conflicts have nothing to do with blue lots. If you have mods that conflict with each other, then you have a problem and you should remove one of them. Other CC is slightly different. If two files are from the same creator, conflicts are not an issue. If they are from different creators, you should remove one of the files.

I have blue lots in my game. Can I save my hood with this tool ?  
No. Blue lots can't be repaired. Savegames that have them are lost. Try to save whatever houses that are still fine to the library and start a new game or load a backup. Fix your stuff to prevent more blue lots from happening.

What do the colors mean ?
Read = Corrupt TXTC  = blue lots or empty files
Yellow = Duplicates (same file multiple times installed)
Dark Yellow = Conflict (mainly for mods. CC from the same creator is not a problem)
Blau = Sims2 files.
Light blue = disabled

Dashboard show no problems with my downloads. Can I be sure that everything is fine then ?
No. Dashboard does not show all potential errors. Stuff that crashes your game or lets you have Horror Sims are not yet detected. There is also a problem with windows since LN that does not show in Dashboard. There might be further problems.

Verwandte Themen

• BUG: Blue Lots
• FAQ: User Files

TUTORIAL: Turn off Automatic Updates

1. Start the launcher
2. Click Game Updates
3. Remove the check mark Automatic Updates

If a patch is already out and you don't want the launcher to automatically patch but did not remove the check mark, turn off your Internet connection, start the launcher, remove the check mark and then turn the Internet back on.

TUTORIAL: How to keep a Sim but get rid of the CC it came with

Unfortunatly some package files come inside the package file of a Sim, meaning that the only way to get rid of the download is to get rid of the Sim it came with. You will need to uninstall the Sim through your launcher or deleted from your SavedSims folder.

Sometimes you do want to keep the Sim, but not the cc it came with, so what can you do to keep the Sim ?

There is a way for only Sims spread this way. Households do not. You will need to delete the Sim itself but you can save it either in a savegame or as a household to keep.

1. Backup all folders in the user file directory.
2. Go into CAS and select the Sim that has the skin/cc
3. Change it to something else
4. Share the Sim 
5. Uninstall the other Sim from installed content and delete from downloads 
6. The file can then be found in the export folder in the user file directory.
7. Install that file to have a new file in the SavedSims folder without the cc and find the Sim in CAS

If the Sim is wearing cloth in his nude state, this won't work for you cannot change that state. To get rid of those, do the following:

1. Backup all folders in the user file directory.
2. Go into CAS and put all Sims you want to keep into a game
3. Share the house / Sim in edit town mode. You can make many one Sim households or just one with all your sim (or more depending on the number of Sims)
4. Save the game and close the it
5. Remove all Sims from your SavedSims folder and delete your cache files.
6. Restart the game to make sure that the cc is gone from your game. The sims can be found in the library (not CAS)

If you want to keep a Sim as a Sim file instead of a household, you will need the MasterController Mod by Twallan (NRaas). Do all of the above and then:

1. Place the Sim you want to keep as Sim file into your game and use the Option Edit in CAS on the MasterController.
2. In CAS, share the Sim from there.
3. The file can then be found in the export folder in the user file directory.
4. Install that file to have a new file in the SavedSims folder without the cc and find the Sim in CAS 

This method should work for hair, cloth, shoes etc. It should work for skins as well (they always come this way) but I did not try that.

Further Reading

• TUTORIAL: How to get rid of unwanted Custom Content 
• TUTORIAL: Custard 

TUTORIAL: How to reinstall the game

Sometimes the last resort is to reinstall your game. You should really only do this if you have tried everything else for this will take hours.

Before you do reinstall, try this: TUTORIAL: Resetting the game to factory settings without reinstalling

Unfortunatly simply uninstalling the game via the Software Panel often leaves traces and folders behind, making it difficult or even impossible to reinstall.

