Extracting Folders into The Sims 3!
Winrar:
If you don't have winrar for the extracting visit: http://www.rarlab.com/download.htm
To check what Winrar you need go into:
For Windows:
• Start>Control Panel>System (look at system type)
For Mac:
Macs are usually 64 Bit but to double check:
• Select About this Mac from the Apple menu. The text below Mac OS X will give the operating system version. Mac OS X 10.5 (or greater) is a 64-bit operating system.
Before you can put the .package files in your game, you'll need to set up your game to accept custom content. From patch 1.12 and up, this is very easy!
1.
The Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\ folder - note the contents are folders like DCBackup, DCCache, InstalledWorlds, Saves, etc. (click the image for full size)
Go to The Sims 3 Folder in My Documents: NOT in Program Files!
To check what Winrar you need go into:
For Windows:
• Start>Control Panel>System (look at system type)
For Mac:
Macs are usually 64 Bit but to double check:
• Select About this Mac from the Apple menu. The text below Mac OS X will give the operating system version. Mac OS X 10.5 (or greater) is a 64-bit operating system.
Before you can put the .package files in your game, you'll need to set up your game to accept custom content. From patch 1.12 and up, this is very easy!
1.
The Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\ folder - note the contents are folders like DCBackup, DCCache, InstalledWorlds, Saves, etc. (click the image for full size)
Go to The Sims 3 Folder in My Documents: NOT in Program Files!
- Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\<user name>\My Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\
- Windows Vista/7: C:\Users\<username>\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\
- Mac OS: /Users/<username>/Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 3/
2. Download the ready-made FrameworkSetup.zip This file contains everything you need to set up your game for custom content. Right-click on the download link below and choose "Save link as." Save it into your Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\ folder (the same folder you just opened).
3.
The Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\ folder with the new folder, called "Mods" highlighted.
Extract the framework: Right-click on the FrameworkSetup.zip file and choose Extract Here (You will get this option if you have properly installed 7-Zip as advised in the TS3 CC Basics FAQ). A new folder will appear, called "Mods". Double-click on it to open the "Mods" folder.
The Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\ folder with the new folder, called "Mods" highlighted.
Extract the framework: Right-click on the FrameworkSetup.zip file and choose Extract Here (You will get this option if you have properly installed 7-Zip as advised in the TS3 CC Basics FAQ). A new folder will appear, called "Mods". Double-click on it to open the "Mods" folder.
4.
Inside the Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Mods folder
Check Mods Folder: Your Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Mods\ folder should look like the picture, with three items inside... two folders, one called "Overrides" and one called "Packages" and one file called Resource.cfg. Double-click on the folder called "Packages" to open it.
Inside the Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Mods folder
Check Mods Folder: Your Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Mods\ folder should look like the picture, with three items inside... two folders, one called "Overrides" and one called "Packages" and one file called Resource.cfg. Double-click on the folder called "Packages" to open it.
5.
Inside the Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Packages folder
Check Packages Folder: Your Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Mods\Packages folder should have two files inside it: NoBuildSparkles.package, and nointro.package
Note: The picture shows them with a little green plumbbob icon, and "Sims3 Package" under Type. It's okay if your icon looks like a Sims 2 package icon, a monkey, a white sheet of paper, or anything else, and the type may say "PACKAGE" or something else. Icon and exactly what it says for "type" are irrelevant as far as working in the game is concerned - what matters is that it ends with .package.
Inside the Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Packages folder
Check Packages Folder: Your Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Mods\Packages folder should have two files inside it: NoBuildSparkles.package, and nointro.package
Note: The picture shows them with a little green plumbbob icon, and "Sims3 Package" under Type. It's okay if your icon looks like a Sims 2 package icon, a monkey, a white sheet of paper, or anything else, and the type may say "PACKAGE" or something else. Icon and exactly what it says for "type" are irrelevant as far as working in the game is concerned - what matters is that it ends with .package.
6. Everything okay? Do your folders look as they should in step 4 and step 5, with all the right files/folders in place?
- Yes! Good! Proceed.
- No! You must have done something wrong. Delete the Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Mods folder and start try again from step 1.
TESTING!
Now if you run the game, your .package files should be fully working in-game! You already have two package files installed, so you can tell right away whether things are working properly.
If you still get the intro movie and build sparkles showing when you test in-game, you must have done something wrong. Delete the My Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Mods\ folder and try again from Step 1 of "Setup Folders and Files" above. It will work this way if done properly!
- nointro.package: The No Intro will eliminate the EA Intro video before the game starts loading, which makes it very quick and easy to see if things are setup properly. If the plumbob animation and intro videos no longer play (you go straight to the loading screen), then you know your .package file content is working!
- NoBuildSparkles.package: Nobuildsparkles will show that your custom content is actually working in-game. Go into build mode and build a wall, or a room. If no sparkles appear, then other package format content should work as well!
If you still get the intro movie and build sparkles showing when you test in-game, you must have done something wrong. Delete the My Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Mods\ folder and try again from Step 1 of "Setup Folders and Files" above. It will work this way if done properly!