Follow those instructions for uninstalling at the Sims Wiki carefully and reinstalling go smoothly:

Game Help:TS3 Uninstall

Further Reading

• Game Help:Install 
• Game Help:TS3 Patching 
• How to Manually Uninstall, then Reinstall all games for The Sims 3 
• 
  

TUTORIAL: How to find your game version

The base game and every expansion and stuff pack has it's own version number. In your game, those version need to match otherwise you can have error. Important are always the base game and the latest Add-On that you have.

The version number consists of different parts. Every single EP has it's own version number. The starting number tells you, which game it is.

1 = Base Game
2 = World Adventures
3 = High End Loft Stuff
4 = Ambitions
5 = Fast Lane
6 = Late Night
7 = Outdoor Living Stuff

The other important information are the last two digits. They tell you what region you have. They are as following:

01 = US
02 = Worldwide (Europe)
03 = Asia
05 = Japan
17 = Digital Download

Since HELS there are only two regions available
01 = DVD-Version
17 = Digital Download

The patch Versions so far have been:

• Patch 1.2.7 (June 25th, 2009) 
• Patch 1.3.4 (July 27th, 2009) 
• Patch 1.4.6 (August 05th 2009) 
• Patch 1.5.82/1.6.6 (November 16th, 2009)
• Patch 1.7.9/2.2.8 (November 18th, 2009)
• Patch 1.8.25/2.3.33 (December 15th, 2009)
• Patch 1.9.22/2.4.7 (February 2nd, 2010)
• Patch 1.10.6/2.5.12/3.1.7 (February 8th, 2010)
• Patch 1.11.7/2.6.11/3.2.8. (March 24th, 2010)
• Patch 1.12.7/2.7.7/3.3.11/4.0.87 (June 01st, 2010)
• Patch 1.14.11/2.9.10/3.5.8/4.2.32 (July 08th,  2010)
• Patch 1.15.34/2.10.5/3.6.6/4.3.4 (September 07th, 2010)
• Patch 1.17.60/2.12.8/3.8.6/4.5.6/5.3.4 (October 27th, 2010)
• Patch 1.18.9/2.13.6/3.9.6/4.6.6/5.4.4/6.1.11 (November 30th, 2010)
• Patch 1.19.44/2.14.4/3.10.4/4.7.4/5.5.4/6.2.4 (February 1st, 2011) 
• Patch 1.22 (Mai 31st, 2011) 

If you are patching via the Launcher only the base game and your latest expansion/stuff pack will be updated (the one with the highest leading number). The gurus in the official forum have said multiple times that this is ok. I recommend to update the in-between ones anyway. You can either use the Patch Downloader by FordGT90Concept for this step or the Super Patches at MTS.

If you need an older patch for any reason they can be found here: Game_Help:TS3_Patching:Patch_Download/Archived

The version of your games can either be found in your launcher (this won't work if your launcher says you have Version 0.0.0.0) or via the skuversion.txt file in your installation directory.

Further Reading

• Game Help:TS3 Patching Find Gameversion
• Game Help:TS3 Patching Versions 
• For Macs: Checking which Patch version you’re running

TUTORIAL: What to do before patching

Before installing the EP/Patch you should

• Turn off automatic updates 
• Remove all your mods and cc (especially mods). Make sure that you understand the uninstall instructions for scripting and core mods. They are usually posted in the first post of the mods you are using. If a mods adds extra interactions, you will need to take extra steps as not to bork your savegame.
• Make sure, your Sims are not on vacation in any neighborhood you plan on playing with in the future
• Make sure your Sims are not sleeping (can make the beds unusable)
• Remove all your mods from your game (yes, right, already said that)
• Make a copy of all your user files (the whole folder in documents) to an external hard drive
• Save all Sims and houses you care about to the bin.
• If you download the patch through the Launcher, be PATIENT. Don't start the Launcher manually, it should pop-up on it's own, when it's done.
• Simply running your game without custom content is NOT enough. All your package files, especially mods will still be in your game. Only content installed through the launcher is affected by this option.

I strongly recommend the Patch Downloader by FordGT90Concept for patching. It saves you a lot of head aches. 

After installing the EP/Patch you should

• Mak sure DEP is done for the following file: [Installation Directory]\theSims3\Game\Bin\ts3w.exe
• Start a NEW testing neighborhood. Don't start any game you grown to love for all the cc you have used will be replaced.
• Play for awhile, then start putting back your cc.
• Don't put any mods back unless you are sure that they work (or want to test).

How to uninstall Custom Content (CC) the easy way

• Go into the game and save all houses and sims you want to keep into the bin
• Save your game under a different name because all your CC stuff will be replaces/removed when you start the game without the cc installed. 
• If you are using Scripting mods make sure that no sim is currently performing an action added by those mods. To do that use the Reset everything Option in Twallan's MC. The career mod by Twallan requires some extra steps to uninstall so please check the corresponding thread where you downloaded the mod from (you will need to do that with every savegame you are still playing).
• Save and exit your game.
• Move the content of the following folders to your desktop (move, not copy): DCCache (= cloth, hair, installed patterns etc), SavedSims (Sims), Worlds (worlds), Library (households & houses) & Mods (package-files). 
• You can also move the content of the following folders: Downloads (all sims3pack as they show up in downloads in your launcher) and DCBackup (all sims3packs unpacked, not much purpose). I would move, not delete.
• Delete the following cache files: CASPartCache.package, compositorCache.package, scriptCache.package, simCompositorCache.package (can be found in documents/electronicarts/thesims3)
• Start the copy of your game to check it out.

A word on mods/hacks
Mods (sometimes called Hacks) are files that alter they way your game behaves. It's not just some extra cloth or hair but it can significantly alter your gameplay.

If you want to use mods, that's fine. I could not play without them. BUT use them with care and KNOW what you are doing. Don't just mindlessly put in whatever you come across. Some XML mods can't be used together for they alter the same file. Use Delphys Dashboard to check for conflicts. XML Mods that conflict with each other cannot be used together.

There are different levels of modding:

Core mods alter the main game package file and therefore will always be invalid with every patch that comes out. EA will always replace this file with a newer one, making the changes that were made obsolete.

Scripting mods use external code to add extra stuff. Some of them will get invalid with the patch, some of them don't. It really depends if EA changed something that will interfere with the changes. The bigger the mod and the changes mads, the higher the changes that they will lead to troubles. Always check with the creators if the mods have been updated. Most of the scripting are pretty fast and reliable when it comes to updated. Also make sure you take any extra steps necessary before uninstalling them. The threads will tell you what to do. Read those.

XML- (or Tuning) Mods change something in a XML file to change the behavior. If EA changes something in the same file (or any other XML mod for that matter), the mod will not work any longer for with the mod you overwrite the changes EA has made. So the modders will need to take the new XML file and reapply their changes to make them work again. Bigger XML files like the socializing file, skill files, book files will be changed almost every time, thus making those mods incompatible pretty fast. The issues will always be the same (or similar).

NoMosaic is a mod that changes some HEX values. It will probably need updating with every Add-on but not with every patch.

There are also those mods that change ini files. You will need to replace EA files with the mod (instead of just putting it in the package folder). ALWAYS backup your original file, for you will need to reapply the original to be able to patch.

Again: Using mods is fine, but always take them out when patching, keep them in a separate sub-folder, so you know that they are mods and always make sure you read what the creator writes about them. If a mod is not maintained anymore, you should not use it.


Further reading

• FAQ: How do I uninstall a Mod/Hack ? 

TUTORIAL: How to get rid of unwanted Custom Content

Does your Sim look anything like this: My Sims look horrible ? Do you have clothing, hair or objects in your game that you do not like at all and don't remember downloading anywhere ?

If so, you have probably downloaded Custom Content (CC) with a house/sim or household from the Exchange or any other third party site.

This tutorial is meant to help you find the stuff and get it out of your game. There are several steps involved and sometimes there is more than one way to do it. I will try to explain everything as easy understandable as possible. If you do have any problems with this, please post in my Bad CC thread in the official Sims 3 forum. I'm checking this thread regularly and will try to help where ever I can.

Identifying unwanted CC
Check the lists in my German blog to see if they are listed there

• BAD CC: Clothing
• BAD CC: TXTC Fehler (Blue Lots) 
• BAD CC: Crash 

If you find them there, continue with Removing unwanted CC.

If you don't find the items on my lists, you will need to start your game and find out, what KIND of cc you have.

1. Start the game
2. Enter CAS and find the CC in the list on the left hand side. Sometimes the CC does not show in CAS. This happens if it's categorized as hidden. Use the cheat UnlockOutfits on to show all outfits in CAS
3. Identify the icon.

Package File

 Sims3Pack File

If you don't see any icon at all or the icon is colored it came with the base game or one of the EPs. They can't be uninstalled. If you are using the old way of installing CC you also won't have a pic*  
4. Sims3Packs can be found in your launcher but unfortunately sometimes the launcher picture and the picture in CAS look completely different. To find out how that pic looks, see this blog entry: TUTORIAL: How to find a certain download in your Launcher
5. Package files can be either found in your mods folder OR they came with a Sim directly. Either way, you will need to do the binary-search method (aka the 50% method) to find the guilty party. Skins ALWAYS come this way unless you put them in yourself.

Removing unwanted CC
Depending on what type of CC it is, you need to remove it differently

Package Files / Sims File
Once you identified them, you can simply delete (or move) the file you want to get rid of. Make sure to delete your cache files afterwards. If you are using Scripting Mods (like the ones by Twallan, Buzzler or treeag) make sure that you read the description of the mods. There are certain mods that need some extra steps before uninstalling them.

Sims3Pack Files
Those file need to be uninstalled from your launcher. Make sure, you check your Installed Content and not Downloads. Also make sure that you have the tab with the Infinity Symbol to see all your installed stuff. Some of these unwanted files do not have a categorization and therefor can't be found if you filter f.e. by Clothing. Do not try to uninstall while the game is running. Close it.

1. Find the Launcher Pic/ text you have identified before.
2. Select the checkbox next to it
3. Click on Uninstall 
4. Start your game to check if the unwanted CC is now really gone. If not,  try deleting your cache files.
5. To rid your computer of clutter, you should also delete the corresponding package-file in your DCBackup folder. You'll find the numbers in my blog if the CC is listed there. This step is NOT necessary and has nothing to do whether they show up in your game or not. To read up on what those files are actually for, read this: User Files.

What to do if this does not work
Make sure WHAT type of CC it is by identifying the icon in CAS (see above).

Sims3Pack
If uninstalling an item from the Launcher does remove the CC from your game. Unfortunatly the launcher doens't seem to be able to display all CC if you have a lot of it so that's why sometimes you can't seem to find stuff.

Everything installed in your Launcher can be found in the files in the folder DCCache. There are three types of files in there:

• *.ebc: All Store Items 
• *.dbc: All third party Items
• missingdeps.idx: Some cache file that gets recreated when deleted

First you can try this method by Mell

1. Make  a backup of your DCCache folder (if anything doesn't go as expected)
2. Move all files *.dbc to your desktop
3. Move dcdb0.dbc back to your DCCache folder 
4. Start the Launcher
5. Go to Installed Content and uninstall everything you don't want anymore
6. Close the Launcher
7. Remove the dcdb0.dbc file from the DCCache and store it in a safe place.
8. Move the dcdb1.dbc in the DCCache and rename it to dcdb0.dbc.
9. Start the launcher and proceed with step 5 and 6 again. 
10. Rename dcdb0.dbc back to  dcdb1.dbc and store it also at that safe place
11. Do this for every DBC file in the DCCache Folder. Make sure to rename the files to their original name.
12. Once your done, move the cleaned files back to your DCCache folder and you're done.  

You can then try deleting the missingdeps.idx if that does not work, you will need to remove all files *.dbc. Move the files to your desktop (don't delete). This will remove everything except Store Items, Houses/Households and Sims. Check your game if the CC is now gone.

Package files

1. Move your SavedSims folder to the desktop and delete your cache files.
2. Check if the CC is gone --> If yes, you're done
3. Move your Mods folder to the desktop and delete your cache files.
4. Check if the CC is gone --> If yes, you're done 
5. If not, please post here: Bad CC thread in the official Sims 3 forum.

*If you ever installed your cc with the Installer Helper Monkey or still use the old way, I would suggest removing the old way and switch over to the new one: Installing Sims 3 Package Files/Old Way to New Way

Further Reading

• TUTORIAL: How to keep a Sim but get rid of the CC it came with
• TUTORIAL: Remove Sims3Packs 
• Game Help:Showering with clothing on 
• Game Help:Remove Sims3 Custom CC Wizard 
• Bad CC thread at the official forum 

TUTORIAL: Delphy's Custard

Introduction 
CleanInstaller (aka Custard) by Delphy (MTS) can help you analyze your Sims3Packs and get rid of any extra stuff that comes with it. If you want to change the Sims3Packs in any way, I recommend working on a copy of it, so that you can try a second time, if something goes wrong.

Custard can only analyze one Sims3Pack at the time and only the ones that are NOT installed. Not all errors are shown by Custard as error, which makes it important to know, what you are looking for.

Where do I get Custard and how do I install it ?  
Custard can be found here at MTS (you have to register to download):

Clean Up Sims3Packs Today! Also raises dead?

Save the file CUSTARD.RAR to your Computer and use WinRar to unpack the files inside to a folder of your own liking. You will need .Net 2.0 Framework (Win 7 already has it).

You don't have to install anything. Just make sure that all the files inside are at the same place. If you have any problems regarding the installation, please post in Delphy's post and ask him.

How do I use Custard ? 
Double-Click on Sims3PackCleaner.exe,  to start the program. If you have opened a faulty file, close and reopen Custard to make sure you get the correct results.

Open the Sims3Pack from inside the program with File - Open.

Since a Sims3Pack is a container for package-files, you will now see all files that come with the Sims3Pack. Houses that have sims with it don't show as separate files but you will see any CC that comes with the Sim or the house.

Type tells you what item it is. The Sim or house itself is always the first entry and shows as Sims 3 Package. Building parts also show as Sims 3 Package. Sometimes a picture will tell you, how the item inside looks. Elements titled Thumbnails are the pictures that you have seen on the Exchange. They are usually a light pink. That's normal.

What am I looking for ?
Custard shows a few errors like for example file that can cause blue lots or errors that happened while up- or downloading. Custard marks them in a deep red. Sometimes the thumbnail can be red too (see below).

There are more errors that can be identified by Custard but Custard does not show them as faulty. Some errors can't be found with the tool (f.e. Stuff that crashes your game). Those can only be found by doing the binary-search method (aka the 50% method).

Clean Sims3Pack
If your download looks like this, it's clean of any downloads and can be installed.

Sims3Packs with Errors

• Corrupt (Not a DBPF) / Bad Download / Bad Index 
• Downloads that are attached to Sims directly
• Wrong Category/Age/Gender for Cloth or Accessory
• Missing TXTC (blue lots)
• Corrupt Thumbnails 

How do I get rid of a faulty package file inside a Sims3Pack
To get rid of faulty stuff (or anything you simply don't want), tick the square at the beginning of the line.


To do this step, always work on a copy of your Sims3Pack. It does not always work properly on the first try.

Now save (don't use save as)

Now open the file again to check if everything is as you wanted it.

You're done.